When we have the idea of traveling to Israel, the main thing is to plan all those places that we cannot miss for that trip, as well as the time that we will need to do it.
It is true that it is small in territory, but it does not mean that it does not have attractions, in fact, it is quite the opposite. It has many attractions such as spectacular views, historic sites, vibrant cities, and some of the holiest places on earth. Also this trip can be adjusted to your personality, it can be a pilgrimage trip, the best of Jerusalem and Galilee; if diving is your thing, you’ll find paradise in Eilat, and if you’re a party and fun lover, you’ll probably want to extend your stay in Tel Aviv.
Jerusalem, founded in 1004 B.C. by King David, is one of the oldest cities in the world. Built on several hills, fascinating home to Hasidic and secular Jews, Muslims and Christians. It impresses with its old town surrounded by a huge wall and seven impressive access gates, which will allow you to access its four most important neighborhoods; you cannot stop going through those labyrinths that form its cobbled streets. The list should include the holy sites, the Esplanade of the Mosques, the Wailing Wall and the Holy Sepulcher.
It is worth spending three or four days to complete the visit to these sacred places, combining them with others no less interesting such as the Mount of Olives, the Muslim and Jewish Quarters, the Cenacle, the Tomb of David, the Via Dolorosa and the magical Garden Tomb, Mahane Yehuda Market and Israel Museum (Yad Vashem).
The Dead Sea and Masada, is the opportunity to dive into the saltiest waters in the world and float in a sea without using any kind of help, it is one of the most amazing experiences and one of the best things to do in Israel. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on the planet located 435 meters below sea level, having salinity nine times higher than other seas. An arid desert, captivating views, putting on therapeutic black mud and infinite serenity cannot be missed.
It includes visiting Masad which is the fortress of the great peak, take the cable car to go up and go down for a walk. The Masada Fortress, situated on the flat top of a lonely mountain in the Judean Desert. Legend has it that a group of brave Jews with their families resisted in this impregnable fortress the siege of an entire legion of Rome during the first Jewish-Roman war.
Before the moment of the conquest of the fortress by the Roman troops, all the rebels of Masada decided to commit suicide to avoid surrendering and being enslaved. Today, at the archaeological site, you can see various ruins of ancient palaces, cisterns, towers, Byzantine chapels and panoramic viewpoints.
The city of Tel Aviv is the most vibrant and lively city in Israel and the second largest city after Jerusalem, and is known as the “city that never sleeps”, thanks to its cafes, bars, restaurants and bustling streets day and night. In addition to enjoying its nightclubs where you will find the best DJs in the world, this city has numerous museums, among which the Museum of Art and the Jewish People stand out, more than 14 kilometers bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, enjoy its excellent long promenade to walk it or get on a bike.
Local markets such as Carmel and charming neighborhoods such as Yemeni. Old Jaffa, one of the best places to see in Israel.
Caesarea was a fishing port 2,000 years ago and the capital of Israel. Today it is one of the most visited places by tourism thanks to its best preserved and most interesting archaeological complex in Israel. These ruins have their origin in the ancient Roman city of Caesarea Maritima founded by Herod I the Great, in the 1st century BC.
The good state of conservation of the complex with the impressive original theater of Herod, the hippodrome, the remains of Herod’s palace and other ruins that are submerged under the waters of the port, make it a mandatory stop.
In addition to all these Roman remains, you can see the Church of the Martyrdom from the 6th century, belonging to the Byzantine era and the walls from the time of the Crusades. The port is considered a marvel of engineering, since it was built with hydraulic concrete.
Nazareth was the place where Jesus spent his first years of life and where the Archangel Gabriel announced the future birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary, according to the gospels. Today it is a city with a majority Arab population that has the Basilica of the Annunciation, its main tourist attraction and one of the most important places to see in Israel.
This modern building has inside the Grotto of the Annunciation, considered to be the remains of the birthplace of the Virgin Mary and the site of the Annunciation. Next to this basilica is the Church of San José, where the carpentry of José, father of Jesus, would have been.
Another place where, according to the Orthodox, the Annunciation took place is the spring found in the Church of San Gabriel or the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. And if you are still not satisfied with these two versions, there is still a third that says it was at the Well of Mary or the Annunciation.
Haifa, located about 100 kilometers north of Tel Aviv, is the third largest city in the country and one of the most important to visit in Israel.
This city built at the foot of Mount Carmel is considered an example of coexistence between Jews, Muslims and Christians, which you will discover as you walk through its streets and markets. In addition to this good atmosphere, the city has the largest port in the country and the Bahai gardens, one of the jewels of Israel, built on a slope and designed in a circular shape, which stand out for their 19 terraces and their spectacular temple of more than 40 meters high.
A picturesque neighborhood is the German colony. After walking through its streets, we recommend you end your visit to Haifa by touring the Hadar neighborhood and the Wadi Nisnas Arab neighborhood, where you can eat a good falafel or shawarma at one of its many stalls.
Little Acre or Akko in Hebrew is one of the oldest cities in the world and another of the places to see in Israel. This city has an important Templar past that can be appreciated by visiting the Templar tunnel and the fortress of the Order of the Hospitallers, the great jewel of Acre.
Remember that the Knights Templar were sent by the Pope and the European kings to recover the holiest places of Christianity from the hands of the Muslims.
Safed, located 900 meters in the mountains of Upper Galilee in the north of the country, is one of the four holy cities to see in Israel and is known as the city of Kabbalah, the mystical branch of Judaism. In addition to its surroundings and its views of Galilee, this city stands out for its historic center full of narrow cobbled streets, galleries and shops of local artists and old synagogues.
These are some of the places that can be integrated into the traveler’s itinerary, it will always depend on the time that is planned, but this country has a large number of places to visit, as well as activities, so it is worth taking the time to investigate and make good decisions and thus achieve an excellent experience.
