The following tour route combines driving and walking or just walking for the more adventurous among you. The places you will visit are special, even though they are not at the top of the list of must-see sites, these are charming sites with lots of character that are definitely worth a visit to enjoy a little taste of archaeology, history, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hummus and the best Kenafe desert in the Old City. Come to Jerusalem on Saturday morning to enjoy a tour that will leave you wanting more. You can either drive and park at the Rockefeller Museum and than continue by Car to Mount Zion and park there. Alternatively park at Mount Zion and walk downhill from there for about 15 minutes to the Rockefeller museum.
Rockefeller Museum
Located in front of the northern wall of the Old City you can reach it by car, a 2-minute drive from Highway 1. Free parking is possible in the museum complex only on Saturdays. THe entrannce to the museum is free of charge. The museum is situated in a charming building that contains a collection of treasures and archaeological findings from all over Israel from the Stone Age to the British Mandate, thanks to the support of the Rockefeller family.
- Address: 27 Sultan Suleiman Street
- More about the museum: Rockefeller Museum of Archaeology
Church of All Nations, Gethsemane
From the Rcoefeller museum, (or simply walk 15mins) drive 5-10 minutes, depending on traffic, to Mount Zion and stop there. From Mount Zion, it is 15-minute walk downhill towards Mount of Olives to visit one of the most beautiful churches in Jerusalem, the Church of All Nations, which according to Christianity symbolizes the place where Jesus was tormented the night before he was handed over to the Romans. After visiting the church you will return to the Old City and enter it through the Lions' Gate and from there to the Christian quarter.
- Address: Mount of Olives
Additional details: Church of All Nations, Gethsemane
Terra Sancta Museum
A short walk from the Lions' Gate you will reach a magical Franciscan complex with a museum that has just been renovated with an audiovisual presentation that tells the importance of Jerusalem from a Christian point of view and presents a variety of archaeological findings from Jerusalem and its surroundings. Entrance to the museum and the performance involves a symbolic fee of about NIS 20 per person. The audiovisual performance at the museum lasts about 10 minutes.
- Address: 1 Via Dolorosa Street
- Additional details: The Franciscan monastery and the Terra Santa Museum
Where to eat?
On HaGay Street there is a Jerusalem food establishment "Hummus Abu Shukri" which has become a pilgrimage center for foodies and tourists visiting Jerusalem. Here you will find traditional hummus and a lively atmosphere at the center of the Old City. A short walk from there we recommend you to flavour authentic Kenafe dessert and a good Arabic coffee at Jafar Sweets before you continue on.
From here we will make way to along the Christian quarter until we reach the Jewish quarter. You are welcomed to go down to the Western Wall plaza, or if you have absorbed enough culture for one day, continue through the Armenian quarter towards Zion gate and the adjacent parking lot.
Enjoy!