Cheap things to do in Jerusalem
Old stones, great hummus, free museums and zero pretension.
This is Jerusalem at street level: morning coffee before the crowds arrive, long walks through ancient markets, and evenings in Nachlaot where the locals actually eat. It suits anyone who wants depth over comfort and would rather spend money on a second plate of hummus than a hotel minibar.
Day 1: Old City, the shuk, Nachlaot
A day that moves from the Western Wall's ancient quiet through the controlled chaos of Mahane Yehuda and ends with Israeli street food a short walk from the market.
- 9:30 AM
Kadosh Café
Family-run since 1967, grab a coffee and a pastry at this Jerusalem institution before heading out.
Map - 10:15 AM
Western Wall
Free 24/7 plaza, stand at the ancient Herodian stones at a calm morning hour before the crowds build.
Map - 12:30 PM
Akramawi Hummus
No-frills hummus and falafel opposite Damascus Gate, the heart of the day and open on Shabbat.
Map - 2:00 PM
Mahane Yehuda Market
Jerusalem's great shuk, wander the produce stalls and spice lanes while the afternoon buzz is alive.
Map - 7:30 PM
Arais Machane Yehuda
Arayes: pita stuffed with spiced minced meat and grilled until crisp, at a counter by the shuk.
Map - 9:30 PM
Beer Bazaar (Mahane Yehuda)
Shuk craft-beer bar: Israeli brews on tap among the shuttered stalls after dark; closed on Shabbat.
Map
Day 2: Ein Kerem, Yad Vashem, the museum
A heavier day that earns its weight: a green village to ease you in, the Holocaust memorial, then world-class archaeology at the Israel Museum before a cheap dinner back in Nachlaot.
- 9:30 AM
Ein Kerem
Start with a coffee at one of Ein Kerem's charming local cafés in this green, artsy village, cheap and full of character.
Map - 10:30 AM
Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center
The 45-acre campus tells individual Holocaust stories through museums, monuments and gardens, profound and unmissable.
Map - 12:30 PM
Naya Jerusalem
Affordable Asian eats close to the Yad Vashem area, solid cheap lunch to recharge.
Map - 2:00 PM
Israel Museum
Dead Sea Scrolls, the Shrine of the Book and a stunning Second Temple model, world-class archaeology at a low entry price.
Map - 7:30 PM
JahnunBar
Yemenite jachnun and malawach at a tiny shuk counter, with grated tomato and zhug on the side.
Map
Day 3: Bethlehem on foot
The Church of the Nativity, the Badd olive press museum, the old souk, falafel at Afteem and the murals by The Walled Off Hotel, then shamburak at Ishtabach.
- 9:30 AM
Bethlehem Church of the Nativity
Bring your passport for the checkpoint; Israeli citizens can't legally enter Area A. The church is free.
Map - 10:45 AM
Al-Bad Museum for Olive Oil Production متحف بد جقمان
The Giacaman family's 18th-century olive press, restored as a small museum of Bethlehem oil; closed Sundays.
Map - 11:45 AM
Old Market (Al Souq) السوق القديم
The old souk west of Manger Square: spice and produce stalls, bakeries and cheap fresh bread.
Map - 12:30 PM
Afteem
Bethlehem's hummus house since 1948, below Manger Square; a falafel sandwich costs a few shekels.
Map - 2:00 PM
The Walled Off Hotel
The wall's murals outside Banksy's hotel are free to walk; Checkpoint 300 back to Jerusalem is 500 m away.
Map - 7:30 PM
Ishtabach
Kurdish shamburak, flaky pastry stuffed with slow-cooked beef, at the edge of the shuk; cheap and filling.
Map
Where to stay
A Little House in Rehavia
A cheap, characterful guesthouse in quiet Rehavia, well placed for the Old City, Mahane Yehuda and the bus to Yad Vashem.
HI Agron Jerusalem Hostel
The most affordable bed near the plan's center of gravity, with a social common area that suits a solo or budget traveller.
Make Jerusalem your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Old City: a few days ahead
- Western Wall: weeks ahead
- Yad Vashem: a few days ahead
- City of David: a few days ahead
- Tower of David Museum: a few days ahead
- Private Old City Tour, Jerusalem: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Unlicensed guides at Jaffa Gate who attach themselves and invoice you at the end.
- Currency exchange booths around Jaffa Gate with rates far from the market rate.
- Restaurants by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with no prices on the menu.
- The red string blessing on the steps to the Western Wall, where a string is tied and money demanded.
The full Jerusalem travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around