King David's Tomb
Mount Zion, Jerusalem, Israel
Some consider King David’s Tomb, on the holy site of Jerusalem’s Mount Zion, to be the burial place of King David of Israel, but whether he was actually buried there is debated. Regardless of the tomb’s existence, the place has deep significance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians, and many pilgrims journey to pay their respects each year.
The Basics
Visitors to King David’s Tomb enter the crypt, an underground hall of the Crusader Church, which Franciscan monks renovated in the 14th century. The building then became a mosque and served as a place of prayer for Muslims for hundreds of years, and today it operates as a synagogue. There are separate entrances for men and women, with a cloth-covered tomb in the center of the room. Members of all faiths are welcome to visit.
Many private and small-group tours of Jerusalem, including day trips from Tel Aviv, visit King David’s Tomb as well as other Jerusalem highlights. Some tours focus on themes such as Jewish heritage, while others explore farther afield to Bethlehem and beyond.
Things to Know Before You Go
King David’s Tomb is a must-see for all first-time visitors to Jerusalem, especially those interested in religion, history, and Jewish heritage.
Admission to the tomb is free.
Men and women must enter the tomb separately.
To enter the tomb, dress modestly with your head covered.
There are steps at the site’s entrance and exit, but museum staff can help wheelchair users to enter.
The Room of the Last Supper is located on the upper level of the same building.
How to Get There
The tomb is located on Mount Zion, outside of Jerusalem’s Old City walls and 328 feet (100 meters) southwest of Zion Gate. You can easily reach the popular site by car, taxi, or bus from within Jerusalem.
When to Get There
King David’s Tomb is open from 8am to sunset daily. Peak tourist season in Jerusalem is June to October, so consider a spring visit for pleasant temperatures and smaller crowds.
Oskar Schindler’s Grave
Perhaps made most famous by the 1993 biopic Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler was an unlikely savior of hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust. His grave is in the Mount Zion Catholic Cemetery, a short walk from the Old City’s Zion Gate. Schindler’s grave is a flat slab on the cemetery’s lower level, and is recognizable as it is often covered with stones left by visitors (a Jewish tradition).
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