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.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
1,163 reviews
Excellent
862
Very good
210
Average
53
Poor
20
Terrible
18
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Londoner16
London, UK93 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 17 August 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.
Curious04912537597
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Family
We held a bar mitzvah there
Before we closed we received amazing treatment, as soon as they realized we were closing we would already be in a situation as if we were in their pocket.
Must go into the smallest details because there are falls and it spoils the event.
We were scheduled for a tour at 11:10, but at 11:20 the guide still wasn't there, until she arrived it was difficult to reorganize the people who were scattered and the desire decreased.
The guide ran the tour because they said no that the Orim must be at the meal at 12:00 so a tour of about 40 minutes was maybe 20 minutes.
They chased us to the number of diners as if we were cheaters and running away from them, they didn't relax about it the whole event.
They promised a place for three children for free and in the end they didn't give it.
Count the amount they gave as if people.... It was embarrassing, people were waiting for the amount as if...
The food was delicious but the filling was slow and you had to constantly chase them for it.
The place is beautiful and special, the desire of the event manager was good, but the small details clouded the atmosphere.
The menu lists a selection of potpourris for dessert and they brought only three small chocolate cake, a small coconut cake and another cake with crackers on top, unfortunately and my mistake I did not check before and when they brought and I asked they told me it was a selection. 1 is one and above 1 is already a selection and you have three types.
They put a cake as small as the number of dishes I ordered.
I ordered a birthday cake from them and asked them to bring it to me when I was congratulating the birthday celebrant and they put it on the butzer with the desserts as if it was part of the desserts to fill the empty space.
It was shameful, unpleasant and guests marveled at the paucity of the dessert.
In conclusion, I'm not sorry that I went there for other reasons and not for the location and service, but I won't go back there in the future.
Scratching the money like it's the only part that matters.
Too bad it turned out that way
Before we closed we received amazing treatment, as soon as they realized we were closing we would already be in a situation as if we were in their pocket.
Must go into the smallest details because there are falls and it spoils the event.
We were scheduled for a tour at 11:10, but at 11:20 the guide still wasn't there, until she arrived it was difficult to reorganize the people who were scattered and the desire decreased.
The guide ran the tour because they said no that the Orim must be at the meal at 12:00 so a tour of about 40 minutes was maybe 20 minutes.
They chased us to the number of diners as if we were cheaters and running away from them, they didn't relax about it the whole event.
They promised a place for three children for free and in the end they didn't give it.
Count the amount they gave as if people.... It was embarrassing, people were waiting for the amount as if...
The food was delicious but the filling was slow and you had to constantly chase them for it.
The place is beautiful and special, the desire of the event manager was good, but the small details clouded the atmosphere.
The menu lists a selection of potpourris for dessert and they brought only three small chocolate cake, a small coconut cake and another cake with crackers on top, unfortunately and my mistake I did not check before and when they brought and I asked they told me it was a selection. 1 is one and above 1 is already a selection and you have three types.
They put a cake as small as the number of dishes I ordered.
I ordered a birthday cake from them and asked them to bring it to me when I was congratulating the birthday celebrant and they put it on the butzer with the desserts as if it was part of the desserts to fill the empty space.
It was shameful, unpleasant and guests marveled at the paucity of the dessert.
In conclusion, I'm not sorry that I went there for other reasons and not for the location and service, but I won't go back there in the future.
Scratching the money like it's the only part that matters.
Too bad it turned out that way
Written 13 September 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.
GranZorro
Zug, Switzerland1,567 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 18 November 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 5 April 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
Northampton68 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 21 November 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, CO123 contributions
July 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 2 July 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, Australia13,640 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 16 November 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, TX201 contributions
June 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 8 June 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, MI105 contributions
July 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 28 July 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.
zev b
7 contributions
June 2024 • Solo
3500 years of Biblical history come alive when you take a guided tour of the City of David. The tunnel shaft that King David used to surprise the enemy so he could take over this mountain; the place where King David set up a tent to house the Ark of the Covenant, the pool where Solomon was anointed as the person to succeed his father as the next king; inscribed seals of known people during the reign of King Josiah, and inscribed seal of Jeremiah's scribe when Jeremiah was commanded to redeem his relative's property.
These evidences and more of Biblical history await you.
These evidences and more of Biblical history await you.
Written 22 June 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.
Mau
Bat Yam, Israel
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!
Written 29 September 2019
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 ?
Written 2 July 2018
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.
Written 7 July 2018
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?
Written 9 October 2017
The guided tour cost per person is less than 60 SHEKEL, worth every agora.
Book in advance, through the CITY OF DAVID web site.
Written 13 January 2018
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?
Written 23 April 2017
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.
Written 23 April 2017
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?
Written 1 August 2016
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
Written 26 August 2016
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.
Written 31 March 2016
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.
Written 5 April 2016
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