Jerusalem (Israel) > Reviews

Advantages: History, Scenery, Religion, The Old City
Disadvantages: Its the city they all want

...export - brainpower. All buildings in Jerusalem are made from Jerusalem stone, the same type of stone as the Western Wall, the last remnant of the 2nd Jewish Temple destroyed in 70AD by the Romans, but behind each apartment or complex you’ll find a melting pot worth of history, within each family a rich diversity of Religion, politics and family life. I expected to go to find a city on the edge because of the ‘walking animals’ that blow themselves ... Read review

Advantages: Amazing, beautiful
Disadvantages: Dangerous

Jerusalem is the kind of city it is impossible to visit 'blind'. Everyone knows her glancingly. Her name invokes impressions, differing impressions, in people across the globe, and her role in Western Civilisations cannot be underplayed. I was fortunate enough, and I do use 'fortunate' guardedly, to have spent a few months working in Jerusalem a few years back. The city I often now see on my television screen isn't always the happy, hearty, lively ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful City, plenty to do, lots of history.
Disadvantages: Watch out for dodgy dealers. A lot of 'friction' in Israel.

I was in Jerusalem for three weeks in July whilst teaching English to children as a volunteer. I didn't really know what to expect although I made sure I read some of the history before I went. The city is basically split into two parts, the Old City and the New City. In the Old City are most of the famous religious buildings, such as the Wailing Wall, The Dome of the Rock, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Delarosa. It takes a good day ... Read review

Advantages: Incredible diversity & high quality
Disadvantages: Can be expensive

...now see my reviews of Jerusalem in general (‘The Incredible Melting Pot’), Israel in general (‘A Little Something for Everyone’) and Bethlehem, Haifa, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Gaza, Masada, Nazareth, Tel Aviv and the Galilee. ... Read review

Advantages: An incredible experience
Disadvantages: Unfriendly tourist areas

...I actually felt homesick for Jerusalem when I left. It is the strangest place I have I have ever visited, and I as soon as I left, I wanted to be back there. I stayed in a public hostel while I was there and I was amazed at the number of people who seemed to have visited Jerusalem and just stayed. It would seem that it is a place to which people gravitate and it is certainly not just religious people who go there either; it is a haven for aging-hippies ... Read review

Advantages: Like nowhere else on Earth - very memorable.
Disadvantages: Avoid the Easter crowds & summer heat - try May for pleasant weather.

If you are a foreigner in Jerusalem, whether a permanent resident or just passing through, you have certain special privileges. You will see the cool, cosmopolitan Israeli youth culture in the many bars and clubs (check out the Russian Compound area - usually neglected by the tourist crowds, and very trendy), the 4000 year old way of life of the bedouin, and the daily struggles of the Palestinian and Israeli Arab people in the city. You will have ... Read review

Advantages: Loads of interesting sights
Disadvantages: Expensive.

Jerusalem is fascinating, but which Jerusalem? Do you mean the Old City? That is the site of all the New Testament references to Jerusalem, where Jesus spent the final period of his life. But there is also the fascinating City of David, a short way from the Old City. There you can walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel, with water up to your knees, for about 30-40 minutes. You have to carry a candle (on sale there) or a torch. There is also East Jerusalem, ... Read review