Things to Do in Jerusalem in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Jerusalem
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect shoulder season temperatures - mornings around 12°C (54°F) are ideal for walking the Old City walls before crowds arrive, then afternoons warm to 21°C (71°F) without the brutal summer heat that makes stone courtyards unbearable
- Wildflower season transforms the Judean Hills - fields between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea turn brilliant red with anemones and poppies, making desert hikes actually worth the drive. This only happens late March through April before everything browns out by May
- Easter and Passover create extraordinary atmosphere but fall on different dates each year - in 2026, Passover runs April 13-21 and Easter is April 5, meaning you can experience both if you time it right. The Old City becomes a living religious theater with processions, pilgrims, and ceremonies you won't see any other month
- Tourist infrastructure is fully operational but crowds are manageable - unlike the packed summer months when every hostel is full of birthright groups, April gives you elbow room at the Western Wall and actual space to photograph the Dome of the Rock without fifty people in your frame
Considerations
- Rain is genuinely unpredictable - those 10 rainy days can dump everything in three days of downpours or spread out as annoying drizzle. The Old City's limestone becomes slippery when wet, and outdoor sites like the City of David close sections during heavy rain for safety
- Passover week pricing is brutal - accommodation rates double or triple April 13-21, and many restaurants close or go kosher-only, limiting your food options. If you're not here specifically for Passover, avoid those dates entirely and save 40-60% on hotels
- Unpredictable closures for religious holidays - beyond the major holidays, various Jewish, Christian, and Muslim observances mean sites close with little warning. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre might be packed for an Orthodox ceremony, or the Temple Mount closed for Friday prayers extending longer than usual
Best Activities in April
Old City Walking Tours at Dawn
April mornings around 12°C (54°F) are perfect for exploring the Old City before 9am when tour buses arrive. The cool air and soft light make the Armenian Quarter and Jewish Quarter genuinely pleasant to walk - something impossible in July when stones radiate heat by 8am. The 4 km (2.5 miles) ramparts walk takes about 90 minutes and you'll actually enjoy it rather than suffer through it. The variable April weather means some mornings have dramatic clouds that create incredible photography conditions over the golden Dome.
Judean Desert and Dead Sea Day Trips
April is the last comfortable month for desert hiking before summer heat makes it dangerous - temperatures in the desert run 5-8°C (9-14°F) warmer than Jerusalem. Masada is actually hikeable in early morning, and Ein Gedi waterfalls have water from winter rains. The Dead Sea at 28-30°C (82-86°F) is perfect - warm enough to enjoy but not the 40°C (104°F) oven it becomes by June. The desert wildflowers are bonus scenery you won't get any other time of year.
Mahane Yehuda Market Food Tours
The shuk is spectacular in April when spring produce arrives - fresh herbs, early strawberries, and artichokes everywhere. The covered sections mean rain doesn't kill your plans, and April temperatures make standing in crowded spice stalls tolerable rather than suffocating. Friday before Shabbat is the most intense experience with locals shopping for the week. The market stays open later as days lengthen, so evening tours around 6-8pm catch the bar scene that takes over after vendors close.
Israel Museum and Indoor Cultural Sites
April's unpredictable rain makes having indoor backup plans essential. The Israel Museum needs 3-4 hours minimum for the Dead Sea Scrolls, Second Temple model, and archaeology wing. Yad Vashem requires 2-3 hours and is emotionally intense - the climate-controlled environment matters when you need breaks. April is ideal because summer tour groups haven't arrived yet, so you can actually read exhibits without being swept along by crowds. The 70% humidity outside makes air-conditioned museums genuinely refreshing.
Jerusalem Biblical Zoo and Outdoor Family Sites
The zoo is genuinely excellent and April weather is perfect for the outdoor enclosures - animals are active in moderate temperatures and the grounds are still green from winter rains. Takes 3-4 hours to see properly. The 21°C (71°F) afternoons mean kids won't melt down from heat exhaustion halfway through. Rain closes some sections but the many covered areas and indoor exhibits provide backup. Much better experience than summer when everything seeks shade.
Bethlehem and West Bank Day Visits
April temperatures make walking around Bethlehem's hills comfortable - the Church of the Nativity and surrounding old town involve significant uphill walking. Political situation varies, but April typically sees fewer tensions than summer months. The separation wall street art is constantly evolving. Shepherds' Fields are actually green in April with spring grass, not the brown dirt of summer. Most tours combine Bethlehem with Jericho or Herodium, taking 6-8 hours total.
April Events & Festivals
Easter Week in the Old City
Easter falls April 5 in 2026, but Holy Week activities run all week prior. The Via Dolorosa procession on Good Friday is the main event with thousands of pilgrims carrying crosses through the Old City. Multiple Christian denominations hold ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - arrive very early or expect massive crowds. The atmosphere is extraordinary if you can handle the density of people in narrow streets.
Passover (Pesach)
Passover runs April 13-21 in 2026 and transforms Jerusalem. The city fills with Israeli families and Jewish visitors worldwide. Many restaurants close or switch to strictly kosher-for-Passover menus, meaning no bread or leavened products anywhere. Hotels host elaborate Seder meals. The Western Wall sees huge crowds for prayers. If you're not Jewish, this is fascinating to observe but challenging for food options - stock up on snacks. If you are Jewish, Jerusalem during Passover is a once-in-lifetime experience worth the premium pricing.
Jerusalem Marathon
Typically runs late March or early April - exact 2026 date not yet confirmed but likely first week of April. The route winds through the Old City, German Colony, and surrounding neighborhoods. Even if you're not running, watching the marathon gives you a different perspective on the city's geography. Major streets close for several hours on race morning.