There are many things Israel is famous for, some quite amazing and others… not so great. In this post, we will set aside the political things and want to explore famous landmarks. Israel is a beautiful country with an incredible diversity of wonderful landscapes, including lakes, beaches, coral reefs, deserts, craters, and hills.
Israel is also known for its history, culture, religious background, and monuments and ruins. There are significant religious landmarks (Jewish, Christian, Muslim), Roman ruins, templar fortresses, defensive walls, and ancient cities.
The diversity of things to do and see when visiting Israel is astonishing for such a small country. For this reason, we invited a few other bloggers to pitch in their favorite landmarks in Israel and make this post as complete as possible.
Without further ado, let’s explore the 25 most famous Israeli Landmarks!
Page Contents
Famous landmarks in Jerusalem
#1 The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
By Stéphanie from Bey Of Travel
When traveling through Israel, visiting The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem cannot be missed. It will take you less than an hour to get from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by train.
Jerusalem is known as the most religious city in the world. Christians, Jews, and Muslims live together in the old city. While wandering through the narrow, magical streets of the city, the golden dome of the Dome of the Rock will immediately catch your eye.
The rock over which the shrine was built is sacred to Muslims and Jews. Although it is not a mosque, it is the first major Muslim monument for public worship. It was built in the late 7th century by Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan.
Verses from the Quran are inscribed on all the walls inside the building. Abraham wanted to sacrifice his son on this sacred ground, and Mohammed went to heaven. This landmark in Israel is definitely a must-see for those interested in religion and history. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing and be deterred by the army standing at the heavily guarded building.
You can visit the Dome of the Rock on a Jerusalem guided tour like this one
#2 City Walls Of Jerusalem
By Karen Warren from WorldWideWriter
The ancient walls surrounding the old city of Jerusalem are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses the city and its role in three major world religions. The walls (or ramparts) are also important to Jerusalem’s history. What you see today was built by Ottoman rulers in the 16th century, replacing earlier Jewish and Roman fortifications. The intention in each case was to keep out unwelcome intruders – wild animals as well as human attackers.
The Jerusalem Ramparts is a solid stone structure with eight gates and several watchtowers. Tourists can pass through seven gates, but the eighth is permanently bricked up. This is the Golden Gate, which has religious significance for each of Jerusalem’s religions.
The best way to explore the city walls is via the Jerusalem Ramparts Walk. This is in two sections (a small part of the wall is inaccessible and can only be viewed from the outside).
Each part of the walk starts at the Jaffa Gate and takes you to the top of the walls. The Ramparts Walk gives you a different perspective on the old city and tends to be less crowded than the city itself.
You can visit the Walls on a Jerusalem guided tour like this one
#3 The Western Wall, Jerusalem
By Lindsey from Have Clothes, Will Travel
The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is one of the most significant historic sites for the Jewish faith. It is one of the last remaining walls surrounding the Temple Mount and is the site of Jerusalem’s First and Second Temples.
King Herod built the Western Wall in 20 BC during the expansion of the Second Temple. The Romans destroyed this temple in 70 AD, but the wall survived.
Thousands of people pilgrimage to the Western Wall each year to pray. Some people also write their prayers on small pieces of paper and put them in the stone’s cracks.
While the Western Wall is a religious site, you do not need to be religious to appreciate its significance. It is free for all people to enter and open all year long. Please note: no photos are allowed during Shabbat, which is Saturdays. Also, when visiting, men and women should dress modestly.
The Western Wall is located in the Old City of Jerusalem. Many hotels in Jerusalem are within walking distance from The Western Wall. It is also possible to take a day trip from Tel Aviv to the Western Wall.
You can visit the Western Wall on a Jerusalem guided tour like this one
#4 Mahane Yehuda Market
By Ben Holbrook from Driftwood Journals
Mahane Yehuda Market, or “The Shuk” as it’s affectionately known, dates back to Ottoman times and is Jerusalem’s largest and most colorful market. Open every day (other than Saturdays) from 8 am, its warren of 250+ stalls positively throngs with locals stocking up on Israeli delicacies and uber-fresh produce. Feast your eyes on mounds of perfect pastries and freshly-baked bread, and scoop your way through overflowing bags of herbs, nuts, and tahini so tangy you won’t resist.
