The Western Wall (or Wailing Wall) in the Jewish Quarter is the last remaining retaining wall of the Second Temple complex and the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray. While the visible, open-air plaza is globally famous, the massive underground tunnel system running alongside the hidden, ancient foundation stones of the wall is what independent tourists and groups constantly research.

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

  • Booking the Tunnels: Tourists frequently show up wanting to see the Western Wall Tunnels, only to find they are completely sold out. The underground tours are strictly regulated and highly capacity-controlled. You must book your official English-speaking tour tickets on the official website months in advance, as walk-ups are almost never accommodated.

  • Gender Separation: The main open-air prayer plaza is strictly divided by a fence (the mechitza). Men must go to the left side and women to the right. Men are required to cover their heads (free kippahs/yarmulkes are provided at the entrance), and women must have their shoulders and knees covered.

  • Paper Notes: Millions of tourists search for the tradition of placing a written prayer in the cracks of the massive stones. The wall can get incredibly crowded at the bottom; if you can't reach an empty crack on the lower levels, seasoned travelers advise bringing a small stick or pen to push your note higher up into the stone crevices.