Jerusalem/East

East Jerusalem has three central stations for Arab urban and intercity buses. All are close to each other, just north of the Old City. Listed in geographical order, from west to east:

• 🌍 HaNeviim station. Buses to Bethlehem, Hebron, and southern Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Adjacent to the Damascus Gate light rail station. 
• 🌍 Nablus Road station. Buses to Ramallah and northern Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem 
• 🌍 Sultan Suleiman station. Buses to Bethany, Jericho, and eastern Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem 

Here the stations are named after the street they are on. If you are asking for directions, it may be more useful to tell people your bus destination. For a listing of routes and destinations, see cicts.org. Shared taxis to Ramallah, Bethlehem and Hebron also leave from here.

If coming from West Jerusalem, bus lines 1 and 3 leave from the central bus station on Jaffa Street and circle around the old city, with stops near the old city gates and major sites of East Jerusalem in the vicinity of the Old City. Bus number 84 leaves from the Ammunition Hill light rail stop and will take you to the top of the Mount of Olives.

Coming from West Jerusalem, the light rail enters East Jerusalem, stopping first at Damascus Gate next to the Old City. It then turns north, paralleling the boundary between East and West Jerusalem, before continuing north into additional East Jerusalem neighborhoods. Depending on the sites you want to visit, there are several stops you may want to get off at:

• 🌍 City Hall - this is the last stop in West Jerusalem, and it is the closest stop to Mount Zion and the City of David.
• The 🌍 Damascus Gate light rail station is near the transportation hub of East Jerusalem outside the Damascus Gate. Use this stop for the Garden Tomb and Rockefeller Archaeological Museum.
• 🌍 Shivtei Israel - for Tombs of the Kings and several hotels, including Grand Court and American Colony.
• 🌍 Ammunition Hill (Giv'at Hatahmoshet) for Ammunition Hill Memorial Site, Dan Jerusalem Hotel, and bus 84 to the Mount of Olives.

Most sights within East Jerusalem are close to the Old City, allowing them to be explored on foot.

This hill is located next to the Old City, just south of the Armenian Quarter. It was the only part of ancient Jerusalem that was under Israeli control in 1948–1967. "Zion" is an old name for Jerusalem. "Mount Zion" received its name in the Middle Ages, when it was thought that the original location of Jerusalem was on this hill. However, the original location is now known to be the "City of David", and the present Temple Mount is the biblical Mount Zion. Zionism, the movement to return the Jews to the Holy Land, takes its name from Mount Zion, where the Jews had made their stand against the Roman Empire before being conquered and exiled from the area.

• 🌍 Church of the Dormition. M–Th 09:00–12:00 and 12:30–18:00; F 09:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00; Su 10:30–18:00. Adorned by a conical dome and a tall bell tower, this Mount Zion church is the traditional site of the Virgin Mary's death. Several churches have been built on the site. The present-day structure was built in the early 20th century for the visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The main part of the church contains a mosaic floor featuring the signs of the zodiac and the names of various saints and prophets. A statue of the Virgin Mary rests in the crypt surrounded by images of various women listed in the Old Testament. Free. 
• 🌍 King David's Tomb. Summer: Sa–Th 08:00–20:00, F 08:00–14:00. Winter: Su–Th 08:00–sunset, F 08:00–13:00. Adjoining the Church of the Dormition and located on the lower floor of the Crusader building is a small chamber venerated as King David's Tomb. The chamber—divided for separate viewing by men and women—contains a sarcophagus covered by a drape. From 1948-1967, when the Old City was under Jordanian control and there was no access to the Western Wall, Jews would come here to pray. Today the entrance hall is still used as a synagogue. Free. 
• 🌍 Last Supper Room (Cenacle). 08:00–18:00 daily. A room in the David's Tomb Compound, traditionally held to be the site of the Last Supper. Free. 
• 🌍 Chamber of the Holocaust, ☏ +972 2-6716841, fax: +972 2-6717116. Su–Th 08:00–17:00, F 08:00–13:00. Located directly opposite the Tomb of David on Mount Zion, this small museum is maintained by the Diaspora Yeshiva. The collection includes Holocaust artifacts, artwork inspired by the Holocaust, an exhibit of anti-Semitic publications throughout history, and memorials to individuals and communities that perished. It differs from Yad Vashem in that it puts the Holocaust in more of a Jewish-religious context. ₪12. 
• 🌍 Schindler's Tomb. Hours are not set and more often than not, the gate to the cemetery is closed and locked. Down the hill from the Zion Gate is a small Christian cemetery. It is here that the grave of Oskar Schindler is located. Schindler, a German industrialist, saved 1,200 Jews from the Holocaust by hiring them as laborers in his factory. The story was memorialized in Stephen Spielberg's Academy Award-winning movie, Schindler's List. (A phone number has been hastily painted on the upper gate and can be called if desiring entrance) 
• 🌍 St Peter in Gallicantu. M-Sa 08:30–17:00. Located to the east of Mount Zion and overlooking the Kidron Valley, this church commemorates the traditional site of St Peter's denial of Christ. In the crypt below the church are ancient caves, purported to be the place where Christ spent the night at the hand of Caiphas before being presented to Pontius Pilate. A large wooden model of an 18th-century Old City is on display in the courtyard, although it pales in comparison to the more elaborate model on display at the Citadel (see Armenian Quarter). ₪7 adults, ₪5 students. Children under 13 are free. Parking is available at a charge of ₪10. 

