Temple Mount & Dome of the Rock tour from Jerusalem hotels

Three thousand years of Jerusalem stone in a single morning

A guided tour of Jerusalem's holiest sites starting from Mount of Olives and descending through the Kidron Valley to Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock in the Old City. You walk past ancient Jewish tombs dating to the 1st century AD, enter via the Dung Gate, and visit the Davidson Center archaeological park to see excavated First and Second Temple Period structures. Hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide are included. The tour runs 8 to 10 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kidron Valley30m
2. Old City of Jerusalem1h
3. Temple Mount1h
4. Dome of the Rock20m

Explore Jerusalem's historic sites

• View Old City from Mount of Olives
• Descend Mount of Olives
• Walk through Kidron Valley
• Enter Old City via Dung Gate
• Walk through Old City streets
• Visit Temple Mount or Tower of David
• See Dome of the Rock outside
• Visit Davidson Center archaeological park
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour begins with a view across Jerusalem from Mount of Olives, then descends past the city's oldest Jewish cemetery: graves dating back 3,000 years. You walk through the Kidron Valley where Jewish tombs from the 1st century AD line the slope, entering the Old City through the Dung Gate. The route itself is the history: each step down moves backward in time, and the stones underfoot carry the weight of that span.

Temple Mount is the centerpiece, a sacred site that once held the ancient Jewish Temple and today houses the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque. When authorities restrict visitor access (which happens periodically), the tour pivots to the Tower of David instead, so the day's structure holds. After Temple Mount, you visit the Davidson Center, an archaeological park adjacent to the site where excavations have exposed First and Second Temple Period structures. You walk among the ancient remains, seeing the layers of Jerusalem's different eras laid bare.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with an air-conditioned vehicle and a professional English-speaking guide. Modest dress is required (covered knees and shoulders), and Temple Mount itself operates under strict security. No religious objects or weapons are permitted on the compound. The Dome of the Rock is open to Muslims only, so non-Muslim visitors see it from outside. Children under 4 are not suitable for this tour. From age 4 onward, all fitness levels can manage the walking and pacing.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 6 Jan 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

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.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Bein Harim Ltd

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't need a car or navigate to a meeting point, so the tour works whether you're staying in the city center or elsewhere in Jerusalem. The 8 to 10 hour span fits a full day without rushing the sites or the walking between them.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What's the oldest thing I'll see on this tour?

The Jewish cemetery on Mount of Olives dates back 3,000 years, making it Jerusalem's oldest. You walk past it on the descent, and it sets the scale for everything that follows on the tour.

Can I go inside the Dome of the Rock?

The Dome of the Rock is open to Muslims only. Non-Muslim visitors see it from outside on Temple Mount, where the structure dominates the skyline and the surrounding plaza.

What happens if Temple Mount is closed when I visit?

When authorities restrict access to Temple Mount, the tour visits the Tower of David instead, so the day's itinerary and duration remain intact. Your guide will confirm the day's route when you're picked up.

How much walking is involved?

You descend Mount of Olives, walk through the Kidron Valley, navigate the Old City streets to reach Temple Mount, and explore the Davidson Center archaeological site. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the terrain includes slopes and uneven ground.

What should I wear to visit these holy sites?

Modest dress is obligatory: knees and shoulders must be covered. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the descent and the Old City streets. Temple Mount has strict security, so leave religious objects and weapons at your hotel.