Temples & religious sites
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, recognisable by its silver dome, sits at the southern end of the elevated plaza known as the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) in Jerusalem's Old City. It ranks among the three holiest sites in Islam, after Mecca and Medina, and the current structure dates to the 8th century, though it has been rebuilt and altered many times, including additions from the Crusader period. Travellers come for the religious significance of the site and to see the plaza itself, which also holds the Dome of the Rock.
Getting there
The mosque is reached on foot through the Old City, entering via one of its historic gates such as Damascus Gate or Lion's Gate. From within the Old City, walking to the Temple Mount area typically takes 10-20 minutes depending on your starting point and the narrow, stepped streets of the surrounding quarters.
How much time to allow
Allow at least an hour to take in the plaza and its surroundings at an unhurried pace, more if you plan to walk the wider Old City afterward.
When to go
Mornings tend to be quieter before tour groups arrive. The site draws heavy crowds during Islamic and Jewish holidays and on Fridays, so plan around those if you prefer a calmer visit.
Combine with
- Western Wall (0.2km) — just below the Temple Mount, easily visited in the same walk.
- Temple Mount and Moriah (0.2km) — the plaza and hill the mosque itself stands on.
Because everything nearby sits within a couple of hundred metres, this area is best explored as a single Old City walk rather than as separate outings.
Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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