Travel Tips and Guide.

Editor’s note: We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new Middle East destination on Viator.com – Israel! Now, in addition to covering the top things to see and do in Jordan and Egypt, Viator covers the top things to see and do in Israel, too – from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, and plenty in between. Stay tuned for more updates on Israel, coming soon.

To those who make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, this particular city is an experience with implications beyond the thrills of ordinary sightseeing. Catholic, Jewish, or Muslim, the land known to many as ‘Zion’ is the living birthplace of scripture and history responsible for the embodied virtues of millions, while guiding the hand of civilization as we know it.

As such, it is no wonder that visitors and residents alike tend to prefer walking its illustrious streets when they can – so grab your Jerusalem cruisers, below are our top 5 must-see streets of Jerusalem.

Praying Above the Western Wall

Ben Yehuda Street

Named after the man who revived what is known as modern day Hebrew, Ben Yehuda Street is considered to be at the epicenter of Jerusalem. Tourists and locals flood the converted pedestrian mall, lined with Café’s, shops, restaurants, street performers, and vendors, who sell inexpensive yet satisfying trinkets. If the heat is bearable, grab a beer at one of the tucked away convenience stores and pop a squat at any one of the available outdoor seats.

The shops on Ben Yehuda Street is mostly compromised of ordinary tourist items such as shirts, jewelry, and fabrics, but upon a closer looks, you may be surprised to find something more particular that would suit your tastes, such a hand-crafted chimes, sculptures, or toys that would be a perfect gift for a loved one.

TIP: As with the rest of the country, watch out to not bring your spending cash with you on Saturday’s or Jewish holidays, when religious mandates closes a huge majority of shops. You’ll be pressed to find any that are open, so be sure to think ahead.

Ben Yehuda street

Jaffa Road

One of the oldest and longest streets in the city, Jaffa Road is equally expansive, stretching the length of the Old City, specifically at the Jaffa Gate, ending in downtown Jerusalem.

The road which was at one point considered the most significant in Jerusalem, is a shadow of its former self, with a grunt of it riddled with neglected poorly maintained structures – certainly not a strollers paradise – however, carries an unparalleled historical significance, including being the welcoming point for kings and other heads of state.

Despite its modern day structural problems, Jaffa Road in Jerusalem is not completely devoid of modern value and leisure, as it is home to the Jerusalem city hall on Safra square, tourist favorite Zion square (also shared along the path with Ben Yehuda Street) and contains a more than pleasurable pedestrian walk (apart of a beautification project) in its downtown sector, chalk full of restaurants, shops and café’s.

TIP: As Jaffa road is quite lengthy and contains some bad parts, make sure to plan out which sections you wish to explore before simply going.

Machne Yehuda Street

Apart of the famous Machne Yehuda market, this particular street makes up the outdoor part of The Shuk, the largest active flea market in the city. Complete with more than 250 vendors the market presents a wide plethora of different and exotic produce, spices, fish, a variety of delicious olives, and other local foods. Many of the vendors in fact sell the same items from the same distributors, and at very similar prices, making shopping at one particular vendor an easy experience.

Machne Yehuda street aside from the traditional vendors you’ll find in the rest of The Shuk has other variety shops that makes it a great one-stop shopping location, including a pharmacy, bakery, gift shop, falafel stands, and even a repair shop.

Machne Yehuda Market

Emek Rafaim

Located in the baka neighborhood, Emek Rafaim (translated: valley of the giants) is considered one of the most leisurely places to stroll in Jerusalem. The street tends to be a little less hectic than in the village, and contains wonderful little shops, restaurants, variety stores, that make it a pleasure walk.

As Emek Rafaim also happens to be the main road in a neighborhood that was first established as a home to German Templars, the residence quarters of the street is lined with historic architecture from as early as the Ottoman period.

Ein Kerem street

Ein Kerem street is known as more of a starting point of a great stroll, rather than for a stroll itself. Nuzzled in the town of Ein Kerem, the street contains some terrific little restaurants including Lebanese favorite Abu Shukri, although you’ll want to save your appetite until after you’ve explored all the town of Ein Kerem has to offer.

The town itself is known for its vast landscape, catholic structures and is a great escape if you want to escape from the hectic city center. Ein Kerem street leads to an offshoot that is the location of one of the world’s greatest landmarks, The Church of Saint John the Baptist, where it is believed the aforementioned saint was born. From there visitors may use Ein Kerem street as a guide to another nearby offshoot where you can take in the amazing view of the Judean mountains.

-Philip Heijmans

Israel Programs Recruiter for Young Judaea, Diana Diner, contributed to this story. Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Jerusalem tours & things to do, especially Jerusalem cultural tours and other Jerusalem Day Trips and Excursions.

Source: Brittany