The Best Time To Visit Jerusalem (+ Things To Do)

Wondering when the best time to visit Jerusalem, and possibly the surrounding areas of Israel and Jordan, is?

The Best Time to Visit Jerusalem

The best time to visit Jerusalem for the best weather and less crowds is in the Spring and Fall – specifically, during the months of April-May and October-November.

These months aren’t too hot or rainy, and in Israel it’s shoulder season, which means it’s not as crowded with tourists (who mostly visit in the summer).

The most popular time to visit Jerusalem is in the summer, which is when you’ll find the most tourists, as well as opportunities you can find like volunteering on an archaeological excavation.

Why listen to me about the best time to visit Jerusalem? I lived in Israel for nearly 2 years. I also visit quite a bit, and have traveled pretty much all over the country. Plus, I worked at a hostel in Tel Aviv and experienced tourism first-hand!

As for the worst time to visit Israel or Jerusalem, that all depends on your preferences and what you want to do when you visit! Read on for more details on when the best time is to visit Jerusalem, what the weather is like in each season, High Holidays and events, when you can find the cheapest deals, things to do, where to stay and more.

🇮🇱 Tip: Since the Jewish calendar is lunar, holiday dates vary by year – see the ranges for each below. The holidays can be a great reason to visit Jerusalem, to experience them, but they can also be more crowded and expensive, so plan accordingly!

Fall: Late October-November (one of the best times to visit Jerusalem)

Autumn is one of the best times to visit Jerusalem because of the low prices and crowds, plus amazing weather! The High Holidays can get more expensive and crowded, and things can be closed down or have shorter hours – so plan accordingly as they can also be a reason to visit with various festivals and services. Also, keep in mind that the later in this season you visit, the higher the chance of chillier weather and possible rain.

Pros of Jerusalem in Fall

✔️ Mild Weather

✔️ Lower prices

✔️ Less crowds

✔️ Experiencing the High Holidays

✔️ Taking photos with zero traffic during Yom Kippur

🇮🇱 Tip: On Yom Kippur it’s the best time to take photos in Israel – everything, even roads shut down all day!

Cons of Jerusalem in Fall

✔️ Possible rain and snow

✔️ Weather getting cooler (as it gets later in the season)

✔️ High Holiday crowds and closures, plus higher prices during this time

Fall Weather In Jerusalem

🍃 Average Fall Temperatures: Low 54°F/12°C, High 82°F/28°C

🍃 Averages per month:
October: 3 days of rain, Low 59°F/15°C High 79°F/26°C
November: 1 day of rain, Low 55°F/13°C High 72°F/22°C

Fall Holidays and Events In Jerusalem

Holidays: High Holy Days, which include Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur ( Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) (Sept-Oct)

Other Autumn festivals and events:

• Jerusalem March (October)
• Old City Knights’ Festival (November)
• Jerusalem Open Restaurants Festival (November)

Winter: December-early March

In the winter, Jerusalem is rainy and cold but every few years, it snows. Jerusalem is higher in elevation than much of Israel, so it’s quite a bit colder than Tel Aviv – there’s even snow along with a lot of rain. Reasons to visit Jerusalem in Winter include cheaper prices, avoiding hot weather (with rain and chilly temps instead), and if you want to get photos of snow or take a day trip to ski at Mt. Hermon.

Pros of Jerusalem in Winter

✔️ Budget traveling – lowest prices of the year!

✔️ Snow (White Christmas, anyone? It happens every few years)

✔️ Cooler weather

✔️ Chanukkah celebrations and lights

✔️ Day trips to Mt Hermon to ski and more (see below)

🇮🇱 Tip: Take day trips in Winter to ski at Mt Hermon, to Bethlehem for Christmas and to Haifa for all kinds of fun lights! Also, on Chanukkah things stay open. Enjoy all the lights, latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) you can eat!

