The Temple Mount is the most important tourist site in Israel, and one of the most important in the world. Nevertheless visiting the site is hardly welcoming: there is no tourist information bulletin; no entry for tourists on Fridays and Saturdays, even though these are the days preferred by tourists for sight-seeing; visiting hours are short, and there is a very slow security check and creates long lines at the entrance to the site.
The Dome of the Rock
An impressive and beautiful edifice, the Dome of the Rock can be seen from all over Jerusalem. It is the crowning glory of the Haram es-Sharif (“Noble Sanctuary”), or Temple Mount.
The Dome of the Rock is not a mosque, but a Muslim shrine. Like the Ka’ba in Mecca, it is built over a sacred stone. This stone is believed to be the place from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven during his Night Journey to heaven.
The Dome of the Rock is the oldest Islamic monument that stands today and certainly one of the most beautiful. It also boasts the oldest surviving mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca) in the world.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Al-Aqsa Mosque (also spelled El-Aksa; “Distant Mosque”) is the most important mosque in Jerusalem. It is the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. It is the central focus of the Muslim community in Jerusalem, hosting daily prayers and accommodating large crowds for Friday sermons.
Only Muslims can visit both buildings, non-Muslims are allowed to walk around.
The admission is free and the entrance is located through the Mughrabi Gate near the Western Wall.
Sometimes there can be long (over an hour) waiting lines. Ia Temple Mount visit is important to you, arrive early.
Temple Mount Visiting hours:
Visiting Hours for Monday through Thursday (menaning closed on Fridays and Saturday and also on Islamic Holidays):
Winter: 7:30 am – 10:30 am and 12:30pm – 1:30 pm
Summer: 7:30am – 11:00am and 1:30pm – 2:30pm
