Jerusalem Walking Tours Guide
Travel advisory: the security situation in Israel and the West Bank can shift quickly, and different governments phrase their advice differently. Check your own government’s current advisory, such as the US State Department or UK FCDO , before you go, and note advice differs for the West Bank and areas near Gaza.
Jerusalem is a walking city before it’s anything else - much of the Old City is pedestrian-only by necessity, with alleys too narrow and stepped for vehicles. These are the routes worth knowing.
The Old City’s four quarters
A single loop can take in the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian Quarters, linking Jaffa Gate, the Roman Cardo and Hurva Square in the Jewish Quarter, the covered markets of the Christian Quarter, Bab al-Silsila and the Cotton Merchants’ Market in the Muslim Quarter, and St. James Cathedral in the Armenian Quarter. The cobblestones are slick in places and there’s no wheelchair or stroller access on most alleys, so plan footwear accordingly. Western Wall Plaza (free, 24/7, modest dress required, gender-segregated sections) and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (free, roughly 05:00-20:45 in summer) both sit within easy reach of this route.
Old City Ramparts Walk
The Ramparts Walk runs along the top of Suleiman the Magnificent’s 16th-century Ottoman walls, split into a North Section (Jaffa Gate to Lions’ Gate via Damascus Gate) and a South Section (Jaffa Gate to Dung Gate). It costs 25 ILS for an adult or 15 ILS for a child, student or senior, and the ticket is valid for two days if you want to split the two sections. It involves narrow stone stairs and is closed Saturdays.
Nachlaot and Mahane Yehuda
South of Mahane Yehuda Market, Nachlaot is a warren of about 32 late-19th-century Jewish courtyards, narrow passageways and small synagogues - a slower, residential contrast to the Old City’s density, and easy to combine with the market itself for food.
Yemin Moshe and Mishkenot Sha’ananim
Built in 1860 by Sir Moses Montefiore, Yemin Moshe was the first Jewish neighborhood outside the Old City walls; its windmill, stone cottages and gardens sit directly across from the Old City walls. Mishkenot Sha’ananim, right next to it, offers the same quiet, low-density streets.
Ein Kerem
A village neighborhood in the southwest hills, Ein Kerem centers on the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation, with shaded art galleries and cafes lining the lanes - it’s a half-day walk rather than a full excursion.
Practical notes
Wear shoes with real grip; the Old City’s stone is uneven and worn smooth in places. Carry water and sun protection - Israel’s Mediterranean climate means sunny days year-round. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) throughout the Old City regardless of which route you’re on. If you’d rather have a guide explain the layout as you go, search Old City walking tours on GetYourGuide .
For sights outside these walking routes, see the sightseeing guide , and for a full-day plan built around one of these routes, check the 2-day itinerary .