Israel · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Israel
These are the places worth your time in Israel, from the Old City and markets of Jerusalem to the beaches of Tel Aviv, Haifa's gardens, the shores of the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea and Eilat's reefs. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Jerusalem
Arts and Culture
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Christian Quarter)
The traditional site of the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus, shared by several ancient churches. - Tower of David Museum (Jaffa Gate)
A citadel museum on the city's story, with a spectacular evening light show on its walls. - Israel Museum (Givat Ram)
Home of the Dead Sea Scrolls and a vast model of Second Temple Jerusalem. - Yad Vashem (Mount Herzl)
Israel's national Holocaust memorial, a profound and essential visit. - Austrian Hospice (Via Dolorosa)
Climb to its rooftop for one of the best views over the Old City, then have strudel. - Armenian Quarter Cathedral of Saint James (Armenian Quarter)
A lamp-filled cathedral open for brief afternoon services. - Bloomfield Science Museum (Givat Ram)
Hands-on science exhibits that keep children busy for hours. - Garden Tomb (Nablus Road)
A peaceful garden some Protestants regard as the burial site of Jesus.
Things to Do
- Western Wall (Jewish Quarter)
The holiest place where Jews can pray, open day and night and moving at any hour. - Western Wall Tunnels (Jewish Quarter)
A guided walk along the hidden length of the Wall beneath the Old City streets. - Dome of the Rock (Temple Mount)
The golden dome that defines the skyline, viewable from the plaza at limited visiting times. - City of David (Silwan)
Archaeology of the earliest Jerusalem, with a wade through Hezekiah's water tunnel. - First Station (Emek Refaim)
A restored Ottoman railway station with food stalls, events and a walking trail. - Ramparts Walk (Old City Walls)
Walk on top of the walls for rooftop views most visitors never see.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount of Olives Lookout (Mount of Olives)
The classic panorama over the Old City, best in soft morning light. - Jerusalem Biblical Zoo (Malha)
A large family zoo featuring animals mentioned in the Bible. - Ein Karem (Ein Karem)
A village of churches, springs and galleries on the city's green edge.
Shopping and Markets
- Mahane Yehuda Market (City Centre)
The city's great food market by day, which turns into a bar street at night. - Old City Souk (Muslim Quarter)
Covered lanes of spices, ceramics and sweets for bargaining.
Restaurants
- Abu Shukri (Muslim Quarter)
A long-running hummus counter on the Via Dolorosa loved by locals. - Azura (Mahane Yehuda)
Slow-cooked Turkish and Kurdish stews served from pots on kerosene burners. - Machneyuda (Beit Yaakov Street)
A loud, joyful chef's restaurant inspired by the market next door. - Ja'far Sweets (Muslim Quarter)
Warm knafeh with stretchy cheese and syrup, a sweet Old City ritual.
Cafés
- Kadosh Cafe (Shlomzion HaMalka Street)
A classic European-style cafe for breakfast and pastries in the centre.
Stays
- King David Hotel (King David Street)
A historic grand hotel with views of the Old City walls. - American Colony Hotel (Sheikh Jarrah)
A storied Ottoman mansion hotel with a courtyard garden. - Abraham Hostel (Davidka Square)
A sociable hostel that runs tours and events.
Places to Visit in Tel Aviv
Things to Do
- Old Jaffa (Jaffa)
Stone lanes, galleries and harbour views from one of the world's oldest ports. - Tel Aviv Port (Old Port)
Boardwalk, restaurants and a weekend farmers' market at the north end. - Neve Tzedek (Neve Tzedek)
Boutiques, lanes and dinner spots in the city's first neighbourhood. - Ilana Goor Museum (Jaffa)
An artist's eccentric home and sculpture terrace overlooking the sea.
Shopping and Markets
- Carmel Market (Kerem HaTeimanim)
Tel Aviv's main market of fruit, spices and street food. - Jaffa Flea Market (Jaffa)
Antiques and curiosities by day, bars and restaurants by night. - Nahalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Fair (Nahalat Binyamin)
Local makers sell their work beside the Carmel Market on Tuesdays and Fridays. - Levinsky Market (Florentin)
Spices, dried fruit and delis in an old Balkan and Persian quarter. - Sarona Market (Sarona)
An indoor gourmet market in a restored Templer colony.
