Jaffa Gate
Jaffa Gate
4.5
About
The main entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City faces the west toward the old port of Jaffa, and is located next to one of the city’s best-known sites, the Tower of David or Citadel. There are seven gates open: New Gate, Zion, Dung, Jaffa, Lions’ (St. Stephen's), Herod’s, and Damascus (Shechem).
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
1,027 reviews
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340
Average
109
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5
DQShaw
York, ME1,318 contributions
Jan 2020
A slice of history going back about 500 years. The Jaffa Gate leads into the Jewish and Christian Quarters and is near the Tower of David. Great for getting into the old city for the shopping or history or religious reasons or people watching. We went with a guided tour the first time. Safe to walk around on your own. In any crowded areas beware of pickpockets and scam artists.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vitor A
Lisbon, Portugal795 contributions
Jan 2020
This is an interesting gate, as most gates in Jerusalem. First time I entered it, I didn’t notice the inscriptions on the left side; when a guide explained them it became clearer the intention of the Jerusalem’s ruler at that period. Enjoy!
Written 31 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,585 contributions
Oct 2022
Historic Jaffa Gate is one of seven gates from which one can enter and exit the Old City of Jerusalem. It takes the name from the road to the port city of Jaffa, which dates from Biblical times. It is near the souk, and also adjoins the modern shopping strip, Mamilla Mall, which has many up-to-dates shops and cafes.
Written 28 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_mark_rutherford
Isle of Man, UK5 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Okay - would you like some average food on your first night inJerusalem, and then to pay restaurant prices while the locals snigger at you. If so, look no further than the Jaffa Gates’s “Falafel:Shewarma” mini cafe on the end of the cafe-souvenir row opposite the castle. 180 shekels for a shewarma and some chips. Somebody told me the Arabs need the money because they are second class citizens in the country - but guess who didn’t get any repeat custom that week. Oh, and the private ATM is a scam too.
Written 1 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Noraatc
Sudbury, MA39,628 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We passed through the Jaffa Gate several times during our stay in Jerusalem. The Jaffa Gate was built in 1538 by Suleiman the Magnificent at the Ottoman Empire time. At present, it is the most convenient entrance to the three quarters of the Old City: to the Christian Quarter (on the left), Muslim Quarter (straight ahead) and the Armenian Quarter (to the right, past the Tower of David). You can easily reach the Jewish Quarter past the Armenian Quarter.
Written 18 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bluebellplasnewydd
Cardiff, UK2,042 contributions
Nov 2022
Many cities have stone and wood gates and Jerusalem is no exception. You will likely walk through this gate without noticing on your way to the old city. Step back and admire but avoid all the cheap tack in the nearby stalls.
Written 16 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen W
Long Island, NY14 contributions
May 2022
This is one of the main entrances to the old city and the Arab shuk. You may be called to buy vendors. If you are looking for souvenirs, you can find them here but be aware that the market continues if you keep walking straight. There are some historical areas here and the entrance to the Ramparts Walk. On the outside of the gate, down the steps, is the Mamilla Mall, also a great, shopping area with fancier type stores and restaurants.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SOQ2010
Massachusetts3,771 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
Happening place in old city of Jerusalem. I miss not staying in a hotel here since all the quarters are nearby. When other moneychangers were closed the money changer at Jaffa gate was open on Sunday. Plenty of souvenior shops on David street which starts from here.
Written 5 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited this place🇫🇷🇺🇸🇬🇷🇨🇭🇬🇧
Israel35,208 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
So after I took my tour group of one to survey around the Old City of Jerusalem (read my review and see my photos from yesterday ), and after observing the 1,950 year old relics of the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (see my review and photos from tomorrow), and after late afternoon prayer at the Western Wall, we traversed the Old City and Armenian Quarter (see my two artistic photos), walked past the Tower of David (see my eight photos posted yesterday), and finally exited through this Jaffa Gate, towards our final destination of Mamilla Mall and Cafe Rimon ( did you guess? Yes- read my reviews of them in the coming days).
This Jaffa Gare is with entry at jagged perpendicular entry- for the security and protection of the residents. The deep 20 centimeter thick and 6 meter high doors are quite impressive.
