Jerusalem/Old City

The Old City of Jerusalem (Hebrew: העיר העתיקה, Ha'Ir Ha'Atiqah, Arabic: البلدة القديمة, al-Balda al-Qadimah) is that part of Jerusalem surrounded by the impressive 16th-century Ottoman city walls and representing the heart of the city both historically and spiritually. In a city already divided, the Old City is further divided culturally and historically into four residential Quarters: (clockwise from the southeast) the Jewish, Armenian, Christian, and Muslim Quarters. A fifth area, the Temple Mount/Haram esh-Sharif, contains the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and other Muslim religious sites, and was once the site of the Jewish Temple. The whole Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Districts

In clockwise order, starting in the south:

Jewish Quarter
Located at the southern part of the Old City and has been inhabited by Jews for centuries (before the Crusades, Jews were concentrated in the northern part of the Old City). The Jewish Quarter was destroyed during the 1948 war but rebuilt by the Israeli government after 1967.

Armenian Quarter
Located in the southwestern part of the Old City. It is the smallest of the four quarters and has the fewest residents. Most of the quarter consists of a closed-off private area owned by the Armenian monastery and surrounded by walls.

Christian Quarter
Located in the northwest part of the Old City. The quarter contains the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity's holiest places.

Muslim Quarter
Located in the northeast part of the Old City, this quarter is the largest and most populated one, with mainly Muslim residents.

Temple Mount
The holiest site in Judaism and the third-holiest site in Islam. Also known as Mount Moriah, the first and second Jewish Temples stood here for over 1000 years. During the 7th century AD, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque were built here. Today, it is administered by a Muslim authority, with limited access to non-Muslim visitors.

Understand

The core of Jerusalem, the Old City, has a history that stretches back more than 3,000 years. The present street plan dates largely from Byzantine times, with the walls and ramparts dating back to the 16th century. The crossroad of three continents, Jerusalem has been one of the most fought over cities in human history. Within the walls, the Old City is divided into four vaguely defined quarters: Christian, Armenian, Jewish and Muslim.

You do not need to be Jewish, Christian, or Muslim, or even be overly concerned with religion, to be overwhelmed. With archaeology dating back to the time of the Bible, anyone with a sense of history, spirituality or the human species should be absorbed by the tremendous weight of human civilization that cloaks nearly every part of the city. It is an inhabited, living city - not a deserted museum or monument. Humanity's passion play has been constant revival at this location for most of the length of recorded history.

Get in

31°46′42″N 35°13′56″E

Map of Jerusalem/Old City

The Old City is surrounded by a wall built in the first half of the 16th century by the Ottoman Turk, Suleyman the Magnificent. The 4-km (2.5-mile) circuit is accessed by eight gates, of which seven remain in current use. The gates are, in clockwise order starting in the west:

1 Jaffa Gate. On the western side of the city (access from West Jerusalem), next to the Citadel. The busiest of the seven Old City gates, Jaffa Gate has a large taxi rank for easy access in and out of the Old City. Inside Jaffa Gate is a small square with a tourist information office, access staircases for the Ramparts Walk (see below), and entrances to the Christian and Armenian Quarters. The L shape of the medieval gateway was a classical defensive measure meant to slow down oncoming attackers, with its outer gate oriented in the direction of Jaffa Road, from which travellers including pilgrims arrived at the end of their journey from the port of Jaffa. A breach in the wall allows cars access to the Old City and was created in 1898 by the Ottomans in order to allow German emperor Wilhelm II to enter the city triumphally.

2 New Gate. On the northwestern edge of the Old City, the closest gate to West Jerusalem and convenient for entry to the Christian Quarter. It was the last gate cut into the city wall, in 1889. The New Gate has access to the City Hall and a light rail station just outside the walls.

3 Damascus Gate. On the northern side of the city (access from East Jerusalem), it is the most monumental of all the gates. The Damascus Gate has access staircases for the Ramparts Walk (see below) via the Roman Square Excavations. A taxi rank and some parking are available just outside the walls. A bus station and a light rail station are 2 blocks northeast of the gate.

(updated Mar 2021)

4 Herod's Gate. On the northern side of the city, it faces Arab East Jerusalem and opens into the Muslim Quarter. Its name originates from the 1500s when Christian pilgrims wrongly thought that the house inside the gate was the palace of Herod the Great's son. In Hebrew it is known as the Flower Gate due to carvings of flowers on the outside.

