Encompassing some of the most sacred territory on Earth, Israel has a complicated status in the Middle East. Given its history and geography, the state has some chronically unsettled real estate under its disputed control (namely the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank). Be a sensitive traveler, though, and you’ll discover a spellbinding destination that seems squarely aimed at the soul.
The archaeological, historical, and religious treasures of Israel are near innumerable. Jerusalem, of course, is holy ground for three of the world’s great religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Whatever your spiritual inclinations, walking the Old City—seeing the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and other hallowed landmarks—provides an extraordinary window into humanity’s spiritual yearnings and expressions. And those centuries-old monuments aren’t the only attractions in this mythic city: From the intensely moving Holocaust memorial of Yad Vashem to the lively Mahane Yehuda Market, you’ll find eras, cultures, and emotions interwoven amid Jerusalem’s various quarters.
Tel Aviv is a chicer and hipper destination: a place to dive headfirst into Israeli (and global) cuisine, browse art galleries, and wade boldly into legendary nightlife. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean beaches at the city’s doorstep are superb. When you’ve had your fill of Mediterranean shores, you’ve got the super-salty waters, swanky resorts, and spa retreats of the Dead Sea—the lowest point on any continent—and the beaches of the Sea of Galilee to enjoy.
Israel’s natural heritage is one of its best-kept secrets. From the crags of the Negev Desert to the snows of Mount Hermon, there’s a remarkable range of landscape on tap. Outdoors-people can perhaps best survey that diversity along the Israel National Trail, a nearly 700-mile-long footpath linking the Red Sea coast in the south with Kibbutz Dan near the Lebanese line.
Exploring Israel’s momentous geography and sacred centers is at or near the top of the list for many travelers, and for good reason: Wherever you go and whatever you see, you’re sure to come away with deep insights and appreciation of a truly unique part of our world.
15 things not to miss.
- Wailing Wall
- Dead Sea
- Old City of JerusalemWalk the Old City of Jerusalem
- sunrise from atop MasadaCatch sunrise from atop Masada
- Old City JerusalemHallowed ground’s an understatement, given the Western Wall, Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
- Israel Museum (Jerusalem)From the Dead Sea Scrolls and Holyland Model of Jerusalem to international art galleries, the national museum’s laden with wonders.
- Yad VashemEdging the serene pinewoods of the Jerusalem Forest on the Mount of Remembrance, Israel’s Holocaust memorial is richly moving.
- Tel AvivFrom world-renowned nightlife to Mediterranean sunbathing, Tel Aviv exudes modern energy, while the old town of Jaffa is a must-see.
- Basilica of the AnnunciationThis Roman Catholic church marks the Nazareth spot where, in Biblical tradition, the angel Gabriel informed Mary of Jesus’s conception.
- Shrine of the BabOverlooking terraced gardens draped on Mount Carmel’s slopes in Haifa, this domed mausoleum is one of the holiest Baha’i sites.
- MasadaHerod the Great’s mesa fortress has seen heaps of history—including the Siege of Masada during the First Jewish-Roman War.
- TiberiasOne of Judaism’s Holy Cities and a time-honored spa destination, Tiberias offers Sea of Galilee excursions and R&R.
- EilatIsrael’s southernmost community is a beloved jumping-off point for Red Sea tourism, from beachgoing to scuba diving.
- Beit Guvrin National ParkThe interlayered, overlapping ruins of the ancient towns of Maresha and Beit Guvrin include cave tombs and a Roman amphitheater.
- Ramon Nature ReserveAnchored by the incredible crater-like valley of Makhtesh Ramon, this Negev Desert sanctuary harbors rare creatures like onagers, ibex, and leopards.
