Palm Sunday in Jerusalem: Via Dolorosa procession tour

Walk the route Jesus took into Jerusalem, surrounded by pilgrims and local Christians on Palm Sunday

A guided Palm Sunday tour in Jerusalem starting from the Mount of Olives, where you attend mass at Bethpage, then join the yearly procession down through Kidron Valley and along the Via Dolorosa into the Old City. The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, all entrance fees, air-conditioned transport and hotel pickup. It covers six hours and passes through the Garden of Gethsemane, Church of St. Anne, Pool of Bethesda and other biblical landmarks. A dress code applies: knees and shoulders must be covered for entry to places of worship.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Mount of Olives1h 30m
2. Kidron Valleypass by
3. Old City of Jerusalem3h
4. Church of St. Anne20m · entry included
5. Pool of Bethesda30m · entry included
6. Chapel of the Ascension20m
7. Dominus Flevit Church20m
8. Garden of Gethsemane20m
9. Via Dolorosa40m

Palm Sunday pilgrimage in Jerusalem

• Attend mass at Bethpage church
• Visit Mount of Olives sites
• Visit Church of the Ascension
• Visit Church of Dominus Flevit
• View the Kidron Valley
• Pass through Garden of Gethsemane
• Walk the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem
• Pass through the Muslim Quarter
• Walk along the Via Dolorosa
• Visit Church of Saint Anne
• Visit Pools of Bethesda

The experience

The tour begins with mass at a church in Bethpage on the Mount of Olives, where the Palm Sunday procession originates each year. From there you walk down through Kidron Valley into Jerusalem's Old City, retracing the route Jesus is said to have taken when entering the city by donkey. The procession draws Christian pilgrims and locals from around the world, and the walk itself passes through the Garden of Gethsemane, past the Dominus Flevit Church and down into the Muslim Quarter.

Along the way you visit the Church of the Ascension and the Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives, then descend to the Pool of Bethesda and the Church of St. Anne in the Old City. The Via Dolorosa, the pilgrimage route itself, forms the heart of the procession, and your guide explains the significance of each stop. The entire route takes six hours, and your guide speaks English throughout.

Hotel pickup is available from Grand Court and David's Citadel hotel, and the tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for transport between key points. There's no lunch stop, so bring light snacks and water. Remember that a dress code is enforced at all places of worship: knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women, or you risk being turned away at the door.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• entrance fees to all churches and sites.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• hotel pickup from Grand Court and David's Citadel hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 3 Jan 2027

Book up to8h before

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.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Bein Harim Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving without a car and want to join the Palm Sunday procession: hotel pickup is included, and a guide leads you through the crowds along the full route from the Mount of Olives to the Old City.

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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 the Via Dolorosa and why does the procession follow it?

The Via Dolorosa is the pilgrimage route through Jerusalem's Old City believed to be the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion. The Palm Sunday procession follows it yearly to commemorate Jesus's entry into Jerusalem, and your guide explains the biblical significance of each landmark along the way.

Can I join the procession if I'm staying outside the hotels that offer pickup?

Hotel pickup is available from Grand Court and David's Citadel hotel, but public transportation options are available nearby if you're staying elsewhere in Jerusalem. You can make your own way to the Mount of Olives to meet the tour at the start of the procession.

What's the dress code, and what happens if I don't follow it?

Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women at all places of worship on the tour. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed. If you don't comply, you risk being refused entry to the churches and chapels you'll visit.

Is there time to eat during the six hours?

There is no lunch stop during the tour, so you should bring light snacks and water with you. Plan accordingly if you have dietary needs or prefer a full meal before or after the procession.