This guest post was written by Erez Speiser from the blog Hike Israel, who lives in Israel and knows Jerusalem inside out.
I live in Israel so I may be biased, but to me, Jerusalem is one of the most extraordinary cities anyone can visit. I’ve been to many of the world’s greatest cities, yet every time I return to Jerusalem — and I’ve been there dozens of times — I find new things to see and do, and always come home with a heart full of unforgettable experiences.
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Why Should You Visit Jerusalem in Winter?
Israel is a warm Mediterranean country, and during winter, the weather is mostly mild and not too cold. Jerusalem is at an altitude of 800 m above sea level and inland, making it relatively cool and dry.
Winter in Israel runs from December to March, with daytime temperatures around 12–15 °C (54–59 °F) and nights dropping to 8–12 °C (46–54 °F). The average number of rainy days per month is about 10, leaving us with almost 70% of dry days.
You’ll find plenty of articles online about the “best things to do in Jerusalem.” Thanks to the mild weather, most of them are just as enjoyable during a winter trip. In addition to that, there are several advantages to “doing” Jerusalem during the winter:
- This city is much less crowded.
- Some of the most popular things in Jerusalem involve day trips to the Judean Desert. (Masada, for example). It is boiling hot in the desert during most of the year, so winter may be the best time to enjoy these trips.
- There are several cool festivals during the winter.
Famous sites like the Old City, Mount of Olives, and Machane Yehuda market are listed in every post on “Things to do in Jerusalem” and should be on your bucket list in winter, especially if it is your first visit to the city.
This guide provides you with things you can find only in winter, or that are best enjoyed in winter!
Things to Do in Jerusalem in Winter – Underground
Nothing is better than hiding from nasty weather underground. Thankfully, Jerusalem has a few exceptional underground sites.
In 1946, a Bedouin teenager accidentally discovered seven ancient scrolls, housed in jars, in a cave near Qumran. He had no idea this was the beginning of such a significant discovery. This discovery marked the start of a long archaeological journey that eventually revealed 20 complete scrolls and 16,000 scroll fragments.
#1 Shrine of the Book
Out of these fragments, researchers have assembled a total of 981 manuscripts. Most of them are books of the Torah (Old Testament) written in Hebrew by our ancestors.
In 1965, the Shrine of the Book was built as a repository for the first seven scrolls discovered at Qumran. The unique white dome resembles the lids of the jars in which the first scrolls were found. The remaining two-thirds of the structure is underground, where the treasure is displayed in a controlled atmosphere.
It is also recommended to visit the Qumran site, a perfect stop along the way to Masada.
#2 Western Wall Tunnels
The length of the western wall, as most people know it, is about 60 meters. However, this is only a small part of the original wall, which was almost 500 meters long. The Western Wall Tunnels follow the open-air wall north, under the houses of the old city’s Muslim quarter.
The tunnel exposes an additional 300 m of the wall, revealing the construction methods and the various activities in the vicinity of the Temple Mount.
The largest stone in the Western Wall is also unveiled within the tunnel and ranks among the heaviest objects ever lifted by a human (without powered machinery).
#3 The Pilgrim’s Road
The City of David is one of Jerusalem’s most popular attractions. This year, another significant archaeological discovery was opened to the public.
Pilgrims used the main street of ancient Jerusalem to reach the city 2000 years ago. It is a huge street—8 meters wide and 600 meters long —connecting the Shiloah Pool to the Temple Mount.
The great road is paved with large stone slabs – as was customary in monumental construction throughout the Roman Empire.
Following 6 years of archeological excavations, a 350-meter-long section was exposed. Two thousand years after the destruction of the Temple by the Romans, one can march again in the ancient street.
Because the old street passes under the modern streets of Silwan village, it has been excavated as a tunnel.
Things to Do in Jerusalem In Winter – Outdoors
Jerusalem is surrounded by natural beauty from all directions. To the east, the Judean Desert begins. With a short 30-minute drive, you will find yourself in the middle of the wilderness. The impressive natural scenery is a hiker’s paradise and a perfect setting for several iconic archeological sites.
In the summer, the temperatures are over 40 C°, but in winter, the weather is pleasant, with temperatures around 20 C°. The desert side contrasts sharply with the western slopes of the Judean Mountains, which are lush and green in winter and full of colorful wildflowers.
