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Damascus Gate
Damascus Gate
4.5
About
Built by Suleiman the Great in 1537, this is considered Jerusalem’s most grand and ornate gate. 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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles571 reviews
Excellent
270
Very good
221
Average
60
Poor
10
Terrible
10

Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13 662 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
Because it led to the road to the well-known ancient city, the Gate is called the Damascus Gate. These days, it leads to Nablus. The gate is a symbol of Palestinian recalcitrance. The gate is one of the few key openings to the Old City of Jerusalem. The Damascus Gate gives access to the Muslim Quarter and the souk, or Arab bazaar. By the way, do not buy something you don't want, there are no refunds.
Written 10 November 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.

bevalt52
Edgware, UK344 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2016 • Couples
OMG whilst we were in Jersusalem (3 days) there were 14 attacks and most of them were outside this gate. Drive by shootings and stabbings and we kept well away. Not sure if this is a usual occurrence here at this gate but certainly was when we were there and I would have appreciated being told by guide to be vigilent but instead was told they are not targeting tourists. Maybe was a once off but you can never be too careful
Written 22 March 2016
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.

ssjj123
Brazil, IN256 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2016 • Couples
We walked the ramparts and made the mistake of getting off at the Damascus Gate. It was not clear where the exit was, so we ended up smack dab in the middle of the Muslim quarter...and lets just say that we stuck out like 2 sore thumbs because we are Americans. We felt very uncomfortable until we finally found our way to the gate (you had to enter one of the markets in order to get out). We later learned that 2 Jewish people had been stabbed 2 days before our "visit". The husband died from the attack. The wife ran to a clinic that was a few doors away from where she was stabbed. The clinic refused to render treatment because she was Jewish. Enter at your own risk, and be sure to keep your head on a swivel or you just might lose it. Sad...but nonetheless true.
Written 7 February 2016
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.

llinia
Belgium483 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Walking through this gate brings you into the Arabic world of Jerusalem. All the gates are watched by police and the entrance can be quite busy and narrow because of all the shops.
Written 14 February 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.

Hint of Pepper
Nuneaton, UK2 422 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Friends
This is a grand gate that leads into the Muslim Quarter. It is by far the biggest gate of the ones we entered through. I believe this one was built by Suleyman the Magnificent.
Written 17 March 2019
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.

Rifky K
Miami Beach, FL134 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017
But a very dangerous place to visit. You can be attacked with rocks or stabbed in the back for no other reason then you are a heathen and a non believer. If you want to go into the Old City of Jerusalem I suggest you use one of the other lovely gates which are less dangerous.
Written 23 July 2018
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 662 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017 • Family
The Damascus Gate is one of the main gates for entry into the Old City of Jerusalem. It has been there since the city walls were built by the Ottoman emperor Suleiman the Magnificent in 1537. The gate was damaged in the Six Day War, but it has been restored. The Hebrew name comes from the fact that the gate is on the road to Nablus, (or Shechem, in Hebrew) and thence to Damascus. It's an interesting gate and a good point of entry to the Arab market.
Written 12 January 2018
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.

macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186 766 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2017 • Solo
This and the Jaffa Gate of the Old City are probably the only gates worth seeing. The really interesting thing about this gate it that it's entered downhill, while all the others are entered uphill for obvious reasons.

The gate can get clogged with stallholders at times, but early or late in the day is a good time to visit as it's slightly quieter. There's a nice odeon like seating area just in front of the gate which is a like place to watch the world go by.
Written 6 December 2017
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.

estherp618
Brooklyn, NY210 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016
I have seen the Shaar Shechem as it's commonly known from the buses in Israel as recently as beginning January 2016 and many times and as we Americans know it to be the Damascus Gate. It was a grand place to see many religious Muslims and their wares and an entranceway to the famous Kotel. However, unfortunately, has grown more dangerous, so I cannot say that I recommend going through this gate at this point.
Written 11 March 2016
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.

Maya M
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2013 • Family
Damascus Gate - considered the most beautiful and magnificent structure of the western wall. They are richly decorated with ornament and are essential to the Old Town. You can stroll through the picturesque Arabic market, adjacent to the gate, and if you go straight, without turning, you can get to the street Via Dolorosa and the Wailing Wall
Written 28 September 2014
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.

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DAMASCUS GATE (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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