14 Top Tourist Attractions in Israel and the Palestinian Territories
Home to some of the world's most famous religious tourist attractions, Israel and the Palestinian Territories is often thought of purely as a pilgrimage destination. After all, this is where some of the main events for those of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths is said to have happened.
But for travelers not seeking out religious sightseeing within the churches, synagogues, and mosques, there are plenty of other things to do.
The Dead Sea is a bizarre natural wonder where you can't sink. The Galilee region's natural beauty ticks all the boxes for those who want to hike in nature. And the Negev Desert's raw and rocky landscapes are ripe for adventure and one of the best places to visit if you're seeking some dusty action and outdoor things to do.
Sure, the religious sites here will always be the main draw card for a visit, but scratch below the surface, and you'll find there's so much more.
To help plan your itinerary, check out our list of the top tourist attractions in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Jerusalem Old City
Aching with the weight of history, Jerusalem has one of the world's most recognizable skylines, with the golden helmet of the Dome of the Rock glinting above the caramel-colored stone of the old city.
This ancient walled city holds deep religious significance for all those of the monotheistic faiths, and the labyrinthine alleyways inside are packed with religious sites and mind-boggling history.
Dodge the crowds of pilgrims and take a walk along the walls that still wrap around the old city. Explore the city's fabulous museums, and immerse yourself in the mazy lanes that kings, Crusaders, and conquerors have all fought over.
Jerusalem's many highlights enchant and confound in equal measures.
Haifa
Jerusalem is all history. Tel Aviv is about modern dining and café culture. And Haifa just does its own thing.
Haifa's main attraction is the Baha'i Gardens, which tumble down the hillside towards the sea in a series of immaculate green terraces. They're a must-do for all travelers to this lovely city, but Haifa's big attraction for many visitors is that it's the perfect base to explore the north.
Akko, Mount Carmel and Caesarea are right on the doorstep, and even Nazareth and Megiddo could be easily done as a day trip from here.
Hands down the most easygoing city in the country, Haifa should be part of everyone's itinerary.
Churches of Nazareth
Forever linked to the story of Jesus in the Bible, Nazareth is one of the main pilgrimage destinations in the country.
The holy sites here are some of the most important in the world for those of the Christian faith. This is where the Annunciation took place, and where Jesus Christ was brought up, and the center of town is home to important churches that celebrate this history.
One of the most important tourist attractions in Nazareth is the Basilica of the Annunciation, but there are plenty of smaller sights in town to explore.
Away from the biblical connections, Nazareth's busy bazaar area, amid the twisty old city lanes, is a highlight in itself, always bustling with commerce.
Jaffa
A picturesque vision of honey-colored stone, Jaffa is a chilled-out little harbor town with an illustrious past as a major port.
Made for aimless wandering and home to an excellent flea market, Jaffa provides an old-world-style respite from the modern thrum of Tel Aviv next door.
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 a lazy afternoon of sightseeing in Jaffa.
Jaffa has been thoroughly gentrified in recent years, with small art galleries, craft shops, and restaurants moving in. On weekends, it's a busy center for outdoor dining and shopping.
The Dead Sea
The lowest point on earth and one of the world's most wacky natural wonders, the Dead Sea is the mineral-rich and overly salty sea where no one can sink.
Locked in by the cliffs of the Great Rift Valley, this bizarre body of water (where natural buoyancy occurs due to the rate of evaporation causing the high salt content) has been wowing travelers for centuries.
A handful of "beach resort" areas along the Dead Sea shoreline provide facilities, with cafés, bathrooms, and the all important freshwater showers to wash the saltwater off you afterwards, for those who want to take a dip.
Take a float — you can't really sink — and you'll be won over by the weirdness of this experience, as generations of visitors have before you.
Bethlehem
A major Christian pilgrimage center, Bethlehem is home to the Church of the Nativity, built over the site where Jesus Christ is said to have been born. It's one of the top sights in Bethlehem.
