BootsnAll Travel Community

I guess I'm most interested in clothing -- are there any restrictions at any of the holy sites? Is it ok to wear shorts? I'm going to be in Jerusalem and around the Sea of Galilee...

Any other "must bring" items?

Thanks for your help!

I'm surprised no one has responded to you yet. I was only in Jerusalem for a short time, but I can tell you having come from Egypt and Jordan, the clothing in Israel felt downright scandalous in comparison. Seriously though, I saw women wearing t-shirts, tank tops, etc. I wore capris and didn't feel uncomfortable.

As far as clothing at holy sites, hopefully someone else with more experience can chime in....

i think to be respectful all women should cover their extremities at the kotel (western wall)...it really doesn't matter if you are religious or not or what religion you are...this is one of the holiest and historic sites in the world, so people should show respect...if you are a guy visiting the kotel, no general restrictions just be respectful...you will see a lot of people praying...some people bring a note to put inside the kotel, that is very common...donate some sheckels and pick up the blessed string...its probably string from walmart but if you wear it in america and around the world generally people know where you have been...it is a nice gesture

In Jerusalem, especially around the Western Wall but some other sites also, women need to cover their shoulders and knees (you don't NEED to, but it looks disrespectful if you don't). At the entrance to some sites (the wall included) they sometimes have shawls or some sort of fabric there that you can borrow just to cover yourself. Some kind of wrap would be a good thing to bring, as it is multi-functional!

Shorts are fine, but just keep the knee thing in mind-they should be covered.
I just realized I didn't check your profile to see if you are male or female...I was assuming female, so if this doesn't apply, disregard!

Eppyboy:

donate some sheckels and pick up the blessed string...its probably string from walmart but if you wear it in america and around the world generally people know where you have been...

I had this string on from Jerusalem (I wore it until it fell off), and when I was back in the US 2 people noticed the string and asked me, "Are you a scientologist?!" Incredible..keep in mind I do live in Ohio... :-)

When I was there, the women in our group dressed comfortably & just got creative as needed with scarves and _______ (whatever you call those thingies that are scarf-like/scarf-esque/scarf-ish but bigger...shawl? wrap? I don't wear them so I don't know what they're called ).

Thanks for all of the advice -- I'm now back from my trip, which was absolutely fabulous.

Just in case anyone has the same question --- any holy site (including Western Wall, any Christian holy area, & the Temple Mount area) require knees and shoulders covered. I generally wore capris that just barely covered my knees and a polo with cap sleeves, and I was fine. The Temple Mount/Dome of the Rock area was extra strict and had issues with some of the ladies' upper chest areas showing - one woman got creative and stuck a napkin in her shirt, and it was all good.

Men also have to remember to cover their knees, there were a couple of guys in our group that wore long shorts *not* covering their knees, and a monk wouldn't grant them access into one of the Catholic areas. They ending up adding ladies' pashminas as long "skirts" and they were allowed to enter.