Located south of the Temple Mount, this area is the oldest inhabited part of Jerusalem. When King David conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites (around 1000 BCE) and made it his capital, the city was limited to this area. David's son Solomon began the process of expanding the city to the north and west, so since then, the original city has been known as the "City of David".

• 🌍 City of David and Jerusalem water system, ☏ +972 2-6750111. Su–Th 08:00–19:00; F 08:00–17:00 (from October to March, till 17:00 and 13:00, respectively); last entrance two hours before the closing time. To get here, exit the Old City through Dung Gate (by the Kotel), turn left, and then take the first street on your right. The site comprises two archeological findings. ₪25–50. 
  • The City of David is the oldest part of Jerusalem, with remains of buildings up to the city's capture by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The ruins include 13th century BC walls, as well as fortifications and fragments of a palace attributed to David, the second king of Israel.
  • The second thing is the Warren’s Shaft, the underground water system named after Charles Warren, its 19th-century discoverer. The system was built by the Jebusites to ensure a water supply during sieges. In the 10th century BC a tunnel (now known as a Canaanite tunnel) was dug to take water from the Gihon Spring to the fields of the Kidron valley. King Hezekiah had a new tunnel built to bring the spring water right into the city. Hezekiah's Tunnel ran 533 m (1,750 ft) from the spring to the Pool of Siloam in the southern end of the city. Now, the visitors have two options. You can either walk through the Hezekiah's (wet) tunnel or take the shorter Canaanite (dry) tunnel. In the wet tunnel, you will have to wade in thigh-deep water (flashlight and proper shoes are required). It takes about half an hour to pass through, and the ceiling is high in most places. The dry tunnel is really dry and quite narrow (in fact, it is a crack in the rock).
    In front of the ticket office is a metal staircase leading down underneath the metal mesh floor. This takes you down to the "Large Stone Structure", which is claimed to be part of the building work undertaken by either David or Solomon, perhaps even being King David's palace. This claim, which is not without controversy, makes the site popular with earnest young Zionists. A building above this site houses a free film outlining Jewish history in the area. From the terrace behind the building an excellent view of Silwan and the ancient rock-cut tombs can be obtained.
• 🌍 Tomb of Absalom. An impressive burial monument, approximately 20 meters tall, that is mistakenly attributed to King David's rebellious son Absalom. It is in the valley between the Old City and the Mount of Olives. Just to the south is the so-called Tomb of Zechariah which is also impressive. Between these is Tomb of Bnei Hezir which is cave cut into the cliff, rather than a free-standing monument. All of these date to the Hasmonean period (2nd-1st century BCE). 

It is recommended that one explore the Mount of Olives from the top down, as the uphill climb is fairly steep. The best ways to travel to the top of the Mount of Olives are bus 84 from Ammunition Hill light rail station (get off at the Seven Arches Hotel), by sherut (shared taxi) from outside the Damascus Gate, or by bus 275 or 255 from the bus station outside of Herod's gate (get off at the Chapel of Ascension).

