The shoreline that wraps around the Sea of Galilee is jam-packed with attractions, offering beautiful countryside and a wealth of history.
Whether you come to see the churches of Tabgha, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount and did much of his preaching, or just to soak in the hot springs near Tiberias and go hiking, this beautiful region is a must-see on any trip.
Don’t miss a swim in the sea and a hillside hike to take in the views across the lake.
Begin the day by driving north. The Sea of Galilee is your first stop. Visit ancient Capernaum, which is serenely located on the lake’s shores, at the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes, and the Church of Multiplications at Taghba. Following that, you’ll go to the Yardenit Baptismal Site on the Jordan River near the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee, which is thought to be one of the possible locations of Jesus’ baptism. Today, it welcomes hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year who flock to the Jordan River’s waters. Continue on to Nazareth, passing through Cana if time allows, the location of Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine.
In Nazareth, visit the Old City and the magnificent Basilica of the Annunciation. Explore the church and the old city of Nazareth, Israel’s so-called Arabic capital.
On this fully guided day tour, you will see all of the highlights of the Galilee region. Join us on a tour that will take you to Nazareth as well as the highlights of Galilee, and you will return to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem with unforgettable memories.…
In a country full of ruins, Beit Shean stands out for its exceptional preservation. With its colonnaded streets, well-restored theatre, and extensive bathhouse remains, you can get a real sense of life in a Roman and Byzantine town.
The area was settled around 6000 years ago, during the Chalcolithic era. Since then, it has been continuously inhabited. Extensive excavation of a large mound has revealed over 20 layers of ancient civilizations’ remains. Canaanite temples predate Egyptian occupation of the region, which was followed by Israelite and Philistine rule during the Old Testament period. The name appears several times in the Bible and is famous for being the location where King Saul and his sons were hanged from the city walls. During the reigns of King David and King Solomon, the city remained a significant metropolis.
Stroll the once-mighty streets, explore the extensive ruins, and sit in the theatre where the cultural life of the Roman city was performed.
It’s a fantastic piece of ancient history that any history buff should see.
Avoid the crowds of pilgrims by taking a walk along the walls that still surround the old city. Explore the city’s fantastic museums and get lost in the maze of lanes fought over by kings, Crusaders, and conquerors.…
The Mar Saba Monastery is a Byzantine architectural marvel, nestled precariously into the cliff face as if it had sprouted organically out of the sheer rock.
Although female visitors are not permitted to enter the monastery, the view of the metal domes glinting in the sun between the rock face is reason enough to visit.
The Serbian monastic community of Palestine, based in the fourteenth-century monastery of St. Michael the Archangel, purchased Mar Saba in 1504, which had been abandoned due to Bedouin raids at the time. The Serbs controlled the monastery until the late 1630s, and the monastery’s significant financial support from Tsar of Russia allowed them to run the monastery semi-independently from the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the monastery’s nominal overseer (much to the vexation of the patriarchate). The Serbs’ control of Mar Saba enabled them to play a significant role in the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem’s politics, frequently siding with the Arabic laity and priests against the Greeks who dominated the episcopate.
One of the Holy Land’s great historic sites, Mar Saba Monastery is an easy day trip from Bethlehem or Jerusalem.
After all, this is where some of the most important events in the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths are said to have occurred.…
Amazing views and an interesting past can be found in the mountaintop castle of Masada, which looks out over the untamed landscape of the Dead Sea region.
Here, the Zealots made their last stand against the Roman Legions and King Herod’s once-powerful palace once stood.
If you enjoy hiking, the serpentine Snake Path is the ideal route to the summit and offers fantastic views the entire way. If not, board the cable car to enjoy the sights without breaking a sweat.
Yoram Cave, an almost inaccessible cave located on the sheer southern cliff face 100 meters below the plateau, was discovered to contain numerous plant remains, including 6,000-year-old barley seeds in such good condition that their genome could be sequenced. This is the first time this has been accomplished with a Chalcolithic plant genome, which is also the oldest ever sequenced. [The findings assisted in determining that the earliest domestication of barley, previously dated to 10,000 years ago elsewhere in the Fertile Crescent, occurred further north up the Jordan Rift Valley, specifically in the Upper Jordan Valley[dubious – discuss] in northern Israel. The Yoram Cave seeds were discovered to be quite distinct from the wild variety.
There are plenty of other things to do for visitors who are not interested in religious sightseeing within churches, synagogues, and mosques. The Dead Sea is an unusual natural wonder in which you cannot sink. The natural beauty of the Galilee region ticks all the boxes for those who want to hike in nature.…
Akko (Acre to the Crusaders), which is steeped in Crusader history, features a peaceful harbor full of bright, bobbing fishing boats, a bustling bazaar packed with spices, fresh produce, and intriguing artisan goods, as well as a boatload of history.
The remains of the fort, the old khans (caravanserais), and the city walls recall a time when this town served as the imperial capital.
One of the best places to go around in (who doesn’t appreciate a hidden tunnel?)
Akko is a wonderful blend of ancient architecture and contemporary living.
