Jerusalem Things To Do – A Tour of Old Jerusalem

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and a holy place in three major religions: Jewish, Christian, and Islamic. The city has a long history and a complicated present. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority are currently claiming Jerusalem as their capital city. The Old City of Jerusalem and its walls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With this post, you will tour the most important things to do in Jerusalem. I intended the tour for a day trip. The truth is it is not enough, and you should probably spend at least one night in the city.

Things to do in Jerusalem

There are many things to discover in Old Jerusalem. I will list them in no particular order. I aim to make this post a free tour of Old Jerusalem, not necessarily a top 10 things to do.

So here is my Jerusalem tour guide, starting at Jaffa Gate. Just inside the gate, take a free map of the Old City from the tourist info center.

1. The Ramparts Walk

This walk on the old city’s walls is a unique way to get your bearings. Also, you can take some great photos from above Old Jerusalem. One of the entry points for the Ramparts Walk is inside the Jaffa Gate.

There are two parts to this walk: 

• the north side starts from Jaffa Gate to the Lion’s Gate. 
• the south walk goes from the Tower of David towards Zion Gate. 

You can descend the ramparts in several points, close to any of Jerusalem’s seven gates. The entry points are only those close to Jaffa Gate.

A ticket valid for both walks is 16 NIS (about 4€) and is valid for 2 days. The Ramparts are open every day, from 9:00 to 16:00, except for Fridays when they close early for Shabbat, at 14:00. One more thing, the walk is open on Saturdays, but you can’t buy a ticket. You’ll have to purchase a ticket a day before or plan your trip for another day.

2. The Gates of Old Jerusalem

Jerusalem has been a fortified city since ancient times. Its walls were built and destroyed a few times over the millennia. The Old Jerusalem walls we see now were built in the 16th century by Ottoman Rulers. There were seven gates to the city. One of them, Golden Gate, has been blocked for centuries. Legend says it will be open again when the Messiah arrives.

3. Tower of David

The Tower of David was in fact built by King Herod and is now a museum of the city. It is worth a visit which will take you through Jerusalem’s 4000 years history, as well as for a great panorama of the Old Jerusalem as well as the new city.

The museum is very close to Jaffa Gate. A ticket is 40 NIS (about 10€), and there is a discount if you buy your tickets online.

4. The Armenian Quarter

The Armenian is the smallest of the four quarters inside Jerusalem’s walls. Armenians have been a constant presence in the city since the 4th century AD when they adopted Christianity. Also, some thousands of refugees escaped to Jerusalem from the Ottoman genocide a hundred years ago.

It’s a quiet district where you can visit the beautiful St. James cathedral and browse through the traditional ceramics shops.

5. The ‘Upper Room’

The scene of the Last Supper of Jesus and the Apostles is traditionally placed in this ‘upper room’ in David’s Tomb Compound on Mount Sion. Of course, it has been rebuilt many times until today and you will only visit an empty room which you can fill with your faith or imagination.

The Upper Room is free to visit every day from 8:00 to 17:00 except on Fridays when it closes at 13:00.

6. The Western Wall

This is the most sacred place in the Judaic tradition. The Western Wall is all that remained when the Romans destroyed the Temple Mount in 70 AD.

The site is free to enter and open at any time. You will have to go through an airport-like security check and be dressed appropriately for a prayer site. Men and women pray in two separate sections of the wall and leave their written prayers in the cracks of the Western Wall.

7. Al-Aqsa Mosque and The Dome of the Rock

These are two of the most important sites in the Islamic faith, and they are both in the same area of Jerusalem, on Temple Mount. The Mount is also where the ancient Jewish Temple stood until Romans destroyed it in the 1st century AD.

Do you see that golden dome in the photo above? That is the Dome of the Rock, where Mohammad ascended from, according to the Islamic tradition. The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine, not a mosque. It also shelters the Foundation Stone, where the Jewish believe the world’s creation began.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third most important Islamic site after Mecca and Medina. It means the farthest mosque, but the real name of the Mosque is Quibli Masjid.

Unfortunately, only Muslims are allowed to enter the two sites. You can, however, visit Temple Mount as a non-Muslim. The only access way to the Temple Mount is through the wooden passage by the Western Wall, which you can see in the picture above. There are several gates to enter the Mount in Jerusalem, but the rest of them are only for Muslims.

