The Three Religions - Old City of Jerusalem and City of David

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem

  We will climb the 2000 year old tower for a spectacular view of the Old City of Jerusalem seeing the Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Mount of Olives

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 2
  Western Wall Observation Deck

  We will visit the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism built by Herod the Great over 2000 years ago. It was the retaining wall of the huge platform that housed the Second Temple. From there we will go underground and follow the wall to its northernmost point, seeing one of its stones, which weighs 500 tons.

  1 hour • Admission ticket included
• 3
  The Way of the Cross - Via Dolorosa

  We exit the tunnel on the Via Dolorosa, the way of the cross, which is the traditional route that Jesus took from when he was convicted by Pontius Pilate to Calvary, the site of the Crucifixion. We will see the first 9 stations of the Cross, including where Jesus fell, where he met his Mother Mary, and where he comforted the Daughters of Jerusalem. We arrive at the Ethiopian Village on the roof of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where we descend through the Ethiopian Church to the entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus was crucified and resurrected.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Church of the Holy Sepulchre

  We enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Christianity's most revered sanctuary, located at the end of the Via Dolorosa. Guided through this complex, multi-layered basilica, we will visit the Stone of Anointing, where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial, and ascend to Calvary (Golgotha), the traditional site of the Crucifixion. We then visit the Aedicule, which houses the Tomb of Christ, the site of the Resurrection. Along the way, we'll explore the hidden chapels maintained by the diverse Christian denominations that share stewardship of the church, including the Armenian, Coptic, and Greek Orthodox chapels, as well as the subterranean Chapel of Saint Helena.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 5
  Dome Of The Rock

  We visit Haram al-Sharif (the Temple Mount), one of the world’s most iconic and sacred sites. Walking across the open-air plaza, we will admire the magnificent exterior architecture of the Dome of the Rock with its radiant golden dome and vibrant blue Persian tiles, as well as the historic Al-Aqsa Mosque. As we stroll through the compound, your guide will share the rich history and deep spiritual significance of this site to Islam, as well as its historic connection to the First and Second Jewish Temples. (Note: Non-Muslim visitors view the mosques and monuments from the outside, as inner sanctuary access is restricted to worshippers).

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 6
  City Of David National Park

  We step back 3000 years into ancient Jerusalem at the City of David National Park, the original urban core of biblical Jerusalem, where it all began. We will explore ongoing archaeological excavations, including the Large Stone Structure (believed to be King David’s Palace), and take an unforgettable subterranean journey through Hezekiah’s Tunnel—a 2,700-year-old water conduit carved through solid rock—leading to the biblical Pool of Siloam. From there, we will walk along the Pilgrim’s Road, the monumental 2,000-year-old stepped street once trodden by ancient Jewish pilgrims ascending from the pool directly up toward the Second Temple. (Note: Travelers can choose between the wet walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel or a dry alternative path).

  1 hour • Admission ticket included
• 7
  The Davidson Center

  We begin at the Givati Parking Lot Excavation, one of Jerusalem’s most active archaeological digs, revealing layers of history spanning from the Crusader period down to the First Temple era. From here, we descend underground into the ancient Roman-era drainage channel—walking beneath the ancient city streets to emerge directly at the southern base of the Western Wall. We are standing on the ancient pilgrim road next to the Temple and see the shops where the pilgrims bought what sacrifices they needed. There we see the stones that the Roman soldiers threw down from the Second Temple when they destroyed it in 70 CE. Finally, we explore the Southern Wall Excavations, where we will stand at the monumental Hulda Gates and climb the original 2,000-year-old stone steps—the very staircase where Jesus walked and taught during the Second Temple period.

  1 hour • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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