City of David: Walking Through the Original 3,000-Year-Old Jerusalem

Sagi Haim Levy
Apr 13
3 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

While most visitors spend their time within the 16th-century Ottoman walls of the Old City, the true ancient Jerusalem lies just outside them. The City of David is the ridge where King David established his capital three millennia ago. As a private tour guide in Israel, I love taking my guests here because it’s not just a museum, it’s an active archaeological site where history is literally being unearthed beneath our feet every day.

Book your Journey and Discover the Mysteries of Jerusalem

Why the City of David is the Ultimate Biblical Experience

This is the place where the stories of the Bible come to life. From the Large Stone Structure (widely believed to be King David’s Palace) to the administrative seals found with biblical names, this site provides the physical evidence of Jerusalem's royal past. On our Israel private tour, we descend from the heights of the palace down into the subterranean water systems that kept the city alive during ancient sieges.

Hezekiah’s Tunnel: The Adventure Underground

The most famous feature of the park is Hezekiah’s Tunnel, an 8th-century BCE engineering marvel.

The Wet Route: Prepare to get your feet wet! You can wade through knee-deep water for about 40 minutes through a tunnel carved by hand over 2,700 years ago.
The Dry Route: If you’d prefer to stay dry, we can walk through the older Canaanite Tunnel, which offers just as much history without the splash.

The Pilgrimage Road

One of the newest and most significant discoveries is the Pilgrimage Road. This is the monumental stepped street that ancient Judeans used to walk as they ascended from the Pool of Siloam to the Second Temple. Walking these original stones is a powerful way to "follow in the footsteps" of history.

5 Unique Facts About the City of David

The Royal Seal: Archaeologists found a "Bulla" (clay seal) here belonging to King Hezekiah himself, proving the administrative heart of the Kingdom of Judah was exactly on this hill.
A Tale of Two Teams: Hezekiah’s Tunnel was dug by two teams starting at opposite ends. They met in the middle using only the sound of hammers to guide them—a feat of ancient engineering that still baffles experts today.
The Gihon Spring: This is the only natural water source for ancient Jerusalem. It’s where King Solomon was officially crowned, making it one of the most significant sites in the biblical narrative.
Hidden Treasure: Thousands of gold coins and jewelry pieces have been found in the drainage channels beneath the Pilgrimage Road, likely dropped by residents fleeing the Roman destruction in 70 CE.
It’s Still Growing: Excavations are ongoing. Almost every month, a new inscription or room is discovered, meaning no two visits to the City of David are ever exactly the same.

Visitor Info: City of David

Opening Hours: Sunday–Thursday: 08:00 – 19:00 (Summer) / 17:00 (Winter). Friday: 08:00 – 16:00 (Summer) / 13:00 (Winter).
Tickets: Approximately 28 NIS for adults (basic entry). Guided tours and 3D shows are extra.
Top Tip: If you plan on doing the wet tunnel, bring water shoes and a flashlight. There is no lighting inside the tunnel, and the floor is uneven!
Location: Click here for Google Maps Directions (Located just outside Dung Gate).