Jerusalem sits at 800 metres elevation, which moderates what would otherwise be a harsh desert climate. Summers (June-August) are hot and dry — daytime temperatures of 28-32°C, cool nights — and hotels fill up completely with tourists and pilgrims. Spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) are the best times to visit: warm days, cool evenings, and manageable crowds.
The Jewish calendar drives the rhythm of the city in ways that visitors should understand. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (September or October) see the city almost completely shut down for 25 hours — no cars, no shops, no public transport. The city during Yom Kippur becomes an enormous pedestrian space, with children cycling in the middle of empty highways. Passover and Sukkot (spring and autumn) bring massive domestic tourism to Jerusalem's hotels.
Easter and Holy Week bring Christian pilgrims from around the world and significant crowding in the Old City, particularly in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Saturday before Easter, the Holy Fire ceremony draws enormous crowds to the church — plan accordingly or avoid.
Ramadan transforms the Muslim Quarter's atmosphere dramatically after sunset, when the Ottoman streets fill with family gatherings and special foods. It is a genuinely festive time in the Old City. Winter (December-January) can bring frost and occasionally snow, which turns Jerusalem into a magical ice-white city for a day or two, though it also brings rain and grey skies.