The golden-domed, hilltop city of Jerusalem, is the capital of Israel. Western Jerusalem is modern (European-style cafes, shopping, Israel Museum and the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum), East Jerusalem is predominantly Arab (cafes serving hummus and mint tea) and the hotly-disputed Old City contains holy sights for Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Within the Old City walls, Christians walk the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried the cross, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where he was crucified. The Temple Mount (Haram-ash Sharif) is holy for Muslims and Jews - here Mohammed rose to heaven and Abraham almost sacrificed his son Isaac. It is also spectacular - the magnificent Dome of the Rock mosque sparkles from the summit, near the Al-Aqsa Mosque. At the Mount's foot, Jews pray at the Western Wall, a remnant of the Second Temple (destroyed 70AD), their most holy sight.
Located at an altitude of 800m, Jerusalem gets chilly in winter (Nov-Feb, average temp. 5°C). In summer (Jun-Sep, highest temp. 30°C), seek out watermelons piled high at vibrant markets to keep you refreshed. Falafel, for sale everywhere, keeps hunger at bay.
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