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Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city, is the biblical site of three major religions. There is so much to see and do in Jerusalem, so how do you set up your visit while in Israel? Here, we will go over the best 48 hours in Jerusalem in order to see all of Old Jerusalem, the biblical sites, and modern-day Jerusalem. We will also go over our favorite shuk in Jerusalem.
Israel is a small country, so it is easy to travel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. You can visit both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to round out a whole vacation in Israel. When planning your trip to Jerusalem, I’d caution you against visiting on a Friday night through Saturday as the majority of the city will be closed due to Shabbat.
48 Hours in Jerusalem: Itinerary
We assume you landed the day before and will, therefore, spend a full 48 hours in Jerusalem, Israel.
Day 1: Old City Jerusalem
Early Morning Church (then a Full Breakfast)
Okay, so we normally recommend going to get breakfast first, but in this instance, we want to avoid crowds! So, take breakfast on the go or pick something up the night before to get to the Old City as early as possible. We are going to start at the Church of the Holy Sepulchure.
This church is where Jesus was buried and rose again. It is truly one of the most incredible biblical sites and important Christian sites. Since it is so important, it is a very, very busy church. In order to be able to explore it and spend time in prayer and meditation, you need to arrive early. The church opens as early as 5 am and has masses in the mornings. If you want an incredible experience, go to the Latin Mass in front of Jesus’s Tomb.
Breakfast
Okay, we did it. Now it’s time for breakfast! From the Holy Sepulchure, you can go to the Arabic markets and get a Jerusalem bagel with some coffee. Near the New Gate, there is a Segafredo or Cafe Rimon for breakfast.
Exploring the Christian Quarter
From the Holy Sepulchure, we will work backward through the Via Dolorosa. The Via Dolorosa is the path that Jesus took from his trial, imprisonment, and sentencing to his death, burial, and rising again. There are stops along the way, marking all the important things. I recommend getting a map of the Via Dolorosa to bring with you so you know what each stop is. There are no plaques.
This path will take you through the Arab market and bring you to the Muslim Quarter. Once you reach the end of the Via Dolorosa, you’ll start making your way toward the Jewish Quarter for lunch. At the end of this day, I’ll put a map so you know which route to follow since the Old City can be confusing. If you are not Muslim, you won’t be able to walk through the Dome of the Rock courtyard, but you’ll see it as you walk by. Israeli police will stop you and show you where to go if you’re on the verge of walking into a Muslim-only space.
PRO TIP: The shop owners and sellers in the Arab Market are very pushy. They will try to get you to buy things constantly. If you are not on a tour, they will also try to be your tour guide. Stand strong in your no. Also, don’t touch anything you don’t plan on buying, or you will get berated. Finally, you are welcome to haggle. Ensure to check your change before walking away. But you can get a great pre-booked tour here!
Lunch
As you walk from the Muslim Quarter to the Jewish Quarter, you’ll start seeing the differences in dress and the market stands. At the Jewish Quarter, we will stop for lunch. Of course, you can stop for lunch throughout the Muslim Quarter to get some falafel or hummus. In the Jewish Quarter, you will find all kosher food, hummus, falafel, and many candies as well.
Exploring the Jewish Quarter
With a full belly, we will explore the Jewish Quarter before heading over to the Armenian Quarter. From the main quad area, you’ll take the stairs all the way down to the Western Wall. You will go through security before entering. Men and women are separate when praying. When heading back up the stairs, you can go to the right to head to the Western Wall overlook. It is an amazing view.
After the Western Wall, you can explore the main synagogue, then head over to the Cardo. The Cardo is a main street for the Old City. Going down the stairs to the Cardo, you can see many amazing local artists. You can bring home a unique piece of art from your 48 hours in Jerusalem.
PRO TIP: If you are planning on visiting the Western Wall, you will need to dress more modestly (both men and women). For more information on what that means,ย check out our tips here!
Exploring the Armenian Quarter
In the Armenian Quarter, our favorite places are the Room of the Last Supper (and its roof), Dormition Abbey, David’s Tomb, and St. James Church. The Armenian Quarter is primarily a residential area. They don’t like having too many tourists in their neighborhood. Be respectful of this area as you visit and explore. It is their home.
