Jerusalem - do’s and don’ts?

[Patio]

Booked 4 nights in Jerusalem next month and first time going there

Plan on doing a guided tour of the sights/old city and possibly a day trip to dead sea/River Jordan

Any tips of things to avoid or recommendations would be great fully received

Thanks

[cRaigAl205]

I did a 4-5 days there back in 2019, had a fantastic time and would thoroughly recommend it. (I then tagged on Tel Aviv which is the polar opposite in terms of cool/trendy coastal city which is a perfect mix of east meets west). Its only an hour away on the train so would be an option if you wanted to do a day trip or even an overnight.

Western Wall & Dome of the Rock should of course be on your list.
The Muslim and Jewish markets to the north of that part of town are cool, Machaneh Yehudah Market etc. Lots of archways and tunnels.

I haven't really got the words to describe the experience of the Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashem). I didn't think it would be possible to be so impacted by something that happened 2000 miles and 80 years ago, but the curation and objective fact telling is superbly (and tastefully) done. Tbh the art and history museums I could take or leave..

Also make sure you get a Roladin doughnut!! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000636869...

Edited by cRaigAl205 on Monday 29th May 12:33

[MarkJS]

Can’t help re Jerusalem as I could never go into Israel and get back out from Syria when I worked in that area, but I did get to the Dead Sea on the Jordanian side - don’t get any of the water on any clothes you value as it ruins them.

[Patio]

Thanks for the tip

Is it the salt that ruins clothes? Will it wreck my swim shorts if I take a dip?

[MarkJS]

I think it must be. I put my hand in to check the temperature of the water when I first arrived at my hotel and my shirt sleeve got splashed never to look the same again (the splashes stained it and looked lightly bleached). My swim shorts were a lot lighter/more faded after a couple of full dips. They were still usable of course, just don’t wear anything that you’re particularly bothered about.

[Grandad Gaz]

Patio said:

Thanks for the tip

Is it the salt that ruins clothes? Will it wreck my swim shorts if I take a dip?

I was in the Dead Sea a few weeks ago ( Jordan side) and my swim shorts were unaffected. Don’t get any of the water in your eyes, it’s pretty nasty. Even a tiny drop In the mouth is uncomfortable!

Float on your back, don’t try and swim on your front.

The salt content is ten times that of normal seas.

[cRaigAl205]

Yep, I'd concur the Dead sea is defo worth the trip, quite bizarre being 400odd meters below sea level floating on a... sea!
I'd also recommend you take a pair of slip on/neoprene aqua shoes.. I managed to cut my toe on a rock.. and the salt sting (unsurprisingly!) was epic!

[2Btoo]

If we're all wading in with Dead Sea advice then I'll add to those already given. Swim wear wasn't quite the same after a couple of dips (despite washing throughly in the provided showers on the hotel beach) and any small nicks and cuts in the skin sting like hell but the healing process is helped very radically.

Oh and don't have a blade shave less than 12 hours before going in the water, as one friend did. It was apparently agony ....

Only saw it from the Jordanian side though so can't help with Jerusalem advice.