Jerusalem/West
From World travel guide
West Jerusalem (also known as "New Jerusalem") represents the modern commercial heart of the city, having become the focus for development in the capital from the time of Israeli independence in 1948 to the reunification of the city with the Six Day War in 1967. That said, many of the districts of West Jerusalem date back to the late 19th century when the Old City became no longer able to contain the city's increasing population.
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Understand
Ben Yehuda Street (Rehov Ben-Yehuda, pedestrianised) and Jaffa Road represent the two main thoroughfares in central West Jerusalem. Around their intersection at Zion Square (Kikkar Zion) are to be found most of the main shopping streets and banks - the centre of town...
See
Landmarks
- the Knesset [1] - the Israeli Parliament Building - The Knesset offers guided tours (in Hebrew, Arabic, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Amharic, Yiddish, and Finnish) for the public on Su and Th 8.30am-2.30pm. For both groups and individuals, one must call and arrange their guided tour in advance. Tel (02) 675-3420, (02) 675-3416. One may observe the Knesset sessions from the public gallery on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Groups must call and arrange this visit; individuals may arrive directly with their identity cards or passports.
Museums and Galleries
- the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book [2], Ruppin Boulevard, near the Knesset, Bus: 9, 17, 24, 24a, 99, open Mo, We, Sa and holidays 10am-4pm, Tu 4pm-9pm, Th 10am-9pm, Fr and holiday eves 10am-2pm, closed Sundays, admission adults NIS 40, student NIS 30, child 5-17 yrs NIS 20 (free Tu and Th 4pm-9pm)- home to the Dead Sea Scrolls (in the "Shrine of the Scrolls"), regional antiquities and modern art
- the Bible Lands Museum [3], opposite the Israel Museum entrance, open Su-Tu and Th 9.30am-5.30pm, We .30am-9.30pm, Fr and holiday eves 9.30am-2pm, admission adults NIS 28, pensioner NIS 23, child NIS 15, other concessions available -
Memorials
- Yad Vashem [4], open Su-Th 9am-5pm, Fr and holidays eves 9am-2pm, closed Sa and holidays, admission free - the Museum of the Holocaust - Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, was established in 1953 by an act of the Israeli Knesset. Since its inception, Yad Vashem has been entrusted with documenting the history of the Jewish people during the Holocaust period, preserving the memory and story of each of the six million victims, and imparting the legacy of the Holocaust for generations to come through its archives, library, school, museums and recognition of the Righteous Among the Nations. Located on Har Hazikaron, the Mount of Remembrance, in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem is a vast, sprawling complex of tree-studded walkways leading to museums, exhibits, archives, monuments, sculptures, and memorials.
Eat
- Spaghettim - the quintessential pasta restaurant, located in an old Ottoman period house with high ceilings and arches. Over 50 varieties of pasta sauces, well-cooked and presented, in meat, seafood and vegetarian options. An average sitting will set you back NIS 40-50 (takes cards). Open midday - midnight Sunday - Saturday. Not kosher. 8 Rabbi Akiva Street (between Independence Park and Ben-Yehuda Street). Tel: 623 5547/8.
- Village Green - vegetarian restaurant with homemade soups, mains, bread and salads. Main course NIS 25. Open Sunday - Thursday 11-10, Friday 11-3. Kosher. 10 Ben-Yehuda Street
- Stanley’s. South African cuisine, friendly owners. A pricier option - steaks start at about NIS 75, but often has special rates for 3 course meals. Business lunch NIS 35 (until 5.30 pm). Open noon - midnight. Reservations recommended. Not kosher. 3 Horkanos Street. Tel: 6259459
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
- the Jerusalem YMCA International Three Arches Hotel - probably the most opulent YMCA in the world, well-located and architecturally distinguished. Prices are definitely upper middle-range....
- Tower Hotel Jerusalem [5],
Splurge
- the King David Hotel is easily Jerusalem's most opulent hotel with a huge number of important historical associations
- the David Citadel Hotel (formerly the Jerusalem Hilton Hotel) [6], 7 King David Street, tel +972 2 621 1111
Buy
Ben Yehuda Street (Rehov Ben-Yehuda, pedestrianised) and Jaffa Road are the two main shopping streets in central West Jerusalem. The network of small streets and malls around these two thoroughfares represent the main shopping centre of New Jerusalem.
Mahane Yehuda is the main market of West Jerusalem, located centrally at the junction of Jaffa Road and Agripas Street. Vast and labyrinthine, the market boasts a large number of stalls, generally open 8 to 8 Sunday to Thursday, 8 to 3 Fridays, closed Shabbat. Fresh produce, pastries, salads abound. Definitely the place for a bargain and a unique insight into traditional Israeli culture.
The suburbs of West Jerusalem have attracted a number of large mall developments in the last decade. One of the biggest is the Malha Mall.
Contact
Internet
- Strudel, 11 Monbaz Street, Russian Compound. Tel: 6232101. Open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.–very late; Saturday, 3:00 p.m.–late
- Netcafe, 9 Helenei Hamalka Street, Russian Compound. Tel: 6246327. Call for opening times, as these vary. Closed Shabbat.
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