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Mount of Olives Walking Tour

Our self-guided walking tour on the mount of olives is full of remarkable christian and jewish landmarks, that blend beautifully with the iconic view of the old city of jerusalem in the background., main landmarks on this tour:.

• Chapel of the Ascension
• Pater Noster Church
• Mount of Olives Viewpoint
• Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery
• Dominus Flevit Church
• Church of Mary Magdalene
• Gethsemane Garden & Church
• Kidron Valley
• Tomb of Absalom (Yad Avshalom)
• Tomb of Zechariah

WALKING TOUR MAP

The Mount of Olives Tour is the best way to explore and discover the treasures that lie in this special area which is of legendary importance to Christians and Jews alike.

Price from: 140 NIS

Details & Booking

The tour is not circular. It starts at the Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives and ends at the Dung Gate near the Western Wall. By Car: Since parking space is minimal, we recommend parking the car at the Zion Gate parking lot (Ten minutes walk from the endpoint of the tour) and take a taxi to the starting point . By Bus: Take the bus to the Dung Gate and from there take a taxi to the starting point .

Be Aware: The walk is short, but involves steep downhill and uphill streets!

When to Go? Each church has specific opening times (Times are listed below for each site). Plan your schedule according to what is important for you to visit. Our Recommendation: Take the tour on Tuesday or Thursday and start walking at 08:00.

OVERVIEW: The Mount of Olives rises to an altitude of 810 meters, overlooking Jerusalem from the east. The Old City of Jerusalem is just one kilometer from us at an altitude of 750 meters, making the panorama from the Mount of Olives so perfect. Holy traditions adhered to the mountain Since ancient times. According to the Jewish tradition, in Eschatology (End of days), the first dead will be resurrected at the Mount of olives. According to Christian tradition, from the summit of the mountain, Jesus ascended to heaven, and on its slopes, several other important events occurred. That’s why we can find tens of thousands of old Jewish graves, and numerous important churches scattered on its western slope facing Jerusalem. This interfaith combination makes the Mount of Olives a complex and fascinating place. During this tour, we will visit six interesting churches, several graves of significant Jewish figures, and 2,000 years old monuments. Throughout the tour, we will enjoy the iconic views of the city of Jerusalem.

MOUNT OF OLIVES SELF-GUIDED TOUR

Our walking tour is divided into four sections:.

• The Ridge of the Mountain: We will visit two lesser-known churches and enjoy the best view of Jerusalem.
• The Jewish Cemetery: We will learn about key figures from the early days of Zionism that are buried here.
• The Slope of the Mountain: We will go down from the ridge to the Kidron Valley and visit on the way beautiful churches with interesting historical stories.
• The Kidron Valley: We will walk through the oldest section of the Jewish cemetery and visit 2000 years old monuments.

THE RIDGE OF THE MOUNTAIN

Enter through a small gate at the base of the minaret into a courtyard surrounded by a wall. In the center of the courtyard stands a small chapel with a dome roof. According to the Catholic tradition, this is where Jesus ascended to heaven after being resurrected. Luke 24:50-51 “ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. “ Christian believers come here to touch the sacred stone, stamped with Jesus’ foot, and pray.

Enter the compound. You will notice that 143 ceramic boards cover the walls. The Pater Noster prayer is written on each one of them in a different language. Try to locate the board with your native language. In the center of the courtyard is a crypt cave. Inside the rock-hewn cave, you can see the remains of an ancient church built here in the fourth century.

According to the Christian tradition is this cave, Jesus taught his apostles the secret of the “end of days”. Luke 11 2-4 : “ And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. “ Over the years, other churches were built here, but the Muslims destroyed all of them. In the 19th century, the new complex we stand in now was built and dedicated to the Pater Noster prayer.

MOUNT OF OLIVES VIEWPOINT

Admission: Free. Opening Hours: 24/7. Location: Rehavam Overlook . Direction: Get back to the main street (Rub’a el-Adawiy) and walk south until the lookout balcony. (Distance 400 m).

The Rechavam overlook is named after Rehavam Zeevi. Zeevi was a distinguished General in the IDF and an Israeli politician who was murdered in October 2001 by a Palestinian terrorist in the nearby Hyatt Hotel. From the Balcony, there is a stunning panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and its vicinity. A “Must” for any visitor to Jerusalem.

MOUNT OF OLIVES JEWISH CEMETRY

• About the Cemetry

What happened here during 1948-1967?

• Visiting notable graves

THE MOST IMPORTANT JEWISH CEMETERY IN THE WORLD In the early days of Jerusalem, residents of the city buried their dead outside the city walls. The closest and most convenient place was the Mount of Olives. Of the ancient tombs, only the remains of a few magnificent burial systems remain, such as Avshalom tomb and the Zechariah tomb, which we will visit at the end of the tour. The huge cemetery we see in front of us began to develop only in the Middle Ages.

At that time, Jewish traditions regarding the holiness of the mountain strengthened. The source of the tradition dates back to the days of the prophets. For example, Prophet Ezekiel describes the divine leaving  Jerusalem to the mountain east of the city. Ezekiel 11:23  “ And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city. “ .  The belief is that those buried in the Mount of Olives would be the first to ascend to the future rebuilt temple on the Temple Mount. This belief leads many Jews to ask in their will to be buried in the Mount of Olives. Over the past centuries, about 70,000 Jews have been buried in the Mount of Olives, making it one of the largest and most sought-after Jewish cemeteries in the world.

In 1948 the Jordanian army occupied East Jerusalem, including the Mount of Olives. The residents of the area and the Jordanian soldiers did not respect the Jewish cemetery and systematically damaged it. Many gravestones had been displaced, countless graves had been sabotaged, and bones removed from the graves were scattered around. The Jordanian army used tombstones to pave tent surfaces, build toilets, and used it as a raw material for paving roads in the area! On May 19, 1967, the city was liberated by the IDF, and the power of the destruction was exposed. Scattered bones were found on the mountain, broken headstones, and exposed graves. The Israeli authorities ( Hevra kadishah ) gradually restored the cemetery. Even today, especially in the peripheral areas of the compound, you can still find shattered tombstones. They serve as a reminder of what happens when Muslim forces take control of Jewish heritage sites.

NOTABLE JEWISH FIGURES BURIED IN THE MOUNT OF OLIVES

Many Jewish figures connected with the history of the land of Israel are buried in the Mount of olives. You have a chance to pay tribute to their remarkable actions and learn interesting stories about the early days of Zionism in Eretz Yisrael .

