Attractions of My Israel Trip

Israel is one of the most exciting and contradictory countries we've (Katrin, Hannah, and Chris) visited multiple times. Independently, we've traveled through Israel on our own. In addition to the highlights in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the Dead Sea, we've visited other noteworthy places.

Here you can find the attractions in Israel that you should visit during your tour. With useful information about the route and historical and religious sites.

In this article, we reveal the top attractions. I'll also share my travel itinerary through Israel, and what you can see in a week.

Enjoy reading!

I finally wanted to travel to the country which always appears in a negative context in our media. I wanted to understand and see everything with my own eyes. The 7-day road trip through Israel came at just the right time. Even though tensions between Israel and Palestine have been extreme in recent weeks, leading to sporadic confrontations.

A young country bursting with history and culture. Following the trails of Jesus, Herod, or the Romans. There's so much to explore.

Incredible and varied landscapes: Whether it's the Dead Sea, the Golan Heights, and the Hula Valley in the north, the desert, or stunning beaches.

The sensational international food, fresh fruits at the markets, and delicious wines.

On my 7-day road trip, we visited Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Haifa, the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and several other cities and attractions in the north along the way. If you also want to travel to the south of Israel (Eilat and the Red Sea), you need to plan at least two weeks, preferably three weeks for your trip (the more time, the better).

Since Israel is not larger than Hessen, the distances are manageable. The longest drive was from Ginosar in the north via Qaser Al-Yahud and Qumran to the Dead Sea at Ein Bokek (216 km and under three hours of driving).

As this drive took us through the West Bank, we all curiously stuck our faces to the bus windows. The barren landscape and the "fence" (border) between the highway and the West Bank were simply too interesting.

Tel Aviv - Caesarea: 55 km; Duration: 1 hour

Caesarea - Haifa: 43 km; Duration: 40 minutes

Haifa - Nazareth: 44 km; Duration: 50 minutes (depending on traffic in Nazareth)

Nazareth - Nof Ginosar: 41 km; Duration: 45 minutes

Nof Ginosar - Hula Valley: 45 km; Duration: 60 minutes;

Hula Valley - Golan Heights: 28 km; Duration: 40 minutes

Golan Heights - HaGoshrim Kibbutz: 35 km; Duration: 35 minutes

HaGoshrim Kibbutz - Qasr al-Yahud: 185 km; Duration: 2.5 hours

Qasr al-Yahud - Ein Bokek: 84 km; Duration: 1 hour

Ein Bokek - Masada: 17 km; Duration: 20 minutes

Masada - Jerusalem: 100 km; Duration: 1.5 hours

This was the itinerary for Israel (approximately 760 km, some of the marked places we only visited but did not stay overnight there):

You can view the exact locations and distances here.

From Ben Gurion Airport, it takes about 20 - 30 minutes to get to the city. I love seaside cities, so Tel Aviv immediately stole my heart. The beaches are just a cross street away from our accommodation, the Metropolitan Hotel.

Tel Aviv offers something for everyone: a modern high-tech city with many shops, a startup hub (Facebook, Google, and Google Trends have recently moved into high-rises and offices), interesting architecture as the "White City" through over 4,000 Bauhaus style houses, the old port city of Jaffa, and fantastic beaches. Here you have numerous options for sports or to enjoy the sunset with a cold drink.

Tip: Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice at the Carmel Market in Jaffa.

Jerusalem is one of the most fascinating cities I have ever visited. The Holy City of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Almost all religious sites are located within the walls of the Old City: Western Wall, Temple Mount, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the winding alleys of the markets.

We feel the ever-present tensions at many corners. Constantly circling helicopters, balloons with cameras over conflict zones, and nervously glancing soldiers testify to increasing tensions during our trip. A visit to the Mount of Olives remains prohibited due to safety concerns and unrest during our travel. The Temple Mount is also closed to tourists.

You cannot simply close your eyes to the conflict. The longer I think about the trip to Israel day by day, the more I want to understand the backgrounds. For locals, this is everyday life. Outside the walls of the Old City lies the New City. Here you find modern bars, restaurants, and markets. I like Jerusalem with all its facets.

My report with highlights for Jerusalem.

Caesarea is one of the most significant historical cities in Israel. The ruins of the Crusader city have been mostly uncovered and excavated by archaeologists under sand dunes. Huge palaces, temples, and an amphitheater were constructed by Herod at this site. The amphitheater has been restored and is used today for events.

Tip: Watch the multimedia film about the history of Caesarea at the entrance. It lasts only 7 minutes. The large amphitheater is completely restored and, in my opinion, overrated.

