In The Footsteps of Jesus Day Tour – Dguide Self Guiding App

This self-guided walk is interesting because it turns a famous Gospel story into a real, step-by-step route you can pace yourself. You start with the Jerusalem overlook from the Mount of Olives, so the city’s geography clicks fast.

I love the way this route sets a clear mood shift, from the view and the bustle down toward quieter prayer stops. I also like that the Dguide app keeps the story moving without forcing a group rhythm.

The main consideration is that you are relying on your phone for the details, and the Garden Tomb is closed Sunday and Monday, so your timing matters.

Key highlights to know before you go

• A self-guided Gospel route with the guide content on your phone, so you control how much you read and when you pause
• Mount of Olives first, giving you a fast orientation over Jerusalem before you start walking
• Quiet breaks in the Kidron Valley, especially the olive-garden setting tied to Gethsemane
• Real Jerusalem stops, not just landmarks, including the Pools of Bethesda and the old city walls near Damascus Gate
• Small optional fees at a couple of sites, while other key places are free entry
• Garden Tomb timing matters, since it is closed Sunday and Monday

From Seven Arches to Mount of Olives: your easy start with big views

You begin at Seven Arches in Jerusalem, then head toward the Mount of Olives, which is where the experience grabs you. The reason this first stop works is simple: once you see the city spread out below, the rest of the walk makes more sense.

At the observation deck, expect everyday street life around a major viewpoint. You’ll likely see peddlers, and sometimes camels offered for rides and photos. Use common sense here, keep your distance if you prefer, and don’t let the side-shows steal your time from the view.

After that, you move down the hill on the Palm Sunday Road. This is where you start trading the wide open look for close-up sites tied to Jesus’ last week, and you can feel the route tightening around the story.

Dominus Flevit and the tears-shaped church: a short stop that hits

Next up is Dominus Flevit Church, on the Palm Sunday Road. It’s small, but it’s memorable, shaped like a tear drop to connect the place with the idea of Jesus weeping and prophesying Jerusalem’s future.

This stop is worth slowing down for. The deck nearby gives a view over the old city area, and the church encourages a quiet, reflective moment, not a rushed selfie circuit.

Inside, you can look through a special window that faces the direction of the Old City and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It’s a clever way to connect “where you are” with “what you’re reading about,” especially if your brain needs that visual link.

Gethsemane’s olive grove: where the noise drops and prayer feels natural

Then the route turns toward the Garden of Gethsemane, along the winding downhill stretch of the Palm Sunday Road and into the Valley of Kidron. This part matters because it is not just scenic, it’s practical. The walk quietly shifts you away from the louder streets into an olive-tree garden with a calmer feel.

The church here is known as the Church of All Nations, also called the Church of the Agony. The setting is the point: ancient olive trees, centuries-old, give you a sense that you’re stepping into a place people have associated with prayer for a very long time.

Even if you’re not a big church person, you’ll still appreciate the stillness. Take your time, sit if you can, and let the location do some of the teaching. If you want to read, do it slowly, because the whole vibe rewards a slower pace.

Tomb of Mary and the Kidron Valley stairs: small, historical, and slightly hidden

After Gethsemane, you reach the Tomb of the Virgin Mary in the Valley of Kidron. This is not the kind of site where everything screams at you from the street. You descend below street level, which means you experience it more like a local landmark than a high-traffic attraction.

What’s left from an older basilica is visible here, including Crusader-period construction. There’s also a tomb connected to Queen Melisende of Jerusalem, daughter of King Baldwin II, and it’s found to the right side of the wide stairway leading down.

This stop can be brief, but it’s a good one if you like architecture details and the feeling of visiting something that isn’t trying to be a theme park. You won’t need long here, but you can still get something meaningful from a quick look and a few minutes of quiet.

Pools of Bethesda and St. Ann: a Gospel moment with an entry fee

Now you arrive at the Pools of Bethesda, tied to the Gospel story in John 5, where Jesus heals a man who had been unable to walk for 38 years. This is one of the more “story-specific” stops because the site directly matches the narrative, not just the general geography.

The adjacent Church of St. Ann is a neoclassical church, and it’s noted for the way its design supports singing and echoes. Even if you don’t plan to sing, it’s a reminder that acoustics matter in a space like this, and you’ll notice the way your voice carries.

There is a site fee here, managed by the French White Fathers order. Plan on 5 shekels per person, which means you should budget a little cash on top of your tour price.

This part of the walk can feel like a pivot point. After the quiet garden moments, this stop brings you back to a Gospel scene that’s tied to physical healing and public space.

Via Dolorosa markers near the Austrian Hospice: a break you can actually use

From the Pools of Bethesda, the route connects with the Via Dolorosa, also described as the way of suffering or the passion of Christ. Along the route, you’ll see round bronze plates marking the stations, which helps you track where you are without needing guesswork.

The street can be busy around here, especially because you’re in the mix of markets. What I like about this stop segment is that it gives you a moment of contrast, a way to step out of the crowd energy.

At the Austrian Hospice, you’ll find large wooden doors that hide a small slice of European hospitality. There’s also a rooftop view, which is the practical reason to stop, even if you’re not there for food. The route gives you a built-in excuse to rest your legs, cool down, and regroup.

