Fodor's Essential Israel
Whether you want to visit Jerusalem's Old City, float in the Dead Sea, or party in Tel...
Within its small perimeter Israel packs in abundant riches, from cherished religious sites and well-preserved archaeological treasures to spectacular natural wonders. Holy land to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, this is where biblical place-names like Jerusalem and the Galilee come vibrantly alive. Here, too, you can party by the Mediterranean in Tel Aviv, float in the super-salty Dead Sea, and explore cool mountain waterfalls or sweeping desert landscapes. Whether you’re in a shrine or on a hiking trail, Israel is a place to renew the spirit.
Fodor's Essential Israel
Whether you want to visit Jerusalem's Old City, float in the Dead Sea, or party in Tel...
Top Destinations
Top Destinations
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city suspended between heaven and earth, East and West, past and present—parallel universes of flowing caftans and trendy coffee...
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, Israel's ever-growing metropolis, would be unrecognizable to its founders, a small group of Jewish immigrant families in what was...
Haifa and the Northern Coast
Stretched taut on a narrow coastal strip between Tel Aviv and the Lebanese border, this gorgeous region has a rare blend of Mediterranean beaches...
Lower Galilee
The Lower Galilee is a history-soaked region where scores of events in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament took place. Blessed with forested...
Eilat and the Negev
With its stark mountains, dramatic wadis, archaeological treasures, colorful Bedouin encampments, and the spectacular Ramon Crater, the Negev...
Upper Galilee and the Golan
Israel's Little Tuscany" has long been a nickname for the Upper Galilee. The green countryside, the growing numbers of both large-scale and...
Around Jerusalem and the Dead Sea
The Judean Hills that encircle Jerusalem, together with the wilderness that slopes precipitously eastward to the Dead Sea, host an astonishing...
Eilat
A legend says that after the Creation, the angels painted the earth and when they got tired, they spilled their paints: the blue became the...
Haifa
Spilling down from the pine-covered heights of Mount Carmel to Haifa Bay, Haifa is a city with a vertiginous setting that has led to comparisons...
Tiberias
As the only city on the Sea of Galilee, Tiberias, with a population of 40,000, has become the region's hub. The city spreads up a steep hillside...
Nazareth
The Nazareth where Jesus grew up was an insignificant village in a hollow in the Galilean hills, but today's city of 65,000 pulses with energy...
Tzfat
This magical town on a hill attracts artists searching for inspiration, travelers charmed by its cobblestone alleys, and religious people in...
Bethlehem
Even from a distance, it's easy to identify the minarets and steeples that symbolically vie for control of the skyline of Bethlehem, home to...
Beersheva
Although Beersheva has often been overlooked by visitors, in recent years Israel’s fourth-largest city (population 200,000) has managed to raise...
Akko
The Old City of Akko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an enchanting mix of mosques, markets, and vaulted Crusader ruins (many of them underground...
Netanya
The lively resort city of Netanya (literally, "gift of God") has a pretty seaside promenade along the cliffs, endless sandy beaches, a pleasant...
Mitzpe Ramon and Makhtesh Ramon
Israel's most spectacular natural sight, and one of the largest craters in the world, the Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater) in the heart of the...
Rosh Pina
The restored village of Rosh Pina is a gift-shop-and-gallery-browser's delight, and the dilapidated wooden doors and stonework of some still...
Kiryat Shmona
The major urban center in the Upper Hula Valley, Kiryat Shmona is known for the scenic cable car up Manara Cliff and as a practical base for...
Zichron Ya'akov
Zichron Ya'akov, the country’s first moshava, or cooperative farming community, was founded in 1882 with the help of Baron Edmond de Rothschild...
Nahariya
This seaside recreation spot, Israel’s northernmost coastal town, was built along the banks of a river lined with eucalyptus trees. (The town...
Caesarea
The Phoenicians discovered it, and the Romans fell in love with it: Caesarea is most famous for its intriguing Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader...
Ein Avdat National Park
Ein Avdat (Avdat Spring) lies at the foot of the narrow canyon dividing the plateau between the ancient Nabatean city of Avdat and Kibbutz Sde...
Ein Hod
A charming village nestled in ancient olive groves on the western slope of Mount Carmel, Ein Hod is home to some 500 residents, most of them...
Beit Shemesh
The modern town of Beit Shemesh, Hebrew for "House of the Sun," takes its name from an ancient city now entombed by the tell on a rise on Route...
Jericho
The sleepy oasis of Jericho—full of date palms, orange groves, banana plantations, bougainvillea bushes, and papaya trees—is aptly called Ariha...
