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In this article we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Garden of Gethsemane in 2025.
This Garden of Gethsemane visitor’s guide is designed to help anyone who wants to plan an independent visit to the Garden of Gethsemane. In this article, we will tell you everything that you need to know to plan your visit, including what to expect, when to visit, how to get there, and much, much more. Visiting the Garden of Gethsemane was one of our top highlights of our time in Jerusalem, and we highly recommend a visit if you are in Jerusalem and you have the time.
The Garden of Gethsemane is a peaceful, beautiful, and significant attraction situated a short walk from the Jerusalem Old City. If you are planning to visit Jerusalem and explore attractions, especially those relevant to the Christian faith, then we highly recommend a visit to the Garden of Gethsemane.
ALSO don’t miss our full guide to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem
What is the Garden of Gethsemane like today?
The Gethsemane area is an arid scrub land at the foot of the mount of Olives. Today, only a small preserved section of the Garden of Gethsemane remains (around 30 meters in length and width). The Garden of Gethsemane has 23 Olive trees, the oldest of which is thought to date back as early as 1092. This site is called “The Sanctuary of the Agony of Jesus Christ” or the “Basilica of Gethsemane”.
This beautiful garden has been preserved and maintained as a memorial and monument to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. This small section of the garden has a very peaceful and beautiful ambiance. When you visit the Garden of Gethsemane, there is a path all the way around the garden, but you’re not allowed to walk through the garden itself. However, enjoying this beautiful garden from the surrounding path is enough to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and connect with the significance of this place.
Where is the Garden of Gethsemane located?
The Garden of Gethsemane is located at the base of the Mount of Olives on the east side of the Jerusalem Old City. The Garden of Gethsemane is closest to the Lions gate, which is on the east side of the old city.
How do you get to the Garden of Gethsemane from Jerusalem Old City?
Don’t miss this fantastic half-day Jerusalem guided tour on KLOOK – it includes Gethsemane and many other fascinating places to see.
1 Walk
One of the best ways to get to the Garden of Gethsemane from the Jerusalem Old City is to simply walk. It is a short downhill walk. By road, the Garden is around 500 meters from the Lions Gate. Traveling from The Old City to the Garden of Gethsemane, you will need to walk down the hill. There is a footpath all the way along this route, and the walk is likely to take around 10 minutes from the Old City.
2 Bus
One of the cheapest and most convenient ways to travel around Jerusalem is to use the local bus system. Buses are affordable, regular, and fast. There is a standard bus fare of 5.5NIS for journeys in the area. Just hop on the bus and pay; bus drivers tend to speak pretty good English and could normally tell you if you are on the correct bus. We really enjoyed exploring Jerusalem and the surrounding areas by local bus.
3 Taxi
Another way to get to the Garden of Gethsemane is to use a taxi. There are plenty of taxis waiting around the gates of the Old City in Jerusalem. You will need to negotiate a fair price with a driver. If you’re planning to travel by taxi, the exact price will depend on the distance. Expect to pay around 10NIS – 25NIS to get to the Garden of Gethsemane by taxi (assuming you’re staying in or around the Old City).
What is the religious and historical significance of the Garden of Gethsemane?
The Garden of Gethsemane is one of the most significant Christian attractions in Jerusalem, comparable to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Garden Tomb, and the Mount of Olives.
The Garden of Gethsemane is significant because it is the site where Jesus prayed before he was arrested. In the gospel, it is reported that he actually sweated blood, a sign of extreme distress and anxiety, and Jesus prayed, “If it is your will, take this cup from me, yet not my will but yours.” The Garden of Gethsemane is also the site of the dramatic arrest of Jesus. This is the location where Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, and Peter cut the ear off one of the Roman soldiers. It is also reported that Jesus healed the soldier’s ear and spoke the famous words, “He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.”
So, the Garden of Gethsemane is loaded with spiritual, religious, and historic significance, especially for anyone interested in the Christian faith and the gospel accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Is it worth visiting the Garden of Gethsemane?
If you’re not interested in the Christian history of this area, then the Garden of Gethsemane may feel like a pretty small and insignificant attraction. However, if you are interested in learning more about the Christian history of Jerusalem, then the Garden of Gethsemane is among the most significant attractions around, and we do highly recommend a visit. So, it all depends on your beliefs, values, and priorities.
How much does it cost to visit the Garden of Gethsemane?
It is free of charge to visit the Garden of Gethsemane. Some people do pay to visit the Garden of Gethsemane on the tour. However, if you are able to get yourself to the garden and turn up, there are no entrance fees or tickets required.
Opening hours at the Garden of Gethsemane
Summer (April – September): 8 am – 6 pm
Winter (October – March): 8 am – 5 pm
In our opinion, the best time to visit the Garden of Gethsemane is either early in the morning when it opens up at around 8:00 a.m. At this time, it is quiet, cool, and peaceful. Alternatively, we recommend visiting later in the afternoon. You’re not allowed to enter any later than 10 minutes before closing time. We recommend arriving around 5:00 p.m. in the summer or around 4:30 p.m. in the winter to see the garden at the best time.
When we visited, we made the mistake of arriving at the Garden of Gethsemane too late when we visited. We started by watching the sunset at the top of the Mount of Olives. Then we walked down to the Garden of Gethsemane. By the time we arrived, the Garden of Gethsemane was closed and it was dark. However, we were very blessed to see a tour group entering the Garden of Gethsemane, and we asked if we were allowed to come in and have a look too. We found the monks at the Garden of Gethsemane to be extremely friendly, welcoming, and hospitable. They were very happy for us to walk in and enjoy the beautiful garden by night. It felt like a real privilege to be able to see this place by night, as Jesus was also arrested here at night.
What can you see at the Garden of Gethsemane?
The Garden of Gethsemane is a relatively small attraction; therefore, the time that you spend at the Garden of Gethsemane more depends on your own desire to slow down, reflect, and meditate in this location. If you’re just coming to have a look, you could really see the Garden of Gethsemane in 5 minutes and take it off the list. On the other hand, if you want to come here and slow down, taking in the atmosphere and spend some time reflecting on the significance of this place, then you could spend a lot longer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
What else is there to do near the Garden of Gethsemane?
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to the best things to do in Jerusalem
From The Garden of Gethsemane entrance, it is very easy to walk directly up the hill to the peak of the Mount of Olives. This is a significant site for many reasons. It is a location that Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and it is also the location that Jesus ascended to heaven. The Mount of Olives gives you an excellent view of the Jerusalem Old City, and it is an awesome place to come for sunset.
Very near the garden you can also visit the tomb of the Virgin Mary. Near The Garden of Gethsemane, you can also visit the City of David National Park and explore Hezekiah’s Tunnel. This is a wonderful attraction for families with children. You are able to wade through shallow water in the tunnel and experience a fascinating and unique attraction.
Not far from The Garden of Gethsemane, you can also explore many of the attractions in the Jerusalem Old City. One of the most significant places in the Old City is the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock Mosque. The Old City is also home to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is thought to be the site of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial. To the north of the Old City you can also visit the Garden Tomb.
