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Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour

5.0(2 reviews)Jerusalem, IsraelOperated by Imagine Israel Tours
  • Duration10 hours
  • GroupPrivate tour
  • TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
  • LanguagesEnglish
  • BookingInstant confirmation

About this activity

Our tour takes place in the Jewish quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem and is themed on the return to Zion. First, what is Zion – it is from the Jewish bible and was first used as the name of the fortress King David captured when the Israelites captured Jerusalem about 3000 years ago. Then it became synonymous with Jerusalem and Israel. From the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE 2000 years ago in Jerusalem, Jews have been trying to regain again a permanent foothold in their most holy city. As Jews were exiled all around the world, Jerusalem was the magnet drawing Jews back here - returning to Zion even under the most harrowing of circumstances. On our tour, we will hear and see what happened when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and hear stories of how Jews returned at different times over the Centuries. The loss of the Jewish Quarter in 1948 and then the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 once again to be the Eternal Capital of Israel.

What to expect

10 hours11 stopsPrivate tour

  1. Old City of Jerusalem

    Jerusalem, Israel

    45 minutes

    We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem at Jaffa Gate. Built by the Turkish Emperor Suleiman the Magnificent with the walls of Jerusalem

  2. Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem

    Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem, 9114001, Israel

    1 hourAdmission included

    We will the Tower of David fortress dating back 2000 years. Climb Phasael's Tower built by Herod the Great in the year 20 BC for a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. We will see the Dome of the Rock, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the two largest Synagogues in the Jewish Quarter. Great Photo Opportunity.

  3. Jewish Quarter

    Old City, Jerusalem, Israel

    1 hour

    We will walk through the Armenian Quarter and enter the Jewish Quarter. The first thing we will visit is the Cardo, the ancient Roman road created in Jerusalem in 136 CE after the Roman Emperor Hadrian had defeated the rebellion of Bar Kochba, changed the name of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitalina and banned Jews from living in the City.

  4. Hurva Synagogue

    Hayehudim Rd. 89, Jerusalem, 9751909, Israel

    45 minutesAdmission included

    We visit the Hurva Synagogue and learn about how Ashkenazi Jews returned to Zion in the 18th Century and how this Synagogue became the main Ashkenazi synagogue in the Old City. Learn of its destruction by the Jordanians in 1948 and how it was rebuilt 15 years ago. We will go in the synagogue and walk around its dome.

  5. The Four Sephardic Synagogues

    Al Inkesamat Al Kahanouteya, The Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem, 9775201, Israel

    45 minutes

    We then go to the 4 Sephardi Synagogues and learn about the Return to Zion of the Sephardi community after the Jews were kicked out of Spain in 1492. We will hear about how the Jews were treated in these synagogues up to the 20th Century.

  6. Herodian Quarter/Wohl Archaeological Museum

    Hakara'im Rd., Jerusalem, Israel

    1 hourAdmission included

    We go back in time 2000 years and see the remains of the Priest's houses that stood at the time of the Second Temple. We will see the amazing drawing of the Temple Menorah and learn about the role the Priest's played in the Temple

  7. Burnt House

    2 Tif'eret Israel, Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem, 9752268, Israel

    45 minutesAdmission included

    We next visit the Burnt House. The "Burnt House" is a residential building from the Second Temple period discovered during the restoration of the Jewish Quarter after 1967. We see a stone weight engraved with the name Katros, the name of the family of kohanim that we know from the Pesachim of the Talmud. A second stone weight was recently discovered nearby, under the Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue, bearing the name of this family. Alongside the stone weight, you’ll see a spearhead installed by the Jewish rebels while defending themselves against the legions of Romans who had furiously stormed their houses, pottery and tools carved from Jerusalemite stone.

  8. Jewish Quarter

    Old City, Jerusalem, Israel

    1 hourAdmission not included

    We will have lunch in the various cafes and choices in the Jewish Quarter.

  9. The Davidson Center

    Ma'alot ha-Rav Shlomo Goren St, Jerusalem, Israel

    1 hour 15 minAdmission included

    We will visit the archaelogical site around the Temple Mount. See the Western and Southern Walls of Herod's Temple Mount platform. Learn about how the Romans destroyed the City and threw down the Temple. We will walk along the road used by the pilgrims and see where they would enter the Temple Mount.

  10. Western Wall

    Western Wall Plaza, Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem, 97500, Israel

    1 hour

    We then walk to the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism and see the last remnant of the Holy Temple destroyed in the year 70 AD.

  11. Batei Mahseh Square

    Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem, Israel

    45 minutes

    Here we will learn about the War of Independence in 1948, and how the Jewish Quarter was lost and destroyed by the Jordanians. We will visit the memorial to the fallen soldiers who died to defend the quarter. Hear about how the Jews were exiled from the Old City via the Zion Gate.

Pickup & meeting point

Pickup is included for all travellers.

You can request a pickup location of your own.

Pickup locations11

Hotels & residences11

  • Dan Panorama Jerusalem39 Keren ha-Yesod, Jerusalem, 9418823, Israel
  • Hotel Prima Royale3 Mendele Mokher Sfarim, Jerusalem, 9214705, Israel
  • Orient Hotel by Isrotel Exclusive3 Emek Refa'im St, Jerusalem, 9310402, Israel
  • The Colony Hotel4A Lloyd George St, Jerusalem, 93627, Israel
  • The Inbal JerusalemJabotinsky Street 3, Liberty Bell Park, Jerusalem, 92145, Israel
  • Cassia Jerusalem32 King David St, Jerusalem, 9410158, Israel
  • Leonardo Plaza Hotel Jerusalem1 Harav Avida Street, Jerusalem, 9426801, Israel
  • Hotel Prima Kings60 King George St, Jerusalem, 9426224, Israel
  • Windmill Hotel3 Mendele Mokher Sfarim, Jerusalem, 9214705, Israel
  • Little House In Rechavia20 Eben Ezra St., Jerusalem, 92424, Israel
  • Villa Ba Moshava13 Yehoshu'a Bin Nun, corner of Avishai, Jerusalem, 9314531, Israel
  • You can arrange your pickup point with the operator after booking.

Pickup instructions

I will pick you up at the place of your choosing.

What's included

Included

  • Private transportation
  • License English Guide

Not included

  • Lunch will be in the Jewish Quarter. The cost is excluded from the tour price

Good to know

Accessibility & suitability

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Traveller requirements

  • Minimum 1 traveller per booking
  • Maximum 5 travellers per booking
  • Age bands: Traveler (0–120)

Languages

Guide
English

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 1+ days before100% refund
  • 0–1 days before0% refund

Important booking information

Booking cut-off
Bookings close 2 days before the activity starts.
Confirmation
Confirmed immediately after booking.
Tickets
One per booking
Local time zone
Asia/Jerusalem
Product code
385765P6

What you'll be asked when booking

  • Your preferred pickup point
  • Any special requirements

Traveller reviews

5.0/ 52 reviews
  • 52

Ratings aggregated from Tripadvisor (2).

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Activity information provided by Viator, an authorized travel partner. Gateera does not operate this activity.

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