By The Visit Israel Editorial Team · Last updated
Guided walking tour of Jerusalem's Islamic landmarks with a licensed guide — the Muslim Quarter, Al-Aqsa Mosque compound approach, Dome of the Rock plaza, Mamluk architecture and the Ottoman city walls. Small groups; entrance to the Temple Mount compound is subject to the current access schedule.
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Explore all four quarters of Jerusalem's Old City — including the Muslim Quarter and Temple Mount approach — with a licensed local guide who provides historical and religious context for the Islamic, Jewish and Christian sites that share this extraordinary 1km² walled city.
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Staying near the Old City puts you within walking distance of the Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif, allowing you to time your visit for early morning before queues build and to return for dusk prayers. Browse hotels in the Muslim Quarter, Christian Quarter and East Jerusalem.
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Israel holds three of Islam’s holiest sites — Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and the broader Haram al-Sharif complex in Jerusalem — and has been a destination for Muslim pilgrims and travellers for over 1,400 years. Beyond Jerusalem, the country has a significant Arab Muslim population (approximately 17% of Israel’s total population), a rich Ottoman architectural heritage, and cities where Arabic is the daily language and halal food is the norm.
This guide covers the practical information Muslim visitors need most: how to access the Temple Mount, the Islamic sites to visit across the country, halal food and prayer logistics, Ramadan travel tips, and what to expect from airport security.
For the broader travel-planning picture, see the first-time visitor guide, the safety guide and the holy sites dress code guide.
The Temple Mount — known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (“the Noble Sanctuary”) — is Islam’s third holiest site and the geographical and spiritual centre of Muslim pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It encompasses Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Aqsā) and the Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhrah) on a 35-acre elevated plaza in the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Haram al-Sharif is administered by the Jordanian-controlled Islamic Waqf (religious endowment), operating under a complex security arrangement with Israeli authorities. This arrangement affects access rules for all visitors and can change at short notice in response to religious calendar events, security situations, or political developments.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is open for Muslim prayer throughout the day. Entry is from multiple gates within the compound. The Friday Jumu’ah prayer draws very large congregations — arrive early if attending. Wudu facilities are inside the compound.
The Dome of the Rock is open to Muslim visitors during most periods. As of mid-2026, the interior is accessible to Muslim worshippers; confirm current hours with the Islamic Waqf on arrival.
Ramadan: During Ramadan — especially the final ten days — access restrictions and crowd levels can be very high. Tarawih prayers and Laylat al-Qadr draw tens of thousands of pilgrims. Plan for long queues and limit large bags.
Non-Muslims may visit the Temple Mount esplanade (but not the interiors of Al-Aqsa or the Dome of the Rock) via the Mughrabi Gate only, during designated morning and afternoon windows, typically Sunday–Thursday. These windows are suspended on Fridays, on Muslim holidays, on Jewish holidays, and at the discretion of security authorities.
Non-Muslim access is never guaranteed on any given day. Visit early in your trip rather than leaving it to the last morning.
One of the most magnificent Ottoman-era mosques in the entire region, Al-Jazzar Mosque was built in 1781 in Akko (Acre) by Ahmad Pasha al-Jazzar, governor of the Vilayet of Sidon. The mosque sits above a Byzantine crypt and contains, in a marble box beneath the main dome, a hair believed to be from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) — drawn out annually during Ramadan. The courtyard contains a fountain and the tomb of Al-Jazzar himself.
Visiting: Open to visitors outside prayer times (a modest entrance fee applies). Dress code strictly observed — modesty clothing and head covering for women are required; shoe covers are provided. Akko is approximately 25 km north of Haifa and easily combined with a visit to the Akko Old City.
Built in 1916 by the Ottoman governor Hassan Bek on the boundary between Jaffa and what would become Tel Aviv, this white-minaret mosque is now one of the most visually striking landmarks on the Tel Aviv seafront. It is an active mosque; visitors are welcome outside prayer times. The contrast between the historic mosque and the modern Tel Aviv beach promenade makes it one of the most photographed spots in the city.
Nazareth is Israel’s largest Arab city and approximately 30% of its population is Muslim. The Al-Abyad (White) Mosque in the city centre is an active place of worship dating to the Ottoman period. Nazareth’s old city market (Al-Suq) has excellent Arab restaurants and strong halal food options.
The area around the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) holds sites significant in Abrahamic tradition: Tiberias contains the tomb of Maimonides, but the broader Galilee landscape — including Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, and the River Jordan baptism sites — is shared sacred geography mentioned in both Biblical and Quranic narratives. Muslim visitors with an interest in prophetic geography often combine Jerusalem with a Galilee loop.
Halal food is widely available across Israel, particularly in Arab-majority areas.