The Temple Mount closes on Fridays and Saturdays, and also during the month of Ramadan and for some Jewish Festivals. Every other day, you can visit Temple Mount early in the morning. Expect airport security checks and make sure to dress appropriately.

8. Via Dolorosa

Christians believe the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem is the path Jesus walked with the cross. It extends from his torture and judgment site to his burial site. It’s called ‘Via Dolorosa’ and it is an important pilgrimage place for Christians from all over the world.

The path has 14 stations marked with numbered plates and symbols. The first station is at the site of the ancient Praetorium of Pilate, now the courtyard of a Muslim college. Further, the path will take you to places where Jesus met his mother, was helped, or fell on the way to his crucifixion site.

The last 5 stations (10 to 14) are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This is where Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried.

9. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine, came to Jerusalem in the fourth century AD to identify these holy sites. She had the church built to enclose these places. The church became the most important pilgrimage destination in the Christian religion. The empty tomb of Jesus is also inside.

The church suffered extensive damage through the ages, and it was rebuilt many times. It is now a very busy attraction, so if you want to get close to the tomb, you should plan to get here early in the morning.

In addition to its significance, the church is also host to some beautiful mosaics.

10. The Muslim Quarter and Market

The Muslim Quarter is the largest of the four neighborhoods of Old Jerusalem. The area is almost entirely a souk (an Arab market). You will find here everything you can think of: spices, fresh pastry, traditional decorations, clothes, as well as snacks, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

One word of advice. Most items in these shops don’t have their prices shown. You have to ask about everything, and some bargaining is expected. The vendors can be a little aggressive. Also, they accept USD in this area, besides NIS.

11. The Garden Tomb

The Garden Tomb is outside the Old City walls, a short walk from Damascus Gate. The widely accepted site for the tomb where Jesus was buried is the one inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. However, the Garden Tomb is an alternative site where some believe the actual tomb is.

It is a beautiful and peaceful garden, where you can relax for a little while. There is an ancient tomb in the rock on one side of the garden. You can recollect here, no matter what your personal beliefs are.

The entrance to the garden is free, but they accept donations, and there is also a souvenir shop where you can buy something and help maintain this place. More details are on their website.

12. Mount of Olives

Mount of Olives has a major significance in all the three religions that meet in Jerusalem. For instance, in Jewish tradition, when Messiah will come from the Mount of Olives, all the dead will resurrect.

Mount of Olives has been a burial site since the First Temple period (as early as the 10th century BC).

At its highest point, the Mount of Olives is 80 meters higher than the Temple Mount. That makes for some great views over Old Jerusalem.

The Garden of Gethsemane is located just at the foot of Mount of Olives. It is a beautiful garden with ancient olive trees that will transport you back in time. The garden is free to visit every day from 8:00 to 17:00, and it is well worth the walk from the Dung Gate of Old Jerusalem.

13. The Western Wall Tunnels

Another attraction that you shouldn’t miss if you’re interested in Jerusalem’s History is the Western Wall Tunnels Tour. I didn’t book ahead so we couldn’t visit, but it is definitely on my list for next time.

The tunnels are open Sunday to Thursday from 7 AM to the evening and on Fridays only until noon. A ticket costs 30 NIS (almost 8€), and you must book in advance.

The tunnels will allow you to see parts of ancient Jerusalem as it was 2000 years ago in the Second Temple era. You will see the foundation of the Western Wall, an underground pool, an aqueduct, a hidden passageway, a whole underground city.

14. Mahane Yehuda Market

This market is outside the Old City walls, a few minutes away from Jaffa Gate. You will find fresh vegetables, fruit, spices, nuts, traditional sweets, as well as some great Israeli street food.

The market is open Sunday to Thursday from 9:00 to 17:00, and some of the food stalls are open later in the evenings. If you would prefer a guided introduction to the market and middle eastern food, you can choose this food tour of the market.

This was a virtual tour of Jerusalem. I hope it will help you plan a perfect trip to Jerusalem. Speaking of which, make sure to read my quick guide on planning your trip to Israel.

If you’re not the DIY type and prefer a local guide, you can try this guided tour of Jerusalem instead.

Disclosure

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