5 Lions' Gate (St. Stephen's Gate, Sheep Gate). On the eastern side of the city, it faces the Mount of Olives and is the start of the Via Dolorosa. The name St. Stephen's Gate was adopted in the Middle Ages by Christians who believed that the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, was executed here (prior to that, however, it had been generally accepted that St Stephen had been stoned to death outside Damascus Gate). There are small carvings of lions on the outside of the gate, hence the name Lion's Gate.

6 Golden Gate. On the east wall of the Temple Mount/Haram esh-Sharif, it was long ago sealed shut by the Muslims in the 7th century. According to tradition the Messiah will arrive in the Temple via this gate, and according to Christian tradition Jesus entered through this gate on Palm Sunday.

7 Dung Gate. On the southern side of the city, it provides direct access to the Jewish quarter and the Western Wall. This is the terminal of buses 1 and 3. The City of David is just outside this gate.

8 Zion Gate. On the southern side of the city, it provides direct access to the Armenian and Jewish Quarters from Mount Zion. The outside of the gate is pockmarked by bullet-holes due to fierce fighting here in 1948 between the Israelis and the Jordanians. The Arabic name of the gate is Bab el-Nabi Daud (Gate of the Prophet David), because of its proximity to the traditional location of King David's Tomb. Parking is available just outside the gate.

By light rail

The Jerusalem Municipality usually recommends light rail as the best way to get to the Old City, particularly on holidays when there are many visitors. Each station is about a two-minute walk from the Old City walls.

31.77944735.2241941 City Hall (העיריה) is the closest station to Jaffa Gate and the New Gate. It should be used for the Christian, Armenian and Jewish Quarters.
31.78238435.2278332 Damascus Gate (שער שכם) station is the closest to the Damascus Gate. It should be used for the Muslim and Christian quarters.

By bus

1: Central Bus Station - Sarei Yisrael - Malchei Yisrael (Geulah) - Meah Shearim - Damascus Gate - Western Wall
2: Mamilla - Jewish Quarter Parking lot - Western Wall - Mamilla. A "Touristic" bus with a circular route that serves the tourist spots in the Old City and nearby it.
3: Central Bus Station - Kiryat Mattersdorf - Sorotzkin - Kiryat Tzanz - Ezrat Torah - Shmuel HaNavi - Damascus Gate - Western Wall
38: Jewish Quarter Parking lot - First Station - King George St - Davidka Square - Mamilla - Jewish Quarter Parking lot.
83: Western Wall - Mount Olives neighbourhood
218: Ramallah/Al-Bireh - Qalandia - Beit Hanina - (almost) Herod's Gate
231: Bethlehem/Beit Jala - Talpiot - Jaffa Gate - Damascus Gate
Other East Jerusalem - buses with blue stripes all terminate near the Damascus Gate; buses with green stripes all terminate 2 minutes walk from Herod's Gate.

By car

If you arrive by car, be aware of the limited parking space. The streets outside the Old City walls are usually reserved for buses and taxicabs; parking of private cars is prohibited.

31.7766435.226353 Karta parking garage. The simplest parking option. In the Mamilla district next to Jaffa Gate. Entrance to the garage is from Yitshak Kariv street.
31.7637535.224914 First Station parking lot. Su-Th 08:00-20:00 (on M & Th from 07:00). There is a free shuttle bus service from here to Dung Gate (closest gate to the Western Wall). Shuttle operation has been erratic since the beginning of Covid, but if it's not running you can take the 38 or 83 city bus from the nearby traffic circle to Dung Gate. ₪16.80 for the whole day.

With a private guide

There's no doubt that Jerusalem is overwhelming not to mention scattered. If you only have a day or two to see the city and you'd like to visit many places in a short time, hiring a local private guide that has his own van might be the right thing for you instead of dealing with a rented car & parking for those days. (Note that there is virtually no vehicular access to the Old City, which is most conveniently accessed on foot and is within walking distance of many hotels in the New City.) However, when choosing a guide, try to ask the right questions and advise him/her with a plan that will fit your interest. You'll know the person is a good private tour guide if they will tailor a tour according to your needs.

Get around

The Old City is fairly diminutive in size compared to modern-day Jerusalem. Despite its small size, or perhaps because of it, the Old City is amazing. Much of the Old City is accessible only by walking because of very narrow streets and steps in the road. This is not a great inconvenience because the Old City is only about 1 kilometer across. The Old City is a maze of twisty alleyways and it's difficult to keep your bearings even with a map. Then again, getting lost is half the fun—you can't get too lost due to its size. Thought should be given to footwear, as the roads and paths are uneven stone and thin-soled shoes or spike heels could become uncomfortable.

