A Guide to Mount of Olives in Jerusalem
Mount of Olives, also known as Mount Olivet, is one of the most historically significant areas and top attractions in Jerusalem worth visiting. Our travel guide has everything you need to know before visiting Mount of Olives, including tips on the best things to see and do, how to get, when to go, or safety.
Jerusalem is a city full of history, and this fact, combined with walking its narrow maze-like, often crowded streets in the Old City, can easily make you feel overwhelmed.
After two days of exploring the most significant landmarks, such as the Western Wall, walking the famous Via Dolorosa, and getting an insight into the multi-religious country in the Dome of the Rock or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, we surely had this feeling.
We wanted to absorb it all, but we knew we needed a little break to collect our thoughts and discuss everything we had learned in such a short amount of time.
Mount of Olives, which is from the Temple Mount, separated only by Kidron Valley, seemed like a perfect place to visit.
The hill is deeply connected with Jewish, Christian and even Islam history, is within walking distance from the city center, and offers many things to see and do.
Yet, the visit feels much more relaxed and really deserves your attention. We also believe that you should include it in your Israel itinerary.
Visiting Mount of Olives on your own is not hard, and we enjoyed we could explore everything it has to offer, both the views and sights, at a leisure pace.
Even if your Jerusalem itinerary is packed to the brim, we believe including the Mount of Olives is a good idea as it is simply not enough to observe it from a distance.
That's why we've put together this travel guide. To inspire you and help plan your trip better.
Here's everything you need to know before visiting the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Things to Know Before You Go
Visiting Mount of Olives can be very exhausting, especially in the summer, if you decide to walk uphill.
Still, we think it is a worthwhile experience you should not miss, although there are other alternatives on how to get, that we will mention later.
For many, walking the Mount of Olives area has a religious meaning.
If you are into architecture, city views, or want to simply visit one of the most prominent cemeteries in the world, this place has a lot to offer in every way.
Here's everything you need to know before visiting Mount of Olives.
Name
As the name suggests, Mount of Olives got its name after olive groves that in the past covered the area.
It is even possible to spot there an olive tree that is more than 2000 years old!
Yes, one of the most important things to know about Israel is that the history of this region is thousands of years old.
Nowadays, it is pretty hard to imagine because there is not that much left, and the whole area, especially in the autumn time when we visited Jerusalem, looked rather barren.
Still, even old tales say that in Jesus' period, people were hiding under the trees from the shadow, so we are going to believe it.
Cemetery
What is even more interesting than the name is the fact that the hill is home to one of the largest and oldest Jewish cemeteries in the world.
It is actually the oldest continuously used cemetery in the world.
Having a grave on Mount of Olives is a thing you cannot put a price tag on.
Simply put, it is an honor to have a spot here, and people who want to be buried here should prepare tens of thousands of dollars.
How many graves are on the slopes of the Mount of Olives?
Archives say that about 150 000, which is a pretty impressive number, and it is clear, there is a lot of history and, most importantly, many life stories.
Mount of Olives in the Bible
Mount of Olives is believed to be a place where Jesus spent an important part of his life teaching his philosophy before he was arrested and sentenced to crucifixion.
He even prayed there one day before the arrest, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and it is believed that he ascended to heaven on the top of the hill as well.
Kidron Valley at the foot of Mount of Olives is a place where the Last Judgement will take place, and the mount itself will then split in two once the Messiah comes.
This also explains why Jews want to be buried here.
They simply want to be first in line because the resurrection will begin on the Mount of Olives, so the closer, the better.
Where is Mount of Olives Located?
Although Jerusalem is a city full of attractions and one would think there's no need to leave the city center, you'll have to do it if you want to visit Mount of Olives.
It is not far; the only thing is that Mount of Olives is from the Old City, separated by the Kidron Valley.
The city center walls suddenly drop, and if you plan on walking, you'll need to climb a few hundred meters - the top of Mount of Olives is 818 meters high.
Mount of Olives is a part of a 3.5 kilometers long ridge with three peaks.
The other two are Mount Scopus with 826 meters and Mount Corruption, which is 747 meters high.
Etiquette
The cemetery on Mount of Olives is a sacred place, and that's why you should pay attention to a few etiquette rules that will make your life easier.
It should go without saying that all visitors should behave respectfully.
If you'll be walking around the cemetery, watch your step, follow the narrow path that leads around the graves, and make sure you do not step (even if accidentally) on any of them.
If you see a ceremony or a funeral taking place on the Mount of Olives, do not watch it too openly, give the mourning people space, and do not take photos of them.