If you decide to walk from the Old City, the best route is to exit through the Lions' Gate, go up the lane beside the Garden of Gethsemane (Church of All Nations) and turn right, then follow the tarmac road up past the Dominus Flevit church and the Tombs of Zachariah and Malachi to the short flight of stairs which brings you out at the viewing point overlooking the Old City. If you go up and down the same way, use the stairs a little further behind where the lane up starts and walk back down the lane. Be aware that pickpockets are a real menace at this spot and make sure that your valuables are safely stowed away and that you are aware of anyone coming close to you. Photographs and engravings dating back to the late 1700s show three paths leading up over the Mount of Olives which correspond to the two paths and one road in existence today. As the right-hand path is the shortest route to Bethany, it is possible that Jesus really did follow this path on Palm Sunday, as tradition claims.

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, 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.

The following points of interest are listed from the top of the Mount to the bottom. Once you have finished on the Mount of Olives, it is a short climb to the Old City's Lion's Gate.

• 🌍 Chapel of the Ascension. The courtyard and chapel are open daily (if closed, ring the bell). Sacred to Christians and Muslims, this medieval chapel—now part of a mosque—is on the supposed site of Christ's ascension. The chapel was built around 380 AD around a venerated imprint, now set in stone, of Christ's right foot. The chapel became a Muslim shrine after Saladin's conquest in 1187. If given a "tour" by the pushy guard, he will expect a gratuity for his services. Seems just to be a tourist nap, especially for Russians. Just remind him that you already paid ₪5 and walk away. Otherwise just skip this whole site. ₪5. 
• 🌍 Church of the Pater Noster. M–Sa 09:00–11:30 and 15:00–17:00. Built over Constantine-era ruins, this church sits atop a grotto where Christ is believed to have taught the Paternoster (meaning "Our Father"), or Lord's Prayer. The church is famous for its tiled panels inscribed with the Lord's Prayer in more than 130 languages. The Seven Arches Hotel is a short walk from the church. ₪10/8 adult/student. 
• 🌍 Seven Arches Hotel Viewpoint. 24/7. Near the Seven Arches hotel, definitely the best view of the Old City of Jerusalem. Come here to take panoramic pictures and be stunned by the beauty of the city. Free. 
• 🌍 Tombs of the Prophets. M-F 09:00-15:30. At the top of the Jewish Cemetery, which spans the southwestern slope of the Mount of Olives, lies a large catacomb complex containing oven-shaped graves (kokhim). The Palestinian family which discovered the catacomb claims that the tombs belonged to the 5th century BCE prophets Haggai, Malachi and Zechariah. In reality, the catacombs date from a much later period, the 1st century AD. Bring a flashlight or use your smartphone's light. 
• 🌍 Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery. The most ancient and most important cemetery in Jerusalem. Burial on the Mount of Olives started some 3,000 years ago in the First Temple Period, and continues to this day. Famous figures in Jewish history are buried here, including Nachmanides, S. Y. Agnon and Menachem Begin. The cemetery covers a large part of the Mount of Olives. Free. 
• 🌍 Dominus Flevit Chapel. 08:00–11:45 and 14:30–17:00 daily. Its name meaning "The Lord Wept", this chapel was identified by medieval pilgrims as the place where Jesus wept over the fate of Jerusalem. The chapel's west window frames a breathtaking view of the Old City. A small collection of stone artifacts from nearby excavations are on display. 
• 🌍 Church of St. Mary Magdalene, ☏ +972 2 628 4371. Tu Th 10:00–12:00 (call to double check the times). This Russian Orthodox Church, with its gilded onion domes, was built by Tsar Alexander III in 1885 in memory of his mother, Maria Alexandrovna, whose patron saint was Mary Magdalene. Tsar Alexander III's sister-in-law, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, was buried here after her murder during the Russian Revolution in 1920. 
• 🌍 Church of All Nations and Garden of Gethsemane. 08:00–12:00 and 14:30–17:00 (summer: 18:00) daily. Also known as the Church of Agony because it is built over the rock where Jesus agonized about his death, this 4th-century church has been rebuilt many times, the most recent structure being the result of financial contributions from 12 nations. To commemorate the benefactors, the church was designed with 12 domes adorned with each country's coat of arms. The rock in the center of the nave is the remnant of the ruined Byzantine church. The plan of the Byzantine church is outlined on the floor in black marble. Next to the church is the surviving part of the Garden of Gethsemane with its centuries-old olive trees. Free. 
• 🌍 Tomb of the Virgin / Cave of Gethsemane. Hours for the Tomb of the Virgin are 08:00–12:00 and 14:30–17:00 daily. Hours for the Cave of Gethsemane are 08:30–12:00 and 14:30–17:00 daily. Directly across from the Church of All Nations, the Tomb of the Virgin is believed to be where the Disciples entombed Mary, the mother of Jesus. Forty-seven steps lead past side niches and down to crypt, which contains the burial place of Queen Melisande of Jerusalem, St. Anne and St. Joachim (Mary's parents) and the Virgin Mary. Outside, to the right of the entrance, is the Cave of Gethsemane, also known as the Cave of Betrayal, the traditional place of Judas's betrayal of Jesus. 

