Hezekiah's Tunnel - Siloam Tunnel
Hezekiah's Tunnel - Siloam Tunnel
Hezekiah's Tunnel - Siloam Tunnel
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
Come rediscover Biblical Jerusalem! Located just outside the Old City walls, the City of David is in fact the historical Old City of Jerusalem, containing archeological remnants going back 4,000 years. Come see for yourself where it all began...
Duration: 1-2 hours
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1,463 reviews
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Noraatc
Sudbury, MA39,136 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
The 2,000 year old walls of the City of David told us the story of the kings, the battles of Jerusalem, and the ingenuity of Jerusalem’s citizens who had built the tunnels to fill huge cisterns with water, the most vital thing they desperately needed. They were building Hezekiah’s tunnel coming from both sides in the dark, heat and humidity, finally met each other, and witnessed the water flowing into the tunnel to quench the city’s thirst.
It was a fascinating experience, but not an easy one on a sunny 74F day, many ups and downs on the metal stairs, and extremely narrow tunnels to pass. We took the dry route, Siloam Tunnel, and others took the wet one (Hezekiah’s Tunnel), which presumably is more interesting, but you have to walk in the water up to your knees and with a flashlight. The Siloam Tunnel is well lit, but very narrow and might be hard for people with disabilities.
There is another tunnel (500 m) we took to come back to the visitors center from the Pool of Siloam, the final stop of the City of David Tour. That’s entirely avoidable: you can take a shuttle, but we felt adventurous and decided to explore this narrow tunnel with very low ceiling. Well, how often in your life do you get a chance to walk in the 2,000 year old tunnel, so why not?😊
It was a fascinating experience, but not an easy one on a sunny 74F day, many ups and downs on the metal stairs, and extremely narrow tunnels to pass. We took the dry route, Siloam Tunnel, and others took the wet one (Hezekiah’s Tunnel), which presumably is more interesting, but you have to walk in the water up to your knees and with a flashlight. The Siloam Tunnel is well lit, but very narrow and might be hard for people with disabilities.
There is another tunnel (500 m) we took to come back to the visitors center from the Pool of Siloam, the final stop of the City of David Tour. That’s entirely avoidable: you can take a shuttle, but we felt adventurous and decided to explore this narrow tunnel with very low ceiling. Well, how often in your life do you get a chance to walk in the 2,000 year old tunnel, so why not?😊
Written April 18, 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.
melissasandstrom
Orlando, FL156 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
This place is so cool! You will get tickets and start on your journey down into the tunnel. You will walk and take stairs to the tunnel. They said the water was much higher than it really was. They said thigh high (I’m 5,6) the entrance was a little deep (you could roll your shorts up) the rest of the way ankle deep. My 3 year old walked the whole way. It’s only about a 20 min walk. There was no one in front and no one in back. If you are claustrophobic this is NOT for you. And watch out for your head bc the tunnel gets low and you have to walk bending down. I hit my head a few times. The tunnel was fun bc we would close the lights off and it would be pitch black.
After you do the tunnel you can pay 7 shekels for a ride back to the entrance or tale the same route you just did but with lights-land-and no water. Took us 20 min to walk back-stairs and all. Like underground.
It was such a fun time for my kids ages 13,11,10,8,5,and 3. I would definitely recommend. It’s close to the western wall so we did that and then came here. Bring water shoes but no need to bathing suit
After you do the tunnel you can pay 7 shekels for a ride back to the entrance or tale the same route you just did but with lights-land-and no water. Took us 20 min to walk back-stairs and all. Like underground.
It was such a fun time for my kids ages 13,11,10,8,5,and 3. I would definitely recommend. It’s close to the western wall so we did that and then came here. Bring water shoes but no need to bathing suit
Written July 18, 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.
