Jerusalem of Gold and New

When you have 24-karat gold, you have gold in its purest form: the most treasured, valuable and precious it can be. Jerusalem – widely referred to as the city of gold – continues to shine in all of its value. A mecca of antiquity and religion, Jerusalem is increasing balancing an incomparable 4,000 year history with contemporary, sophisticated and vibrant culture, including an effervescent dining scene, gourmet restaurants and bistros and an exciting nightlife.

Jerusalem View

In March, Jerusalem will open its doors to the world’s largest travel bloggers conference – TBEX – its first time in the region.

Here, we take you on a journey through Jerusalem’s must-see neighborhoods, recommending a medley of our favorite areas, all of them comfortably located close to the flagship King David Jerusalem Hotel, the luxurious Dan Panorama Jerusalem, warmly hospitable Dan Boutique Hotel Jerusalem and the idyllic Dan Jerusalem. And, with the city so easy to get around on the Jerusalem Light Railway, you can pack as much in as you have time for.

Hurva Synagogue & The Western Wall

Old City

Church of all Nations & Dormition Abbey

So much has been written about the Old City that it is difficult to find new words to describe this must-see and unparalleled neighborhood. Shrouded in mystery and endless secrets, the Old City is without doubt one of the city’s well-visited gems, inviting you to explore a medley of cultures, famous holy sites of the three monotheistic faiths dating back thousands of years.

In the Jewish Quarter, you can visit the Western Wall, considered one of the holiest places in the Jewish religion. The Muslim Quarter houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock that are sacred to the Muslim faith. In the Christian and Armenian Quarters are important landmarks and churches such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that are holy to Christians of all denominations.

Be sure to take in the Cardo, a once bustling outdoor market in the Jewish Quarter, and now a street filled with high quality merchandise. Whether you are interested in religion, architecture, history or just the food, strolling through the Old City’s narrow streets, alleys and markets will leave an impression like no other.

Mamilla

Mamilla

Also on the fringes of the Old City, close to Jaffa Gate, is Mamilla, a modern shimmering and honey–colored area promising visitors an exceptional shopping and culinary experience. Popular with both locals and tourists, the lively and chic outdoor Mamilla Mall brings you designer stores, cafés and restaurants underneath ancient rounded archways, classily bridging a unique gap between the ultra-ancient world and the ultra-modern.

A few hundred meters away lies one of the swanky wine and cocktail bars in Mamilla – Mirror Bar – and the Rdeli Delicatessen & Wine Bar, the ideal spot for an early evening drink with friends or a taste of charcuterie, gourmet cheeses, boutique wines and spirits.

High spirits are plentiful at one of the best nightclubs in the area – HaMazkeka, which brings you cutting edge musicians, a rich variety of music and an excellent list of drinks.

Yemin Moshe

Sandwiched between the Old City and the King David Jerusalem Hotel is the beautiful residential neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, established in 1891 by Moses Montefiore and the first Jewish district build outside the walls of Jerusalem.

Best to walk down the charming cobblestone streets in the late afternoon and take in the stunning architecture, views of the Old City and gaze at the Montefiore Windmill, today a museum towering high above the red roofed houses. Walk south past the epic Sultan’s Pool, one of the most iconic Jerusalem venues for modern music and often home to the city’s summer film festival.

Close by are also two cultural magnets and landmarks: the Jerusalem Cinematheque and the Jerusalem Khan Theatre, which has produced a generation of premier Israeli actors such as Sefi Rivlin and Sasson Gabai.

You can learn about one of Israel’s premier politicians – Menachem Begin – at the nearby Menachem Begin Heritage Center, which takes you on a fascinating journey through the life and experiences of the country’s sixth Prime Minister as they intertwined with Israel’s history.

First Station

Continuing your journey south from the Begin Center is the lively and bustling hub First Station, one of the hottest locations in the city for culture, food and nightlife. Originally the location of the old Jerusalem train station, a lot has changed since many public figures and dignitaries came to marvel at the arrival of a steam train into the new station in 1892.

Today’s renewed First Station offers visitors the chance to take somewhat quicker Segway, electric or guided tours and sample a broad range of international restaurants ensuring that the most ardent foodie leaves fed and in high spirits.

If retail therapy is your preference, First Station serves up countless pop-up, major and boutique stores and a daily craft market packed with local artisans to offer an urban shopping experience in this uniquely historic part of town.

While many think of Tel Aviv as Israel’s premier nightlife hotspot, the dark and mysterious club Justice, located in the First Station compound, is one venue expected to enhance the city’s reputation, delivering music, an atmosphere and experience to delight any clubber.

German Colony

Lying south of the First Station is the charming upscale neighborhood of the German Colony is one of the Dan Hotels’ favorite places. More commonly known locally as Emek Refaim, meaning the valley of the giants, there are a large number of photo opportunities while taking a leisurely stroll around this historical area.

The first residents were the German Templers, Protestants, who settled here in the 19th century, and some of their distinctive architecture of the one or two-storey houses still remains. Now, the main street is at the heart of the city’s café culture, lined with boutiques, coffee shops, bistros and restaurants such as Caffit, a perfect people-watching spot overlooking the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

Downtown Triangle

There is no busier place to watch the world go by than the Downtown Triangle, the central commercial and entertainment district in Jerusalem. Bounded by Jaffa Road, King George Street and Ben Yehuda Street, the triangle has been revitalized, offering numerous outdoor cafes and stores open throughout the day,

including one of Israel’s oldest flagship department stores, Hamashbir Lazarchan. When dusk falls, check out some of the city’s best cocktail bars. Watch as the bartenders at the vintage 1920s decadent Great Gatsby chop, peel, grind, squeeze and shake before your eyes the most intoxicating cocktails, including ‘Under the Sea,’ served in a seashell, and ‘Eureka,’ to be sipped from a lightbulb.

Delicious cocktails are also available at the popular and entertaining piano bar Birman, which plays a mix of ragtime, funk, soul and blues.

Close by is the friendly and casual Barrel & Tap, an enjoyable spot for a drink after a long day and one of the better places for draught beer, wines and whiskeys, and also the Videopub gay bar, a relaxed atmosphere for fans of retro 80’s design and contemporary music.

City ​​Center

Mahane Yehuda

A ten-minute walk north east of the Downtown Triangle brings you to the world-famous landmark, Mahane Yehuda, Jerusalem’s colorful legendary market. Offering a feast of sweets, nuts, fruits and spices as eclectic as the visitors who go there, Mahane Yehuda is now also home to trendy gourmet restaurants, lively bistros and quality hummus bars.

After the art-covered market shutters come down, the area remains as lively as ever, with an electrifying atmosphere at the hip and happening Yudale Bar and youthful groove at nearby HaShchena. If the alleyways of Mahane Yehuda has whet your appetite, the narrow winding lanes and hidden courtyards of the gentrified Nachlaot area is well worth exploring.

Exploring this increasingly rich variety of history, architecture, cuisine, nightlife and music, Jerusalem is reveling in its growing status as a city of international tourism. Sitting at the crossroads of old and new, West and East, of the three monotheistic faiths and with all of that combined energy, Jerusalem welcomes you with open arms.