Sinai

peninsula in the Red Sea

Dead Sea (Israel and the West Bank)

The Dead Sea (Hebrew: ים המלח, Hebrew transliteration:Yam HaMelach; Arabic: البحر الميت, Arabic transliteration: al-Bahir al-Mayyit) has its western coast in Israel and the West Bank. It is the lowest point in the world at 394.6 m (1269 ft) below sea level. 25 km of Dead Sea coastline lie within Palestinian Authority territory, including Qumran and Ein Feshka.

Ramallah

Palestinian city in the West Bank

Nablus

city in Nablus Governorate, Palestinian Authority

Jericho

city in the Palestinian Territories and is located near the Jordan River in the West Bank

Jenin

Palestinian city

Hebron

city in the West Bank, Palestinian territories

Gaza Strip

– the largest city in the Palestinian Territories, with 450,000 people, Gaza city is a coastal city and the administrative capital of the Gaza Governorate, but it has been heavily damaged in several wars between Israel and Hamas and, due to border closures by Israel and Egypt, you probably can't get in

Bethlehem

city in West Bank, Palestine

West Bank

part of the Palestinian territories near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia

Dead Sea

salt lake bordering Jordan and Israel

Ramla

city in central Israel

Ashkelon

city in the Southern District of Israel

Sea of Galilee

largest freshwater lake in Israel

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

church in Jerusalem

Sinai Peninsula

Caesarea Maritima

Ancient Caesarea Maritima is one of the archaeological treasures of Israel and the Mediterranean. This giant city and port was created 2000 years ago by Herod the Great in honour of the Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar. Much of the Roman city remains, including an aqueduct, theatre, and acres of excavated houses, mosaics and palaces. In the 12th century CE, Caesarea was recreated as a massive Crusader fortress, whose moat, balustrades and towers still stand. The ancient and medieval city are preserved within the Caesarea National Park, and the Roman aqueduct can be seen for free on the beach a few kilometers north of the National Park.

Tel Aviv Museum of Art

Art museum

Bethlehem University

Gives the visitors to get in contact with the Palestinian students to get an insight of the life on the campus and in Bethlehem. There are tours in German and probably English available.

Church of the Nativity

Undoubtedly the top attraction in Bethlehem, a veritable citadel built fortress-like on top of the cave where Jesus was born to Mary. It is one of the oldest churches in the world, and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first incarnation of the building was erected on the orders of the Roman Emperor Constantine I (the Great) in 330 CE. While the layout largely corresponds to Emperor Justinian's plans from 540 CE (the first building having been destroyed in a 536 riot), the church was first heavily fortified by the Crusaders and then degraded (mostly through neglect) under Mamluk rule. An earthquake in 1834 and a fire in 1869 didn't help. Today, the structure is mostly sound but somewhat dark and gloomy in appearance, only the adjoining Franciscan Church of St Catherine (dated 1881 and the site of the yearly December 24 midnight mass broadcast around the world) being in excellent shape. The alleged site of Jesus' birth is actually in an cave in the church (the original Manger where Jesus was born was a cave, not a shed, as popularly depicted). There is a star marking the exact location of Jesus' birth in the cave. The original Manger with the star marking Jesus' birth site is called the Grotto of the Nativity, and is accessible from inside the church. (The tomb of famed theologian and Bethlehem resident St. Jerome, who spent his life translating the Bible, is also in the cave with the Grotto.) Entrance to the entire complex is free, but in the high season (and especially on Jan 6th) be prepared for massive crowds and hour-long waits for entry into the Grotto. There are usually accredited but dodgy tour-guides waiting at the entrance or inside of the church who offer to give tours to groups/individuals, sometimes allowing you to skip the crowds. Makes sure to agree on a price before taking the tour, and if the promise was to skip the crowds and get into the crotto directly but not possible sometimes, lower the price by at least half. Otherwise do not support them, as it is unfair to the other visitors waiting.

Sepphoris

archaeological site and national park in Israel

Galilee

large region in northern Israel

Al-Aqsa Mosque

Mosque in Jerusalem

Kafr Kanna

The site of the Marriage of Cana.