• Menachem Begin : Commander of the Etzel, an Israeli politician, founder of the Likud party, and the sixth Prime Minister of Israel .
• Eliezer Ben Yehuda : A Hebrew lexicographer and newspaper editor. He was the driving force behind the revival of the Hebrew language in the modern era .
• Shay Agnon : A Nobel Prize laureate writer and was one of the central figures of modern Hebrew fiction.
• Boris Shatz : A Jewish artist and sculptor who settled in Israel. Schatz, who became known as the “father of Israeli art,” founded the Bezalel School in Jerusalem.
• Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook : the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of British Mandatory Palestine . He synthesized Torah study and adherence to its Mitzvot with the revival of Jewish nationalism.
• David Yellin : An educator, a researcher of the Hebrew language and literature, a politician, and one of the leaders of the Yishuv . He founded the first Hebrew College for Teachers , and was one of the founders of the Hebrew Language Committee and the Israel Teachers Union.
• Yoel Moshe Salomon : A journalist, editor, and publishers. One of the first jews to live outside the Jerusalem old city walls . In 1878 he was one of the founders and early residents of the Moshava Petah Tikva , the first modern Jewish agricultural settlement in the land of Israel.
• Israel Bak : A Jewish pioneer. Owned a print shop in Safed and renewed the tradition of printing Hebrew works. In 1834 he established the first Jewish farm in the Land of Israel near the summit of Mount Meron .
• Henrietta Szold : A U.S. Jewish Zionist leader and founder of Hadassah , the Women’s Zionist Organization of America. In 1942, she co-founded Ihud, a political party in Mandatory Palestine dedicated to a binational solution.
• Pinhas Ruttenberg : A pioneer, Engineer, and Haganah commander. He Built in 1921 the first power station in Tel-Aviv, and in 1932, the first hydro-power electric plant on the Yarmuc River.

THE CHURCHES ON THE SLOPE

At the end of the road, you reach an observation deck overlooking the Dome of the Rock, the Old City, and the Catholic Church of Maria Magdalena with its golden domes. Behind the balcony stands the beautiful church shaped like a teardrop (Standing upside-down), symbolizing the cry of Jesus on Jerusalem. Luke 19:41-44 “ As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it … ” (Dominus Flevit translates from Latin as “The Lord Wept”). The building was designed and constructed between 1953 and 1955 by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi . Also, pay attention to the beautiful mosaic floor, remnants from the 5th-century Byzantine church that stood here in the past.

This 19th century, Russian orthodox church with its seven distinctive golden onion-shaped domes is one of Jerusalem’s most famous sights and justly so. The walls of the main hall are covered with colorful paintings describing major events in the life of Mary Magdalene. All the paintings were painted by  Alexander Ivanov , a great 19th-century Russian painter, who was specially commissioned to decorate the church.

The church and the adjacent garden are located at an important historical spot. It is believed that exactly here, Jesus underwent the agony in the garden and was arrested after the Last Supper. The peaceful garden contains 12 ancient olives trees. A recent study showed they are the oldest olive trees known to science! . The name “Gethsemane” translates from Aramic to “Oil Press”. This garden, together with additional olive grooves, gave the mountain its name. The Church of All Nations was constructed near the garden during 1919-1924 on top of an earlier 4th-century Byzantine basilica, destroyed by an earthquake in 746. Many countries donated the funds for the project; thus it’s name.  The magnificent interior of the church has no lamps, and it is illuminated by the sunlight that penetrates through purple stained glass windows, built in the form of crosses. The purple color symbolizes the sadness of the events that took place here in the last days of Christ. The church hall is facing the “Rock of Agony” . According to Christian tradition, this is the rock on which Jesus stood and prayed in agony the night before he was crucified. ( Luke 22:41 “ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed “ ). The rock is surrounded by a metal grille shaped like a wreath of thorns. It symbolizes the crown of thorns placed by the Romans on the head of Jesus before His crucifixion. After the visit to the church, you can also visit the Tomb of the Virgin Mary across the road.

KIDRON VALLEY AND MONUMENTAL ANCIENT TOMBS

The Kidron Valley separates between the Mount of olives and the temple mount. It marks the beginning of Wadi Kidron that windes through the Judean desert and ends in the Dead Sea. Its location near the outskirts of ancient Jerusalem made it a natural burial location. From here, the huge cemetery that covers today the mount of olives started 2000 years ago. Several impressive monuments from that era are still standing, and we will visit them in the last section of our walking tour.

Our Mount of Olives Tour runs five days a week , and is the best way to explore and discover the treasures that lie in this special area which is of legendary importance to Christians and Jews alike.

Price from: 120 NIS

KIDRON VALLEY MAP

The Jewish tradition is that  the biblical figure Absalom (Son of King David) is buried here. The tradition comes from 2 Samuel 18:18 “ During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself,…He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day “ . When scholars arrived here in the 19th century, they discovered that the tomb dates to the Second Temple period, and could not be connected to the biblical prince. The tombstone is built in a distinctly Hellenistic style, incorporating Egyptian elements, and at the same time, it lacks illustrations of human and animal figures, indicating its Jewish character.

Notice that the tombstone is made up of two main parts: the square bottom is entirely hewn in the rock, and inside is the tomb. The upper section was built separately in the shape of a circular cone and acted as the lid of the grave. It is unknown who was buried here. Behind the monument hides another historical site. A nine-room burial cave that was probably built together with Absalom tomb. The cave is called Yehoshafat tomb after Jehosaphat the biblical judge . However, Jehosaphat lived 700 years before the construction of the cave, and it is not clear why it is named after him.

“Zecharia Tomb” is completely carved from the rock and has no openings. Therefore it could not be a grave. The scholars believe that the monument accompanied a nearby grave that did not survive over time. The Jewish tradition connects this tombstone to Zechariah Ben-Yehuda , who was stoned to death by the Israelites after preaching the Lord’s work in the Temple.  2 Chronicles 24:20-21 “ Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands….they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple “ . Here, too, the style of the building and the archaeological findings indicate that it is a second-temple period structure. Therefore it could not have been built in memory of Zechariah.

Our tour has ended here. We recomend to continue the walk to the Dung Gate (600 m), where you can take a bus or taxi.

Retrace your steps to the T junction (Just past Absalom Tomb). Turn left and start walking up towards Haofel Street. Keep right at all the junction along the trail. At Haofel Street, turn right and walk until the Dung Gate . On your left is the City of David . Another “Must” tour you should take.

Written by Erez Speiser

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Jerusalem walking tour – self-guided old city tour 2024.

Table of Contents

In this article, we are going to share an independent, self-guided Jerusalem walking tour for 2024. The aim of this walking tour is to help you see all of the best attractions around the old city. We have designed a route that maximises attractions and sights but minimises your distance.

Important: There are a few challenges walking around Jerusalem – so please do read this article carefully.

We absolutely loved exploring Jeursalem and we have designed this walking tour to help share our highlights. This saying is so true “If we can do it, so can you”. And we want to show you how to do it step-by-step.