Note: The Old City contains many small alleys and tiny streets that often do not appear in guidebooks and street maps. Major roads are almost always signed, so do not simply rely on the map and take the next left/right as it may not be the road you are looking for.

See

Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter feels distinctly different from the rest of the Old City. Razed by the Jordanians after the partition of the former British Mandate of Palestine in 1948, most buildings in it have been rebuilt from scratch since Israel assumed control of the Old City in 1967. Despite strict laws mandating the use of Jerusalem limestone in all façades in order to maintain uniformity, the buildings look and feel new.

31.77666735.234251 The Western Wall (Known in Hebrew as Ha-Kotel Ha-Ma'aravi- הכותל המערבי or "Kotel" for short). 24/7, 365 days a year. Part of the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, it was built by Herod the Great during his expansion of the Temple in 20 BCE. The wall became the Jews' chief place of pilgrimage during the Ottoman Period. In this period it become known as the "Wailing Wall", where Jews lamented the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. This is still the closest site to the Temple where Jews can pray (many rabbis say Jews are forbidden by Jewish law from ascending the Temple Mount, and in any case secular and Muslim authorities do not allow Jews to pray on the Temple Mount). The term "Wailing Wall" is considered offensive by some and is usually only used by non-Jews. The plaza in front of the Wall is divided by a fence, with a large area for men on the left and a smaller area for women on the right. Anyone is allowed to approach the wall - complimentary kippahs are provide for men who come bare-headed, while shawls are provided for women who do not come appropriately dressed (shoulders, chest, midriff, and thighs covered). The wall acts as an outdoor synagogue with written prayers inserted into the crevices between the large stones. Photography is not allowed on the Sabbath (Friday night and Saturday until sundown). Monday and Thursday mornings many bar mitzvahs are held, drawing large crowds of families and guests. Friday night at sundown there is the welcoming of the Sabbath (Kabbalat Shabbat) which includes prayers, singing and dancing.
31.7767935.233722 Western Wall Tunnel Tour. This is a tour of the underground parts of the Western Wall, including the evolution of the Temple Mount from the First Temple period to today. A wonderful tour for those interested in the archeology and history of the Temple Mount. You will see enormous stones underlying the Western Wall, an underground synagogue (the nearest spot to the Temple site, where Jews are allowed to pray), a pool and a water tunnel from Herod's time. The tour must be booked in advance but is well worth the advanced preparation. During the low season, you can also try your luck and join an excursion without the reservation. ₪30 / ₪15 discount.
31.77993935.2323933 Saint Mary's Hospice. The ruins of a 12th-century German Crusader Hospice within view of the Temple Mount. Worth a short visit. A Jewish art gallery/shop is to the left of the door to the hospice's church (it's pretty obvious which of the buildings is the church).
31.77493135.2309174 The Cardo. Once running nearly the entire length of the Old City from north to south, the Cardo is an excavated and partially reconstructed section of the Jerusalem's main thoroughfare in the Byzantine era. Visitors can get a good idea of how the whole once looked by descending to the 200 m (650 ft) section alongside the Jewish Quarter. The central roadway was 12.5 m (41 ft) wide and lined with shops. The pillars from that time still stand. Today in part, the Cardo contains an exclusive, covered shopping arcade.
31.7753235.231265 Hurva Square. In a maze of narrow and winding streets, Hurva Square is the heart and social center of the Jewish Quarter. Its open areas offer cafes, souvenir shops, and snack bars with outdoor seating. On the west side of the square is the site of the Hurva Synagogue (Hurva means "ruins"). Burnt down by its creditors in the 18th century, the synagogue was rebuilt in 1864 only to be destroyed during the 1948 fighting. After 1967, a lone arch was reconstructed from the remaining shell, making it a popular photographic attraction. In 2006, however, the arch was removed and reconstruction of the synagogue commenced. The synagogue was re-dedicated in 2010, and is now available for tours (must be pre-booked).
31.7759735.231616 The Broad Wall. Following the 1967 Israeli victory, a vast reconstruction program in the Jewish Quarter resulted in many important archaeological finds. One of the most significant was the unearthing of the foundations of a massive wall. These fortifications, measuring 7 m (22 ft) thick and 65 m (215 ft) long, are possibly part of the fortifications built by King Hezekiah in the 8th century BC. This wall can be freely viewed outdoors.
31.7755735.232597 Burnt House. This house was inhabited by a wealthy priestly family at the end of the Second Temple period, and burned down by the Romans in 70 CE. See Wohl Archaeological Museum.
31.7751335.233958 Davidson Center (Ophel Archaeological Park) (Entrance is from inside the Dung Gate.). Su-Th 08:00-17:00, F 08:00-14:00. This area on the southern side of the Temple Mount had been rebuilt many times over the centuries. Remains from the Herodian (34–4 BCE), Byzantine (395–661 CE) and Omayyad (661–750 CE) periods can be found on the grounds. Guided tours are available for an additional ₪16. ₪29 adults / ₪15 students.
31.77536135.2321619 Karaite Synagogue, HaKaraim St (Take a left when you see the ruined synagogue and look for the sign KARAITE SYNAGOGUE), ☏ +972 2-628-6688, +972 2-627-4728, +972 50-212-1045. Su-F (until sunset). The Karaite Jews, numbering 30-50,000 worldwide, are a unique sect of Judaism that has been at odds with mainstream rabbinic Judaism for centuries. The Karaites reject the Talmud (Oral Law) and only rely on the Torah, Prophets, and Writings. You must call ahead for a tour of the synagogue. Tours are only in Hebrew, but it might be possible to pre-arrange English or Russian.
31.77850835.23409710 Little Western Wall (הכותל הקטן). Not as well-known and not as crowded as the larger part of the Western Wall, with the lower parts dating back to the Second Temple period. (updated Sep 2023)
31.7763735.2345211 Mughrabi Gate (Bab el-Magharibeh, Gate of Moroccan, Moor's Gate).

