Claim to Fame
The Temple Mount (Ḥar ha-Bayit/Ḥaram al-Sharīf) is the world’s oldest continuously venerated sacred precinct—home to the iconic Dome of the Rock (691 CE) and Al-Aqsa Mosque (715 CE), drawing pilgrims across faiths to its golden dome and ancient courtyards.
📌 Navigating Temple Mount (Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock) : Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- Hours of Operation: The Temple Mount is open to visitors during specific hours, typically from early morning until late afternoon, with variations depending on the season.
- Important Information: Visitors should dress modestly and be aware of cultural sensitivities, as the site is of great religious significance to multiple faiths.
- Admission Fee: Admission to the Temple Mount is generally free, but access may be restricted during certain hours or events.
- How Long to Visit: A visit typically lasts between 1 to 2 hours, allowing time for exploration and reflection.
- Washrooms: Washroom facilities are not available directly on the Temple Mount; visitors should plan accordingly.
- Admission Fee: Admission to the Temple Mount is generally free, but access may be restricted during certain hours or events.
- How Long to Visit: A visit typically lasts between 1 to 2 hours, allowing time for exploration and reflection.
- Washrooms: Washroom facilities are not available directly on the Temple Mount; visitors should plan accordingly.
- Hours of Operation: The Temple Mount is open to visitors during specific hours, typically from early morning until late afternoon, with variations depending on the season.
- Important Information: Visitors should dress modestly and be aware of cultural sensitivities, as the site is of great religious significance to multiple faiths.
- Handicap Accessible: The Temple Mount area has limited wheelchair access due to uneven terrain and stairs, but some accommodations may be available.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed on the Temple Mount to maintain the sanctity of the site.
- Guided Tours: Guided tours are available and can enhance the experience by providing historical context and insights into the site's significance.
- Restaurant or Cafe: There are no restaurants or cafes on the Temple Mount itself, but options can be found in the surrounding areas.
- Gift Shop: There is no dedicated gift shop on the Temple Mount, but souvenirs can be purchased in nearby markets.
- Parking: Parking is limited and typically not available on-site; visitors are encouraged to use public transport or nearby parking facilities.
- Family Friendly: The site is family-friendly, with educational opportunities about its historical and religious significance.
- Photography: Photography is permitted in certain areas, but visitors should be respectful and aware of restrictions, especially during prayers.
- WIFI: Free Wi-Fi is not available on-site; visitors should prepare for limited connectivity.
- Picnic Area: Picnicking is not permitted on the Temple Mount to maintain the site's cleanliness and respect.
- Parking: Parking is limited and typically not available on-site; visitors are encouraged to use public transport or nearby parking facilities.
- Family Friendly: The site is family-friendly, with educational opportunities about its historical and religious significance.
- Photography: Photography is permitted in certain areas, but visitors should be respectful and aware of restrictions, especially during prayers.
- WIFI: Free Wi-Fi is not available on-site; visitors should prepare for limited connectivity.
- Picnic Area: Picnicking is not permitted on the Temple Mount to maintain the site's cleanliness and respect.
- Handicap Accessible: The Temple Mount area has limited wheelchair access due to uneven terrain and stairs, but some accommodations may be available.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed on the Temple Mount to maintain the sanctity of the site.
- Guided Tours: Guided tours are available and can enhance the experience by providing historical context and insights into the site's significance.
- Restaurant or Cafe: There are no restaurants or cafes on the Temple Mount itself, but options can be found in the surrounding areas.
- Gift Shop: There is no dedicated gift shop on the Temple Mount, but souvenirs can be purchased in nearby markets.
Photos of Temple Mount (Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock)
Perched atop Jerusalem’s Old City plateau, the Temple Mount unfolds across 37 acres of monumental façades, courtyards, and prayer halls. Here Muslims revere the rock from which Muhammad’s Night Journey ascended, Christians honor its temple history, and Jews recall both First and Second Temples. Pilgrims enter through ornate gates to marvel at the Dome of the Rock’s shimmering mosaics, pray in Al-Aqsa’s vaulted sanctuary, and wander colonnaded esplanades echoing centuries of devotion.
