Pilgrimage through the ages in the Old City of Jerusalem
A day through the Old City taking in the key holy sites from the Temple Mount to the Holy Sepulchre.
Part of Classic Israel: a week across the country →
The shape of the day
We begin our day with a spectacular view over the Temple Mount, the site of the First and Second Temples and today home to the Dome of the Rock, one of the most recognisable buildings in the world.
We then descend to the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple’s retaining wall and the holiest place where Jews can pray.
Moving through the alleyways of the Old City, we visit the Church of St Anne, a beautifully preserved Crusader church with extraordinary acoustics, built beside the Pools of Bethesda.
From here we begin walking the Via Dolorosa, the route Christian tradition holds Jesus walked to his crucifixion, marked today by the Stations of the Cross, finding time on the way for a great local lunch.
We finish our day at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the sites traditionally identified as Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, and the tomb where he was buried and rose again.
This unique church is shared by six Christian denominations, and remains the goal of the Christian pilgrimage.
Sites we visit
- Temple Mount overlook
- The Western Wall
- Church of St Anne
- Via Dolorosa (pilgrimage route)
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Who it’s for
This day is for anyone drawn to the story of Jerusalem as a place of pilgrimage for the three Abrahamic faiths. I’ll adjust the focus to your specific interests and faith background.
It’s a full day on foot through the alleys, on stone worn smooth over centuries, with steps and some uphill; set to your pace.
FAQ
Can we go up onto the Temple Mount?
Yes! And it’s fabulous. But it’s a bit tricky, non-Muslims can only enter on specific days at specific times, and only through one gate. You also have to be Muslim to enter the Dome of the Rock or the Al-Aqsa Mosque (but they’re still very impressive viewed from outside).
For this reason, many people prefer to stick to the viewpoint, but if you want to go up, I’ll build a plan to make it happen.
Muslim visitors have a lot more flexibility. You can enter at any time from any of the many gates. I won’t be able to accompany you but I will brief you on what you’ll see and arrange a plan to meet once you’re done.
How much walking is it, and what’s underfoot?
It’s a full day on foot, almost all of it inside the walls. The Old City is pedestrian, so there’s no shortcutting it by car, and the stone has been polished smooth by centuries of feet.
There are steps and there is some uphill, particularly on the way to the Holy Sepulchre. Nothing extreme, but wear comfortable shoes with a bit of grip.
What should I wear?
You need to be able to cover knees, shoulders and chests to enter the churches and the Western Wall.
To visit the Temple Mount you need to also cover legs down to the ankles and avoid tight pants or leggings.
The sun can be strong so bring a hat, and make sure your shoes are comfortable to walk in.
How is this different from the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion day?
They’re companion days. This one stays inside the walls, whereas the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion are just outside.
Some people do both, many combine them into one day, picking their priority sites. Get in touch and I’ll help you build a personalised plan to make the most of your time in Jerusalem.
Make this itinerary yours
Tell me who’s travelling, your dates and where you want to focus. I’ll put together a personalised proposal.
For urgent bookings, send me a WhatsApp
If you are going to Israel, you would be mad not to give him a call.
Amol Rajan, BBC presenter and broadcaster
Having been on trips in Israel with seven different tour guides, Samuel stood above all the rest.
Seasoned Israel traveller
Samuel is one part walking encyclopedia, one part storyteller, one part stand-up comedian.
Berkeley Haas Business School student