The richly religious sub-district of East Jerusalem was formed in 1948 when the city of Jerusalem was divided into two. Today the area is home to some of the holiest sites of Judaism, Christianity and Islam including the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Things to do in East Jerusalem
The Israeli district is packed with history, religion and culture where visitors can enjoy learning about East Jerusalem’s past on a visit to the Western Wall. This ancient limestone wall is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. Take a night tour of the tunnels to learn about the remains of the Second Temple of Jerusalem or head here in the day to witness the confluence of locals praying together.
Just a 10-minute drive east of the Wall sits the Mount of Olives, a holy site with panoramic views over the Old City. Named after the olive groves that once donned the hills, the site has many paths to meander down. Wind past old churches as you follow in the footsteps of Jesus and relish in the fresh air.
Back in the city, head to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to enjoy impressive architecture and rich history. Built in the 4th century, this place of worship is considered one of the holiest shrines of Christianity and is believed to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Continue your tour of the Old City with a visit to Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism. Afterwards, head to Amigo Emil to dine on Israeli cuisine, a modest combination of multicultural flavours with freshly baked flatbreads, tasty falafel and homemade hummus.
Getting there
Eastern Jerusalem sits only a 50-minute taxi drive south of Ben Gurion Airport.The centre of the sub-district can be explored on foot, but taxis are also available to transport you from each attraction.