So I have to say The Room of the Last Supper is not all that interesting. It is a must-visit, but it is actually an empty room. Luckily, it is free to visit. From there, you can go upstairs to overlook the Old City from the roof of the Room of the Last Supper. It is amazing. Downstairs you can visit the Tomb of King David. It is amazing to see a biblical king’s tomb. Dormition Abbey is one of my favorite churches in Israel. It is built over the place where Mother Mary died. In the crypt, you can see her as well as depictions of other women in the Bible.
Dinner Overlooking The Old City
For my birthday, we went to Notre Dame Rooftop Restaurant, which overlooks the Old City Jerusalem. It is an incredible restaurant for dinner to overlook this amazing city to close out day 1 of your 48 hours in Jerusalem. I strongly recommend making a reservation. The restaurant is on the roof of an incredibly beautiful hotel.
Map of Route in Old City for Day 1 of 48 Hours in Jerusalem
Day 2: Modern History and Shuk
Today, we are going to see the rest of Jerusalem outside of the Old City! There is a lot to see, from our favorite shuk to the Shoah (Holocaust) Museum to the Mount of Olives. Plus, we will take the trolley, so have your MoovIt App ready!
Breakfast: Tmol Shilshom
For breakfast on day 2 of 48 hours in Jerusalem, it is a truly hidden gem. Tmol Silshom is one of my favorite places in Jerusalem. Some hidden streets off the main Jaffa Street, you’ll follow some winding roads, then climb up some stairs to find Tmol Shilshom. I highly recommend getting the shakshuka for breakfast.
The Shoah Museum – Yad Vashem
From breakfast, we will go back to Jaffa Street and get on the train all the way to Yad Vashem (the opposite direction of the Old City). There is a free shuttle that goes from the train station to Yad Vashem. You can also walk down to Yad Vashem (which is not recommended in summer). Remember, you must go through security to enter the Yad Vashem campus.
You do need a reservation to enter Yad Vashem. If you don’t get one ahead of time, it’s no big deal! You can get one from one of the machines in the lobby when you walk in. There is a cafe downstairs. Then you can head into the museum. You cannot take any photos inside the museum. It is a very heavy museum with a lot of information, so be sure to take your time. You may need about 2-3 hours. After the museum, there are a couple of other exhibits to see, such as the names of books and the Holocaust in photos.
Lunch at Mehane Yehuda
After Yad Vashem, take the shuttle to the train, then head down to Mehane Yehuda. This is our favorite shuk in Israel. Here, you’ll find a bustling outdoor market. There are tons of restaurants, bakeries, halva shops, and groceries. Here is where we found our #1 favorite sandwich. Remember, all the restaurants will be kosher (no mixing meat with dairy here)!
Interested in a food tour? Check this one out to really enjoy everything this shuk has to offer.
Mount of Olives
After a delicious lunch, it’s time to walk off the food by heading to the Mount of Olives. Technically, the Mount of Olives is on the restricted side of Jerusalem. It is Zone A, so you can enter without going through security measures as you’d expect from Zone B or Zone C. However, Israeli public transportation will not go to the Mount of Olives. So you have a couple of options for reaching the top.
- Take the 1 bus as close as possible, and then walk all the way up.
- Take the 1 bus, cross into the restricted side, and take another bus up to the top. This can be challenging as their schedule isn’t on MoovIt.
- Take a taxi to the top of the Mount of Olives.
However you make it to the top, enjoy an amazing view of the Old City Jerusalem. This is an opposite view from the one last night at the rooftop restaurant. At the overlook, there is a plaque that shows what the different buildings are like when you’re looking at them.
PRO TIP: If you’re going to walk up the Mount of Olives, take the stairs as they’re easier and less steep than the hill. There is still a long way to go. Be sure to bring water with you!
Tomb of the Virgin
If you’re walking up the Mount of Olives, I recommend first stopping at the Tomb of the Virgin. It is a grotto decorated in the Orthodox tradition. Here is where Mother Mary was buried before her body was brought back to heaven. It is such a beautiful and moving tomb. Definitely worth visiting. It is Larry’s favorite place on the Mount of Olives. Photos are not allowed here.
