All our hotels in Jerusalem

It's a city of contrasts, often sitting side by side, yet united by the harmony of the ochre stone used to build both the ancient and modern cities, lending it its renowned golden hue. Beyond the historical monuments, you'll discover a city offering a plethora of cultural and culinary attractions, and a buzzing nightlife scene. Accor's hotels offer you stylish, comfortable accommodation within easy reach of all the best places to visit in Jerusalem.

The most sacred site in Judaism, the place at which God's divine presence is believed to be greatest, the Temple Mount is also of special significance to Muslims, and is said to be where Muhammad ascended to heaven. The vast plaza surrounded by retaining walls is the location of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, first built in the 8th century, and the Dome of the Rock, an octagonal temple clad in marble and vibrant blue-green mosaic tiles, whose gold-covered dome dominates the Jerusalem skyline.
The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall or the Kotel, was originally built in the 1st century BC under the reign of King Herod and is the last vestige of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. The wall, divided into separate sections for men and women, is a place of pilgrimage and prayer for Jews from all over the world, who traditionally place notes with requests between the cracks in its stones. What's visible today is only a small section of the original wall – guided tours take in a long network of subterranean tunnels revealing layers of its history.
The ancient Tower of David Citadel now houses an interactive museum recounting 3,000 years of Jerusalem's history, from the biblical kings of Judah to the present, including a wealth of archaeological artefacts. A visit to the observation deck atop the Pezael Tower is a must, with views sweeping over the city and the Judaean Desert as far as the Moab Mountains in Jordan. In the evening, the walls of the citadel are the backdrop for vivid high-tech sound-and-light shows bringing Jerusalem's history to life.
Snaking through the Christian quarter of the Old City, the Via Dolorosa follows the path Christ is said to have taken on the way to his crucifixion – 14 stations along the route mark events mentioned in the New Testament account. You can join a procession that takes place every Friday. The path ends at the richly decorated Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with origins in the 4th century and considered the location of both the crucifixion and Christ's tomb.
Between must-see sights, make time to simply soak up the heady atmosphere of the Old City and wander its warren of narrow cobbled streets, crammed full of shops selling prayer shawls, rosary beads and ceramics, punctuated by stalls offering pita bread and falafels, and cafés spanning traditional to hip. The labyrinthine Arab Souk is a riot of colours and sounds where you can haggle with merchants hawking everything from handmade jewellery or silk scarves to tourist T-shirts.
Outside the gates of the Old City, the Mount of Olivesfeatures frequently in the Bible and is home to the world's largest Jewish cemetery – around 150,000 graves spanning 3,000 years are spread across the western slope. The modest Chapel of the Ascension marks the place where Christ is believed to have ascended to heaven – an impression in a stone may be that of his right foot – while the Tomb of the Virgin is thought to be the burial site of the Virgin Mary. Stroll amid the ancient olive groves of the Garden of Gethsemane and then to the mount's summit to take in spectacular views stretching over the golden cupolas of the Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene and the sparkling Dome of the Rock to the modern city.
Atop Mount Herzl overlooking Jerusalem, Yad Vashem is a stark memorial to the Holocaust, incorporating a multimedia museum exhibiting films, photos, letters and personal items. Focal point of the complex is the haunting Hall of Names, a space recalling the names of over 3 million Holocaust victims beneath a towering cone lined with photographs. Outside, trees along the Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations honour non-Jews who helped rescue Jews from the Nazis.
The Israel Museum is home to a vast collection of art, Judaica and ancient artefacts from Israel and beyond, including a huge array of archaeological exhibits from the Holy Land. Centrepiece is the Shrine of the Book, housing many of the Dead Sea Scrolls beneath a white dome evoking the jars in which they were originally discovered.
It's about 50 kilometres from Jerusalem to the western shore of the Dead Sea, and an excursion to one of Israel's great natural attractions is a soothing contrast to the city's frenetic pace. Officially the lowest place on earth at 428 metres below sea level, the sea's extremely high salinity allows you to float effortlessly while you bask in the stunning contrast between the blue of the water, the blinding white of the salt deposits and the ochre of the arid surrounding hills. The lake is a natural spa, its mud famed for cosmetic and healing properties.

For a country that is largely desert, Israel produces a wealth of succulent fruit and vegetables, and they make up the prime ingredients of local dishes, with food in Jerusalem reflecting the city's melting pot of cultures. Must-try favourites include meorav yerushalmi, a mixed grill flavoured with a blend of spices; sabich, pita bread filled with fried aubergine, boiled eggs and pickles, topped with tangy amba sauce; and malabi, a much-loved dessert made from rosewater, milk, cornstarch and sugar. A classic of both street-food stalls and restaurants alike in Jerusalem is falafel, either on its own or in a pita bread sandwich with hummus and vegetable salad.
Accor hotels in Jerusalem puts you in the centre of the downtown triangle formed by Ben Yehuda, Jaffa and King George streets, the heart of Jerusalem's nightlife, food and shopping scene. Pedestrianised Ben Yehuda Street is lined with craft shops, designer boutiques and jewellers, as well as sleek cafés and some of the best restaurants in Jerusalem. Nearby Nachlaot, a maze of winding lanes, stone houses and quiet, pretty courtyards, is today one of Jerusalem's hippest neighbourhoods, packed with galleries, stylish eateries and lively bars. It's also home to the huge Mahane Yehuda market, a bustling blur of colours and aromas, with food stalls selling spices, Middle Eastern pastries, olives, dates and pomegranates, as well as vendors offering silk scarves or pottery. Also in Nachlaot, the Gerard Behar Center is one of the most lively venues for dance, music and theatre in Jerusalem.

Wondering where to stay in Jerusalem? Our stylish, modern hotels are located in the heart of the downtown area and only a short walk from the Old City, giving you prime access to all the best things to do in Jerusalem. Spacious, bright rooms, many of them with sweeping city views, are ideal for your family stay in Jerusalem. Planning a mix of business and tourism during your visit? Our ibis hotel offers facilities for coworking and meetings in Jerusalem.

The nearest international airport to Jerusalem is Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The train journey from the airport to Yitzhak Navon, Jerusalem's main railway station, takes around 35 minutes. Another option is bus 485, which leaves hourly 24 hours a day from Sunday to Thursday, but with reduced services due to the Sabbath on Friday and Saturday. From the station, it's a short tram or bus ride to both of our hotels in Jerusalem.