Cons of Jerusalem in Winter

✔️ Cold weather

✔️ Rainy days and snow

✔️ Extreme flash flooding in certain areas of the country (including places like Masada and Ein Gedi) which can be dangerous and means you shouldn’t travel to these areas

Winter Weather In Jerusalem

❄️ Average Winter Temperatures: Low 43°F/6°C, High 57°F/14°C

❄️ Averages per month:
December: 6 days of rain, Low 46°F/8°C High 59°F/15°C
January: 13 days of rain, Low 41°F/5°C High 52°F/11°C
February: 6 days of rain, Low 43°F/6°C High 55°F/13°C

Winter Holidays and Festivals In Jerusalem

Holidays: Chanukkah (sometime between Nov-Jan), Passover (sometime between March-April), Tu b’Shvat (New Year of trees, in January)

Other Winter festivals and events:

• Jewish Film Festival (December)
• Jerusalem Jazz Festival (December)
• Shaon Horef Festival (February)
• International Book Fair (every other year in February)
• Jerusalem Marathon (March)

Spring: Late March-May (one of the best times to visit Jerusalem)

Spring is one of the best times to travel to Jerusalem because of shoulder season, great weather and amazing greenery. There are also some fantastic holidays to experience like Purim, Passover and Easter, but these times might be more crowded and cost more, so plan accordingly! People really get into Purim, and the costumes and parties are amazing to experience!

Pros of Jerusalem in Spring

✔️ Lower prices

✔️ Less crowds

✔️ Amazing weather

✔️ Green scenery

✔️ Experiencing holidays, especially Purim, Passover and Easter

🇮🇱 Tip: Spring is the ideal time to take landscape photos that have lush greenery and flowers. Take trips to National Parks to get even more photos than just the quintessential Jerusalem ones!

Cons of Jerusalem in Spring

✔️ Possible rainy days and cooler weather (gets better as it gets closer to summer)

Spring Weather In Jerusalem

🌷 Average Spring Temperatures: Low 48°F/9°C, High 77°F/25°C

🌷 Averages per month:
March: 10 days of rain, Low 46°F/8°C High 61°F/16°C
April: 2 days of rain, Low 50°F/10°C High 68°F/20°C
May: 2 days of rain, Low 15°9F/5°C High 84°F/29°C

Spring Holidays and Events In Jerusalem

Holidays: Passover (sometime between March-April), Purim, Easter (April), Shavuot (May), Eid ul-Fitr (May)

Other Spring festivals and events:

• Jerusalem Arts Festival (March)
• Israel Independence Day (April-May)
• Jerusalem Day (May)
• Israel Festival (May-June)

Summer: June-early October (most popular time of year to visit Jerusalem)

Summer is the best time to meet fellow tourists under clear, blue skies! Technically, Israel Summer starts June 21 and ends September 22, and it’s the hottest part of the year.

Pros of Jerusalem in Summer

✔️ Tourist season, which means meeting other travelers and nightlife

✔️ Clear blue skies

✔️ No rain or cold weather

✔️ Volunteering on archaeological excavations

✔️ Beach days

🇮🇱 Tip: Bring water, electrolytes, a hat and sunscreen for summer Israel travel – it can get hot!!! Get up earlier and end your outdoor touring in the early afternoon to avoid the worst of the heat.

Cons of Jerusalem in Summer

✔️ Higher prices

✔️ Crowds

✔️ Extreme heat and sweating (especially in lower areas of Israel like the Dead Sea)

✔️ Beach jellyfish season (only for 4 weeks in each area)

Summer Weather In Jerusalem

🌺 Average Temperatures: Low 66°F/19°C, High 84°F/29°C

🌺 Average precipitation & Temps per month: 
June: 1 day of rain, Low 63°F/17°C High 84°F/29°C
July: 0 days of rain, Low 63°F/17°C High 86°F/30°C
August: 0 days of rain, Low 64°F/18°C High 86°F/30°C
September: 0 days of rain, Low 61°F/16°C High 84°F/29°C
October: 3 days of rain, Low 59°F/15°C High 79°F/26°C

