Pilgrim Guesthouses in Jerusalem
Staying in a Christian Pilgrim Guest House Can Be a Unique Jerusalem Experience

Have you considered staying at one of the pilgrim guesthouses in Jerusalem? You would be joining a centuries-old tradition of pilgrims lodging at a Christian guesthouse while visiting the Holy Land.

Read about our six recommended, comfortable Jerusalem guesthouses.

Depending on the guest house, you can find anywhere from 2 star to 4 star accommodation. Choose the one that suits you best, based on Christian domination, price, location and facilities. You can find the exact location of each Jerusalem guest house in the map below.

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Map of Top Guesthouses in Jerusalem

Pilgrim Guesthouses in Jerusalem
Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center

Magnificent buildings and sculptures at the Notre Dame Jerusalem Center at night

Location : 3 Hatsanhanim Road

The location of the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center and Guesthouse is perfect, just across the street from the Old City's New Gate.

Owned and operated by the Catholic Church, the impressive Notre Dame castle-like structure is a Jerusalem landmark, built in 1882 to welcome Christian pilgrims. It has even hosted Pope Benedict XVI and the current Pope Francis!

There is a beautiful Our Lady of Jerusalem chapel home to a 200 year old organ. The chapel is open 24 hours a day and runs a daily mass and sacraments.

catholic mass at the Notre Dame Jerusalem Center

Th Pontifical Institute has free exhibits, including the 'Man of the Shroud', a fascinating exploration of the history of the Shroud of Turin covering the latest discoveries using technology, archaeology and art.

Notre Dame has recently refurbished many of the guest rooms.

comfortable rooms at the Notre Dame Guest House in Jerusalem

The rooms are basic, with no TV or radio, but they are clean and the beds are comfortable. Bathroom and shower facilties are small.

If you are sensitive to noise, ask for a room in the front courtyard which is quieter than the back rooms. And if budget allows, request a room with a terrace. You'll enjoy stunning Jerusalem views, and the rooms are more spacious.

The Notre Dame has 3 good dining options. The ground floor dining room, the Allegro Cafe, and our favorite, the amazing rooftop wine and cheese restaurant with breathtaking views of Jerusalem and the Judean Desert.

view from the Notre Dame Cheese and Wine Restaurant on the rooftop

The tram / train is quite close for getting around. Hotel guests have free parking.

Note that the WiFi is better in the lobby than in the rooms.

Notre Dame Guesthouse - Find rates, latest reviews and check availability

Pilgrim Guesthouses in Jerusalem
St Andrew's Scots Church and Guest House

St. Andrews Scots memorial church and guesthouse in Jerusalem

Location : 1 David Remez St.

Located near the historic German Colony of Jerusalem, The St. Andrew's Scots Church and Guesthouse are just a 10-15 minute walk to the Old City's Zion Gate and Jaffa Gate.

Owned and managed by the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, it was built in 1927 in commemoration of the Scottish soldiers who died fighting the Turkish in World War I.

The castle-like structure is a Jerusalem landmark. The building evokes a Scottish Highland castle, with a mix of British, Scottish and Eastern decor such as lovely Armenian ceramics. The guest house has a wonderfully quaint and calm atmosphere.

The public areas are spacious, and there is a comfortable library and lounge.

library at St. Andrews Scots Guesthouse in Jerusalem

There are great views of Jerusalem from the terrace and many of the rooms.

Breakfast is tasty and generous, with freshly baked breads and pastries, butters and cheeses, lots of salads, prepared eggs and fresh coffee. You can order dinner as well.

Guests rave about the incredibly warm and friendly service.

There is a small chapel adjacent to the main building. If you are lucky there will be a music concert when you are there.

The hotel is surrounded by a large, beautiful garden which overlooks the city.

lovely gardens at St. Andrews Scots church and guesthouse in Jerusalem

The hotel and rooms are kept incredibly clean.

As is the case with other pilgrim guesthouses in Jerusalem, don't expect a 5 star hotel. Rooms are simple and small, but have high ceilings with small, modern and super clean bathrooms. The beds are comfortable.

room at St. Andrews Scots Guesthouse in Jerusalem

The rooms are equipped with a TV, there is WiFi in all the rooms, tea and coffee makers, and air conditioning for both cooling and heating.

If your budget allows, upgrade to a room with a balcony for spectacular views towards the Old City.

The guesthouse has no elevators so expect to climb some stairs to your room. The staff will be happy to assist with your luggage.

Besides the proximity to the Old City, the St. Andrews Scots Guest House is a five minute walk to Jerusalem's 'First Station' - the refurbished first train station of the city. Its a bustling complex worth visiting with good bars, restaurants and shops.

St. Andrew's Scots Guesthouse - Find rates, latest reviews and check availability

Pilgrim Guesthouses in Jerusalem
St George's Cathedral Guesthouse

entrance to St. George's Cathedral guesthouse in Jerusalem

Location : 20 Nablus Road

St. George's Cathedral Guesthouse is in a quiet, tranquil part of East Jerusalem, just a 10-minute walk from the Old City's Damascus Gate, near the luxurious American Colony Hotel .

Built in 1923, the building is comfortable with a large, pretty garden.

