Home › Jerusalem › Best time to visit
Best time to visit Jerusalem: month by month
Short answer
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November) are best, with highs of 21-31°C and almost no rain from April to October. Summer is hot and dry at 33-34°C, though cooler than Tel Aviv thanks to the city's 800-metre altitude. Winter is cool, about 13-16°C, with 7-9 rainy days a month and occasional snow.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 6°C | 9 | low |
| Feb | 14°C | 6°C | 9 | low |
| Mar | 16°C | 8°C | 8 | medium |
| Apr | 24°C | 12°C | 2 | very high |
| May | 28°C | 15°C | 2 | high |
| Jun | 30°C | 17°C | 1 | medium |
| Jul | 33°C | 20°C | 0 | medium |
| Aug | 34°C | 20°C | 0 | medium |
| Sep | 31°C | 19°C | 1 | high |
| Oct | 26°C | 16°C | 3 | high |
| Nov | 21°C | 13°C | 7 | medium |
| Dec | 16°C | 9°C | 7 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar-May)
From 16°C in March to 28°C in May, with rain fading from 8 rainy days to 2. Passover and Easter bring big crowds.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Hot and dry, 30-34°C by day and 17-20°C at night, with no rain. Start sightseeing early.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
31°C in September, 26°C in October and 21°C in November; rain returns in November. The Jewish High Holidays fall in September or October.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Cool, 13-16°C by day and 6-9°C at night, with 7-9 rainy days. Quieter, except at Christmas.
Events worth planning around
- Passover and Easter, March or April
- Jewish High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot), September or October
- Jerusalem Festival of Light in the Old City, usually June
- Christmas celebrations in the Christian Quarter and nearby Bethlehem, December
When to avoid
July and August are very hot. Major holidays such as Passover, Easter and Sukkot are crowded and expensive, and on Yom Kippur the city effectively shuts down.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
What is the best time to visit Jerusalem?
April-May and October-November, with mild temperatures and little rain.
Does it snow in Jerusalem?
Occasionally, a few days in some winters, usually in January or February.
When is Jerusalem most crowded?
At Passover and Easter, during the autumn Jewish holidays and at Christmas.