We have tried to make this walking tour as helpful as possible, including a map, a route, and fascinating things that you can see along the way.

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This walking tour aims to hit all of the “big must-see” attractions – so that you don’t miss any of the BEST bits. We have included an optional detour up the mount of Olives (you may want to time this with sunset). We have also included the route of the Via Dolorosa. As a self-guided tour you will need to navigate yourself. Take a print screen of our map or get some data on the go so that you can navigate (remember to enable GPS location on your phone to help you navigate).

Staying for a few days? Don’t miss our in depth 3 day Jerusalem Itinerary

Map of a free Jerusalem old city walking tour

Summary of this Jerusalem walking tour

How far is this walking tour.

It is worth recognizing that this is a pretty long walking tour, and there are some uphill sections, especially from the City of David back to the Jerusalem old city, and also up the Mount of Olives. An average person may find this walking tour quite challenging for one day.

Total distance (excluding the Mount of Olives) : 4.7 km 

Total distance (including the Mount of Olives) : 5.9 km

Approximate time : 4 – 6 hours (depending on stops)

Here are some ways that you can make this walking tour a little bit easier. We especially recommend this if you’re planning to do the walking tour with young kids. Firstly, some sections can be done by bus or taxi. When we share our full and in-depth description of the route, we will also indicate which sections might be done by bus or taxi. Another way to make this walking tour more approachable is to divide it into two separate days. This is a great idea if you have a little longer in Jerusalem (a 2-3 km loop on each day).

Why take a Jerusalem walking tour?

If you’re planning to explore Jerusalem, then we highly recommend taking a Jerusalem walking tour, whether you follow the route that we have suggested in this article or book yourself onto a guided tour . Taking a Jerusalem walking tour is a perfect way to see, smell, feel, and experience this unique and rich ancient city. Taking a Jerusalem walking tour allows you to see things that you may miss if you were to zip around in a taxi. What’s more, there are many parts of the Jerusalem old city which are inaccessible to cars, taxis, and bikes. Therefore, much of the old city, the only way to explore is to take a walking tour. We really enjoyed walking around the Jerusalem Old City. It is genuinely a multi-sensory experience with markets, food stalls, spice shops, and plenty of locals trying to sell you everything under the sun.

Is it better to do an independent walking tour or to pay for a guided tour?

Whether you prefer to take an independent self-guided tour or pay for a guided tour is a matter of personal preference. There are advantages to each and disadvantages to each. Personally, we love exploring new places on our own and at our own pace. However, being part of a guided tour can be a lot of fun. You don’t need to worry about navigation or getting lost, and you can just listen to your tour guide explaining and discussing the fascinating history of the places that you are exploring.

Here is a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of walking tour:

Top tips if you are doing a Jerusalem walking tour

Here are a few top tips and ideas to help you make the most of a Jerusalem walking tour:

1 Wear good shoes

Firstly, we recommend that you wear a good pair of shoes. There is a lot of walking, which includes some uphill sections, and having a comfortable pair of walking shoes is highly recommended. The best type of shoes for exploring the Jerusalem Old City would be a pair of trainers. Ensure you wear comfortable socks too. This will help prevent rubbing or blisters.

2 Bring sun protection

Much of the Jerusalem old city is actually in shade and pretty cool throughout the day. However, there are some sections of this Jerusalem walking tour which are relatively exposed. If you hit these sections during the heat of the day, we recommend considering sun protection. We have found a small umbrella is an ideal way to keep ourselves and our kids covered from the Sun. However, you may also consider sun hats. We also recommend wearing a high Factor Sun cream, especially if you’re planning to explore Jerusalem during the summer months of July and August.

3 Bring a water bottle

We strongly recommend that you bring a water bottle on your Jerusalem walking tour. There are shops throughout this route selling water, and in some places, you can find water fountains, so you can top up a water bottle. The hot, dry Jerusalem climate can be very dehydrating, so make sure you always have some water in your bag.

4 Don’t feel like you need to stop for every conversation

The local culture in Jerusalem is very friendly and welcoming. As you walk around the Jerusalem Old City, you will find that locals will want to start conversations with you, find out where you are from, and have a general chat. In many cases, they are trying to get you to come into their shop or sell you something. We have found the best way to respond to this is to be polite and friendly but keep moving. Just because someone is starting a conversation with you doesn’t mean that you need to stop, and it certainly doesn’t mean that you need to buy something. The locals in Jerusalem won’t be offended if you smile and keep moving.

5 Barter for a fair price

If you’re planning to buy anything from the market stalls, especially gifts or clothing, then we highly recommend that you barter to get a fair price. Remember that you can often find the same products at many different stores, so if you’re not happy with the price, then just keep looking. We have found the most effective way to barter is to be positive and friendly, build a rapport with someone, but not feel like you need to buy it if you are unhappy with the price.

Jerusalem Walking Tour – In-Depth Guide

You can start this Jerusalem walking tour at any point on the map. However, for convenience, we have decided to start at the Damascus gate since there is a lot of accommodation here. You’re likely to get dropped off at this location if you’re traveling to the Old City from other locations in Jerusalem.

1 The Damascus Gate

The Damascus gate is a beautiful bustling Old City Gate situated on the north wall of the old city. There are plenty of Market stalls in this area, and local food is available. Also, there are also a couple of bus stations around here, and this is a great place to grab a taxi. There is also some great accommodation in the Damascus gate area. In our opinion, the Damascus gate is a wonderful place to start your walking tour in the morning. This area has a lovely tranquil feel. From the Damascus gate, you can take a short stroll North up Nablus Road to visit the beautiful Garden Tomb which opens around 8:30 a.m.

2 The Garden Tomb

Don’t miss our FULL guide for the Garden Tomb

Visiting the garden tomb with genuinely one of our highlights of our time in Jerusalem, and we highly recommend that you stop here on your walking tour. It is free to enter the garden tomb, and that is likely to take at least 30 minutes to explore and take in this beautiful attraction. The garden tomb has beautiful paths leading through a very well-kept Garden. You can see the Golgotha Cliffs, which some people believe mark the crucifixion site of Jesus. You can also visit the tomb itself and step inside the tomb to see the place where people think that Jesus was laid to rest. The garden tomb has a beautiful tranquil ambiance, and there is also a lovely gift shop. After exploring the garden tomb, head back down to the Damascus gate, walk through the gate, and start walking South into the old city. 

Open from 8.30am – 5pm.

August closed Sunday and Mondays.

Other months only closed Sunday.

3 Hidme Falafel

After you walk through the Damascus gate, you will see some Market stalls, and the path leads down a small hill to a fork Junction, and you will see a small Street side Falafel shop. They sell fresh local Falafel sandwiches, which are garnished with heaps of salad and sauces. If you’re already starting to work up an appetite, then we recommend stopping here to sample some of the best falafel in The Old City.

