Old City Jerusalem Christianity Tour: Via Dolorosa & Sepulchre

Walk the path Jesus took, then stand where he was buried and rose

A private 6-hour tour of Jerusalem's Old City led by an English-speaking guide, starting at Jaffa Gate and moving through the Christian, Jewish and Muslim quarters on foot. You walk the Via Dolorosa station by station, enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the crucifixion and resurrection site, visit the Western Wall, and see Saint Anne Church and Pool of Bethesda before ending with time to shop at the bazaar in the Muslim Quarter. Pickup is available from your Bethlehem hotel or the 300 Checkpoint. A valid passport is required at booking and on the day of travel. The Dome of the Rock closes Fridays and Saturdays.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Jaffa Gatepass by
2. Church of St. Anne30m
3. Pool of Bethesda30m
4. Via Dolorosa2h
5. Dome of the Rock45m
6. Western Wall20m

Explore Old City of Jerusalem

• Meet guide at Gloria Hotel entrance
• Walk Jerusalem city wall and gates
• Visit Saint Anne Church
• Visit Pools of Bethesda
• Walk and stop at Via Dolorosa stations
• Visit Al Aqsa Mosque (subject to hours)
• Visit Western Wall
• Enter Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• End tour at Jaffa Gate

The experience

The tour begins at Jaffa Gate, one of the main entrances to the Old City, where you meet your private guide. From there, you walk the city walls passing five of the gates and overlooking three quarters of the ancient walled city, with your guide explaining the history and layout as you go. The route takes you through the Christian Quarter first, where you stop at Saint Anne Church (a Crusader-era building and the traditional birthplace of the Virgin Mary), and then to the adjacent Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus is believed to have healed a paralyzed man.

The heart of the tour is the Via Dolorosa, the path tradition holds Jesus walked toward his crucifixion. You stop at each station along the way while your guide explains the history and significance of each point. From there, you visit the Western Wall, the only surviving structure from the Second Temple and the most sacred site in Judaism. Access to the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque (the third holiest place in Islam and a site sacred to Jews as well) depends on opening hours, which are very limited for visitors and the site closes entirely on Fridays and Saturdays. You then enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site of Jesus's crucifixion, burial and resurrection, and receive a full explanation of the site from Roman times to the present. The tour ends back at Jaffa Gate, leaving time before or after to explore the bazaar in the Muslim Quarter on your own.

A moderate level of fitness helps, as the tour is conducted entirely on foot through the winding streets and stairs of the Old City. You'll be contacted before the tour to confirm your exact meeting point and time. Pickup from your Bethlehem hotel or the 300 Checkpoint is included, though you'll need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point if you're staying elsewhere in Jerusalem.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide for the full 6 hours.
• private tour with no other groups.
• pickup from your Bethlehem hotel or the 300 Checkpoint.
• entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Saint Anne Church, Pool of Bethesda, Western Wall and (when open) the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque.
• walking access to the Via Dolorosa with station-by-station explanation.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical level

Operated by Michael Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the commentary comfortably even if you don't speak Hebrew or Arabic. The private format means the pace and depth of explanation can adjust to your questions and interests as you move through each site.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

5 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly is the Via Dolorosa and why does the guide stop at each station?

The Via Dolorosa is the traditional route Jesus walked to his crucifixion in Jerusalem. Your guide stops at each of the stations marked along the path to explain the history and religious significance of that point in the journey, so you understand what each location represents in Christian tradition.

Can I visit the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque on this tour?

The tour includes a visit to the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque, but access is subject to very limited opening hours and the site closes entirely on Fridays and Saturdays. Your guide will attempt the visit if hours allow on the day of your tour.

Is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre included, and what will I see there?

Yes, entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is included. This is the holiest site in Christianity, built on the location of Jesus's crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Your guide provides a complete explanation of the site's history from Roman times through today.

How much walking is involved, and what kind of shoes should I wear?

The entire 6-hour tour is conducted on foot through the Old City's winding streets and stairs. Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are essential, as the terrain is uneven and includes many steps. The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

What do I need to bring or arrange before the tour?

You must have a valid passport with you on the day of travel. The operator also needs your passport name, number, expiry and country at the time of booking. Pickup is included from your Bethlehem hotel or the 300 Checkpoint, but if you're staying in Jerusalem, you'll need to arrange your own transport to Jaffa Gate.