#4 Day trip to Masada
It is probably the most popular day trip out of Jerusalem (or Tel Aviv). Dozens of organized day trips leave Jerusalem daily. They offer different variations, but Masada is the focal point in all of them. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has it all: fantastic scenery, impressive archaeological findings, and a dramatic historical story.
The drive to Masada takes about 1.5 hours, and adding about 2 hours to visit the site leaves plenty of time for additional activities in the area. Deciding what to do comes down to personal taste and the amount of time you have.
- Float on the Dead Sea – To chill out and take the perfect selfie, cover yourself with the black Dead Sea mud. (Duration: 1 hour to full day)
- Qumran National Park – To see the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. (An excellent coupling to the visit to the Shrine of the Book). (Duration: 0.5 – 1 Hour).
- Ein Gedi nature reserve – To take a short stroll in a desert oasis or a long desert hike. (1 Hour – Full day).
#5 Day trip to Ein Gedi
Ein Gedi is the name of a Kibbutz and its nearby Nature reserve. Ein Gedi can be joined to Masada or the Dead Sea as a short side trip; however, it has plenty of highlights to keep you busy for a full day.
The main attraction here is hiking, ranging from an easy walk to see the David waterfall up to a strenuous full-day desert hike, and everything in between. Round up the hike with a visit to the botanical garden in Kibbutz Ein Gedi or relaxation in the Ein-Gedi SPA.
#6 Visit the Judean Desert monasteries
The Judean Desert monasteries were established in the 4th century. They peaked in the 6th century when hundreds of monks lived in the monasteries founded by Khariton and Theodosius.
After the Muslim conquest, only a few monasteries and monks remained in the desert. During the Crusader period, some monasteries destroyed or abandoned were re-established.
These monasteries also stand out today as tourist attractions for their dramatic setting. Most of them hang from cliffs and blend beautifully with the surrounding desert scenery.
The most popular places to visit are the St. George Monastery in Wadi Qelt and the Mar Saba Monastery in Wadi Kidron.
#7 Explore wildflowers
An exceptional feature of Israel’s landscape is the richness and variety of its flora, especially wildflowers. Despite Israel’s tiny area, it has about 2500 species, compared with only 1500 in the British Isles, which are more than ten times larger. The blooming season runs from December to May, with a strong peak from mid-February to mid-March.
During the peak period, the landscape is painted with a festival of colors. One of the best places in the country to enjoy this phenomenon is the slopes of the Judean Mountains and the plains west of Jerusalem.
There are plenty of spots, and the “best one” changes with what is currently blooming. Consult with a local or Google it.
What to do in winter in Jerusalem? Enjoy Winter Festivals in Jerusalem
#8 International Jazz Festival
The festival runs each year in December and hosts jazz artists from Israel and around the world in galleries, halls, and hidden corners of the Israel Museum, featuring original productions, first-time performers, new compositions, and classic songs.
It typically showcases unique original performances as well as features surprising pop-up shows, masterclasses, professional workshops, jam sessions, and a few other exciting surprises.
Despite being relatively new, the International Jazz Festival is one of the best festivals in Israel and one of the best things to do in Jerusalem in Winter.
#9 Hamshushaliam
The festival is centered on the winter holidays of Christmas and Hanukkah and runs for 4 consecutive weekends (Thursday to Saturday) around that period. The festival features a variety of events, including music, art, tours, and special exhibitions.
#10 Winter Noise Festival
The Shaon-horef (Winter Noise) usually runs for four consecutive weekends in February; the festival offers an incredible array of events, shows, and tours across areas of art and culture, including acting, music, comedy, performance, dance, and plastic arts.
So, if you are traveling to Jerusalem in February, remember that this festival offers (mostly free) activities spread through the city. Typically, each week is geared to a different downtown section, using surprising and unconventional spaces and businesses—a sidewalk can become a creative space, and a houseware store can become a stage.
Where to stay in Jerusalem in Winter?
Jerusalem has a vast variety of accommodations for you to choose from. Ranging from 5-star hotels, boutique hotels, apartments, and hostels.
Jerusalem is an expensive city, but in winter, prices are slightly lower, so you can save some money or pay the same and stay in higher-class accommodation.
Most tourists choose to stay in the city center, which is within walking distance of the old city and other major attractions.
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