There is a nice courtyard bar where you can enjoy drinks.

beautiful garden at St. George's Cathedral guesthouse in Jerusalem

The breakfasts are tasty serving breads, cheeses, meats and eggs. They serve dinner too.

The staff are very kind and friendly, and the place and the rooms are kept quite clean.

room at St. George's guesthouse in Jerusalem

The rooms are basic as are most of the guesthouses in Jerusalem, but pleasant enough and the beds are comfortable. If you are sensitive to noise, ask for a room that doesn't face the main road.

There is a little Anglican Cathedral that holds morning Mass.

cathedral interior at St. George's guesthouse in Jerusalem

The St. George's guesthouse is easy to get to by car, and has free guest parking in the courtyard.

St. George's Cathedral Guesthouse - Find rates, latest reviews and check availability

Pilgrim Guesthouses in Jerusalem
Rosary Sisters Convent Guesthouse

reception at the Rosary Convent guesthouse in Jerusalem

Location: 14 Agron Street

The Rosary Convent Church and Guesthouse is a 5-minute walk to the Old City's Jaffa Gate.

For Catholic pilgrims, the guest house is comfortable and its atmosphere is authentic and peaceful. It is one of several in Israel and Palestine founded by the Rosary Sisters whose profits are donated to the needy and sick.

There are old style furnishings, rugs and antiques.

decor at the Rosary Convent guesthouse in Jerusalem

The sisters who run the place are very gracious and they serve meals to the guests. Breakfast is included in the price. It is simple but wholesome and includes breads, cheeses, coffee, tea, juice, salads, cheese and cold cuts. They also serve jams including homemade preserves made from apricots grown in the gardens.

There is free coffee and tea all day in the kitchenette.

You can stroll along the well-kept gardens surrounding the historic church and convent.

The guesthouse has about 30 rooms, including private rooms with baths, single, double, triple, quadruple and dorm rooms.

The rooms are not fancy, but simple and comfortable. The bathrooms and showers are small and clean.

dorm room at Rosary Convent guesthouse in Jerusalem

Most of the rooms have air conditioning. Free WiFi only works in the lobby area.

Guests with cars have free parking.

Note that the nuns close the doors at 10 PM.

To make reservations, contact the Rosary Sisters Convention here and they will get back to you.

Pilgrim Guesthouses in Jerusalem
The Austrian Hospice

rooftop view from the Austrian Hospice in the old city of Jerusalem

Location : 37 Via Dolorosa St.

The historic Austrian Hospice Guesthouse is located in the heart of the Old City, a few minutes walk to Damascus Gate.

The rooftop has one of the best views of the Old City.

Built in the 1850s, Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph stayed at the Austrian Hospice on his Jerusalem pilgrimage in the 1860s. Visiting the common areas of the guesthouse is like taking a trip back in time to Vienna of the 19th century, with beautiful interior design fine art, a grand piano and a beautiful prayer chapel open 24 hours a day.

the chapel at the Austrian Hospice in the Old City of Jerusalem

Buffet breakfasts are included in the room rate.

The Hospice is famous throughout Jerusalem for its classic Austrian cuisine, such as Viennese schnitzel, spaetzle, goulash soup and traditional Viennese pastries like sachertorte and apple strudel.

The guesthouse is clean and well-kept. The rooms are relatively inexpensive. There are private bathrooms, and unisex dorms with up to 13 bunk beds.

Photo courtesy of Wikmedia Commons

Note that payment is in cash or travelers checks only.

The Austrian Hospice has a wonderful garden where you can relax over a coffee, wine or beer.

garden at the Austrian Hospice guesthouse in Jerusalem's old city

To make a reservation, visit the Austrian Hospice website here.

Pilgrim Guesthouses in Jerusalem
Lutheran Guesthouse

view of the Lutheran guesthouse and Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem's Old City

Location: St. Marks Street

The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and its guesthouse were built on top of Crusader ruins in the 1860's. They are in the heart of the Old City between the Armenian and Jewish Quarters, just a five minute walk from Jaffa Gate. There are some stairs along the way so use a GPS to help guide you.

Inside the bell tower of the Church is a circular staircase leading to spectacular views of Jerusalem.

There is also a great view of Jerusalem from the observation deck in the guesthouse on the roof, with clear views of the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives.

The common spaces in the guest house are really pleasant. There is a lounge with a TV and library and a garden with armchairs among the greenery.

garden terrace at the Lutheran gueshouse in the old city of Jerusalem

Breakfast is included in the room rate, and lunch and dinner are also available. Breakfast includes pita bread and rolls, cheeses and yogurts, sausages, a few vegetables and fruit, hummus, olive oil and zaatar, and prepared egg dishes.

The staff are polite and helpful.

The rooms are basic, clean and comfortable.

single room at the Lutheran guesthouse in Jerusalem's old city

Note that there is no TV or WiFi in the rooms, only in the lobby area.

The Lutheran Guesthouse has single, double, triple and quadruple rooms, with a small bathroom and shower. Try to reserve in advance a room with a view.

Not all the rooms have air conditioning, so if you are coming in the summer and winter months, we recommend you confirm that your room will have air conditioning before you make your reservation.

To book a room, visit the Lutheran Guesthouse website here.