General Info | Travel Tips | Jerusalem Tips | Directions to Kibbutz Gal-on | Brochure Jerusalem Tips Getting There and Getting Around Take a sherut (group taxi) from the kibbutz. The kibbutz office can recommend sherut drivers and supply you with their phone numbers. Using the Phone The city code for Jerusalem is (02). Inside the city, do not use the code. Inexpensive Places to Stay New City My Home in Jerusalem: 15 King George Street (Tel.: 6232235) Dorm Rooms 55NIS* (male and female floors); Double Room 160NIS Jerusalem Inn Guest House: 6 Ha Histadrut Street (Tel.: 6251294) Private Rooms from $38 per person Old City Petra Hostel: 1 David Street (Tel.: 6286618) Roof 15NIS; Dorm 23NIS; Private Room 180NIS No curfew Lutheran Hostel: St. Mark's Road (Tel.: 6282120) Dorm (single sex) 25NIS; Single 137NIS; Double 231NIS Lock out between 9:00 a.m. and noon; curfew 10:30 p.m. Austrian Hospice: 37 Via Dolorosa (Tel.: 6274636) Dorm $13; Single $46; Double $72 Lock out between 9:00 a.m. and noon; curfew midnight Tabasco Hostel: 8 Aqabat Teqreh Street (Tel.: 6281101) Roof 12NIS; Dorm 15NIS; Private Room 70NIS No curfew or lock out East Jerusalem Cairo Hostel: 12 Nablus Road (Tel.: 6277216) Roof 10NIS; Dorm 15NIS; Private Room 60NIS Curfew 1:30 a.m. Palm Hostel: 6 Ha Nevi'im Street (Tel.: 6273189) Dorm 20NIS (single sex); Private Room 100NIS Curfew midnight Where to Eat There are masses of cafés and restaurants throughout Jerusalem. Be aware that those with kashrut certificates will not be open over Shabbat. Those listed below represent some of the most popular and best value. For vegetarian meals, try a non-kosher or a dairy restaurant—the choices in kosher meat restaurants are very limited. Inexpensive Places to Eat (under 25NIS for main course) Abu Shanab, 35 Latin Patriarchate Road, by Jaffa Gate, Old City Pizza restaurant (variety of toppings available); pasta dishes; mixed grill Open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Not kosher. Abu Shukri, 63 El Wad Road, Muslim Quarter, Old City Famed all over Israel for the quality of the hummus, but all Middle Eastern specialities available Open 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily. Not kosher. Jerusalem Star, 32 El Wad Road Middle eastern dishes Open 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. daily. Not kosher. Shalom Felafel, 36 Bezalel Street Open Sunday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Kosher. Moderately Priced Places to Eat (under 50 NIS for main course) Kan Zman Jerusalem Hotel, Nablus Road (Tel.: 6283282) Middle Eastern specialities plus pasta and salads. Main courses start at about 30NIS, and there are 50NIS buffets on Thursday and Saturday nights. Open 7:00 a.m.–midnight. Not kosher. Spaghettim, 8 Rabbi Akiva (Tel.: 6235547) Many kinds of spaghetti sauces, bread baked on the premises, homemade soups, salads, and reasonable house wine Prices for main courses start at 20NIS; most sauces are between 25 and 30NIS. Not kosher. Village Green, 10 Ben-Yehuda Street Vegetarian restaurant with homemade soups, main courses, bread, and salads Main courses are about 25NIS. Open Sunday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; Friday, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Kosher. “Pricy” Places to Eat (over 50NIS for main course) American Colony Hotel, Nablus Road (Tel.: 6279777) French and Middle Eastern cuisine. Three course meals from $25; summer bar Open noon–3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.–11:45 p.m. Reservations advised. Not kosher. Stanley’s, 3 Horkanos Street (Tel.: 6259459) South African food and welcoming owner Prices for steaks start at about 75NIS, but there are often special rates for a three course meal. Business lunch costs 35NIS (until 5:30 p.m.). Open noon–midnight. Reservations advised. Not kosher. Changing Money For the best rates, try the money changer at the Kent cigarette kiosk by Zion Square on Yoel Solomon Street. It is open late but closed on Shabbat. To change money, actually enter the kiosk. On Saturdays, try the money changers inside Damascus Gate at the start of El Wad road. Banks will usually charge you per Traveller’s Cheque and sometimes also have a small extra charge for the service. The rate in money changers is often lower than the official bank rate, but you will come out with more in the end because there are no commission or service charges. Checking Your Email Internet Cafés Strudel, 11 Monbaz Street, Russian Compound (Tel.: 6232101) Open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.–very late; Saturday, 3:00 p.m.–late Netcafe, 9 Helenei Hamalka Street, Russian Compound (Tel.: 6246327) Call for opening times, as these vary. Closed on Shabbat. You may check your e-mail at the library in Qiryat Gat for a minimal charge. Several internet cafés have opened (and closed) in the Old City—keep a lookout as you’re walking through on the weekends. Religious Services For Christian services and addresses of churches (most denominations are represented in Jerusalem), call the Christian Information Centre, Jaffa Gate (Tel.: 6272692). Open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 p.m.–1:00 p.m. For Jewish services and hospitality, call Jeff Seidel (Tel.: 6282634). Sunday through Thursday, 8:45 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:45 a.m.