The walled plateau at the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City is the most significant — and most sensitive — single site in the city. Known to Jews as the Temple Mount (Har HaBayit) and to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary), it is sacred to both faiths, and visiting it thoughtfully repays a little preparation. This guide covers what the site is, how to enter as a tourist, and the rules that keep a visit respectful.
What is the Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif?
This raised, roughly 14-hectare esplanade is the holiest site in Judaism and the third-holiest site in Islam.
For Jews, it is the location of the First and Second Temples; the Western Wall below is a surviving section of the retaining wall Herod the Great built to expand the platform. For Muslims, the compound holds the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and is associated with the Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey. The golden Dome of the Rock, completed in 691 CE, is one of the oldest works of Islamic architecture in the world and Jerusalem’s most recognisable landmark; it shelters the rock sacred to both traditions.
The compound is administered by the Jordanian-run Islamic Waqf (religious trust), while security and access are managed by the Israeli police. A long-standing arrangement known as the status quo governs worship and access. We describe the practical visitor rules below and keep to the facts — the site sits at the centre of deeply held religious attachments for millions of people.
How to visit as a non-Muslim
Entrance. Non-Muslims enter only through the Mughrabi Gate, reached by a covered wooden bridge that rises from the Western Wall plaza (near the security checkpoint, by Dung Gate). All other gates are reserved for Muslim worshippers.
Hours. Non-Muslim visiting is limited to set windows, typically mornings, Sunday to Thursday (often roughly 7:30–10:30 and a shorter afternoon slot, varying by season). The compound is closed to non-Muslims on Fridays, Saturdays and Islamic holidays, and during the month of Ramadan access is more restricted. These times shift, so confirm locally the day before and arrive at opening — queues build fast.
Cost. Entry is free. You’ll pass Israeli security screening at the bridge.
On the esplanade. Once up, you can walk the open plaza, admire the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa exteriors at close range, and take photographs outdoors. The interiors of the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque are open to Muslims only.
The rules — and why they matter
- Dress modestly. Shoulders and knees fully covered for all genders; no tight or revealing clothing. Cover-ups are not provided, so come prepared.
- No non-Muslim prayer or religious displays. Under the status quo, non-Muslims may visit but not pray or conduct religious rituals on the compound, and bringing non-Islamic religious texts or symbols is not permitted. Security enforce this.
- Be respectful and unobtrusive. Keep your voice down, don’t photograph people at prayer, and follow the directions of the Waqf custodians and police at all times.
- Allow time and patience. Screening can be slow; the visiting window is short.
What you’ll see
- The Dome of the Rock — the octagonal, gold-capped shrine over the sacred rock, its exterior sheathed in dazzling blue-and-gold Ottoman tilework. The most photographed building in Israel.
- The Al-Aqsa Mosque — the silver-grey-domed congregational mosque at the compound’s southern end.
- The esplanade itself — fountains, cypress trees, arcades (the qanatir) and open views over the Old City rooftops and the Mount of Olives.
Plan your visit
The Temple Mount sits a few minutes’ walk from the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Old City markets — see the full Jerusalem guide to string them together, and the 3-day Jerusalem itinerary for timing. Because hours are tight and unpredictable, many visitors join a guided Old City tour that builds the Temple Mount window into the morning. Cover your head and shoulders for nearby holy sites too, and read our first-time-in-Israel guide before you go.
