Description: There are many places from which you can get excellent views of the Old City of Jerusalem from above, but one of the best is by taking a stroll along the walls and ramparts of the city. The Old City of Jerusalem is surrounded by a few kilometers of walls that at some points reach as far as 15 meters above the streets below. While you cannot walk a complete circle around the city, the part behind Haram ash-Sharif is closed for understandable security reasons, you can still walk about three-quarters of the walls and that is plenty to give you some spectacular sights of all the major sights in the Old City.
The walls are divided into a northern section and a southern section. The northern section is the better half, giving you better views of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock, but the southern section also provides good views of the Armenian Quarter and the Mount of Olives. Also, because your ticket is good for both as well as good for up to three days, it is possible two split up the ramparts into two different days. The entrance for both the southern and northern parts is at Jaffa Gate, but you can also join the walk at Damascus Gate. Those are the only entrances, but you can descend whenever you wish.
Along the northern section you will get good views of the New City of Jerusalem as well of the Christian Quarter, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Once you hit Damascus Gate, which has excellent views from the top, you will be in the heart of the Muslim quarter with the opportunity for some spectacular shots of the Dome of the Rock.
The southern road is a bit quieter, but along the way you will get some nice vantage points on top of the numerous buttresses scattered along the ramparts, such as the view of Armenian Cemetery.
The walk is not too strenuous, but does require a good bit of up and down, as well as some navigating of narrow steps, but it is definitely worth it and is sure to provide you with some of your most memorable views of Jerusalem.
Close