Sitting directly above the Western Wall, this massive elevated plaza is the third-holiest site in Islam (housing the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the iconic gold-plated Dome of the Rock) and the holiest site in Judaism (the location of the First and Second Temples). It is the most contested piece of real estate on Earth.

• What Tourists Actually Search For (Tips & Hacks):

  • The "One Gate" Rule: This is the most critical logistical hack tourists look up. While Muslims can enter through several gates in the Old City, non-Muslim tourists are only allowed to enter through a single, highly secure wooden walkway called the Mughrabi Bridge, located right next to the Western Wall plaza.

  • Extremely Limited Hours: Tourists are often shocked by the visiting hours. Non-Muslims are only allowed up for a few hours in the early morning and about an hour in the early afternoon, strictly from Sunday to Thursday. It is completely closed to tourists on Fridays and Saturdays.

  • No Entry to the Buildings: Travelers heavily search to see if they can go inside the beautiful Dome of the Rock. The answer is no. Non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering any of the buildings on the plaza; you are only permitted to walk the outdoor courtyards.