City of David National Park
City of David National Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Rediscover Biblical Jerusalem.The story of the City of David began over 3,000 years ago,Today, the story of the City of David continues. Deep underground, the City of David is revealing some of the most exciting archeological finds of the ancient world. While above ground, the city is a vibrant center of activity with a visitor's center that welcomes visitors for an exciting tour to the site where much of the Bible was written.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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- howarde2001Redondo Beach, California16 contributionsHezekiah’s Tunnel TourHezekiah’s Tunnel Tour at Jerusalem’s City Of David is Historically, Experientially and Team building wise exquisite. “Orrin” is the head tour leader and expertly walks through the archeology, history, scripture and physical tunnel itself. The tunnel experience follows a detailed explanation of the tunnel history. The tunnel is primarily 18 inches deep with two dips to mid thigh level near the front of the tunnel. The tunnel bottom is quite smooth, while the height and width change but can accommodate any adult of reasonable weight. Multiple flash lights are needed during the short 500m walk. Tennis shoes or well fitting water proof sandals worked well.Visited January 2020Traveled with familyWritten January 20, 2020
- Sarah CSydney, Australia3,783 contributionsArchaeological masterworkThe City of David is an archaeological site which you can visit and see remains from settlement during the Canaanite period. At the site you can go underground to Hezekiah’s Tunnel (maybe not if you’re claustrophobic), Warren’s Shaft, the Pool of Siloam). We’d recommend a guided tour so you know what you’re looking at. There’s lots of walking and stairs and hills so you need to be physically fit. Enter via the Dung Gate and head to the visitor centre. There are bathrooms, kiosk and a shop.Visited January 2020Traveled with friendsWritten January 15, 2020
- ketchuprequiredCalgary, Canada317 contributionsTunnels are funWe did the three hour English tour which included Hezekiah’s tunnel. We were with our 19 and 20 year old girls. The tour guide was great. However, we really felt that you could read about the City of David ahead and read the signs at the site and do it on your own. The movie at the beginning was great and the water tunnel was a favourite of all of us but the tour wasn’t necessary - there is not much to see and it’s long (that’s how our teens felt especially). But don’t miss the tunnels!Visited June 2022Traveled with familyWritten June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,158 reviews
Excellent
859
Very good
209
Average
52
Poor
20
Terrible
18
Londoner16
London, UK78 contributions
Aug 2022
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 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.
Written August 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GranZorro
Zug, Switzerland1,434 contributions
Nov 2022
The story of the discovery of Kind David's city - below the walls of the Temple Mount - is in itself a fascinating feat of archeological "detective work".
The tour through the excavations and the tunnels is not only an extraordinary experience, but it also confirms the biblical narrative concerning both the site itself and Jerusalem in general point by point.
Take the 3 hours or more needed for this visit and go. Highly recommended.
The tour through the excavations and the tunnels is not only an extraordinary experience, but it also confirms the biblical narrative concerning both the site itself and Jerusalem in general point by point.
Take the 3 hours or more needed for this visit and go. Highly recommended.
Written November 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neta
6 contributions
Mar 2023
In March 2023 we took a Biblical City of David tour with Oren being our guide. What a great guide he was! As with the most of ancient ruins you need someone to explain, what you are looking at. Otherwise it’s just a pile of stones in front of you. Oren loves being a guide and it showed in everything he was telling us about. His enthusiasm was simply contagious. The pouring rain on that day did not really spoil the mood, because the facts we learned from our guide and the things we saw were so exciting. Oren was engaging the group with questions and stories. We would really recommend the tour and the guide.
Written April 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ailsa E
Northampton59 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
We have just got back from doing this and loved it. We took shorts and flip-flops./sliders to change into at the visitor centre, and left our stuff in the lockers, do the water tunnel, which was an amazing experience. We were in it on our own and used phones as light, and I would strongly advise turning the lights off and standing still just to get a sense of how isolated you are in the centre. We then walked back to the start along the drainage channel, which ends up at the new excavations by the car park
Written November 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher S
Fort Collins, CO72 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Small archeological site right next to the western wall of the temple mount. It was really easy to access via the local bus system. The main attraction is the pool of Shiloam and Hezzikiahs tunnel water system. If you are even a little claustrophobic I would NOT recommend the tunnel but you can still explore the dry route and even try entering from the other side of the wet route to get the "feel"of it. Had a really great time at this site.
Written July 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,225 contributions
Nov 2022
The City of David National Park demonstrates the evolution of David's city from the earliest times. Archaeologists are still discovering clues to the early city. The remains of the early city can be found near the Western Wall, near the Dung Gate. There are quite a few stairs to climb, but it's worth the effort. By the way, David's son, Solomon built the Temple.
Written November 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara B
Houston, TX190 contributions
Jun 2022
We really enjoyed our 90 minute City of David to Western Wall tour! Miss Ariana was our group's guide. She is fantastic! Ariana is fluent in Hebrew too. This tour includes a short hike through an underground tunnel but there is also outside time in direct sunlight so have a hat and sunscreen. We prepaid for the tour via the website about 10 days before the date. There were about 2 dozen folks in our group. Ariana had such a great way of storytelling and keeping everyone engaged. I highly recommend this tour. I know there is a popular 3 hour tour, but we didn't have time in our packed Jerusalem schedule for it.
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly
Warren, MI106 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
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. 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.