–noon Consulates British: 19 Nashashibi Street, Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem (Tel.: 5828281) American: 27 Nablus Road, American Colony, East Jerusalem (Tel.: 6287200, 6227250) Swimming Pools Jerusalem Pool, 43 Emek Refaim Tickets 35NIS—must be bought in advance for Shabbat Open 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Hotel pools are open to non-residents for between 100 and 150NIS per day. Early Baggage Check-in (for independent travellers) For all airlines departing from Ben Gurion (this helps you avoid crowds at the airport and significantly reduces the amount of time you need to arrive at the airport in advance of your flight) 7 Kenfei Neshraim St., Givat Shaul What to See New City Yad Vashem (Holocaust Martyrs' and Memorial Museum): Take bus 13, 17, 18, 20, 23, or 27 (from a stop on Jaffa Street or King George Street, except for 27, which leaves from the Nablus Road terminus). Yad Vashem comprises a historical museum, art museum, various memorial sites, and several areas of sculpture. It has a book shop and a café. Admission free. Open Sunday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Israel Museum: Take bus 9 or 17 from King George Street There are several sections to this museum, including the archaeology wing, an ethnography gallery, a good collection of Judaica, a sculpture garden, various art exhibits, temporary exhibitions (check out the Christianity tour), and of course the Shrine of the Book, housing the Isaiah scroll from Qumran. There are numerous book shops, kiosks, and a restaurant. General admission 28NIS; student admission (with valid international student card) 22NIS. If you return within two weeks, you may enter for 14NIS upon production of your ticket stub. Admission fee also includes entry into the Rockefeller Museum. Open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Saturday, 4:00–10:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Call to doublecheck times (Tel.: 6708811/73). LA Mayer Museum of Islamic Art: 2 Palmah Street (Tel.: 5661291) This museum has an important collection of ceramics and art objects from the Islamic periods. It also has a gallery devoted to weapons and one to carpets. On the ground floor are a café and an exhibition of clocks and watches from various periods. Admission free on Saturday; otherwise, general admission 14NIS; student admission 8NIS Open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10:00 a.m–3:00 p.m.; Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Old City The Kotel (“Wailing Wall”/”Western Wall”): Jewish Quarter Wear modest dress. Men must cover their heads (cardboard skull caps are available there). Women who wish to approach the wall should not wear pants and should cover their shoulders and legs to the knee. Do not take photographs here on Shabbat (or anywhere in the Jewish Quarter). Also, do not engage in physical contact with the opposite sex. Admission free. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week The Temple Mount (“Haram”): Opposite side of the Kotel The same dress code applies as for the Kotel. Entrance to the Haram is via the Mughrabi Gate next to the Kotel. Cameras are permitted outside but not inside al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Do not take your Bible on to the Mount or attempt to pray there. You will be thrown out and may even be arrested. Please respect the wishes of the Waqf on this subject, and do not try to make a point. Some areas of the Mount are off limits—some are marked and some are not. You may be asked to move if you stray into one of these areas, so please be cooperative. Admission to the Haram itself is free; however, to go inside the Dome, the al-Aqsa, and the Islamic Museum costs 33NIS, or 22NIS for students. The Temple Mount is supposed to be open every day except Friday from 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:30–3:00 p.m. However, this often changes, and you should check with the Waqf or the guards at any of the gates to the Haram (all green gates with police stationed outside) the day before you plan to visit. The Holy Sepulchre: Christian Quarter The same dress code applies here as for the Kotel, although men must not cover their heads. At certain times, the Aedicule, which contains the Tomb of Christ, will be closed because services are taking place; however, it will usually reopen shortly afterward. There can be long queues here, especially on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Admission free Usually open from dawn to dusk The Via Dolorosa: Christian Quarter This begins at St. Stephen’s Gate (the Lion’s Gate) and proceeds to the Holy Sepulchre via the Fourteen Stations of the Cross. For more information, visit the Christian Information Centre inside Jaffa Gate. Walking the route itself is free; however, admission to one or two interesting churches (e.g., St. Anne’s) along the route costs a few shekels. The Via Dolorosa is now floodlit and may even be walked at night, but women should not attempt this or any other traveling in the Old City alone after dark. The shrines are open periodically, and at 3:00 p.m. on Fridays the Franciscans hold a procession here. The Citadel Museum: Muslim Quarter This museum is located just inside Jaffa