The stately church complex with its far-reaching historical significance, and the busy market vibe of the bazaar make this the number one highlight of the West Bank.
Although many travelers only come here as a day trip from Jerusalem, the town is an excellent place to base yourself for excursions into the surrounding countryside, with its Byzantine monasteries and sites related to events relayed in the New Testament.
Timna Park
Raw and rugged desert scenery at its best, Timna Park, near the Red Sea resort of Eilat, is one of the most beautiful corners of the Negev.
The landscapes here have a visceral quality, which enchants all who visit, with towering cliffs and surreally-shaped boulders set between vast tracts of multi-hued sand.
Timna's copper mining history (which stretches back to the ancient Egyptians) is also worth exploring; the area is full of ancient mine shafts and rock inscriptions that desert adventurers can seek out.
- Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Eilat
Sea of Galilee
The shoreline that wraps around the Sea of Galilee offers interesting attractions, 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.
Masada
The mountaintop fortress of Masada, overlooking the rugged scenery of the Dead Sea region, is home to incredible vistas and some fascinating history.
This is where King Herod's once mighty palace stood and where the Zealots took their last stand against the Roman Legions.
If you're up for a hike, the winding Snake Path is the perfect way of reaching the top, with excellent panoramas all the way. It's one of the top things to do in Masada.
Otherwise, take the cable car and see the views without the sweat.
Mar Saba Monastery
Mar Saba Monastery is an architectural marvel of the Byzantine age, precariously snuggled into the cliff face as if it had sprouted organically out of the sheer rock.
The monastery is dedicated to Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, a Greek Orthodox monk from Cappadocia who founded this monastery.
Although female travelers are not allowed to actually enter the monastery (except for the Women's Tower near the entrance), the view is enough of a reason to visit, with the metal domes glinting in the sun between the rock face.
An easy day trip option from Bethlehem or Jerusalem, Mar Saba Monastery is one of the Holy Land's great historic sites.
Beit Shean
In a country full of ruins, Beit Shean stands out from the crowd for its excellent preservation.
Here, you can get a real feel for the life of a Roman and Byzantine town, with its colonnaded streets, well-restored theater, and extensive bathhouse remains.
Stroll the once mighty streets, explore the extensive ruins, and sit in the theater where the Roman city's cultural life was played out.
It's a fabulous slice of the ancient world that any history lover should see.
Jericho
One of the most important historical sites in the West Bank, Jericho lays claim to being the world's oldest continuously inhabited city and has a history that can be traced back 10,000 years.
The archaeological site of Ancient Jericho (Tel Jericho) is right in town and after exploring this layered settlement mound, you can hop on the cable car from the site to the Monastery of Qurantal on the Mount of Temptation where, according to the New Testament, Jesus resisted the devil.
This is also a prime base in the Palestinian Territories, not just for exploring the attractions in Jericho, but for venturing further afield. In particular Hisham's Palace, with its famed Tree of Life mosaic, and the monasteries inside the canyon of Wadi Qelt.
Akko
Wrapped up in Crusader history, Akko (Acre to the Crusaders) has a mellow harbor full of colorful, bobbing fishing boats; a vibrant bazaar crammed with spice, produce, and interesting artisan products; and a truckload of history to boot.
The city walls, old khans (caravanserais), and fort remnants speak of another age, when this town was the center of the empire.
One of the most enjoyable towns to explore (who doesn't like a secret tunnel?), Akko is a great mix of historic sites and modern life.
Makhtesh Ramon
This deep erosion cirque, (a crater-shaped steephead valley created by erosion), with the town of Mitzpe Ramon on its rim, is one of the Negev's major highlights.
From lookout points along the rim, the canyon walls plummet downwards for 300 meters, with dramatic vistas across the rock formations of the valley.
For the more active, Makhtesh Ramon is a national park, and various trails have been created leading down into the depths of the valley, making Makhtesh Ramon one of the best destinations for day hiking in the country.
There are other makhtesh in the Negev, but this one is the deepest and largest, measuring roughly eight kilometers wide and 40 meters long.