Jerusalem – Muslim Quarter: The most reliable area for certified halal restaurants. The quarter’s main street, Al-Wad Street, and the area around the Damascus Gate have dozens of Arab-owned restaurants serving roast chicken, kofta, falafel, hummus and shawarma. During Ramadan, the entire area transforms at iftar into one of the most festive night markets in the Middle East.
Jaffa (Yafo), Tel Aviv: The Jaffa market area and Yefet Street have a dense concentration of Arab-Israeli restaurants. Abu Hassan (on Ha-Dolphin Street) is one of Israel’s most celebrated hummus institutions, owned by an Arab Muslim family.
Nazareth: Israel’s Arab cultural capital has excellent halal food across all price points. The old market area and streets around the Basilica of the Annunciation have a mix of Arab restaurants, many Muslim-owned.
Akko: The old city’s Arab market has strong halal food options, including freshly baked Arab bread and grilled meats.
Israel does not have a unified national halal certification system comparable to its extensive kosher certification infrastructure. In practice:
For grocery shopping, major Arab-owned supermarket chains (e.g. Rami Levy in East Jerusalem, independent chains in Nazareth) stock halal-certified imported products and local halal meat.
Prayer times vary daily by location and season. Apps such as Muslim Pro, Al-Aqsa (israely app with mosque-specific times), or Athan all provide Israel-specific prayer times. Note that Israel does not officially use Islamic calendar times — apps automatically calculate based on latitude and longitude.
Israel is northeast of Mecca, so the qibla (direction of prayer) faces southeast (roughly 150–160° from north) across most of the country. Qibla compass apps (or the direction marked in most hotels in Muslim-majority areas) are accurate.
Hotels in East Jerusalem and the Muslim Quarter often provide prayer mats and qibla direction markers in rooms as standard. Hotels in West Jerusalem and Tel Aviv may not. If this is important to you, confirm when booking or travel with your own prayer mat.
Ramadan is one of the best times to experience Muslim culture in Jerusalem and Nazareth, though it requires some practical adjustments.
Muslim-owned restaurants: Most Arab restaurants in the Muslim Quarter and Nazareth operate on adjusted hours — closed from pre-dawn (suhoor) until after iftar at sunset. After sunset, especially in Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter, food stalls and restaurants operate well into the night.
Atmosphere: The Damascus Gate area of Jerusalem and Al-Wad Street in the Muslim Quarter become extraordinarily lively after iftar — lanterns, food, music and community. This nightly atmosphere is one of Jerusalem’s most memorable experiences for any visitor.
Al-Aqsa access: The final ten days of Ramadan (including Laylat al-Qadr) see the highest crowd levels of the year. Access to the compound can be restricted for non-Muslims during this period. Plan Muslim pilgrim visits accordingly.
Ramadan dates shift approximately 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar. Always confirm dates using an Islamic calendar resource such as islamicfinder.org — never rely on a fixed Gregorian date in any guide, including this one.
For a complete guide to visiting Israel during Ramadan — including Jaffa iftar culture, Nazareth Ramadan evenings, and detailed Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif access notes — see the dedicated Ramadan travel guide.
Israeli airport security is among the most thorough in the world and is applied to all passengers regardless of nationality or religion. Muslim travelers — particularly those with Arabic-sounding names, passports from Muslim-majority countries, or visible religious observance — may be subject to additional questioning or luggage screening. This is Israeli security policy applied broadly, not specific to Muslim visitors.
Tips for a smooth process:
See the full Ben Gurion Airport guide for check-in times, terminal layout and transport options.
Muslim visitors to Israel broadly split into two groups, with many overlapping:
Pilgrimage-focused: Coming specifically to pray at Al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock, visit the sites associated with prophetic history in Jerusalem and the Galilee, and connect with the Muslim spiritual heritage of the Holy Land. For this group, proximity accommodation in East Jerusalem or the Muslim Quarter is strongly recommended; many choose guided group tours with Arabic-speaking licensed guides.
Cultural tourism: Arab Israeli and Muslim diaspora visitors exploring Israel’s living Arab communities — Nazareth, Jaffa, Akko, Haifa’s Wadi Nisnas, Druze villages on the Carmel — alongside the major tourist highlights. The Druze villages of Mount Carmel offer a fascinating perspective on a distinct Arab tradition; the Arab-Christian and Arab-Muslim mixed neighbourhoods of Akko and Nazareth show the remarkable cultural diversity within Israel’s Arab community.
Many visits combine both: a few days in Jerusalem for Al-Aqsa and the Old City, then a circuit through the Galilee, Nazareth and the coast.
When to go: Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) offer the best climate for Jerusalem sightseeing. Summer is hot but manageable; winter can be cold and rainy in Jerusalem and the north while Eilat and the Dead Sea remain warm.