History
Israel's past was for sure quite turbulent, but what did not change throughout the centuries were times of peace and unrest (that lasted for certain periods) that also defined the Mount of Olives.
The religious tradition that should send off passed away citizens started on Mount Olivet about 2000 years ago at the Second Temple's times.
Many changes in reign brought different religions, but it is quite unique that the cemetery on the Mount of Olives kept growing and never ceased to exist.
This, in our view, shows much-needed respect.
The site became not only a graveyard but also a place where Jews were coming to mourn over the destruction of the Temple, the same as they do at the Western Wall.
Moreover, from the top of Mount of Olives, it was (and still is) possible to see Temple Mount, the home to the Dome of the Rock.
Unfortunately, some of the most terrible acts that led to the demolition of many most notable graves happened in the 20th century, and there were even some periods when burials were prohibited on the Mount of Olives.
Fortunately, these days are gone, hopefully, never come back, and we could see ongoing construction on the famous cemetery sitting on the slopes of Mount of Olives.
What to See and Do
What is there to see and do on Mount of Olives?
Even though it could seem that the only worthwhile stop is the cemetery, the area can actually keep you busy for some time.
In which order you'll see the attractions depend on the direction of your visit.
If you plan on walking from the Old City to the Mount of Olives and back, feel free to follow or get inspired by our itinerary.
Tombs
We decided to walk from Jerusalem's Old town toward Mount of Olives.
Therefore, we descended via the City of David, and once we reached the bottom of the valley, we followed a path (pedestrian zone) that led us around the ancient tombs.
To be honest, we did not expect to see rock-cut tombs here.
They reminded us of several tombs we saw in Petra and Little Petra last year in Jordan, only on a much smaller scale.
Also, when you look more closely, you can see smaller tombs scattered around the western slope of Mount of Olives.
Usually, the rock is nowadays a foundation of houses sitting on top of it.
Jewish Cemetery
Then, it was time to start climbing Mount of Olives.
Maybe, because we chose the route via the cemetery, it did not seem that long and steep, as we were simply taken away by the place itself.
We felt like walking throughout history, trying to decipher names on the graves, and in a nutshell, it was one of the strangest experiences we had in the country.
We even saw a group of praying men surrounding a tomb in the distance, so we tried to stay away and walked elsewhere as we wanted to behave as respectfully as possible.
At the moment, there is no official path you should follow.
So we slowly made our way up, and once we saw an entrance gate on the left, we took it, approximately in the middle of the hill.
Then we walked to the top via a narrow paved path that cars could use as well, but there was no traffic at all.
Mount of Olive Viewpoint
Once we made it to the top, we took a break at the viewing platform that offers panoramic views over the Old City.
We could even see the Dome of the Rock with its iconic golden roof very well.
The viewpoint is quite touristy, as it is also where all organized tours have a compulsory stop.
There's even a guy with a camel, and travelers can take this photo while sitting on the camel, overlooking the city, but it was a hard pass for us.
Depending on how much time you have or how thoroughly you want to explore the top sights on Mount of Olives, you can then choose which way back you'll take.
Here are our tips on things you can consider visiting.
Pater Noster Church
Pater Noster Church has been reconstructed many times during centuries, but the story behind its creation brings here crowds more than the architecture.
The cave under the church is believed to be the place where Jesus taught prayers to his disciples.
The entrance fee to Pater Noster Church is 10 NIS.
There's also a regular break during the noon. Therefore, we recommend visiting the church in the morning, usually between 8:30 AM and noon.
Church of Ascension
If you can spare 5 NIS, it is not a bad idea to see also the interior of the Church of Ascension.
The church is decorated with many frescoes and mosaics and if you are not that tired yet, try to climb another 203 stairs to get to the large belfry.
The site is closed on Sunday, but other than that, you can visit it every day between 8 AM and 1 PM.
Chapel of Ascension
It might seem quite unusual that a place connected so firmly with Christianity and its principles is nowadays inside a mosque.
Yet, it shows us how deeply connected these religions might be, despite the differences we usually focus the most on.
Still, the Chapel of Ascension is known as a place where Jesus ascended into Heaven, and therefore, you can see his footprint here.
Well, only the right one, the left footprint, was moved to the al-Aqsa mosque.
The chapel does not have regular opening hours. As usual, your best bet is to arrive early in the morning and if no one’s there, ask around.
Church of Mary Magdalene
One of the reasons why we decided to visit Mount of Olives was the unusual Church of Mary Magdalene we had spotted from the park surrounding the Dome of the Rock.