Being a small Street side stall, the quality is high, and the prices are low. It costs 12NIS (£2.50 or $3) for a Falafel Sandwich (which is great for Jerusalem). From here, take the road to the right (Beit Habad Street) and walk towards the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

4 The Church of the Holy Sepulcher

We highly recommend stopping at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher . This is the other main contender for the crucifixion and burial site of Jesus. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is a very impressive, large, and Grand church with many sanctuaries, altars, and beautiful historical artwork. In the morning, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is relatively quiet, and this is a lovely time to explore. However, it can get very busy later in the day, and it can be quite an intense experience. Just as you head into the entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, you will see a stone slab on which they believe Jesus was laid after he was crucified.

To the right, you will see some steps, and if you go up the steps, you can see an altar which stands at the place they believe Jesus was crucified. This is called the place of Golgotha. If you head back down the steps and walk around the corridors of the church, you can find the tomb where they believe Jesus was laid to rest. During the day, it is possible to enter The Chapel at the tomb, light a candle, and place your hand on the stone slab that covers the tomb. If you wish to do this, you need to be prepared to queue for at least 20 minutes, and during busy seasons, it may take much longer than this. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is a relatively conservative church, so we recommend dressing modestly and respectfully (this applies to both men and women).

5 Muristan Market

After you exit from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, head south to the Muristan Market. This is a beautiful and historic Market selling a range of street food, gifts, clothing, and there are also some more upmarket restaurants in this area. On average, prices in this market are a little bit higher than other places around Jerusalem, and you do need to be willing to barter if you want to get a fair price. Even if you are not buying something, this is a very beautiful walk, and if you follow the street through the market, you can get to the Tower of David.

6 The Tower of David

After you’ve explored the market, you can see the Tower of David, which is situated at the Jaffa gate on the west side of the Jerusalem Old City. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the old city, it costs 50NIS (around £10 or $12) for an adult ticket to explore the Tower of David. You can get very beautiful views of the Tower of David from the streets around this area. The Tower of David is also surrounded by plenty of small shops, Market Restaurants, and Street Food.

7 Visit Teddy’s Park

If you have the energy, and especially if you are traveling with kids, we highly recommend walking across the road at Jaffa gate to see Teddy’s Park. This is a beautiful Green Park situated just outside the west of the old city wall. This park has water fountains which are beautiful for cooling off, and kids come here to play. Our kids really enjoyed playing in these fountains.

There are also grass slopes next to the Fountain which allow you to sit back and supervise your kids while they play. The water fountains run for 30 minutes every 30 minutes, so if the water is not running when you arrive, you will not need to wait for more than half an hour before they come on again. If you plan to do this with your kids, we do recommend bringing a towel and a change of clothes and remember sun protection because this is a pretty exposed location.

8 Western Wall

After spending some time at Teddy’s Park, head back into the old city through the Jaffa gate and walk East, following the route until you reach the Western Wall. The Western Wall is a very interesting and unique part of the Jerusalem old city. This is one of the most revered and important sites for Jews. The Western Wall is the only remaining part of the Jewish temple dating back to the second temple period. This part of the temple wall was fought to be built by Herod the Great around 19 B.C.

Although this is a very important and significant site for Jews, we found the Jewish people here to be very friendly and welcoming, and we are allowed to enter the prayer and worship areas. We even visited with our kids, and our kids were welcome in the worship area too. It is free to enter the Western Wall. In order to enter the Western Wall, you do need to go through a security checkpoint, which involves putting any bags or belongings through an X-ray scanner.

9 Hezekiah’s Tunnel

After exploring the Western Wall, walk south until you reach the city of David. The city of David is a national park situated to the south of the Jerusalem Old City. You can buy tickets for Hezekiah’s tunnel at the city of David Visitor Center. Once you have purchased your ticket, you need to take a 5-minute walk down the hill following the signs to reach the entrance of Hezekiah’s tunnel. There is someone who will check your ticket, and then you can follow the route down through Warren’s shaft until you reach the entrance of the water tunnel. 

If you don’t fancy getting wet, there is no alternative route called the Canaanite tunnel, and there are clear signs in English to help you find the right way. Hezekiah’s tunnel is a long and fascinating water tunnel, 533m, and over 2,700 years old. This fascinating water supply has a long history and supplied the city with water in times of siege. You can walk all of the way through the tunnel. There are a couple of sections of deep water at the start and end. Most of the walk through the tunnel the water is around ankle deep. 

• Adult ticket: 28NIS (around £6 or $8)
• Child ticket (5 – 18 years old): 14NIS (around £3 or $4)
• Under 5 year old FREE

This is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. In our opinion, this is one of the best activities in Jerusalem for kids. When you reach the end of the tunnel, you can either take a shuttle bus back up to the visitor center for 7NIS. Alternatively, there is a local bus stop, and you can jump on the bus all the way back up to the Jerusalem Old City (bus 286 goes back up the hill, and you can take this bus all the way to Lion’s Gate, which is the next stop on this walking tour).

10 Garden of Gethsemane

The Garden of Gethsemane is a very peaceful and beautiful garden. Although it is not possible to walk through the trees, there is a small path around the circumference of the garden allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty and atmosphere of this unique place. Some of the olive trees in this preserved garden date back to 1092. It is free to visit the Garden of Gethsemane.

• Summer (April – September): 8 am – 6 pm
• Winter (October – March): 8 am – 5 pm

11 Visit the Mount of Olives

Check out our full visitors guide to the Mount of Olives

After visiting the Garden of Gethsemane, there is an optional detour where you can walk up the Mount of Olives. This is an amazing place to get a view over the Jerusalem Old City, and it is also a wonderful place to go and see the sunset. The walk from Gethsemane to the peak of the Mount of Olives is around 600 m, and the path leads up a relatively steep hill, so we only recommend doing this if you have some spare energy. There is no alternative route where you can get a bus to the peak of the Mount of Olives if you’re running out of energy.

You can take buses to the peak of the Mount of Olives from Shamouil Road at the northeast corner of the Old City (we marked the location of the bus stop on the map). Buses cost 5.5NIS per person (roughly £1 or $1.20). Bus 275 or 255 goes up Mount of Olives (255 follows a less direct route and 275 follows a more direct route). Alternatively, a taxi up the Mount of Olives is likely to cost around 20NIS – 30NIS (roughly £4 – £6 or $5 – $8).

12 Walk the Via Dolorosa

After visiting the Garden of Gethsemane, we recommend heading back into the old city through the Lions Gate on the East Wall. If you follow the road, you join the route of the Via Dolorosa (Latin for “Sorrowful Way”). This is thought to be the route that Jesus walked to reach the point of Golgotha where he was crucified. Along the Route, you can see 14 different stations, which represent different events that occurred on Jesus’s walk.

