Jerusalem

The most popular street market in Jerusalem, this busy place feels authentic: locals come to buy groceries and vendors are loud. Catch the opportunity to try out some reasonably-priced specialities from the food stands. Lately, the place has also become a vibrant nightlife hangout, with restaurants and live music. Mahane Yehuda is also called as "The Shuk", which means "market" in Hebrew. A recent project has filled the walls with contemporary urban art.

This solemn memorial is Israel's tribute to the millions of Jewish victims of the Shoah and an intense, thought-provoking experience for visitors. The conceptual design conveys a striking feeling of how enormous the disaster was. The exhibits mix historical displays with personal testimonies and remains. Yad Vashem also hosts an important research centre.

This museum boasts a rich and informative series of exhibits, and it's very helpful in understanding the past and present of Jerusalem. The collection of Dead Sea Scrolls, hundreds of manuscript copies of the Bible found in Qumran, is astonishing. Moreover, you'll view the biggest exhibition of biblical archaeology in the world, a selection of modern artwork, and a stylish, impressive garden of contemporary sculpture.

At the City of David, you can explore the remains of the oldest part of Jerusalem and walk through the meanders of a subterranean stream. The archaeological site spans two levels: an aboveground area and underground excavations. It is much older than Jerusalem's Old City, with the ancient Canaanites building it near the waters of the Gihon Spring before 2,000 BCE. The biblical King David later conquered it and made it the capital of his domain. Located in the underground part of the site, Hezekiah's Tunnel was used to channel water from the spring. The half-hour walk inside will take you past many archaeological remains, including a millennia-old pool that was said to have healing powers. If you plan to walk through the water, be sure to bring your swimsuit and suitable shoes.

The Museum for Islamic Art is a hub for beliefs, traditions and artwork of the Islamic civilisation. Nine different exhibitions display a limited but highly informative ensemble. One of the most interesting features is their rare collection of clocks, which counts more than 200 items.

A visit to this museum is a good way to learn more about Jerusalem's culture and complexity. The exhibitions keep a memory of important personalities and dramatic events in the Palestinian community; they also preserve the people's material culture, such as traditional pottery, weaving and working tools, dresses, and jewellery. Ultimately, the museum is a testimony to the strong connection between the Palestinians and the city of Jerusalem.

The past of Jerusalem is hugely fascinating, but the present is at least equally as important. Located on the very border between West and East Jerusalem, the Museum on the Seam provides great food for thought on contemporary social issues in the land. It has hosted exhibitions from some of the most important artists of our time (Bill Viola, Wim Wenders, and Anselm Kiefer, to name a few). Since the exhibitions are often strongly connected to ongoing debates, they can be controversial; however, it is worth paying a visit to the museum, marked as a must-see destination by the New York Times.

Lesser known by tourists, Ades Synagogue boasts typical, well-kept interiors, with chandeliers and a walnut ark inlaid with mother-of-pearl. If you're visiting in winter and you're interested in Jewish religious culture, come early on Saturday (Shabbat) morning and listen to bakashot, songs based on Kabbalistic poetry.

The Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu, a Byzantine-style Catholic church located on Mount Zion, offers stunning views of the City of David and the village of Silwan, a Palestinian community. The current building, which has some interesting decorations such as stained glass windows, was completed in the 1930s on the site of earlier churches, including a Byzantine monastery. Inside, visitors can admire mosaics and remains from previous churches. According to tradition, the church marks the spot where the Apostle Peter wept in regret after denying Jesus before his death. The Roman stairs next to the church are believed to have been used by Jesus on his way to Gethsemane.

St Anne's Church was built by crusaders in the 12th century in a Romanesque style. Many pilgrims take advantage of the perfect acoustics inside and sing religious hymns. Hidden in the courtyard you'll find some remains of a Roman pagan temple. The church was a Muslim school for some time under the Saladin and is considered to be the site of many important events in the Christian religion: the home of Virgin Mary's parents, Joachim and Anne, and of the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a sick man.

An Eastern Orthodox Monastery, this Georgian-style building is said to be located where the head of the biblical ancestor Adam was buried. The origins of the foundation are mysterious, possibly dating back to the 4th century and Emperor Constantine's mother. Inside the church, you'll find colourful ceremonial art, Georgian frescoes and manuscripts, remains from the Crusade Era, and a small museum.