Nine Free Things to See in Jerusalem

Over my fall break this year, my family was able to spend a few days in Jerusalem. I noted in the linked post how it's possible for Americans to get to the Holy Land at an extremely discounted rate should they choose to do so.

I'm all about travel. But I'm not all about paying full price for it. If you choose to go to Israel, you can take one of the many Holy Land tours and pay for luxury accommodations and guided tours to pretty much everywhere you go. I did not choose to go that route. I decided that I wanted to go the DIY route for most of the trip so that I could save money.

Outside of transportation within the city of Jerusalem and a day trip to Bethlehem (around $200 for four people), I paid very little for visiting sites in the area. Bethlehem is located within Palestinian Authority territory, so I'd highly recommend booking a tour for that one. I also paid less than $20 for my entire family of four to explore Zedekiah's Cave and about $40 for all of us to get into the Tower of David, which is a museum of Jerusalem's history. The latter was worth the cost, as it was very interesting. The cave was pretty meh. Other than that, there are quite a few free options. Here are nine that I took advantage of.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Purported to be built on the very site that Jesus was buried for three days, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is one of the more significant religious sites in Jerusalem. It's a short walk from the Jaffa Gate although it can take some time depending upon the crowds that are around at any given time. The cost to enter the church is nonexistent. It's totally free, and it's a must for anyone who's interested in Christian history. 

Entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Mehane Yehuda Market

This market was just a few minutes' walk from the hostel we stayed at. There are several blocks with relatively tight and crowded streets that are home to open-air stalls. You can buy all sorts of food and touristy stuff in the market. If you want to experience a Middle Eastern bazaar vibe, this is the place to do it. There is all sorts of hustle and bustle that you're sure to remember. 

Several of the vendors offer free samples of their food, including tasty dried fruit. The cost to browse? It's all free. Of course, if you buy anything in the market, the whole free thing goes out the window. It's still a cool experience. 

The Mount of Olives

I took a bus up the mountain, as it's a pretty steep trek. It's also quite a ways away from the Old City Walls. If you're adventurous, you could hike this one though. From the Mount of Olives, you can get a great view of the walls of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock prominently displayed in the distance. 

After taking in the spectacular views, there is a Jewish cemetery a short walk down the hill. It's open for visitors. Just be sure to watch out for cars coming around the tight curves. They hug the walls and could hit you if you're not careful. From the Mount of Olives, you'll come to the next free site in a short time.

Me at the Mount of Olives

The Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations

The Garden of Gethsemane is technically near the foot of the Mount of Olives. It's a steep descent, and my calves were burning and I was a bit weak-kneed by the time I reached it. However, it is the place where the New Testament tells us Jesus prayed just before his betrayal, which also took place in Gethsemane.

The site is very peaceful and tranquil today, and it provides a great place for reflection on the events that transpired in the city nearly 2,000 years ago. The same goes with the Church of All Nations, which is within the fence around the Garden of Gethsemane. Both are free to enter, but there is a donations box in the church. I gave a bit for its upkeep, but it's not required.

The Garden of Gethsemane

The Via Delorosa

If you enter the city from the Lion Gate, you'll start on the famed Via Delorosa. This is the path that has traditionally been cited as the route that Jesus Christ took while carrying his cross to his crucifixion on Golgotha. For several of the stops, there are shields with Roman numerals on the buildings to mark specific spots that are associated with Christ's journey. The walk ends with the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We had visited the inside the church the day before, so we did not go back in. However, we followed the Via Delorosa from beginning to end. 

Station Five Is Supposed to be the Spot Where St. Simon of Cyrene Took the Cross for Jesus

The Old City

There are no admission fees to just walk around the Old City. There are a number of markets, restaurants and places of religious significance throughout. There are also several gates that provide access. Unless you choose to enter a spot with an entry fee or to buy stuff or food, you can walk through the Old City for free. 

Me Fighting Crowds on David Street

The Temple Mount

While non-Muslims are not allowed to go into the Dome of the Rock, it's pretty easy to get a glimpse of the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, and the two mosques on top of the mount. The view from a distance is pretty impressive, but it's also possible to walk down several flights of steps to get a closer view of the Western Wall and see Jewish men and women praying. I'm neither Muslim, nor Jewish, so I did not get as close as some people can. Regardless, it's a significant spot for three major world religions, and taking a gander is totally free.

The Temple Mount

Yad Vashem

I'm a historian by trade, and I've done quite a bit of reading and study on the Holocaust. Yad Vashem is the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. It is a sobering place to say the least. However, it does a very good job of remembering what may be the worst case of genocide in world history without going over the top and showing graphic violence for the sake of graphic violence. Photography inside the main exhibit is prohibited, and I adhered to this policy out of respect. A visit to Yad Vashem, like the other sites listed in this report, is totally free. I did not take the kiddos, however. 

When it comes to free cultural and historical experiences, Jerusalem does not disappoint. I noted in my post on getting to Jerusalem from the US cheaply that it does not have to break the bank to get to the Holy Land.  Once you're there, it's also possible to see quite a few important sites without spending a penny. I chose to take the tram and the bus to get to most of these sites, but those without kids who are adventurous could hoof it and have no transportation costs associated with visiting them whatsoever.

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