Heritage & monuments
Western Wall
Western Wall
The Western Wall is the surviving section of the retaining wall that once supported the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City. It is the holiest site accessible to Jews for prayer and is also significant in Islam as part of the Haram al-Sharif complex above it. Travellers come to see people praying at the wall, to place written notes into its cracks, or simply to take in a site with centuries of continuous religious use.
Getting there
The wall sits inside the Old City and is reached on foot through one of its gates, most commonly the Dung Gate or Jaffa Gate. Walking from central points inside the Old City takes only a few minutes; security screening at the entrance to the plaza adds some time.
How long to stay
Allow around 30 to 60 minutes to view the wall and plaza. Add extra time if you plan to walk up to the Temple Mount area itself, which has separate access arrangements.
When to go
The plaza gets busy on Fridays as Shabbat approaches, on Saturdays, and during Jewish holidays, when prayer gatherings are larger. Mornings tend to be calmer than midday. Dress modestly, and note that men and women pray in separate sections at the wall.
Nearby
The Western Wall Plaza, Temple Mount, the site of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the Dome of the Rock are all within about 0.1–0.2km, making it straightforward to combine a visit to the wall with the wider Temple Mount area in a single outing.
Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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