Is there a dress code in Jerusalem? - Follow in Jesus' Path - Artza Community (2024)

FAQs

Is there a dress code for Jerusalem? ›

Dressing in Jerusalem and other religious cities

There is a general dress code for women, which usually entails covering one's knees, elbows, and maybe even hair. If the sites are Jewish, men might also be asked to put on a kippah. In general, Israelis tend to wear a t-shirt and jeans on most outings.

For men, that means long trousers – or at the very minimum, long shorts – and tops that have sleeves. For women, it's recommended to wear tops that cover up to the collarbone, sleeves that extend to below the elbow, skirts that reach below the knees at the very least. Reading between the lines, that means no trousers.

Most of the time, men can get away with wearing shorts and T-shirts, but it is necessary for them to cover their shoulders and knees if they are visiting any religious sites.

It's always wise to dress modestly if you plan to visit religious sites, whether they are Christian, Jewish or Islamic. Both men and women should avoid wearing shorts or tops with short sleeves or that leave the midriff exposed.

Visiting Holy Sites

A wrap like this can be kept in your day-pack and brought out when entering the Western Wall plaza. When visiting any of the Churches in the country the usual dress code is no shorts or tank-tops. Or to put it another way, knees, shoulders, and collarbones should be covered by your clothes.

Obviously, if you are going to more religious sites don't wear a pair with holes and rips all through the thighs. But other than that, skinny jeans, wide-leg jeans, whatever is fine. Since more casual clothing is widely worn across Israel and Palestine I also like to recommend my favourite pair of leggings.

For those travelers who plan to visit religious sites such as churches, mosques, and the Western Wall, it is advisable to avoid short skirts, short shorts, and sleeveless shirts. Since the Old City of Jerusalem is densely populated with religious sites, we recommend to dress modestly when you visit this area.

It's perfectly fine to wear tank tops in Israel. You'll see local people wearing them all the time, especially along the coast in Tel Aviv or Haifa, and in Eilat, where people are even less formal.

As a general rule of thumb, modest clothing rules include longer sleeves and hemlines, as well as bottoms that reach below the knees. There's also a lot to be said on how to make a short dress more modest, which also includes layers and more relaxed fits.

Top style tips for Israel

Summers are hot and humid. Lightweight layers in natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, bamboo and silk will work best in the heat and will protect you from the sun. Jeans are always popular and will serve as a versatile base to your wardrobe. Ensure you bring a versatile travel jacket.

What can you not bring into Israel? ›

Expect heat waves on most days and they are humid ones, especially in the coastal areas. The key here is lightweight and airy. Tel Aviv is as casual as no-sleeves, shorts, and sandals, practically anywhere and any time of day or night.

Choose flat shoes like sneakers, flats, or sandals, because you'll be walking around a lot and many roads are uneven. Pack Band-Aids just in case your sandals or sweaty socks give you blisters. Try to avoid cork sandals (like Birkenstocks), as they could be ruined by the saltwater—especially from the Dead Sea.

Islam too discourages tattooing. Some believers view the practice as “haram,” an act forbidden by God. Despite the fact that two out of the three monotheistic religions in Jerusalem ban tattoos, you don't have to look far to find someone with ink on their skin in the Holy City.

Kissing and holding hands in public is acceptable.

Worship the Lord in Holy Attire” (Psalm 96: 8-9). The Hebrew word for “attire” is “hadarah,” which means “adornment and glory.” When you and I enter as priests in God's presence, this very act assures our adornment with glory.

Never wear anything that's too revealing like cut-off shorts, tank tops, and crop tops. If you want to know how to dress for church, something modest and comfortable should be fine. Generally, graphic tees that show off sports team logos or bands should never be worn to church.

Peter commands us, “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.”(ESV) Isn't that a command to dress ...

You should dress modestly – covering your shoulders, upper arms and legs above the knee - in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.

A modest dress is essential to gain access to Temple Mount. Women should wear a knee length dress or trousers (trousers are preferable as some cotton skirts can be considered as see through and therefore inappropriate) and upper arms and chest must be covered by a top or a scarf.

