A drive to renovate abandoned properties in Jerusalem has led to the launch of some exceptional hostels located within historic buildings. You can even stay close to the centre and experience the Holy City’s famous attractions, including the Mahane Yehuda market.
The Post Hostel is situated on the upper floor of a building from 1938, in which the city’s post office still operates. The hostel has colourful, urban decor, with a postal theme in the lobby. There are 40 private and shared rooms with bedside lamps, private lockers and USB plug sockets. It is located on Safra Square, just a few steps away from the Old City Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David.
Cinema Hostel is located in an old movie theatre, built in 1938, conveniently in the centre of the downtown triangle. The entrance is styled like a traditional movie theatre, while the interior decor combines accents of metal with colourful couches and chairs and photographs of stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. There are also themed rooms, each decorated with backdrops of modern classics. The heart of the hostel is a lounge with table tennis and foosball, and there is also a guest kitchen and a terrace.
Stay Inn is rated among the best in Jerusalem and resembles a hotel more than a standard hostel. Recently refurbished, it offers accommodation options with up to 14 beds per room, including female-only rooms, a shared kitchen and a rooftop bar. It is located on Zion Square, at the far edge of the downtown triangle.
Socialising is key for the solo backpacker, and at Abraham Hostel, nobody needs to feel alone. The accommodation, which boasts more than 250 beds, has large communal chill-out areas. The shared facilities, such as the lounge with pool tables, table football and darts, the TV room, rooftop area, bar and traveller centre, are located in the lobby. The hostel can be found on Davidka Square, near Mahne Yehuda market.
Set in a historic stone building, Hi Agron may not be quite as fancy as the other hostels on this list, but it provides both quality and comfort, and serves an Israeli breakfast buffet each morning. Although slightly away from Jerusalem’s centre, it is still within 10 minutes’ walk of the Mamilla Shopping Centre and 15 minutes from the Old City.
