The oldest city in the Middle East, the capital of the main religious confessions, a place of biblical events and an increased accumulation of priceless cultural objects, Jerusalem lives its own life, century after century, preserving the aura of holiness and antiquity. The dilemma of where to stay in Jerusalem is replaced here by another - to which shrines of the cult city to go first of all, because you can walk through all its holy places, unless you stay here for a long time.
Features of accommodation in Jerusalem
In addition to religious specifics, Jerusalem is also a large resort in Israel, successfully hosting millions of idle tourists and pilgrims, so the process of meeting guests here is on a grand scale. To help tourists, hundreds of hotels, guest houses and hostels, restaurants, cafes, museums and other places where you can wander in search of adventure. It is unnecessary to talk about dozens of unique objects of culture, architecture, history and religion, those who come here have heard very well about the treasures of the biblical city.
Jerusalem is a very peculiar city. It is divided into Arab and Jewish parts, which should be taken into account when choosing a place to live. Ethnic quarters and even places of residence of the Orthodox, who, most likely, will not be happy with strangers, immediately found shelter. In addition to the old city, there are quite modern quarters, there is nothing interesting and outstanding there, besides inexpensive hotels.
The price of the room also depends on the area, which, as elsewhere in Israel, are not cheap. Therefore, the main thing when planning a vacation here is a good choice of place, everything else is secondary, because there will still be no time to spend precious time in the hotel.
The best areas for recreation and lodging:
- Christian quarter.
- Jewish quarter.
- Arab quarter.
- Armenian quarter.
- Mishkenot Sha'ananim.
- Beit Ha Karem.
- Bab az Zakhara.
Christian quarter
The Christian quarter adorns the old part of the city and here are the main places for every Christian, the primary role among which belongs to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. There are also the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky, the Monastery of the Holy Savior. Despite the Christian name, there was also a place for Muslim temples in the region; the Al-Khanga al-Salahiyya mosque and the famous Omar mosque were built here. All in all, there are more than four dozen churches and religious sites in the Christian Quarter.
The area is considered one of the central tourist areas, so there is a huge number of hotels here, many hotels are open at churches and monasteries, focusing on believers, others offer classic rest and accommodation.
There are also inexpensive places to stay in Jerusalem, although there are much fewer of them and you will have to look well. Leisure of guests is made up of restaurants, cafes, shops, which are innumerable in the area, souvenir shops and shops selling icons, candles and other church paraphernalia prevail.
Hotels: Arcadia Ba'Moshava Jerusalem, New Imperial Hotel, Addar Hotel, Hillel 11, Bezalel Hotel Jerusalem, Lev Yerushalayim.
Jewish quarter
If you suddenly want to experience Jewish culture, there is no better place than the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem. The area is one of the oldest and is adjacent to the Temple Mount, which is also important if you are in the mood for outdoor activities and excursions. The Armenian quarter is located nearby, where it will also not be superfluous to look.
Narrow streets, ancient buildings, old synagogues - what else do you need to feel the spirit of a place inhabited by Jews for almost three thousand years?
Here is the famous Western Wall, where people from all over the world, regardless of nations and denominations, convey their messages to God. Several synagogues, including Hurva, Beit El, Tiferet Yisrael, and Or Ha Haim. There is also the Karaite synagogue - the oldest in the entire quarter. Another notable place is the Tower of the Tribes of Israel. The Zion Gate and the Garbage Gate mark the entrances to the ancient quarter. Objects of other cultures are little represented, these are the dilapidated Sidna Omar Mosque and a couple of small, unimportant temples.
You can visit the Renaissance Park and the Ophel archaeological zone, plus several museums, including the archaeological and the museum of the neighborhood. But in the area there are several markets, plus a myriad of shops selling Jewish symbols, paraphernalia and souvenirs. It is quite logical that there are also establishments of traditional Jewish cuisine here.
Hotels: Ramada Jerusalem, The Sephardic House, Lark Hotel, Notre Dame Guest House, Mamilla Hotel, Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem, Mount Zion Hotel.
Arabic quarter
He is Muslim, where the Arab population has lived for a long time. Like its neighbors, it belongs to the Old City, and therefore offers rich potential for exploration and walking, and many places to stay in Jerusalem. The area is the largest in area and, perhaps, the richest in attractions.