The proud stallholders readily offer samples, and your shekels will most certainly go a long way. Pick up some baklava to enjoy as you wander, or pull up a stool at one of the little market restaurants for a hearty breakfast or lunch. Azura serves a blend of Tunisian, Kurdish, Iraqi, and Sephardic dishes, and you’d be remiss not to try their famous kubbeh soup or weighty Magadra (meatballs).
Be sure to pop by after dark to see the aisles morph into makeshift restaurants that echo the sounds of happy diners and live music. In fact, you could easily spend an entire day and night here and still want more!
#5 Church of the Holy Sepulchre
By Derek and Mike from Robe Trotting
One of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the entire Holy Land is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Because reaching the church requires navigating turn after turn in a maze of ancient city streets, a knowledgeable tour guide or group best visits this incredible landmark of Israel.
The site is located in the Old City of Jerusalem and can be reached from Tel Aviv in just under an hour, depending on traffic. Many visitors book a Jerusalem tour from Tel Aviv or other cities in Israel, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is always a part of the experience.
Part of the location’s importance is due to the two sites within. The first is near the entrance atop an ornate staircase. It ascends the ancient hill of Golgotha, on which Jesus Christ was crucified. For visitors following the cross stations or Via Dolorosa stations, this is the final station of the experience.
The second area of significance is the tomb where Christ’s body was laid buried. For believers of Christian teachings, it’s the site from which Jesus Christ was resurrected. It attracts long lines of religious pilgrims and faith tourists.
You can visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on a guided tour like this
#6 City of David
The city of David is an archaeological site considered the original settlement of Bronze and Iron Age Jerusalem. The site is speculated to be the birthplace of Jerusalém, and it contains archaeological findings from the Solomon’s Temple period until the Ottoman period.
The archeological exploration of the City of David began in the 19th century and continues to this day. On the archaeological site, you can visit the Royal Acropolis – remnants of homes from the Biblical Period; Gihon Spring, and the two Pools of Siloam – ancient pools where the Gihon Spring flows into the city of David; Siloam Tunnel- an underground water system. The entrance tickets cost 65 NIS for adults.
The coolest part of the archeological site is the Siloam Tunnel, as you can walk through it, where water flows from the Gihon Spring into the Pool of Siloam, 533 meters later. The site is scorching hot, so we advise you to visit when the sun is low.
You can easily visit the city of David on a guided tour
#7 Mount of Olives
Mount of Olives is a mountain hill overlooking Jerusalem’s old city. Once covered with olive trees, these mountains have an important religious significance for Jews and Christians.
There are several biblical references to the Mount of Olives as it used to be the place where Jesus used to preach. It is also the site where it is believed Jesus ascended to heaven after being resurrected. On the other hand, the southern ridge of the Mount has been used as a cemetery for the Jews for over 3,000 years, being the oldest continually used cemetery in the world.
Along the mountain, there are several important churches, Augusta Victoria Hospital, Chapel of the Ascension, Church of the Pater Noster, Church of Dominus Flevit, Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene, Church of all Nations, Tomb of the Virgin Mary, plus other important monuments.
Even if you aren’t religious, a visit to the Mount of Olives is well worth it. From the peak of the mount, you have breathtaking views of Jerusalem’s old city.
The Mount of Olives is included in many Jerusalem tours
Humanmade and Historical Landmarks in Israel
#8 Jaffa Port, Tel Aviv
Jaffa (or Yafo) is the oldest part of Tel Aviv, located in the southern part of the Tel Aviv-Yafo metropolis. Jaffa Port is said to be the oldest port in the world, with archeological evidence and documents pointing to being used for about 7000 years now, predating Jewish, Christians, Muslims, and even Egyptians. Biblically, It is also set to be the port where Jonah (from the Jonah and the Whale story) sailed away.
