The Holy Land, a land of three religions, each piece of which is imbued with history, is all Israel. The place where Jesus Christ was born, lived and was crucified, where the apostles preached, the biblical land is revered by hundreds of Christian pilgrims. The place where many Islamic places of worship are located, where the Prophet Muhammad spent some time before ascending to Allah, is also revered by Muslims. Finally, in the capital of Israel, Jerusalem, is the main shrine of the Jews - the Wailing Wall - all that remains of the Temple of King Herod.
Israel tolerates people of different religions, pilgrims, believers who have come to worship their holy and memorable places. Some tourists are not seized by religious trepidation, but simply want to see the sights of Israel, what they heard about as a child. And the country does not reject such travelers, revealing its treasures to them.
Some people choose Israel for their recovery. Dead Sea resorts offer healing mud and salt treatments.
Adherents of beach recreation and diving also come here. Israel is washed by the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Hotel complexes have been built on their shores, receiving thousands of guests every year.
What does Israel offer to tourists? What are its most interesting sights?
Top sights of Israel
1. Underwater observatory in Eilat
Underwater observatory in Eilat
In the vicinity of Eilat, there is a unique observatory that allows you to observe the underwater world while staying indoors. For this, two glass underwater halls are equipped here, from where you can see a coral reef, poetically named - "Japanese Gardens".
2. Timna National Park
Timna National Park
People come here to see the original natural formations - pillars of red sandstone, which, as a result of the impact of water and wind, have acquired an unusual shape. Many local rocks have their own names. So, the most famous are "Solomon's Pillars" and "Mushroom".
3. Amusement Park "King City"
Amusement Park "King City"
On the embankment of the city of Eilat there is a huge entertainment complex "City of Kings". Locals call it Israel's Disneyland. Here you can visit the "Biblical Cave", see the "King Solomon's Waterfall", take part in the "Adventure Cave" attraction.
4. Dead Sea
The Dead Sea
South of Jerusalem is the lowest point not only of Israel, but of the whole world - the salty Dead Sea. It lies on the border between Israel and Jordan. Its healing waters and mud are used in the treatment of many diseases. Therefore, sanatoriums, spa hotels and hospitals rise on the shores of the Dead Sea, receiving thousands of guests every year.
5. Ruins of Qumran
Ruins of Qumran
The historical reserve, where the artifact was found that shook the whole world - the ancient Dead Sea scrolls, created more than 2 thousand years ago. Until the middle of the 20th century, only the Bedouins knew about Qumran, an abandoned oasis on the shores of the Dead Sea. Scrolls with ancient religious texts were kept in a cave. The ruins of the tower, mikvah, and auxiliary rooms remained from Qumran.
6. Fortress Masada
Fortress Masada
The fortress, built during the reign of King Herod, today is one of the most popular attractions in Israel. She is on a high rock. A winding Serpentine trail with an observation deck leads to the top. You can also take the cable car. Masada is on the UNESCO list of protected sites.
7. The old city of Akko
Old city of Akko
The resplendent main city of the Crusaders, the former Acre, was founded about 4,000 years ago. Everything that a tourist can see now in the Old City of Akko was built during the rule of the Ottomans, that is, three to four centuries ago. This is a fortress built on the foundations of a Crusader fort, oriental bazaars, a mosque, etc. The fortress has a descent into the underground, where knightly halls from the time of the Crusaders are offered for inspection.
8. White City in Tel Aviv
White City in Tel Aviv
The original name "White City" was given to the central districts of Tel Aviv, built up with practical and functional buildings in the Bauhaus style. These houses are characterized by flat roofs, a cubic shape softened by smoothed corners, an abundance of balconies and facades painted white. There are about 4 thousand such buildings in Tel Aviv.
9. Avdat
Avdat
Merchants traveling along the famous Incense Route and carrying spices to the Mediterranean countries had to stop along the way to rest. One of these stations of the Incense Route was the city of Avdat, which was owned by the Nabateans. He was left in 630. Archaeologists are working here now. The excavation site can be seen during the guided tour.
10. Tel Beer Sheva Hill
Tel Beer Sheva Hill
In the village of Tel Sheva, where sedentary Bedouins live, travelers come for the sake of the archaeological zone, turned into an open-air museum. A village from biblical times was found on the Tel Beer Sheva hill in the 70s of the XX century. The local system of underground water reservoirs is especially surprising.