The Via Dolorosa officially starts close to the Church of condemnation at the Umariya Elementary School, near the location of the former Antonia Fortress. Each of the different stations along the walk has an information sign so that you can learn more about the history and significance of each point of this route. We have marked on the route on the map, which leads all the way back to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This also marks the end of a Jerusalem walking tour. From here, you can either head north back to the Damascus gate or go back to your accommodation by the most convenient route.

What do you need to pack for a walking tour of Jerusalem?

Here is a short packing list to help you prepare for your Jerusalem walking tour. This is not a comprehensive list, but rather a list of important things to help you get started:

• Comfortable shoes
• Loose light clothing
• Scarf (for temples and churches)
• Water bottle
• Small day bag
• Sun protection (umbrella, sunscreen, or hats)
• Phone with offline maps or mobile data
• Some cash (be careful of your wallet or purse – don’t carry too much cash)

What is the best time to do a walking tour around Jerusalem?

If you plan to do a Jerusalem walking tour, we recommend starting nice and early in the morning. Even during the summer, the mornings are relatively cool, especially if you’re starting around 6:00 a.m. or 7:00 a.m. The old town is also particularly tranquil and beautiful at this time, and you will find certain places are already open.

For example, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher has Mass services at around 7am or 8am It is worth mentioning that many of the shops and Market stalls do not open till around 8am or 9am, and some of the attractions are not open till around 8am. or 9am. We would also add that it is not too hot in The Old City due to the shade of the buildings. We found that many of the old city streets were shaded for most of the day, even during August.

In terms of the time of year, Jerusalem is relatively quiet during the summer months of July and August. During these months, the temperature is very high. Most days there’s a clear blue sky, and temperatures reach to the high 30s. Alternatively, the Jerusalem High season is between the month of September and November, and it is particularly busy in these months. The weather is very nice, and the average temperatures are lower than the summer months. There is a bit of a travel boom in December (Christmas holidays). In these months, the average temperatures are fairly cold, and Jerusalem can experience rainfall as well.

Is it safe to explore Jerusalem independently by foot?

IMPORTANT UPDATE OCTOBER 2023: We are very sad to learn of the problems in Israel. The FCO currently advises against all but essential travel to Israel including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. They also advise against all travel in Gaza and the South and in the border regions with Lebanon and Syria in the North. Remember if you travel against FCO advice you will not be covered by your travel insurance policy. If you are currently in these regions follow consulate advice and take care. Keep your eye on the FCO website for updates.

Before we get specific about Jerusalem, it’s important to recognize that any travel experience has inherent risks, and it’s important to research and be aware of the risks before you travel. We have found the information on the FCO website to be particularly helpful and relevant, especially when it comes to advice on safe travel and current affairs.

Israel has a long history of political instability and conflict. However, the Jerusalem Old City is relatively stable, and in general, it is safe to walk around. This being said, you do need to be careful and vigilant. There have been some cases of political instability and violence in Jerusalem in the past, and it is possible that such incidents may occur again. As such, we do recommend that you do your own research before traveling to Jerusalem and monitor the local news to be aware of any political instability.

It is also possible that there may be protests and demonstrations during your time in Jerusalem, particularly around sensitive political issues. In such cases, we recommend avoiding these areas and demonstrations and being cautious about attending public events. 

In terms of crime, Jerusalem is relatively safe for tourists. The Old City is well-patrolled by police. However, like in any major city, there is always the potential for petty crimes such as pickpocketing and scams targeting tourists. To minimize the risk of becoming a victim of crime, make sure you keep an eye on your belongings, avoid displaying valuable items, and be aware of your surroundings.

Life loving, adventure chasing, Mum of 3 who loves travel. Over 10 years of travel writing experience. Emma now loves to give the best tips to help other travel loving parents plan adventures with their kids. Whether you need to find the best accommodation or just need to know how to pack your bag Emma is that travelling mum who love to help you.

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Jerusalem walking tours – The essential guide

• Blog and News , Israel Travel Tips

Tour guide | Tzur Tours

Jerusalem walking tours

When coming to Israel for a tour, we highly recommended staying at least two nights in Jerusalem. While staying in Jerusalem, it is a must to take some Jerusalem walking tours . The reason is that many of the famous sites of Jerusalem are in one area – the old city / the city center. Tzur Tours offers private Jerusalem walking tours starting from $370 per day per group

it is still a significant distance to cover by foot, but it won’t make sense to get out from the car or bus every site. Therefore in Jerusalem, you mostly walk, especially in the old city as all this area is jammed by heavy traffic.

Jerusalem is an incredible city. You can easily tour Jerusalem for three days. There is so much to see there, thousands of years of history, culture, and religions all bound in one place. And of course, the food won’t let you down as well.

Jerusalem guided walking tours

here is a list of the top recommended attractions for Jerusalem guided walking tours in the new city of Jerusalem that usually require transport.

Israel museum

One of the best museums globally, especially with its enormous archeological collection, including significant biblical findings, including the famous Dead sea scrolls, visiting the Israel Museum is a must.

Mahne Yuda Market

Many would say that the Machne Yuda Market is the beating heart of Jerusalem. With hundreds of vendors and colorful stands with fruit, spices, pastries, and pretty much everything (kosher) you would like to eat. And many cool and tasty restaurants, Pubs, and coffee shops around.

Shagal windows

Inside the Hadahasa Ein Karem hospital hiding a fabulous artwork of the famous artist Mark Shagal, 12 stained glass windows representing the 12 sons of Jacob.

Yad Vashem.

The famous Holocaust museum commemorates the 6 Million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis. Yas Vashem museum is brilliantly designed, taking the visitor on a journey through the memory of a world that once was and gone.

Ein Karem is a lovely neighborhood of Jerusalem that once was a small village. Today it preserves its charming nature with old houses and alleys great place for a coffee or lunch break. And, of course, an important site for Christianity, the hometown of John the baptist.

Ben Yehuda St

In the city center of Jerusalem, all the way to Zion square, and the allies around it, including Nahalat shiva, you will find lovely streets with a lively atmosphere. Coffee shops, restaurants, street food, and more; it is a great place to take a stroll.

Mea Shearim

Mea Shearim This is the heart of the Hasidic (Ultra-orthodox) residential area in Jerusalem.

For a visitor from the outside, a new parallel world will be revealed.

Note, a strict dress code is required, better to go with a tour guide.

The Knesset

The Israeli Parliament is open for visitors and offers a free tour in the Parliament of the only democracy in the middle east.

