The Best Live Music Venues in Jerusalem

A city known for its historical and religious significance, Jerusalem has evolved into a cultural hub, playing host to thousands of live music performances by local artists and international acts every year.

View All Trips

Jerusalem has gone through a renaissance over the past 10 to 15 years. Live events and music venues are popping up all over the city, providing unique insight into the local art scene and a celebration of the city’s diverse communities. The Holy City, with its historical buildings, provides a rare backdrop to memorable performances by traditional Israeli musicians, symphonic orchestras, rock stars and jazz virtuosi.

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.

CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

Yellow Submarine

Music Venue

A well-known venue for live music in Jerusalem, the Yellow Submarine offers a space for Israeli artists to rehearse, record and perform. Founded in 1991 by the Jerusalem Foundation, a non-profit organisation that raises money to support local community projects and promotes Jewish-Arab coexistence, The Yellow Submarine has been fundamental in discovering and providing a platform for local artists. Although it is located away from the city centre in the Talpiot Industrial District, the venue is very popular and draws a big crowd for every performance. In addition to the rock, punk, alternative and Israeli live music performances, there are workshops, educational programmes and a free live jazz evening every Tuesday.

Zappa Jerusalem

Music Venue

Zappa is located in a disused 1930s railway warehouse just behind The First Station, the original station on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line that is now an open-air cultural and art centre. Part of the Zappa Group, a company that promotes and stages live music events and festivals across Israel, including Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Haifa, Zappa Jerusalem hosts regular jazz, rock and pop concerts by local artists, as well as tribute bands, stand-up comedy and private events. The kitchen at the club offers a kosher and vegan-friendly menu. The schedule is updated every week, and opening times might vary.

The First Train Station (Tachana Ha’Rishona)

Music Venue, Shopping Mall

The First Train Station is an event space that combines culture, leisure, lifestyle and music, hosting an eclectic variety of bands and shows throughout the week. On a spring or summer night, there is likely no better place to hear live music. Check its website for the weekly and monthly schedule. With restaurants, cafés, bars and outdoor markets scattered within the grounds of the centre, the First Train Station is the perfect location for eating, drinking, relaxing and watching great live performances. Deriving its name from Jerusalem’s original train station in which it is located, the venue still has the original train tracks that run across the grounds. There are also free public events and a free live jazz every Saturday at noon. A few nights during the week are dedicated to rock or folk bands.

The Jerusalem Theatre

Theatre, Music Venue

The Jerusalem Theatre is an arts complex with a gallery space and theatre, music and dance venues. The theatre, which opened in 1971, has four separate halls, ranging in audience size from 110 to 950 seats, and it showcases a variety of performances: films, dance performances, plays, musicals and children’s shows. It’s also a great place to watch live music performances. For those looking to catch a classical music concert, an opera or big band jazz, this is the place to go. The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra performs here frequently during its season, which runs from September to June. The venue also hosts classical and jazz music festivals throughout the year, such as the Jerusalem Jazz Festival and the Jerusalem Piano Festival.

Mike's Place

Bar, Israeli, American

A sports bar by nature, Mike’s Place offers musical entertainment from 10pm until midnight. Mondays are Open Mic Night and Tuesdays are for Band Night, an event that showcases musical groups that play rock, acoustic or alternative music. Wednesdays are reserved for ‘Jazzy Jamz’, an evening of free live jazz music. Strategically located in the centre of town on Jaffa Street, Mike’s Place offers plenty of seating over two floors, plus a pool table in the back and a stage in the front.

Sultan's Pool

Archaeological site, Concert Hall, Music Venue

When big stars tour the region and come to Jerusalem, they perform at Sultan’s Pool. The venue is an archaeological site, once an ancient water basin renovated by Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman Sultan who built the Old City of Jerusalem. Sultan’s Pool has become one of the most impressive, unique and beautiful places to enjoy a live show, especially during the summer, but fairs and festivals are also held regularly throughout the year.

This article is an updated version of a story created by Lior Kantor.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

See Our Culture Trips

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.