Some of the best of Jerusalem happens after dark, and a lot of it is free. A local's list for evenings, couples and tight budgets.
Short answer: at night, go to the Western Wall after dark (it never closes), take an evening Western Wall Tunnels tour, watch the Tower of David Night Spectacular, have a drink on the Austrian Hospice roof or in the bars that take over Mahane Yehuda when the stalls close, and see the city fill up on Saturday night. For free: the Kotel, Yad Vashem, the Mount of Olives lookout, the Haas Promenade, the parks, Ein Kerem, the Knesset's guided tours and a daily free walking tour of the Old City.
After dark
- The Western Wall at night. Open all hours and free; quieter and more atmospheric than by day.
- Western Wall Tunnels. Tours run into the evening Sunday to Thursday (until about 22:00); ₪38 for adults, booked ahead.
- Tower of David Night Spectacular. A sound-and-light show projected on the citadel walls; ₪69 for adults, times change with sunset.
- The Austrian Hospice roof. A view over the Old City's domes until about 22:00, for a few shekels, with coffee and strudel downstairs.
- Mahane Yehuda after the stalls close. Shutters come down and the bars, music and street food come out, especially Monday to Thursday.
- The First Station and the centre. Restaurants and bars around the old railway station, Ben Yehuda Street and Nachalat Shiva.
- Saturday night. About an hour after Shabbat ends the whole city comes out. Shabbat for visitors explains the rhythm.
- Culture. The Jerusalem Theatre, the Cinematheque and concert halls; What's on lists community events.
For a date, our date-spots guide has quieter places to talk; for bars and music, Jerusalem after dark.
Free
- The Western Wall and the Western Wall plaza.
- Yad Vashem, the Holocaust remembrance centre; free entry, closed on Saturday.
- The Knesset. Free guided tours in English on Sundays and Thursdays; individuals need no booking. Bring a passport and dress modestly.
- Views: the Mount of Olives lookout at sunrise, the Haas Promenade at sunset.
- A free Old City walking tour runs daily from Jaffa Gate (tips expected).
- Parks: Gazelle Valley, Sacher Park, the Train Track Park, the Rose Garden and Liberty Bell Park. Parks and nature has them all.
- Ein Kerem, a village of churches, springs and galleries at the city's edge.
- The Jerusalem Bird Observatory next to the Knesset.
- Mahane Yehuda to wander and taste; free unless you give in.
Is Jerusalem safe at night?
The centre, the shuk and the main streets are busy and generally safe late into the evening. Take ordinary city precautions, stick to lit, busy streets in the Old City after dark, and follow current security guidance. Is Jerusalem safe? gives the full answer.
Common questions
What is there to do in Jerusalem at night?
The Western Wall after dark, the evening Western Wall Tunnels tours, the Tower of David Night Spectacular, rooftop views, and the bars of Mahane Yehuda and the First Station.
What can I do in Jerusalem for free?
The Western Wall, Yad Vashem, the Knesset's guided tours, the Mount of Olives lookout, the Haas Promenade, the city's parks, Ein Kerem and a daily free walking tour of the Old City.
What is there to do in Jerusalem for couples?
Sunset at the Haas Promenade, the Night Spectacular, a rooftop in the Old City, dinner at the First Station or a walk through Ein Kerem.
A favourite evening spot or free sight we missed? Tell us and we will fix it.
