Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour worth booking?
Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour is a 10-hour experience in Jerusalem, Israel, from $750 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $750 per person
Our tour takes place in the Jewish quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem and is themed on the return to Zion. First, what is Zion – it is from the Jewish bible and was first used as the name of the fortress King David captured when the Israelites captured Jerusalem about 3000 years ago. Then it became synonymous with Jerusalem and Israel. From the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE 2000 years ago in Jerusalem, Jews have been trying to regain again a permanent foothold in their most holy city. As Jews were exiled all around the world, Jerusalem was the magnet drawing Jews back here - returning to Zion even under the most harrowing of circumstances. On our tour, we will hear and see what happened when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and hear stories of how Jews returned at different times over the Centuries. The loss of the Jewish Quarter in 1948 and then the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 once again to be the Eternal Capital of Israel.
What you get
About this experience
Our tour takes place in the Jewish quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem and is themed on the return to Zion. First, what is Zion – it is from the Jewish bible and was first used as the name of the fortress King David captured when the Israelites captured Jerusalem about 3000 years ago. Then it became synonymous with Jerusalem and Israel. From the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE 2000 years ago in Jerusalem, Jews have been trying to regain again a permanent foothold in their most holy city. As Jews were exiled all around the world, Jerusalem was the magnet drawing Jews back here - returning to Zion even under the most harrowing of circumstances. On our tour, we will hear and see what happened when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and hear stories of how Jews returned at different times over the Centuries. The loss of the Jewish Quarter in 1948 and then the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 once again to be the Eternal Capital of Israel.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- License English Guide
Not included
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Old City of Jerusalem
We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem at Jaffa Gate. Built by the Turkish Emperor Suleiman the Magnificent with the walls of Jerusalem
45 minutes here
Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem
We will the Tower of David fortress dating back 2000 years. Climb Phasael's Tower built by Herod the Great in the year 20 BC for a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. We will see the Dome of the Rock, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the two largest Synagogues in the Jewish Quarter. Great Photo Opportunity.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Jewish Quarter
We will walk through the Armenian Quarter and enter the Jewish Quarter. The first thing we will visit is the Cardo, the ancient Roman road created in Jerusalem in 136 CE after the Roman Emperor Hadrian had defeated the rebellion of Bar Kochba, changed the name of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitalina and banned Jews from living in the City.
60 minutes here
Hurva Synagogue
We visit the Hurva Synagogue and learn about how Ashkenazi Jews returned to Zion in the 18th Century and how this Synagogue became the main Ashkenazi synagogue in the Old City. Learn of its destruction by the Jordanians in 1948 and how it was rebuilt 15 years ago. We will go in the synagogue and walk around its dome.
45 minutes here · Admission included
The Four Sephardic Synagogues
We then go to the 4 Sephardi Synagogues and learn about the Return to Zion of the Sephardi community after the Jews were kicked out of Spain in 1492. We will hear about how the Jews were treated in these synagogues up to the 20th Century.
45 minutes here
Herodian Quarter/Wohl Archaeological Museum
We go back in time 2000 years and see the remains of the Priest's houses that stood at the time of the Second Temple. We will see the amazing drawing of the Temple Menorah and learn about the role the Priest's played in the Temple
60 minutes here · Admission included
Burnt House
We next visit the Burnt House. The "Burnt House" is a residential building from the Second Temple period discovered during the restoration of the Jewish Quarter after 1967. We see a stone weight engraved with the name Katros, the name of the family of kohanim that we know from the Pesachim of the Talmud. A second stone weight was recently discovered nearby, under the Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue, bearing the name of this family. Alongside the stone weight, you’ll see a spearhead installed by the Jewish rebels while defending themselves against the legions of Romans who had furiously stormed their houses, pottery and tools carved from Jerusalemite stone.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Jewish Quarter
We will have lunch in the various cafes and choices in the Jewish Quarter.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
The Davidson Center
We will visit the archaelogical site around the Temple Mount. See the Western and Southern Walls of Herod's Temple Mount platform. Learn about how the Romans destroyed the City and threw down the Temple. We will walk along the road used by the pilgrims and see where they would enter the Temple Mount.
75 minutes here · Admission included
Western Wall
We then walk to the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism and see the last remnant of the Holy Temple destroyed in the year 70 AD.
60 minutes here
Batei Mahseh Square
Here we will learn about the War of Independence in 1948, and how the Jewish Quarter was lost and destroyed by the Jordanians. We will visit the memorial to the fallen soldiers who died to defend the quarter. Hear about how the Jews were exiled from the Old City via the Zion Gate.
45 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 5 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Imagine Israel Tours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Private tour in Jerusalem
We had a fantastic day touring Jerusalem with Simon! As a family of four with two teenagers, it can sometimes be tricky to keep everyone engaged, but Simon managed it brilliantly. He is incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much fascinating information, but he also made it fun and entertaining for all of us. The transport was comfortable and efficient, and he was perfectly on time. We all learned so much and had a great time doing it. We would highly recommend Simon to any family looking for an informative and enjoyable tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this wonderful review, Glenn! 😊 Touring Jerusalem with teenagers is one of my favourite challenges - I'm so glad I could keep everyone engaged & entertained while still packing in the history. It was a real pleasure spending the day with your family, and I'm delighted you all learned so much & had fun doing it. Want to discover more of Israel's hidden stories? Let's 'Imagine Israel' together! 🇮🇱 https://imagineisrael-tours.com/
via Tripadvisor
Thank you for our most memorable trip!
Simon is the nicest guy we met and we're so glad we were recommend it to hire him. Simon gave us incredible insight on all the historical details about Israel. We appreciate the referral and we appreciate Simon for doing incredible work for us.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely words! 😊 "The nicest guy we met" - what a wonderful compliment, thank you! I'm so glad you found the historical insights valuable and that the referral worked out so well. It was an absolute pleasure guiding you, and I truly appreciate your kind feedback. Want to discover more of Israel's hidden stories? Let's 'Imagine Israel' together! 🇮🇱 https://imagineisrael-tours.com/
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Imagine Israel Tours, who run 10 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 49.7.
See everything Imagine Israel Tours runsWhy this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Jerusalem.
How much does Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour cost?
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Prices start at $750 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Jerusalem usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Jerusalem is not rushed.
Is Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Jerusalem, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Jerusalem can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Jerusalem and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Jerusalem within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Jerusalem?
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On Outty we rank every Jerusalem experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Jerusalem Boutique Tour from Tel Aviv, Travel to Bethlehem Half Day Guided Tour from Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Dead Sea Day Tour From Jerusalem. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Jerusalem?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Jerusalem?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour?
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Included: Private transportation; and License English Guide. Not included: Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 12 listed pickup locations in and around Jerusalem. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Full Day Return to Zion Jerusalem Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Jerusalem. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
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