Dome of the Rock

Islamic sanctuary in Jerusalem

Ein Gedi

Ein Gedi is a Kibbutz and nearby oasis (and official Nature Reserve) set in stunning desert canyons, which are great for hiking and experiencing nature. Also features the remains of a synagogue in the Old City Eye - Capricorn, from the Byzantine period, including a mosaic floor well preserved. The close-by public beach at the Dead Sea is closed now due to sink holes, but there is another one a few kilometres south.

Beit She'arim National Park

Beth Shearim was a Jewish town and necropolis in ancient times. Most of the remains date from the 2nd to 4th century CE. Among those buried in the caves are such famous figures as Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, author of the Mishna, the text to which the Talmud is a commentary. You can explore several burial caves with intricately carved sarcophagi and wall decorations.

Makhtesh Ramon

Mitzpe Ramon's biggest sight, Machtesh Ramon is 500 m deep, 40 km long and 10 km at its widest. The geological erosion that formed it created geological formations unlike any others. Complete with a magnificent panorama, it presents a fascinating story of geomorphologic evolution. Prominent viewpoints from Mitzpe Ramon include:

Negev

desert and semidesert region of southern Israel

Israel Railway Museum

Housed in the old Haifa East train station, The Railway Museum features a collection of stamps, photographs, tickets, timetables and rolling stock. Old timetables remind you that you could at one time travel from here by train south to Cairo or north to Beirut or Damascus.

Azrieli Center

Visitors can climb to the top of the mall for a nice view of the city.

Alonei Abba

Mount Gerizim

mountain in Judea and Samaria Area, Israel

Basilica of the Annunciation

built above the sunken grotto which according to the Roman Catholic faith was the home of the Virgin Mary and the place where she received the Annunciation (the announcement of the imminent birth of Jesus). The large and impressive modern-day church is built above the remains of churches dating back to Crusader and Byzantine times, still visible on the lower level. The church boasts dozens of pictures donated by Christian communities around the world. The Largest Church in the Middle East and one of Christianity’s Holiest shrines, its imposing dome dominates the Nazareth skyline and is an ideal landmark and starting point for visiting Other churches. It marks the spot where the Archangel Gabriel Informed the Virgin Mary that God had chosen her to bear his son; there is also a tradition that Mary lived in a house on this site. The complex of the modern Basilica is built on two levels. The lower one,Making the traditional Roman Catholic site of the Annunciation, contains ancient remains of churches from the Byzantiane and Crusader eras. During archaeological excavations, relics were found dating back to the Canaanite settlement of Nazareth, Though the most interesting find was of a typical Nazarene house, hewn out of the rock, from the Roman Period. The upper level, built between 1959 and 1969 on the site of an 18th-century church, is in strikingly modern architectural style. With its stained- glass windows highlighted against bare stone.A garden and courtyard connect the Basilica to St. Joseph’s Church and Workshop. Admission to the Basilica is free.

Bethlehem of Galilee

A German Templer town from the 19th century with beautiful houses from its former settlers. Though, it has not much in common with Bethlehem itself. The scenic/interesting road is the upper one running through town.

Mar Saba

monastery

Tower of David

building

Israel National Trail

hiking path that crosses the entire country of Israel

El-Jazzar Mosque

Built in 1781, it is one of the largest mosques in Israel. Jezzar Pasha and his successor Suleiman Pasha are buried in a small graveyard adjacent to the mosque. In a shrine on the second level of the mosque, a single hair from the prophet Mohammed's beard is kept and shown on special ceremonial occasions.

Mount Tabor

The site of the Mount Tabor battle between Barak under the leadership of the Israelite judge Deborah, and the army of Jabin commanded by Sisera, in the mid-12th century BC. It is believed by many Christians to be the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. The mountain is very prominent, and covered with forests. There are several nice hiking trails going up and down.