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elsaivers
Washington DC, DC50 contributions
Jul 2022
Very much worth a visit. Guided tours are only at certain times so plan in advance if you would like to do one. (We did a self guided tour and it was still very cool!)
The path is well marked but will take you through a residential area so keep your ticket handy as you will go through another gate. The pilgrimage steps are still under excavation and the only exit from the tunnel is through what looks like a construction site. (If you keep going up the tunnel you will hit a dead end.)
The path is well marked but will take you through a residential area so keep your ticket handy as you will go through another gate. The pilgrimage steps are still under excavation and the only exit from the tunnel is through what looks like a construction site. (If you keep going up the tunnel you will hit a dead end.)
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rumskys
Portland, OR745 contributions
Jun 2022
Really great archeological tour. This gives you a great overview of some of the early history of Jerusalem. Our guide, Asher, was really knowledgeable and entertaining and had actually worked on one of the sites we visited. It was great to hear his first hand stories. It was super cool to walk through the wet tunnel (just over thigh deep) and then back up the old drainage tunnel beneath ancient paving stones. This is well worth doing.
Written June 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello! I would like to take my 87 years old mother to visit the City of David National Park and it's tunnels and undergrounds. Is it senior friendly or too much adventurous? Thank you!
bchemp2000
Coleman, Canada
Hello.do you have the Aharon Horovitz book "City of David: The story of Ancient Jerusalem" ad how much is it in US dollars ?
rjaffelieb
Jerusalem, Israel194 contributions
Look at the City of David website, they have an online store and it's very good. His book is there as are many others. Let me know if this is not enough.
DianeDiane
New York City, NY1,997 contributions
Is it better to reserve a tour or go on your own to the City of David including tunnels? If we go on our own - is information supplied about what we are to see when we get our tickets?
Fane Babanul
Rishon Lezion, Israel1,965 contributions
The guided tour cost per person is less than 60 SHEKEL, worth every agora.
Book in advance, through the CITY OF DAVID web site.
Bob R
Rehovot, Israel90 contributions
To do the "From the City of David to the Western Wall", do i need to do the organized tour (only at 11 am) or is it open from till 5 pm?
podrozniczka60
New Jersey14,763 contributions
You do not need an organized tour. You can visit on your own. Make sure you have a map of some sorts - paper or on your iPhone. You can download Jerusalem city guide from Tripadvisor. If you feel uncomfortable in foreign cities on your own then get and organized tour.
Barbara W
New York City, NY1 contribution
About how much is the taxi fare from the Primo Kings hotel ? In american dollars. How long is the trip? Is there a place to get a snack like pizza?
Colin R
Oxfordshire, UK59 contributions
There's a coffee bar at the site but that's about it - coffee, cold drinks, crisps etc. But, as others have said, you're a 5 minute walk from the Old City (albeit up hill) where there's a vast array of places to eat. Try some local humous
Rosemarie P
Tamarac, FL38 contributions
Last year I visited the site and had a wonderful time. I purchased the tickets in advance, on-line. I also had great help with answers to my questions through email.
This year, the site is not working properly and I am unable to complete the purchase. I've also not been able to get a response to several emails. Others have left comments on the site, trying to get answers to questions, but no one is responding.
I am leading a group of 10 to Israel later this year and would really like to nail down some main attractions. Is any one else experiencing this? Is there another email address where the staff might respond?
Thanks for your help.
manisfeld
Northbrook, IL320 contributions
Rosemarie: The best suggestion I can give so to call them directly at +972 2-626 8700.
I most definitely highly recommend that when booking tickets you also book a guide.
ISL_USA
Massachusetts184 contributions
What would be that closest and fastest place to eat in case we have about 1/2 hour or less before the guided tour ?
Yair Z
Jerusalem, Israel
Dear ISLBoston,
There are available food courts in the Rova -the Old City. Located 10 minutes away the City of David.
Alternitively,you can find places to eat in First station (Tahana Rishona) located off Emek Refaim st.
The free shuttle bus is located in the Parking lot of the First station and will get you to the City of David.
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Claim your listingCity of David National Park (Jerusalem) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about City of David National Park
- City of David National Park is open:
- Sun - Thu 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Fri - Fri 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- We recommend booking City of David National Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 17 City of David National Park tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience City of David National Park:
- City of David and Underground Jerusalem Day Tour (From $89.00)
- Discover the Secrets of the Underground Jerusalem with a private tour (From $949.00)
- Jerusalem: The Center of the Universe - Walk the "Holy City" with GaryTheGuide (From $525.00)
- City of David and Underground Jerusalem Day Trip from Tel Aviv (From $99.00)
- City of David & Underground Jerusalem Day Tour from Tel Aviv (From $195.00)
- Hotels near City of David National Park:
- (0.16 mi) Litov Kotel Hotel - A Jewish Orthodox Hotel
- (0.26 mi) The Sephardic House
- (0.44 mi) Christ Church Guest House
- (0.47 mi) Ecce Homo Convent
- (0.28 mi) La Maison d'Abraham
- Restaurants near City of David National Park:
- (0.22 mi) The Quarter Cafe
- (0.54 mi) Roots Restaurant
- (0.28 mi) Holy Cafe
- (0.53 mi) The Eucalyptus
- (0.65 mi) Luciana
City of David National Park Information
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| Very Good Reviews | 184 |
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