Jaffa Port was neglected for a long part of the 20th century, but it was renovated recently, becoming a small fishing harbor, a yacht harbor, and a major tourist destination. Today it is a great place to be, offering various things to do from bookstores to theaters and delicious food, including some amazing fresh fish and seafood restaurants.
Jaffa Port is very easy to reach from Tel Aviv’s wonderful beaches; you only need to walk south along the boardwalk till reaching the Port. The views are breathtaking, and we suggest going in the late afternoon to enjoy the lovely sunsets.
#9 Shuk HaCarmel in Tel Aviv
By Rachel Shulman from East To West
Shuk HaCarmel (Carmel Market) is possibly the largest and most well-known landmark in Tel Aviv, Israel. No visitor can come to Tel Aviv without visiting the Shuk. Shuk HaCarmel was created in the early 1920s and has evolved extensively while keeping its local natural roots (and awnings and booths). It is one of the most important historical landmarks in Tel Aviv’s city development.
This is the market where you can find everything from typical tourist souvenirs to locals in their everyday life shopping for their produce and organic goods, eating falafel, and drinking within. It by far has the lowest prices and best product since it comes straight from the farms. There are also a ton of home goods, clothing booths, and more stores. Anything you can think of can be found in the Shuk, which sees thousands of visitors daily.
The Shuk is very non-luxurious, and you see quintessential Israelis in their habitat here – negotiating, yelling at each other, and drinking together. The Shuk is located right in the center of Tel Aviv, making it highly accessible to all as well as free to enter. You can enter the Shuk at the Allenby, Sheinkin, and King George streets crossroads.
#10 The Walls of Akko
Located in northern Israel, only a few km north of Haifa, Akko (or Acre) is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited human settlements. The initial walls were built in the 10th century and were expanded, wrecked, fortified, attacked, and refortified several times by Muslims, Crusaders, Ottomans, and Mamluks. Today, the old town of Akko is encircled by its walls – a sea wall to the west, south, and southeast, and by ramparts.
The current walls and the dry moat on the north side were built mainly between 1750 and 1840 by Zahir al-Umar by Jazzar Pasha and survived Napoleon’s siege. The final walls are double, massive walls equipped with broad, powerful watchtowers. Furthermore, they had heavy cannons to enhance the city’s protection.
While traveling to Akre, it’s possible and advisable to walk along the city walls (both land and sea) to see their mighty defensive power. It guarantees wonderful views of the old town, the port, and the surroundings.
You can visit Akko on a day trip from Tel-Aviv or from Jerusalem. The tours to Akko usually also include other landmarks in northern Israel, like Caesarea, Haifa, and Rosh Hanikra.
#11 Hospitaller fortress of Akko
Akko has been a significant town for a long time, but its major glory days were during the Crusades when it was the most important pilgrim port, and it even became the capital of the Crusader kingdom after the loss of Jerusalem. During these times, the Hospitallers were military and monastic orders who cared for the sick and maintained the safety of the pilgrims to the holy sites.
Together with the walls, the hospitaller fortress is the most iconic landmark in Akko. It’s a huge building that served as the headquarters of the mighty hospitallers. Restored in recent years, this monumental fortress has three floors surrounding a central courtyard with 1200 m2. Besides the courtyard, some of the most impressive rooms include the Knights’ Hall and the Dining Hall, considered great examples of Gothic architecture of the medieval crusader period.
Visiting this fortress takes you back in time and is a pleasant way of learning about the Crusaders’ period. The old city of Acre has been a UNESCO heritage site since 2001, including the Hospitallers fortress and the city walls.
#12 The Baha’i Gardens in Haifa
By Adi Ben Ezer from Adiseesworld
The stunning Baha’i Gardens, located in Israel’s northern city of Haifa, is a definite must-see; whether you are visiting Haifa or just passing through the city on your way to the north of the country.