Palmach Museum

Afeka College of Engineering

Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering

Nir David

Place in Northern

Mount Gilboa

mountain range in northern Israel

Monument to the Negev Brigade

Located on a hill to the northeast of the city, this large monument made out of concrete, commemorates symbolically the different aspects of the Negev Brigade which conquered the Negev region in Israel's War of Independence. There is a superb view on the city and its surroundings from this site.

White City (Tel Aviv)

neighborhood of Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel Aviv Port

One of the most dynamic areas in Tel Aviv, including a multitude of shops, restaurants and nightclubs.

Hecht Museum

houses a fine collection of archaeological artefacts relating to Jewish history before the Diaspora. There is plenty of ancient pottery, weapons and even a pair of 2100-year-old petite-sized sandals. The museum highlight is a 5th-century-BC Greek ship found near Caesarea in 1984. It has been carefully rebuilt and placed in a specially designed annex of the museum. An art wing upstairs contains sections on French Impressionist and Jewish art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Among the works are paintings by Monet, Pissaro and Van Gogh.

Kifl Haris

village council in Salfit Governorate

Israel National Museum of Science, Technology, and Space

Established in 1984, MadaTech - the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology and Space is housed in two historic landmark buildings in mid-town Haifa. Designed, at the turn of the century, by renowned German Jewish architect, Alexander Baerwald, these were home to the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel’s first institution of higher education.

Sde Eliyahu

Religious kibbutz in northern Israel

Wadi Qelt

river in Palestinian territories

Kalya

Also has a water park with hot water pools and slides. There are three beaches near Kalia, all of which are closed off and charge a fee to get in.

Hatzor

human settlement

Belvoir Fortress

castle

Judaean Desert

Shluhot

Place in Northern

Bar Yehuda Airfield

airfield located in the southern Judean desert

Jacob's Well

The spot where it is believed that a Samaritan woman offered a drink from the well to Jesus and he then revealed to her that he was the Messiah (John 4:5), is located here. All Western monotheistic religions also believe this to be a site where Jacob camped near Shechem during his travels, hence the name. A Greek Orthodox Church is located on the site, and it is free to tour. Its hours are unpredictable, however. Ask a taxi driver downtown to take you to "Be'er Ya'akov" (₪2-5). If you come for a visit, do not venture down the road away from the city center as you will find yourself inside rough neighbourhoods.

David's Tomb

architectural structure

St. Joseph's Church, Nazareth

next to the Basilica of the Annunciation. Also known as Church of the Nutrition and Joseph’s Workshop, because it is believed that the cavern in the basement was Joseph’s carpentry shop, Built in 1914, on the foundations of a Crusader church, with Romanesque influences.

Bialik House

Museum

Tel Be'er Sheva

Located outside the city to its east (next to Omer), this archeological park is a World Heritage Site and one of the top sites to explore how people have lived in Biblical times.

Jaffa Port

One of the oldest ports in the world, now a must-see, holds various shops, restaurants and events

Dizengoff Center

Israel's most iconic shopping centre with a very lively food market every Thursday and Friday

Mount Ebal

mountain in the immediate vicinity of the city of Nablus in the West Bank

Tell es-Sultan

This site is the center of archaeological digs in Jericho. It was the location of the ancient Jericho of the Biblical times and is located some 2 km north-west of the modern city centre, overlooking the natural spring of Ein Sultan. If you prefer to focus on other things, then it is relatively easy to see the gist of the site from the surrounding roads. The site's car park features not one but two separate fountains both claiming to be Elisha's spring.

Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve

protected area

Hisham's Palace

This winter palace was built by the Umayyad Caliph Hisham Ibn Abdul Malek, before being destroyed by an earthquake soon after completion in 747 CE. The extensive site contains royal buildings, a mosque, water fountains and spectacular mosaic floors.

Yarkon Park

Tel Aviv's central park along the Yarkon River

Neve Tzedek

Quarter of Tel Aviv.

Mosque of Omar (Jerusalem)

Tzippori

An archaeological site famous for its well-preserved mosaics from the Roman period. It was once the biggest city in the region.