Summer Holidays and Events In Jerusalem

Holidays: High Holy Days (Sept-Oct)

Other festivals and events:

• Israel Festival (June)
• Jerusalem Festival of Light (June)
• Jerusalem Beer Festival (July)
• Pride Parade (July)
• Jerusalem Film Festival (July-August)
• Jerusalem Wine Festival (August)
• Puppet Theater Festival (August)

Other things to know about summer in Israel: Beware of jellyfish season, which varies by year and is usually between June and August, for around a month total in each area. You’ll see what looks like plastic grocery bags washed up on shore – that’s the nomad jellyfish. They’re big, and yes they sting – even on land, and even if you just swim near them you can end up with a skin rash. Check this map to see where the jellyfish are. You can still lay out on the beach, but be careful about swimming if you see jellyfish!

25 Things to do throughout the year in Jerusalem

Here’s what to do per month and throughout the year on a trip to Israel that can make any time of year the best time to visit Jerusalem!

🐪 Private Full-Day Walking Tour of Jerusalem

1. Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra Performances (Monthly)

The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra performs throughout the year, so check their schedule to find a time when you can go hear them!

2. Shop and explore in Jerusalem’s Old City

Walk through the Four Quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City: the Jewish Quarter, Christian Quarter, Armenian Quarter and Muslim Quarter. Shop, eat and check out the old churches and sites!

🐪 Check out this Private Guided Tour in old city Jerusalem Here

3. Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is in Jerusalem’s Old City, and is where the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus are said to be located. It’s a beautiful church and fun to explore, too!

4. Visit the Burnt House Museum

This museum is an excavated house that was found from the 2nd Temple Period in Jerusalem. You’ll get to walk through the actual house!

5. Western Wall (the Kotel)

Go see the Western Wall by day, and return at night to check out the above view!

🐪 Check out this Jerusalem Half Day Tour: Holy Sepulchre and Western Wall Here

6. Underground Jerusalem Tour

You can tour underground Jerusalem via the City of David or the Western Wall Tunnel Tour. It’s a great way to escape the heat, too!

7. City of David

The City of David is full of amazing archaeological discoveries, and is still being excavated. You can also escape the summer heat during part of this tour in the underground and water pools like the Siloam Pool and Hezekiah’s Tunnel. You can get a guided tour or do a self-guided tour, and there’s also a night time light show.

🐪 Check Prices for this City of David and Underground Jerusalem Day Tour Here

8. Rampart Wall Walk

You can walk the walls of Jerusalem on the Ramparts Walk and see Jerusalem all around with a birds-eye view! Just make sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and water.

9. Mahane Yehuda Market

The Machane Yehuda Market, or Shuk, is full of amazing sites, sounds and flavors! Besides the fresh produce, you’ll find other things for sale and a ton of restaurants – it’s a must visit in Jerusalem!

10. Explore Zedekiah’s Cave (Solomon’s Quarries)

Zedekiah’s Cave is a limestone quarry that runs for 5 acres underneath Jerusalem’s Old City, from the Garden Tomb to the Old City walls. It’s open Sunday through Thursday and you can get a guided tour if you want. It’s another great activity if you want to escape the heat!

11. Tower of David Museum and light show

Check out the Tower of David Museum to learn about the Citadel throughout history and important archaeological finds. There’s also a sound and light show at night.

12. Jerusalem Trail

The Jerusalem Trail is part of the larger Israel National Trail that crosses all of Israel. Part of the trail goes from Tel Aviv to Israel, to the Negev.

13. Visit the Israel Museum

The Israel Museum in Jerusalem is well worth a visit at any time of the year – you’ll find The Shrine of the Book, which houses fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls; recreated synagogues from around the world; an Egyptian room; tons of archaeological artifacts from around Israel; and so much more!