Circa 95 kilometers (or one and a quarter hours’ drive) north of Tel Aviv, they stretch from the Lower City to the summit of Mount Carmel, providing a beautiful panoramic view of the region.
This impressive UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its distinctive design, is the most sacred site to Baha’i people around the world. It is where the administrative affairs of the religion occur, with hundreds of thousands of people visiting it a year.
It includes magnificent carefully pruned symmetrical gardens and 19 terraces along the mountain slopes. In the gardens, you will also not be able to miss the (real) gold-domed Shrine of the Bab and the tomb of Siyyad Ali Muhammed.
The buildings are built in a Neoclassical style. They aim to provide all who visit them with a sense of peace and harmony – values the Baha’is hopes to promote worldwide. Work on the gardens began by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba in 1987. The garden terraces were officially opened to the public in 2001.
You can visit Haifa on a day trip from Tel-Aviv or from Jerusalem. The tours to Haifa usually also include other landmarks on the Israeli coast, like Caesarea, Akko and Rosh Hanikra.
#13 Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth
The Basilica of Annunciation or the Church of Annunciation is the catholic church built in Nazareth, in northern Israel. It’s about 1h30 minutes from Tel Aviv and 45 minutes from Haifa. According to Catholic tradition, the church was built in the house where Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and announced that she would bear God’s Son, Jesus. Thus the name, Church of Annunciation.
There have been several churches built and destroyed on the same site. The Byzantines built the initial church, supposedly commissioned by Emperor Constantine I. The second church was built over the ruins of the Byzantine church during the Crusades. For centuries a small chapter was built, rebuilt, and expanded by Franciscans. Finally, in 1954 the old church was completely demolished to allow the construction of today’s basilica, designed by architect Giovanni Muzio.
This Basilica is massive and impressive, with churches. The lower church contains the Grotto of the Annunciation, believed to be Mary’s original childhood home, while the upper church is the parish church for Nazareth’s Catholic community. The cupola with a lantern symbolizes the light of the world. Around the upper church walls and on the exterior are colorful and beautiful Virgin Mary illustrations with diverse materials (mostly mosaics and ceramic tiles). Various countries presented these representations, and it’s fascinating to see the different ways Virgin Mary is perceived in each country.
#14 Caesarea
By Miriam from Miry Giramondo
Caesarea is a small town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and is easily accessible from Tel Aviv and Haifa. Not far from the center, there is an important and extensive archaeological park very interesting to visit called Caesarea Marittima National Park. This is one of Israel’s most important and impressive archaeological sites.
The history of Caesarea’s origins goes back to 2000 years ago when Herod the Great built a large port that could hold about 300 ships around, which soon developed into a lively town. The center remained administered by the Roman Empire first and then by the Byzantine Empire but was destroyed and abandoned in the 13th century.
Today inside the park, you can see the Roman ruins, the Hippodrome (where the spectators would come to see the gladiators), the Reef Palace, the Bath Complex, the mosaic floors, and the most beautiful work in front of the sea: the Herodian Amphitheatre. It was a 10,000-seat hippodrome where slaves and prisoners battled wild animals, and chariots careened around a U-shaped track, you could climb to the top and have a beautiful view. Beautiful beaches surround the ancient city ruins.
Within the park, there are several bars and restaurants. The entrance to the site costs 39 NIS and is open daily from 8-16.
You can visit the Sea of Galilee on a day trip from Tel-Aviv or from Jerusalem. The tours usually also include a visit to Nazareth.
#15 Masada
By Bella from Passport & Pixels
Situated high on a rocky mountaintop close to the Dead Sea, Masada is an incredible ancient stone fortress that towers 1,300 feet (400 meters) above the surrounding plain.
Meaning “strong foundation or support” in Hebrew, the ruins at Masada were once part of the ancient kingdom of Israel. The castle complex was built in 30 BCE by King Herod of Judea (of the Biblical killing babies fame). The Romans occupied the region in the first century AD and destroyed Jerusalem. In response, a group of Jewish rebels occupied Masada to defend themselves against the invaders. This led to the famous siege of Masada: in the year 72, a legion of 8,000 Romans attacked the castle, surrounding it and building a siege ramp so they could get inside. When the 960 defenders realized they were about to be overcome, almost all took their own lives rather than submit to Roman rule.
