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Dome of the Rock
Best time to visit
Visit early in the morning (8:00-9:00 AM) when the Temple Mount opens to avoid crowding and heat. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for walking the stone plaza.
Budget tips
Entry to the Temple Mount is free, but the shrine itself is not open to non-Muslim visitors. No ticket needed, but you'll pass through a metal detector and security check.
Recommended for
History and religion enthusiasts, Architecture and design lovers, First-time visitors to Jerusalem
Plan your visit
45 min to 1 hour
About
Quick facts: Its golden dome spans 20 meters in diameter and rises 30 meters above the Foundation Stone, the rock from which Muslims believe Muhammad ascended to heaven. The exterior is covered with 80,000 tiles that were restored over seven years using original 16th-century Ottoman techniques.
Highlights: Under the dome, the Foundation Stone still bears a natural indent that pilgrims once filled with gold dust as offerings, and the rock is said to hover without any support. The shrine's interior glows with 1.2 million mosaic tiles in deep blues, greens, and golds, and the light shifts across the marble floor throughout the day.
Insider tips
- Arrive at the Temple Mount security gate by 8:30 AM to beat the tour buses and the 10:00 AM closure for non-Muslims.
- Dress modestly covering shoulders and knees, women should bring a scarf, and men should avoid shorts.
- Enter through the Chain Gate near the Western Wall plaza, not the main Lions Gate, to shorten wait times.
- Photography is allowed on the plaza but absolutely no prayer or worship of any kind by non-Muslims.
Practical info
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