Jerusalem old city walking tour

Ramparts walk

Take a hike on the ancient walls of Jerusalem and enjoy spectacular views of Jerusalem and the old city

Beautiful remnants of one of Jerusalem Romans streets with moving and colorful galleries

Hurba synagog

A very impressive synagog that was ruined twice tells the Jewish quarter’s story in the last 300 years. Plus a fantastic view of the old city rooftops.

Church of the holy sepulcher

The holiest site for most of the Christians around the world. Where according to the tradition, Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. Some protestants groups suggest that The Garden Tomb is the site of the crucifixion.

The garden tomb

An alternative site that is identified by protestant groups as the crucifixion site, in any case, the place preserves well the Garden atmosphere mentioned in the new testament.

The western wall

The holy remnant of the Jewish Temple that has been destroyed by the Romans 2000 years ago, and today it is the most sacred site and a symbol for the Jewish people. It is active 24/7 for prayers and ceremonies.

Kidron valley

The ancient Jewish cemetery outside of the old city walls is the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world, with tombs that dated to the times of King Salomon 2900 years ago) you will find there impressive monuments and graves with a fascinating story behind it

City of David

The ancient core of Jerusalem that been established by king David over 3000 years ago. The site includes fascinating archeological findings with underground tunnels and streets (over a mile !) that will take you back in time.

You will find two exciting sites out of the old city walls: the tomb of King David and the last supper-room.

The western wall (Kotel) tunnels:

The visitors can see the temple’s impressive remains buried underground on a special guided tour of the Kotel tunnels.

Davidson Center

Davidson Center is a fascinating archeological garden that allows the visitors to explore the 2000 years old- well preserved – Jerusalem streets, temple walls, gates, Just like the pilgrims did 2000 years ago.

The second temple’s enormous plaza was built 2000 years ago by King Herod to accommodate pilgrims’ millions. Today it’s the site of the El Aktza mosque, the 3rd holiest site to the Muslims. The mosque and the impressive golden doom were built by the Muslims Halif’s in the 7th and 8th century to mark where Muhamad prayed and ascended to heaven and back. Note there are specific opening times during the day that the plaza is open for non-Muslims

Bethesda is a site with a long tradition and many archeological findings that commemorate the miracle of healing the disabled man at Bethesda’s pools. Don’t miss the best-preserved 12-century crusader church on the site.

The famous gardens where according to the tradition, Judas betrayed Jesus and, next to the gardens standing the imposing church of agony.

The Via Delarosa

The famous 14 stations of the cross go across the old city with some interesting stops. Next to the 1st station, don’t miss the Roman street and Antonia fortress remnants under the Convent of the Sisters of Zion.

Mt of Olives

The Best viewpoint of the city where every tourist should stop and enjoy this magical view of Jerusalem.

Tower of David

The Mighty 2000 years old fort guarded Jerusalem’s entrance against any enemy has changed hands between the different conquers along with history. Today it is a fine museum and an excellent vantage point over the old city excellent strat point for Jerusalem walking tours.

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Free Self-Guided Walking Tour of Jerusalem’s Old City (with Map)

The Old City of Jerusalem is an amazing site and amazingly small when you consider all the significant sites it contains. It is around one square kilometer. I had a chance to visit Jerusalem for the first time recently when I attended the TBEX conference there. While I was there I took a walking tour from Sandeman . This is what I learned on that tour and on my own explorations.

The Ancient Walled City

The jaffa gate, the tower of david, the armenian quarter, the roman cardo, the jewish quarter, the temple mount, david street, christian quarter, church of the holy sepulcher, guided tours, map self-guided walking tour of jerusalem’s old city.

Jerusalem has been conquered by a great number of civilizations over the centuries including the Babylonians, the Romans, the Arabs,   the Crusaders, the Turks, and the British. When you look at the old walled city today you are looking at the walls built later in the cities history, completed in 1541 by the Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent. You can get a good view of the city by walking these walls.

For centuries after these walls were built, they defined the extent of the city of Jerusalem as people were afraid to live outside of the protection of the walls. The new city did not really get started until 1860 and at first, people had to be paid to live outside the safety of the walls.

Most tourists will enter the city on the west side through the Jaffa Gate. Just inside the Jaffa gate to the left is one of the entry places where you can start a walk along the walls.

If you have questions the tourism information center is also just inside that entrance. Pick up a free map, because you will need it. If you don’t have a data service download a good offline map like those from maps.me on your smartphone before you leave your hotel or hostel .

When I was visiting the city, they were doing a series of free concerts in the evenings and had stages both inside and outside of the Jaffa Gate.

Just to the left of the Jaffa gate, you will see the tower of David, which has nothing to do with King David. Early pilgrims visiting the city read in their bibles that David built a tower and assumed that this must be it, but David’s city is outside the old walls to the south and down the hill from the old city. You can now visit the archaeological site where they are uncovering this city just outside the Dung Gate. You can also visit David’s tomb just outside of the Zion Gate.

This tower was first built by Herod the Great who also rebuilt the temple just before the time of Christ. Look at this tower closely and you will see signs of 3 different eras. The base of the tower was built by Herod, the moat around it by the crusaders and the top of the tower by the Mamluks who re-conquered the city from the crusaders.

Inside of the tower is an excellent museum, that I highly recommend, that explains the history of this complicated city.

Come back to the Tower of David at night to see the light show that is displayed on the battlements for a more colorful artistic version of the history of the city.

If you turn to the right from the Jaffa Gate and come around the Tower of David you can enter the Armenian quarter through the narrow Armenian Patriarchate St. The Armenians were the first country in the world to accept Christianity as a state religion and the Armenian quarter is one of the oldest areas in the Old City. It is also the least populated and the least open to visitors.

Follow this street down to St James St (and we are using the term street here very generously). Where these two meet is the Cathedral of St James which has the highest concentration of Saints named James buried here of any place in the world. According to Armenian tradition, the head of St James, son of Zebedee, (brother of John) and the body of St James the Just (brother of Jesus) are both buried in this church. St James the son of Zebedee was the first of the apostles to be martyred and the only one (besides Judas) whose death is mentioned in the bible. This church is opened very limited hours for tourists, only during services.

Take St James street until you reach Ararat St and turn left. This street is named after the mountain which was historically in Armenia (and now is just outside their boundaries in Turkey) where the ark of Noah came to rest after the flood. The mountain is sacred to Armenians. If you see a prelate walking down the street wearing a black pointed hat, that would be an Armenian Christian priest and the shape of the hat is to remind you of the mountain of Ararat. Continue down this street until you get to the church of St Mark.

Armenian tradition has it that the church of St Mark was built on the site of the upper room where Jesus and his disciples ate the last supper.   Like she many thing sin Israel, there are often more than one site associated with any particular biblical event. Other traditions place the site of the upper room just outside the Zion Gate near the tomb of David.

