Ramparts Walk

The Ramparts Walk is an elevated path along the Ottoman-era walls of Jerusalem's Old City in Israel, built in the sixteenth century under Suleiman the Magnificent. It gives visitors a rooftop view of the four quarters and the surrounding city, with a different perspective from the lanes below. There are two separate sections, entered at Jaffa Gate beside the Tower of David and at Damascus Gate. The northern section runs from Jaffa Gate along the north wall past the Christian and Muslim quarters to Lions' Gate, with views of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre domes, the market lanes and the Mount of Olives. The southern section heads from Jaffa Gate toward Zion Gate and Dung Gate, overlooking the Armenian and Jewish quarters, Mount Zion, the Hinnom Valley and the Western Wall plaza, and it is usually considered the more scenic for morning light. The walkway has narrow stone steps, parapet openings and gaps, and the walk is one-way, so visitors exit at the end gates rather than doubling back. Walking either section takes about one and a half to two hours with photo stops, and the route is not looped, so some visitors choose one section only. Tickets are sold at Jaffa Gate and Damascus Gate. Sat-Thu opening is roughly 9:00AM to 4:00PM and Friday closes earlier, with summer hours extended, and the walkway closes in rain, with last entry an hour before closing. Crowds are lightest on weekday mornings, and midday groups from Jaffa Gate slow the narrow sections. Flat shoes with grip are recommended, as the steps are steep and polished by wear, and there is little shade, so water and a hat help in summer. Photography is allowed throughout, and the best angles are the Dome of the Rock from the north section and the Mount Zion rooftops from the south. The walk can be combined with the Tower of David Museum, which sits beside the Jaffa Gate entrance.