Qasr el Yahud

Located near Jericho on the Jordan River is the site where Jesus is said to have been baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (this site in Jericho is rivalled by another in Northern Israel at Yardenit). It is also believed to be the spot described in the Old Testament where the Israelites crossed the river to enter the Land of Canaan.

Ben-Gurion's Hut

The house where the first prime minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, lived with his wife Paula, after leaving his office. It was preserved in almost the same shape as it was when Ben-Gurion lived there. Guided tours are available.

Sarona (colony)

A district with restored German Templer architecture, known for its picturesque paths and buildings, upscale restaurants, and luxurious food market.

Chapel of the Milk Grotto

Where Mary supposedly spilled a few drops of breast milk while feeding Jesus as she hid before the Holy Family's escape to Egypt, turning the cavern milky white. It is open all day. The white powder scrapped from the cave is also sold as a fertility medicine inside the chapel.

Jaffa Clock Tower

Wise Observatory

The Wise Observatory, far enough from the town to avoid light pollution, is remotely-operated by the Tel Aviv University. The facility is unmanned so really there isn't much to see or do, except watch the structure from the outside.

Caesarea Golf Club

White Mosque, Nazareth

The white mosque, the first mosque in the city was built by Abdalla El Nini, two hundred years ago. El Nini was a well respected judge and the first of the El Fahum tribe (El Fahum means the wisest of man). He set forth a policy that preaches for love and respect. In order to make sure his policy will continue after his death, he wrote in his will that the responsibility on the mosque will be given to the wisest of his sons or daughters or to the Ka-a-bee in Mecca so that the mosque will not be governed under any rule. Till today, the person responsible for the mosque (Ateph El Fahum reads all the sermons before they are preached to make sure they are fit and in honor of holidays of other religions sermons are being addressed in their honor. Opening hours: All light hours except praying hours and without per-arrangement. Notes: please dress modestly and speak softly. In carpeted areas please take off shoes.

Mary's Well

The structure surrounding Mary’s Well (known as el-Sabil in Arabic) was recently renovated and restored to its original form. Mary’s Well is the symbol of Nazareth Municipality. Next to Mary’s Well is a pleasant souvenir shop named Cactus, belonging to Elias and Martina Shama. After buying the shop in the 1990s, the Shamas discovered that beneath it was concealed one of the most exciting and important discoveries in Nazareth in recent history: a network of beautifully preserved ancient stones arches that once supported a giant bath house. It is believed the exposed remains beneath the shop may date back to the ancient Roman era – that is, to the time of Jesus – and have been fed by the same water that supplied Mary’s Well­. There is an entrance fee to the site, but no advance reservation is necessary and guided explanations and hot and cold drinks are available to visitors.

Rothschild Boulevard

A lot of Bauhaus architecture, restaurants and cafes in Tel Aviv's prettiest street

Mount Sodom

A low mountain next to the Dead Sea which is 80 % made of salt. It includes fascinating landscapes, the Flour cave where the eroded rock has a texture similar to flour, and an impressive 200 m salt cave. The Biblical towns of Sodom and Gomorrah may have been nearby (though other opinions place them elsewhere around the Dead Sea), and tour guides will point out to you a rock formation which they say is

Mount Ramon

Standing tall over the westernmost edge of the crater, this peak is highest point remaining from the massive mountain that turned into the Ramon crater. It can be reached by route 171 from HaRukhot junction (see the above map). The entire crater is well visible from here, as well as the tall, pointy Mount Ariff in the south.

Rabin Square

The largest public square in Israel

Maimonides Heritage Center

educational and cultural non-profit organization in the Israeli city of Tiberias

Tel Aviv central bus station

Planned by overambitious architects, its incomprehensible vastness, multiple levels and intertwining corridors make it a model for what an urban jungle would feel like

Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation

Built above a spring believed to be the source of a well where Mary drew water each day. This is the site where the Greek Orthodox tradition maintains that the Angel Gabriel revealed to Mary knowledge of the impending birth of Jesus. The Orthodox Museum is closed. Those working at the church are temperamental, and have been known to arbitrarily shout at or remove pilgrims from the church.

