Israel is, for us, one of the most fascinating countries we’ve ever visited. During our tour through Israel, we explored many highlights. The country is diverse, adventurous, and incredibly beautiful. You should definitely take a detour to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, swim in the Dead Sea, explore the vast Negev Desert, and explore the Red Sea around Eilat. Are you currently planning your trip to Israel? Then our top Israel sights will surely come in handy. Have fun browsing!

What you should also know:

• Best time to travel to Israel
• Currency & Money Israel
• Driving in Israel
• Drone flying & Laws
• Entry & Israel Visa

• Safety in the country
• Costs of a trip to Israel
• Round trip through Israel
• Reasons for a trip to Israel
• Our Israel country page

• What else you should know:
• Sights in Israel
• 1. Highlights in Tel Aviv
• 2. Fascinating Jerusalem
• 3. The Dead Sea in Israel
• 4. The beautiful Red Canyon
• 5. The vast Negev Desert
• 6. The Sea of Galilee
• 7. Masada Archaeological Site
• 8. En Gedi National Park
• 9. The Bahia Gardens in Haifa
• 10. Timna Park
• 11. Israel National Trail
• 12. Staying in a Kibbutz
• 13. Nazareth & Bethlehem
• 14. A Side Trip to Jordan

Israel Sights

In the map below, we have linked the top Israel sights for you. If you are only traveling to this country for 7 to 10 days, you should focus on a few sights and not try to see all of these highlights in one trip. We definitely want to travel to Israel again soon to explore other areas. Let’s see when traveling to Israel will be possible again without any problems.

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1. Highlights in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv! What a city! No other city in Israel is as colorful, young, and bold. We felt at home from the very beginning. For us, Tel Aviv was a kind of “Santa Barbara” of the Middle East. We especially enjoyed the beaches, the crystal-clear sea, the promenade, the food, and the cool shops and markets. Tel Aviv is a must-see.

You shouldn’t miss the flea market in Old Jaffa. Ride your bike through Hayarkon Park, chill by the harbor, and order something to eat. Visit the young neighborhoods of Neve Zedek and Florentin, stroll through the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and enjoy the sunset on the beach.

2. Fascinating Jerusalem

Shalom Jerusalem! We’ve never been as fascinated by a city as we were by Jerusalem. It’s a stark contrast to Tel Aviv. Jerusalem is very conservative and “well-behaved.” But the city has an incredible amount to offer. Since several religions are at home here, there are correspondingly many great sights. Starting with the fascinating Old City, where you can marvel at the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the colorful souks, churches, bazaars, and much more.

Outside the Old City is the Temple Mount with its mosque and Dome of the Rock. The Mount of Olives is also worth a visit. Numerous museums and galleries await you, such as the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. Jerusalem is full of contrasts and adventures – a dream come true for us here. You can read more about it in our Jerusalem Guide.

3. The Dead Sea in Israel

If you’re traveling through Israel, a detour to the Dead Sea is a must. It’s only about two hours by car from Jerusalem. The country is generally very small, so you can do a truly varied tour in a week. Even the journey there is a true feast for the eyes. Before you reach Ein Bokek and Ein Gedi, you’ll reach beautiful viewpoints with views over the Dead Sea and further into Jordan.

In the seaside resort of Ein Bokek, you can jump into the very salty water. Conveniently, there are also showers and restaurants there. The Dead Sea is one of the lowest freely accessible places in the world, at -400 meters below zero. Its salinity is 33%. For comparison: The Mediterranean Sea has a salinity of 3.8%. So you can imagine how salty the Dead Sea is. In the water itself, you feel like a buoy that simply can’t sink. Try it yourself and be surprised.

4. The beautiful Red Canyon

Just 25 minutes from Eilat is the small Red Canyon. Even the journey there is scenically beautiful. It is barren, dry, and in many places resembles a lunar landscape. We love the desert, whether sandy or rocky. The Red Canyon is a nearly 200-meter-long gorge in Wadi Sani, which can be explored on foot and free of charge. It’s especially beautiful early in the morning or at sunset, when the rocks and stones take on stunning red and orange hues.

