Culinary walking tour

German Colony — Jerusalem’s Modern Makeover

Templer stone houses, hidden courtyards and old railway stories along Emek Refaim, and the cafés that made this one of Jerusalem’s most loved streets.

Duration3 hours Perfect forArchitecture lovers, off-the-beaten-path explorers, returning visitors, and anyone interested in Jerusalem beyond the Old City Pricing From $100 per person Kosher options available · allergies accommodated
Yona Shemesh guiding a group in a Jerusalem courtyard

Built by German Templars in the 19th century, the German Colony tells the story of Europeans who came to the Holy Land with faith, ambition, and a vision for a new kind of community.

What you walk through

Walk along Emek Refaim and discover Templer stone houses, hidden courtyards, old railway stories, churches, and architecture shaped by the many communities that called this neighborhood home.

The Templers built to last and they built in stone, and much of what they put up is still standing and still lived in. Reading the dates and the German inscriptions above the doors is half the pleasure of this street.

And what you eat

Along the way, experience the cafés and local flavors that have made the German Colony one of Jerusalem’s most loved neighborhoods today: local coffee, Jerusalem pastries, neighborhood specialties, and a sweet tasting to finish.

The tour can be booked without food tastings.

Practical notes

About three hours on foot, at an easy pace: along Emek Refaim and the streets around it.

Come hungry. The tastings add up to a meal rather than a snack.

Shabbos closes the street from Friday afternoon until Saturday night, so the tour runs Sunday to Friday. Friday morning is the busiest and the best.

Tell Yona about allergies and dietary needs when you book. The stops are chosen around them.

Tastings may include
Local coffee, Jerusalem pastries, neighborhood specialties, and a sweet tasting
Swapping options
The tour can be booked without food tastings

Questions about this day

How much food is there?
Enough to count as a meal rather than a snack. Come hungry — people routinely underestimate this.
Is the food kosher?
Kosher options are available and allergies are accommodated. Tell Yona what you need when you book.
Can you handle allergies and dietary needs?
Yes. Tell Yona when you book and the stops are chosen around what you need.
Which days does it run?
Sunday to Friday. Shabbos closes things from Friday afternoon until Saturday night. Friday morning is the busiest and, for most people, the best.
What does it cost?
Priced per person rather than per group, and it depends on numbers. Contact Yona for a quote for your group.

Other journeys

From the road

Photographs from real tours.

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