This Russian-style church with a golden roof seems like it does not even belong to the city, and it is really visually attractive.
It was built in the late 19th century by Alexander III.
Opening hours vary, but your best chance to see the interior is on Tuesday and Thursday between 10 AM and 12 PM.
Church of All Nations
The church of All Nations is located in the Gethsemane Garden, and is easily distinguished by its wonderfully painted exterior.
Foundations of the church date back to the 4th century, and same as many other sights on Mount of Olives, this church also have a connection with Jesus' life.
According to many legends, this is the place where Jesus prayed before his arrest.
There's no entrance fee, and unlike other churches in the area, opening hours are longer, between 8 AM and 4 PM.
Gethsemane Garden
Gethsemane Garden is nowadays perceived as a peaceful place where locals and people from around the world come to pray and think of the last moments of Jesus' life.
As you probably know, he was crucified not long after his arrest.
Some of the oldest olive trees also grow in the garden, although we cannot for sure tell whether they are the same under which Jesus set and taught.
Mary Magdalen's Grave
It is quite natural that there are many places in Jerusalem connected with the life of Jesus.
It goes without saying there also must be sites that remind his mother, Mary.
One of them is the Tomb of the Virgin Mary at the foot of Mount of Olives.
This dimly-lit sanctuary is really special in the Christian world, and you should, by no means, not miss it while there.
There's no entrance fee, and you can visit the site between 6 AM and 12 PM and then 2:30 PM and 5 PM.
By the way, one of the most sacred places that celebrate and remind Mary is the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
If you want to see more places connected to Christianity, don't also forget to visit the entire area around the Sea of Galilee.
Opening Hours
Mount of Olives is an open area, so you can visit it any time, but there is not much to see and do after dark.
Plus, we would find the cemetery a bit scary at night.
The only reason why you could consider coming in the evening is the view, as you could see the Old City of Jerusalem lightened up.
If you want to see other places and monuments on Mount of Olives, you need to be a bit more careful when choosing the best time, especially if there's a sight you want to visit unconditionally.
Unfortunately, opening hours differ quite a lot, so take our advice in the section above with reserve as things can often change here.
Entrance Fee
There is no entrance fee to Mount of Olives.
We consider visiting Mount of Olives as a budget-friendly activity for a few reasons.
First of all, the main attractions, such as the cemetery and the impressive viewpoint on the top, are free of charge, which is great when we take into account that Israel is an expensive country.
Secondly, although a few churches require paying an entrance fee, it is usually between 5 to 15 NIS, which is quite reasonable.
How to Get There
If you're staying in Jerusalem, visiting the Mount of Olives is a piece of cake.
You even have a few options on how to get there, so you can choose the one that suits you, or your Israel budget, the best.
As usual, we preferred walking as we needed it badly (traveling by car can often get tiring too), but there are quicker and more comfortable ways to reach the top.
On Foot
Honestly, we have read guide books that would easily scare off a traveler from walking to the top of Mount of Olives, and we do not sympathize with this.
In our opinion, anyone can get to Mount Olivet on foot if this is what they desire.
Sure, you'll walk uphill, but there's no need to rush, and you can take breaks frequently. You'll at least have more time to appreciate the surroundings.
We started at the Old City, walked via the City of David, descended to the Kidron Valley, and from here, we walked around tombs and, in no time, started to ascend via the cemetery to the viewing platform.
We walked pretty slowly, and the whole walk, including quite frequent stops, took us about two and half hours.
Then, of course, we visited a few worthwhile places on the Mount of Olives and then walked back, so the overall experience was around four hours long.
Bus
Taking a bus to Mount of Olives won't be that much faster when we include the time you need for getting to the bus station and then the bus ride itself.
On the other hand, it will save you some energy.
One more advantage is that you'll get valuable insight into local life. To board the bus, go to Sultan Suleiman Street; bus number 275 stops opposite Herod's Gate.
The bus ticket costs 5 NIS, and it takes about 20 minutes until you reach the stop where you can get off, Augusta Victoria Hospital (it is 13 stops if you want to count them).
From here, it is only a few minutes' walk to the Chapel of Ascencion, but you can carry on for a while and leave the bus once you reach the points of interest you want to see.
Even if you prefer public transport, we think it makes sense to take a bus to get to the top, but it is worth it to walk downhill and get to Jerusalem's city center on foot.
Don't forget to read our guide on how to get around Israel.
Taxi
Of course, there's always a possibility to take a taxi, but it's better if you can split the cost with others.
Otherwise, it can be expensive. You have a few options here.
