Israel: Top 20 attractions in the Holy Land

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem stands on the site where, according to church tradition, Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and then resurrected. Every year, the ceremony of the descent of the Holy Fire takes place in the church. It is the main shrine for Christians not only in Israel but throughout the world.

The modern Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a huge architectural complex that includes Golgotha with the site of the Crucifixion, a rotunda—an architectural structure with a huge dome, under which the Koukouliya is located, the Katholikon, or Cathedral Church, which is the seat of the Patriarchs of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church, the underground Church of St. Helena, Equal to the Apostles, and several chapels. There are several active monasteries on the grounds of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which includes many auxiliary rooms, galleries, etc.

The church is divided between six denominations of the Christian Church: Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian, Coptic, Syrian, and Ethiopian, each of which has its own boundaries and hours for prayer. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world flock here every day.

The Wailing Wall

Not far from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is another attraction that draws thousands of believers from around the world. Jews consider the Wailing Wall to be the most important holy site in Jerusalem. That is why it is one of the places that comes to mind when asked what to visit in Israel.

It is believed that the famous wall was built in 37 BC. For a long time, it was a defensive structure, but gradually it became a place where the Jewish people came to mourn. By that time, the shrine had been partially destroyed.

There are many traditions associated with the Wailing Wall, where guides take tourists during excursions in Jerusalem. People come to the ruins of the shrine not only to pray. Many leave small notes in the crevices, on which they write their most cherished dreams. This is how people try to convey their requests to higher powers. A special feature of this Israeli monument is that it is accessible to absolutely anyone, regardless of faith or race. The main thing is that during a visit to the Western Wall, the body and head must be covered with clothing.

Gethsemane Garden

The Garden of Gethsemane is another sacred place in Jerusalem mentioned in SacredScriptures, where after the Last Supper Jesus Christ withdrew to pray on the last night before his arrest.

It is a rather modest garden, occupying a small area (47x50 m) near the walls of the Church of All Nations. Its flat paths are lined with stones, sometimes green grass, irises and rose bushes bloom, and periwinkle winds along the reddish soil. But the most important thing in the Garden of Gethsemane is the massive gnarled trunks of the olive trees. Some of them are so old that their heavy branches are supported by stone embankments. However, they still bear fruit and produce vegetable oil.

Today, eight ancient olive trees, more than a thousand years old, remain in the Garden of Gethsemane. They did not witness the Passion of Christ, but their strong roots, like the entire soil of the garden, remember much. The Garden of Gethsemane is considered by Orthodox Christians to be one of the sites of Christ's Passion. Since the beginning of the first millennium, millions of pilgrims have come here, to the foot of the Mount of Olives, for prayers and worship.

Red Canyon

Israel has many amazingly beautiful natural wonders. For example, the striking Red Canyon is a miniature copy of the Grand Canyon in the United States. It got its name from the color of the sandstones and other rocks that form it. On a sunny day, you can see how the canyon constantly changes color, from orange-gold to ochre-red. Under a clear blue sky, the local landscapes look especially impressive.

The canyon is 30 meters deep. It can be reached by jeep as part of organized tours, and the "insides" of the canyon can be explored by wandering through its corners and labyrinths on foot.

Beit Guvrin Caves

This nature reserve, included in the UNESCO list of attractions, covers 5,000 dunams and is located on a hill 400 meters high.

Beit Guvrin Cave is the largest and most beautiful cave in the country, with a history dating back to 300 BC. The cave is built in the shape of a double cross and contains more than two thousand pigeon boxes, as pigeons were an important source of meat and their droppings were used as fertilizer.

The giant halls of the cave, 30 meters long and 10-15 meters high, are especially attractive to mountaineers. It also has absolutely stunning acoustics and sometimes hosts classical music concerts.

Bahai Gardens

The city of Haifa is home to the luxurious Bahai Gardens. UNESCO has paid special attention to this Israeli landmark. It became the first monument of religious significance in modern history. The Bahai Gardens need no advertising to captivate visitors with their beauty; it is enough to visit these places once.

This unique garden has 19 separate terraces. Nine of them go from the top to the tomb, and another nine are located along the path from the tomb to the foot of the majestic mountain. The last terrace, which is the central one, is located next to the mausoleum. Travelers can decide for themselves where to start their tour of the gardens.

Rockefeller Archaeological Museum

This museum was formerly known as the Palestine Archaeological Museum, located in Jerusalem. It houses an extensive collection of artifacts discovered during excavations at the Palestine Mandate in the 1920s and 1930s.

The museum was designed by archaeologist James Henry Breasted, and the necessary funds for its construction were provided by the famous patron Rockefeller. This place is sure to satisfy all the needs of travelers who love to discover something new on their journeys.

The Dead Sea

An arid desert, magical views, healing black mud, and endless tranquility—all this makes Israel's Dead Sea a unique vacation destination. You can stay in one of the large hotels overlooking the beach, choose a guesthouse for an overnight stay in one of the kibbutzim, or pitch a tent at a campsite.

There is virtually no nightlife, restaurants, shopping centers, or other entertainment here, but you can spend an amazing night in the desert and forget about all your problems for a while.

