Old City of Jerusalem – Half Day Tour
Orange sunset clouds behind the Tower of David (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
An overview from the Jerusalem Old City walls, into the Old City itself (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
A beautiful overview of the Christian Quarter (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
Take a tour around the Christian Quarter of the Old City (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The ancient Roman street ruins (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
Walk down the bustling streets of the Old City (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The spectacular ceiling of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The entrance to the divine Chruch of the Holy Sepulchre (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The holy Stone of Anointing in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
Tour the Via Dolorosa in the Old City where Jesus Christ walked to his crucifixion (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
Via Dolorosa in the Old City where Jesus Christ walked to his crucifixion (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The Western/Wailing Wall (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The Western/Wailing Wall (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
An ancient alleyway in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
Streets of the vibrant Market in the Old City (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
A beautiful overview of the Mount of Olives (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
An expansive overview of the Jerusalem Old City (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
- Duration
Half a day - Departure days
Every Day - Languages
English, French, German, Spanish
Overview
Our tour begins on the Mount of Olives (Har HaZeitim) where we have a panoramic view across the holy city of Jerusalem. From this elevated point we have the ancient Jewish cemetery beneath us and beyond that the Old City with the shining Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. As we look down on the Old City it is easy to imagine the Second Temple which once stood on the Temple Mount and the bustling ancient city as it would have been almost 2000 years ago.
Highlights
- A walking tour through the highlights of one of the most sacred and majestic spots in the world
- Enter the Old City and follow the Byzantine Cardo through the Jewish Quarter
- Pay a visit to the Western Wall
- Take the Via Dolorosa following in Jesus’ footsteps passing the Stations of the Cross
- Glance at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified
- Tour ends in Jerusalem (other drop-off points available on request, payment not included)
Itinerary
Pick-up Times:
6:30 am: start pickup from hotels in Netanya
7:00 am: start pickup from hotels in Herzliya
7:15 am: start pickup from hotels in Tel-Aviv
8:30 am: start pickup from hotels in Jerusalem
Drop-off Time:
13:00 pm: tour ends in Jerusalem
All times are approximate
- To see all available pickup hotels, please click “book now” and choose the desired date and city
Pricing
The prices for this tour vary by departure city:
- Jerusalem — $48
- Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Netanya — $56
What to expect
Our tour begins on the Mount of Olives (Har HaZeitim) where we have a panoramic view across the holy city of Jerusalem. From this elevated point we have the ancient Jewish cemetery beneath us and beyond that the Old City with the shining Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. As we look down on the Old City it is easy to imagine the Second Temple which once stood on the Temple Mount and the bustling ancient city as it would have been almost 2000 years ago.
Then we take the winding road down to the Kidron Valley giving us a view of the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was arrested the night before his crucifixion and we also see the Church of All Nations or the Basilica of the Agony. In the valley we can see the ancient burial tombs of Absalom and Jehoshapat, Benei Hezir and the tomb of Zechariah. We enter through the Zion Gate into the Armenian Quarter of the Old City and continue on to the Byzantine Cardo. This was the main street through Jerusalem 1,500 years ago, later under Moslem rule it was left unused and then during the Crusader period the street was once again a busy thoroughfare. Today after extensive excavations, which are ongoing, specialty stores are open where once Crusader stores would have stood.
Going through the Jewish Quarter we reach the Western Wall, one of the holiest sites in the Jewish faith. Here Jews from around the world come to pray and put prayer notes between the wall’s stones. This 2,000 year old wall was part of the outer supporting walls of the Temple Mount on which the holy Second Temple stood and was destroyed in 70AD.
We continue on to the Via Dolorosa or the Way of Sorrows where Jesus walked towards his crucifixion. Along the way we pause at several Stations of the Cross and finally we reach the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The basilica is constructed above the place where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and within the church is his burial tomb. The Byzantine church has been renovated, rebuilt and expanded over the years. Today it is a vast and ornate place of worship.
To end our tour we take a walk through the busy markets of the Old City where you can buy unique souvenirs from this special city.
TOUR LANGUAGES BY DAY
PICKUP CITIES AND PRICES
Additional Notes
-
- This tour ends in Jerusalem, nevertheless, other drop-off points are available upon request for an additional payment of $65 which can be booked online with your ticket reservation.
- Change of vehicles is required for transfer of pick up to avoid traffic and delay.
- What to bring and wear: Modest dress is required for holy places, comfortable walking shoes, water.
- Guests should bring their own lunch OR purchase lunch online at the time of booking.
- Price includes all entrance fees.
- Age: 4+
- Tour won’t be operated on: 27/04/19, 09/10/19
(IMPORTANT: If you would like to return to Tel Aviv, there is an additional cost of $65 per person OR alternatively, contact us to book a private taxi for your return to Tel Aviv.)
Cancellation Policy
- No refunds will be provided for no-shows or cancellations on the day of travel.
- Cancellations are accepted 24 hours or more before tour begins.
- Cancellations will incur a 4% commission fee if booked by credit card or Paypal.
Have any questions about this tour?
FAQ about the Old City of Jerusalem - Half Day Tour
Can I bring along my luggage on the tour?
Yes, you can bring your luggage with you on the tour for no additional cost, it will be stored in the trunk of the van or bus during the tour.
Please be advised as we do not take any responsibility for any damage or loss of luggage.
It is recommended that you let us know that you are travelling with luggage.
Can I get picked-up and dropped-off at my hotel?
We will pick you up from your hotel or the closest hotel to you, which you can pick during the booking.
Normally after the tour, we will leave you at the Old City, Jerusalem, but if you need to be somewhere else, you can select an additional drop-off location during the booking.
What is the difference between economy and business class tours?
A Economy Class tour will travel as a large group in a luxury tourist bus with up to 50 people.
A Business Class tour will travel as a small group in a luxury tourist van with up to 22 people for an additional fee.
There are no other differences between the tours
Which languages does the tour take place in, and how do I choose my tour?
The tours take place in English, French, Spanish and German. Check the tour itinerary, above, to see which days offer your desired language for the tour.
When booking, you can select the language you want, and it will show you on which days it is available.
What do I do about food?
The options are:
- You can bring money to buy lunch and snacks during the tour.
- You may bring your own food, but we would recommend that you keep the food in a cooler bag, as it can be very hot on the tour.
Is there a tour discount for children or students?
Yes, for both children under the age of 12, and students (with a valid student card) receive a 10% discount. This is automatically applied when booking.
How long will the half day tour take?
The tour is approximately 5 hours long.
What should I do if I don't receive a confirmation email?
We work hard to make sure that you receive a confirmation e-mail after booking, but on the off-chance, you don’t receive it:
- Please check your Spam or Promotional folder.
- If you still don’t find the email confirmation, there may have been a mistake in your email address. Please double-check by contacting our customer support team at the following number or email.
Telephone: +972-3-542-2000
Email: [email protected]