Must-see attractions in Israel & the Palestinian Territories

  • Jerusalem, Israel - July 26, 2015: Panorama of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre  - church in Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.

    Church of the Holy Sepulchre

    Jerusalem

    Four magnificent arches, their lintels richly decorated with Crusader crosses, herald the entrance to one of Christianity's most sacred sites. The church…

  • JERUSALEM, ISRAEL JUNE 10 2015: Israeli Temple Mount policeman greets the locals under the arches near the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount on June 10 2015 in the Old City of Jerusalem Israel.; Shutterstock ID 408810679; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Keith; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Middle East Online Highlights Update

    Temple Mount/Al Haram Ash Sharif

    Jerusalem

    There are few patches of ground as holy – or as disputed – as this one. Known to Muslims as Al Haram Ash Sharif (The Noble Sanctuary) and to Jews as Har…

  • People prays and walk in front of the western wall, wailing wall or kotel.

    Western Wall

    Jerusalem

    The air is electric at Judaism's holiest prayer site, where worshippers recite scriptures, lay their hands on 2000-year-old stone and utter impassioned…

  • Israel Museum

    Jerusalem

    More than 5000 years of cultural treasures are assembled around the vast Israel Museum's indoor and outdoor galleries. Highlights are the titanic statues…

  • Shrine of the Bab and lower terraces at the Bahai World Center in Haifa, Israel.

    Baha’i Gardens

    Haifa

    These formal gardens flowing down 19 steep terraces to a resplendent domed shrine – the final resting place of the prophet-herald of the Baha’i faith –…

  • Beautiful sunrise over Masada fortress. Ruins of King Herod's palace in Judaean Desert.; Shutterstock ID 360569009; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Keith; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Israel Update 2017

    Masada National Park

    Dead Sea

    The plateau atop Masada, which measures about 550m by 270m, is some 60m above sea level – that is, about 490m above the surface of the Dead Sea. The…

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2015; 4847930; Annunciation; Architecture; Basilica; Basilica of the Annunciation; Christianity; Church; Church of the Annunciation; Courtyard; Dome; Galillee; Horizontal; Israel; Middle Eastern Culture; Nazareth - Israel; No People; Orthodox; Orthodox Church; Outdoors; Palestinian; Photography; Religion; Spirituality; Travel;
Exterior of the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.

    Basilica of the Annunciation

    Nazareth

    Dominating the Old City’s skyline is the lantern-topped cupola of this Franciscan-run Roman Catholic basilica, an audacious modernist structure that’s…

  • Masada, Israel - November 4th 2016: Exterio of  Ruins of the grand residence or the commandant's residence of Masada of Israel. The picture was taken at free spot.

    Masada Museum

    Dead Sea

    An outstanding and remarkably vivid introduction to Masada’s archaeology and history, this museum combines 500 evocative artefacts unearthed by…

  • Jerusalem, Israel

    City of David

    East Jerusalem

    As teeming with controversy as it is with ancient history, the City of David is one of Jerusalem's most active archaeological sites. The oldest part of…

  • 500px Photo ID: 69901347 - Memorial site at Yad Vashem.

    Yad Vashem

    Jerusalem

    Israel's official memorial to the six million Jews who died at the hands of the Nazis is powerful, poignant and a masterpiece of design. The museum's name…

  • Israel, Jerusalem. The Dome of the Rock. Unesco.

    Dome of the Rock

    Jerusalem

    The jewel in the crown of Temple Mount/Al Haram Ash Sharif is the gold-plated Dome of the Rock, the enduring symbol of the city and one of the most…

  • The Cave of the Coffins facade, Bet She'arim National Park, Israel.

    Beit She’arim National Park

    North Coast

    Nestled between Mt Carmel and Lower Galilee, spellbinding Beit She’arim is pitted with ancient catacombs, many of which you can enter. In the 2nd century…

  • Ruins of ancient buildings in the Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park.

    Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park

    Israel

    Covering 5 sq km of the Judean Hills, Beit Guvrin-Maresha’s rocky valleys and low hills are home to mountain gazelles, hyenas and songbirds – but most…

  • A sea cave at Rosh Hanikra, Israel.

    Rosh HaNikra Grottoes

    North Coast

    Bone-white limestone cliffs seem to burst from the deep blue sea at this geological beauty spot straddling the Israel–Lebanon border. A cable car descends…

  • The Zavitan hexagonal pillars pool in Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve.

    Yehudiya Nature Reserve

    Golan Heights

    Both casual strollers and experienced hikers – especially those who aren’t averse to getting wet – will find plenty to engage and challenge them in…

  • Waterfall in Banias Nature Reserve

    Banias Nature Reserve

    Golan Heights

    The gushing springs, waterfalls and lushly shaded streams of Banias Nature Reserve form one of the most beautiful – and popular – nature spots in the…

  • Mahane Yehuda Market

    Jerusalem

    All of Jerusalem meets in Mahane Yehuda, from first-time visitors to residents filling their trolleys with fruit and veg. Market tables are laden with…

  • Exterior of the Yasser Arafat Museum in Ramallah.

    Yasser Arafat Museum

    Ramallah

    Next to the ornate tomb of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is a new museum that bears his name. Divided into two parts, the first half traces…

  • Ruins of the Nimrod Fortress, a medieval fortress situated in the northern Golan Heights, Israel.

    Nimrod Fortress

    Golan Heights

    Built by Muslims in the 13th century to protect the road from Tyre to Damascus, Nimrod Fortress rises fairy-tale-like on a long, narrow ridge (altitude…

  • The Hecht Museum, located on the grounds of the University of Haifa.

