A vast raised esplanade holding the gold-capped Dome of the Rock (691 CE) and Al-Aqsa Mosque, sacred to Muslims and to Jews as the Temple Mount. Non-Muslims walk a set route, with no prayer and no religious items allowed.
The Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, is a vast raised esplanade in the southeast of Jerusalem's Old City, Israel. It is sacred to Jews as the site of the First and Second Temples and to Muslims as the place of the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey. The compound is dominated by the Dome of the Rock, completed in 691 CE, with its gold-plated dome and blue, turquoise and white tilework, and by the silver-domed Al-Aqsa Mosque at the southern end. Between them lie open paved courtyards, cypress and olive trees, ablution fountains, arcades, small domed structures such as the Dome of the Chain, and carved gateways in the surrounding walls. Non-Muslims enter only through the Mughrabi Gate ramp beside the Western Wall Plaza, after a security queue, and follow a set route. The interiors of the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa are closed to non-Muslims, so the visit is an outdoor walk of about forty-five to sixty minutes with views of the exteriors, the Mount of Olives to the east and the rooftops of the Old City. Rules are strict: no prayer or religious items such as Bibles or prayer books, no visible religious symbols, modest clothing and a passport for identification. Visiting hours are limited to Sunday through Thursday, usually in a morning slot and a short early-afternoon slot, and the compound is closed on Friday, Saturday and Muslim holidays. Access can be suspended at short notice because of security events or religious observances, so visitors should check on the day. The best photo angles are from the courtyard directly facing the Dome of the Rock and from the stairs at the eastern edge looking toward the Mount of Olives. Crowds and queues at the Mughrabi Gate are worst in the first minutes after opening and during spring and autumn peak seasons, and the first slot of the morning is usually the coolest and calmest. Guards enforce the dress code and conduct rules, and visitors are escorted along the route. Admission is free, and a guided visit adds context on the architecture and its layered history.
| Admission | Adult Free (Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa interiors closed to non-Muslims) · Child Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Non-Muslim visits Sun-Thu only, typically about 7:30AM-11:30AM and 1:30PM-2:30PM (shorter in winter); closed Fri, Sat and Muslim holidays, and access is sometimes suspended at short notice |
| Typical visit | 45-60 minutes |
| Best time | First slot of the morning when the compound is cool and uncrowded |
| Getting there | Walk to the Mughrabi Gate security queue at the Western Wall Plaza (5 minutes from Dung Gate) |
| Address | Haram al-Sharif, Old City, Jerusalem (non-Muslim entry via the Mughrabi Gate ramp next to the Western Wall Plaza) |
Good to know
- Best for
- architecture fans, first-time visitors, photographers
Location
Haram al-Sharif, Old City, Jerusalem (non-Muslim entry via the Mughrabi Gate ramp next to the Western Wall Plaza)
31.7778, 35.2354 View on map
Highlights
- See the gold Dome of the Rock and its Umayyad-era tilework up close
- Walk the open esplanade around Al-Aqsa Mosque
- Look east toward the Mount of Olives from the courtyard edge
- Take in the cypress-lined courtyards and ornate gateways
Tips for visiting
- Carry a passport and dress modestly; bags are searched
- Bibles, prayer books and visible religious symbols are not allowed on the compound
- Check the Waqf/Israeli police notices on the day because closures happen with little warning
When to visit
The first visiting slot of the morning on a weekday, when the compound is cooler and less crowded. Winter hours are shorter, and closures occur at short notice.
Accessibility
The Mughrabi Gate approach is a ramp, and the esplanade is mostly paved and open but has uneven stretches and some steps. Wheelchair users can usually be assisted through security, though arrangements vary.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Muslims enter the Dome of the Rock?
No. The interiors of the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque are closed to non-Muslims, who can walk the courtyards on a set route.
When can visitors enter the compound?
Non-Muslim visits are Sunday to Thursday only, in short morning and early-afternoon windows. The site is closed Friday, Saturday and on Muslim holidays.
How long does a visit take?
Around 45 to 60 minutes, not counting time in the security queue at the Mughrabi Gate.
Is photography allowed?
Photography of the exteriors is generally allowed, but guards may restrict it in some areas, and religious items and prayer are prohibited.