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Jerusalem outskirts Attractions in Jerusalem

Jerusalem, set up in the hills, has two very different outskirts--the eastern side leading down through the Judean desert to the Dead Sea and the western side that leads via the foothills to the Shphelah and on down to the coastal plain. On the road down to the Dead Sea, you'll pass by dozens of Bedouin encampments and you can stop at a site where you'll experience life in biblical times. There's some great hiking trails and good places to watch the huge variety of birds that traverse the desert on their migrating route. Heading out to the western outskirts is quite another story. Here, after making a stop at picturesque Ein Kerem, a village full of churches and quiet lanes, you'll find superb wineries dotted around Route #395 and 386. Beautiful Tuscany-like scenery takes you out to Yad Kennedy and the Jerusalem Forest and continuing on Route 3866 will bring you to the massive stalactite caves near Beit Shemesh.