J
Great tour!
Orna is so knowledgeable and just a joy. We learned so much and had a great time. Highly recommend.
Operator response
Thank you very much 🙂
Private Walking Tour in Jerusalem's Old City
+18 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Price from
- $650 / person
- Location
- Jerusalem, Israel
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 10 reviews
- Languages
- EN, HE
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Orna Simchi
- Meeting point
- Meet at the stone bench at the Jaffa Gate, in the part outside the old city.
Description
Hi! I'm Orna, a licensed tour guide who is certified through the Ministry of Tourism in Israel. I have over 10 years of experience working with a wide range of ages as well as cultural and religious backgrounds. You will get to know the Old City - the four quarters and the Temple Mount, explore the three monotheistic religions and visit the sites sacred to them. You will meet local people and learn about their connection to the city, learn about the complex and special story of Jerusalem- past and present, and gain a better understanding of Jerusalem and the people who inhabit the city today. All entry fees are included.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sun
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Group price
- $650 per group of up to 8
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Jaffa Gate
We will begin the tour with an introduction to the walls of the Old City and the Jaffa Gate. Who built the walls, and when? Why is the Jaffa Gate called that and what is its significance? What did it look like in the past and what evidence can be found for this? Who is the guest in whose honor the wall of the city of Jerusalem was breached? And who is buried in the mysterious tombs at the Jaffa Gate?
Armenian Quarter
We will visit the courtyard of James Cathedral. We will learn why the Armenians got their own quarter, who is James, who built a wall around the quarter, and what the Armenian Patriarch did to raise funds for the renovation of the Cathedral.
Jewish Quarter
We will visit the four Sephardic synagogues and learn who built them, when and how they are related to the man who left a besieged Jerusalem in a coffin to save Judaism. We will visit the Cardo and learn its story, and we will learn the connection between the Hurva Synagogue and the Jews who came all the way from Europe to Jerusalem to wait for the return of the Jewish Messiah.
Western Wall
We will visit the largest synagogue in the world, the Western Wall. We will learn how it was built, by whom, and why this is NOT the holiest place for Jews.
Temple Mount, the most sacred place for Judaism is also sacred for Islam. Since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, the Jews had no control over it until 1967, following the Six Day War. We will learn why and how the mountain was sanctified in the monotheistic religions, about the illegal excavations and the sifting project of the Temple Mount soil designed to save archaeological finds, Messianic Jews who want to build the Third Temple, and Muslim graves that are found In the holiest place for Jews.
Muslim Quarter
We will learn who built the Muslim quarter and why, we will make a stop at a local spice store to try some unique Arab sweet delights, and walk through the Arab market.
The Way of the Cross - Via Dolorosa
We will walk through some of the stations of Via Dolorosa on our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
We will visit the most sacred place for the Christian religion, the place of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. We will visit the place of the crucifixion, and his tomb and learn about the Christian faith.
Christian Quarter
We will learn about the patriarch who locked himself in his room and received food through the window, we will stop to visit an Armenian ceramics shop, eat a cake and drink coffee at a local cafe, learn about the lowest statue in Jerusalem and meet local merchants*. *depending on their availability
We will learn why the newest gate in the wall was needed and when it was built.
Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
For a moment, we will leave Jerusalem and "visit" Europe. We will learn why the hotel was built here, by whom and how it is related to the Crimean War. We will go up to the roof of the hotel for a panoramic view of the new city and the old city, from where we can see the different quarters, the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. We will learn who blew up the hotel and why? And about 19 years in which the hotel stood on the border between Jordanian Jerusalem and Israeli Jerusalem.
What's included
Included
Entry Fees
Licensed Tour Guide
Not included
Hot drink and a cake
Please bring Hat, water and comfortable walking shoes.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
10 reviews
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Holy sites dress code: (The western wall, Church of the holy sepulcher etc.) No tank tops, Pants / skirts to the knees.
- Temple Mt. Dress code: Men - pants - under the knees, T-shirt. Women - long skirt / pants (not skinny), long sleeves shirt , no cleavage. Please make sure NOT to bring with you: Holy books and sacred objects, Any kind of weapon (including Lederman) , Laptops, tablets or iPads, Alcohol or musical instruments. In case you don’t have a cover, you’ll be given a skirt by the workers there.
- Please note that Temple Mount (Including Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque) is closed for visitors every Friday, Saturday and during various Muslim and Jewish Holidays. Instead, a visit of a view point overlooking the Temple Mount will be included.
- Each trip can be tailor-made to your interests and needs.
- On Fridays, the four Sephardic synagogues will be replaced with another synagogue.
- The tour can be adopted for a wheelchair.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Private Walking Tour in Jerusalem's Old City take?
