Free Walking Tours in Jerusalem

One of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem offers a fascinating variety of historic sites from various eras spanning some 3,000 years. Professional tour guides will treat you to one of the most enjoyable and unforgettable experiences during these free walking tours of Jerusalem.

As you explore the Holy City, you will visit world-renowned places like the Via Dolorosa, the Wailing Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Here's all you need to know about free walking tours, one of the best options for sightseeing tours in Jerusalem.

How do free walking tours in Jerusalem work?

Free walking tours in Jerusalem do not have a fixed price, or no money is paid upfront. Instead, at the end of the tour, each person pays the guide the amount that he or she considers appropriate.

These guided tours visit the main attractions in the city, including the most iconic buildings, monuments and neighborhoods. Such walking tours can be booked – and canceled – for free, but do not include the price of tickets to museums and similar venues.

How much should you tip for a free walking tour in Jerusalem?

The amount of tips to the guide depends on the participant’s satisfaction with the walking tour. For free walking tours of Jerusalem, the tip given by each person usually ranges from US$10 to US$50.

What are the best free walking tours in Jerusalem?

Essential Jerusalem Old City main sites tour

The Old City's current walls and city gates were built by the Ottoman Empire authorities from 1535 to 1542. The tour starts at the Jaffa Gate, with the first stop at the Old Market rooftop, which is where the four different quarters meet, the Muslim Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the Jewish Quarter.

From here, you will see the Mount of Olives in the distance, which was once filled with olive groves and used as a Jewish cemetery for thousands of years. This mountain has been an important site for Christians, as many key events in the life of Jesus happened here. Today it’s a major site of pilgrimage for Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Protestants.

The next stop is the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), followed by the Dome of the Rock, built in 691–692 CE, with the Al Aqsa Mosque. The Dome is the world’s oldest surviving work of Islamic architecture. The Foundation Stone (or Noble Rock) that the temple was built over has great significance in the Abrahamic religions.

This UNESCO World Heritage site has been called “Jerusalem’s most recognizable landmark,” along with the Western Wall and the “Resurrection Rotunda” in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

You will also see the holy site, Temple Mount, a flat plaza inside what has remained from the city walls built by King Herod.

At the Old (Mahane Yehuda) Market, Arab merchants and agricultural laborers have been selling their goods here to the residents outside the Old City of Jerusalem since the end of the 19th century. Over time the old market grew with more stalls and pavilions, and in the late 1920s, the British Mandate authorities built permanent stalls and roofing.

Old City of Jerusalem and surroundings tour

The free walking tour of Jerusalem starts at the Jaffa Gate. Inside the Old City, you will visit the holiest site in Christianity – the Church of Resurrection. The route continues through the markets of the Old City and parts of the Muslim Quarter. Following a stop at The Cardo, you will head towards a prominent lookout of Mount of Olives and the Kidron Valley.

Approaching the old Dung Gate (built 1537-1541), the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque become visible in the distance. Then enter the Western Wall Plaza and continue on to New Gate, the newest of the gates of the Old City. Built in 1889, it provided direct access between the Christian Quarter and the new neighborhoods.  Your guide will take you through the narrow and populous alleys where you will experience the vibes and aromas of the Old City.

Jerusalem Old City tour

During free city tour of Jerusalem, you will go on a journey through history and visit the holiest sites for the three monotheistic religions. You will also experience the Middle Eastern bazaars, Mamluk Madrasahs and much more.

The tour starts at the Jaffa Gate. In the nearby Christian Quarter, you will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which according to tradition, dates back to the fourth century. It contains the two holiest sites in Christianity — the site where Jesus was crucified (Golgotha) and Jesus’ empty tomb. Within the church proper are the last four stations of the Cross of the Via Dolorosa.

Along the route, you will find the Ethiopian Church, visit the Jewish Quarter and the Muslim Quarter, as well as the Wailing Wall or known as Buraq Wall in Islam. An ancient limestone wall, it was originally erected as part of the expansion of the Second Jewish Temple begun by Herod the Great.

The tour ends at the Muristan Market, a bustling public square and commercial area within the Christian Quarter. Situated near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, it’s alive with colorful shops, restaurants, churches and various sites. The Roman Forum, a huge courtyard that served as an urban market, used to be in this area.

In which languages are free walking tours in Jerusalem operated?

Free walking tours in Jerusalem are mostly conducted in English, although a few also offer tours in Arabic and Hebrew.

Where does it start?

The start of the free walking tours of Jerusalem is usually from the Jaffa Gate, which is one of the seven main gates of the Old City. The Jaffa Gate is situated on the western side of the Old City and faces west to the main port of Judaea, Jaffa.

The historic gate was built in 1538 by Sultan Suleiman, who then ruled the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey). Given its history, it is the most appropriate point of departure for the tour of old Jerusalem.

How long does it last?

Depending on the number of sites and stops along the tour, the typical duration of the free walking tours in Jerusalem varies from 1.5 hours to 3 hours.  The old city of Jerusalem is roughly a square kilometer and surrounded by the city walls.

When is the best time to join a free walking tour in Jerusalem?

The best time for a free walking tour in Jerusalem is during May and October when the weather is mild and the crowds are thinner. To ensure you don’t get slowed down by throngs of tourists, visit the Old City in the early mornings or after 4 PM.

The Muslim Quarter is particularly crowded between 1 PM and 3 PM on Fridays. The best days to visit the Western Wall are Mondays and Thursdays, If you want to experience the Via Dolorosa, visit there on a Friday at 3 PM in winter or 4 PM in summer.

Should it be booked online?

It is advisable to book your place on the free walking tours of Jerusalem. Booking is fast, easy and completely free, as is canceling. If canceling, however, be respectful and try to notify the tour guide as soon as possible.

Once you’ve booked, you know your place for the tour is reserved, and you can optimize your time in Jerusalem. As guides seek a more personal association with the participants, groups tend to be not too large.