Temple Mount Tour

Price:
You choose!
Basic Information
Total time
1 h
Language
English (check the calendar)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Inside the Dung Gate of the Ottoman walls of the Old City. Look for the guide with a yellow umbrella.Go to map
About

Experience an exclusive and captivating one and a half hour walking tour of the renowned Temple Mount in Jerusalem, guided by the best professional licensed Israel tour guides from Walkative. Discover the rich history and religious significance of this sacred complex, all while enjoying the unique “pay what you like” concept of Walkative’s free tours.


Delve into the sanctity of the Temple Mount, an iconic site where Solomon’s Temple once stood, leaving an indelible mark on its surroundings. This sprawling complex, encompassing a large plato built atop vaults and an earthen floor, housed the Temple, the halls of the royal Stylobate, and other remarkable structures. These magnificent structures were destroyed during the Roman occupation in 70 AD. Nevertheless, remnants of its grandeur have been remarkably preserved to this day.


During the Byzantine-Christian rule, the mountain lay in ruins, serving as a solemn symbol of Christ’s prophecy and the Jewish people’s humiliation in the face of Christianity’s glory. The Temple Mount has remained a spiritual focal point and direction of prayer, embodying the yearning for the past and the hopes of future redemption.


Imagine the Temple Mount as a colossal treasure chest, its lid concealing hidden treasures such as ancient tunnels, magnificent vaults, and numerous deep cisterns, most dating back to the Second Temple period. While all of these underground wonders are typically off-limits to visitors, our tour will focus on the awe-inspiring structures above ground.


Presently, exploring the Temple Mount entails traversing the compound of an expansive mosque. Standing proudly in the center is the iconic Dome of the Rock, often misidentified as the Mosque of Omar. Surrounding it are myriad Muslim religious buildings, prayer facilities, Muslim tombs, and mosques, including the esteemed Al-Aqsa Mosque. The sanctity of the Temple Mount and Jerusalem in Islam is intrinsically connected to their significance in Judaism and Christianity. Moreover, during the early Muslim period, an additional layer of importance was added as the Temple Mount became associated with the place from which Muhammad ascended to heaven.


It is important to note that the Temple Mount is a site of immense religious and geopolitical sensitivities. Due to these sensitivities, access to non-Muslim visitors is limited during specific hours. Additionally, both men and women are required to adhere to a modest dress code when visiting the site. It is strictly prohibited to enter with non-Muslim religious items, including Bibles or prayer books, and alcohol is not allowed.


Furthermore, certain areas such as the Mosque and the Dome of the Rock are off-limits to non-Muslim visitors. These restrictions are in place to respect the sacredness of these spaces.


In recent years, there has been a growing phenomenon among religious Jews who reject older rabbinical rulings that forbid entering the most holy site. These individuals hold a strong desire to access and connect with the Temple Mount, often stirring suspicion among local Muslims. Some Muslims fear that these Jewish groups aim to rebuild the holy Temple in place of the Dome of the Rock, which holds significant religious and historical significance in Islam.


These complex dynamics and sensitivities surrounding the Temple Mount highlight the importance of respectful and informed exploration of this revered site. Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of these sensitivities, follow the established guidelines, and approach the tour with an appreciation for the diverse religious perspectives and historical context of the Temple Mount.


Join Walkative’s exceptional walking tour of the Temple Mount and unravel the layers of history, spirituality, and architectural marvels that make this sacred site an unparalleled destination. Book your tour now for an unforgettable experience in Jerusalem.


Meeting Point
inside the Dung Gate of the Ottoman walls of the Old City.. Look for the guide with a yellow umbrella.

BOOKING RULES
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 7 people on them. If you travel in a party of 8 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option, if it's available, or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.



Excellent tour of the Old City!

Rated 5.0 out of 5
1 year ago

I highly recommend visiting Jerusalem with Tzachi Samiya. He was clearly an expert not just in the history but also in today’s goings ons, showing and teaching us about the big hits but also several hidden gems. He was extremely generous with his time and happy to adapt the tour based on our interests.

Chloe

Insightful Old city and Christian tour of Jerusalem with Seth

Rated 4.0 out of 5
1 year ago

Seth has great knowledge and thoughtfully prepared visuals to aid our understanding of the history. He also gave us understanding of the modern day life in the old city. He is both passionate and knowledgeable about history. I found him very amicable and patient with all the questions.

Jackie Aveling

Old City and Christian Jerusalem

Rated 5.0 out of 5
1 year ago

A very thorough introduction from the kind David. I did the Old City Tour and it was so nice I decided for the Christian walk too. Thanks

Dana

Aviel is the best

Rated 5.0 out of 5
1 year ago

Aviel gave us the most sincere and detailed introduction to Christian sites in Jerusalem we could have hoped for. It all just clicked. Plus he was just the nicest chap to chat with. Thanks!

Jon

Amazing tour of old Jerusalem

Rated 5.0 out of 5
1 year ago

We had a pleasure to have a walking tour of the Old Jerusalem with Tzachi Samiya. It wlas an amazing tour. We had a big grouo with us and everyone had enjoyed it. Tzachi had no proboem keeping everyone’s attention. His stories were captivating. He covered all aspects of the city: history, religion, and division. We went through Armenian, Christian, Jewishand Arab sections of the Old City. The tour actually ended up being a lot longer than 2.5hrs. We had a big group of people of different ages and we all learned a lot and enjoyed it

Regina


shoes logo

This tour is also available as
a Private Tour.

Private tour