Ein Bokek
The sudden and startling sight, in this bare landscape, of gleaming, ultramodern hotels surrounded by waving palm trees signals your arrival...
Latrun
Latrun is the ridge that projects into and dominates the western side of the Ayalon Valley. A natural passage between the coastal plain and...
Mount Gilboa
Visit Mount Gilboa in February or March, and find yourself surrounded by people enraptured with the delicate purple iris native to these slopes...
Majdal Shams
Majdal Shams may not look like much, but the Druze town is a hub for skiers in the winter and berry pickers in the fall. It's also a year-round...
Kursi National Park
Kursi, where Jesus healed two men possessed by demons (Matthew 8:28–32), is today a park incorporating the ruins of a Byzantine monastery. The...
Arad
Breathe deeply: Arad sits 2,000 feet above sea level and is famous for its dry, pollution-free air and mild climate, ideal for asthma sufferers...
Mount Meron
For many centuries, Mount Meron has drawn thousands upon thousands of Orthodox Jews to pay homage to the great rabbis of the Roman era who are...
Katzrin
Katzrin, founded in 1977 near the site of a 3rd-century town of the same name, has a suburban feel, despite its strategic location. The water...
Qumran National Park
If you’re interested in archaeology, Qumran definitely should be on your itinerary. This is where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed...
Mount Tabor
Now covered with pine trees, Mount Tabor has a serene look that belies its strategic and historical importance. Here you find the Church of...
Abu Gosh
The Arab village of Abu Gosh is said to be the biblical site of Kiryat Yearim, where the Ark of the Covenant rested for 20 years, out of the...
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
After miles of burned brown and beige desert rock, the green lushness of the Ein Gedi oasis leaps out in vivid and unexpected contrast. This...
Nahsholim-Dor
The beautiful beach at Dor is fit for a king—not surprising since it has a royal history. Founded 3,500 years ago, biblical Dor was once the...
Ella Valley
The Ella Valley is one of those delightful places—not uncommon in Israel—where you can relate the scenery to a specific biblical text and confirm...
Daliyat el Carmel and Isfiya
Daliyat el Carmel (Vine of the Carmel) is Israel's largest Druze village, and its weekend market, oil press, and hilweh (house of worship...
Beit She'an
At the intersection of the Jordan and Jezreel Valleys, the modern town of Beit She'an has little to offer visitors, but the past beckons at...
Gamla Nature Reserve
Aside from the inspiring history of the "Masada of the North," the beauty of Gamla's rugged terrain, softened in spring by greenery and wildflowers...
Amirim
...
Degania, Kinneret, and Yardenit
Degania and Kinneret, two historic kibbutzim founded in the early 20th century, contain museums and historic graveyards worth a visit. Also...
Side Trip to Ashdod
Busy Ashdod is one of Israel's fastest-growing cities as well as its largest port. Perched on the Mediterranean, it processes more than 60%...
Bar'am National Park
In an otherwise deserted spot lie the ruins of Bar'am, one of the best-preserved ancient synagogues anywhere. Like most other synagogues uncovered...
Hula Lake Nature Reserve
These wetlands were drained during the 1950s after a malaria outbreak, which drove away the unique wildlife. In recent years, the lake was reflooded...
Kibbutz Ginosar
Many Israelis know Ginosar, a kibbutz founded in 1937, as the home of the late Yigal Allon (1918–80), commander of the crack Palmach battalions...
Cana
Near the large, modern Arab village of Kfar Kanna is the site of the ancient Jewish village of Cana, mentioned in the New Testament. Here Jesus...
Korazim
Built on a basalt bluff a few miles north of the Sea of Galilee, the town of Korazim has long been renowned for its high-quality wheat. It's...
Mount Hermon
Israel's highest point is not to be missed for the pleasures the mountain provides, including flower-lined hiking trails in the summer and ski...
Hermon Stream (Banias) Nature Reserve
The country’s most impressive waterfall is fed from the spring at the foot of Mount Hermon, which flows powerfully through a canyon before cascading...
Metulla
Israel's northernmost town, Metulla, is so picturesque that it's hard to believe this tranquil spot is just a stone's throw from a contentious...
Timna Park
A lunarlike desert landscape interspersed with amazing geological shapes and ancient archaeological sites, Timna Park is surrounded by beautiful...
Tel Dan Nature Reserve
Full of biblical-era ruins, the nature sanctuary of Tel Dan has three trails running through about 120 protected acres dotted with laurel trees. ...
