Parks in Jerusalem — The Complete Guide
Jerusalem's 11 major parks and gardens in one place — from Sacher Park and Gazelle Valley to the Rose Park and the 6km Railway Park. 10 of them are completely free, several have coffee carts on the grass, and all are inside the city itself.
Sacher Park
Jerusalem's largest urban park, spanning 160 dunams between the Nachlaot and Rehavia neighborhoods and the government complex housing the Knesset and Supreme Court. Established in the 1960s and named after Harry Sacker, a British Zionist activist, the park underwent a major renovation in 2019–2021. It features basketball, soccer, and tennis courts, a skateboard area, a Japanese peace bell, walking and cycling paths, a dog garden, and playgrounds. The expansive lawns host picnics, cultural events, and traditional celebrations like Lag B'Omer and Mimouna.
בין נחלאות, רחביה וקריית וולפסון, סמוך למתחם הכנסת ובנייני הממשלה
Gazelle Valley
Israel's largest urban nature park — 250 dunams of open valley in the heart of Jerusalem, home to a free-roaming herd of ~30 mountain gazelles, with ponds, observation hides and walking trails. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, free entry (no dogs allowed). The visitor center operates 09:00-17:00. Between Katamonim and Givat Mordechai, with coffee carts and food trucks nearby.
בין שכונת קטמונים לגבעת מרדכי, ירושלים
HaMesila Park (Railway Park)
A 5–7 km linear greenway built along the historic Ottoman-era Jerusalem–Jaffa railway line, which ceased operation in the late 1990s. Developed between 2010–2013, the park stretches from the original station area and the German Colony through Baka, Katamon, Mekor Hayim, Beit Safafa, and Talpiot to Malha. It features walking and cycling paths, pergolas, seating areas, and restored railway buildings converted into cafés and community spaces, making it a popular destination for family walks, jogging, and cycling.
משתרע דרך כמה שכונות: המושבה הגרמנית, בקעה, קטמון, מקור חיים, בית צפאפא וטלפיות, עד מלחה
Wohl Rose Park (Gan HaVradim)
Israel's largest rose garden — some 400 rose varieties and 1,500 bushes on wide lawns facing the Knesset. The park features a lookout over the government quarter, a waterfall and ornamental pond, and shaded seating. Open 24/7, free entry. Peak bloom is spring and early summer.
קריית הלאום, מול הכנסת, ירושלים
Valley of the Cross
A green open valley between Rehavia, Nayot and the National Quarter, at the foot of the 11th-century Georgian Monastery of the Cross. Huge lawns, ancient olive groves and walking paths connecting the Israel Museum with Sacher Park — one of the city's favorite picnic spots. Always open, free entry; a food truck operates at its edge.
בין רחביה לניות, למרגלות מנזר המצלבה, ירושלים
Independence Park
One of Jerusalem's largest and most central parks, located between Agron, King George, and Hillel streets near the Mamilla neighborhood. Established in 1959, the park features the historic Mamilla Pool, a water reservoir that once supplied Jerusalem's water system. Today it serves as a recreational green space for locals and city center workers, ideal for relaxing, picnicking, and leisure activities.
בין רחובות אגרון, המלך ג'ורג' והלל, מרכז העיר ירושלים (לגן אין כתובת רחוב יחידה - הוא משתרע בין מספר רחובות)
פארק טדי והמזרקה המוזיקלית
רחוב יצחק קריב, מול שער יפו, ירושלים
Armon HaNatziv Promenade
A public walking path stretching along the ridge in southeast Jerusalem between Abu Tor and Armon HaNatziv, offering some of the city's best views of the Old City, the Temple Mount, Mount of Olives, and Mount Scopus. Built in stages from the 1980s-90s, the promenade actually consists of three adjacent paths named after their donors. Free entry, ideal for family walks, running, and cycling, and popular for sunset views over the Old City.
רחוב דניאל ינובסקי, ירושלים (הכניסה הראשית לטיילת)
San Simon Park
Katamon's neighborhood park — terraced lawns, playgrounds and shaded corners around the Greek Orthodox San Simon monastery compound. Especially popular in the afternoons and on weekends thanks to the coffee cart operating in the park and the open space for kids. Always open, free entry.
רחוב חזקיהו המלך, קטמון, ירושלים
Almaliach Park
A large neighborhood park (~45 dunams) in Gonenim, right next to the Pais Arena and the Sports Quarter. Renovated in 2021, it offers wide lawns, modern playgrounds, walking and cycling paths, shaded seating and public restrooms. The light rail passes in a tunnel beneath the park — easy to reach without a car. Always open, free entry.
שכונת גוננים (קטמונים), סמוך לפיס ארנה, ירושלים
Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
Israel's largest botanical garden, sprawling across Givat Ram-Neot neighborhood and showcasing thousands of plant species from around the world, organized by geographic regions (South Africa, Europe, North America, Australia, Asia, and the Mediterranean). Run by the Hebrew University as both a research and education center, it offers peaceful green spaces for families and plant enthusiasts, featuring a tropical greenhouse and ornamental pond. Open daily, including Saturdays.
יהודה בורלא 1, ירושלים
Jerusalem Parks — FAQ
What are the best parks in Jerusalem?
Sacher Park is the city's central lawn; Gazelle Valley is Israel's largest urban nature park with a free-roaming gazelle herd; the Railway Park is a 6km linear park built on the old Ottoman railway, perfect for walking and cycling from the First Station to Malha; and Wohl Rose Park facing the Knesset holds some 400 rose varieties.
Are Jerusalem's parks free to enter?
Almost all of them — Sacher, the Railway Park, Gazelle Valley, the Rose Park, Independence Park and the neighborhood parks are completely free. The main exception is the University Botanical Garden, which charges admission. Gazelle Valley is open sunrise to sunset only, and dogs are not allowed inside.
Which parks have coffee carts or food?
A Jerusalem classic: Siftah in San Simon Park, Café Ravida in the Jerusalem Forest, the burger truck at the Valley of the Cross, and the food-truck compound at the First Station where the Railway Park begins. Each park page lists what operates in or next to it.
Are the parks open on Shabbat?
Yes — the public parks are open every day of the week, and Shabbat afternoons are actually their busiest hours, full of picnicking families. Note that public transport doesn't run in Jerusalem on Shabbat.
See also: Jerusalem attractions · Things to do in Jerusalem · What's on today