 Ein Kerem is a charming artisan village in Jerusalem that is popular with local and oversea tourists. Boasting a wide selection of restaurants, art shops and attractions, Ein Kerem is a picturesque Jerusalem neighborhood
A spring that provided water to the village of Ein Karem (also called Ein Kerem) inspired settlement in this particular location. According to Christian tradition, Ein Karem is the birth place of John the Baptist. As a result many churches have been built to commemorate the Baptist and his family and many Christian pilgrims come to visit this area.
With the declaration of independence after the 1948 War of Independence, Ein Karem became home to Jewish refugees from Yemen, who moved into the abandoned homes. And in 1961 Hadassah founded its medical center on a nearby hilltop, including the Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacology. Since then, the scenic atmosphere has inspired the works of many Jerusalem based artists and attracted a large population of artisans and craftsmen, who are now the dominant force in the neighborhood.
Ein Karem boasts a variety of charming restaurants that offer simple but usually tasty fare, amongst them are Anashim, Lebanoni Humus, Ein Kerem Inn and a couple of other charming places. Additionally, there is a small but pleasant selection of bars in the area. The charming streets of this neighborhood wind up and down, revealing beautiful old houses that have been restored by the neighborhood's inhabitants. Besides the dining and, of course, touring options, there are plenty of studios and jewelry and pottery shops that present the works of the local artists. Finally, the Biblical Zoo is very nearby and could be a useful option if you're traveling with children. For simple yet charming accommodation, try the Notre Dam de Sion Guesthouse run by the sisters of the Sion Sisters Convent.
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