Church of All Nations
Across the street from The Tomb of the Virgin is Gethsemane. The Olive Garden and the Rock of Agony that Jesus prays in before being betrayed. While you cannot walk through the olive tree garden, you can go into the Church of All Nations and see the Rock of Agony. It is a beautiful church with so many incredible mosaics. Be respectful, as it is an active church.
Pater Noster Church
At the top of the Mount of Olives, you’ll find the French Pater Noster Church. This church is built over the site where Jesus first gave us the Lord’s Prayer. In order to enter this church, you need to pay. They only take cash. It is such a unique church to visit. The Lord’s Prayer is depicted in multiple languages in the Church’s courtyard.
Extra Time? Check Out These Fun Activities
City of David
Right outside the Old City, there is the City of David. This is a series of tunnels that go under Jerusalem. These biblical tunnels run for many kilometers. You can visit the dry tunnel or bring water shoes to visit the water tunnel. There are guided tours available, or you can grab a map and walk it alone. Parts are narrow and short, so it is not recommended for anyone with mobility issues. If you buy the Israeli National Parks pass, this one is included. In the evenings, they also do a light show.
PRO TIP: If you choose to go through the water tunnel, bring a change of clothes AND shoes. It is about thigh-deep water. Also, keep your electronics someplace safe. Finally, bring a flashlight!
Ramparts Walk
If going under the city isn’t for you, then walk on top of the Old City walls on the Ramparts Walk. If you enter the Old City from the main Jaffa Gate on the left, you’ll see the Ramparts Walk (and a bathroom). For a couple of shekels, you can walk on the top of the Old City walls. It is truly such a cool experience and a different way to see the city. It would be a good way to get a different view of the layout before walking inside.
Chapel of the Ascension
At the top of the Mount of Olives is the Chapel of the Ascension. This is the site of Christ’s ascension into heaven forty days after His resurrection (Luke 24:51). The chapel itself is not very large. Currently, it is under Islamic rule, so there is a charge to enter. You will need shekels. While it is such a cool site, we didn’t feel like it was worth the entrance fee.
Tomb of the Prophets
All the main Biblical prophets are found right outside a Jewish cemetery on the side of the Mount of Olives. This tomb has all except Rachel who is buried near Bethlehem (definitely worth visiting Rachel, but that is more complicated). There is an entrance fee for the Tomb of the Prophets, but it is such a unique place. As you walk down from the overlook at the top of the Mount of Olives, you’ll see a small wooden sign that reads, “Tomb of the Prophets.” You’ll follow it down the set of stairs. Before going all the way down to the cemetery, you’ll take a left. The tomb is down a grotto.
If you’re interested in going toย Bethlehem, take this tourย to avoid any issues at the checkpoints.
The Garden Tomb of Jesus
While the Catholic and Orthodox Churches have believed that the Holy Sepulchure is the official tomb of Jesus Christ. However, many Protestants believe that the Garden Tomb outside of the Old City is the actual tomb of Jesus. You can decide for yourself. Visiting the Garden Tomb is free. You can see where there might be a skull in the mountain near the tomb. The entire garden is beautifully designed and up-kept.
Add more things to your list from this unique list of things to do in Jerusalem.
Things to Know About Spending 48 Hours in Jerusalem
How To Get To Jerusalem?
If you are in Tel Aviv or pretty much anywhere in Israel, you can take the Israeli rail or the bus system to get to Jerusalem. It is really direct from Tel Aviv. There are also many buses from the many corners of Israel. If you are flying into Israel and then going to Jerusalem for your 48 hours in Jerusalem, then you can take the train from the airport directly to Jerusalem. Ben Gurion International Airport is the only international airport between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
How To Get Around Jerusalem?
Where To Stay In Jerusalem?
Wrap Up: 48 Hours In Jerusalem
Jerusalem is one of my favorite cities in the world. It is full of Biblical sites and religious importance. There truly is something around every corner. As a city in the hills of Judea, you’ll also feel cooler than Tel Aviv. 48 hours in Jerusalem doesn’t always feel like enough, but in a country as packed as Israel, you can only do so much. Hopefully, this itinerary will give you a good head start on your Israeli trip.