Museums

31.77530335.23226912 Wohl Archaeological Museum (The Herodian Quarter). Su-Th 09:00-16:30. Lying 3 to 7 m (10 to 22 ft) below street level, this museum offers a vivid excavation of daily life during the Herodian era 2,000 years ago, before the Romans rampaged and burned the wealthy Upper City in AD 70. Photography inside the museum is not allowed. ₪35 adult, ₪25 discount, includes the Burnt House.
31.77548135.233113 Temple Institute. Su-Th 09:00-17:00, F 09:00-14:00, closed Saturday. A fairly interesting place which has reconstructed most of the more obvious ritual tools to be used in the Temple services in the hopes of one day restoring the Temple itself. The front of the store is a bookstore/souvenir shop, while the back is a four room museum with one room set aside as a theater to show a 15 minute movie. Dress appropriately when going here - long pants and sleeves for men, and modest wear for women. The shop is a great place to find unique Jewish souvenirs and Judaica - worth browsing even if you don't plan on buying anything. ₪35.
31.7747335.231514 Old Yishuv Court Museum, 6 Or Ha-Haim St, ☏ +972 2-6276319, fax: +972 2-6284636. Su-Th 10:00-17:00, F 10:00-13:00. The history of the Jewish community in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem from the beginning of the 15th century until the fall of the Quarter in the War of Independence. Adult ₪18, Student ₪12.
One Last Day Museum (on the Cardo), ☏ +972 2-6273916. Su-Th 09:00-15:00, F 09:00-13:00. A small museum which documents the day in 1948 on which the Jewish Quarter fell to Jordanian forces.
31.77692535.23430815 The Chain of Generations Center (next to the Western Wall). A combination of art, sound-and-light presentation, and archaeological remains tells the story of 3,000 years of Jerusalem's history. Must reserve in advance. (updated Sep 2023)
Museum of Psalms, 56 Chabad St, ☏ +972 2-6230025. Su-Th 10:00-17:00. A gallery of the paintings of artist Moshe Tzvi Berger, particularly a set of 150 paintings, each one representing one chapter from the book of Psalms.

Armenian Quarter

The Armenian Quarter is the smallest and quietest of the four. The quarter runs itself as a city within a city (within a city...), shutting the gates of its courtyards when night falls.

