IYHA Jerusalem Hostel List

If you're looking for a Jerusalem hostel affiliated with the International Youth Hostel Association, you have several places in town to choose from.

Israel Youth Hostel Association Hostels

The Israel Youth Hostel Association maintains a network of guest houses throughout the country, many of them lovely modern facilities set in gorgeous scenery. The IYHA runs the first two of the three hostels listed here.

The prices are very reasonable and include breakfast. Additional meals and picnic lunch boxes are available for an extra fee but must be arranged for on location.

Purchasing the International Youth Association membership will get you a discount at a variety of tourist sites as well as at any other IYHA guest house around the world.

There are two, plus one former, IYHA hostels in Jerusalem:

Agron Youth Hostel and Guest House

The Agron Guest House is conveniently situated in downtown Jerusalem. It is only a few minutes' walk from the hostel to the Old City or the new Mamilla Mall. If you can find the right gate to this Jerusalem hostel (sandwiched in a nest of gates that lead elsewhere), you'll find clean rooms with showers, air conditioning, TV and internet access.

The hostel is kosher under the supervision of the Jerusalem Rabbinate.

Read what other travelers have to say about the Agron Guest House, or an other Jerusalem hostel.

Yitzhak Rabin Youth Hostel and Guest House

The Rabin Guest House is located in a more quiet neighborhood, close to the Jerusalem botanical gardens, the Knesset, which is the Israeli parliament building, the Israeli Supreme Court, and the Israel Museum.

The striking building has 77 rooms with bathroom, TV and minibar. Guests enjoy a discount at the sports center (pool, gym, tennis courts) on nearby Hebrew University’s Givat Ram campus.

It gets our vote for reserving accessible rooms for the handicapped.

The hostel is home to the "Red lines in the Israeli Democracy" Interactive Educational Program which explores non-violent dispute resolution using the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin as a springboard. There is also a variety of cultural programs.

The hostel is kosher under the supervision of the Jerusalem Rabbinate.

Read what other travelers have to say about the Yitzhak Rabin Guest House.

Bayit Vegan Hostel

The Bayit Vegan Hostel is no longer affiliated with the IYHA, but continues to run in much the same vein.

The building is clean and modern with a stunning view of the Jerusalem forest. (This is a wonderful place to come watch the sunrise.)

The location is perfect if you like quiet, a gorgeous view and easy access to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and Mount Herzl, home of the Theodore Herzl Museum - both of which are across the street - and the picturesque village of Ein Kerem, with its hikes and many Christian holy sites. But you won't be far from the action either - the Jerusalem light rail starts right across the street. Hop on and you are in the center of town in 15 minutes.

Because it is in the predominantly religious neighborhood of Bayit Vegan, modest dress will be appreciated.

This Jerusalem hostel is also a popular spot for Jewish Orthodox weddings, so you might get to enjoy some late-night Israeli music and dancing if your room faces the street-side courtyard.

Breakfast is included. The hostel is kosher mehadrin under the supervision of the Jerusalem Rabbinate.

Call to make reservations: 02-642-3366

Quick Jerusalem Sightseeing Links

Holy Sites

Modern Jerusalem

Museums

If you're looking for a more contemplative, spiritual experience during your stay, you may want to consider a  Jerusalem pilgrimage guesthouse.