Yes/ most people just rush through them as if it’s no big deal.... well it is.
And here’s my tour guide tip that I told my tourist and I’ll tell you- as soon as you enter and look at the left, you see two Arabic gravestones- who has the great honor of perpetuity by being buried there?
So Suleiman the Magnificent, supreme ruler of the Turkish Ottoman Empire commissioned the two greatest architects in the world of that time to build in 1538 this Old City wall that you see.
And after its completion, the emperor wanted to ensure that these master builders would never build anything more that could compare in majesty and grandeur to these Jerusalem Old City walls.
.... so here are buried those two architects and builders.
To which my one tour person replied, “Nice guy- life in the 1500s.”
No photos this time- we were rushing to eat after the 25 hour complete fast of food and water.
But believe me - “I visited this place”... yesterday.
This Jaffa Gare is with entry at jagged perpendicular entry- for the security and protection of the residents. The deep 20 centimeter thick and 6 meter high doors are quite impressive.
Yes/ most people just rush through them as if it’s no big deal.... well it is.
And here’s my tour guide tip that I told my tourist and I’ll tell you- as soon as you enter and look at the left, you see two Arabic gravestones- who has the great honor of perpetuity by being buried there?
So Suleiman the Magnificent, supreme ruler of the Turkish Ottoman Empire commissioned the two greatest architects in the world of that time to build in 1538 this Old City wall that you see.
And after its completion, the emperor wanted to ensure that these master builders would never build anything more that could compare in majesty and grandeur to these Jerusalem Old City walls.
.... so here are buried those two architects and builders.
To which my one tour person replied, “Nice guy- life in the 1500s.”
No photos this time- we were rushing to eat after the 25 hour complete fast of food and water.
But believe me - “I visited this place”... yesterday.
Written 31 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited this place🇫🇷🇺🇸🇬🇷🇨🇭🇬🇧
Israel35,208 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
* Landmark historical place
* Famous and iconic
* Central entry point to the old city
* Central access point to modern Jerusalem and the adjacent post and modern Mamilla Mall
* Large more than 3 m tall old wooden door
* L-shaped entry to prevent intruders
* See architecture from 500 years ago.
* See the tiered narrow window, which allows observation of the outside marauders and prevents their entry or their attack.
* See a gigantic Torah scroll box attached at the entrance door
* Watch the crowds during a busy time
CONS
* Crowds and noise
* There could be hucksters, trying to sell you to hire them for unauthorized tours
“I VISITED THIS PLACE”…
… on my way into the old city after a business meeting. I’ve been to here hundreds of times, but I always try to stop look at different aspects and admire it and appreciate its history and significance.
TIPS
it’s almost unheard of for a tourist to Jerusalem to not visit and walk through this gate, so read about it and be prepared and admire it and learn about it and appreciate it and take photos and post on Tripadvisor, such as what I did – go see my “helpful” photos of the gate that I took yesterday, and also my photos of many of the tourists.
* Famous and iconic
* Central entry point to the old city
* Central access point to modern Jerusalem and the adjacent post and modern Mamilla Mall
* Large more than 3 m tall old wooden door
* L-shaped entry to prevent intruders
* See architecture from 500 years ago.
* See the tiered narrow window, which allows observation of the outside marauders and prevents their entry or their attack.
* See a gigantic Torah scroll box attached at the entrance door
* Watch the crowds during a busy time
CONS
* Crowds and noise
* There could be hucksters, trying to sell you to hire them for unauthorized tours
“I VISITED THIS PLACE”…
… on my way into the old city after a business meeting. I’ve been to here hundreds of times, but I always try to stop look at different aspects and admire it and appreciate its history and significance.
TIPS
it’s almost unheard of for a tourist to Jerusalem to not visit and walk through this gate, so read about it and be prepared and admire it and learn about it and appreciate it and take photos and post on Tripadvisor, such as what I did – go see my “helpful” photos of the gate that I took yesterday, and also my photos of many of the tourists.
Written 13 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there my partner and I would like to visit your hostel in March however we land in Tel Aviv at 21:15 by the time we get bags and travel to you it may be last 23:00. We wondered if it’s possible to check in between 23:00-00:00??
Written 18 January 2023
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