What did people in Jerusalem wear? ›

The clothing of the people in biblical times was made from wool, linen, animal skins, and perhaps silk. Most events in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament take place in ancient Israel, and thus most biblical clothing is ancient Hebrew clothing. They wore underwear and cloth skirts.

Israel is generally welcoming to photographers. Most places, even many museums, allow you to take pictures (without flash). But there are exceptions too: many orthodox-religious Jewish people do not want to be photographed. It's their right.

Tourists are advised to avoid confrontation with the locals. Israelis tend to be quite friendly to tourists, so this should not be a problem. It should be said that crime is always a factor, no matter where in the world one travels. So it is best to be alert in areas where tourists are expected to congregate.

Khaki shorts are a signature tourist choice! Don't choose a nice pair of tasteful khakis, though. To really nail the tourist vibe, it's best if your khaki shorts are awkward in some way. Go with a pair that is too long or too short, or try a pair that is noticeably tight or super baggy.

Falafel is Israel's national dish, and if you're a fan of these famous chickpea fritters then you'll not go hungry.

There is no dress code per se in Egypt. Egyptian women wear the same things we do including fitted clothing like skinny jeans and leggings.

The five outfit rule is pretty simple. When you see an item that you just have to have you can only buy it if you can think of five different outfits that you can wear it with. These outfits should come to mind straight away, no having to wrack your brains to desperately come up with things, and no cheating.

Never Acceptable

Dirty or wrinkled clothing. Tight-fitting or revealing clothing. Too casual, such as yoga pants, overalls, flip flops or shorts. T-shirts with inappropriate messages or offensive content.

With the Rule of 10, you simply keep 10 items from each category of clothing that you own. Ten is a generous number–not minimalist at all–and leaves you with more than a week's worth of items. (And many more than a week's worth, if your wardrobe lends itself to mixing and matching.)

Can I drink tap water in Jerusalem? ›

The Ministry of Health recommends drinking tap water. Tap water in Israel is everywhere safe for drinking.

Yes, branding one's body with permanent ink is one of the strongest forms of self-expression. But that may be even more true in Israel. After all, this is the Jewish state, and Jewish law forbids tattoos. Yet as tattoos become more popular here, it's clear Israeli culture doesn't always mirror Jewish culture.

Food - up to a total weight of three kilograms, on condition that the weight of each type of food does not exceed one kilogram. Additional items such as cameras, binoculars, personal jewelry, musical instruments, camping or sports equipment, bicycle and other like articles.

It is recommended, though not obligatory, to carry a small amount of US dollars, since certain tourist sites, especially in the Old City of Jerusalem, take payment in dollars.

All visitors to Israel must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they are departing the country. People with no nationality must hold a valid laissez-passer, as well as a visa back to the country that issued it.

The bills are in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 shekels. There are coins of 1,5, and 10 shekels and 5,10, and 50 agorot. You may bring an unlimited amount of foreign currency into Israel – cash, traveler's checks, letters of credit or State of Israel bonds. Upon departure you may take out up to NIS 1,000.

Wearing socks with sandals can help combat that. Though the style has been long considered a fashion faux-pas and the trademark “German on vacation” look, wearing socks with sandals — when styled right — opens a myriad of opportunities, while offering increased comfort and warmth.

Israel – Exercise increased caution

Exercise increased caution due to terrorism and civil unrest.

For those travelers who plan to visit religious sites such as churches, mosques, and the Western Wall, it is advisable to avoid short skirts, short shorts, and sleeveless shirts. Since the Old City of Jerusalem is densely populated with religious sites, we recommend to dress modestly when you visit this area.

You should bring around 300$ in cash to Israel. You can order shekels from your bank here before you leave, but it is easier to exchange in Israel. Avoid changing too much money in the airport; exchange rates are bad there. However, you may want to change ~$50 to shekels for transportation to where you are staying.

Can you drink alcohol in Jerusalem? ›

Can you drink alcohol in Jerusalem? Yes. The rules around drinking are exactly the same as in the rest of Israel. Some parts of the city most notably the Muslim quarter will obviously not have bars but western Jerusalem has plenty of pubs/bars and restaurants serving alcohol.