City of David

The oldest part of Jerusalem, predating the Old City walls by 3,000 years, where the Jebusite city captured by King David around 1000 BCE once stood. The archaeological park on the hill just south of the Dung Gate has layers upon layers: Canaanite houses, First Temple-period palaces, Hasmonean streets, Roman structures. The view from the top of the excavated area looking north toward the Temple Mount is one of the best orientation points in the city.

Practical activities at the site include walking the Siloam Tunnel (wading through ankle-deep water for 533 metres in the dark), the dry Canaanite tunnel, and the excavated drainage channel from the Second Temple period. The site is managed by a private organization and entry fees apply. Budget at least two hours, more if you plan to wade the tunnel. The park connects directly to the pool of Siloam at the southern end, where pilgrims bathed in the Second Temple period.

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The bedrock of Jerusalem goes down 3,000 years at the City of David, and excavations are still finding new layers. In 2010, archaeologists uncovered a large administrative building from around 900 BCE with remains of a pomegranate-shaped ivory scepter head — possibly from the First Temple period. The dig is active; visitors can watch archaeologists working in real time on some days.