Excursion Best of jerusalem & old city walking tour tour at Haifa

Discover Jerusalem's ancient beauty and some of history's most sacred sites during this scenic, full-day sightseeing tour of Israel's capital city.

Panoramic Drive, Mount Scopus, Garden of Gethsemane

Depart the pier in Haifa for the approximate 150 min drive into the Judean Hills. On the drive to Jerusalem, familiar names will catch your attention all along the way. Begin with a magnificent view over the Golden City from atop the Mount Scopus. Then walk through the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent the last moments before his arrest. Early Christians were already holding gatherings here before the first church was built around AD 380. Visit the beautiful church and see some of the oldest olive trees remaining in Jerusalem.

Mt. Zion, Lunch

Next, your drive continues on to Mt. Zion, located south of today's city walls. Upon arrival, a visit is made to the Room of the Last Supper, where Jesus' last meal with his disciples and the descent of the Holy Spirit is thought to have taken place. Located on the ground floor of Mt. Zion is the Tomb of King David, one of the most visited and venerated sites by people of the Jewish faith.

Following your visit, proceed for a buffet lunch served at a local hotel. After lunch, re-board your coach for the drive to the Old City.

Old City, Walking Tour

Enter the Old City via the Zion Gate and walk through the Jewish Quarter and the Roman Cardo to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on the site of Christ's resurrection. The original vast sanctuary built here by Emperor Constantine was destroyed centuries later, but a replacement was eventually rebuilt by the Crusaders. Inside the church you will see the last five Stations of the Cross. Walk through the colorful bazaar as you continue en route to the Western (Wailing) Wall. This is the last vestige of the ramparts that surrounded the Holy Temple of the Jews, built by Solomon, destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, rebuilt by Babylonian exiles, and burned down by Titus.

Your scenic tour of Jerusalem concludes with a leisurely drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Judean Hills, Jerusalem City, Mt. Zion, Old City, Gardens of Gethsemane, Mount Scopus

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking (approximately 1.5 miles - 2.5 km) with several steps to negotiate at religious sites, and is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are encouraged to wear seasonal clothing with flat, comfortable walking shoes. Modest attire is required when visiting holy sites; knees and shoulders must be covered. The drive from Haifa to Jerusalem is approximately 2.5 hours each direction. Please be advised that the itinerary and duration of the tour might be affected by traffic. The tour sequence may vary.