Shabbat in Jerusalem for Visitors: What's Open, Where to Eat and What to Do

Short answer: from Friday afternoon until Saturday night, most of West Jerusalem closes. There are no buses, no light rail and no trains, and most shops and kosher restaurants are shut. Taxis still run, some museums and attractions open on Saturday, the Old City's Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters stay busy, and East Jerusalem works as usual. The city comes back to life about an hour after Shabbat ends. Buy food and plan transport before Friday lunchtime, and check the exact times on our Shabbat times page.

Friday: the countdown

• Supermarkets and most shops close between about 13:00 and 15:00. Mahane Yehuda on Friday morning is crowded, loud and worth seeing once.
• Buses and the light rail wind down in the early afternoon; the last trains to the airport and Tel Aviv leave around the same time.
• If you need a meal on Friday night, arrange it before Shabbat: a hotel dinner, a host family, or food bought in advance.

Friday night

Kabbalat Shabbat at the Western Wall is one of the city's great sights: thousands of people, singing groups, soldiers, yeshiva students and families, from just before sunset. Dress modestly, and do not photograph or use your phone at the Wall on Shabbat; the plaza is a religious site and people will ask you not to.

For a Friday-night meal, hotels sell Shabbat dinner to non-guests (book ahead), and many shuls and hospitality organisations can connect visitors with a host family; ask at your hotel, at a local shul, or at the Kotel's information points. It is a highlight of many trips.

Saturday: what's open

• Some museums and attractions. A number of the big museums and the zoo open on Saturday, often with tickets that must be bought in advance, since no money changes hands on site. Our things-to-do page lists hours and booking for each.
• The Old City. The Jewish Quarter is quiet, but the Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters are open for business, and the churches are open for services.
• East Jerusalem. Shops, restaurants and cafés work normally.
• A few places in the west. The First Station complex and some non-kosher cafés, bars and restaurants in the centre stay open; they are the exception.
• Parks and promenades. Open, free and full of families: the Train Track Park, Sacher Park, the Haas Promenade and more. See parks and nature.

Getting around

• Walk. Shabbat is the best day to see the city on foot, with almost no traffic.
• Taxis run all Shabbat, at the higher weekend tariff. Ride apps work too.
• Shared taxis run to Tel Aviv. There is no public transport to the airport; see our airport guide.
• Driving: roads in religious neighbourhoods may be closed to cars, and driving through them on Shabbat causes offence. Car parks near the Old City are limited.

Eating on Saturday

Kosher restaurants reopen after Shabbat, not during it. Hotels serve Shabbat lunch; otherwise, buy on Friday. A few non-kosher places are open in the centre and in East Jerusalem. Our eating-out guide explains how to choose and the kashrut guide explains the certificates.

Saturday night

About an hour after Shabbat ends, shops, cafés and bars reopen, buses and the light rail start again, and the centre fills up. Mahane Yehuda's bars, Ben Yehuda Street and the First Station are busy until late.

Etiquette

• In religious neighbourhoods, avoid phones, photography, smoking and driving on Shabbat, and dress modestly.
• Greet people with "Shabbat shalom".
• Hotel lifts may run as Shabbat lifts, stopping on every floor automatically.

Living here rather than visiting? The Shabbat and chagim guide covers the resident side. Planning a whole trip? Start with our visitors' page.

Common questions

What is open in Jerusalem on Shabbat?

Parks and promenades, some museums and the zoo (often with tickets bought in advance), the Old City's Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters, East Jerusalem, the First Station and a few non-kosher places in the centre. Most of West Jerusalem is closed.

Are any restaurants open in Jerusalem on Shabbat?

Kosher restaurants are closed. Hotels serve Shabbat meals, and a few non-kosher restaurants and cafés in the centre and East Jerusalem stay open.

Are all restaurants in Israel kosher?

No. Most restaurants in West Jerusalem are kosher, many in Tel Aviv are not. Check for a current kashrut certificate on the wall rather than assume.

What time does Shabbat start and end in Jerusalem?

Candles are lit 40 minutes before sunset in Jerusalem, and Shabbat ends after nightfall on Saturday. The exact times for this week are on our Shabbat times page.

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