Private Walking Tour in Jerusalem's Old City lasts about 6 hours. The itinerary has 11 stops.
How much does Private Walking Tour in Jerusalem's Old City cost?
Prices start at $650 per person for this Jerusalem experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Private Walking Tour in Jerusalem's Old City run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Can I cancel Private Walking Tour in Jerusalem's Old City for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Meet at the stone bench at the Jaffa Gate, in the part outside the old city. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Private Walking Tour in Jerusalem's Old City offered in?
The experience is available in EN, HE.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible The tour can be adopted for a wheelchair.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Private Walking Tour in Jerusalem's Old City worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 10 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Orna Simchi.
Reviews(10)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Y
Amazing
Was amazing, took us all over, explained everything, great energy, great tour
Operator response
Thank you very much 🙂
E
Stunningly good tour
Orna was just great. She was enthusiastic, informative, and very kind. We were with her the entire day and around each corner she had something new and interesting to point out. She also knows so many people around the old city, that you'll find yourselves saying hi to other people as you go. Her stories and information were personal and individually curated to address our interests.
Operator response
Thank you very much! I enjoyed our day together 🙂🙏
T
Outstanding Jerusalem Tour for All Ages
From the moment Orna was recommended to me as a tour guide for our day in Jerusalem for my son’s bar mitzvah trip, she has been outstanding. She was responsive from the very start, patiently addressing all my questions and taking the time to understand our group — 23 people ranging in age from 6 to 70 — to ensure the day would be a success. Orna is incredibly knowledgeable about the history of Jerusalem and managed to keep both the children and adults engaged throughout the tour. We explored the City of David above ground, walked through the tunnels to the Davidson Center, and ended at the Western Wall. Each part of the experience was informative, meaningful, and expertly guided by Orna. After the morning tour, we continued with a culinary tour in Machane Yehuda. Orna led us to some of the best food spots in the market, sharing fascinating background stories and historical tidbits about each dish we tried. It was truly an amazing experience, and we are so grateful to Orna for making the day so special. Look no further — you’ll be in excellent hands with her!
Operator response
Wow! Thank you very much! I loved your family! Hope to see you again soon 🙂
K
Fantastic Jerusalem tour
Fascinating City of David and Jerusalem old city tour knowledgeable and insightful. Perfect mix of detail and commentary for group with varied ages
Operator response
Thank you! 😊
H
Orna - Tour with Passion and Excitement
Orna was fantastic! Orna is very knowledgeable and the tour we went on was great! She was so passionate and excited to give us the Old City Tour and she was respectful of everyone's different nationalities and diverse backgrounds. It truly was a pleasure being led by Orna!
Operator response
Thank you very much! I enjoyed guiding you! hope to see you again in Israel soon!
4
The most amazing tour guide!
Orna gave my family the most amazing, fun, and meaningful tours we’ve ever been on! She brought the history of our incredible nation to life and showed us its beauty of today. Her lessons filled our children with pride for our people and for Israel! She didn’t just give us history tours- she helped make our children proud Jews. She has a beautiful heart and was able to accommodate everyone in our family, especially our daughter with special needs. She speaks English perfectly and I highly recommend her for any tours in Israel.
Operator response
Wow. Thank you very much. I love you guys.
E
Touring ancient ruins with a great guide who left no stone unturned!
Great day of touring in the old city of Jerusalem. Orna took us to new excavations that we had never seen before and we revisited some sights we had been to. At each and every stop Orna explained the historical and biblical experience in great detail. She was fun, easy to talk to and the time flew by as walked the ancient stones.
Operator response
Thank you very much Eric! I've enjoyed my time with you and it was a pleasure to meet you!
K
STOP searching -- Orna is THE guide for Jerusalem!
My group of four ladies (ages 30s to 70s, from the US) had an amazing afternoon touring the Old City of Jerusalem with Orna! She is uniquely talented at weaving centuries' worth of history into memorable stories, anchored by the dozens of historic sites you'll see within the city walls. She also graciously entertained our questions when we wanted to explore some aspects of the city's history more deeply; her knowledge is endless! And perhaps most importantly, she is a delightful person to spend the afternoon with. I've done dozens of guided tours all around the world, and this was by far the most informative (in addition to being enjoyable). Stop searching and book Orna's tour!
Operator response
wow, kelly, thank you! I enjoyed my time with you!
J
A wonderful time!
We had a great time with Orna!! She explained everything so well and helped us to understand what we were seeing. She has a great sense of humor so the tour was always entertaining and never boring!! We highly recommend Orna!!
1 people found this helpful
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from$650
5.0(10) Free cancellation