One day in Jerusalem
The Old City in the morning, the market at lunch, one museum in the afternoon, and somewhere easy for the evening.
What this assumes: A weekday (Sunday to Thursday), on foot and by light rail. Most ticketed sites in the Old City close on Shabbat and chagim.
- 08:00
Western Wall Tunnels - The Great Stone Route
Start underground before the day heats up. Tours are timed and sell out, so book online well ahead rather than turning up.
- 09:30
The Priestly Homes - Herodian Quarter (Wohl Archaeological Museum)
Five minutes' walk from the tunnels, and under an hour inside. A good second stop while you are already in the Jewish Quarter.
- 11:00
Ramparts Walk
Up onto the walls for the view over the quarters. Shade is scarce, so this is the stop to move earlier in summer and later in winter.
- 12:30
Austrian Hospice Rooftop
A few shekels for the best-known rooftop in the Old City, and a café at the bottom of the stairs when you need to sit down.
- 13:30
Lunch at Mahane Yehuda
Ten minutes by light rail from Damascus Gate. The market is at its best before the Friday rush; check the kashrut of each stall rather than assuming.
- 15:00
Tower of David Jerusalem Museum
Two to three hours, and the one museum that explains the city you just walked through. Buy tickets online for the timed entry.
- 19:00
The First Station
Dinner and space for children to run at the end of a long day, without another ticket.