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Walking around the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem during the day is magical, and the areas outside of the city walls have a charm all of their own which are worth discovering too. However, there’s just something special about Jerusalem at night. The hustle and bustle of this historical city doesn’t stop when the sun goes down, with many walking tours in Jerusalem taking place after sunset. And don't forget about the nightlife in Jerusalem which is fantastic all year round.
Jerusalem is famous around the world for many different reasons, and it’s a paradise for people who are interested in history and archaeology - like me! Many of the places to visit in Jerusalem that are popular during the day take on a completely different aura at night. Exploring the different quarters of the Old City, walking along its cobbled streets, and taking in the sights and sounds of the city as a whole will stay with you for a long time to come. Here are some of my top recommendations for things to do at night in Jerusalem.
1. King David: The Light Show
Located next to the famous Jaffa Gate, the Tower of David is an iconic symbol of Jerusalem that’s stood for over 2000 years. Visiting the Tower of David is a must-do in Jerusalem, but for a very unique experience you’ll want to book a ticket to see the King David Light Show. This light show is projected onto the walls of the citadel, and takes you through an immersive experience where you can watch the biblical story of King David right in the heart of one of Jerusalem’s most important archaeological sites. Tickets cost only 62 shekels for this 40 minute show, and it’s by far one of the best things to do at night in Jerusalem.
2. Old City Walls
The Old City of Jerusalem is a walled city, and the walls that stand today date back to the 16th century when the city was part of the Ottoman Empire. There are seven main gates to enter the Old City through, with one of the most popular being the Jaffa Gate. The walls are impressive to walk past in the daytime, but in the evening with the lights shining on them they look spectacular.
3. Old City
If you only have a day in Jerusalem then chances are you’ll spend most of your time within the walls of the Old City. The Old City is divided into four quarters: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Armenian. As you make your way through the narrow winding streets, past the bazaars and street food stalls, all of these quarters blend together, but you’ll see a variety of different cultural influences that should alert you to the change of quarter.
Many of the shops here are open until at least 6pm, so you can enjoy the markets in the early evening when there are less crowds. After everything has closed down for the night, the streets are relatively empty so they’re interesting to walk along too.
4. Western Wall
One of the best places to visit in Jerusalem is the Western Wall, and it’s a very moving experience too. During the day the Western Wall is extremely busy with people at prayer as well as with large tour groups. However, at night you’ll get a completely different perspective of it. The Western Wall has a history dating back to 20 BC, and is the holiest site in the world for the Jewish people. If you’re interested in exploring the wall’s history, you can visit the Western Wall Tunnels during the day which is a guided tour that takes you underground through an archaeological complex where the city would have stood thousands of years ago.
5. Holy Sepulchre
There are many beautiful places in Jerusalem to visit, but none are quite like the Holy Sepulchre. Located in the Christian Quarter of the Old City, the Holy Sepulchre is the final resting place of Jesus and is a major pilgrimage site. A church has stood on this site since the 4th century, but after years and years of it being destroyed and rebuilt, the one that stands today mostly dates to the 19th century. The church opens very early in the morning and is open until at least 7pm, so visiting it is a fantastic thing to do at night in Jerusalem to avoid the crowds throughout the day.
6. Teddy Park Fountain Show
If you’re looking for unique activities in Jerusalem to add to your itinerary, the Teddy Park Fountain Show is located just outside of the city walls and is free to watch. It’s the only sound and light fountain in Israel, so it really is an interesting experience to have. The show takes place 4 times per day, and in the evening time the lights make the entire show even more enjoyable.
7. Culinary Evening Tour
If you’ve read any of my other blogs then you’ll know how much I love going on food tours, and as luck would have it Jerusalem has its very own culinary adventure run by Yalla Basta! We did a short evening tour which took us to a few different local bars as well as through the famous Mahane Yehuda Market which still had a few food stalls open in the evening. The tour is a great activity to do at night in Jerusalem and along the way you’ll learn more about the city’s development outside of the Old City walls.
8. Dine at The Eucalyptus
Wondering where to eat in Jerusalem? We were blown away by how many incredible restaurants there were in the city, but if you want a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else then you need to book a table at The Eucalyptus. This modern Israeli restaurant is located a short walk from Teddy Park, and offers biblical cuisine with a twist featuring an award winning chef - Moshe. They focus on local and regional cuisine and produce, and try to tie in their dishes with food that would have been eaten during biblical times. It’s an incredible restaurant in Jerusalem to dine at with an unparalleled atmosphere.
There are so many things to do at night in Jerusalem that this list could go on forever, but hopefully these ideas will help you plan your itinerary and get you excited for your trip to Israel. Exploring Jerusalem’s Old City at night is truly a magical experience, and the newer parts of the city are equally as interesting to walk around when the sun goes down, especially if you’re looking for nightlife or restaurants to eat at. Pack a good pair of walking shoes because you’ll want to see every inch of this city.
Have you walked around Jerusalem in the evening before? I’d love to hear about your experiences or any other tips you may have, so please feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch via email. You can follow my travels on Instagram too!
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