Today Masada is a UNESCO world heritage site and is widely considered one of Israel’s greatest archaeological treasures. You can get to Masada by bus or car or on a guided tour from either Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. A popular way to see it is to go in time to see the sunrise over the Moab Mountains and the Dead Sea. Access to the top is either by cable car or walk up the Snake Path, a steep ascent that takes about 60-90 minutes and is best completed early in the morning before it gets too hot.
You can also visit Masada on a guided tour from Jerusalem or Tel-Aviv. It is typically visited on the same tour as Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea.
#16 The ancient Nabatean and Roman city of Shivta
Shivta by Corinne Vail of Reflections Enroute
One of Israel’s most surprisingly interesting sites is the ancient Nabatean and Roman city of Shivta. Located directly on the incense trade route between Yemen and China, it is one of the incense cities of the Negev that provided a much-needed stopover for the caravans. The most sought-after products were the spices of Frankincense and Myrrh. Harnessing the little water in the arid Negev Desert, Shivta became an oasis where merchants stopped, rested, ate, fed their animals, and prepared for the next leg of their journey. The city was built over 2,000 years ago and remains largely intact since it was never conquered or destroyed.
Today, the National Parks System is the city’s caretaker. There are plenty of buildings to visit as well as the deepwater cistern. Some things to see are the oil presses, noble’s houses, Byzantine churches, a mosque, and even the town pools. Walking the streets makes it easy to imagine the ancient people plying their wares. If you are not on tour, renting a car and driving is the best way to get to Shivta. It takes about two hours from either Tel Aviv or Jerusalem on the Yitzhak Rabin Highway and Route 40.
#17 Nimrod’s Fortress
Ashley Jansen of Jetset Jansen
Nimrod’s Fortress is where you’ll find the ruins of Israel’s largest medieval castle. It was named after Nimrod, who was a warrior from biblical times. The structure dates all the way back to the Middle Ages and was built on top of a hill overlooking the Golan Heights. This landmark is a little harder to reach, as it’s located in the very north of Israel, near the Lebanon border.
It was strategically built in the 13th century to have a view of the road and the surrounding area. The castle was originally a smaller structure built quickly because of the potential threats of the Crusader army. Eventually, it was renovated and expanded upon.
There are many points of interest to explore while here. The castle ruins consist of several towers, archways, and rooms. You’ll find a large reservoir near the Southwest Tower. You can also explore the ‘Beautiful Tower,’ a round room with a stone ceiling. Nimrod’s Fortress is also where you can find the largest inscription found in Israel.
It’s a great place to explore and learn more about the area’s history. But perhaps the best part of the fortress is the forested hills and the valley’s view below.
Natural Landmarks in Israel
#18 Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is one of the most famous natural landmarks in Israel and the world. It is a landlocked salt lake bordering Jordan to the east, the West Bank (north), and Israel to the west (South). The main tributary to the Dead Sea is the Jordan River, which comes from the north.
Besides its obvious beauty and historical and religious importance, the Dead Sea is famous for its high salinity levels and its location below sea level. Unfortunately, the lake is receding, as its surface area is about 600 km2, while it was more than 1000 km2 in 1930.
The surface and shores of the Dead Sea are 430.5 meters below sea level, making it the lowest altitude globally on land. It is quite a feeling to start descending to the lake and see all the signs indicating you are 100, 200, 300, and 400 meters below sea level. Looking to the top of mountains, thinking those places are way below sea level.
Finally, the Dead Sea is also one of the world’s saltiest water bodies, with a salinity of 34%, or almost ten times saltier than the ocean. This characteristic makes swimming almost impossible, as you cannot avoid floating. The images of people reading a newspaper or magazine while on the water are also hugely famous. These extreme salinity levels also make life barely impossible in the lake, which explains why there aren’t animals or plants in the lake. Thus, its name.
