If you are planning a vacation to Israel, then Jerusalem is probably on the top of your list of places to visit. Jerusalem is the capital and heart of Israel.This city offers a great number of beautiful sceneries and attractions, especially for those who love history. From the Ancient Scrolls of Kumeran to Bible Lands Museum, from Biblical Zoo to Masada and Dead Sea Tour, there is something for everyone. If all of this information overwhelmed you,then do not worry!
We have jotted down 5 ways you can make your stay in Jerusalem truly amazing.
Be Considerate about the Dress Code
Because Jerusalem is a Holy City, most tourists wonder about the dress code followed there. Israel is a liberal and modern country, the dress code in most of its cities is casual and comfortable. For example, if you take a tour around Tel Aviv, you will find local men and women dressed up in shorts and sandals.
Jerusalem holds a religious significance, which s why it has attracted a great number of religious believers who now live there as residents, because of this most locals there are conservative. If you visit the Jewish neighborhoods, you will find people dressed more moderately. But, there are no set rules and the tourists are not expected to follow any specific dress codes, except for religious places i.e churches and the ultra-orthodox Me’ahShe’arim neighborhood.
When you visit these specific places, both men and women should dress up decently. You don’t have to wear any specific clothes, just wear outfits which cover you up or make you look appropriate. For the rest of the places, if you feel like wearing a pair of shorts in Jerusalem, go ahead and do so.
Avoid Planning a Trip Around the Holidays
The Holy City of Jerusalem is home to three main monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. So there are many holidays celebrated in this city, and there is a great chance of you visiting during that time. There is nothing wrong with you visiting during the holidays, but it’s always better if you don’t, because most places are closed down or overcrowded, which may effect your trip.
If you want to visit the Dome Of The Rock, then never visit it on a Friday or during a Muslim holiday, because the place is only open for worshippers. If you plan to visit the Church Of The Holy Sepulchre, then visiting during Christmas is not a bad idea, the church remains open for certain hours, but the place may get overcrowded.
Jewish holidays come around Christmas and many other holidays. This also gives people an excuse to visit many different places around the world. The best solution to this problem is to avoid the holidays or check your schedule to see if you can visit at a time when it’s not crowded.
Try the Local Cuisine
When it comes to food, Jerusalem has it’s own Middle Eastern culinary tradition. You will find the local cuisine to be full of variety, so if you are a foodie, and even if you are not, it is a must to try the local cuisine at least once when you visit this city. All the food that you will see on the streets is completely hygienic and has great taste. The local falafels, hummus, pastries, colorful dishes, and salads attract many tourists walking through the streets.
If you are religious, then you must be happy to know that all the meat there is koshered. There are several food carts all around the city, and the most common ones you will see are fresh bagels with sesame seeds. Make sure to always check the price before you buy food, because merchants, especially the ones in the Old City, are famous for ripping tourists off. You can always ask the locals about the food prices.
Always Stay Hydrated
Jerusalem is on a higher altitude, so the climate there is mostly cool. But, during the summer it can get really hot, reaching up to 30 degrees Celcius. So, if you travel during the summer, you need to carry a water bottle with you at all times and keep yourself hydrated. While traveling, you are mostly on foot, so it is important to stay hydrated during the hot weather, so your trip does not get affected by you falling ill. The tap water in Jerusalem is safe to drink, so you can easily fill up your water bottle while touring. Also, according to the country’s law, it is mandatory for restaurants to serve fresh tap water on demand for free, so if you stop by a restaurant for a meal and they serve you water, don’t hesitate to ask for the free tap water.
Avoid Driving and Use Public Transportation
Like most big cities, the traffic condition in Jerusalem during rush hour can be a nightmare. This makes it \ difficult to drive, and most of your time is spent in the car stuck in traffic. That is why we suggest you avoid driving in Jerusalem and use public transportation instead. The city has a good system of rail, which can get you from one place to another easily and hassle-free.
The rail lines are spread all over the city and can get you to central locations like Mahane Yehuda Market, and Damascus Gate. The city also offers a great number of efficient bus services, you can take help from Google Maps, as all bus routes are available there. You will not find any public transportation from Friday afternoon till Saturday evening, so during that time, you can always book a taxi to get from one place to another.
It is always exciting to visit a new city or country, but before that, you obviously need to find out information about the place you plan to visit. The dress code, food, culture, language, etc. Without that, you may feel left out and people may look at you differently. So, always look into the details of your destination.