Nabi Shu'ayb

In Druze (and Muslim) tradition, this is the burial site of the prophet Shu'ayb (called Jethro in the Bible). Visitors are welcome. You can take photographs, but not in the tomb chamber. From April 25-28 each year, the Druze have a massive pilgrimage to this site.

Mosque of Omar (Bethlehem)

A mosque built in 1860 in active use. Rather plain and uninteresting on the inside but somewhat pretty on the outside.

Aqabah

village in Tubas Governorate

Carmel Market

The largest and most famous market in Tel Aviv, Carmel Market open all week except Saturday. Nachalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Fair is one of the most famous in the world. The art fair is open on Tuesdays 10am-6pm and Fridays 10am-5pm

Abraham's well

Located at the edge of the Old Town and on the Wadi Beer Sheva, this small site contains the well where according to tradition Abraham made the oath with Abimelech.

Scots Hotel

This was a small Scottish colony during the 19th century. It now houses a boutique hotel and a church.

The Freedom Theatre

A theatre in the refugee camp hosting a large variety of plays and productions, many concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With it's dedication to bringing art to the community the Freedom Theatre is a visible and well-known institution in Jenin. The theatre is also accepts volunteers from the artistic community. For visitors, there's a small café within the theatre complex.

Tomb of Maimonides

This revered rabbi, who died in 1204, was one of 12th-century Egypt's most highly regarded sages, while working as a doctor in the court of the Muslim ruler Saladin. Legend has it that before his death in Cairo, he instructed followers to load his remains onto a camel and bury him wherever the camel expired. The camel was apparently drawn to Tiberias. Next to the grave is the Maimonides Heritage Center museum. Also buried here is Rabban Yohanan Ben Zakkai, the leading rabbi at the time of the Roman destruction of Jerusalem. Ben Zakkai is said to have faked his own death, escaping the city hidden in a coffin, and then prophesizing that the Roman general Vespasian would become the new Caesar. When the prophecy came true, Ben Zakkai was granted one wish by the new leader; a Jewish learning centre for him and students.

Deir Hajla

The Greek Orthodox monastery of Deir Hajla near Jericho commemorates St. Gerasimus, whose lavra was nearby. Gerasimus left his family wealth and worldly affairs to become a monk. He departed for the region Thebaid in the Egyptian desert, later again returning to his native Lycia. About the middle of 5th century Saint Gerasimus went to Palestine and settled in wilderness near the Jordan River. There he established a monastery and became known for his righteous life of asceticism and prayer. The story of Gerasimus and the lion, when the saint tamed the animal by removing a thorn from its paw and taught it obedience, became widely known in the Christian world. He is reputed to have attended to the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon in 451.The history of the monastery is also linked to another Christian narrative. Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus were said to have found refuge in a cave here during their flight from Herod. An underground chapel was built on the spot where the Holy Family is believed to have spent the night. The crypt floor also contains the bones of monks who were massacred during the Persian conquest of the Holy Land.

Tel Aviv Promenade

A previously run-down but beautiful area, which is now gentrifying

Church of Saint Porphyrius

Orthodox church, celebrating Saint Porphyrius who was Bishop of Gaza around 395-420 CE. The current church was built around 1150 by crusaders and renovated extensively in 1856.

Saint Katherine Protectorate

Tel Rumeida

In this place archaeological digging revealed the ruins of a 4,500 years old city wall and staircase. On top of which a building with apartments was erected standing on pillars. In this building, also the Hebron Observatory can be found – just walk up the stairs inside of the building and hope the upper door is not locked. According to the nearby stationed Israeli Army, this is one of the most tense places in Hebron, because Palestinian and Jewish houses are built right next to each other with no fences or walls – you will notice by the different large flags posted in front of two houses.

Ein Feshkha

archaelogical site

Birds Mosaic (Caesarea)

A little-known but beautiful archaeological site. The site of a Byzantine palace, there are complex mosaics here with pictures of birds and other wildlife as well as geometric forms. The site can be freely visited with no admission fee.