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In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know to plan an independent visit to the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem in 2025. We will share details such as prices, location, travel information, and what to expect when you are there. We will also share some of the historical backgrounds and the cultural and religious significance of this site.
The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem is one of two possible sites for the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. The other main site is at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is around 10 minutes’ walk from the Garden Tomb. The Garden Tomb is a peaceful, tranquil, and beautiful part of Jerusalem, and we highly recommend a visit, whether you are interested in the Christian history of this area or not. Taking a walk around this beautiful garden is a lovely contrast to the intensity and heat of the Jerusalem Old City.
We absolutely loved our visit to the Garden Tomb, and in this article, we want to share an in-depth review of the site so that you know what to expect and can fully prepare for your visit.
If you’re interested in the Garden Tomb you may also be interested in visiting The Garden of Gethsemane
ALSO don’t miss our step-by-step 3 day Jerusalem itinerary – save money by going local & independent
Where is the Garden Tomb located?
The Garden Tomb is located just outside the north of the Jerusalem Old City walls, around a 5-minute walk from the Damascus Gate. This is a very central location, and it is easy to get to by foot if you’re staying in or around the Jerusalem Old City.
Is the Garden Tomb the authentic burial site of Jesus?
There are two main contenders for the burial and crucifixion site of Jesus: the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, situated within the current Old City walls, and the Garden Tomb, which is the preferred Protestant site. The Garden Tomb was discovered in 1867 by Charles Gordon.
The Garden Tomb Foundation does not make any dogmatic claims about the historical authenticity of the site. But they do aim to preserve and conserve the place as a place of reflection, worship, and as a visual reminder of Jesus’s sacrifice and victory.
The Garden Tomb has several pieces of evidence in support of this being the authentic location of Jesus’s burial and crucifixion.
Firstly, it is situated next to a cliff which appears to have the eyes of a skull, which is referred to in the Gospel. Jesus is said to have been crucified at a place called Golgotha, which translates to “place of the skull.”
Secondly, the garden itself appears to support the claim to authenticity. The gospel of John states that Jesus was crucified next to a garden. There is an ancient wine press in the garden tomb area – something that supports the notion that this site served as a garden in the past.
Furthermore, there is evidence that Jesus was crucified by a road, and historians believe that a road ran in front of this cliff at the time of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial.
Finally, the site is located outside of the city walls, which is consistent with the Gospel account of the Crucifixion site of Jesus. However, recent archaeological research has shown that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was also located outside of the city walls at the time of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial.
Find out more from the Official Garden Tomb website
Is the Garden Tomb worth visiting?
Yes, in our opinion, the Garden Tomb is highly worth a visit, whether you are a committed Christian or whether you are just interested in history. We highly recommend exploring this beautiful, tranquil, and unique garden. There are places to sit down and enjoy quiet reflection.
You can also walk over and see the cliff, which is thought to be Golgotha, the site of Jesus’s crucifixion, and you can walk right up to the tomb and even walk inside. As one of the possible sites for Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, this is also a very significant attraction drawing people from around the world.
Which is better to visit, the Garden Tomb or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?
There is no easy answer to this question. If you have time in Jerusalem, we do recommend visiting both the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Garden Tomb. You get different things from each of the experiences, and different people will prefer one or the other.
On a personal level, we enjoyed the Garden Tomb a lot more than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is large, relatively busy, and pretty intense, whereas the Garden Tomb is a place to slow down, connect, and reflect. Whether or not the Garden Tomb is the authentic historic crucifixion and burial site, we do highly recommend a visit because it is a peaceful and fascinating attraction.
| The Garden Tomb | The Church of the Holy Sepulchre |
| Peaceful & tranquil Quiet Family friendly More reminiscent of Jesus’ time Feels timeless Sometimes see groups spontaneously worshiping Intimate | Elaborate, impressive & ornate Impressive history, art, and architecture Get a fleeting moment at the tomb Need to queue Less accessible (steps to the site of the cross and crowded) More orthodox / high church Mass and services in the morning (7am – 8am) |
How much does it cost to visit the Garden Tomb?