Nature and Outdoors
- Gordon Beach (City Centre)
A lively central beach with lifeguards, cafes and volleyball. - Metzitzim Beach (Tel Aviv Port)
A calm family beach near the port. - Yarkon Park (North Tel Aviv)
The city's big green park with cycling, boating and lawns. - Charles Clore Park (Jaffa)
A seaside park for sunset views on the walk to Jaffa.
Arts and Culture
- Tel Aviv Museum of Art (Shaul HaMelech Boulevard)
A superb modern collection in a striking angular building. - ANU Museum of the Jewish People (Ramat Aviv)
The global story of Jewish communities, told with flair. - Independence Hall (Rothschild Boulevard)
The room where the State of Israel was declared in 1948. - Bauhaus Center (Dizengoff Street)
Walking tours of the White City's Bauhaus buildings. - Suzanne Dellal Centre (Neve Tzedek)
Israel's dance hub, home to the Batsheva company.
Restaurants
- Abu Hassan (Jaffa)
Legendary hummus served until it runs out around lunchtime. - Sabich Frishman (Frishman Street)
A popular kiosk for sabich, aubergine and egg in pita. - HaKosem (Shlomo HaMelech Street)
Falafel and shawarma with a free falafel ball while you wait. - Port Said (Great Synagogue)
A buzzing, music-filled spot for modern Israeli plates.
Cafés
- Abulafia Bakery (Jaffa)
A historic Jaffa bakery for sesame bagels and stuffed breads. - Benedict (Rothschild Boulevard)
Breakfast served all day, every day.
Bars and Nightlife
- Florentin bars (Florentin)
Street art and small bars in the city's creative district.
Events
- Tel Aviv Pride (City Centre)
One of the largest Pride celebrations in the region, held in June.
Stays
- The Norman (Nachmani Street)
A boutique hotel in restored 1920s buildings. - Hotel Montefiore (Montefiore Street)
A small boutique hotel with a well-known restaurant. - Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv (Levontin Street)
A big, social hostel with tours and a rooftop.
Places to Visit in Haifa
Things to Do
- Bahai Gardens (Mount Carmel)
Nineteen terraces of gardens cascading down Mount Carmel. - German Colony (Ben Gurion Boulevard)
Templer houses turned into restaurants below the gardens. - Carmelit (Lower Town)
A tiny underground funicular climbing the mountain. - Haifa Cable Car (Bat Galim)
A short cable car ride from the beach to Stella Maris. - Caesarea National Park (Caesarea)
Herod's Roman port, theatre and a seafront to wander.
Shopping and Markets
- Wadi Nisnas (Wadi Nisnas)
An Arab neighbourhood of market stalls, bakeries and street art.
Arts and Culture
- Stella Maris Monastery (Mount Carmel)
A Carmelite monastery with sea views at the top of the cable car. - Elijah's Cave (Mount Carmel)
A cave sacred to several faiths at the foot of the mountain. - Madatech (Hadar)
Israel's national science museum, made for families. - Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art (Carmel Center)
An unexpected and calm collection of Japanese art. - Akko Old City (Akko)
A UNESCO walled port with Crusader halls and a souk. - Knights' Halls (Akko)
Vaulted Crusader halls beneath the Ottoman citadel. - Daliyat al Karmel (Mount Carmel)
A Druze village with a market and warm hospitality.
Nature and Outdoors
- Louis Promenade (Carmel Center)
The best sunset views over the bay. - Dado Beach (South Haifa)
A long beach with a promenade and lifeguards. - Rosh HaNikra Grottoes (Rosh HaNikra)
White chalk sea caves reached by a steep cable car.
Restaurants
- Falafel HaZkenim (Wadi Nisnas)
One of the country's most famous falafel stands. - Fattoush (German Colony)
Arab dishes in a candlelit garden setting. - Hummus Abu Shaker (Wadi Nisnas)
A local favourite for hummus and warm pita. - Uri Buri (Akko)
A famous seafood restaurant by the sea walls.
Events
- Holiday of Holidays (Wadi Nisnas)
A December festival celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas and Ramadan together.
Stays
- Colony Hotel Haifa (German Colony)
A boutique hotel in a Templer house near the gardens. - Efendi Hotel (Akko)
A restored Ottoman palace hotel in Akko's old city.