• 🌍 Rockefeller Archaeological Museum (Just outside the northeastern corner of the Old City, near Herod's Gate). Su M W Th 10:00–15:00; Sa 10:00–14:00; Tu F closed. The Rockefeller Museum was made possible by a substantial contribution by American oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller. The museum houses an impressive collection of antiquities, including a number of the Dead Sea Scrolls. free. 
• 🌍 Garden Tomb. M-Sa 08:30–12:00 and 14:00–17:30. Disputed to be an alternative to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the location of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the Garden Tomb is located a block north of the Damascus Gate. British general, Charles Gordon, popularized the view that the skull shaped hill just north of the city was the Golgotha referred to in the New Testament. Excavations have revealed an ancient tomb along with ruins of a cistern system and winepress—evidences that the site was once the location of a garden. Regardless of its authenticity, the lovely garden is worth a visit. Admission is free; donations are accepted. 
• 🌍 Armenian Bird Mosaic, HaNeviim 16. An impressive mosaic floor designed by Armenian Christian artists in about the 6th century. Call the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem (+972 2 628 2331) to arrange a visit. (updated Jan 2017)
• 🌍 Tombs of the Kings. The burial site of Queen Helena of Adiabene, a 1st-century Jewish monarch. The site is owned by the State of France, and unfortunately cannot be visited except on rare occasions. 
• 🌍 Tomb of Simon the Just (Kever Shimon HaTzadik), 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan Street. An ancient cave tomb, traditionally the burial site of Simeon the Just, a Jewish leader and high priest in the 3rd or 4th century BCE. If you cannot get to Meron for the annual Lag BaOmer festivities, there is also a celebration here. 
• 🌍 Cave of the Minor Sanhedrin. An ancient underground tomb with 23 niches, matching the 23 members of the "Minor Sanhedrin" (an ancient Jewish court). 
• 🌍 St. George's Cathedral. Anglican cathedral built in 1899. (updated Aug 2023)
• 🌍 The Palestinian Heritage Museum (متحف التراث الفلسطيني), Louis Vincent St 2. Museum dedicated to Palestinian folkloric heritage. (updated Nov 2023)

• 🌍 Ammunition Hill (Givat HaTachmoshet) (Ammunition Hill light rail stop). This was the main Jordanian fortification in East Jerusalem. Israel overran it in a bloody battle in 1967, leading to the capture of all of Jerusalem. Now the Israel Defense Force runs a museum here commemorating the battle. (updated May 2016)
• 🌍 Hebrew University - Mount Scopus. The humanities faculties of Hebrew University, Israel's top-ranked university, are located here. The campus is quiet and leafy, but confusing to navigate. There are impressive lookouts on the Old City to the south west and the Judaean Desert to the east. 
• 🌍 Tomb of Lazarus (Bethany). This Christian site is in Al Eizariya village, an eastern suburb of Jerusalem in the West Bank. Take bus 36, 63 or 263 from one of the Arab bus stations. 
• 🌍 Bethphage. This is the place in which Jesus sent his disciples to find a donkey and a colt, upon which he would ride into Jerusalem. There is an annual Palm Sunday reenactment of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem which begins here. 
• 🌍 Tell el-Ful (short walk from Beit Hanina light rail stop). Archaeological digs have shown that this hill is the Biblical city of Gibeah, which was King Saul's capital before David came to the throne. The ancient ruins are not visible, but you can see a large ruined modern building. King Hussein of Jordan started building a palace here in the 1960s, but the 1967 war interrupted this and the palace was never finished. Be careful around the palace ruins, as they are not in good repair. There is a good view from here of the surroundings. 
• 🌍 St. Elias Monastery (Mar Elias), Near Hebron Rd. An ancient Orthodox Christian monastery built over the ruins of a Byzantine church, surrounded by beautiful scenery. 
• 🌍 Mitzpeh Tel. One of the nicest nature sites in Jerusalem, particularly in February-March when the blue lupines are blooming. It has a great view of the Old City and also (on clear days) all the way east to Jordan. A good site for a picnic. (updated Mar 2021)
• 🌍 Tolerance Monument. Outdoor sculpture dedicated to promoting peace and tolerance in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. (updated Sep 2023)
• 🌍 Church of the Seat of Mary (Along Rd 60, roughly halfway to Bethlehem). Ruins of a 5th-century Byzantine church, one of the earliest churches known to have been dedicated to the Virgin Mary. (updated Nov 2023)

