Despite its small size, Israel has countless must-see places including historical sites, sacred places, beautiful beaches and national parks. The list could never be exhaustive but we have chosen 10 truly unmissable places that could be right for you.

Here are 10 places to see during a trip to Israel!

JERUSALEM

Jerusalem is one of the most fascinating places in the world, suspended between heaven and earth. The spiritual center of the three great monotheistic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem is a crossroads of faiths and religions. Dotted with synagogues, mosques and churches, the city is visited all year round by pilgrims who, within the ancient walls of the Old City, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, enclose in less than a square kilometer places of great religious significance such as the Wailing Wall, the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount.

BETHLEHEM

Bethlehem is a picturesque hilltop town overlooking the Judean Desert and is considered a holy city by two major religions, Christianity and Judaism. The Christian gospels emphasize that Jesus was born in a cave in Bethlehem, while for the Jews, the city was the place where King David was crowned. Among the most visited areas of the city are the Star Street, a narrow avenue that marks the path taken by the Three Wise Men to worship Jesus, and the Nativity Square, the beating heart of Bethlehem that is located next to the famous Basilica of the Nativity. Bethlehem is located just 10 kilometers from Jerusalem, just under half an hour by car. Don’t miss it!

ACRES

Situated on Haifa Bay, Israel’s only natural Mediterranean harbor, Acre (also known as Akko) bears the marks of the many civilizations that have shaped this land. The walled city was inhabited by the Romans over a thousand years ago and later by the Persians, Arabs, Crusaders, Ottomans and the English. The streets of this UNESCO World Heritage fortress city are lined with colorful markets, Ottoman-era mosques and Turkish baths.

TEL AVIV

Visiting Israel without stopping in Tel Aviv is unthinkable! Located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Tel Aviv is a mix of modernity and tradition. Open and cosmopolitan, the city is known for its nightlife, beaches and numerous Bauhaus buildings, over 4000. These buildings, erected in the first half of the twentieth century, are part of a neighborhood known as the White City of Tel Aviv, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Don’t miss a visit to the Beit Hatfutsot museum, whose multimedia exhibitions illustrate the history of Jewish communities around the world, and the Land of Israel Museum, which is dedicated to archaeology, folklore and regional crafts. Immerse yourself also in the typical neighborhoods of the city such as Neve Tzedek, Rothschild Boulevard and Old Jaffa, the latter known for its famous flea market.

DEAD SEA

The Dead Sea is one of the most popular destinations when traveling to Israel. It gets its name from the fact that it is almost 10 times saltier than the ocean, making it a hostile environment for any living thing. The waters of the Dead Sea are located 400 meters below sea level, the lowest altitude on Earth. These waters provide a magical experience to those who bathe in them thanks to the very high levels of salt that allow you to float on the surface of the water.

MASADA

Perched atop a magnificent rocky plateau in the Judean Desert, Masada is an ancient fortress dating back over 2,000 years, built by King Herod the Great in the late first century B.C. The former fortress is considered one of the world’s best-preserved examples of Roman imperial architecture. Masada is a timeless place, a unique place that you absolutely must visit if you are in Israel. Furthermore, the desert plateau on which Masada sits is beautiful because it offers the best possible view of the Dead Sea.

HAIFA

Haifa is the third largest city in the country and is located on the Mediterranean. Haifa is primarily a port and industrial city, but offers a wide variety of things to do. The city’s most famous tourist attraction is the Baha’i World Center with its Shrine of the Bab and its beautiful gardens. Other places to visit include the MadaTech, the Museum of Science, Technology and Space, the Wadi Nisnas (fresh produce market), and of course its beaches, which are great for surfing and sailing.

NAZARETH

Nazareth is the largest city in Galilee and is known as the Arab capital of the country because its inhabitants are predominantly Arab citizens of Israel. Known as the land of Christ’s childhood, but also the land of the Annunciation of Mary, Nazareth is full of historical and religious sites such as the Church of the Annunciation, the largest Catholic church in the Middle East. Charming and picturesque, this Middle Eastern city attracts visitors for its cultural richness but also for its modernity and delicious gastronomy.

EILAT

A key location in the capture of Sinai by the Israeli army in 1956, Eilat is Israel’s southernmost city and a major resort town. Situated on the shores of the Red Sea, Eilat is the perfect destination for a relaxing holiday. Eilat is home to one of the most beautiful and colorful coral reefs in the world and is the perfect place for snorkeling. The city is also home to many tourist attractions, hotels, bars and restaurants.

NEGEV DESERT

In the heart of the Israeli territory lies the Negev desert which, in addition to leaving you breathless for its lunar landscapes made of rugged and sharp dunes that tower towards the sky, also hides vineyards, mountains with various trekking routes, caves and even craters. The most famous is the Makhtesh Ramon, the largest erosive crater in the world. This crater is nothing more than a large chasm in the shape of an elongated heart, 500 meters deep and 40 kilometers long, with a width varying between two and ten kilometers.

Rich in diverse and varied landscapes, Israel is an incredible, almost magical country!
Between history and ancient art in Israel we will see things that we have been hearing about since we were born, but this trip also requires great awareness of the political and historical situation that concerns this country.