31.77611135.22777816 Tower of David/Citadel, Jaffa Gate, ☏ +972 2-6265333. Su-Th Sa 09:00-16:00, F 08:00-14:00. Now occupied by the Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem, the Citadel is an imposing fortress inside the city wall beside the Jaffa Gate. Utilized and expanded throughout the centuries as a means of protection, excavations have revealed remains dating back to the 2nd century BC and indicate that there was a fortress here in Herodian times. The museum provides visitors with 3 routes highlighting different aspects of the Citadel, namely: Exhibit, Panorama and Excavation. The routes are advisory only and provided for visitors' convenience. An 1873 model of Jerusalem is on display in an underground cistern near the exit. At night there is a sound-and-light show of Jerusalem's history, which is visually impressive but somewhat light in terms of content. Buy tickets for the show online ahead of time, it sells out. ₪30 adults, ₪20 students and seniors, ₪15 children.
31.77465935.22891217 St. James Cathedral. Daily 06:00–07:30 and 15:00-15:30. This Armenian cathedral is one of the most beautiful of all the sacred buildings in Jerusalem. It was constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries over the traditional tomb of St James the Apostle. Attending an Armenian Orthodox vespers service is a treat, even for non-believers. Vespers is held each evening (except Sunday) at 15:00 and lasts until 15:30. It is chanted by the seminarians of the Armenian Orthodox seminary across the street from the Cathedral. The chanting is very moving and has a bitter-sweet tone to it which is unforgettably beautiful. Each afternoon the service is signaled by a priest striking wooden bars hanging from the vaulted porch. The interior is dimly lit by hundreds of oil lamps hung from the ceiling. (Make sure to find out if there is an Armenian holy day where all of the lamps will be lit up during your visit.) Rather than seats, the floors are thickly laid with Oriental rugs. The cathedral contains a chapel that supposedly holds the head of St James. Cover knees and shoulders; no clothes are provided.
31.77595235.23047818 Saint Mark's Syriac Church and Monastery. The monastery is open all day, simply ring at the gate. According to tradition, this church was built on the site of the house of Mary, mother of St Mark. Every weekday the three resident monks hold the 25-minute vespers service at 16:00 for the small community of Syriac believers as well as visitors. Female visitors are not required to cover their hair during services.
31.77327435.22948119 Church of the Holy Archangels (Սրբոց Հրեշտակապետաց եկեղեցի, Srbots Hreštakapetats yekeğetsi). A smaller Armenian church. (updated Sep 2023)
31.7765435.229620 Maronite Convent, Maronite Convent St 25. Built in 1895, this is the only Maronite church in old Jerusalem. (updated Sep 2023)
31.77583335.22916721 Christ Church, Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate St 55. Anglican church established in 1849, it was the original seat of the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem until 1899. (updated Sep 2023)
31.77350935.22917722 Armenian Museum. 09:00-16:30. Located slightly down the street from Saint James Cathedral, it is housed in what was once either the monastery or the guest house for the Armenian Monastery of Saint James. The museum holds an impressive and very well documented collection demonstrating the history of Armenia both religious and secular. Even for those who are not usually museum goers, it is an easily accessible, yet informative glimpse into Armenians long history. In addition, the grounds are very beautiful with a double story colonnade built around a central court yard. ₪5 adults / ₪3 students.

Christian Quarter

The Christian Quarter, the result of rapid expansion under Byzantine rule, is in the northwest corner of the city and is home to a bewildering array of churches, patriarchates and hospices of the city's many Christian denominations. The quarter is served by the Jaffa Gate and the New Gate.