Capernaum
A must-see destination for many Christian travelers, Capernaum is one of the places most often associated with Jesus. Many of the sites mentioned...
Masada
The isolated flattop rock of Masada commands the surrounding desert, its ancient remains bearing witness to long-ago power and conflict. One...
Beit She'arim
...
Good Samaritan Museum
A popular spot for many tours, this site just east of Jerusalem is steeped in New Testament lore. ...
Hammat Gader
Built around three hot springs, the impressive complex of baths and pools at Hammat Gader attests to its opulence during the time of the Romans...
Tabgha
With a name that’s an Arabic corruption of the Greek Heptaegon (Seven Springs), Tabgha is a cluster of serene holy places associated with...
Merom Golan
Kibbutz Merom Golan was the first settlement built in the Golan after the Six-Day War. Its fields and orchards are typical of local kibbutzim...
Benyamina
Picturesque Benyamina, the youngest settlement in the area, was founded in 1922 and has several wineries. It was named after Baron Edmond de...
Tel Megiddo National Park
This ancient city was built on foundations dating back to the biblical era. Today called Tel Megiddo National Park, it's one of the region's...
Tel Hatzor National Park
On the Via Maris—the major trade route linking Egypt and Mesopotamia—Hatzor is referred to several times in documents from ancient archives...
Arbel National Park and Nature Reserve
Jesus is said to have preached and performed miracles at the foot of Mount Arbel, which is now a popular nature reserve. The reserve has few...
Avdat National Park
The name Avdat is the Hebrew version of Oboda (30 BC–9 BC), a deified Nabatean king who may have been buried here. The prominent local dynasty...
Nimrod's Fortress National Park
Don’t pass up a chance to explore the medieval castle called Nimrod’s Fortress, which sits near Mount Hermon. Set in a strategic spot, it was...
Zippori National Park
Lush beauty and fantastic archaeological finds make this place worth a visit, especially if you have an interest in Roman culture or Talmudic...
Rosh Hanikra
...
Mukhraka
You can't miss Mukhraka, a site on the southeastern peak of Mount Carmel that is marked by a tall white statue of Elijah the Prophet with his...
Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve
In the southern Arava Valley, this nature preserve makes a good day trip from Eilat and can be combined with a visit to the Timna Park. It was...
Belvoir
The Crusaders chose the site for this fortress well: the Hebrew name Kochav Hayarden (the Star of the Jordan) and the Arabic Kaukab el Hauwa...
Mount of Beatitudes
Tradition identifies this tranquil hillside as the site of Jesus's most comprehensive teaching, recorded in the New Testament as the Sermon...
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city suspended between heaven and earth, East and West, past and present—parallel universes of flowing caftans and trendy coffee...
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, Israel's ever-growing metropolis, would be unrecognizable to its founders, a small group of Jewish immigrant families in what was...
Eilat
A legend says that after the Creation, the angels painted the earth and when they got tired, they spilled their paints: the blue became the...
Haifa
Spilling down from the pine-covered heights of Mount Carmel to Haifa Bay, Haifa is a city with a vertiginous setting that has led to comparisons...
Tiberias
As the only city on the Sea of Galilee, Tiberias, with a population of 40,000, has become the region's hub. The city spreads up a steep hillside...
Nazareth
The Nazareth where Jesus grew up was an insignificant village in a hollow in the Galilean hills, but today's city of 65,000 pulses with energy...
Tzfat
This magical town on a hill attracts artists searching for inspiration, travelers charmed by its cobblestone alleys, and religious people in...
Bethlehem
Even from a distance, it's easy to identify the minarets and steeples that symbolically vie for control of the skyline of Bethlehem, home to...
Beersheva
Although Beersheva has often been overlooked by visitors, in recent years Israel’s fourth-largest city (population 200,000) has managed to raise...
Akko
The Old City of Akko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an enchanting mix of mosques, markets, and vaulted Crusader ruins (many of them underground...
Netanya
The lively resort city of Netanya (literally, "gift of God") has a pretty seaside promenade along the cliffs, endless sandy beaches, a pleasant...
Mitzpe Ramon and Makhtesh Ramon
Israel's most spectacular natural sight, and one of the largest craters in the world, the Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater) in the heart of the...
Rosh Pina
The restored village of Rosh Pina is a gift-shop-and-gallery-browser's delight, and the dilapidated wooden doors and stonework of some still...
Kiryat Shmona
The major urban center in the Upper Hula Valley, Kiryat Shmona is known for the scenic cable car up Manara Cliff and as a practical base for...
