Old City of Jerusalem
Old City of Jerusalem
5
Historic SitesNeighbourhoodsHistoric Walking Areas
About
Characterized by narrow, winding streets and alleyways, this ancient part of the city is filled with shrines and attractions holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims including the Western Wall, Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Duration: < 1 hour
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  • KMLondon22
    London, United Kingdom195 contributions
    An incredible mix of history & faiths
    An incredible mix of history & faiths in a maze of ancient alleyways. I started by doing the so called Free 2 hour tour that starts from the Jaffa Gate (free is a bit of a misnomer as the guide stated she expected tips of 50 NIS each), which is a good way of orientating yourself. Then go off and explore on your own. Although you will soon bore of the busy central part with its souvenir shops, you can spend hours visiting different sites and wandering the alleyways in the 4 different quarters of the walled city.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 13 December 2022
  • Bluebellplasnewydd
    Cardiff, United Kingdom1,944 contributions
    Melting pot of race and religion
    Souks, world class heritage, religious iconic areas all buzzing with activity. A place to slowly stroll and linger even without formally visiting the churches. Just soak the atmosphere but prepared to be constantly pestered by street vendors.
    Visited November 2022
    Written 16 December 2022
  • David F
    Msida, Malta44 contributions
    I never say 'no' to Jerusalem
    This Old City is the top top destination and it is awe-inspiring as it is unmissable. This was my second visit and I walked all round it day after day. You can never tire of this beautiful historical place. So many different sites and sounds.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 27 December 2022
  • 250pasir
    Valkeakoski, Finland260 contributions
    Historic town
    This is the top sightseeing whe visiting in Israel. Nothing more needs to be said sin e this old historic beautiful place is known by all and worth of every visit. This was my 4th or 5th, and I never got bored.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 2 January 2023
  • Allie H
    Lincoln, California175 contributions
    Plan to spend leisurely time after a tour
    Obviously, this is a must do stop on any trip to Israel. We had a private tour guide who was well worth the cost, due to getting an intimate, well educated and interesting perspective. I recommend setting time to just wander and ponder outside of the formal tours. There is an energy that is just cool to be a part of without hustling to the next spot!
    Visited June 2022
    Written 11 January 2023
  • Bibi
    Rome, Italy16 contributions
    Exciting City
    A historically fascinating place! Enjoyed it immensely. The guide we booked gave us great insight into the different religions and cultures that makes this city so colorful. Would highly recommend visiting it and taking along an experienced guide.
    Visited March 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 February 2023
  • Yisrael R
    2 contributions
    Old City of Jerusalem - Center of the World
    The Old City of Jerusalem is one of the most colorful and popular tourist sites i the world. Jerusalem is a Holy City to the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It has a unique energy. Jewish tradition teaches that Adam the first man was formed from the dust on the top of Mount Moriah, in the center of the Old City.
    Visited February 2023
    Written 16 February 2023
  • Amber in Wunderland
    Sydney, Australia267 contributions
    Lovely to walk around
    I enjoyed walking around the old city. You do get harassed as you are walking by each store. You just have to smile and ignore. Lots of market stuff. It does get repetitive but there is lots to see and purchase if you are interested in that kind of shopping.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 17 February 2023
  • krys_k
    London, United Kingdom701 contributions
    Be a part of living history
    What an amazing place. Quite literally following in the footsteps of the son of God, prophets, crusaders et al. The four quarters that make up the walled city are all quite different, from the quiet Armenian quarter, to the hustle and bustle of the Arab quarter, the rebuilt and serene Jewish quarter to the, oh I don’t know, touristy and yet biblical Christian quarter. There are far too many sites of incredible significance to religious folk as well as those that just want to fully immerse themselves in history. Spent two days wondering around. Not enough.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 February 2023
  • K10
    Singapore, Singapore70 contributions
    More shops than I expected for the site of important religious venues
    Choose your entry Gate carefully, at least on a Sunday. We entered through Damascus Gate and although impressive we were soon in the Jerusalem equivalent of the Grand Bazaar and had to navigate crowds in lanes of tourist shops for quite a while before reaching the Church of the Sepulchre. Jaffa Gate might be better Be aware that many of the key sites or artefacts are not explained by plaque or description so if you seek the history and the religious significance, taking a guided tour would be the best option.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 February 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Daniel L
Apex, NC635 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
The dark narrow streets full of vendors and winding alleyways with cool stuff are still there, but they have definitely now been tourist trap-ified a good bit. Undoubtedly still awesome, but a ton of the vendors are just dedicated now to selling little tourist trinkets, the quality and genuineness of which could be put into question.