31.77844435.2297523 Church of the Holy Sepulchre (accessible from Christian Quarter Road or a small opening from Souk el-Dabbagha). Daily in the summer 05:00-21:00, and in the winter 04:00-19:00.
The Holy Sepulchre is a large building spanning several areas in which Christ is believed by Christians to have been crucified and died, was buried, and then rose from the dead on the third day. Eastern Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholics, and Oriental Orthodox Christians are each allotted separate areas in the church dating largely to the time of Saladin. The Roman Catholics received their parts due almost purely to the Crusaders and, like all Roman Catholic shrines in the Holy Land, the Roman Catholic part is under the custodianship of the Terra Sancta (i.e. Franciscans).
Parts of the Holy Sepulchre are controlled by several different branches of the Christian Church, who have historically been somewhat at odds with each other. It is important to note that the "church" is not one church in the sense of a building with an altar and podium near the front, but rather a "warehouse" of churches even for each denomination present: each has several altars and chapels. The Orthodox Church makes up the largest of the churches there and is situated in the center directly to the east and in front of the Sepulcher as well as at Golgatha. The Armenians have several smaller altars and chapels throughout the edifice as well as a fairly large church called "Saint Helen's" but often referred to as "Saint Gregory (the Illuminator of Armenia)." The Roman Catholics have two chapels, the Ethiopians have one in addition to a monastery on the roof, the Copts have a small altar behind the Sepulchre itself, and there is a small yet beautiful Syriac chapel up some stairs near the Coptic altar, though it is usually closed. There are even what are known as "ecumenical altars" set up on the sides in various areas which are apparently almost purely decoration and are rarely if ever used. There are many pathways and exploring here makes for a few hours of fun for those who love religious art and architecture.
The best time to come is early in the morning and make your way out by 11:00. Even after sundown it is incredibly crowded. Be warned though, if you are wearing shorts, you might be barred access to the building itself but if not, then certainly to individual churches and without a doubt to the sepulchre. Women should have their shoulders covered, no cleavage, and dresses should go below the knee. Do not wear anything which might be considered even the slightest bit risqué. If you do not oblige, they will turn you back.
Upon entering the church immediately in front of you is a stone slab set in the floor with a pillar at each corner. This is the Stone of Unction on which, it is claimed, Jesus' body was laid and prepared for burial. Turn right and ascend a steep, narrow flight of stairs to what is claimed to be Golgotha. There are altars here marking the location of the crosses on which Jesus and the two thieves were crucified. It is possible to crawl under the left-hand altar and feel a hole in the rock which is said to be the hole in which the cross was placed. Return down the stairs and go underneath Golgotha. A glass panel in the wall shows fractured rock, claimed to have been broken in the earthquake that followed Jesus' death.
When you come out of this room turn right and follow around the passage. A long flight of stairs leads down to the underground Chapel of the Invention of the Cross (a slightly unfortunate name!) which is the cistern in which St Helena, mother of Constantine, found the True Cross. Note the thousands of small crosses carved into the walls flanking the staircase by Crusader period pilgrims.
Come back up the stairs and continue round the passage past various chapels that mark the Stations of the Cross. This brings you to the Rotunda, beneath which is the Holy Sepulchre itself. There is usually a queue here as people line up to visit the tomb. The first small room is where the angels sat who announced the resurrection to the women who came to the tomb on Sunday morning. The second, which is a squeeze for three and impossible for four, contains a marble shelf supposed to be the spot where Jesus' body was laid. Photography - even flash photography - is allowed, but one should be discreet and respectful, as others in the room will regard this as the most holy of all sites and their visit to it as the emotional highlight of their pilgrimage.
Unfortunately the tomb is almost certainly spurious, as 1st century AD tombs had a particular form exemplified by the Tombs of the Prophets on the Mount of Olives. When you come out of the Sepulchre turn left and go round behind it. A low doorway leads into the often dusty and neglected Chapel of St Nicodemus and a further doorway takes you to a small room in the wall of which are genuine 1st century AD kokhim - coffin-shaped tunnels cut into the wall. If the tomb of Christ is anywhere in this building, these are more likely to be it than the official Sepulchre outside.
free.
31.77777835.23055624 Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Muristan Rd. M–Sa 10:00–13:00 and 13:30–17:00. This church was built by Kaiser Wilhelm II and completed in 1898. The church is most admired by tourists for its bell tower. At the top of its 177 steps, visitors are rewarded with some great views over the Old City. Below the church there are archaeological excavations and a small museum. Bell tower: ₪15 for adults.
31.7767235.2301425 Christian Quarter Road (Start from Jaffa Gate). Along with David Street, is the quarter's main shopping thoroughfare. As with most shopping areas in the Christian Quarter, it specializes in religious items as well as handicrafts.
31.77730635.22977826 Muristan. Just south of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, this area was once a hospice for pilgrims from Latin-speaking countries. Today it serves as a quiet area of outdoor cafes and small shops centered around an atmospheric central fountain. free.
31.7769435.2294427 Church of St John the Baptist (David Street corner). Closed to the public. Adorned by a silvery dome, this church is visible from the Muristan even though the entrance is fairly difficult to locate. Founded in the 5th century, the church is significant as one of the most ancient churches in Jerusalem. The church was used as a hospice during the Siege of Jerusalem in 1099.
31.776535.230928 A Walk on the Roofs (corner of St Mark's Road and Khabad Street). It is possible to walk above the central souk along the rooftops of the city. Visitors can climb up to the rooftops via a small staircase at the corner of St Mark's Road and Khabad Street. A second set of stairs leads up from Muristan Road and visitors can exit into the courtyard of Khan el-Sultan, which allows exit onto Chain Street. The view from the rooftops offers delightful views of the bustling streets below, as well as unusual views of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock. free.
31.77894135.22744529 St. Saviors Convent, St. Francis nº 1 (Close to the New Gate), ☏ +972 2-626-6724.

Muslim Quarter

The Muslim Quarter is the largest and most densely populated quarter of the Old City. The quarter has changed hands many times from the 12th through 15th centuries, resulting in decay since the 16th century. It is one of the most fascinating and least explored parts of Jerusalem. The Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif is described separately (below).