Masada Fortress

In the heart of the Holy Land lies the mountain fortress of Masada. This place is famous for its terrible history, which is related to the bloody wars that took place here several centuries ago. This Israeli landmark has not managed to preserve its original appearance. Its remains were searched for unsuccessfully for many centuries. They were only found in 1842.

Today, Masada Fortress is an important historical landmark that embodies the courage and indomitability of the people. Every year, hundreds of tourists from other countries come here to admire its grandeur. In recent years, local residents have turned the landmark into a real town with its own tourist infrastructure. It offers a magnificent view.

Hacarmel Market

The magnificent food at the Shuk Hacarmel market always attracts the attention of not only food lovers but also those seeking the true flavor of the country.

In addition to this place, there are many other locations in Israel where you can buy delicious and exquisite food, because there are plenty of markets here. For example, the Levinsky Market, the Hatikva Market in Tel Aviv, Akko, and Machneyuda in Jerusalem.

You can book a hotel in Israel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Underwater Observatory

Here, in the underwater observatory in Elate, at a depth of 6 meters, an amazing underwater world opens up, because this is where the Japanese Gardens coral reef is located, one of the city's main treasures. Its bushes are home to fish of various sizes, shades, and colors, and the corals always arouse genuine interest among tourists.

One of the many interesting attractions in the complex is the opportunity to watch a scuba diver descend into the aquarium to feed the fish. The dive takes place wearing a mask with headphones and a microphone, so the diver can communicate with guests directly during the feeding process.

The Jordan River

The Jordan River is no less significant for the people of Israel. Many important events in the history of the nation are associated with it.

Over the past few years, this Israeli landmark has undergone a major transformation. Local organizations have improved the area near the river. Safe descents have also been built, allowing residents and visitors to easily access the water. This place is truly unique and incredibly beautiful. Various species of fish live freely in the river. There are especially many catfish in the Jordan, which the locals never catch because Israelis do not consider this fish to be tasty.

Dolphin Reef

The reef in the southern part of Eilat has been open as an amusement park since 1990. The unique feature of this place is that dolphins regularly swim here and actively interact with tourists.

There is a diving center here where you can explore the underwater wonders of the reef. You can also swim with dolphins and simply enjoy a relaxing beach vacation.

World Bahá'í Center

This huge picturesque complex in Haifa is the center of the Bahá'í religion, which was formed in the 19th century. It is located in the city of Haifa in Israel and is known for its gardens, spread out on the Carmel mountain range. The Bahá'í World Centre is a place of pilgrimage for followers of the Bahá'í religion, also known as Bahá'ís.

Many of the site's features, including the terraces and the Shrine of the Báb, were added to the World Heritage List in July 2008.

Galilee

This blossoming and fertile region is located in northern Israel. Here you will find everything you need for active outdoor recreation: high mountains, dense forests, streams and springs, opportunities to observe migratory birds or go rafting on the Jordan River.

Here are some of the local must-see places: Rosh HaNikra and the beaches of Western Galilee (Betzat and Achziv), the artists' quarter in Safed, the ancient village of Rosh Pina, the park on Lake Hula, the Tanurta waterfall, and the Tel Dan Nature Reserve.

Dome of the Rock

The Jewish people attach great importance to the Temple Mount, where the Dome of the Rock is located.

The Dome of the Rock is a Muslim shrine built on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in 691 CE. It is part of the area sacred to Muslims in the center of Jerusalem, occupying a significant portion of what is also known as Mount Moriah. The Dome of the Rock gets its name from the fact that it is built over the highest part of Mount Moriah, the place where, according to belief, Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.

The Israel National Science Museum, or "Madatech"

The Israeli National Museum was founded in the 1980s and is located in a historic building dating back to 1912, which previously housed the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Eleven years after the building was constructed, Albert Einstein himself visited the institute and planted one of the palm trees in the nearby courtyard with his own hands—this tree still grows there today. Today, these walls house interactive exhibitions dedicated to the basic principles of physics and natural sciences. Here you can visit the hologram hall, the mirror room, the hall of illusions, and other interesting exhibitions.

Caesarea National Park

When talking about Caesarea today, some people mean a seaside town with a developed tourist infrastructure, while others mean a national park with a significant complex of archaeological monuments, and it is noteworthy that both sides are right.

Next to the modern town of Caesarea in Palestine, which has existed since 1977, lie the ruins of a tourist attraction—Caesarea National Park. Therefore, most of its buildings are now underwater, and visitors are offered various options for exploring the area, such as swimming and diving.

Tel Aviv

The second largest city and former capital of the country also has something to surprise travelers. We recommend paying special attention to the Old City of Jaffa. Many historians believe that it is the most beautiful architectural monument in famous Tel Aviv. Hundreds of thousands of tourists who choose Israel as their vacation destination come here every year.

The Old City amazes its guests with its stone streets, where people completely forget about time as they stroll along. Every part of it holds an ancient secret. Many cozy cafes in the city are located right on the waterfront. Here, sitting at a table, you can admire the sunset.