Either hire a taxi driver only for the way up and then decide whether you walk back or flag down another cab for the way back.
Or, hire a taxi driver who can alternate as a tour guide, and he will accompany you for the entire trip.
It is necessary to define what you expect from this experience to avoid disappointment.
If you expect to get a proper explanation and an English-speaking guide, choose carefully and bargain for the right price.
Tours
Most of the tours that have Mount of Olives on their itinerary usually only scratch the surface.
The whole visit focuses on the panoramic views from the top of the mountain, but those who are pressed for time might enjoy it.
On top of that, these tours will show you the best Jerusalem has to offer, so you don't have to plan your visit at all and just enjoy the sightseeing.
This Jerusalem Half-Day Tour will take you to Mount of Olives.
Nothing is lost for those of you staying in Tel Aviv as well because this Jerusalem Tour from Tel Aviv is very popular.
Where to Stay
There are hundreds of accommodation options in Jerusalem, and it is not that hard to find a hotel room.
However, it might not be nice or cheap as you would hope.
Surprisingly, there are not that many hotels on the Mount of Olives. Well, there are a few, but their rating is not that great.
In our opinion, it is much better to find a hotel in or close to the Old City than actually stay overnight at Mount of Olives, unless you have your own reasons.
From here, it's easy to get there on foot or by taxi.
Here are our tips on the best places to stay in Jerusalem.
Mount of Olives | Mount of Olives Hotel - The best days of this hotel are long gone, but on the other hand, you'll hardly find a better place if you want to stay at Mount of Olives and be surrounded by so many special places.
Budget | New Citadel Hostel - Finding a cheap hostel or hotel in the heart of Jerusalem is almost a mission impossible, but with a few compromises, this might be a place you are looking for when traveling on a budget.
Mid-range | Ibis Styles Jerusalem City Center - Great location, comfortable rooms, and predictably excellent services; this is Ibis Styles in every city around the world, and Jerusalem is no exception.
Luxury | Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem - Great service and location within walking distance to the walls. It is a truly wonderful hotel, and if you can afford this type of hotel, just go for it.
Staying Safe
Although visiting Mount of Olives means you must leave the often crowded streets of the Old City, we did not feel somehow unsafe, even when we visited the place on our own.
Of course, you can always take a tour or decide on traveling by taxi, but we did not find it necessary.
Therefore, we were quite surprised when we later learned that Mount of Olives does not have the best reputation when it comes to safety because our experience was completely peaceful.
But this is always the case with traveling, and it is often about people you bump into, then about the place itself.
As usual, we would recommend you to visit the place during daylight hours and not venture into empty, residential-looking streets.
The truth is Mount of Olives is located in East Jerusalem, which is close to the borders with West Bank, and the mood can switch here quickly before you even realize it.
Solo female travelers might not feel comfortable wandering around alone.
We think it is always better to travel as a couple or group of friends, not only because of safety reasons.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Israel.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
When to Go
In our opinion, the best time for exploring the top sights on the Mount of Olives is early in the morning.
Not only does it give you the chance to escape the heat, but you can avoid the crowds.
Most importantly, many churches or gardens are usually open between 9 AM and 12 PM than in the afternoon.
If you want to only walk around the cemetery, choosing the time is not that important, though, and you can decide to visit spontaneously, depending on your Jerusalem itinerary.
Here you will find more tips on when to visit Israel.
What to Wear
Visiting the Mount of Olives does not require any special outfit.
It is necessary to keep in mind that you are about to visit places that have a deep connection with religion and history.
There is a cemetery, churches, and some places are even mentioned in the Bible.
Therefore, modest clothing is recommended.
There's no need to overdo it. Jeans or loose-fitting pants and a T-shirt covering your shoulders will do.
If you plan on walking, make sure you wear proper sneakers, and you should not forget to bring a water bottle.
Don't underestimate the heat if you're visiting Jerusalem in the summer.
A fleece jacket and an extra layer might come in handy in winter as Jerusalem is colder than you would expect.
Also, bring some cash to pay entrance fees and a camera.
Is Mount of Olives Worth Visiting?
It would not be true if we were saying that you won't find many places like this one in Jerusalem because, well, there are many sites connected with Jesus himself.
Still, we hope this travel guide, accompanied by our photos, inspired you to visit Mount of Olives.
The area has a special atmosphere and many exceptional tourist attractions that are very close to each other.
The cemetery is definitely the main reason to include this place in your plans.
And no, it is not enough to see it from a distance, at least if you want to get the most intimate experience.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