5. The Vast Negev Desert

After the Red Canyon, the journey continues north. You’ll drive through the breathtaking and expansive Negev Desert. You’ll drive through a barren, stone desert with fertile oases and ancient sites. The Mitzpe Ramon Crater, the largest erosion crater in the world, is also located here. It is up to 400 meters deep, 40 km long, and in some places 2 to 10 km wide. This crater was formed around 220 million years ago. Mitzpe Ramon is a small town located on the crater’s rim. From there, the views are truly fascinating.

6. The Sea of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee is located in the north of the country. It lies 212 meters below sea level, making it the lowest freshwater lake on Earth. After the Dead Sea, the lake is actually the second-lowest body of standing water. To the north of the lake, you’ll find many sites where Jesus ministered: Bethsaida, Capernaum, Tabgha, and the Mount of Beatitudes.

7. Masada Archaeological Site

One of the top attractions in Israel is definitely the archaeological site called “Masada”, which sits atop a plateau in the Judean Desert. High above the Dead Sea, you have a fantastic view from the former palace fortress of King Herod. Guided Masada tours at sunrise are very popular. The historic site itself awaits you with remains of the palace walls, the Roman baths, mosaic floors, water cisterns, and the remains of a synagogue. You can hike to the top or take the cable car. Entrance without the cable car currently costs around €8. You can find more information here: Masada Israel.

Popular tours to Masada:

• From Jerusalem: Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea guided tour*
• From Tel Aviv: Masada, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea hike*
• Masada at sunrise, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea from Jerusalem*
• Various tours with Abraham Tours*

8. The Ein Gedi National Park

The Dead Sea is home not only to the bathing resort of Ein Bokek and the Masada Fortress, but also to the Ein Gedi National Park. This reserve resembles a green oasis in the desert. You’ll find several waterfalls, natural pools, and a variety of plant species. Various trails lead through the area. We hiked to the top and had a fantastic view of the Dead Sea and the surrounding area.

9. The Bahia Gardens in Haifa

North of Tel Aviv lies the port city of Haifa with the so-called “Hanging Gardens,” which are considered a symbol of peace and a place of tranquility. The beautiful terraces span a height difference of 250 meters, are more than a kilometer long, and 400 meters wide. You can visit these gardens and take a stroll through the complex. A free panoramic tour takes place several times a day and lasts approximately 50 minutes.

10. Timna Park

Timna Park is located about 25 kilometers north of Eilat. It was created in prehistoric times and covers an area of approximately 60 square kilometers. Here you will find desert-typical vegetation, rugged cliffs, and extraordinary rock formations. In summer, temperatures here reach over 45 degrees Celsius. At the entrance, you will receive detailed information about the route through the park. You should plan at least 4 hours.

11. Israel National Trail

TheIsrael Trail is a long-distance hiking trail over 1,000 kilometers long, comparable to the Way of St. James. National Geographic has selected the trail as one of the 20 most epic hiking routes in the world. The trail is divided into 44 different stages. This allows you to also undertake partial hikes through the landscapes. The most suitable months are between October and May. In summer it can quickly become unbearably hot.

12. Staying overnight in a kibbutz

A kibbutz is a rural collective settlement with a society based on the principles of mutual aid and social justice. Here, work and possessions are shared. “Each person gives according to their ability and receives according to their need.” Today, there are over 270 kibbutzim in Israel with a total of 127,000 people, representing around 3% of the total population. Dozens of kibbutzim offer overnight accommodations – from simple lodging to comfortable retreats in the countryside.

13. Nazareth & Bethlehem

Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus and one of the most popular destinations for devout Christians from all over the world. The Church of the Nativity is a particularly popular destination. The birth of Jesus was prophesied to Mary in Nazareth. Therefore, this city is considered the hometown and fathertown of the founder of Christianity. The old town of Nazareth is very beautiful with all its small alleys and passageways.

14. Excursion to Jordan

Some tourists combine their stay in Israel with a trip to Jordan. The country is right next door and offers many great highlights. For example, there’s the famous rock city of Petra, which you can easily book as a day trip from Jerusalem or Eilat. Multi-day tours through the country are also offered. We were in Jordan for a week and can highly recommend this country!