JerusalemCapital
Israel · Country profile
Jerusalem is the ancient, holy and impossible city at the heart of the western world’s three great religions, a place of stone, of gold, of conflict and of an intense, unbroken devotion that no other city can match. The walled old city holds the four quarters of the Jewish, the Christian, the Muslim and the Armenian, with the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock all crowded within its ancient lanes. Outside the walls, the modern city spreads the museums, the markets, the parks and the divided, complex electricity of the present. The light of the city, the honey-coloured stone, the bells and the calls to prayer make it an overwhelming experience. Layered, sacred and utterly singular, Jerusalem is a city that nobody leaves unchanged.
About Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. The city's documented population is around 980,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Israeli New Shekel (ILS) and Hebrew and Arabic are spoken; the dialling code is +972.
The Old City, the Walls and the Shrine of the Dome
Jerusalem is a dense, ancient, intensely moving city whose heart is the walled old city, a short walk of holy sites, markets and centuries that no guidebook can fully prepare the visitor for. The Western Wall, the Church of the Sepulchre and the shrine of the Dome of the Rock stand within one square kilometre, and the rest of the city spreads the museums, the markets and the modern suburbs. It is a city of layers, of faith and of a difficult politics that the traveller should approach with respect and care for the sensitivities of every quarter. It rewards the early morning, the slow walking and the willingness to listen as much as to look.
The Holy Sites, the Dress Codes and the Current Guidance
The best seasons are the spring and the autumn, mild and bright; the summer is hot and the winter is cold, wet and occasionally snowy. The old city is best walked early, and the security checks at the holy sites mean the queues move at a careful pace. The religious dress code covers the shoulders and the knees at the holy places, and the modesty is respected most strictly at the Jewish and the Muslim quarters. The shekel is the currency, cards work widely and the city is safe in its tourist areas with the standard big-city care. Check the current local guidance, because the situation can tighten quickly and the access to the sites can change at short notice.
The Quarters, the Markets and the Light of the Stone
The old city is a single great walk of the four quarters, and the rooftop and the tower views of its walls give the finest perspective. The Western Wall plaza is the great Jewish prayer site, the Church of the Sepulchre holds the Christian Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock, and the immense plaza of the Haram, is the third of the great shrines, entered at its own hours and under its own rules. The markets of the quarters, the bazaars and the shuks draw the pilgrims and the shoppers of the whole city. The modern Jerusalem spreads the Israel Museum, the memorial of the Shoah and the parks and the cafés of the western districts. It is an intense, unforgettable, many-sided city.
Report an error or suggest an update
- Country
- Israel
- Population
- 980,000
- Coordinates
- 31.7788, 35.2258
- Capital
- Jerusalem
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- Israeli New Shekel (ILS)
- Languages
- Hebrew, Arabic
- Calling code
- +972
- Country code
- IL
Getting to Jerusalem
The nearest airports we list:
Cities in Israel
Other cities we cover in Israel:
Frequently asked questions
Is Jerusalem the capital of Israel?
Yes — Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
What currency do I need in Jerusalem?
The local currency is the Israeli New Shekel (ILS). Languages spoken in Israel include Hebrew and Arabic.
What is the dialling code for Israel?
The international dialling code for Israel is +972.
Which airport is nearest to Jerusalem?
The nearest airport we list is Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), about 41 km away.
How far is Jerusalem from the nearest airport?
Jerusalem is about 41 km from Ben Gurion Airport.
Flying out of Jerusalem? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.