Jerusalem is a city where timelines overlap: Bronze Age walls butt against Crusader chapels, Ottoman lanes funnel into modern light rail, and prayers rise in a dozen tongues. Its layers reward unhurried wandering—listen for the call to prayer, watch notes tucked into the Western Wall, then duck into a market stall for fragrant cardamom coffee.

Across five days you’ll trace the Old City’s quarters, gaze across domes from the Mount of Olives, taste Kurdish-Iraqi stews in a 19th-century courtyard, and float weightlessly in the Dead Sea. Expect moments that feel both familiar from history and startlingly immediate in person.

Practical notes: Shabbat begins Friday at sundown and ends Saturday after nightfall—many Jewish-run businesses close, while the Old City’s Muslim and Christian quarters remain lively. Dress modestly at religious sites (shoulders/knees covered). Always check current travel advisories and site hours; museum schedules and security protocols can change.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s top sights center on the Old City—home to the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Via Dolorosa, and the Temple Mount/Haram al‑Sharif—then fan out to the Mount of Olives, Israel Museum (with the Dead Sea Scrolls), and Yad Vashem. Mahane Yehuda Market adds another kind of pilgrimage: to spice mounds, bakeries, and casual eateries that fuel the city.

Food here is a mosaic. Try hummus and fresh-baked pitas at Abu Shukri or Lina, Kurdish-Iraqi classics like kubeh and sofrito at Azura, modern “biblical cuisine” at The Eucalyptus, pastries at Kadosh, and late-night craft beers at BeerBazaar. For coffee, Power Coffee Works and Roasters in the shuk are local favorites.

Where to stay (choose by vibe and walking distance): The Old City/Christian Quarter for atmosphere; Mamilla for upscale and easy Old City access; Rehavia and the German Colony for leafy streets and cafés; around Mahane Yehuda for food and nightlife. Browse stays on Hotels.com (Jerusalem) or apartment-style options on VRBO (Jerusalem).

Getting there from Poland: Fly into Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion, TLV), then take the 25–30 minute airport train to Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon Station (about 20 NIS per person). Search fares and routes from Warsaw, Kraków, or Gdańsk on Omio (Flights to/from Europe). Typical nonstop flight time is ~3.5–4 hours; expect roughly $250–500 round-trip per person, depending on season and sales. If you need a positioning ride to your Polish departure airport, compare Omio Trains (Europe) or Omio Buses (Europe).

Day 1: Arrival, First Tastes, and Golden Hour Views

Afternoon: Land at TLV and ride the airport train to Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon. Drop bags, then stretch your legs with an orientation stroll along Jaffa Street and the pedestrian alleys around Nahalat Shiva. Grab coffee and a pistachio croissant at Kadosh—buzzy since 1967—and people-watch as the light rail glides past.

Evening: Head to Mahane Yehuda Market for a casual first dinner. Options: Azura for slow-cooked kubeh soup, stuffed vegetables, and pan-seared eggplant; Hachapuria for piping-hot Adjaruli khachapuri; or Hamotzi for North African comfort plates (try the fish chraime). End with a local beer flight at BeerBazaar inside the shuk or classic cocktails at Gatsby, a speakeasy hidden behind a “library” facade.

Night: If you have energy, taxi to the Haas Promenade for a sweeping night panorama of the Old City walls and the Dome of the Rock—an unforgettable first look.

Day 2: Old City Masterclass with a Private Guide

Morning: Fuel up on shakshuka and bread at Tmol Shilshom (a beloved bookish café), then meet your guide at Jaffa Gate for a private deep dive through the Old City’s Armenian, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Quarters. A private format lets you move at your pace and tailor stops.

Featured experience: Jerusalem : Private Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour)

Afternoon: Visit the Western Wall, trace the Via Dolorosa, and step into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. For lunch, try Abu Shukri (velvety hummus with warm pitas) or Lina on El‑Khanqa St. If time allows, the Austrian Hospice rooftop offers a quiet view and Viennese strudel.

Evening: Book dinner at The Eucalyptus, where Chef Moshe Basson reinterprets “biblical cuisine” with local herbs (hyssop, sage) and ancient grains; the tasting menu is a great overview. Stroll back through the citadel ramparts area, which glows after dark.

Day 3: Masada and the Dead Sea Day Trip

Today is a full-day excursion south through the Judean Desert. Pack sunscreen, water, and sandals you don’t mind getting salty.

