Top Things to Do in Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

Admittedly, we were a little bit hesitant at first about visiting Jerusalem. Despite knowing there were so many fascinating things to see and do in Jerusalem, we believe that spending travel money is, in a way, like voting, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict had us both conflicted.

So, although we both really wanted to see Jerusalem, we just didn’t want our dollars being mixed into this ugly situation. But then we got the opportunity to do a house sit in East Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives. A one-eyed cat needing love, how could we say no?

Its fascinating just wandering the street, alleys, and markets of Jerusalem’s Old City. Home to some of the world’s most historic and revered sites – think Temple Mount, the Wailing Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This relatively tiny area of just 0.9 square kilometres is shared by Christians, Jews, Muslims, Armenians, pilgrims, tourists alike. It’s chaotic, it’s crowded, and it’s charming.

Visit on a Friday to observe the Muslims pouring out of the temple, followed by the Franciscan Monks walking the Via Dolorosa and then the start of the Jewish Shabbat! Watching the goings-on in old Jerusalem is an anthropologist’s dream! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).