Gay Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a city of wonders with a rich history and vibrant culture. Cultures collide as Jewish and Arab influences interact on bustling city streets and in cobblestone alleyways that parallel ancient historical sites. Old meets new in the heart of Israel, and for the best food this country has to offer look no further than the hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars of Jerusalem. 

The Old City of Jerusalem is a city within a city, boasting the majority of Jerusalem’s historical sites. The Old City is divided into four quadrants: the Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Armenian quarters. Different highlights from each culture are housed in the various quadrants, with plenty of good shopping to boot! The best shopping can be found in the Cardo, an underground street filled with artisan vendors in the Jewish Quarter. Meander your way through churches and synagogues alike! Remember that each community observes its own set of holidays, so plan ahead when visiting the Old City to ensure that the sites you are visiting will be open. Also, because of the religious nature of Jerusalem it is important to dress modestly to ensure your comfort as you interact with locals. Some historic and archeological highlights of the Old City include the Tower of David, the City of David, and the Western Wall tunnels. Mamila is a sexy outdoor mall near the Old City, with some mainstream shopping and delicious Israeli restaurants. For a good bite to eat and plenty of air conditioning, look no further than this local shopping favorite.

Read a first-hand account of experiencing Shabbat in Jerusalem!

Jerusalem Gay Scene

The rest of Jerusalem, or the “New City” has vibrant nightlife and culture as well! Some of the best museums in the world are in Jerusalem, including the Israel Museum featuring work by Israeli artists and Yad Vashem, the largest Holocaust memorial and museum in the world. To get a taste of local culture, visit Machane Yehudah (which translates to “Jewish center”). In this “shuk” you can find vendors selling their goods and some of the best food in the middle east! At night, Machane Yehudah transforms from a farmers market to a communal outdoor bar, where bars and restaurants that are closed during the day spill out into the streets and take over the entire neighborhood. In recent years, Israeli muralists have taken to Machane Yehudah as well, so grab a drink and take yourself on a personal tour of the murals and larger than life portraits that adorn the walls of the shuk. In recent years, the city of Jerusalem has transformed one of its original train stations into an outdoor mall and pavilion now called The First Station, which is home to cultural events, performances, and restaurants. This off-the-beaten-path hotspot is well worth the trek!

Local Tips, Tricks, and News

Jerusalem is easy to get to by bus or taxi from nearby cities, and most directly from Tel Aviv. Jerusalem is a great city to visit year round, although Israel gets scorching hot in the summer and Jerusalem can get some light snow in the winters because of its altitude. Summer is definitely the most touristy season to visit, so if you want to avoid hoards of tour groups, travel before May and after August. Check the Jewish calendar before booking your trip to Israel because all businesses and public services like transportation shut down in Jerusalem on all Jewish holidays - even the minor ones and Shabbat which happens every Friday to Saturday. Because of the historic cultural tension that can crop up in Jerusalem, don’t be surprised to find armed soldiers stationed at many sites and street corners. Don’t be alarmed though - soldiers here are extremely friendly to tourists and are a great resource for asking for directions if you get lost!

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