Travel to Israel without any tourist traps: Here you will find the top 10 sights in Israel. Read which highlights and attractions you should not miss on your holiday in Israel!
As the birthplace of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, Israel is home to a multitude of important religious sites. Whether it's the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the caves of Qumran or the Wailing Wall, a spiritual mysticism is omnipresent here.
Table of contents
Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem
The Al Aqsa Mosque on the famous Temple Mount in Jerusalem is the largest mosque in the city of Jerusalem. The mosque is connected to the much better known Dome of the Rock via the famous Wailing Wall. "Al Aqsa" translates roughly as "distant place of worship" and goes back to the sura of the "Night Journey" in the Koran, according to which Mohammed travelled from the holy place of worship in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to the distant place of worship in Jerusalem.
Article: Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem
Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem from the early Christian period was never destroyed and is still completely preserved today. The Church of the Nativity was built after the liberation of Christianity in 333 AD by the first Christian emperor Constantine the Great over the place where Christ was born. The Church of Nativity in Bethlehem was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.
Article: Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
The famous Dome of the Rock is, together with the al Aqsa Mosque and the Wailing Wall, the most important building on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The Dome of the Rock is one of the largest sanctuaries and the oldest preserved building in Islam.
With its striking golden dome, the Dome of the Rock is visible from afar and is an important landmark of Jerusalem. The golden dome of the Dome of the Rock was built over the rock from which, according to the Islamic faith, the Prophet Mohammed began his journey to heaven.
Article: Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
White City in Tel Aviv
The White City in Tel Aviv refers to the collection of over 4,000 snow-white buildings in Israel's capital. The majority of the buildings were constructed in the 1930s and 40s in the Bauhaus style.
The White City was created in perfect harmony with the climatic conditions and local cultural features. In 2003, the White City of Tel Aviv was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Article: White City in Tel Aviv
Nazareth
Nazareth, known as the hometown of Jesus Christ, Mary and Joseph, is located in the Galilee in the northern district of Israel. Nazareth offers the flair of an ancient oriental city combined with a breathtaking natural setting in the Galilee countryside. The top attraction in Nazareth is the Church of the Annunciation.
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is the deepest lake on earth and is bordered by the states of Israel and Jordan. The Dead Sea - actually an 800 square kilometre lake - has a salt content of over 300g per litre of water, which means that a person would not sink on the surface of the huge salt lake.
The minerals of the Dead Sea mud and water also play an important role in the medicine and cosmetics industry.
Wailing Wall in Jerusalem
The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem is considered a religious site by Jews. The square in front of the Wailing Wall is one of the most visited places in Israel. Every day, countless believers make a pilgrimage to the Wailing Wall to say their prayers and leave notes with wishes between the huge stone blocks.
The Wailing Wall originally represented the western boundary of the second Jerusalem Temple from the 6th century BC, but was not itself part of the Temple. The Temple itself was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, but the Wailing Wall still stands today.
Article: Wailing Wall in Jerusalem
Negev desert
The Negev Desert is located in the south of Israel, covers about 60% of the country's surface and extends over an area of 12,000 square kilometres. The fascinating desert landscape with its mountain ridges and erosion craters and the historic Incense Road are the main attractions of the Negev Desert.
In 2005, the desert towns in the Negev desert and the Incense Road were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Mary Magdalene Church in Jerusalem
The Church of Mary Magdalene is located on the Mount of Olives in eastern Jerusalem near the Garden of Gethsemane. Its bright façade with golden domes is visible from afar and is one of Jerusalem's most important landmarks.
The church was built in the 1880s by Russian Tsar Alexander III in honour of his mother Empress Maria Alexandranova. Its richly decorated interior features icons and paintings of Mary Magdalene.
Article: Mary Magdalene Church in Jerusalem
Caves of Qumran
Qumran is an ancient settlement in Israel. Since the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were found in eleven rock caves nearby, including the oldest known manuscript of the Bible today, Qumran has become world-famous.
To this day, it is unclear who deposited the scrolls there. Since 1999, the ruins of Qumran have been restored; water channels, cisterns and houses from earlier times can be visited.