    Hecht Museum

    Haifa

    This university campus museum showcases engrossing archaeological finds such as well-restored mosaics and troves of ancient coins, but the pièce de…

  • Tourists visit the site of excavations in the Western Wall tunnels, on October 22, 2009 in Jerusalem?s old city, during a tour organized by the Israeli Government Press Office to deny claims that the Israeli Antiquity Authority is conducting excavations underneath the al-Aqsa mosque compound. AFP PHOTO/ MENAHEM KAHANA        (Photo credit should read MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images)

    Western Wall Tunnels

    Jerusalem

    Guided tours of the Western Wall tunnels offer an entirely different perspective on Herod's epic construction: visitors are led along a 488m passage…

  • Tel Aviv Museum of Art in Israel

    Tel Aviv Museum of Art

    Tel Aviv

    The modern ‘envelope’ building by American architect Preston Scott Cohen is one of many reasons to visit this impressive gallery located on the eastern…

  • TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - May 6 2016: Lake, bench, girls with dog, and relax in Yarkon Park; Shutterstock ID 698891233; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Keith; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Tel Aviv Online Update

    Park HaYarkon

    Tel Aviv

    Park HaYarkon is Tel Aviv's answer to Central Park. Joggers, cyclists, skaters, footballers and frisbee-throwers should head for this 3.5-sq-km stretch of…

  • International centre Mary of Nazareth located in the old city in Nazareth, Israel.

    Centre International Marie de Nazareth

    Nazareth

    Almost across the street from the Basilica of the Annunciation, this stunning complex is run by Chemin Neuf, a Roman Catholic community based in France,…

  • Rose garden and palms, Park Ramat Hanadiv, Israel.

    Ramat HaNadiv Gardens

    North Coast

    Walking trails weave among palm groves, rose beds and succulents at these expansive botanic gardens, 4km southwest of central Zichron Ya’akov. The gardens…

  • Tishbi Winery

    North Coast

    Gastronomes won’t want to miss swirling a wine glass or three at this atmospheric vineyard, 4km south of central Zichron Ya’akov. Tishbi was established…

  • Ancient Bathhouse

    Nazareth

    When Elias Shama and his Belgian-born wife Martina set about renovating their shop in 1993, they uncovered a network of 2000-year-old clay pipes almost…

  • Golan Archaeological Museum

    Golan Heights

    A real gem of a museum. Highlights include extraordinary basalt lintels and Aramaic inscriptions from 32 Byzantine-era Golan synagogues; coins minted…

  • Israel, Jerusalem, Old Town, The Tower of David also known as the Jerusalem Citadel

    Tower of David

    Jerusalem

    First things first: despite being referred to as the 'Tower of David', the citadel dominating views as you enter Jaffa Gate started life as a palace of…

  • Visit to Megiddo National Park, Israel; Shutterstock ID 567815371; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Keith; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Israel Update 2017

    Megiddo National Park

    North Coast

    St John predicted the last great battle on earth would take place at this sun-scorched hill, better known as Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). Aside from…

  • HAIFA, ISRAEL - JULY 17, 2008:  View on Stella Maris church of Carmelite monastery interior with dome painted by icons on July 17, 2008 in Haifa..; Shutterstock ID 741333706

    Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery

    Haifa

    The Carmelite Order was established in the late 12th century when Crusader-era pilgrims, inspired by the prophet Elijah, opted for a hermitic life on the…

  • HAIFA, ISRAEL - DECEMBER 4,2013: INS Mivtach, retired ship on permanent display at Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum at the bottom of Mount Carmel.; Shutterstock ID 612169475

    Clandestine Immigration & Naval Museum

    Haifa

    Using a series of powerful video testimonials, this fascinating museum showcases the Zionist Movement’s determined efforts to infiltrate Jewish refugees…

  • Tel Aviv, Israel - April 5, 2016: Visitors on The Flea Market, Shuk Hapishpeshim in old district Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israel.

    Jaffa Flea Market

    Tel Aviv

    In recent years, lots of energy has gone into giving Jaffa's Old City a tourism-triggered makeover, and the results are undeniably attractive. However,…

  • Rettungsschwimmer Station im Sonnenlicht, Gordon Beach, Tel Aviv, Israel, Naher Osten Rights-Managed Image - Lizenzpflichtiges Bildmaterial - (c) by LOOK-foto - JEGLICHE VERWENDUNG nur gegen HONORAR und BELEG - Werbliche Nutzung nur nach schriftlicher Freigabe - Es gelten die AGB von LOOK-foto - Tel. +49(0)89.544 233-0, Fax -22, info@look-foto.de, LOOK GmbH, Muellerstr. 42, 80469 Muenchen - www.look-foto.de

    Gordon Beach

    Tel Aviv

    South from Hilton Beach, this is Tel Aviv's main beach. Well equipped with sunloungers, ice-cream shops, an outdoor gym and beach restaurants, it's…

  • Museum on the Seam

    East Jerusalem

    Located on the 'seam' (border) between East and West Jerusalem, this gallery presents rotating contemporary art exhibitions, often exploring themes of…

  • Freedom Theatre

    West Bank

    Set in Jenin's refugee camp, the Freedom Theatre has persevered in the face of unimaginable odds, including the assassination of its founder, Juliano Mar…

  • Design Museum Holon

    Israel

    Ron Arad's elongated and extremely elegant swirl of red concrete and steel is one of Greater Tel Aviv's most striking examples of contemporary…

  • Carmel Market

    Tel Aviv

    Nestled between the tranquil streets of the Yemenite Quarter and the creative corridor of Nahalat Binyamin St, Tel Aviv's busiest street market is, in…

  • Herzliya Beach

    Israel

    The long stretch of white sandy beaches from the marina to the Apollonia National Park is the main pull for people coming to Herzliya. Thanks to its sheer…