City of David
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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)
Get to Know Ancient Jerusalem
Nearly a million people visit the City of David National Park every year, making this must-see attraction one of the most important and popular sites in Jerusalem. The City of David is an archaeological site that reveals the birth place of Jerusalem. The City of David gives its visitors a rare opportunity to experience ancient Jerusalem and watch ancient stories take shape and come to life before their eyes.
The Most Important Archaeological Site in Israel
The City of David is actually more ancient than the Old City of Jerusalem! A two-minute walk from the Western Wall, the location of the ancient city in Biblical studies, makes the City of David the most important archaeological site in Israel. This site is the location of the largest number of archaeological expeditions! Excavations continue to take place with new and fascinating artifacts uncovered regularly.
Tours and Attractions for the Whole Family
The City of David National Park Visitor Center offers a variety of attractions, tours, and surprises that you won’t find anywhere else in the world: a walking tour through an ancient underground water tunnel, an extraordinary archaeological experience at the sifting project in Emek Tzurim National Park, the nighttime presentation Halleluya which uses advanced projection technology to tell the ancient and riveting story of Jerusalem, guided Segway tours at the Peace Forest attractions complex, and fascinating tours of the “Petra of Jerusalem,” located at the foot of the monumental tombs of Kidron Valley.
The Revival of the City of David – A New Jewish Settlement
Ir David Foundation, also known as Elad, a Hebrew acronym meaning “to the city of David”, was founded in1986 with the purpose of strengthening the Jewish connection to Jerusalem. The foundation aims to establish and renew the Jewish community in the City of David, and does so through tourism, archeological excavations, education and research, and the purchasing of houses and land from the nearby Arab neighborhood – Silwan. In 1991, a new Jewish community has emerged in the City of David and as of today, there are approximately 30 Jewish families living side by side with the Arab families at the City of David.
Hallelujah: a marvelous night show in the City of David
Hallelujah is a spectacular audio-visual show displayed on the ancient walls of the City of David. It tells the story of the return of the Israeli people to their Homeland. The show combines a fascinating plot, innovative animation, and a heartwarming soundtrack. It is a memorable multi-sensory experience delivered with advanced technological means. Only during the Hallelujah spectacle, you’ll be able to go back in time and take part in the exciting story of ancient Jerusalem.
Getting together at the City of David
New fantastic compounds for private events and gatherings at the City of David expects and awaits to host you and your loved ones for any special occasion.
The perfect way to have an unforgettable get together with the fantastic view of Old City and the enchanting and glorious fresh mountain air of Jerusalem.
The compound consists of the House in the Valley at the top of Ben Hinnom Valley for outdoor events of up to 160 guests in sitting arrangements or 200 for cocktail buffet parties.
The King Courtyard is a fantastic setting for small gatherings of 50-120 guests.
Enjoy the unique Jerusalem atmosphere in these event sites that offer an unforgettable experience of unprecedented luxury and beauty.
Photos courtesy of the City of David Archive
Tickets and Prices
City of David Entrance Fees
Museum Admission – Adults: 28 ILS, Children (5-18)/Soldiers/Seniors: 14 ILS
3D Movie Admission – Adults: 15 ILS, Children (5-18)/Soldiers/Seniors: 15 ILS
Group rates per person in a group of 30 or more
Museum Admission – Adults: 23 ILS, Children (5-18)/Soldiers/Seniors: 13 ILS
3D Movie Admission – Adults: 15 ILS, Children (5-18)/Soldiers/Seniors: 15 ILS
*Advance registration is required for groups ** 3D movie tickets are available only in addition to the museum entrance ticket.
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TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 1141 traveler reviews
The show has no purpose. It has no historical sequence, it focuses on a very limited historical period (the destruction of the First Temple until the establishment of the Second Temple) without giving an overall picture of the origin of the Jewish people (even in brief flashes). I saw a number of free light shows...
MoreThe show has no purpose. It has no historical sequence, it focuses on a very limited historical period (the destruction of the First Temple until the establishment of the Second Temple) without giving an overall picture of the origin of the Jewish people (even in brief flashes). I saw a number of free light shows in Jerusalem (mainly at the light festivals in the summer). Each of them was much better than this performance which costs quite a bit and gives a pinch
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We booked the evening son et lumière show "Hallelujah" at the City if David. It's very expensive, and not really worth it. First they show you the archeological excavations themselves, but the explanations are brief and uninformative. Nothing is said about dates or historical context. Then there is a projection...
MoreWe booked the evening son et lumière show "Hallelujah" at the City if David. It's very expensive, and not really worth it. First they show you the archeological excavations themselves, but the explanations are brief and uninformative. Nothing is said about dates or historical context. Then there is a projection of a story on the walls of one part, where you sit in an amphitheatre. The visual special effects are quite impressive, but that's the only good thing about it. It's a quasi-historical quasi-mythical account of a Jewish return from Persian exile to rebuild Jerusalem, with backward references to the biblical story of David. But again historical explanation is lacking and it's quite confusing. The narrative is low-grade and patronising, as well as propagandistic (the modern resonances of a Jewish return from exile to rebuild Jerusalem, in the teeth of hostile forces who don't want the Jews there, are not exactly subtle). Well worth missing.
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We had an excellent tour guide for the underground tunnel tour at City of David. Yehuda was informative and entertaining. Most of the tour is in fairly large underground spaces or outside at overlooks. At one point in the tour there is an option to split into the dry tunnel or the wet tunnel....
MoreWe had an excellent tour guide for the underground tunnel tour at City of David. Yehuda was informative and entertaining. Most of the tour is in fairly large underground spaces or outside at overlooks. At one point in the tour there is an option to split into the dry tunnel or the wet tunnel. Before you choose a tunnel, there is a short film about how the tunnel was made and how it was discovered We chose to do the dry tunnel since it was a shorter walk in closed quarters and enjoyed the quick hop back into history. Both tunnels ended back at the Pool of Siloam together. It is not a wet pool but a historically significant one nevertheless. We chose the shuttle back to the visitor's center but there were other areas that one could walk through and explore as well if you want to make a whole day of the experience.
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