(JNS) Staying in Jerusalem is always special, but lodging in luxury above the very ground on which King David is believed to have established the capital of ancient Israel and built his royal palace is an experience that did not exist—until now.

In mid-November, a dozen boutique vacation units opened inside the City of David, the archaeological heart of ancient Jerusalem and one of the capital’s most popular tourist attractions. Perched on the historic ridge overlooking the City of David excavations, the Western Wall, the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives, the exclusive guest units offer visitors a unique opportunity to sleep inside the cradle of Jewish history.

“We are literally sitting on top of the place where King David established Jerusalem as the capital and united the 12 tribes,” Natali Cohen, marketing manager of the City of David, told JNS in an interview on Wednesday on a balcony at the spectacular site. “From here, you see the Temple Mount in front of you, the Mount of Olives behind you and the ancient city beneath your feet. It doesn’t get more Jerusalem than this.”

“Here you’ll find elegant double units that blend modern comfort with authentic Jerusalem charm—a cozy double bed, private bathroom and a fully equipped coffee corner,” the City of David Guest Units states on its website, noting that the apartments are available throughout the week. “Everything you need for a relaxing stay, where history meets the present just outside your window.”

The complex comprises 12 double boutique-style rooms, all newly built and designed to combine modern comfort with the atmosphere of old Jerusalem. Several units accommodate baby beds and additional seating areas, while an upper-level lounge offers three spacious rooms.

Each unit contains a private sitting area, kitchenette, coffee corner, television and workspace. The complex is fully adapted for Shabbat observance, and guests are invited to store food and eat Shabbat meals together. “It’s designed for couples, families, bar and bat mitzvah weekends or anyone who wants to feel like royalty above King David’s palace,” Cohen said with a smile.

Nightly rates range from NIS 1,200 ($370) for standard rooms to NIS 2,000 ($613) for larger boutique units, depending on demand and length of stay.

A major attraction is expected to open soon at the City of David: subterranean tours along Pilgrimage Road, Nov. 26, 2025. Photo by Matt Kaminsky/JNS.

Living Jerusalem

Unlike a traditional hotel, the City of David Guest Units offer a far more immersive experience. “This is not just about closing yourself in a hotel room and getting on a tour bus the next morning,” Cohen said. “Here, you live Jerusalem. You walk everywhere. You feel the city in your feet.”

Guests can walk to the Western Wall in minutes, explore the Jewish Quarter, visit nearby archaeological sites such as the Burnt House and Cardo, and participate in guided City of David daily tours in Hebrew and English. Nightly multimedia shows, including the popular “Hallelujah” presentation, are a recommended option.

A major attraction is expected to open soon: subterranean tours along Pilgrimage Road, the ancient route taken by Jewish pilgrims to the Temple.

“All our guests receive a 20% discount on City of David attractions,” said Cohen. “There is enough here to keep you busy for days.”

While security may be a concern for some visitors, Cohen stressed that the site has constant surveillance and police presence.

“There is a police station directly below us. There are cameras 24 hours a day. Windows, doors, everything is secured,” she said. “A few minutes’ walk from the Kotel, every Jew and non-Jew should feel safe.”

While the area has limited shopping, guests can arrange food delivery from nearby neighborhoods, including Mamilla and the Jewish Quarter, and enjoy restaurants in the Old City.

One accessible parking space is available, with several public parking lots nearby. In addition, shuttle services are offered Sunday through Thursday, providing easy access to the City of David.

The Givati parking lot excavation at the City of David is considered the richest dig in Jerusalem. Photo by Matt Kaminsky/JNS.

Reviving tourism

The apartments are owned and operated by the City of David, which runs numerous tourism projects across Jerusalem. Its long-time director, David Be’eri—an Israel Prize laureate—has focused for decades on developing neglected areas of the capital and strengthening Jerusalem through tourism.

“We believe that wherever there are visitors, the city becomes alive,” Cohen said. “Tourism brings economy, security and connection.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic and successive rounds of conflict, including the Oct. 7 war, tourism to Jerusalem has struggled to recover. Cohen said the opening of the new units reflects renewed hope.

“We miss tourists. We want them back. Jerusalem needs them,” she said. “If people are coming to Israel, I hope they stay in Jerusalem for at least three days. And I would love them to experience the real Jerusalem—on foot, in the heart of history.”

Ze’ev Orenstein, director of international affairs at the City of David, said Jerusalem continues to hold unparalleled global significance, spiritually and historically, for billions of people worldwide.

“There is no place in the world which matters more to more people than Jerusalem,” Orenstein told JNS. “Each morning, billions across the globe look to Jerusalem as a source of hope, faith, purpose, identity, meaning and inspiration—more than New York, Washington, Rome, London or Paris. So it has been for thousands of years, and today is no different.”

He noted that ongoing archaeological discoveries at the City of David are daily reinforcing the Jewish people’s connection to Jerusalem, dating back more than 3,000 years. “This is not simply a matter of faith,” he added, “but a matter of fact.”

Recent finds include an Assyrian-era coin uncovered at the Givati parking lot excavation in the City of David, now considered the richest dig in Jerusalem.

As winter digs in, along with Chanukah and Christmas, Cohen said the City of David is uniquely positioned for meaningful travel by Jewish and Christian pilgrims.

During Chanukah, visitors can even participate in hands-on archaeological workshops. “We never know what we’ll find next,” Cohen said. “Every discovery adds another layer to this incredible place.”

“Two thousand years ago, this was the wealthiest area of Jerusalem. This is where people came,” she said. “Today, all the holy sites are within walking distance from here. There is no other experience like it anywhere in Israel—or anywhere in the world.”

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