How long: Allow at minimum three nights in Jerusalem to give yourself multiple mornings at Al-Aqsa (to account for access variability) and time to explore the Muslim Quarter, the Old City markets and East Jerusalem. A week allows Nazareth, the Galilee and one other destination to be added.
Currency: Israeli new shekel (ILS/₪). ATMs widely available. See the Israel money and budget guide for tipping norms and costs.
Language: Arabic is an official language in Israel alongside Hebrew. In the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem, Nazareth and Akko, Arabic is the primary spoken language. English is widely understood in tourist areas.
Dress code: Modest dress is expected at all religious sites, including mosques, churches and Jewish holy sites. See the holy sites dress code guide for the specific requirements at each type of site.
For the complete list of entry requirements, ETA-IL information and border crossing options, see the Israel visa and entry guide.
Non-Muslims may access the Temple Mount esplanade through the Mughrabi Gate (the only gate open to non-Muslim visitors), typically Sunday to Thursday during designated morning and afternoon windows. The windows change frequently and are suspended on Muslim holidays, Fridays, Shabbat, and at the discretion of the security authorities. The interiors of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock are open to Muslim worshippers only. Before planning your visit, check the current access schedule through the Israeli police website or the Islamic Waqf. Access is never guaranteed — visit as early in your trip as possible rather than leaving it to the last day.
Yes. Halal-certified and halal-friendly food is widely available across Israel, particularly in Arab-majority neighbourhoods and cities. The Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, East Jerusalem broadly, the Arab market in Akko, and the historic city centre of Nazareth all have dense concentrations of Arab-owned restaurants where cuisine is typically halal. In Tel Aviv, the Jaffa (Yafo) neighbourhood has a strong Arab restaurant scene along Yefet Street. Many Israeli Arab-owned restaurants do not display halal certification but prepare meat according to halal standards — when in doubt, ask staff. Note that Israel has a large kosher food sector: kosher is not halal (pork is still excluded from kosher, but the slaughter method and lack of halal certification differ). Look specifically for halal-certified suppliers or Muslim-owned establishments if strict certification is required.
Yes. Al-Aqsa Mosque is open to Muslim worshippers throughout the day during normal periods. The Friday congregational prayer (Jumu'ah) draws very large crowds — plan accordingly if you want to attend. Wudu (ablution) facilities are available within the compound. Non-Muslim visitors are not permitted inside Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Dome of the Rock. During heightened security periods, access to the entire Temple Mount compound may be restricted for some or all visitor categories — check current conditions before your visit. The Islamic Waqf (waqfal-islamiyyah.com) administers the holy sites.
Ramadan can be a particularly moving time to visit Jerusalem and Nazareth. The Old City's Muslim Quarter comes alive after iftar (sunset meal), with food stalls, lanterns and a festive atmosphere along Al-Wad Street and near the Damascus Gate. Prayers at Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, especially Tarawih and Laylat al-Qadr, draw pilgrims from across the Muslim world — crowds are very large in the final ten days. Practical considerations: many Muslim-owned restaurants in the Old City adjust their hours during Ramadan (closed during fasting hours; open until late); schedule flexible plans. Ramadan dates shift approximately 11 days earlier each year — use an Islamic calendar (islamicfinder.org) to confirm dates; never rely on a fixed Gregorian date.
Several significant Islamic sites are spread across Israel. Al-Jazzar Mosque in Akko (Acre) is one of the most impressive Ottoman-era mosques outside Istanbul, built in 1781 by the governor Ahmad Pasha al-Jazzar; it contains a hair of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and is open to visitors outside prayer times. The White Mosque (Al-Abyad) in Nazareth is a working mosque in the city centre. Hassan Bek Mosque on the Tel Aviv–Jaffa border (1916) is a landmark visible from the Jaffa promenade. The Sea of Galilee area contains sites connected to Jesus in the Gospels, many of which are shared sacred geography for Christians and Muslims. Note: the Cave of Machpelah/Ibrahim Mosque in Hebron is explicitly excluded from this site's coverage; consult your government's current travel advisory for that area.
Arab Israeli citizens make up approximately 21% of Israel's population; Arabic is an official language alongside Hebrew. Muslim-majority cities such as Nazareth, Umm al-Fahm and Rahat, and the Arab neighbourhoods of Jerusalem, Jaffa, Akko and Haifa, are vibrant, welcoming communities. Muslim visitors from abroad report varying experiences at Ben Gurion Airport security, which is intensive for all passengers but can involve additional questioning. Arriving with a clear itinerary, hotel bookings and trip purpose helps security interviews proceed smoothly. Check your own government's current travel advisory for Israel before booking — security situations can change.
By The Visit Israel Editorial Team · Last updated