It is absolutely free to visit the Garden Tomb. This place is attended by voluntary staff who are very welcoming and happy to talk to you about the history and significance of this beautiful place. You can make donations near the exit. They can accept donations by cash or bank card. You can also support this project by buying a gift or two from the gift shop at the exit.
How do you get to the Garden Tomb?
The best way to get to the Garden Tomb depends on where you are staying, your budget, and your need for convenience. If you’re staying in or around the Jerusalem Old City, it is unlikely to take more than around 20 minutes to walk to the Garden Tomb. A very quick and convenient way to travel around Jerusalem is to use the local taxis.
If you’re traveling a few kilometers to get here, expect to pay around 15NIS (£3 or $4.50). Another convenient way to travel around Jerusalem is to use the local bus system. The local buses are cheap, regular, and air-conditioned. Most of the drivers speak some English and can tell you where the bus is going. Buses around Jerusalem cost 5.5NIS (around £1 or $1.20).
When is the best time to visit the Garden Tomb?
The best time of day to visit the Garden Tomb is at 8:30 a.m. when it opens. At this time, the Garden is very quiet, peaceful, and the temperature is pretty cool. It is worth mentioning that some of the tour groups specifically arrive early to get the best time of day, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself even if you arrive at 8:30 a.m.
- May – June are nice months to visit but relatively busy.
- July and August are hot and it is more quiet.
- September – October are the high season and it is very busy in these months.
- November – February it is cool and can rain from time to time, it is generally quiet.
Opening Hours
Open from 8.30am – 5pm.
August closed Sunday and Mondays.
Other months only closed Sunday.
What can you see and do at the Garden Tomb?
We recommend allowing at least half an hour to an hour to explore the Garden. Some people may wish to stay longer, especially if you’re planning a time of reflection, prayer, or worship. The Garden itself is relatively small with several paths leading through shrubs and trees.
The Garden is beautifully looked after and very well tended. You can see an ancient wine press, and there are small areas with seating for personal reflection and prayer.
There are also some covered pavilions which allow protection from the sun or rain. If you follow the path to the east side of the Garden, you can see the Golgotha cliff (which now overlooks a bus station). You can also visit the tomb itself.
The tomb is open for people to step inside and see the place where they believe Jesus was laid to rest. They do ask that you don’t take selfies at the door of the tomb. There are also signs with information and verses for reflection.
Is the Garden Tomb suitable for families?
Visiting the Garden Tomb is an excellent activity for families. Kids of any age are likely to enjoy exploring the beautiful garden. We explored the Garden with three children who are 6 years old, 3 years old, and 6 months old. Our kids enjoyed walking around the Garden, and we found that other visitors and staff were very warm and welcoming.
In our opinion, the space has been planned beautifully to allow people spaces for very personal and intimate reflection without being disturbed by other visitors, and we didn’t feel that our children were a disturbance or disruption to anyone during our visit. It reflects the nature of Jesus – very welcoming and accessible to all!
Is the Garden Tomb Accessible?
In our opinion, the accessibility of the Garden Tomb is absolutely excellent. This is one of the most accessible attractions around Jerusalem. The Garden Tomb is accessible to both wheelchair users and prams. They are currently building accessibility ramps to the tomb itself.
What facilities are at the Garden Tomb?
The facilities are very good. There are public toilets that are well-maintained and well-cleaned. There is a free water dispenser available close to the gift shop at the exit of the Garden so you can top up your water bottle. They also have information leaflets in a wide range of different languages so that you can read about the history and significance of the Garden. They also have a gift shop at the exit.
We were very impressed with the creativity and range of gifts. Buying a gift at the gift shop is a great way of supporting the project and also keeping a memory of this beautiful and significant place. In our opinion, they could charge a lot of money for an attraction like this. Because it is free of charge, we felt very free to spend money in the gift shop as this supports the Garden Tomb. Our kids were particularly fond of the little sheep, which are actually made of Bethlehem wool.
