Staying at the Damascus Gate
Replies: 11 - Last Post: Jun 22, 2012 5:11 AM Last Post By: catw
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Staying at the Damascus Gate
As part of my Israel/ jordan tour I will be in Jerusalem in September.I've seen a hotel at the Damascus Gate but before I book it I wondered if there was any down side to staying in that part of town? Anybody had good or bad experiences there?
I also wondered how long it would take me to walk from the Damascus Gate to the YMCA, King David Street? (the pick up point for my West Bank tours)
1
I don't know about the walking time, but there is no reason not to stay near the Damascus Gate.You don't give the name of the individual hotel so we can't comment on that, but there's no inherent reason not to be in or near that part of the Old City.
2
You do not say which hotel at the Damascus Gate, or whether your hotel has vehicular access for taxi drop offs and pickups. But I am sure your stay will prove to be a highly evocative and memorable experience.To reach the YMCA from Damascus Gate, you will either choose to walk through the Old City to the Jaffa Gate, and into Yemin Moishe, and then up through to the YMCA. Or the simpler direct less scenic route. From the Damascus Gate turn left and walk up the slope along the outside of the city walls pass New Gate, past the end of Jaffa Street, along Shlomo Ha Melach and then into David HaMelach the YM is a stunning Art Deco building (with the bell tower) on your right. Both are 30 minute walks assuming you are actually at the Damascus Gate.
The Israel Government Tourism Office is located inside the Jaffa Gate and has plenty of accurate free maps and information.
Edited by: sandyfoot
3
If you're staying at the Damascus Gate you're right beside the local bus stations for the West Bank, no need to go to the YMCA, go DIY instead ;)4
There's no problem in staying near the Damascus Gate. But you should understand that the area is not simply another neighborhood of Jerusalem, but is rather "East Jerusalem" with a strong Palestinian Arab character. If you do stay there, I still encourage you to explore the area of Jewish "West Jerusalem" in order to get a complete picture of the diversity of what's likely the most fascinating city on earth.5
Well, everywhere in Jerusalem is either East Jerusalem or West Jerusalem!6
No, there are some people in both north Jerusalem and south Jerusalem. (Sorry - I couldn't resist).8
Personnally I'd encourage you to stay inside Jerusalem's Old City, where you'll find reasonnably priced accomodation, from youth hostels to Christian guesthouses (Austrian Hospice is the best, and located close to Damasuc Gate, followed by Lutherian guesthouse and Christ Church guesthouse which are close to Jaffa Gate).There's no problem with staying in a hotel near Damascus Gate, it's a lively, typical neighbourhood of East jerusalem, but staying in the Old City is a great experience.
Regarding the YMCA, please double check with the company that's going to pick you up for a West Bank trip. There are two YMCAs in Jerusalem, one in the West (opposite King David hotel) and one in the East (right next to Legacy hotel, five minutes from Damascus Gate).
9
Good food near the Damascus Gate at the restaurant with the big yellow menus posted outside in English and Arabic. Good chicken, shwarma, salads and humus.11
The usual haunts for expats, young Palestinians and some Israelis working on the conflict are Borderline bar, and the American Colony's, both a a ten / fifteen-minute walk from Damascus Gate.
