In the Old Town of Jerusalem, you can witness an amazing mix of tourist spots, curious historical heritage, beautiful archaeological finds, and imposing structures that are cherished by all people. Religiosity, history, sacredness, and everything mundane are miraculously combined in the pretty alleys of the city.
The Old Town can give you a rich cultural program in addition to amusement and enjoyment both day and night. You just need to plunge into the aromas of spices in the bazaar, smell the delicious products, view the events and evening shows in secluded locations, take a musical, or theatrical tour or watch a spectacular show of light and sound. An experience like that is unique, as you will not find anything like it anywhere else except Jerusalem. The only thing you have to do is choose your eSIM for Israel as the virtual SIM card will help you stay in touch and have an internet connection available 24/7.
Take the time to explore every one of its four parts: Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian quarters. With the eSIM card, you can read about all of these spots in advance; simply download the application on your gadget from the App Store or Google Play. You will surely get a lot of impressions from architecture, religious places, stories, and people.
Discover the Old City’s holiest site
The Western Wall, sometimes referred to as the Wailing Wall, has an attractive force for the Jewish people. It is the most revered location for worship, religious ceremonies, and public meetings. Crowds of tourists, visitors, and believers flock here, which makes this location one of Jerusalem’s most well-liked and suggested destinations.
It is common practice to place notes with prayers and wishes in the spaces between the Wall’s stones. Additionally, we strongly advise taking a tour into the Tunnels of the Wailing Wall, where you may look around the confined spaces that run the full length of the Western Wall. The Wailing Wall Square hosts numerous ceremonies and events throughout the year, like bar mitzvah celebrations, special prayer sessions, and official ceremonies.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is certainly one of the main attractions of the Holy Land and the holiest place for Christians, where millions of pilgrims flock every year.
The complex, erected in the IV century by order of Emperor Constantine I, includes Golgotha, where, based on the New Testament, Jesus was crucified and resurrected, and the place of his burial.
A staircase on the south side of the altar leads to the Calvary, the most ornate section of the building. Inside the church, right at the entrance, there is a Stone of Anointing where Christ was prepared for burial after being removed from the cross. Usually, pilgrims kiss a polished stone or smear it with oil.
The Temple Mount
The Temple Mount is revered as a holy site for all three monotheistic religions, and a journey to Jerusalem cannot be considered complete if you have not visited or seen this shrine.
On the huge area of the Temple Mount, there can be more than a million people visiting two modern buildings at the same time: the “Dome of the Rock” with a golden top, which is viewed as one of the main symbols of Jerusalem, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. These places of worship are Muslim, however, they are sometimes visited by Jewish guests.
It is worth adding that you will admire the stunning view at the foot of the mountain. Check the working hours and the rules of the entrance with an eSIM card. Having a digital SIM card will simplify your journey and keep you in touch. We already see how eSIM will change the travel industry, and this progress will only evolve shortly.
Outside of the Old Town
Give Nakhlaot and the neighboring areas a separate day.
- Enter a quiet alley with peaceful homes with colored pots on the steps and a deceptively hidden synagogue as soon as you round the corner. Interestingly, Nakhlaot is also regarded as the city’s most religious area because there are 80 synagogues there, representing 55 different ethnic groups.
- Have lunch or dinner at the Ethiopian eatery Havash Bar And Eatery after spending hours exploring the alleys. East African cuisine is widely available and well-liked by the natives. A sizable loose flatbread called “Injera” (Injera) is a must-order. The Israeli national dish is a pancake with a little hole, which Jewish emigrants from Yemen and Ethiopia brought with them. Along with meat, fried and pickled veggies, spicy rice, and herbs, they all eat “injera” together.
- After that, go to the Mahane Yehuda Market. Endless shops with fresh products, many original drinking establishments, and, of course, people in all their multifaceted manifestations. Prices are much lower than store prices, and in the evening a good discount is given. The market is open from 7:30 to 00:00. Take for breakfast another hot pita with zaatar (a special mixture of herbs)––very tasty and so Israeli!
Come to Mahane Yehuda Market on Thursday evening before closing. For Israelis, it is an evening when you do not have to worry about getting up early the next morning. And it is easy to feel it: bars and restaurants are open all night. Holidays are celebrated here, and incendiary parties are arranged; the fun does not stop until the morning.
