In which quarter house in Jerusalem?

Visit Jerusalem on holiday, a historic pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine! These are the neighborhoods where to stay in Jerusalem!

As the city of the Near East has innumerable times been the brazen of multi-millenary tensions and tears, Jerusalem is the capital claimed – not internationally recognized – by the State of Israel. Tirailed between the Zionist colonies of the Government of Israel and the Arab Territories of Palestine, the city houses many people with heterogeneous origins and confessions: Muslim Arabs, Israeli Jews, Christians, Armenians... The population of Jerusalem is 882,700 in 2016 spread over 126 km2. The offer of accommodation in Jerusalem is vast, just like the rates, from the hotel unhealthy and sinister limit to the luxury complex... Your choice!

To stay in Jerusalem, you will have to find the perfect neighborhood. Within its walls and 3,500 years of history, Jerusalem’s neighbourhoods offer radically different atmospheres. Jerusalem does not live only in the sober and rigoristic liturgy of the holy books, but also radiates through its culture and influences. Here is our tour of the areas where to sleep in Jerusalem.

The Old City of Jerusalem

The old town is a group of four quarters surrounded by the walls of Jerusalem. Listed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Monuments, the city would have – according to the Bible – been founded during the course of the 3rd millennium before our era . The ramparts of the old town contain the Jewish quarter – delimited by the Wall of Lamentations - the Armenian quarter, the Christian quarter and the Muslim quarter.

The area has 9 historic access gates and many buildings date from Antiquity. Do not forget that here, three great monotheistic religions have the same holy place in common: the famous Dôme du Rocher. It is the majestic golden dome that dominates the old center: to say that staying in the old town will delight you if you want to sleep in an open archaeological museum. Only flat: as it is a district run by many religious, there is little hotel offer.

Downtown

Between the Sacher Park and the old town is the modern city centre, Ben-Yehuda pedestrian street and Jaffa gate. You will find a whole other atmosphere than in the ramparts of the ancient city: modern shops, restaurants and coffee terraces: it is undoubtedly here that you have to sleep in Jerusalem if you want to go out in the evening and party because the noctambules are there. South of Jaffa Street, many museums await their visitors in search of cultural outings. A good place to stay if you want to live in the West and get away from religious disorders.

East Jerusalem

In the north and east of the ramparts of the old city are East Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. It is the Muslim quarter – one of the parts of the West Bank and Palestine, contested to be occupied by Israel since 1967 – with many Christian mosques and churches. Going up, enjoy a breathtaking view of the city.

Main photo credit: Flickr – Neta Bartal