What to Expect
Enter via the Mughrabi Gate (for non-Muslims) or one of the southern gates (for worshippers). On the western esplanade, approach the octagonal Dome of the Rock—pause at its marble base to admire Quranic mosaics and the rock’s golden canopy. Proceed south to Al-Aqsa Mosque: remove shoes and don a head covering, then step into its vast prayer hall beneath a wood-beamed ceiling. Between, stroll the monumental al-Muḥtahārīyah (Marble) and al-Ṣafāwi courtyards, spot the Dome of the Chain’s colonnades, and study ancient inscriptions on the Chain Gate portico.
Background and Cultural Context
Built on the site of Solomon’s and Herod’s temples, the precinct became Islam’s third-holiest site after Muhammad’s 621 CE Night Journey. The Umayyads erected the Dome of the Rock in 691 CE, fusing Byzantine artisanship with Quranic iconography. Al-Aqsa—“the farthest mosque”—followed in 715 CE as the community’s first qibla. Over centuries, Crusader, Ayyubid, Mamluk, Ottoman, and modern builders have restored its edifices, each layer reflecting Jerusalem’s contested spiritual and political tapestry.
Best Time to Visit
Non-Muslim entry (via Mughrabi) is allowed Sun–Thu, 8:30–11 AM and 1:30–2:30 PM (hours vary by season). Early mornings offer cooler light on the Rock Dome; late afternoons reveal golden mosaics aglow. Fridays and Ramadan see peak Muslim worship—non-Muslims are not admitted. For quieter exploration, visit outside Eid festivals and avoid midday heat in summer (June–Aug) when marble courtyards can blister.
How to Get There
Approach from the Old City’s Jewish Quarter via the Western (Mughrabi) Ramp and Gate for non-Muslims. Muslim worshippers use the Chain, Cotton, and Hittah Gates on the southern wall. Taxi, bus (#1, #38), or light-rail to Jaffa Gate followed by a 10-min uphill walk brings you to the Mughrabi Plaza. All courtyards are level; Al-Aqsa’s prayer hall requires stepping over a low threshold and removing shoes—ramps are available outside the southern gates.
Photo Opportunities
- Dome of the Rock’s golden canopy and mosaic façade at sunrise from the Western Esplanade
- Al-Aqsa Mosque’s silver-clad dome framed by palm trees in the southern courtyard
- Arched colonnades of the Dome of the Chain with the Rocky Dome gleaming behind
- Intricate wooden ceiling and qibla arch inside Al-Aqsa’s main prayer hall
- Panorama from the southern steps capturing the full expanse of the northern esplanade
Travel Tips
- Dress modestly—cover arms, legs, and women’s heads. Loose layers suit both sun and entry rules.
- Respect prayer times—avoid photography inside active worship and follow staff instructions.
- Pick up a free multilingual map at the Mughrabi Gate information desk to navigate gates and chapels.
- Combine with visits to the Western Wall (below) and Church of the Holy Sepulchre (nearby) for a full Old City loop.
- Stay hydrated—courtyards offer little shade; bring water in a sealed bottle to pass security.
FAQs
Can non-Muslims enter Al-Aqsa Mosque?
No—non-Muslims may visit only the courtyards and Dome of the Rock, not the interior prayer halls.
Is there an admission fee?
No—entry is free, but visitors undergo security screening at the Mughrabi Gate.
Are guided tours allowed?
Official guided tours for non-Muslims are not permitted; licensed tour leaders may escort groups through the Mughrabi Gate.
What are the prayer times?
Daily Muslim prayers occur at dawn (Fajr), midday (Dhuhr), mid-afternoon (Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and evening (Isha); non-Muslim visits are suspended during these periods.
Final Thoughts
The Temple Mount’s layered sanctity, from Solomon’s stones to Ga’briel’s Night Journey, makes it a focal point of faith and heritage. Whether you come to gaze on the golden dome, feel the whisper of ancient pilgrims, or ponder millennia of spiritual striving, this hallowed plateau offers an unparalleled encounter with history and devotion.