Nahariya
This seaside recreation spot, Israel’s northernmost coastal town, was built along the banks of a river lined with eucalyptus trees. (The town...
Zichron Ya'akov
Zichron Ya'akov, the country’s first moshava, or cooperative farming community, was founded in 1882 with the help of Baron Edmond de Rothschild...
Caesarea
The Phoenicians discovered it, and the Romans fell in love with it: Caesarea is most famous for its intriguing Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader...
Ein Hod
A charming village nestled in ancient olive groves on the western slope of Mount Carmel, Ein Hod is home to some 500 residents, most of them...
Jericho
The sleepy oasis of Jericho—full of date palms, orange groves, banana plantations, bougainvillea bushes, and papaya trees—is aptly called Ariha...
Ein Bokek
The sudden and startling sight, in this bare landscape, of gleaming, ultramodern hotels surrounded by waving palm trees signals your arrival...
Beit Shemesh
The modern town of Beit Shemesh, Hebrew for "House of the Sun," takes its name from an ancient city now entombed by the tell on a rise on Route...
Mount Gilboa
Visit Mount Gilboa in February or March, and find yourself surrounded by people enraptured with the delicate purple iris native to these slopes...
Latrun
Latrun is the ridge that projects into and dominates the western side of the Ayalon Valley. A natural passage between the coastal plain and...
Arad
Breathe deeply: Arad sits 2,000 feet above sea level and is famous for its dry, pollution-free air and mild climate, ideal for asthma sufferers...
Majdal Shams
Majdal Shams may not look like much, but the Druze town is a hub for skiers in the winter and berry pickers in the fall. It's also a year-round...
Katzrin
Katzrin, founded in 1977 near the site of a 3rd-century town of the same name, has a suburban feel, despite its strategic location. The water...
Mount Meron
For many centuries, Mount Meron has drawn thousands upon thousands of Orthodox Jews to pay homage to the great rabbis of the Roman era who are...
Qumran National Park
If you’re interested in archaeology, Qumran definitely should be on your itinerary. This is where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed...
Nahsholim-Dor
The beautiful beach at Dor is fit for a king—not surprising since it has a royal history. Founded 3,500 years ago, biblical Dor was once the...
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
After miles of burned brown and beige desert rock, the green lushness of the Ein Gedi oasis leaps out in vivid and unexpected contrast. This...
Abu Gosh
The Arab village of Abu Gosh is said to be the biblical site of Kiryat Yearim, where the Ark of the Covenant rested for 20 years, out of the...
Mount Tabor
Now covered with pine trees, Mount Tabor has a serene look that belies its strategic and historical importance. Here you find the Church of...
Ella Valley
The Ella Valley is one of those delightful places—not uncommon in Israel—where you can relate the scenery to a specific biblical text and confirm...
Beit She'an
At the intersection of the Jordan and Jezreel Valleys, the modern town of Beit She'an has little to offer visitors, but the past beckons at...
Daliyat el Carmel and Isfiya
Daliyat el Carmel (Vine of the Carmel) is Israel's largest Druze village, and its weekend market, oil press, and hilweh (house of worship...
Side Trip to Ashdod
Busy Ashdod is one of Israel's fastest-growing cities as well as its largest port. Perched on the Mediterranean, it processes more than 60%...
Amirim
...
Degania, Kinneret, and Yardenit
Degania and Kinneret, two historic kibbutzim founded in the early 20th century, contain museums and historic graveyards worth a visit. Also...
Kibbutz Ginosar
Many Israelis know Ginosar, a kibbutz founded in 1937, as the home of the late Yigal Allon (1918–80), commander of the crack Palmach battalions...
Cana
Near the large, modern Arab village of Kfar Kanna is the site of the ancient Jewish village of Cana, mentioned in the New Testament. Here Jesus...
Korazim
Built on a basalt bluff a few miles north of the Sea of Galilee, the town of Korazim has long been renowned for its high-quality wheat. It's...
Capernaum
A must-see destination for many Christian travelers, Capernaum is one of the places most often associated with Jesus. Many of the sites mentioned...
Metulla
Israel's northernmost town, Metulla, is so picturesque that it's hard to believe this tranquil spot is just a stone's throw from a contentious...
Mount Hermon
Israel's highest point is not to be missed for the pleasures the mountain provides, including flower-lined hiking trails in the summer and ski...
Timna Park
A lunarlike desert landscape interspersed with amazing geological shapes and ancient archaeological sites, Timna Park is surrounded by beautiful...
