Pick the neighbourhood first. Here is where to stay in Jerusalem, whether you want the Old City on foot, a family-friendly base, or a Shabbat walk to the Kotel.
Short answer: for a first visit, stay near Jaffa Gate and Mamilla or in the city centre, within walking distance of the Old City and on the light rail. Families who want quiet streets, playgrounds and restaurants choose the German Colony and Baka. Religious families who want to walk to the Kotel on Shabbat should stay within about 30 minutes' walk: Mamilla, the Jewish Quarter, the centre or Talbiyeh. Chareidi families often prefer Geulah and Romema for the shuls and food, accepting a longer walk. Expect around $170 a night for an average hotel room, and much more over the chagim.
The areas
Mamilla and Jaffa Gate
The luxury end: long-established grand hotels and newer ones overlooking the Old City walls, the Mamilla shopping street, and a walk of about 15 minutes to the Kotel. Best for a first trip and for Shabbat at the Wall, if the budget allows.
The city centre
Around Jaffa Road, Ben Yehuda Street and King George: mid-range hotels and apartments, restaurants and nightlife, the shuk nearby, the light rail on the doorstep, and 25–30 minutes' walk to the Kotel.
German Colony, Emek Refaim and Baka
Tree-lined streets, restaurants and cafés, the Train Track Park, and many English-speaking families. Mostly apartments and a few hotels. The walk to the Kotel is 35–45 minutes; buses run on weekdays.
Rehavia and Talbiyeh
Quiet, leafy and central, between the centre and the German Colony, with a few hotels and many apartments; about 25–35 minutes' walk to the Kotel.
The Old City
Guesthouses and apartments in the Jewish Quarter and pilgrim hospices in the Christian Quarter, with the sites on your doorstep and almost no cars. The trade-offs: steps everywhere, luggage carried by hand, and fewer facilities.
Geulah, Makor Baruch and Romema
For Chareidi families: shuls and shtiebels on every block, kosher food everywhere and Hebrew or Yiddish first. Romema, near the entrance to the city and the central bus station, has several large hotels. The walk to the Kotel is 45–60 minutes.
Near the central bus station
Convenient for the airport train and both light rail lines, and less charming. Airport to Jerusalem explains the train.
Hotels and apartments: practical tips
- Book early for Sukkot, Pesach, Shavuot and the summer; prices climb and the good places fill.
- Ask about Shabbat: a Shabbat lift, mechanical keys instead of key cards, a hot plate or urn, and whether the hotel serves Shabbat meals to guests.
- Apartments suit families and Shabbat, but check the stairs, the lift, the heating in winter and the door code.
- Foreign tourists are generally exempt from VAT on hotel rooms.
- Driving? Check parking; many central hotels have none. Parking in Jerusalem explains.
Security: check the Home Front Command's current guidance and your airline's updates before and during a trip. Our safety guide explains sirens, shelters and the app.
Common questions
What is the best area to stay in Jerusalem?
For a first visit, near Jaffa Gate and Mamilla or in the city centre. For families, the German Colony and Baka. For Chareidi families, Geulah and Romema.
Where should I stay to walk to the Kotel on Shabbat?
Mamilla and Jaffa Gate (about 15 minutes), the Jewish Quarter (a few minutes), the city centre and Talbiyeh (25–35 minutes).
How much is a hotel in Jerusalem?
The average room is around $170 a night, with simpler hotels from about $100 and luxury from about $300, and roughly double during the chagim.
Moving here rather than visiting? The neighbourhoods guide covers the residential side.
Stayed somewhere and have a tip for other visitors? Tell us and we will fix it.
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