1. Jerusalem

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world, sacred to three of the most important religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Within the walls of the 16th century, built in the Ottoman period.

Of the numerous monuments, the Dome of the Rock, built in the 7th century, stands out, recognized by the three religions as the site of Abraham’s sacrifice. For Muslims, it was also the place where Mohammed arrived on a journey from Mecca accompanied by the archangel Gabriel. The Wailing Wall encloses the four quarters of the old city of Jerusalem, and is the second holiest site for Jews after the Temple Mount.

On the Via Dolorosa, Christians can retrace Jesus’ steps to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. Close to the Jaffa Gate, which marks the entrance to the old city of Jerusalem, be sure to visit the Tower of David, also known as the citadel of Jerusalem, whose archaeological remains testify to more than two thousand years of the city’s history.

2. Masada

Located on a steep plateau south of Jerusalem, Masada is one of four palaces that Herod the Great had built. The last Judean bastion to fall to Rome, the Roman takeover of the fortress ended, according to Roman-Jewish historian Flavius ​​Josephus, with the mass suicide of around 900 assassins.

With a breathtaking view of the Dead Sea, the fortress of Masada is currently one of the most visited sites in Israel, a symbol of ancient Israel, and one of the finest examples of Roman fortresses. Access to the top of the plateau is on foot along a path that winds through the mountain or on a short trip by cable car.

3. Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a saltwater lake, with a salinity ten times that of any other ocean, which makes it impossible for life to exist. It is also the lowest point on the planet, 430 meters below mean sea water level. In the middle of the desert and in clear disappearance, the water and mud of the Dead Sea, rich in minerals, are in great demand. Luxury hotels and resorts located on the shores of this lake are booked several months in advance.

4. Tel Aviv

Many travel publications place the city at the top of places to visit in Israel. Tel Aviv’s beaches on the Mediterranean coast are among the best in the world, and the city is known for its lively nightlife and gay-friendly destination .

In cultural terms, Tel Aviv is home to the national opera, the philharmonic orchestra and several museums, with emphasis on the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, one of the largest museums of contemporary art in the world, and Beit Hatfutsot, the museum that portrays the history of the people Jew for thousands of years.

5. Sea of ​​Galilee

The Sea of ​​Galilee, located in northern Israel, is the largest freshwater lake in the country. Like the Dead Sea, it is fed by the Jordan River. Referenced in several episodes of the New Testament, the place attracts numerous Christian pilgrims. The Sea of ​​Galilee could have been seen from the hill where the Sermon on the Mount took place, and it would have been the scene of miracles such as Jesus walking on the sea.

Some pilgrims travel the 65 km of the Way of Jesus through the most emblematic places of his life. Others are baptized at the junction of the Sea of ​​Galilee and the Jordan River, where Jesus is thought to have been baptized by John the Baptist.

6. Ramon Crater

The Ramon Crater is the largest of the three craters in the middle of the Negev desert, which occupies about 60% of Israeli territory. This geological formation, about 40 km long and over 450 meters deep, forms the Ramon Nature Reserve together with the surrounding area. For those who like camping, there is the possibility of doing so in this region in a camp managed by Bedouins.

7. Eilat

Eilat is the southernmost city in Israel, which has served as a port since the days of King Solomon. Like the adjacent Jordanian city of Aqba, the beaches, coral reef and desert landscapes are the main attractions of this tourist destination. In addition to diving, Eilat is also a birdwatching destination on the route between Europe and Africa. Close to the city, in one of the corners of the Negev desert, is located in the Timna Valley the largest copper mine in the world, which some say is the site of the mythological mines of Solomon.

8. Nazareth

Nazareth is the largest city in the Galilee region, in northern Israel, and the Arab capital of the country, as its population is mostly Muslim. In the New Testament, the city is described as the city where Joseph and Mary would have lived, and where Jesus would have spent his childhood. Nazareth is, therefore, a place of Christian pilgrimage with several sanctuaries. On a visit to this destination, be sure to stroll through the picturesque streets of the old town and the colorful local market.

9. Haifa

While Jerusalem is Israel’s historic city, Tel Aviv the cosmopolitan city, Haifa has the Bahá’í World Centre, a monotheistic religion founded in Persia, with its Shrine of the Báb inscribed on the UNESCO Heritage list and beautiful green terraces along the hill. Located on the Mediterranean, Haifa is Israel’s third largest city and a major port. The beaches, ideal for surfing and sailing, are also attractions in this Israeli city.

10. Jaffa

Jaffa, one of the oldest port cities in Israel, has been part of Tel Aviv since 1950, which is why its official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo. The natural port of Jaffa has been important since the time of Solomon and appears in several biblical episodes, having also been an important center of trade and a strategic point. Currently, Jaffa has lost commercial importance in favor of Haifa, and the town has invested in preserving its port and picturesque alleys, attracting national and international tourists.