Temples & religious sites
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the silver-domed mosque on the southern part of the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem's Old City. It is one of the three holiest sites in Islam, alongside Mecca and Medina, and it draws a steady flow of worshippers and visitors year-round. Travellers generally come to see the mosque itself and to take in the wider compound it sits within, one of the most significant religious sites in the world for multiple faiths.
Getting there
The site is inside the walled Old City, so it's reached on foot rather than by car. From central West Jerusalem, it's roughly a 20-30 minute walk, or a short taxi or light rail ride to one of the Old City's gates followed by a walk through narrow pedestrian streets to reach the Temple Mount entrances.
Time to allow
Set aside at least an hour for the mosque and the surrounding plaza, more if you plan to walk the wider Temple Mount compound, which includes the Dome of the Rock and open courtyards.
When to go
Access to the compound can be restricted or more complicated at certain times, particularly around Friday prayers and Islamic holidays, so it's worth checking current conditions before planning a visit. The site can get crowded and access rules have historically been sensitive and subject to change, so travellers should check the latest situation locally rather than assume routine tourist access.
Nearby
- Western Wall (0.2km) — just below the Temple Mount, easily combined in the same visit.
- Temple Mount (0.2km) — the broader compound the mosque sits within.
- Temple in Jerusalem (0.2km) — the historical site associated with the same elevated platform.
- Moriah (0.2km) — the hill on which the whole complex stands.
Given how close these are, most visitors see them together as a single stop rather than separate outings.
Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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