This site can be toured on your own, but we found a guide to be an absolute bonus (for a fee, of course). The archeology here is phenomenal, but linking it to the scriptural accounts augments tremendously.
City of David – a international attraction at the birthplace of Jerusalem
A view from a Segway tour (Photo: Max Richardson, courtesy of the City of David Archives)
A girl walks through the city of David (Photo: Eliahu Yanai, courtesy of the City of David Archives)
Girls riding a camel in the King's Valley (Photo: Kobi Harati, photo courtesy of the City of David Archives)
Emek Tzurim Girls Sifting the sand (Photo: Atara Haro, photos courtesy of City of David Archives)
Children stroll through the promenade (Photo: Eliyahu Yanai, courtesy of the City of David Archives)
Children running on the promenade (Photo: Eliyahu Yanai, courtesy of the City of David Archives)
Area G in the City of David (Photo: Kobi Harati, courtesy of the City of David Archives)
Entrance to City of David (Photo: Kobi Harati, courtesy of the City of David Archives)
The Valley of the King - a view of the Tomb of the Sons of Hazeer (Photo: Kobi Harati, courtesy of the City of David Archives)
The corner of the Western Wall, looking to the east side (Photo: Yonit Shiller, courtesy of the City of David Archives)
A group of young people touring the fortress in the fountain (Photo: Yonit Shiller, courtesy of the City of David Archives)
The Byzantine Pool (Photo: Koby Haraati, Photo's courtesy of the City of David Archive)
The Helleluya night spectacle screening )Photo: Koby Haraati, Photo's courtesy of the City of David Archive)
Tours and attractions for the whole family
The City of David National Park offers a variety of attractions and tours that you won’t find anywhere else. Enjoy unique times of the city of kings and prophets, where about half of the Bible books were written and most of the stories took place in biblical Jerusalem, a VR experience, and a spectacular night show projected on top of the ancient walls of the City of David.
Meet Ancient Jerusalem
The City of David is a must-see attraction for anyone who visits Jerusalem. The archaeological site shows the place where Jerusalem was born. Some 3,000 years ago, King David left his beloved city, Hebron, and headed for Jerusalem with one clear goal: to make Jerusalem a political, religious, and spiritual capital for the entire nation of Israel. The City of David offers a rare opportunity to experience ancient Jerusalem, walk through the ancient tunnels, and watch the stories of the Bible come to life right before your eyes.
The world’s most Important Archaeological Site
The City of David is located southeast of the Old City, on the Hill of the Ophel near the Western Wall. The importance of the ancient city in Bible study makes the City of David the most important archaeological site in the Land of Israel. At this site, archaeological excavations were conducted by countless expeditions. Excavations continue to be carried out in the area and new and fascinating findings are being revealed all the time.
Hallelujah: A Spectacular nighttime show in the City of David
Hallelujah Fire and Water – This is a spectacular night-time show presented on top of the antiquities of the City of David with first-of-its-kind pyrotechnics in the land of Fire and water. The show combines a fascinating script of the story of Zion’s return, revolutionary animation, and an exciting soundtrack. This is an unforgettable multi-sensory experience delivered to the audience by advanced technological means – only in Hallelujah can you go back in time and become part of the exciting story of ancient Jerusalem.
Bar Mitzvah and Family Celebrations in the City of David
How about a family celebration in a unique atmosphere? The City of David invites you to have an extraordinary experience with unique hosting complexes that combine luxurious boutique design and an atmosphere that can only be found in Jerusalem – in its clear mountain air, stunning landscapes, history, and unforgettable holy atmosphere. The complexes are perfect for weddings, Bar Mitzvah, and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies (including a procession from the Western Wall to the City of David), birthdays, social events, and other joys. Celebrate your special occasion in the place where Jerusalem was born.
Find out the perfect venue for your event.
Photos courtesy of the City of David Archive
Price list on the City of David website
- Entrance to City of David National Park:
28 NIS Adult / 14 NIS Child. Free for Matmon subscribers - A guided tour of the Biblical City of David:
58 NIS Adult / 42 NIS Child - A guided tour of the City of David and the Western Wall:
42 NIS Adult / 33 NIS Child
Sun-Thurs: 08:00-17:00, Fri: 08:00-14:00
Check out the schedule on the City of David website. Hours may vary depending on the season
How to reach City of David?
Tours at the City of David
Join a magical journey and discover ancient shafts, walls and fortresses in ancient Jerusalem. Come and find out where and how it all started! Read more
When was the last time you travelled back in time? Discover the Herodian Jerusalem and the Second Temple period at the City of David. Read more
Experience the urban nature of Jerusalem – on Segway! Watch breathtaking views of the Old City from Haas Promenade and The Peace Forest. ... Read more
Buy tickets for our new attraction
The City of David invites you to celebrate 50 years of a unified Jerusalem with a breathtaking sound and light show... Read more
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 1150 traveler reviews"Amazing site - highly recommend to go with a guide"
"Water tunnel is amazing"
We have just got back from doing this and loved it. We took shorts and flip-flops./sliders to change into at the visitor centre, and left our stuff in the lockers, do the water tunnel, which was an amazing experience. We were in it on our own and used phones as light, and I would...
MoreWe have just got back from doing this and loved it. We took shorts and flip-flops./sliders to change into at the visitor centre, and left our stuff in the lockers, do the water tunnel, which was an amazing experience. We were in it on our own and used phones as light, and I would strongly advise turning the lights off and standing still just to get a sense of how isolated you are in the centre. We then walked back to the start along the drainage channel, which ends up at the new excavations by the car park
Less"The Hebrew Bible comes alive - not to be missed!"
The story of the discovery of Kind David's city - below the walls of the Temple Mount - is in itself a fascinating feat of archeological "detective work". The tour through the excavations and the tunnels is not only an extraordinary experience, but it also confirms the biblical narrative concerning both the site itself and...
MoreThe story of the discovery of Kind David's city - below the walls of the Temple Mount - is in itself a fascinating feat of archeological "detective work". The tour through the excavations and the tunnels is not only an extraordinary experience, but it also confirms the biblical narrative concerning both the site itself and Jerusalem in general point by point. Take the 3 hours or more needed for this visit and go. Highly recommended.
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