Featured experience: Masada and the Dead Sea Day Trip from Jerusalem

Ascend Masada by cable car to explore Herod’s cliff-top fortress and sweeping desert views, then continue to a Dead Sea beach to float in the hypersaline waters and slather on mineral-rich mud. Many tours pause at Ein Gedi or a scenic desert lookout. Expect an early start and return by early evening.

Dinner back in town: Keep it simple after a big day—grab falafel and sabich at Dwiny Pita Bar near the shuk or opt for a cozy pasta at Anna (in historic Ticho House, kosher dairy).

Day 4: Museums, Market Flavors, and Neighborhood Strolls

Morning: Visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial and museum complex dedicated to the Holocaust (reserve time; closed on Saturdays and some holidays). Follow with the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Book and the impressive archaeological wing. Coffee break at the museum’s café between galleries.

Afternoon: Head to Mahane Yehuda for a guided tasting among spice stalls, bakeries, and hole‑in‑the‑wall favorites—ideal for understanding Israeli street food and the city’s culinary mix.

Featured experience: Private Guided Tour to the Culinary World of Jerusalem Market

Evening: Dinner at Machneyuda (book ahead; open kitchen energy, inventive seasonal plates) or Jacko’s Street (chef-driven, fun vibe). Later, grab knafeh or malabi for dessert at a shuk stand, or sample arak at a tiny neighborhood bar in Nahlaot.

Day 5: Mount of Olives, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Begin with sweeping city views and layered history on the Mount of Olives—an essential vantage point to understand Jerusalem’s topography and sacred sites. Tours often include the Garden of Gethsemane and nearby churches.

Featured experience: Jerusalem Mount of Olives Tour

Afternoon: Pick up spices, halva, and olive-wood carvings for souvenirs (Mahane Yehuda and the Christian Quarter are reliable). Grab a final hummus bowl or fresh falafel, then take the high-speed train back to Ben Gurion for your flight home. For flights to Poland, compare fares and timings on Omio (Flights to/from Europe).

Evening: In case of a later departure, an early dinner near Mamilla—like rooftop views and simple grill plates—keeps you close to taxi ranks for a stress-free ride to the station.

Extra Ideas (If You Swap a Day)

• Bethlehem & Jericho: Combine Nativity Church with desert archaeology on a guided day (options available on Viator from Jerusalem).
• Nazareth & Sea of Galilee: A full-day northern loop for New Testament landmarks if you prefer Galilee over the Dead Sea.
• Sunrise at Masada: If you’re an early riser, consider a sunrise Masada variant for cooler temps and dramatic light.

Local logistics tips:

• Jerusalem Light Rail and buses use the Rav‑Kav card (tap in). Single rides are roughly 6 NIS. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful; agree on meter use.
• Dress codes vary: bring a scarf/shawl and wear knee-covering bottoms for some holy sites.
• Friday afternoons grow quiet as Shabbat approaches; plan museum visits earlier in the trip and enjoy the Old City’s other quarters or East Jerusalem eateries on Saturday.

Suggested Places to Eat and Drink (Save This List)

• Breakfast/Coffee: Kadosh (legendary pastries), Power Coffee Works (specialty roasts), Tmol Shilshom (shakshuka, literary vibe).
• Lunch: Abu Shukri or Lina (Old City hummus institutions), Jaffar Sweets (knafeh near Damascus Gate), Hachapuria (Georgian breads).
• Dinner: The Eucalyptus (biblical ingredients), Machneyuda (inventive, noisy, fun), Azura (hearty Kurdish-Iraqi classics), Jacko’s Street (modern Israeli).
• Bars: Gatsby (speakeasy), Sira (no-frills local), BeerBazaar (Israeli craft beers).

For your stay, compare options by neighborhood and budget on Hotels.com (Jerusalem) and VRBO (Jerusalem). For flights from Poland, check schedules and deals on Omio; travel time averages ~3.5–4 hours nonstop to TLV, plus ~30 minutes on the airport train to central Jerusalem.

In five days you’ll weave through faith, flavor, and desert geology—from the alleys of the Old City to a salt-laden float at the Dead Sea. With balanced pacing and a few standout tours, this Jerusalem itinerary delivers substance and spontaneity—leaving just enough to pull you back for a longer stay.