Jerusalem Private Guided Tour: Old City & Mount of Olives

Mount of Olives panoramas, the Dome of the Rock, and fourteen Stations of the Cross in one day

A private guided tour from Amman to Jerusalem's Old City and surrounding sacred sites, with an English-speaking driver and air-conditioned vehicle. You'll climb Mount of Olives for views across the city, stand on the Temple Mount plaza beneath the golden Dome of the Rock, walk the Via Dolorosa through the fourteen Stations of the Cross, and enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre through the Zion Gate. The tour operates in multiple languages depending on availability.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Temple Mount30m
2. Old City of Jerusalem30m

Jerusalem Old City and Religious Sites

• Visit Mount of Olives churches and views
• Explore Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock
• Tour Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Walk the Via Dolorosa route
• Visit the Tower of David Citadel
• Explore Mount Zion shrines and churches
• Walk Old City walls and gates

The experience

The day starts with your driver picking you up and crossing the border into Israel. Once inside, you head to Mount of Olives, the hill overlooking the Old City where four churches sit among the oldest continuously used cemetery in the world. The Church of the Ascension at the peak gives you the clearest views across Jerusalem. Walking down the slope, you pass the Church of the Pater Noster and the Russian Church of Mary Magdalena with its onion dome. From there, the route takes you to the Temple Mount, the wide plaza above the Old City centered on the Dome of the Rock: Jerusalem's most iconic landmark. Beneath the golden dome sits the sacred stone both Jews and Muslims believe to be where Abraham offered his son to God. The Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the world's oldest, anchors the southern side of the plaza.

The Old City itself opens through the Zion Gate into a maze of narrow streets and ancient quarters. You walk the Via Dolorosa, the route Jesus took after his condemnation, marked by fourteen Stations of the Cross. Some stations rest on Gospel accounts. Others on tradition passed down through centuries of pilgrims. The walk ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built in the 11th century on the site where Jesus was crucified according to Christian tradition. The church interior holds various holy relics and is divided among different Christian denominations. If time allows, the itinerary may include Mount Zion just south of the Old City, where the Last Supper Room and the Church of the Dormition stand, or the Tower of David (the Citadel), whose rooftop offers one of the best views of the Old City walls.

Your transportation is private throughout: an air-conditioned vehicle with just your group. The driver speaks English and can arrange a live guide in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or ten other languages depending on what's available when you book. If you choose the VIP Service option, the agency handles the shuttle between the Jordan and Israel borders, removing that logistical step. A passport copy must reach the agency 48 hours before departure so the driver can arrange the necessary permits to meet you inside the Israeli border.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a driver who speaks English.
• access to the Old City through the Zion Gate and entry to its major sites including the Western Wall, Via Dolorosa and Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
• views from Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount plaza.

Options for this experience

4 options

Transfer to Jerusalem, one wayGuide in 15 languages · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Duration: 2 hours. Private transportation in a modern, air-conditioned full-size limo car or minivan, sized to the number of travelers. Pickup is included.

Transportation only, basic optionGuide in 15 languages · 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00Duration: 9 hours. Private transportation in a modern, air-conditioned full-size limo car or minivan, sized to the number of travelers. Pickup is included.

Guided TourGuide in 15 languages · 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00Duration: 10 hours. Private transportation in a modern, air-conditioned full-size limo car or minivan, sized to the number of travelers. The package includes an escorted guide at all the sites. Pickup is included.

VIP service with a guideGuide in 15 languages · 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00Duration: 10 hours. Private transportation in a modern, air-conditioned full-size limo car or minivan, sized to the number of travelers. What's included: an escorted guide at all the sites and a private car between the Jordan and Israel border, with access to the VIP lounge at both borders. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Friday15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Tour Experts

Is this one for you?Choose the Guided Tour option if you want a live guide in your preferred language to explain the history and significance of each site. Pick the Guided - VIP Service option if you want the agency to handle the border shuttle between Jordan and Israel, removing that step from your day. The Basic Transportation option works for travelers who prefer to explore independently with just a driver.

Traveler reviews

4.56★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, Chinese, Ukrainian, Japanese, Polish and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 8 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What is the Dome of the Rock and why is it on this tour?

The Dome of the Rock sits at the center of the Temple Mount plaza and is Jerusalem's most iconic landmark. It marks the sacred stone where Jews and Muslims both believe Abraham offered his son to God, and where Muslims also believe the Prophet Muhammad began his ascent to heaven. The tour includes time on the Temple Mount plaza to see it.

How long does the Via Dolorosa walk take and what exactly are the Stations of the Cross?

The Via Dolorosa is the route Jesus walked after his condemnation, marked by fourteen Stations of the Cross. Some stations are based on Gospel accounts and others on tradition. The walk begins on Via Dolorosa Street and proceeds through the Old City, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where the last five stations are located inside the church itself.

Can I walk on the Old City walls during this tour?

The Old City fortifications date from the Ottoman period and have two walkable sections along the ramparts: one from Jaffa Gate heading north to Lion's Gate, and another from Jaffa Gate heading south to Dung Gate. Whether the tour includes wall walking depends on the itinerary and time available on your departure day.

Do I need a visa to enter Israel for this tour?

An Electronic Travel Authorization must be applied for before travel. A visa to Israel is your responsibility to arrange before the tour. You'll also need to provide a passport copy to the agency at least 48 hours before departure so the driver can arrange the necessary permits to meet you at the border.