Israel Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Jerusalem's Old City
Jerusalem's Old City is entered through the impressively fortified Jaffa Gate. David's Tower (History of Jerusalem Museum; www.towerofdavid.org.il), on the right, is a must. Its brilliant displays vividly tell the history of the city. The rooftop gives a glorious vista towards Temple Mount. Explore the distinct bustling market streets, shopping lanes and quiet back alleys of the four very different Old City Quarters - Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian.

Dome of the Rock
The intricately beautiful Dome of the Rock stands high on Temple Mount (Har HaBayit in Hebrew, Haram esh-Sharif in Arabic) in Jerusalem and is spiritually significant for both Jews and Muslims.

Mea She'arim
Jerusalem's Mea She'arim district is home to Israel's largest community of strictly observant Orthodox Jews who keep all their East European dress and traditions alive. Go there for a stroll and it'll feel like you're in pre-war Europe.

Western Wall Plaza
Encounter Jewish faith and resilience in the immense, animated Western Wall Plaza (www.thekotel.org), below Temple Mount. Go on a Western Wall tunnel tour, which takes you to portions of the wall now buried deep beneath the city.

Jerusalem Archaeological Park
The newly reconstructed Hulda Steps, once the main entrance to the Temple, are in the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (www.archpark.org.il), a few paces from Western Wall Plaza. Its Davidson Center includes a virtual reconstruction of a visit to the Temple 2,000 years ago.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Experience Christianity at its most profound, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of the Crucifixion. A complex of different shrines, it is the heart of the Christian Quarter.

Yad Vashem
Six million Jewish people were murdered in the Holocaust. Pay tribute to them with a visit to Yad Vashem (www.yadvashem.org), Israel's official memorial. The extensive site contains many separate sights and museums - all are deeply moving.

Israel Museum
The Israel Museum (www.imj.org.il), the country's principal collection of its archaeology and ancient art, houses some of the world's most impressive archaeological discoveries. These include the Dead Sea Scrolls, at the Shrine of the Book.

Museum of the Jewish Diaspora
Music, textiles, reconstructions and film footage at the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora (www.bh.org.il) convey the cultural diversity of the Jewish people during the 2,000 years of worldwide diaspora.

Caesarea
Have fun while learning about Israel's kaleidoscope of history at the fascinating seafront ruins of Caesarea (www.caesarea.org.il), once a great Roman city, with later Byzantine and Crusader sections. Wander marked paths or visit the Caesarea Experience multimedia presentation.

Masada (Mezada)
There are breathtaking views of the Dead Sea, the Negev Desert and the mountains of Moab from the ruins of the Palace of King Herod high on the ridge of Masada (Mezada), where Jews fighting Romans made their last stand.

Top Things to Do

Dead Sea mud therapy
The mud at Dead Sea spa resorts is renowned for its health-giving properties. Go there to slather yourself in it. It's impossible to sink in this ‘sea', which is in fact an inland lake with intensely salty, mineral-rich water, lying at the lowest point on earth.

Markets
Fling yourself into Tel Aviv's fascinating Shuk HaCarmel, or Carmel Market, brimming with spices, fresh produce, cut flowers and trinkets galore. In Jerusalem, haggle for anything from bargain souvenirs to real gold jewelry at open-fronted Arab stores along the Street of the Chain, the main market street in the Old City. Side turnings lead into even more exotic market streets.

Desert tour
A trip into the Negev desert is a must-do. There are tours by jeep, on foot or on horseback from the desert town of Mitzpe Ramon and from the Red Sea resort of Eilat.

Coral reefs
The waters off Eilat are rich in coral and perfect for some underwater sightseeing. Scuba or snorkel on underwater trails, take a submarine tour, or just marvel at the scene through the windows of the Eilat's amazing Underwater Observatory.

Orchestral shows
Go to a performance by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, or the New Israel Opera, or one of several other great orchestras in Tel Aviv which draw audiences from all over the world.

Via Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's Old City traces the traditional path Jesus walked from judgment to crucifixion. The nine 'stations' along the route lead to five more in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Kibbutzim
These intriguing quasi-socialist communities can be found all over Israel. Many have good facilities for tourists so you can become acquainted with kibbutz life by staying in one.

National parks and reserves
Israel has over 50 national parks and nature reserves, such as Hurshat Tal, Gamla Reserve and Ahziv National Park (www.parks.org.il). As well as a wealth of flora and fauna, many are home to historic sites.

Beaches
There are plenty of sandy, well-equipped beach resorts where you can sail, surf, swim or waterski or just sunbathe either at Eilat on the Red Sea, along the Mediterranean or even in Tel Aviv minutes from the city center.

Hezekiah's Tunnel
The spooky Hezekiah's Tunnel (www.cityofdavid.org), a 500m (1,649ft) underground passage, looks like the perfect set for an Indiana Jones film. The tunnel serves to bring spring water to the Pool of Siloam, mentioned in the Bible as the place where Jesus healed a blind man. You'll need shorts, sandals and a strong flashlight.