14. Artists’ Colony

The Jerusalem Artist Colony, or Hutzot HaYotzer, is right outside the Old City walls. You can visit artists creating all kinds of art, as well as explore the picturesque living areas and visitor’s areas!

15. Visit the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum

The Rockefeller Museum in East Jerusalem houses archaeological artifacts from around Israel in chronological order, and entrance is free of charge.

16. Mt. Of Olives

You can tour the Mt. of Olives in Jerusalem, which includes the Church of All Nations, Garden of Gethsemane and more.

17. Herzl Museum (Har Herzl)

You can hike up Mt Herzl (Har Herzl) and tour the museum here. The mountain is a burial site for Israeli leaders including Theodore Herzl, Yitzhak Rabin and Golda Meir. In the museum you’ll learn more about Theodor Herzl’s life.

18. Hang out on Ben Yehuda Street

Ben Yehuda Street is the most famous street in Jerusalem in downtown and is pedestrian-only. There are cafes and restaurants, tourist shops and more here.

19. U. Nahon Museum of Italian Jewish Art

The U. Nahon Museum of Italian Jewish Art, located on Hillel Street, houses Jewish artifacts from Italy from the Renaissance until present day.

20. Yad Vashem

Yad Vashem is the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. From the architecture itself to the exhibits, you’ll learn about the history of the Holocaust, as well as the people. You’ll have an unforgettable experience and you’ll learn a lot.

20. Tel Aviv Day Trip

Take a day trip to Tel Aviv for beaches, museums, shopping, nightlife and more! You can take the bus, train or rent a car.

21. Haifa Day Trip

Take the train to Haifa for a day to check out the famous B’hai Gardens, Haifa Trail, National Parks, German Colony and so much more!

👉 Check out this post for where to stay in Haifa on any budget for each area!

22. Petra, Jordan Day Trip

You can go see Petra in a day from Israel – it’s well worth it to see this famous Nabatean site! Just be prepared to walk (unless you decide to rent horses, camels or donkeys)!

🐪 Check out this Viator Day tour to Petra from Jerusalem Here

23. Day Trip to the Dead Sea, Masada and Ein Gedi

Ride the cable car or hike the snake path to Masada, a world-famous UNESCO archaeological site originally built by Herod that has an amazing story (also, I excavated there)! You can also swim in the Dead Sea nearby and hike the trails at Ein Gedi Nature Reserve to visit the waterfalls!

🐪 Check out this Day Trip to Masada, Ein Gedi and The Dead Sea from Jerusalem Here

24. Golan Heights Day Trip

The Golan Heights has a lot to see in a day or more, including the Mt Hermon ski resort in the Winter, Tel Dan archaeological site, Caesarea Philippi, Banias waterfall hike, Nimrod Fortress, and so much more!

25. Volunteer on an Archaeological Excavation and participate in the Temple Mount Sifting Project

Lastly, you can volunteer to excavate on an actual archaeological excavation! You can also participate in the Temple Mount Sifting project in Jerusalem.

Map: things to do for the best time to visit Jerusalem

Where to stay in Jerusalem on any Budget

✅ Budget Option: Abraham Hostel Jerusalem

Abraham Hostel is arguably the best hostel in Jerusalem – and, it’s a chain with other locations around Israel! They also have a bar, game room, and events and more.

You can book a dorm, private room, double room or apartment.

🛏️ Check Availability at Abraham Hostel Jerusalem Here

✅ Mid-Tier Option: Bezalel Hotel (an Atlas Boutique Hotel)

Bezalel Hotel is a newer, mid-tier hotel with excellent ratings. Just steps away from the Mahane Yehuda Market, the building is historic with amazing decor as well as breakfast and more amenities.

🛏️ Check Availability at Bezalel Hotel Here

✅ Luxury Option: The American Colony Hotel

The American Colony Hotel is the highest-rated Luxury Hotel in Jerusalem. It’s a boutique hotel in a historic building and has a pool, fitness center, bar, walking tours and much more.

