The view from the top of the Mount of Olives, looking across the Kidron Valley at the Old City of Jerusalem, with the New City in the background.

The view from the top of the Mount of Olives, looking across the Kidron Valley at the Old City of Jerusalem, with the New City in the background.

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Zechariah 14:4

 

 

The view from the Mount of Olives of the Temple Mount and the Old City is unparalleled. Don’t let a tour guide tell you that the alternative view from Mount Scopus suffices. This is the perfect place to sum up 3,800 years of Jerusalem’s history. You should begin your discovery of Jerusalem from here. But one caution: if you come here in the early evening beware. Aggressive salesmen aren’t really interested in sales. They’re looking for your wallet. With this knowledge fear not and go for the sunset. There’s a police station just below the lookout point and rest rooms.