31.781435.23644730 St. Anne's Church. M–Sa 08:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00 (winter: 16:00). This Crusader-era church was built between 1131 and 1138 to replace a Byzantine church. It is traditionally believed to be the spot where Anne and Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary, lived. the church fell into ruins until it was donated to France by the Ottomans in 1856. Outside the church are the extensive remains of curative baths as well as the ruins of a Roman temple dedicated to the god of medicine. It is widely believed that this site is the Pool of Bethesda where, according to the Gospel of John (5:1-15), Christ cured a paralysed man. ₪7 adults / ₪5 students & children.
31.78053635.23436731 Monastery of the Flagellation (The Church of Condemnation). Daily: Apr-Sep 07:00–18:00, Oct-Mar 07:00–17:00. Owned by the Franciscans, this site is traditionally held to be where Christ was flogged by Roman soldiers prior to his crucifixion. Opposite the courtyard is the Chapel of the Condemnation, built on the site popularly identified with the trial of Christ before Pontius Pilate. Admission is free.
31.78028935.23283132 Ecce Homo Arch. M-Sa 08:30–12:30 and 14:00-17:00. This arch, which spans the Via Dolorosa, was built by the Romans in AD 70 to support a ramp for the attack on the Antonia Fortress. The arch was reconstructed as a monument to victory when the Romans rebuilt Jerusalem in AD 135. Incorporated into the structure of the neighboring Convent of the Sisters of Zion, Christian tradition states that this is the place where Pilate presented Christ to the crowd and spoke the words, "Ecce homo" (Latin for "Behold the man").
31.7778435.2342433 Gate of Bath.
31.7758635.2352434 White Mosque (Between Museum of Islamic Art and al-Aqsa Mosque).
31.7784535.231735 Lady Tunshuq Palace and Tomb.
31.78210835.23073936 Zedekiah's Cave. A large quarry underneath the Old City. Used for several thousand years; the stones of the Western Wall were likely carved from here. Entrance is from just outside the Old City walls, a bit east of Damascus Gate.
31.78093935.23440537 Monastery of St. Nicodemus. Monastery and Greek Orthodox church. (updated Sep 2023)

Temple Mount/Haram esh-Sharif

Note: Visiting the Temple Mount / Haram esh-Sharif

Different rules apply to Muslims and non-Muslims in the Temple Mount compound (Haram esh-Sharif). The same rules are enforced by both the Israeli police and Palestinian officers who are managed by a Jordanian authority. There are several entrances to the compound, however the only entrance through which non-Muslim visitors are allowed to enter from is a wooden ramp by the Western Wall, near the Dung Gate. Israeli police are stationed outside all gates and Palestinian officers are stationed inside the gates at all times and will prevent you from entering though all other gates. Muslims can enter through any of the gates at all times, and the following restrictions do not apply to them. However, Muslims being suspect of not being a Muslim cannot use every entrance, are asked to show their passport and to prove they are Muslims by e.g. reciting sura Al-Fatiha or the Shahada.

Visiting times for non-Muslims are Saturday to Thursday, from 07:30-11:00 and 13:30-14:30 (summer time), or 07:30-10:00 and 12:30-13:30 (winter time), between Muslim prayer hours. Visiting hours during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan are from 07:30-11:00 only. (Notice that these prayer hours may vary, as the Muslim lunar calendar moves backwards about ten days each year as compared to the solar calendar, and the dates of Ramadan move backwards as well.) Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the Temple Mount on Fridays or during Muslim prayer hours, and may well be shut off entirely depending on the political situation of the day.

At the visitor's entrance, you will stand in line for a security screening, you will pass through a metal detector and the Israeli police may search your belongings and question you. Items such as non-Muslim prayer books and instruments are strictly prohibited. Jews are separated and followed for the duration of the visit.

Once inside, Palestinian guards will examine you. Visitors must be appropriately dressed (i.e. no shorts, no miniskirts, no sleeveless shirts/tops, no bare body parts, no non-Muslim religious attire such as kippahs, no clothes with religious or political slogans; headscarves are not compulsory for female visitors).

Non-Muslims are strictly prohibited permanently from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Entrance into the mosques themselves is allowed only to Muslims. Simply claiming to the Muslim guard that you are Muslim will not be enough - he will usually ask you to recite a well known Quranic verse to prove you are in fact a Muslim, and your documentation will be checked. Anyone not showing proof of being Muslim will be denied entry. The site is extremely contentious. Security is tight and access is strictly regulated.