Here you can walk along the Via Dolorosa - the famous road of sorrow, along which Jesus, loaded with the cross, walked on the road to the place of execution. Pilgrims from all over the world strive to repeat the path of the Lord (fortunately, without the cross and scourging), believing that in this way they will atone for some of their sins and receive forgiveness.
Here you can also see the Church of St. Anne and the Church of the Scourging, where the Roman guards beat Jesus with whips with metal tips. Here the monastery of the same name is built and flourishes, and from here begins the route of the Way of the Cross. On one of the streets there is the Greek Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, and in the other part of the quarter you can see the monastery of the Sisters of Zion.
Those who thought it was not enough to visit the Western Wall, go here - to the Small Western Wall. Little notes are also brought here, and every day their number is frighteningly growing. The Muslim Quarter houses the Lion's Gate, the Cotton Market, and the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum.
But how can you talk about the Muslim area and bypass the sacred places for Islam? It is here that the Dome of the Rock Mosque and its lesser known "sister" Khan al Sultan Mosque are located.
Hotels: Golden Walls, Capitol, Gloria.
Armenian quarter
The smallest area, which, according to the legends, has grown on the site of the destroyed palace of King Herod. The quarter is quite isolated, because over the centuries the Armenians had to resist the expansion of the Ottomans, then the Israelis, as well as the British, Arabs, Mamluks and other conquerors.
The quarter is incredibly interesting, there are many oldest objects and a lot of fascinating stories are associated with each one. The central place of the district is the Tower of David - a legendary citadel that has survived for almost two thousand years. On the way to the Armenian Quarter, you will definitely come across the Zion or Jaffa Gate - another important part of the Old City.
For the Armenians themselves sacred are the building of the local patriarchy and the Cathedral of St. James. Further interesting are the churches of the Holy Archangels and St. Toros. There is also the Assyrian monastery of St. Mark, the monastery of the Holy Cross, the Church of the Tree of Olives. Ancient libraries, archives and manuscripts with priceless collections of documents and books operate on the territory of the district.
The Armenian quarter is an amazing place for sightseeing holidays, and just for idle wandering around the streets, because most of the local buildings are related to past eras. With regard to the choice of where to stay in Jerusalem, it is in no way inferior to its neighbors - the Christian and Jewish quarters, much quieter than the Muslim and safer. As in any major tourist center, there are plenty of cafes, shops, restaurants and markets.
Hotels: Gloria Hotel, The Sephardic House, Knights Palace, David Citadel.
Mishkenot Sha'ananim
The most prestigious area of Jerusalem, not related to the Old City, but closely adjacent to it. The area has grown on a high hill with stunning views of the historic quarters. If for some reason you did not have enough space in the Old Town, feel free to settle here, however, this pleasure is expensive, but it fully justifies its price.
The area is very green, richly covered with Mediterranean vegetation and decorated with fountains. There are many parks, gardens, squares. There are not so many attractions, the main one among them is the never-operated Montefiore mill, where the museum of the same name now operates in honor of the founder of the quarter - British banker Moses Montefiore.
Hotels: The King David, The King David, Inbal Jerusalem, Dan Panorama, Hotel Prima Royale, Eldan Hotel, Dan Boutique Jerusalem.
Beit Ha Karem
Garden city - this is how you can briefly describe the area. Very beautiful, well-maintained and simply comfortable, even if it lies outside the walls of the Old City. The area is modern, but rich in history and many memorable sites. Exquisite restaurants, clubs and other entertainment venues are open for guests. Suitable for those who, in addition to excursions, are inclined to a rich evening program. And due to the abundance of parks and recreation areas, it is great for living with children or for staying in Jerusalem for a long time.
Hotels: Ein Kerem Hotel, Pilgrims Inn, Alegra - Boutique Hotel, Hotel Yehuda.
Bab az Zakhara
Another area outside the Old City, but bordering on it. This time the quarter is Muslim, which does not mean that there are no monuments of other cultures here. Herod's Gate, also known as the Flower Gate, and the Damascus Gate lead here.
Unlike its ancient neighbors, Bab az Zakhara is rich in architecture of the 19th century, in which it was erected. Considering that it was built during the British Mandate, there is a lot of European architecture in the area, the most striking representative of which is the exquisite Cathedral of St. George, which attracts attention with its bell towers and lacy arched windows.
Another notable building is the Oriental House - a villa that hosted aristocrats and top officials for most of its existence, currently empty, but also beautiful.
Hotels where to stay in Jerusalem: Azzahra Hotel, National Hotel Jerusalem, Victoria Hotel.
