City of David & Underground Jerusalem: 8-hour day tour

Walk through King David's palace and the Gihon Spring where Jerusalem's history began.

An 8-hour guided tour of Jerusalem starting with panoramic views from Mount Scopus, descending into the City of David to explore archaeological remains from King David's era through the Second Temple period, then moving through the Jewish Quarter and Armenian Quarter to conclude at King David's Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional English-speaking guide, and an air-conditioned vehicle. You'll walk through ancient stone-paved streets, visit the Pool of Siloam, and see the Western Wall. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and modest dress covering knees and shoulders is required for entry to places of worship.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Kidron Valleypass by
2. Garden of Gethsemanepass by
3. Zion Gate10m
4. Old City of Jerusalem1h
5. Armenian Quarter20m
6. Jewish Quarter1h
7. Cardo20m
8. Western Wall20m
9. City of David National Park1h 30m
10. King David's Tomb10m

Explore ancient Jerusalem and City of David

• View Old City from Mount Scopus
• See Kidron Valley
• View Garden of Gethsemane
• Visit Zion Gate
• Visit Old City of Jerusalem
• Walk in Armenian Quarter
• Visit Jewish Quarter
• Visit Byzantine Cardo
• Visit Western (Wailing) Wall
• Visit ongoing excavations and Warren
• Visit King David's Tomb
• Visit Sepharadic Synagogues

The experience

The day starts with a panoramic view of the Old City from Mount Scopus, then moves to the City of David near the Dung Gate. From there you descend into the archaeological heart of biblical Jerusalem, walking past the Kidron Valley and ancient burial caves to understand why King David selected this location as his capital. The route takes you through King David's palace, a Proto-Aeolic capital, a four-room house, and down to the Gihon Spring. The water source that made the settlement viable.

After the City of David, you walk the historic stone-paved Pilgrimage Road to the Pool of Siloam, then head into the Jewish Quarter for a lunch break. The afternoon includes the Byzantine Cardo, the Western Wall, and the Armenian Quarter before finishing on Mount Zion at King David's Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. The tour covers a moderate amount of walking across uneven terrain and ancient steps, so sturdy shoes matter. An air-conditioned vehicle handles the transitions between major sites.

Your guide is a live English speaker who walks the route with you throughout the day. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour operates with a minimum of two participants. Entrance fees to the City of David National Park and other sites are separate (approximately $10 per person). Children from age 4 onward are welcome, though the walking and historical detail suit older children better.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide for the full day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned vehicle for transport between major sites.
• access to the City of David archaeological remains, the Pool of Siloam, King David's Tomb, and the Room of the Last Supper (entrance fees separate).

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 4 Jan 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 40 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 10

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Bein Harim Ltd

Is this one for you?This tour suits anyone with a serious interest in biblical archaeology and Jerusalem's ancient history, as the pace and detail reflect a full day of walking through excavations and historical sites rather than a quick overview. The 8-hour commitment and moderate walking load work best for travelers comfortable with uneven terrain and multiple flights of ancient steps.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

What exactly is inside the City of David that I'll see?

The City of David National Park contains archaeological remains spanning from King David's era through the Second Temple period: King David's palace, a Proto-Aeolic capital, a four-room house, the Gihon Spring, and ongoing excavations. You'll walk through these sites with your guide, who explains the layout and significance of each structure.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour includes a reasonable amount of walking across ancient stone-paved streets, uneven terrain, and steps, particularly in the City of David and the Old City quarters. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended, and the itinerary is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What's the dress code for visiting the religious sites?

A moderate dress code is required: knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. Avoid wearing shorts. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in refused entry to places of worship and selected museums.

Does the tour include lunch?

The tour includes a lunch break in the Jewish Quarter, but food and drinks are not provided as part of the package. You'll have time to purchase a meal during the break.

What happens if I can't visit the Spanish synagogues?

If the visit to the Spanish synagogues is not possible on the day of your tour, the guide will substitute a visit to the Hurva Synagogue instead.

Are entrance fees included in the tour price?

Entrance fees are not included and cost approximately $10 per person. These cover access to the City of David National Park and other archaeological sites visited during the day.