Non-Muslims are strictly banned from praying on the Temple Mount. Any non-Muslims (especially Jews) who are caught praying on the site, or even quietly moving their lips, will be immediately expelled from the site by the police, and possibly arrested for disturbance of the peace. Any prayer by non-Muslims in the Temple Mount compound, or the chanting of religious or political slogans, will be regarded by Muslims as extremely provocative and can result in a backlash of violence and in physical danger to the person involved. Palestinian officers have been involved in a number of assaults on Jews, and do not expect the Israeli police to protect you from Muslim assailants, as they are more likely to arrest you for provoking the violence.

The Temple Mount (Hebrew Har HaBayit, הר הבית) or Haram al-Sharif (Arabic: حارم الشريف, literally Noble Sanctuary) is the most important site in Judaism and the third most important site in Islam. It is the site of the First and Second Temples from the Jewish and Christian Bible. The site's massive rectangular platform (of which the Western Wall is one wall) was built by Herod the Great. Now the site is a showcase for Islamic architecture and design from the Umayyad to Ottoman times, and is an important religious and educational center for Muslims to the present. Encompassing over 35 acres of fountains, gardens, buildings and domes, it is crowned by the magnificent Dome of the Rock, which stands on the site of the ancient Jewish Temples.

Entering the Temple Mount (Haram esh-Sharif) for non-Muslims is through an elevated wooden walkway leading to a gate called Mughrabi Gate (Moor's Gate), on the south-eastern corner of the Western Wall Plaza in the Jewish Quarter. The entry to the Temple Mount itself (not the mosques) is allowed to non-Muslims only at certain hours and is free of charge (see the caution note above).

Some rabbis consider it forbidden or at the very least religiously unadvisable to enter the Temple Mount as the Holy of Holies is/was somewhere on the Mount. While the Temple stood, this area was off-limits to anybody not a priest of the Temple (and even they could only enter it at certain periods). As the protection of the Holy of Holies was – according to that view – never revoked, one could accidentally blaspheme by standing in the wrong place. However, there are also Jews who disagree with that view or who claim to know where the Holy of Holies is/was or who do not care about the religious implications. Nevertheless, it is better to know and make an informed choice.

It is hard to see the majestic buildings on the Temple Mount from the rest of the Old City (unless you know a local inhabitant who lets you onto their roof). An alternative is to look across from the Mount of Olives.

The sights of the Temple Mount (Haram esh-Sharif) which are permitted only to Muslims:

31.77805635.23527838 Dome of the Rock. (Arabic: Qubbat Al-Sakhra, Hebrew: Kippat HaSela), located in the middle of the sanctuary opposite of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, is probably the most dazzling and well-known landmark of Jerusalem, with its golden dome and octagonal blue walls adorned with calligraphy of Quranic verses. The Dome was built between 687-691 by the ninth Omayyad caliph, Abd al-Malik, atop the ruins of the Jewish Second Temple. The Dome is probably the most spectacular building in the Old City, thanks to a renovation in which dazzling gold donated by the King of Jordan in 1993 was layered over the bronze. Despite common conceptions, the Dome is not a mosque, but a shrine which protects beneath its high ceiling a large piece of rock sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians. The rock is variously believed to be the "Foundation Stone" from which the world was created, where Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son (Isaac or Ishmael, depending on the tradition), where Mohammad left the Earth on his Night Journey (a small indentation was reportedly left by his foot), and the site of Solomon and Herod's Temples.
31.77638935.23555639 al-Aqsa Mosque. The point from where Mohammad is believed to have ascended to heaven. This association has made the building the third-holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. Construction of the mosque began less than 20 years after the completion of the Dome of the Rock. Al-Aqsa has undergone many changes since its original construction. When the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in the 11th century, al-Aqsa became the headquarters of the Templars. The mosque's design pales in comparison to the Dome of the Rock and is permanently off-limits to non-Muslim visitors.
31.7758435.2347840 Museum of Islamic Art (Southwest corner of the Temple Mount). Housed in the Crusader-era refectory of the Knights Templar, this filled museum contains wonderful Islamic architectural remnants. An admission is required, but it is recommended that guests interested in Islamic art visit the LA Mayer Museum in the new city.
31.77638935.23694441 Solomon's Stables (El-Marwani Mosque) (Southeast corner of Temple Mount).
31.77888935.23694442 Golden Gate Interior. on the east wall of the Temple Mount/Haram esh-Sharif. According to Jewish tradition the Messiah will arrive in the Temple via this gate, and according to Christian tradition Jesus entered through this gate on Palm Sunday. Closed by the Muslims in 810, reopened in 1102 by the Crusaders, it was walled up by Saladin after regaining Jerusalem in 1187. Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent rebuilt it together with the city walls, but walled it up in 1541, and it stayed that way until today.