• 🌍 Palm Hostel (Close to the Damascus Gate), ☏ +972 2-627-3189. Not the best ones around, but ok for the price. Dorm bed from ₪60. 
• 🌍 Ramsis Hostel (ramsis777@ymail.com), 20 Haneviim St (outside Damascus gate), ☏ +972 2 627-1651. No curfew. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. Very friendly. Located in a historic building on the border between East and West Jerusalem, with the West Jerusalem bars a 5-minute walk away. Wireless internet included in price. The Owner and manager is Mike Mushasha, a very friendly and experienced man who speaks fluent English, Hebrew, and Romanian. dormbed US$10, private $15, free tea or coffee. 

• 🌍 Capitol Hotel, Salah Eddin St. 54 guest rooms. From US$99. 
• 🌍 Mount of Olives Hotel, 53 Mount of Olives Rd, fax: +972 2 626-4427, info@mtolives.com. Affordable family-run hotel situated at the summit of the Mount of Olives, next door to the Chapel of Ascension. Surrounded by famous churches and holy sites. Commands a dramatic view of the Old City and the Dome of the Rock. Accessible by bus #75 from Damascus Gate. From US$59 for a single in low season to US$148 for a triple in peak season (2015/16 prices). 
• 🌍 Jerusalem Hotel, Nablus Rd, ☏ +972 2 6283282, fax: +972 2 6283282, raed@jrshotel.com. 
• 🌍 Jerusalem Panorama, Ras el-Amud St (Hill of Gethsemane), ☏ +972 2 6284887, fax: +972 2 6273699. This hotel offers good service and facilities for the price. Most rooms are air conditioned and children's facilities are available. Rooms offer fine views but those overlooking the street can be noisy. This area is not serviced well by public transportation. ₪448-784. 
• 🌍 Seven Arches, Main Rd (Mount of Olives near the Church of the Paternoster), ☏ +972 2 626 7777, fax: +972 2 627 1319. This large, modern hotel is on the summit of the Mount of Olives and offers spectacular views. ₪448-784. 
• 🌍 Tantur Hills Hotel (Along Rd 60, just north of checkpoint with Bethlehem), ☏ +972 2 565 8800. (updated Nov 2023)

• 🌍 American Colony Hotel, 1 Louis Vincent St, ☏ +972 2-627-9777, reserv@amcol.co.il. Luxury, historic boutique hotel in East Jerusalem. Popular with visiting dignitaries and diplomats. Has 86 unique rooms and suites, outdoor pool, spa treatments, breakfast buffet, free internet access and complimentary parking. (updated Aug 2020)
• 🌍 Dan Jerusalem Hotel, 32 Lehi St, 97856, ☏ +972 3-5202552, danjerusalem@danhotels.co.il. Designed around a series of central patios, this hotel sits on the slopes of Mount Scopus, overlooking the skyline of the city and surrounded by the hills of Judea. From ₪600. 
• 🌍 Leonardo Hotel, 9 Saint George St, ☏ +972-25320000. Not one of Novotel's finest hotels - some refurbishment is needed. Located a very short walk from the Old City. Starting at US$115/night with breakfast. 
• 🌍 Grand Court Jerusalem Hotel, 15 Saint George St, ☏ +972 2-591-7777. 442 rooms including family rooms and some especially designed for handicapped guests.