Carol D
Overland Park, KS1,469 contributions
Feb 2020
Part of our tour of the City of David is a walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel. There are actually two tunnel options "wet" and "dry." Apparently the dry tunnel is more recent discovery compared to the "wet" tunnel. If you do the wet tunnel, quick dry pants, water shoes and flash light is a must. If you are claustrophobic, this is not a tour for you. Water comes up to 70 cm (in some spots). I am 5'7 and the highest it came up to me is mid thigh. Most of the time it was just above the ankle. You do need a flash light (head light or light to attach to body somewhere) because there is no lights in the tunnel. However everyone in our group had lights and it was pretty well lit when our tour when through. Water was cool, but you got use to it pretty quick. There are places where we had to bend over to cross, but I would say the majority of the time, I was standing straight up. Once out you end up at the Pool of Siloam also a more recent find. My understanding from those that took the dry tunnel is that it does have lights so no flash light is included and there were some narrow spots (turn side ways) area. It was a fun and different experience.
Written March 9, 2020
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.
ChrisJS51
Sevenoaks, UK482 contributions
Nov 2019
You can either walk down the steep hill to the Pool of Siloam, or wade waist-deep through Hezekiah's tunnel to get there. Authentic way that the ancients got water to Jerusalem. The Pool of Siloam is memorabkle because it is mentioned in the Bible but, until relatively recently, nobody knew where it was and some people considered it to be a myth!
Written February 26, 2020
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.
R B
United States2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Walking through history but watch your step. Prepare for the spring water to be cold. Bring a waterproof flashlight. Do not wear flip-flop or shoes that will come off while walking as you are walking through water from ankle to thigh depth. There are potholes where you could twists an ankle, this isn’t for those who have difficulty walking. There are narrows and areas that require sidesteping, bending and stooping. We will do it again.
Written January 15, 2024
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.
246hughw
Bristol, UK19 contributions
Sep 2019
well worth a walk through this tunnel, a real feat of engineering in its day. a warning however, it is not for you if you are claustrophobic! it is very narrow in places and also very low in places. There is no lighting so you will need a torch and footwear that you don't mind getting wet.
Written February 24, 2020
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.
MarEtMo
Pittsburgh, PA6 contributions
Dec 2022
It was my second time this year. We visited Hezekiah's tunnel in January 2022 and again in December 2022. The path splits about halfway down and you can choose the dry path or go through the original water passage. Two of our group of 9 took the water pathway. The two girls loved it! Both paths are narrow but well worth all the steps down. Hard to imagine the time it took to dig the tunnel out or daily going this route to get water and then return up the narrow tunnel carrying water. . This is a must-see while in Israel!! I'm 70 and I will do this again if I'm blessed to return.
Written December 23, 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.
Kim G
Pacific Grove, CA3,754 contributions
Dec 2019
Exciting adventure exploring this ancient and significant water supply system excavated under the reign of King Hezekiah in the 8th century BC. We deviated our journey from Hezekiah's Tunnel which was flowing with cold water, to the adjoining and dry Canaanite Tunnel, still an impressive marvel and hiking adventure. Those with physical limitations should not attempt a tour of either tunnel. We found this to be an exciting experience, revealing an interesting aspect of Jewish cultural history.
Written November 19, 2020
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.
Steve D
Chesterton, IN323 contributions
Feb 2020
This is very well done and presented. It is amazing to think that so many thousands of years ago that they would undertake this feat. It puts a different perspective on how smart the current age is. There are two ways to go through dry or wet. Be prepared for some wet travel with water shoes and shorts if going through the wet.
Written March 1, 2020
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.
Giselle W
3 contributions
Jul 2019
I visited this back in the 1960s and still remember it well, utterly fascinating. So much so that I still remember it very clearly. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in history, biblical or otherwise. I was a bit scared splashing through the narrow tunnel but thrilled to know that my feet were traveling a path that others have been following for nearly three thousand years. I wore waterproof shoes and shorts but didnt think of my handbag, which got soaked, ruining my passport. In these days of the backpack this is probably no longer a problem.
Written June 5, 2020
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.
