10:00 a.m.: Brunch at Zuni
Start the morning in the city center, amid the pedestrian mall and the Nahalat Shiv’a lanes, rich with small shops selling local art. Breakfast is at Zuni, Anat Kirsh’s bistro-café-bar on the pedestrian street. The recommended brunch includes French toast in sweet and savory versions, steak with a fried egg, a full English breakfast and even dishes from the lunch-dinner menu, such as the well-known mac and cheese or a lamb burger with goat cheese for the more adventurous.
The longest suspension bridge in Israel
(Credit: Assaf Perry, City of David)
Zuni, 15 Yoel Salomon Alley, Jerusalem
11:00 a.m.: Jerusalem on wheels
Beyond the light rail and city buses, Jerusalem offers several modes of transportation that double as family-friendly attractions.
The red bus: City Tour operates a panoramic tour on a double-decker, open-top bus that passes about 80 notable sites and includes an audio guide. Passengers can hop on and off at any stop and visit nearby attractions with a day ticket. The bus departs every hour on the hour from 14 Agron Street. Prices range from 75 shekels for adults to 400 shekels for families, with discounts for children and seniors.
Go Car: This guided tour takes place in a convoy of open vehicles equipped with a digital screen that identifies the car’s location and plays stories and music accordingly. The 90-minute tour begins at the First Station complex and continues through the alleys of the Armenian Quarter and the Jewish Quarter. Departures are every two hours starting at 10:00 a.m. from 4 David Remez Street. Children over age 3 may participate, though those under 8 must use a booster seat. Price: 175 shekels per person.
EzRaider: This riding tour starts at the First Station, continues to Jaffa Gate and the Old City walls, then through the Christian Quarter via the New Gate, the alleys and the Tower of David, before heading to Yemin Moshe and Mishkenot Sha’ananim. Tours depart every two hours starting at 10:00 a.m. and last 90 minutes. Night tours are also available. Children ages 3 to 16 may join using a designated seat.
2:00 p.m.: Market and culture tour at Mahane Yehuda
This is not a typical food tour but a culturally significant walk combined with the exhibition “An Exhibition in Song,” curated by Shira Hornstein. Above visitors’ heads, a gallery has been installed featuring works by Einat Arif-Glanti, presenting staged still-life photographs taken over nearly two decades, alongside works by Boaz Aharonovitch, who explores time and constant change. Placing these images among the fruit and vegetable stalls, daily sounds and scents allows visitors to view the market differently. The exhibition is a joint initiative of the Mahane Yehuda Merchants Committee and the Jerusalem Municipality.
Waze: Mahane Yehuda Market
3:30 p.m.: Stroll through Ein Kerem
First-time visitors to Ein Kerem may feel as though they have crossed a border. The walking tour is best started in the afternoon on Ma’aleh Ha’achsania Street, in the “Russian Compound,” which includes two churches, residences for nuns, pilgrim guesthouses and three cemeteries. The village was founded in 1871 by Antonin Kapustin, head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in the Holy Land. From there, continue to 29 HaMa’ayan Street, where according to Christian tradition, the mother of John the Baptist met Mary, mother of Jesus, near the spring. Pilgrims from around the world visit the spring, believing its waters are holy. A short distance away, at 23 HaOren Street, stands the Church of St. John the Baptist, which contains a cave traditionally identified as his birthplace. Its walls are adorned with images of the 14 Stations of the Via Dolorosa.
6:30 p.m.: Wine with a view at Mishkenot Sha’ananim
The Jerusalem Winery cooperative’s visitors center is located in the historic windmill at Mishkenot Sha’ananim, overlooking the Old City. The site also houses the famous carriage of Moses Montefiore, who founded the first neighborhood outside the city walls. The windmill was built in 1857 by Judith and Moses Montefiore and renovated about 20 years ago. In 2018, the winery established its visitors center here. It is one of the city’s most enchanting spots, offering one of Jerusalem’s finest views.
Windmill, Mishkenot Sha’ananim
8:00 p.m.: Laser show at the Armon Hanatziv Promenade
In the evening, head to the Armon Hanatziv Promenade for a free laser show, with no advance registration required. The show takes place along the ridge overlooking the Holy Basin and is accompanied by original music that sensitively tells the story of the city. Musical motifs from different cultures and religions are woven together, alongside classics such as “Jerusalem of Gold.” The 20-minute show runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.
Waze: Armon Hanatziv Promenade
9:30 p.m.: End the day at the bar
Blend 5, the wine bar by Noam Rizzi and Moti David (owners of the Adom restaurant), is located in the JLM Hotel of the Brown Hotels chain. The kitchen is led by chefs Moti David and Adam Maduel. The menu includes dairy cheeses, sea fish ceviche tacos, gazpacho with sea fish sashimi, tempura fish, burger tartare, roasted Jerusalem artichoke, fresh pasta, chopped chicken thigh dumplings, house-made ravioli and carefully curated specials. Wine is selected from a display wall featuring about 130 to 150 bottles from nearly every continent.
41 Hillel Street, Blend 5 at the Brown JLM Hotel, Jerusalem