The Western Wall Tunnels is an archaeological site which allows visitors to reach the segments of the Wall hidden from view. It is located in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Western Wall stretches along almost half a kilometre, but today, only the 70 meters of the Western Wall Plaza is visible. The tunnels span the length of the wall.
While walking through the tunnels, visitors will pass by Second Temple era homes, ancient cisterns, an aqueduct from the Hasmonean period and more.
One of the most special places to visit inside the tunnels is the part of the Western Wall traditionally considered closest to where the Holy of Holies was located on the Temple Mount.
The Holy of Holies, is the holiest place for Jews and is where the Dome of the Rock is now located.
A small synagogue where Jews come to pray, with separate men and women’s sections, is located at this point in the tunnels.
Tours of the tunnels are open to the public and lasts around 75 minutes. The entrance into the tunnels is on left side of the Western Wall plaza near the men’s prayer section.
The tunnels accessible to people with disabilities. Speak to them before coming to organize your trip.
Checkout the Western Wall Tunnel webpage for times and ticket prices and get a look at this sneak peak of the tunnel tour.
History of The Western Wall Tunnels
In early 1867, British archaeologists, Charles Warren, dug shafts at Wilson’s Arch and reached down to the original bedrock infrastructure.
Warren also uncovered one of the four entrance gates to the Temple Mount during the Second Temple, period now named Warren’s Gate.
Wilson and Warren were among the first to uncover the northern continuation of the Western Wall, but difficulties caused by the Ottoman government and their mission was never completed.
After the Six Day War, and the reunification of Jerusalem, excavations of the Western Wall Tunnels were renewed with the goal of uncovering the entire length of the Western Wall and continues to this day.
How to Get to The Western Wall Tunnels
You can take the Jerusalem light rail, use the Carta Parking, or walk to Jaffa Gate. Then walk through the Muslim shuk or through the Armenian quarter to the Jewish Quarter. From there you walk to the Western Wall Plaza.
OR
You can take a bus (1,3, or 38), a cab, or the free shuttle from the First Station (which provides parking) to Dung Gate which leads directly to the the Western Wall Plaza.
PRO TIP!
If you go to the tunnels at night, you will have to return the way you came instead of exiting at the end of the tour. This is because it exits into the Muslim Quarter and there is no security at night, so it is considered unsafe.