After the church make a quick right on Or HaHayim St. Take a right on Habad St, the first left and the first left again to get onto Ha Yehudim St. This is where your map is going to be very helpful.

In the Jewish quarter, you can find where archeologists have uncovered the Roman Cardo, or the marketplace from the Roman era. You will have to climb down some steps as the street level of the city today is about one story taller than it was then. Here you will see an artist’s rendition of a Roman market (with one modern small boy added). You will also find the original paving stones where Jesus and others from that time walked while shopping.

The Jewish quarter has some of the newest construction in the city as much of it was destroyed in the 6 Day War.

For religious Jews, the most sacred spot in the world is the Temple Mount. Not only is this where Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac (spoiler, it was a test, God stopped him) but they also believe that the stone where God stood to create the world now sits under the Dome of the Rock. For the very religious, even if they were allowed to climb to the top of the Temple Mount, they should not because they might accidentally come into contact with the Holiest of Holies which is where the presents of God dwelled in the temple.

The Western Wall is a place where the stones of the Second Temple are exposed and is, therefore, a sacred site for religious jews. Men pray on the left and women on the right. You can approach the Western Wall but use discretion as this is a very sacred site. You will have to pass through a security checkpoint to reach the Western Wall.

On Mondays and Thursdays, you will see many young boys celebrating their bar mitzvah. Look for the many Torahs near the wall itself.

Or look for the jubilant parades of boys, parents, friends, relatives, and musicians coming in from the Dung Gate to the right of the Western Wall.

The most photographed building in Jerusalem is probably the Dome of the Rock which has a gilded dome. This building sits on the stop where the Jewish temple was built (and rebuilt). Muslims believe that Mohammad traveled one night from Mecca to the “furthest mosque” or the “most extreme mosque” upon a magical flying beast.

This mosque is believed to be the Al-Aqsa Mosque which is the more nondescript large building on the Temple Mount, next to the Dome of the Rock. This mosque is held by most Muslims to be the 3 rd most holy site after Mecca and Medina.

The koran states that Mohammad ascended into heaven from the spot where the Dome of the Rock sits. He then negotiated with God for how often Muslims would need to pray during the day. He haggled God down from 50 times a day down to the current 5 times a day, after some prompting from Moses. Haggling skills still come in handy in Jerusalem.

Only Muslims are allowed to enter either the Dome of the Rock or the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Non-muslims can visit the outside of the buildings but not during times of prayer. One of the best times to come is early in the morning after morning prayer.

At the Western Wall, you will see a wooden ramp that climbs to the Temple Mount. Exit the secure area of the Western Wall towards the Dung Gate and then queue up to reenter another security check to climb up the ramp. The ramp is also a great place to take pictures of the Western Wall without disturbing those who are praying there.

Religious displays for non-Muslims are forbidden on the Temple Mount. Bringing Jewish prayer books, Talit, or Tefilin is forbidden. If you are Jewish, there is a decent chance you will be turned away. Wearing a Kippah will significantly decrease your chances of gaining admission.

You will exit the Temple Mount from a different gate than you enter, coming out near David street which is a central narrow market street that heads back towards the Jaffa Gate. Take your time bargaining your way along the street if you so desire as the climb back up the hill towards the Christian Quarter.

Follow signs from David street to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. There will be more shops and restaurants along the way and unless you are there very early in the morning, larger groups of pilgrims should be expected.

One of the top churches in Jerusalem to see is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher which is two different holy sites for Christians combined into one. Although it is hard to picture, just up the steps on your right when you enter the church is the rock of Golgotha where Jesus was crucified. You will see pilgrims queue up to touch the spot where the cross stood which is now under an altar. All of this was not just outside of a church but outside of the city walls in the 1 st century.

Just in front of you as you enter the church is the stone where tradition has it that the body of Jesus was prepared for burial.

To the left from the entrance of the church is a tabernacle or building beneath the left of the church’s two domes. Inside this structure is what is left of the cave where, according to tradition, Jesus was buried. It is hard to picture this as a cave these days. The church opens at dawn and the easiest time to see this area without waiting in long lines is to do it early. I was fortunate to enter the church the first time during a service when the building was filled with chanting, singing, and organ music from a worship service.

The church is in surprising disrepair, although a recent renovation did remove centuries of soot from candles. But still, the floor is in need of repair in many places. The church is shared by 5 different denominations of Christians and all must agree to any changes which means in practice that the church is held in a state of status quo.

Just to the right and outside of the entrance there are steps that go up to a chapel of the Ethiopian church, which is worth a quick visit.

Also, continue on up to a courtyard where I found this group of priests.

If you are afraid you will get lost… and you probably will or you want a great tour guide there are a number of good guided tours of the Old City.

From the church, you can either make your way back to the Jaffa Gate or you can continue on into the Christian quarter and Muslim quarter to trace the route of the Via Dolorosa. This is the route that Jesus took to the cross, so it starts near the Lion gate and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Whatever your faith or lack thereof, Jerusalem is a fascinating place that everyone should visit at least once.

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by Chris Christensen

+Chris Christensen | @chris2x | facebook

13 Responses to “Free Self-Guided Walking Tour of Jerusalem’s Old City (with Map)”

Hi Chris, its a learning experience for me reading this article of yours.. Captivated by the images. Thanks

Peter T Sadow

If you are going to post a free walking tour, why not include a path on the map? That would be useful. A google map image of the locations is not useful. You are just being used to advertise a paid walking tour, not a free one.

Sorry, let me see if I can add the path on the map

Sarita Noronha

What time does the walking tour start on Friday?

I don’t know.

it is a pity that you have not visited David’s tower laser show in Jerusalem. Also there is a great park The first station. it’s worth it to come back

piya chakravarty

Show a path that can be used easily by visitors who are mobility challenged instead of having to walk long distances which take you nowhere or to sites you don’t want to visit

Thanks for this great guide! Very helpful!

Chris Christensen

You are most welcome April

You mention much of the Jewish Quarter being destroyed during the Six-Day War. Was not the bulk of the damage at the end of the War of Independnce when Jordan blew up, pillaged, etc. the Jewsih buildings, including the Hurva Synagogue?

I do not know Mike.

Thanks for the great info. Followed your path today and it was great.

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Tags: article , best , day tour , featured , israel , jerusalem , self-guided tour , walking tour

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Jerusalem is a city that is made for walking tours. with so many places of interest, be they religious, cultural or historic book your walking tour today to enjoy the unique flavor and style of jerusalem.