🛏️ Check Availability at The American Colony Hotel Here

Best Time to Visit Jerusalem: FAQs

👉 What is the best month to travel to Israel?

April-May are arguably the best months to travel to Israel because of the mild weather, cheaper prices and lush, green views. There are also thinner crowds during this time.

👉 How many days do you need in Jerusalem?

You’ll need at least 2-3 days in Jerusalem to see the major sites, but there’s more to see and day trips if you stay longer.

👉 What is the cheapest time to go to Israel?

Winter is the absolute cheapest time to visit Israel, but it’s also the rainy season. The shoulder season, which is during April-May and October-November, are also cheaper than Summer, which is the main tourist season (besides the major Jewish holidays).

👉 What is the rainiest month in Jerusalem?

January is the rainiest month in Jerusalem, Israel. It rains an average of 1.8 inches in January, and sometimes snows during this month.

👉 What is the best time to visit Jerusalem and Petra?

Spring and Fall are the best times to visit Jerusalem, Israel and Petra, Jordan. Specifically, the months to visit are April-May and October-November. You’ll get the mildest weather during these times. It’s shoulder season in Israel, while Fall is the main tourist season in Jordan.

👉 Is October a good time to visit Israel?

October is one of the best times to visit Israel because there is milder weather as summer winds down, and low chances of rain. You’ll also get cheaper prices and thinner crowds in October, except the Jewish holidays, which are also fun to experience. The holidays change dates each year, so check before you plan your trip!

Travel Planning Tips for Visiting Jerusalem

👉 Travel Resources

For flights, WayAway is a flight aggregator that helps you find the cheapest flights. Use the code MUKI-TRAVELS for 10% off WayAway Plus.

👉 If you rent a car, just be prepared, especially for driving in Jerusalem. You’ll need to be an aggressive driver. To rent a car in Israel, Discover Cars is a great tool to use.

👉 Use the apps Moovit (for public transporation) and Waze (for driving directions).

👉 Find more tips on things like travel insurance, what to pack, and more on my travel resources page.

👉 What To Pack For Israel In Winter (Dec-Feb)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Spring (March-May)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Summer (June-Sept)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Fall (Oct-Nov)

More on When to Visit Jerusalem

Hopefully, this post can help you find the best time to visit Jerusalem for what you’re looking to do and experience on your trip!

Check out these posts for more info on Israel & Middle East travel

👉 Four Quarters In Jerusalem Old City: 29 Places To Visit (With Map + History)
👉 8 Best Tours From Tel Aviv To Jerusalem To Check Out
👉 Is Jerusalem Worth Visiting? 26 Things To Do To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (with pros & cons)
👉 Is Israel Safe For Travel? Important Advice Amidst War
👉 Solo Travel In Israel: Expert Tips, Itinerary + More
👉 Winter in Jerusalem: Weather, Things To Do + Travel Tips
👉 The 41 Best Photography Spots In Jerusalem with Map + Ideas
👉 The Best Time To Visit Tel Aviv
👉 Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: Everything You Need To Know
👉 Is Haifa Worth Visiting? 38 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (+ Pros & Cons)
👉 Israel Archaeology: Volunteer On An Excavation
👉 Israel Archaeology List: learn about famous sites
👉 Israel & Palestine, and the Conflict: A Beginner’s Guide (History, Maps & Resources)
👉 The 17 Best Israel Souvenirs
👉 Top 25 Biblical Sites In Israel
👉 Captivating Scenes: A Photo Journey Through Historic Jerusalem
👉 Jewish Quarter Jerusalem: Insider Guide + Map
👉 Jerusalem to Galilee / Galilee to Jerusalem: All You Need To Know
👉 Tel Aviv to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: All You Need To Know
👉 Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem: All You Need To Know
👉 Jordan to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Jordan: All You Need To Know
👉 Rome to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Rome: All You Need To Know

👉 Also check out this post on Cairo (or this one) for more Middle East travel!
👉 For more International Travel guides, check out this page.