How to Visit the Temple Mount
You see it on every photo of the Jerusalem skyline, that famous golden dome — the Dome of the Rock, located on the Temple Mount. The Temple Mount holds significance for many religions, as it is a holy site for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. However, for this same reason, it’s not the easiest place to access. It’s not super hard, but there are some restrictions on who can visit. I’ve put this post together to tell you all about how to visit the Temple Mount.
First, accessibility is very limited. The Temple Mount is not accessible all day for non-Muslims. Non-Muslims only get a limited time slot to enter, and this time varies depending on when you go. From Sunday to Thursday, you can enter in the morning between 8:30-10:30 or in the afternoon from 1:30-2:30. These times only apply during the summer season, though. During winter, the morning times are 7:30-10:30 and 12:30-1:30 in the afternoon. I still suggest that you check the times in advance. Many websites list the summer season as April through September, and winter from October to March. However, I visited during October, which should have been winter time, but they were still following the summer schedule.
Either way, make sure to be there at least an hour ahead of opening time. The limited access means more people will line up early for a chance to go up to the Temple Mount. I made it for 11:30, thinking they would open the doors at 12:30 only to find out I’d have to wait another two hours. It worked out though, because people started to hover around by 12. By 12:30, there was already a long line.
Dress accordingly! As the entrance to the Western Wall is guarded, so is the entrance to the Temple Mount. Once you cross the wooden “bridge” over the Wall and into the Temple Mount area, you will pass metal scanners and have your bags inspected by security. I only carried a small bag with minimal belongings, but I did prior research. I read that any non-Muslim religious objects/clothing can be confiscated. You can be denied entry if you have anything like that on. Keep this in mind if you plan to do any shopping beforehand. For this reason, I decided to buy any Judaica souvenirs after leaving the Temple Mount (it’s also less to carry and have inspected).
Aside from the no-Judaica rule, remember that you will be entering a holy area for Muslims. You must dress conservatively, or you will be denied entry. Well, you may still enter, since they do have skirts/shawls to borrow if you are showing too much. When you pass security, you’ll come across men either sending you off to explore the Temple Mount or to the right to borrow clothes. Again, they’re very strict, so if you’re visiting during summertime, I would suggest to bring layers you can throw on.
I opted for an ankle-length jumpsuit, paired with an ankle-length vest, as my jumpsuit was sleeveless. I carried a shawl as well, to cover my shoulders and head, if needed. Once I got to the entrance, they sent me to the right. I was a bit confused, because I had my shoulders covered. I tried to cover my head too, thinking that was the issue, but the guy told me it was my legs. The bottom portion of my jumpsuit, from the calves down, were a bit on the snug side. Luckily, my vest was long enough to cover up my legs once I closed it, and they let me pass.
As I was walking, a sudden breeze opened up my scarf exposing my chest and a man yelled at me for that, telling me to cover up. My neckline wasn’t even revealing, it showed just my neck up to about an inch below my collarbone! They don’t play around. So, if you want to have a pleasant, easy experience at the Temple Mount, make sure to dress appropriately!
My visit to the Temple Mount was very peaceful, aside from the dress code issue. The Dome (and the Al-Aqsa Mosque next to it) itself, while not accessible for non-Muslims, is still very beautiful from the outside. Make sure to walk up and look at the colorful detail of the tiles that make up the walls.
The area is such a contrast from the all the movement of the rest of Jerusalem. The open area of the Temple Mount was so peaceful and quiet, as if you were in a different world. You can easily forget that you’re in the middle of such a busy city. You saw a whole bunch of Muslim women sitting around with their children, and teens walking around after school. It was their own little community. It was so cool to finally make it up to the Dome and the Temple Mount, after seeing it so many times in postcards or from far away on the Mount of Olives. Now that you know how to visit the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock, make sure to make this a stop during your trip to Jerusalem (if you’re Muslim, you can go inside!).