Gate. There are several trails around the museum, and it has a café and bookshop. General admission 25NIS; student admission 17NIS Open 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; guided tours in English at 11:00 a.m. daily, except Saturday Walk around the Old City on top of the walls: Muslim Quarter You can get a great bird’s eye view of the Old City, as well as a great view outside of it, by taking your own walking tour on top of the walls. Enter beneath Damascus Gate, continue around to Jaffa Gate, and proceed toward Zion Gate and Dung Gate (you have to go up and down a bit). General admission 10NIS; student admission 5NIS Women should not do this walk alone. Open Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. East Jerusalem The Garden Tomb (“Gordon's Calvary”): Nablus Road (Tel.: 6272745) A beautiful garden and a rock-cut tomb here are suggestive of the places Jesus spent his final hours before his crucifixion and from where he was resurrected. Modest dress should be worn. The Anglicans conduct services here on Sundays (see the Christian Information Centre inside Jaffa Gate for more information). Admission free Open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–noon and 2:00–5:30 p.m. City of David: South of the Haram (Temple Mount) Exit the Old City through Dung Gate (by the Kotel), turn left, and then take the first street on your right. A sign and an Israeli flag mark the entrance to the City of David. A small section of the excavations is open to the public, showing the house of Ahiel and the infamous toilet seat. Admission free Women should not go here alone. Open Sunday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; closed Saturday Warren’s Shaft/Hezekiah’s Tunnel: City of David area You may also visit Warren's Shaft and splash through Hezekiah’s Tunnel in this area, but wear clothes suitable for getting wet if you plan to go through the tunnel. The depth of the water varies, and sometimes it can reach waist height or even higher. It takes about half an hour to walk through, and the ceiling is high in most places. It’s a good idea to take a flashlight. Before entering the tunnel, you can also visit the various tombs you will see in the valley. Admission several shekels for Warren’s Shaft and Hezekiah’s Tunnel Women should not go here alone. Open Sunday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; closed Saturday Mount of Olives/Garden of Gethsemane N.B. While there are many interesting things to see in this area, there are certain precautions that you should take very seriously. Women should not explore here, either alone or in pairs, without being accompanied by a man. You should take no more cash than you need, nor should you take your travel documents, as muggings and attacks are not uncommon here. Neither should you leave a rental car unattended in this area. Remember to dress modestly when visiting the Mount of Olives. The best way to get to the Mount of Olives is by sherut from Damascus Gate. Begin at the top of the Mount and walk down to the bottom, where you will end up at the Garden of Gethsemane. From there, you can walk up the hill to the Old City’s Lion’s Gate. The following points of interest are listed from the top of the Mount to the bottom. Note that admission to most of the churches is either free or costs only a few shekels. It is customary to make a small donation for the upkeep of the church as you leave. Steimatzky’s bookstore in West Jerusalem carries a very good pamphlet called “The Mount of Olives” that includes an account of the history of each church there, in addition to readings from the Gospels and notes from pilgrims to the area. It also covers Bethphage and the Church of St. Lazarus in Bethany. Chapel of the Ascension This chapel is located in the courtyard of a mosque. Entrance is allowed at the guard’s discretion. Admission 2NIS Open Saturday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Paternoster From here you can walk to the small church at Bethphage or to see the view by Seven Arches. Open Monday through Saturday, 8:30–11:45 a.m., 3:00–4:45 p.m. Tombs of the Prophets A path from the hotel leads to this huge tomb complex (though, sadly, they did not belong to Haggai and Malachi!) Admission several shekels Open Sunday through Friday, 8:00 a.m–3:00 p.m. Dominus Flevit A small collection of artifacts from the excavations here are housed at the site. Open daily 8:00 a.m.–noon, 2:30–5:00 p.m. Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Tel.: 6284371) The road continues past this church with the gold “onion” domes, where Prince Philip’s mother is buried. Open Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–noon (call to doublecheck open times) Church of All Nations/Garden of Gethsemane This church is located at the bottom of the Mount and is surrounded by the Garden of Gethsemane. Open 8:00 a.m.–noon, 2:30–6:00 p.m. Tomb of Mary/Grotto of Gethsemane These are located across the road from the Church of All Nations. Open 8:00 a.m.–noon, 2:30–5:30 p.m. The above represent just a few of Jerusalem’s many fascinating places to see. There are dozens of others that are equally interesting, but these most popular and easiest to reach sites will give you a good start. This document was prepared in the year 2000. Back To Top