Coolest part by far is getting to see the different blends of cultures kind of culminate around this area in their respective sections.
Written 4 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,852 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Jerusalem's Old City is the ancient Walled Heart of the Holy Land. The Old City has four sectors -- Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian. We stayed in the Armenian Quarter; it was an experience of history. Some of the Gates have been walled up. The Jaffa Gate is easy to access by the Mammilla Mall. The Dung Gate is near the Western Wall, it was used to remove trash. The Zion Gate and Lions Gate are historic, the Damascus Gate led the way to Damascus. The's also the New Gate and Herod's Gate. To get a view of the Old City, you can walk around the Wall. The Old City is always interesting, and the markets are fun.
Written 2 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

VivianiAlbuquerque
41 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
This historically city is amazing, a real time-travel back 2000 years! Everything is prepared to have the tourism and I highly recommend hiring a expert local guide.
Written 15 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nave M
4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Jerusalem is a city of contrasts, with ancient history and modern culture colliding on every corner. It is a holy city to three major religions, and its streets are steeped in religious significance. But it is also a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, with a thriving arts scene and a diverse population.

No visit to Jerusalem would be complete without visiting the Old City, which is home to some of the most important religious sites in the world. The Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock are all must-sees. But there are also many other interesting things to see and do in the Old City, such as wandering through the maze of alleyways, shopping for souvenirs, or sampling the local cuisine.

Outside of the Old City, there are many other things to see and do in Jerusalem. The Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial is a sobering reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust. The Israel Museum is home to a vast collection of art and artifacts from around the world. And the Mount of Olives offers stunning views of the city.

Jerusalem is a city that can be difficult to understand, but it is also a city that is impossible to forget. It is a city of peace and conflict, of hope and despair, of love and hate. But it is also a city of beauty and wonder, of history and culture. If you are looking for a truly unique travel experience, then Jerusalem is the city for you
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AlexandraBurger
Cape Town, South Africa8 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
The Walkative Tour lead by David Ha’Ivri on our first day in Jerusalem was phenomenal. We started with the Christian Jerusalem Tour and we’re hooked- we then stayed on for the Evening Jerusalem Tour and it was fantastic!

Would highly recommend Walkative Tours when you arrive in Jerusalem- it’s such a rich and complex place. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Written 3 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julie
Trenton, Canada26 contributions
Aug 2022
What an incredible place! An overwhelming experience from the sounds to the sights to the smells. We moved quickly through here but I wish I could have spent all day. I am not a religious person but I felt very spiritual moving through all the spaces.
Written 25 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Irakli B
Georgia37 contributions
Jul 2023
For every Christian, the old city and places of worship are holy!!!! You need to feel this atmosphere, it is completely different there !!!! But I ask you not to forget that you have to bargain on the market and negotiate with taxi drivers in advance !!!!
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diane S
2 contributions
Jun 2023
The old City is truly fascinating! Great exposure to multiple cultures and religions. Be sure to take your camera!
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pauline
Melbourne, Australia20 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This was an amazing place. We went twice, the first time was with a tour group and the second time on our own because the Tour was so bad we just had to return so that we could enjoy it. 4 totally different communities living together with so much history and atmosphere deserves to be given time. If you can source the real shopping areas (not so much the souvenirs) but where the locals live and shop you get a truer insight into the lifestyles and the food of the area. The last walk of Christ, the churches, the mosques, the synagogues and the Armenian quarter are full of history, art, atmosphere, religion, culture and harmony. If you enjoy people watching this will be an absolute utopia for you.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dario C
Bologna, Italy255 contributions
Apr 2023
Touching experience, the cradle of multiple religions. Walking in this city is a mix of captivating disbelief, strong smells and colours, people from all continents.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Old City of Jerusalem - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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