The Old City and the Western Wall: A Practical Visitor's Guide

Short answer: enter through Jaffa Gate, walk down through the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall, and book the Western Wall Tunnels in advance. The Wall is free and open around the clock; dress modestly and avoid phones and photography there on Shabbat. The Old City is small (under one square kilometre) but steep, crowded and full of steps, so wear good shoes and start early. Most paid sites close early on Friday and on Shabbat. Arrive by light rail (City Hall or Damascus Gate) rather than by car. Our historic sites list has hours and prices for each site below.

Gates and quarters

Seven gates are open: Jaffa Gate and the New Gate in the west, Damascus Gate and Herod's Gate in the north, Lions' Gate in the east, and Zion Gate and Dung Gate in the south. Dung Gate is the closest to the Western Wall. Inside are four quarters:

• The Jewish Quarter: the Western Wall, the Cardo, the Hurva Synagogue, and museums built around excavated houses.
• The Christian Quarter: the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the hospices.
• The Muslim Quarter: the largest, with the markets from Damascus Gate.
• The Armenian Quarter: quiet, with the cathedral and the Armenian community.

The Western Wall (Kotel)

• Free and open all day and night. Expect a security check at the entrances.
• Men and women pray in separate sections. Men cover their heads (paper kippot are provided); everyone covers shoulders, and women cover knees; shawls are available.
• On Shabbat and chagim: no phones, photography or smoking at the Wall. Friday evening at sunset is the most moving time to come.
• For the big days, such as Birkat Kohanim on Sukkot and Pesach, see our Sukkot guide.

Underground and archaeological sites

Prices from our directory, adult / child:

• Western Wall Tunnels, ₪38 / ₪25. Guided only, along the length of the Wall underground. Book ahead; tours run into the evening Sunday to Thursday and on Friday mornings.
• Davidson Center and Archaeological Park, ₪34 / ₪18. The southern wall of the Temple Mount, the steps pilgrims climbed and ancient mikvaot.
• City of David, ₪31 / ₪16. Just outside Dung Gate, with Hezekiah's water tunnel (wet).
• The Herodian Quarter, ₪34 / ₪18, and the Burnt House, ₪22 / ₪11. Houses from the Second Temple period under the Jewish Quarter.
• Hurva Synagogue, ₪22 / ₪11. The underground passage and a 360° lookout.
• Ramparts Walk, ₪25 / ₪15. Along the top of the walls.
• Tower of David, ₪55 / ₪35, and its Night Spectacular, ₪69 / ₪59.

The Temple Mount

Non-Muslim visitors can go up only Sunday to Thursday, in short morning and midday windows, through the wooden Mughrabi ramp at the southern end of the Western Wall plaza. There is no reliable published timetable, it closes without notice, and non-Muslims may not enter the Dome of the Rock or the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Ask at the ramp that morning and go early.

A half-day route

1. Jaffa Gate, and the Tower of David or the Ramparts Walk.
2. Down through the Armenian and Jewish Quarters to the Cardo and the Hurva.
3. The Western Wall, then your pre-booked Tunnels tour.
4. The Davidson Center, or out through Dung Gate to the City of David.
5. Back up through the Jewish Quarter for lunch.

Our ready-made itineraries have longer plans.

Getting there

• Light rail: City Hall for Jaffa Gate (about 10 minutes' walk), Damascus Gate for the north. The light rail guide explains paying.
• Parking: Mamilla (closed on Shabbat) and Karta by Jaffa Gate; small lots near Dung Gate fill early. Parking in Jerusalem has more.
• Taxis can drop you at Jaffa Gate or Dung Gate.

Security: check the Home Front Command's current guidance and your airline's updates before and during a trip. Our safety guide explains sirens, shelters and the app.

Common questions

Is the Western Wall open on Shabbat?

Yes, it is open at all times, and Friday evening is its busiest and most moving time. Phones, photography and smoking are not allowed at the Wall on Shabbat.

Do I need tickets for the Western Wall Tunnels?

Yes. They are guided tours only and sell out; book in advance. Adults ₪38, children ₪25.

Can non-Muslims visit the Temple Mount?

Yes, Sunday to Thursday in short morning and midday windows, through the Mughrabi ramp by the Western Wall plaza. Hours change without notice.

What is the dress code at the Western Wall?

Shoulders covered for everyone, knees covered for women, and heads covered for men. Kippot and shawls are available at the entrance.

Visited recently and found an hour or price has changed? Tell us and we will fix it.