Rooftop access uses a 5 shekel turnstile, and you can also get an excellent cup of coffee and a slice of apple strudel there. Those are optional, but the value is that the stop is timed well in the walk, not tacked on randomly.

Damascus Gate to the Garden Tomb: the final walk plus a big timing warning

After the hospice, the route leads you toward Damascus Gate. You follow a market alley to the right, slightly uphill, until you exit the city walls.

This is where you get strong Jerusalem context. The current gate is associated with Ottoman-era construction, around 1536, and beneath it you can see remains from earlier Roman period gates. If you like seeing how layers of time stack up in one place, this stop delivers.

From there, the road toward the Garden Tomb is described as the Road to Damascus. Even if you don’t obsess over street names, the direction matters because it helps you keep your final destination straight.

Then comes the Garden Tomb itself, one of the possible traditional locations for the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection as described in the Gospels. It was identified in the late 19th century, and the site is owned and managed by the Protestant Garden Tomb (Jerusalem) Association, a charitable trust based in the United Kingdom.

This is a place built for reflection. You’ll find many chapels and quiet corners for prayer, and you can view the so-called skull caves at Golgotha’s hill area. You can also enter the empty tomb. Entrance is free, and if you’re going as part of a group, reservations are required, with the contact number listed as 02-539-8100.

One key timing note: the Garden Tomb is closed to visitors on Sunday and Monday. If your trip falls on those days, you can still do the walk, then plan to return to the Garden Tomb later, from Tuesday to Saturday.

How to get the most from the Dguide app on a walk like this

This experience is built around the idea that your “guide” is your phone. After you purchase, you receive a coupon code to access the tour in the Dguide platform, and the app itself is listed as free access through that coupon.

You’re not locked into a rigid script. The route gives you a suggested path, but you can go off it and come back later. That matters in Jerusalem, where street life can slow you down or where you might spot a side entrance you want to check.

What you should do before you start is keep your phone charged and your screen brightness ready. Since you’ll be using staircases and moving on foot, anything that drains your battery becomes a real problem, not just an inconvenience.

Also, because the experience is self-guided, I’d treat the app as your safety net for direction and pacing, not as a full substitute for on-the-ground clarity. If you like very exact turn-by-turn instructions and names at each corner, you’ll want to pay careful attention and give yourself a little extra time so you don’t feel rushed.

Price and value: $7 plus the two common add-ons

At $7 per person, this is priced like an access fee, not a classic guided tour. The value comes from what you get with that price: the self-guided Dguide app access to a curated route across major Gospel-connected sites.

That said, there are a couple of costs to plan for. Pools of Bethesda has a 5 shekels per person admission fee. At the Austrian Hospice, the rooftop view uses a 5 shekel turnstile, and you may choose to buy coffee and apple strudel there.

Parking fees are not included, so if you’re driving and parking, factor that in.

So the real value question is this: are you comfortable using your phone to guide you, and do you like the flexibility to pause, walk slower, or skip reading in some spots? If yes, the low base price makes a lot of sense.

What the walking time feels like in real life (and who should go)

The tour is listed at about 4 hours. You’re walking between major sites, and the stops include some stairs and descending below street level at places like the Tomb of Mary.

It’s also described for people with a moderate physical fitness level. If you deal with limited mobility, steep stairs, or stamina issues, this might feel heavier than you expect.

There’s also a practical detail that helps you plan your day. The tour can work as a half-day activity that fits neatly before or after other Jerusalem visits. And because the ending point is the Garden Tomb, you can either walk back toward the Old City or continue upward toward New City hotels and restaurants.

Should you book this self-guided Jesus footsteps walk?

Book it if you want a low-cost, flexible route and you’re happy to use your phone as your guide. I think it’s especially good for people who like setting their own pace, taking quiet moments at prayer sites, and seeing Jerusalem in a connected line rather than bouncing randomly between highlights.

Skip it or pair it with another option if you want very detailed, hands-on direction and you strongly prefer a live guide. The self-guided format is the whole point here, but it also means you should be comfortable handling navigation yourself.

Also book with timing in mind. If you’re traveling on Sunday or Monday, plan for the Garden Tomb to be closed and build a return visit for Tuesday to Saturday.

FAQ

How long does the In The Footsteps of Jesus Day Tour last?

It’s listed at about 4 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $7.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Seven Arches, Jerusalem and ends at The Garden Tomb Jerusalem on Conrad Schick St, Jerusalem.

Is the Dguide app included?

Yes. The Dguide app is free, and after you purchase you receive a coupon code to access the tour in the app.

Are there entrance fees at the stops?

Some are free, but Pools of Bethesda has an admission fee of 5 shekels per person. At the Austrian Hospice, the rooftop view has a 5 shekel turnstile. The Garden Tomb entrance is free.

Is the Garden Tomb open every day?

No. The Garden Tomb is closed on Sunday and Monday. You can still do the rest of the walk on those days and return later.

What kind of walking is involved?

The tour requires walking and using stairs, and it’s recommended for people with a moderate physical fitness level.

What should I know about the group visit rules for the Garden Tomb?

The Garden Tomb entrance is free, but a group visit requires a reservation, and the provided contact number is 02-539-8100.