Buenas tardes:
Saben si se pueden comprar las entradas para el Siloam Tunnel online. Gracias
Written February 27, 2023
I will be in Israel next month. I already purchased a Western Wall Stone Tunnel tour very late morning, but thought since our morning is open I thought we could go on a tour of Hezekials Tunnel as well in the City of David earlier that morning. Is this too much? Also there are two choices one of them is an entrance to the City of David and the other is the City of David - Tours of Biblical Jerusalem on the website to purchase. It seems only that one includes Hezekial tunnel and that it is 3 hours, which I dont think we have enough time for. Just wanted to get thoughts on the concept of doing both in a morning and how close they are. Thanks.
Written November 25, 2022
I don't know anything about the tours specifically; we were there as part of a larger tour. I can say that it took us about an hour, from the time we walked down towards the tunnel area, until we exited at the Pool of Siloam. The tunnel itself was around 25-30 minutes, but we had to wait a little while for another group, plus there are stairs/walkways down to the point where you enter the tunnel and water itself. The City of David is basically what you walk through on the way to the tunnel, so you can definitely see both in the same morning, but again I'm not sure what the tour involves or how much time that would take. Note that you can definitely visit Hezekiah's Tunnel on your own without a tour, and I think you'd have time for that, but I don't know whether you're looking for a guided version or not.
Written November 26, 2022
Could anyone post a link for buying the ticket online to the Hezekiah Tunnel.
I am very confused about how to join a tour visiting City of David and all these Tunnels.
Thanks in advance.
Written September 16, 2022
Hi can we buy the footwear for the wet tunnel at the entrance?
Written November 28, 2019
you can but I would recommend wearing water sandals you have or an old pair of sneakers you can simply throw out.
Written December 2, 2019
Do you need to buy tickets in advance for Hezekiah tunnel and where do you buy them and how much are they?
thanks
Written October 9, 2019
You can buy tickets there; however, you will likely have a wait for the entrance time. You are better off buying tickets on line in advance...even that day so you know what time to arrive.
Written October 10, 2019
Do we need to schedule this ahead of time or can we just go? Do we need a tour as well? How does that work? Thank you!
Written September 28, 2019
You cán just go without reservations. We walked there. There was no one else there.
Written September 28, 2019
I'm 5'1 about 290lb and my husband is about 6'3 and probably 350lbs. We would like to walk through the actual tunnel but are unsure if we will be able to. I've heard mixed things. Is it a problem to fit through for our sized big and tall/ short and round lol?
Written September 23, 2019
I've walked Hezekiah's tunnel 3 times, and I would not recommend it for your husband. The width will be tight, but the height is a bigger problem. He will walk hunched over for the rest of the day after exiting the tunnel :-) !!
If you're OK with going by yourself, then by all means do it, take some (flash) photos, and tell hi all about it. He might decide it is worth the discomfort and then you can go back together. It will have only cost you a few dollars extra that way.
NOTE NOTE NOTE
There are other tunnels at or associated with the City of David.
1) Hasmonean Aqueduct - a couple of miles southwest of CoD, near the Tayelet / Hass Promenade. The Promenade offers a spectacular view of Jerusalem, so it is worth a visit all by itself. But the Aqueduct is *very* tight and your husband will *not* fit, period.
2) The Western Wall Ascent / Drainage Tunnel - this is a ongoing excavation but it is open. It runs beneath the recently discovered "Pilgrim Road", which is itself being excavated and developed for tours. This tunnel is also very tight, and not a good "fit" for big people. Remember, these tunnels were not built for people to walk in, except for the workers who dug them.
Written October 27, 2019
Hi. We're here in Israel now and planning a trip for our 7 year old's birthday next week. Could you please explain if you have to pay for the City of David tour and then pay for Hezekiah's tunnel or can you just pay to walk though Hezekiah's Tunnel and back up I guess to get back to the entrance?
Thanks,
Jay
Written August 3, 2019
We just paid for the tunnel separately
Written August 5, 2019
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