The city is strategically located in a natural harbour at the far end of Haifa Bay on the coast of the Mediterranean’s Levantine Sea. It was an important waypoint on the region’s coastal road as well as the road cutting inland along the Jezreel Valley. After a few centuries, the first settlement during the Early Bronze Age was abandoned, but a large town was established during the Middle Bronze Age. It is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements, having been inhabited since then. It has, however, been subject to conquest and destruction several times, and has survived for centuries as little more than a large village.
Israel and the Palestinian Territories are frequently thought of solely as pilgrimage destinations, despite the fact that they are home to some of the world’s most famous religious tourist attractions. After all, this is where some of the most important events in the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths are said to have occurred.
There are plenty of other things to do for visitors of Israel who are not interested in religious sightseeing within churches, synagogues, and mosques. The Dead Sea is an unusual natural wonder in which you cannot sink. The natural beauty of the Galilee region ticks all the boxes for those who want to hike in nature.
Sure, the religious sites here will always be the main draw, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll discover so much more. Check out our list of the top tourist attractions in Israel and the Palestinian Territories that you won’t want to miss to help you plan your itinerary.
1. Jerusalem
With the golden helmet of the Dome of the Rock glinting above the caramel-colored stone of the old city, Jerusalem has one of the world’s most recognisable skylines.
This ancient city has deep religious significance for all monotheistic faiths, and the old district’s labyrinthine alleyways are packed with religious sites and mind-boggling history.
Avoid the crowds of pilgrims by taking a walk along the walls that still surround the old city. Explore the city’s fantastic museums and get lost in the maze of lanes fought over by kings, Crusaders, and conquerors.
Jerusalem is both enchanting and perplexing.
2. Haifa
Jerusalem is steeped in history. Tel Aviv is known for its modern cuisine and café culture. And Haifa just goes about its business.
The main attraction in this lovely northern city is the Baha’i Gardens, which cascade down the hillside towards the sea in a series of immaculate green terraces. They’re a must-see for all visitors, but Haifa’s main draw for many is that it’s the ideal base for exploring the north.
Akko, Mount Carmel, and Caesarea are all nearby, and Nazareth and Megiddo are both easily accessible as day trips from here.
Haifa, the most relaxed city in the country, should be on everyone’s itinerary.
3. Nazareth
Nazareth, forever linked to the story of Jesus in the Bible, is one of the country’s most important pilgrimage destinations.
For Christians, the holy sites here are among the most important in the world. This is where the Annunciation occurred and Jesus Christ was born, and the town centre is home to important churches that commemorate this history.
The Basilica of the Annunciation is one of the most important tourist attractions in Nazareth, but there are plenty of smaller sights to explore as well.
Aside from the biblical connections, Nazareth’s bustling bazaar area, nestled among the twisty old city lanes, is a must-see.
4. Jaffa
Jaffa, designed for aimless wandering and home to an excellent flea market, offers an old-world-style respite from Tel Aviv’s modern thrum.
The muddle of lanes leading down to the sea, where once the great ships of the ancient Mediterranean empires docked, are now a haven for café-hopping and lazy afternoon sightseeing.
Jaffa has been thoroughly gentrified in recent years, with the arrival of small art galleries, craft shops, and restaurants. On weekends, it’s a hive of activity for outdoor dining and shopping.
5. The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is the mineral-rich and overly salty sea where no one can sink and one of the world’s most bizarre natural wonders.
This strange body of water (where natural buoyancy occurs due to the rate of evaporation causing the high salt content) has been fascinating travellers for centuries, trapped by the cliffs of the Great Rift Valley.
For those who want to take a dip, a handful of “beach resort” areas along the Dead Sea shoreline provide facilities, including cafés, bathrooms, and the all-important freshwater showers.
Take a float – you can’t really sink – and you’ll be captivated by the strangeness of the experience, as generations of visitors have been.
6. Bethlehem
Bethlehem, a major Christian pilgrimage site, is home to the Church of the Nativity, which was built over the site where Jesus Christ is said to have been born.
The stately church complex, with its far-reaching historical significance, and the bustling market vibe of the bazaar make this the West Bank’s top attraction.
Although many visitors come here as a day trip from Jerusalem, the town is an excellent base for excursions into the surrounding countryside, with its Byzantine monasteries and sites related to New Testament events.
7. Timna Park
Timna Park, near the Red Sea resort of Eilat, is one of the Negev’s most beautiful corners, with raw and rugged desert scenery at its best.
With towering cliffs and surrealistically shaped boulders set between vast tracts of multi-hued sand, the landscapes here have a visceral quality that enchants all who visit.
Timna’s copper mining history (dating back to the ancient Egyptians) is also worth exploring; the area is littered with ancient mine shafts and rock inscriptions that desert explorers can seek out.
8. Sea of Galilee
Packed full of attractions, the shoreline that wraps around the Sea of Galilee offers gorgeous countryside and bags of history.
Whether you’re here to visit the churches of Tabgha, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount and carried out much of his preaching, or you just want to soak in the hot pools near Tiberias and do some hiking, this beautiful region is a major highlight of any trip.
Don’t miss taking a swim in the sea itself and soaking up the views across the lake on a hillside hike.
