Jerusalem is the most popular destination in Israel. Most travelers come to Israel to visit the Old City of Jerusalem, one of the holiest places in the world. While you can wander the streets of Jerusalem on your own, it’s always better to explore a new city with a local. It’s especially true when it comes to Jerusalem, a city so full of things to see, do, and experience. By hiring a private tour guide in Jerusalem, you can explore the lesser-known places, learn about things you wouldn’t have found on the internet, and befriend a local Israeli. If you’re still not convinced, here are 5 reasons to hire a private tour guide in Jerusalem.
You’ll enjoy expert knowledge
Israeli tour guides must pass the official tour guide course to become guides. That means that they’re usually very knowledgeable. The course covers many topics and includes many educational tours in Jerusalem. For example, they learn about the city history, the story of the different religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – and the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. So, a private tour guide in Jerusalem should be able to tell you a LOT about these topics and more!
Beyond these topics, the guide can also share their knowledge about good places to eat or buy souvenirs. A private tour guide in Jerusalem probably knows the city like the palm of their hand so you can count on them for good travel tips.
You’ll make the most out of your time
Sometimes, when we plan our own route in a new city, we get lost and spend time trying to understand where to go. Or we combine some attraction that isn’t worth our time. On a private tour, you don’t need to worry about these things. The private tour guide will take you to the most relevant sites that fit your interests. They will also guide you through the alleys and streets of Jerusalem without getting lost. So, you won’t need to spend valuable time on finding the right direction.
You can ask whatever comes to your mind
You don’t have to search on Google for the answers to your questions. All you need to do is ask your private guide. On a private tour, you can ask whatever comes to your mind. Not only about the history of Jerusalem, but also about the life in the city today. It’s your chance to get the most authentic answers to your questions about everyday life in Israel, religion, the conflict, and anything else that interests you.
You don’t need to plan too much
Planning is one of the most time-consuming tasks. You need to think about places you want to visit, plan a logical route, and make sure everything aligns with your timetable. If you don’t want to spend so much time planning your visit to Jerusalem, hiring a private tour guide is probably a good choice. The guide already knows the best places and routes and can recommend what to do on each day in Jerusalem. While you can ask to see particular things, you don’t have to plan too much and can just let your guide lead the way.
You’ll get cultural insights and feel more secure
When we visit a new city, we sometimes feel a bit awkward. “Is it allowed to take pictures here?”, “Is it ok to enter the Old City with a shirt without sleeves?”, “How much tip am I supposed to give?” – these are only a few questions that might come to your mind. And a private tour guide can eliminate your worries by offering cultural insights and telling you what’s accepted and what’s not. They will make sure to make you feel as secure as possible, and you won’t have to worry about unwanted embarrassing moments.
What should you look for when hiring a guide?
Make sure they are licensed. According to Israeli law, a tour guide must be licensed by the Israeli Tourism Ministry. During the tour, they must wear their badge. So, when you’re booking a private tour, make sure to check that the guide is licensed. This way, you’ll know that they are well-educated and professional.
Check their expertise. If you’re interested in a specific topic or region, you can search for guides that are experts in your interests. This way, you’ll get a lot more out of your tour and be able to get the best answers to your questions.
Learn about their character. A big company might pair you with an available guide, that won’t necessarily be your type. So, it’s best to search for a guide that works independently. Usually, these guides have their own website or Facebook. By looking through their site, you can learn more about them before booking a tour. Make sure the guide seems like a person whom you would like to spend your day with.
Check if they have good reviews. Good reviews are always a good sign.
Request a private tour
Want to go with me on a private tour? Fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you ASAP. Or you can drop me an email at israelwalkingtours@gmail.com. You can read more about me here.
Conclusion
To get most of your visit to Jerusalem, it’s best to hire a private tour guide. This way, you’ll make the most out of your time, learn a lot of interesting things, get local tips, and be able to ask whatever you want to know. Whatever you choose to do, I wish you a pleasant and enriching time in Jerusalem!
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