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Jerusalem Walking Tours

There are so many available walking tours of Jerusalem that you will need to be selective about your choices. That is also a reflection of the high quality of these, but with the breadth of choices on offer at least you can't complain that you aren't spoilt for choice. There are walking tours to every conceivable corner of the city and reflect every facet of life that comprises Jerusalem. In no particular order; there are food tours that take in Machane Yehuda giving you the background and history to the place as well of course as allowing you to sample food-related delicacies along the way; walking tours of the Old City - the Armenian Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Muslim Quarter with its warren of bazaars and market stalls and also the Jewish Quarter. There are literary walking tours around Yemin Moshe and Mishkenot Sha'ananim

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Home / Tour / JERUSALEM & CITY OF DAVID TOUR

JERUSALEM & CITY OF DAVID TOUR

Our pickup starts from approximately 6 am, tour overview.

This exciting one-day tour of both the old and new sections of Jerusalem let you see all the city’s highlights in one day. The day tour of Jerusalem starts with a breathtaking panoramic overview of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus. From where we can see the Temple Mount, and the entire Old City of Jerusalem. This is where we can imagine the glorious Second Temple just before it was destroyed in 70 CE. The Second Temple was an important Jewish Holy place of worship and gathering between 516 BCE and 70 CE. Continue the tour driving along Kidron Valley viewing Mount Olives, an ancient Jewish burial site. The Garden of Gethsemane is a beautiful garden with some very old olive trees which got its name from Greek. Its name is a corruption of the Hebrew words “gath-shmanin” – oil press. The Church of All Nations, also known as the Church of Agony. It was built in the 1920s with donations from Christian communities all over the world, also known as the Church of All Nations. We enter the Old City passing the Armenian Quarter, one of the four quarters of the old city of Jerusalem. A large section of the Armenian Quarter is occupied by a closed compound of the Armenian Monastery. Then we head to Cardo, the main street of the old city 1500 years ago. It was destroyed over the decades and then restored. Today, the Cardo is a vibrant marketplace full of art galleries and unique goods. After that, we will continue through the Jewish Quarter, one of the quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem with many holy and historical sites of the Jewish people. We then proceed to the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall or Kotel. The Kotel, or Western/Wailing Wall, was part of a big renovation project initiated by King Herod in the year 37 BCE. It is the western support wall built during this widening of the Temple Mount Plaza. The Second Temple was destroyed in the year 70 CE. The Western Wall was the remnant closest to the site of the Temple’s Holy of Holies that was accessible to Jews. Therefore, it became a place of prayer and yearning for Jews around the world. Continuing the tour, we will walk along the Via Dolorosa. This is the path that Jesus walked, carrying his cross, on the way to his crucifixion. We will walk past the Stations of the Cross and end at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is identified as the place both crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth. After a short walk through the market, we exit the Old City and continue to Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, a living memorial to the 6 million Jews that perished in the Holocaust and those who risked their lives to save them. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Jewish High Holidays, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum is closed. On those days the tour visits King David’s Tomb, the Hall of the Last Supper, and the Garden of Gethsemane.

City of David Tour

We will then get to know several other exhilarating excavations from the City of David – this is the area that was captured and constructed by King David some three thousand years ago. Here we will get a sense of the geographical significance of the ancient city of Jerusalem, as well as acquaintance ourselves with the significant water system that was constructed back then.

AVAILABILITY

• Arrive at Jerusalem and begin at Mount Scopus with an overview of the city of Jerusalem
• Drive via the Kidron Valley and Garden of Gethsemane and see the Jewish Tombs
• Enter Zion Gate of the Old City
• Walk through the fascinating Armenian and Jewish quarters
• Visit the Western Wall, the last surviving part of the Second Temple that was destroyed in 70AD. You can place a prayer note between the wall's holly ancient stones. See the ancient underground tunnels at the City of David, from 3,000 years ago were carved out of the rock to bring water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam at the City of David

included / excluded

• Pick up & drop serives
• Transportation cost
• Entry Passes
• Couple Room
• Shopping Cost
• Personal Exprenses
• 3 Times Meal

Tour location

• Pick up and drop of at the hotel
• See Jerusalem’s skyline from the top of Mount Scopus
• Visit world-famous Jewish landmarks of the City of Gold

+972-54-8680030

054-868-0030.

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Open up to the unknown – tours around Jerusalem

Once you’ve had a string of European trips, it’s worth opening up to a completely new experience. Jerusalem will work perfectly as a destination for your next adventure. It’s a city at the meeting point of the three great monotheistic religions – Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Each of these faiths has shaped one of the four great quarters. The last, smallest quarter, is inhabited by Armenians. The city captivates with its cultural richness and passionate history. Discover all its assets with the help of Walkative!

Jerusalem – tours for seekers of new experiences

The historic entrance to the city is the Jaffa Gate. Due to its symbolic role, it is worth entering the city at least once through it. Nearby is the Tower of David. Although it was never the dwelling place of the biblical king, it hides many interesting exhibits. It also offers one of the most beautiful views of the city.

The highlight of the Jewish Quarter is the Western Wall also known as the Wailing Wall or from Hebrew Kotel. It is Judaism’s holiest site. Researchers speculate that it is the last surviving element of the Jerusalem Temple built at the initiative of King Solomon.

In the Christian Quarter one can find many places described in the New Testament. The greatest significance is attributed to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It represents the alleged place of death of Jesus Christ. Every year it becomes a pilgrimage destination for millions of believers from all over the world. Travellers can also walk the Stations of the Cross, and visit Mount Zion, where the Last Supper was supposed to have taken place.

While visiting Jerusalem, a visit to the Muslim Quarter is also a must. Highlights in this part of the city include the Dome on the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. On the plan of the old city, the Armenian Quarter occupies the smallest area, however, it is certainly worth your attention.

Scattered around the city are also sites related to the Crusades. Each of these places is a reminder of the turbulent history of Jerusalem, which has been the arena of numerous conflicts over the centuries.

Free Walking Tour – Jerusalem with a local Walkative guide!

Jerusalem is best when explored with a local guide . Walkative! free tours are ideal for individual tourists, couples, families and small groups of friends. The idea behind the Free Walking Tour Jerusalem , as well as the walks we organize in other cities, is that the tour participants pay the guide the amount they pick. Instead of setting a specific price, we leave space for you to decide this yourself. All you have to do is book a place through our website and join the walk. We can guarantee that this flexible formula goes hand in hand with the impeccable expertise and passion of the guide. Come and see it for yourself!

We had just one day in Wroclaw and a decision to join Walkative tours was the right one! These guys are amazing! Their stories are very informative, full of history, legends, funny jokes! They took us to all astonishing places of Wroclaw. Perfect for a day trip to this lovely city! Thank you, Lukasz and Matt for the brilliant tours!

Dawie’s tour was the best theatre in Paris as well as informative!!!! He is great – even in the rain. Do it.

My group really enjoyed the amount of history explained in the tour, it was a nice way to get a lot of information on several of the key sites in the center of Paris in a compact amount of time. Excellent for orientation and background. I would certainly do other tours in the future.

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