Jerusalem digital nomad guide

Essentials

City

Jerusalem, Yerushalayim District, Israel

Population

970,000

Internet Speed

95 Mbps (Fiber widely available via Bezeq or Hot)

Currency & Banking

1 USD ≈ 3.65 ILS, 1 EUR ≈ 3.95 ILS (Israeli New Shekel)

Tap Water

Drinkable and safe everywhere

Power

230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/H sockets (H is the unique 3-pin Israeli plug)

SIM Card

Partner, Cellcom, or Hot Mobile (approx. 50 ILS for 100GB)

Banking for Expats

Bank Leumi, Bank Hapoalim; Revolut and Wise work well for withdrawals

Accommodation

Airbnb, Facebook Group 'Secret Jerusalem Apartments', Yad2

Cashless Friendly

Yes, cards/Apple Pay accepted almost everywhere except small stalls in the Old City

Short Term Rentals

Abraham Hostel (Private rooms), Jerusalem Hostel, Airbnb rentals

Budget Accommodation

The Post Hostel (Jaffa Road 23) - approx. 120 ILS/night for dorms

Best Area to Stay for Tourists

The Old City or Mamilla (near Jaffa Gate)

Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads

Nachlaot or Rehavia (central, walkable, vibrant cafe culture)

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space

WeWork (Ha-Nevi'im St 27) - Desk approx. 1,200 ILS/month

Best Cafe for Work

Tmol Shilshom (Yo'el Moshe Salomon St 5) - Cozy, quiet atmosphere

Networking Events

MassChallenge Israel events or 'Made in JLM' tech meetups

Social Events for Expats

Secret Jerusalem Facebook Group meetups; events at Abraham Hostel

Transportation

Public Transport Passes

Rav-Kav card (Smart card) - used for Light Rail and Buses

Regional Travel

Egged Buses to Dead Sea (Route 486) or Tel Aviv (Route 405)

Best Taxi/Ride App

Gett (formerly GetTaxi) or Uber (Uber works mainly for licensed taxis)

Bike/Scooter Rental

Jerufree (Electric bike sharing system) - Central Jerusalem stations

Best Beach Nearby

Herzliya Beach (approx. 60 mins by train/car)

Top Regional Airline

Arkia or Israir (flying from Ben Gurion nearby)

Top International Airline

EL AL (National carrier based at Ben Gurion Airport)

Highway Access

Highway 1 (Jerusalem - Tel Aviv) and Highway 6 (North - South)

Main Train/Transit Hub

Yitzhak Navon Railway Station (High-speed train to Tel Aviv in 32 mins)

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital

Hadassah Ein Kerem (Kiryat Hadassah) - World-class facility

Yoga & Wellness Centers

Shakti Yoga Center (Ussishkin St 38)

Gyms & Fitness Centers

Profit (Ha-Soreg St 2) - approx. 200-250 ILS/month

Laundry Services

Tzach Laundromat (Agripas St 78) - wash/dry approx. 50 ILS

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App

Wolt (Most popular and reliable in the city center)

Best Local Dish to Try

Meurav Yerushalmi (Jerusalem Mixed Grill) at HaSatchka in Mahane Yehuda

Vegan/Vegetarian Options

Village Green (Jaffa Rd 33) - extensive plant-based buffet

Best Dessert Spots

Marzipan Bakery (Agripas St) - famous for chocolate rugelach

Affordable Shopping Spots

Mahane Yehuda Market (The Shuk) - fresh produce and bulk goods

E-commerce/Online Store

KSP (Electronics), Amazon.ae (International shipping available)

Grocery Delivery

Shufersal Online or Rami Levy app

Bar/Nightlife Area

Mahane Yehuda Market (turns into a bar scene at night)

Local Brewery

Herzl Beer (Craft brewery available at local bars like BeerBazaar)

Wine Bars

Red and White (Shlomo ha-Melekh St 8) - near the Old City

Street Food Stalls

Aricha Falafel (Agripas St 95) - approx. 22 ILS for a pita

Popular International Cuisine

Station 9 (The First Station) - High-end Asian fusion

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks

Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Museums & Art Venues

Israel Museum (Ruppin Blvd 11) - Home of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Historical Sites

City of David (archaeological site south of the Old City)

Religious Sites

Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane

Annual Events

Jerusalem Light Festival (June), Jerusalem Film Festival (July)

Cultural Districts

Musrara (arts and social activism hub)

Theater Venues

Jerusalem Theatre (Chopin St 20)

Local Markets

Bezalel Arts and Crafts Fair (Fridays on Bezalel St)

Music Scene

Yellow Submarine (Erkebe St 13) - Jazz, indie, and rock

Street Art

Mahane Yehuda Shutter Art (Portraits on closed shop metal doors)

Cooking Classes

Chef's Tour Jerusalem (Culinary tours and workshops in the Shuk)

Art Galleries

Jerusalem Print Workshop (Shivtei Israel St 38)

Historic Buildings

YMCA International (King David St 26) - stunning architecture

Local Heritage

The Lion of Judah (Official symbol found on city crests and fountains)

Business

Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. 32,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,280,000 ILS)

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. 45,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,800,000 ILS)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. 42,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 2,520,000 ILS)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. 30,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,800,000 ILS)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. 40,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 3,200,000 ILS)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. 28,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,240,000 ILS)

Corporate Tax

23%

Dividend Withholding Tax

25% to 30%

Tax System

Personal income is taxed on a worldwide basis for residents

Highest Income Tax Bracket

50% (including 3% surtax on high earners)

VAT

17%

Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules

Yes, applicable to Israeli residents controlling foreign entities

Property Tax

Arnona (Municipal tax based on size and location, paid bi-monthly)

Property Transaction Tax

Purchase Tax (Mas Rechisha) - Graduated rates from 0% to 10% for residents

Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads

New residents (Olim) get a 10-year tax holiday on foreign income

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes

Sataf Forest (Hiking trails and ancient spring agriculture)

National Parks Nearby

Castel National Park (Historical site with mountain views)

Cycling/Walking Paths

HaMesila Park (The Train Track Park) - 7km path on old rail lines

Scenic Viewpoints

Haas Promenade (Tayelat) - Panoramic view of the entire city

Birdwatching Locations

Jerusalem Bird Observatory (near the Knesset)

Bonfire-Friendly Spots

Designated areas in the Jerusalem Forest (Ya'ar Yerushalayim)

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service

Israel Post (Doar Yisrael) - multiple branches throughout the city

Tech Repair Services

Pelephone or local independent shops on Jaffa Road

Table Tennis Spots

Givat Ram Sports Center (Hebrew University campus)

Language Classes

Ulpan Milah (Bezalel St 11) - Modern Hebrew for foreigners

Libraries & Study Spots

National Library of Israel (Givat Ram)

Community Centers

Ginot Ha'Ir Community Center (Emek Refaim St)

Gaming Lounges

Hype Gaming Lounge (Beit Ha'Dfous St)

Casino & Gaming Halls

None (Gambling is illegal in Israel; closest is Taba, Egypt)