You can also visit the Dea Sea on a guided tour from Jerusalem or Tel-Aviv. It is typically visited on the same tour as Ein Gedi and Masada.
#19 Eilat coral reef
The Eilat coral reef is located in the Red Sea, at the southern tip of Israel. It is the only coral reef in Israel and the northernmost coral reef in the world. Despite being a tiny reef, with only about 1.2 kilometers and thus very fragile, it contains a diversity of habitats, together creating a complex and diverse ecosystem. The good news is that it’s been growing since the marine reserve was created in recent years.
The Gulf of Eilat’s reefs offer an opportunity to explore the wonderful and colorful world of sea corals, tropical fish, and other sea creatures. It’s very easy to go to the beach and snorkel or dive directly from there, which is why it has become such a popular destination lately. You don’t even need to have snorkeling equipment as they rent it.
At the southernmost point of the reserve, very close to the border with Egipt, you can find the Coral World Underwater Observatory, the largest public aquarium in the Middle East, which allows you to observe marine life without getting wet. It’s pretty cool!
A cool way of enjoying the coral reef in Eilat is doing a boat tour with a glass bottom boat.
#20 Red Canyon
The Red Canyon is one of Israel’s most beautiful natural landmarks. It is a gorge of red sandstone rock created by water that only exists after heavy rain. As rain in the desert is extremely rare, the canyon is almost always accessible.
The canyon’s name comes from its color intensifying when the sunlight hits the reddish rock, irradiating an intense red color. Besides its vibrant colors, the best part of the canyon is walking inside the narrow canyon. There are two trails: the green trail, a short 2 km circular family-friendly trail, and the black trail, which is 9 km long and more challenging.
The green trail is enjoyable to do, and we recommend it. It has metal bars, ladders, and footholds on the rocks that help you climb or descend the canyon. It is quite magical. But it can easily be done, even with children.
The Red Canyon is close to Eilat, 20 km North of Eilat, near the border with Egypt – it is easy to reach from there.
The Red Canyon can also be visited from Eilat on a guided tour.
#21 Timna Park
By Veronika Primm from Travel Geekery
Timna Park can be found in Israel’s South, only 25 km North of Eilat, the country’s southernmost city. You can drive or take a local tour to get there from Eilat. Using a public bus to get closer is possible, but you’ll still need to walk for about an hour.
The park belongs to Eilat’s top natural parks and encloses a large valley with rich deposits of copper. It is, in fact, the first copper-mining site in the world – Egyptians mined copper here already in 5,000 BC. You can learn about the beginnings of copper processing in a fascinating video and observe the remnants of smelting furnaces on-site.
Timna Park looks like out of this world – you easily feel like you’ve landed on Mars. The reddish rock creates amazing formations. Don’t miss the famous mushroom rock and the majestic Solomon’s Pillars. It’s incredible what water and erosion can create.
Apart from simply walking around and admiring the otherworldly landscape, you can also visit a man-made oasis, where there are a few more things to do – e.g., go on a paddleboat on the small lake or create your own little artwork with colored sand in a small bottle (included in the ticket price).
While Timna Park is not a UNESCO site yet, it is currently on the organization’s Tentative List.
You can easily visit Timna on a day trip from beautiful Eilat.
#22 Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
By Or from My Path in the World
If there’s one natural landmark in Israel you definitely can’t miss, it’s the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Israel’s biggest oasis is a fantastic spot for hiking, wildlife watching, and admiring some of the country’s most scenic views. Since it’s located near the Dead Sea (not too far from Jerusalem), the most convenient way to get to the reserve is by car, and luckily, the parking is free.
Several hiking trails in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, including Wadi David and Wadi Arugot, can be adjusted to your preferred difficulty level and the distance you want to cover.
Though the reserve is open all year round, the best time to visit Ein Gedi is spring. It’s when the weather is pleasant enough to hike, daylight hours are getting longer, all the streams and waterfalls are flowing, the unique rocky cliffs look particularly impressive, and there’s a good chance you’ll see some animals like rock hyrax and ibex (a species of a wild mountain goat).
