CityBuddy
Tower of David
Best time to visit
Go early at 9 AM opening to avoid crowds on the narrow staircase to the top of the Phasael Tower. Late afternoon light around 3-4 PM makes the golden Jerusalem stone glow for photos.
Budget tips
Entry is 40 ILS (about $11 USD) for adults, and combo tickets including the night show run 60 ILS. The Jerusalem City Pass and Israel Museum combo pass both include entry here.
Recommended for
History buffs, Photography enthusiasts, First-time visitors to Jerusalem
Plan your visit
2-3 hours
About
Quick facts: Standing at the western edge of the Old City, this fortress has guarded Jerusalem's main entrance for over 2,000 years. Its stones bear layers from Herod's palace, Muslim minarets, Crusader towers, and Ottoman cannons all stacked on the same spot.
Highlights: At night, the ancient stones become a canvas for a 30-minute light-and-sound show projected across the entire citadel courtyard. The show tells Jerusalem's 4,000-year history through music and imagery without a single spoken word.
Insider tips
- Photographers should head straight to the top of the Phasael Tower at opening time before tour groups arrive for unobstructed views of the Dome of the Rock.
- The small museum inside has a 3D model of 19th-century Jerusalem that helps orient you to the modern view from the tower.
- Skip the audio guide and join one of the free 20-minute guided talks held hourly in English at the entrance courtyard.
- Wear sturdy shoes, the stone steps inside the towers are worn smooth and uneven after centuries of use.
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