Places to Visit in Sea of Galilee
Arts and Culture
- Capernaum (North Shore)
The ancient synagogue and Saint Peter's house site. - Church of the Multiplication (Tabgha)
Famous for its loaves and fishes mosaic. - Mount of Beatitudes (North Shore)
A church and gardens above the lake. - Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter (Tabgha)
A small church on the water's edge. - Magdala (Migdal)
An excavated first century synagogue by the lake. - Basilica of the Annunciation (Nazareth)
The great church at the heart of Nazareth's old town. - Nazareth Village (Nazareth)
A living reconstruction of first century village life. - Safed Old City (Safed)
Blue synagogues and an artists' quarter on a hilltop.
Things to Do
- Yardenit Baptismal Site (Southern Shore)
A baptismal site on the Jordan River. - Golan Heights Winery (Katzrin)
Tastings at one of the country's best-known wineries. - Tiberias Hot Springs (Tiberias)
Mineral pools by the lake.
Stays
- Fauzi Azar Inn (Nazareth)
A guesthouse in an Ottoman mansion in the old town.
Restaurants
- Ein Gev Fish Restaurant (Ein Gev)
St Peter's fish served on the lakeshore.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount Arbel (Arbel)
A cliff hike with views over the whole lake. - Gamla Nature Reserve (Golan Heights)
Ancient ruins and griffon vultures above a canyon. - Banias Nature Reserve (Golan Heights)
Waterfalls and springs at the source of the Jordan.
Places to Visit in Dead Sea
Things to Do
- Masada National Park (Masada)
Herod's clifftop fortress, unforgettable at sunrise.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ein Gedi Nature Reserve (Ein Gedi)
Desert springs, waterfalls and ibex. - Ein Bokek Public Beach (Ein Bokek)
A lifeguarded beach for an easy float. - Ein Gedi Botanical Garden (Kibbutz Ein Gedi)
A garden of world plants in the desert. - Ramon Crater (Mitzpe Ramon)
A vast desert crater for hiking and stargazing.
Stays
- Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel (Ein Gedi)
Garden rooms in a desert kibbutz. - Masada Youth Hostel (Masada)
Ideal for an early sunrise climb.
Arts and Culture
- Qumran National Park (Qumran)
Where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
Places to Visit in Eilat
Nature and Outdoors
- Coral Beach Nature Reserve (South Beach)
Snorkel over coral reefs straight from the shore. - Timna Park (Timna)
Red rock formations and ancient copper mines. - Red Canyon (Eilat Mountains)
A short colourful canyon hike.
Arts and Culture
- Coral World Underwater Observatory (South Beach)
See the reef without getting wet.
Things to Do
- Dolphin Reef (South Beach)
Watch and swim near dolphins.
Shopping and Markets
- Eilat Promenade (North Beach)
Shops and cafes along the bay.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Gatsby Cocktail Room (City Centre, Jerusalem)
A speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden behind an unmarked door. - Jerusalem Light Festival (Old City, Jerusalem)
Light art installations around the Old City in early summer evenings. - Hataklit (City Centre, Jerusalem)
A small music bar with DJs and a friendly crowd. - OCD (Jaffa, Tel Aviv)
An intimate counter tasting menu for a special night. - Dr Shakshuka (Jaffa, Tel Aviv)
Pans of shakshuka in a courtyard in old Jaffa. - Cafe Xoho (Gordon Street, Tel Aviv)
A friendly cafe known for big breakfasts. - Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar (HaYarkon Street, Tel Aviv)
One of the city's best-known cocktail bars. - Teder.fm (Jaffa, Tel Aviv)
Pizza, DJs and a big outdoor courtyard. - White Night Tel Aviv (Citywide, Tel Aviv)
A summer all-night festival of music and culture. - Elika (Massada Street, Haifa)
A relaxed neighbourhood cafe in Haifa's student area. - Lower Town bars (Lower Town, Haifa)
Old port warehouses turned into bars and music spots. - Diana Restaurant (Nazareth, Sea of Galilee)
A long-standing Nazareth grill house. - Jordan River Kayaking (Upper Jordan, Sea of Galilee)
A gentle paddle downriver, popular with families. - Ein Gev Holiday Resort (Ein Gev, Sea of Galilee)
Kibbutz holiday rooms by the lake. - Ahava Visitor Center (Mitzpe Shalem, Dead Sea)
Dead Sea cosmetics at the source. - Dead Sea Mud Spa (Ein Bokek, Dead Sea)
Mud wraps and mineral pools at resort spas. - Orchid Reef Hotel (South Beach, Eilat)
A hotel near the reef.