Tabgha
With a name that’s an Arabic corruption of the Greek Heptaegon (Seven Springs), Tabgha is a cluster of serene holy places associated with...
Benyamina
Picturesque Benyamina, the youngest settlement in the area, was founded in 1922 and has several wineries. It was named after Baron Edmond de...
Beit She'arim
...
Hammat Gader
Built around three hot springs, the impressive complex of baths and pools at Hammat Gader attests to its opulence during the time of the Romans...
Merom Golan
Kibbutz Merom Golan was the first settlement built in the Golan after the Six-Day War. Its fields and orchards are typical of local kibbutzim...
Masada
The isolated flattop rock of Masada commands the surrounding desert, its ancient remains bearing witness to long-ago power and conflict. One...
Mount of Beatitudes
Tradition identifies this tranquil hillside as the site of Jesus's most comprehensive teaching, recorded in the New Testament as the Sermon...
Rosh Hanikra
...
Mukhraka
You can't miss Mukhraka, a site on the southeastern peak of Mount Carmel that is marked by a tall white statue of Elijah the Prophet with his...
Arbel National Park and Nature Reserve
Jesus is said to have preached and performed miracles at the foot of Mount Arbel, which is now a popular nature reserve. The reserve has few...
Belvoir
The Crusaders chose the site for this fortress well: the Hebrew name Kochav Hayarden (the Star of the Jordan) and the Arabic Kaukab el Hauwa...
Haifa and the Northern Coast
Stretched taut on a narrow coastal strip between Tel Aviv and the Lebanese border, this gorgeous region has a rare blend of Mediterranean beaches...
Lower Galilee
The Lower Galilee is a history-soaked region where scores of events in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament took place. Blessed with forested...
Eilat and the Negev
With its stark mountains, dramatic wadis, archaeological treasures, colorful Bedouin encampments, and the spectacular Ramon Crater, the Negev...
Upper Galilee and the Golan
Israel's Little Tuscany" has long been a nickname for the Upper Galilee. The green countryside, the growing numbers of both large-scale and...
Around Jerusalem and the Dead Sea
The Judean Hills that encircle Jerusalem, together with the wilderness that slopes precipitously eastward to the Dead Sea, host an astonishing...
Ein Avdat National Park
Ein Avdat (Avdat Spring) lies at the foot of the narrow canyon dividing the plateau between the ancient Nabatean city of Avdat and Kibbutz Sde...
Kursi National Park
Kursi, where Jesus healed two men possessed by demons (Matthew 8:28–32), is today a park incorporating the ruins of a Byzantine monastery. The...
Gamla Nature Reserve
Aside from the inspiring history of the "Masada of the North," the beauty of Gamla's rugged terrain, softened in spring by greenery and wildflowers...
Hula Lake Nature Reserve
These wetlands were drained during the 1950s after a malaria outbreak, which drove away the unique wildlife. In recent years, the lake was reflooded...
Bar'am National Park
In an otherwise deserted spot lie the ruins of Bar'am, one of the best-preserved ancient synagogues anywhere. Like most other synagogues uncovered...
Tel Dan Nature Reserve
Full of biblical-era ruins, the nature sanctuary of Tel Dan has three trails running through about 120 protected acres dotted with laurel trees. ...
Hermon Stream (Banias) Nature Reserve
The country’s most impressive waterfall is fed from the spring at the foot of Mount Hermon, which flows powerfully through a canyon before cascading...
Tel Megiddo National Park
This ancient city was built on foundations dating back to the biblical era. Today called Tel Megiddo National Park, it's one of the region's...
Tel Hatzor National Park
On the Via Maris—the major trade route linking Egypt and Mesopotamia—Hatzor is referred to several times in documents from ancient archives...
Nimrod's Fortress National Park
Don’t pass up a chance to explore the medieval castle called Nimrod’s Fortress, which sits near Mount Hermon. Set in a strategic spot, it was...
Zippori National Park
Lush beauty and fantastic archaeological finds make this place worth a visit, especially if you have an interest in Roman culture or Talmudic...
Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve
In the southern Arava Valley, this nature preserve makes a good day trip from Eilat and can be combined with a visit to the Timna Park. It was...
Avdat National Park
The name Avdat is the Hebrew version of Oboda (30 BC–9 BC), a deified Nabatean king who may have been buried here. The prominent local dynasty...
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Shop NowFodor's Essential Israel
Whether you want to visit Jerusalem's Old City, float in the Dead Sea, or party in Tel...
Fodor's Essential Israel
Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering trusted advice for all tastes...