11. Temple of Bab in Haifa
Baba Temple in Haifa
The temple-tomb of the founder of the Baha'i religion Baba, who in the world was an ordinary merchant Seyid Ali-Muhammad Shirassi, is located on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The temple is beautifully illuminated in the evening. It is surrounded by concentric gardens, terraced down the hillside.
12. Caves of Nahal Mearot
Nahal Mearot caves
Nahal Mearot is a natural and archaeological park on Mount Carmel, on the territory of which there are many interesting caves. They are known for the fact that the sites of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens were found here. Archaeologists have discovered objects of ancient life and human bones, whose age is 90 thousand years.
13. Old City of Jerusalem
Jerusalem old city
The old city of the capital of Israel is a part of Jerusalem, bounded by the fortress walls, erected in 1538. At the moment, the Old City consists of four historical quarters: Muslim; Christian; Jewish; Armenian. Among the shrines of the Old City are the Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Way of the Cross of Jesus Christ - Via Dolorosa, etc.
14. Mount of Olives
Mount of Olives
The second name of this mountain is Olive. It is located east of the Old City of Jerusalem. On one of its three peaks there is an Orthodox church and an observation deck, from where you can see the whole of Jerusalem. Below is the Jewish cemetery with graves from the times of the First Temple.
15. Rosh Anikra grottoes
Rosh Anikra grottoes
You can take beautiful photos or videos at the Rosh-Anikla rock, famous for its picturesque grottoes. The rock is located a few kilometers from Nahariya, on the border between two countries - Israel and Lebanon. You can go down to the grottoes by cable car.
16. Necropolis of Beit Shearim
Necropolis of Beit She'arim
On the territory of the Beit Shearim National Park, located on the outskirts of the city of Kiryat Tivon, there is a huge necropolis, founded in a cave. It was used for burials in the 1st-2nd centuries AD. NS. residents of the city of Beit Shearim. This settlement was abandoned in the middle of the 4th century.
17. Lake Tiberias
Tiberias lake
This lake is also called the Sea of Galilee, Lake Genesaret and Lake Kinneret. It is Israel's largest freshwater body of water. The lake is famous for the fact that Jesus Christ and the future apostles Peter and Andrew lived on its banks. One of the oldest Jewish cities, Tiberias, is located on Lake Tiberias.
18. Montfort Castle
Montfort Castle
The name of the castle, translated from French, means "Strong Mountain". This fortress was part of the defensive structures built by the Crusaders in the XII century. Subsequently, the castle belonged to the Teutonic knights, who expanded it significantly. In 1271, the castle was occupied by the Mamelukes, who destroyed it. Since then, it has not been restored. You can enter the castle grounds free of charge.
19. Elevator Village
Elevator Village
Lifta is an abandoned Arab village whose residents fled their homes in the middle of the 20th century due to the war between the Israelis and the Arabs. It is located a few kilometers from Jerusalem. Recently, they wanted to build a luxury hotel in its place, but, at the request of the public, they kept it as a museum. Now tourists are brought here.
20. The village of Ein-Kerem
The village of Ein Kerem
Saint John the Baptist was born in the village of Ein Kerem, which is now part of Jerusalem. Several monasteries and temples are concentrated here on a relatively small territory. Near the Gornensky nunnery there is a stone on which John the Baptist first spoke to the people with a sermon.
21. Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem
Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem
No descriptions will help to present one of the most important shrines of Christianity - the temple built over the cave, where, according to legend, Jesus Christ was born. You must come here to see it with your own eyes.
22. House-pagoda in Tel Aviv
House-pagoda in Tel Aviv
The tiered villa, now owned by a wealthy Swiss man, was built in 1925 in an eclectic style. Its upper part is reminiscent of a pagoda with its curved design. The first elevator in Tel Aviv was installed in this mansion.
23. Haifa Zoo
Zoo in Haifa
The zoo, located on Mount Carmel, was founded in 1949 as a mini-farm where goats, rabbits and cows were kept. Since then, the number of animals in the zoo has increased significantly. At first, only schoolchildren from a neighboring school were brought here, now there is no end to visitors who want to take photos of lemurs, leopards or white Bengal tigers.
24. Mount Sodom
Mount sodom
According to legends, this mountain is located on the site of the ancient city of Sodom, destroyed for the sins of its inhabitants. On the way to the top of the mountain, you can see a bizarre formation of crystalline salt, which is called "Lot's Wife". Mount Sodom is also famous for its caves.