You can also visit the Ein Gedi Antiquities National Park right next to the reserve, which houses an ancient synagogue from the 6th century with an impressive mosaic floor. The entrance fee to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, including the synagogue, is 28 NIS.
You can also visit Ein Gedi on a guided tour from Jerusalem or Tel-Aviv. It is typically visited on the same tour as Masada and the Dead Sea.
#23 Mount Arbel
By Claudia Tavani from My Adventures Across The World
Located in Galilee’s region, in Arbel National Park, Mount Arbel is one of the most famous mountains in Israel, known for the sweeping views of the Sea of Galilee you can get from the top. It’s a lesser-visited place, so you can be sure to have it to yourself when going.
On the other hand, for incredible views of Mount Arbel, make sure to visit Moshav Arbel, a small village where you will find the ruins of one of the oldest synagogues in Israel.
The fee to visit Arbel National Park is 22 Israeli Shekels – around USD 7.
You can get to Mount Arbel comfortably by car – there is lots of parking on the site. But if you are feeling intrepid, you may want to walk the entire length of the Jesus Trail, a long-distance hike that can be covered in no less than four days and that follows the footsteps of Jesus across Galilee, going from Nazareth all the way to Tiberias and the villages around the Sea of Galilee.
#24 The Sea of Galilee
By Daphna Bar from a tiny trip
The Sea of Galilee, the Kinneret in Hebrew, is a freshwater lake in northern Israel. The most famous village by the Sea of Galilee is Capernaum (Kfar Nahum). This is where Jesus went to live after leaving Nazareth and where he performed many of his miracles, including walking on water.
At the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee, where the water flows into the Jordan River, John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Now called “Yardenit,” it is set up with ramps and stairs so you can easily enter the water yourself. The entrance is free of charge.
Tiberias is the largest city near the Sea of Galilee, where you can visit natural hot springs and experience spa treatments. You can also rent bicycles or go hiking on the Kinneret Trail.
Located roughly 210 meters below sea level, the Sea of Galilee area can get very hot in the summer. It is no surprise that many people enjoy bathing in the Kinneret. There are many access points to the shoreline, some regulated with water sports and boat rentals and others completely quiet and serene. Whenever you visit, though, the Sea of Galilee is definitely one of the best day trips in Israel!
You can visit the Sea of Galilee on a day trip from Tel-Aviv or from Jerusalem. The tours usually also include a visit to Nazareth.
#25 Ramon Crater
By Moshe Huberman from The Top Ten Traveler
The craters of south Israel are a unique landscape that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, making them one of the most interesting places to visit in Israel. While meteors or volcanic eruptions created other craters around the world, the craters of Israel were created by rivers carving the soft rock of the desert for millions of years.
There are three craters in the Negev desert; the largest is Ramon Crater (Machtesh in Hebrew). It is 40 km long, 2-10 km wide, 500 meters deep, and shaped like an elongated heart, going from east to west. The closest big city to Ramon Crater is Be’er Sheva (85 km to the north), while Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are about 2.5 hours away by car.
The entrance to the crater is through the visitor center in the nearby town of Mitzpe Ramon, on the northern edge of the crater. The views from here are astounding, and you can learn about the area’s history and how the crater was created.
Inside the crater, there are several trails to explore, and you can also visit the site of the colored sand. If lucky, you might see endangered vultures flying above or spot other animals like Ibex, Gazelles, wolves, and foxes. There’s a camping site in place for those who want to spend the night under the desert sky. Alternatively, you can find other accommodation options in Mitzpe Ramon.
The desert views and colors are magnificent, and when combined with a unique geological phenomenon, the experience is definitely one to remember!
Looking for even more info about traveling to Israel? Have a look at these posts:
- 50 things you need to know before traveling to Israel;
- What is Israel famous for?
- Things to do in Akko;
- Best day trips from Tel Aviv;
- Jerusalem in Winter;
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