Luxury
King David Hotel
City Centre
The grande dame of Jerusalem hotels since 1931, overlooking the Old City walls.
Check rates & availabilityvia Booking.com
Where to stay in Jerusalem
By The Visit Israel Editorial Team · Last updated
Jerusalem rewards staying close to the Old City, but the right base depends on your trip. First-timers focused on the holy sites do best between the walls and West Jerusalem; foodies and night owls want the city centre and the Mahane Yehuda market. Here is where to stay by area and budget, and the hotels worth booking in each.
By neighbourhood
Best areas to stay in Jerusalem
Mamilla & City Centre
Best for: First-time visitors who want comfort and a short walk to the Old City
The upscale strip between Jaffa Gate and West Jerusalem, home to the grandest hotels (King David, Mamilla, Waldorf Astoria) and a pedestrian promenade of shops and cafés. The most convenient all-round base.
The Old City
Best for: Pilgrims and history lovers who want to wake up inside the walls
Atmospheric guesthouses in the Jewish and Christian Quarters put the Western Wall and Holy Sepulchre on your doorstep. Streets are stepped and car-free, and the quarter empties and quietens after dark.
Nahalat Shiva & Ben Yehuda
Best for: Mid-range travellers who want cafés, bars and a central buzz
The pedestrian heart of West Jerusalem — boutique hotels above lively lanes of restaurants and nightlife, a 15-minute walk or one light-rail stop from the Old City.
Mahane Yehuda
Best for: Food-focused travellers and evening atmosphere
Around the famous covered market, which flips from produce stalls by day to bars and live music by night. Walkable, on the light rail, and central.
German Colony & Baka
Best for: A quieter, leafier, more residential stay
Tree-lined streets of restored Templer houses with boutique B&Bs and brunch spots, about 20–30 minutes on foot or a short bus from the Old City.
Where to stay
Best hotels in Jerusalem
Luxury
Mamilla Hotel
Mamilla
Sleek design hotel steps from Jaffa Gate with a celebrated rooftop restaurant.
Check rates & availabilityvia Booking.com
Luxury
Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem
City Centre
Restored 1920s landmark with marble lobby and Old City proximity.
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Best value
The Sephardic House Hotel
Jewish Quarter
Comfortable, well-located base inside the Old City walls.
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Best value
Harmony Hotel
Nahalat Shiva
Bright boutique hotel by the Ben Yehuda pedestrian zone with free happy hour.
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Hostel
Abraham Hostel Jerusalem
Davidka Square
Legendary backpacker hub with dorms, privates and its own day-tour desk.
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How much to budget
Rates swing with the season — expect peaks around Jewish holidays, Christian Holy Week and summer. These are typical guide ranges; tap any hotel above for live, exact prices.
Luxury
from roughly $400+/night
Landmark hotels in Mamilla and the city centre, with Old City views and full spas.
Mid-range
roughly $150–250/night
Boutique hotels around Nahalat Shiva, the German Colony and inside the Old City walls.
Budget & hostels
dorms from roughly $35/night
Sociable hostels near the centre with private rooms and their own day-tour desks.
Keep planning
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Jerusalem for first-timers? +
Mamilla and the city centre. They sit between the Old City and West Jerusalem, so you can walk to the Western Wall and the holy sites in minutes while still having restaurants, shops and the light rail on your doorstep.
Is it worth staying inside the Old City of Jerusalem? +
For atmosphere, yes — waking up steps from the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is special, and the quarter is calm at night. Trade-offs are stepped, car-free lanes, simpler guesthouses and fewer dinner options once the day-trippers leave.
Where should I stay in Jerusalem to be near the Western Wall? +
Stay in the Jewish or Christian Quarter inside the Old City, or just outside at Mamilla by Jaffa Gate. Both put you within a 5–15 minute walk of the Western Wall plaza.
How many nights should I spend in Jerusalem? +
Two to four nights. Two covers the Old City and a Yad Vashem or Israel Museum morning; three or four lets you slow down and add a Dead Sea, Masada or Bethlehem day trip without changing hotels.
By The Visit Israel Editorial Team · Last updated