Haifa has the largest natural harbor in Israel. Here, on Mount Carmel, you will find one of the most advanced religious sites in the world: The Bahai Gardens. They are one of the two most important sacred sites of the Bahai religion.

When you look from above, there is a wonderful overall picture with numerous flowers and well-kept lawns.

Arabs and Israelis live harmoniously together here and are very proud to lead by good example. I find that admirable!

Tip: Look down on the city and the Bahai Gardens from above!

Here in northern Israel, Jesus is said to have spent his childhood, preached, and performed miracles. Nazareth is the largest Arab city in Israel. Narrow, winding streets, annoying traffic jams, honking cars, and tourist buses with pilgrims are part of everyday life. The streets are so narrow that just one car and tourists can pass simultaneously. We also needed a lot of patience to reach our destination:

Here you will find the Annunciation Church, the Church of St. Joseph, the Greek Orthodox Annunciation Church (it wouldn't be easy if the religions agreed on something), Mary's Well, just to name a few of the attractions.

Only 7 km away is Kafr Kanna (known to us as Cana). Here is the Catholic Wedding Church, where Jesus is said to have turned water into wine. I'm not interested in the church, the souvenir shop across the street is much more entertaining. Of course, you can buy wedding wine here (we were allowed to taste it, um... not quite my thing) and if you're doing a gift exchange at Christmas, you will find the best gifts here.

Tip: Eat a falafel or shawarma at the corner above the Orthodox Annunciation Church at the snack bar. Cheap and delicious!

The Sea of Galilee is also in the north of the country. At -212 meters below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake in the world. Another superlative: it is the second deepest standing body of water after the Dead Sea.

In the northern part of the lake, you will find many significant places where Jesus is said to have worked. You should also visit these: Capernaum, Bethsaida (here Jesus is said to have fed 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish, walked on the water, and healed a blind man), Tabgha (Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves) and the Mount of Beatitudes.

The Kibbutz Nof Ginosar is located right at the Sea of Galilee, just 8 km from Tiberias. Here in Galilee, there are many places associated with the life of Jesus. That's why a large number of pilgrimage groups stay at the Kibbutz.

We use the Kibbutz as an overnight option after visiting the places mentioned above.

This region is also very popular with nature lovers. You can hike here. The demilitarized Golan Heights and the Hula Valley on the border with Syria are not far from the Kibbutz.

Tip: Dine at the new top restaurant Magdalena in Tiberias with a Galilean Arabic style, all with a view of the Sea of Galilee.

The plateau of the Golan Heights is located in a contested area with Syria. Here are Israel's best wineries and restaurants. Nature lovers can hike, bike, raft, climb, and ski in the winter on Mount Hermon.

In the Hula Valley (Hula National Park), you can also observe an estimated 35,000 cranes on their way to Africa. This place is a stopping point for over 500 million migratory birds on their way from Europe to Africa. You will also find pelicans and storks here. We explored the paths using a golf caddy (you can also rent bikes), which significantly increased the fun factor.

We also gazed from Mount Bental towards Syria and the demilitarized zone. Here, there is still an active bunker you can enter, as well as blue-helmet soldiers watching the nearest Syrian city with concerned looks and an oversized telescope.

Watch out for the signs and fences: There are still mines! Stay on the paths...

This kibbutz is not far from Safed, the center of Kabbalah. The kibbutz serves as a hotel and mostly accommodates pilgrimage groups. We also stayed here.

Tip: Dado Lookout Point. From here, you have a great panoramic view of Mount Hermon and also Lebanon. This border has been closed for a long time.

At this place, Jesus supposedly received the baptism from John the Baptist. The site is located in a remote and militarily delicate area on the border between the West Bank and Jordan, surrounded by barbed wire and minefields. This site was opened only in 2011, primarily for tourism purposes.

Even if you are not religious, a visit is worthwhile just because of the believers in white, Jesus-like robes being baptized in the muddy waters of the Jordan.

Unfortunately, we also encountered a Christian hate preacher here.

Along the bizarre coast of the Dead Sea, we reach Ein Bokek. Once at the Dead Sea, let yourself float and bathe 400 meters below sea level.

Tip: Jeep tour through the adjacent salt desert with a Bedouin and his jeep. Action to my taste!

We take the cable car up to the fortress that Herod built due to its location and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the top attractions in Israel. We save this for the last day before heading back to Tel Aviv.

If you have time and it isn't too hot, you should walk up the Snake Path. Once you reach the top, you have an impressive view of the Dead Sea, the desert, and the remains of the Roman fortresses of the siege.

If you don't want to go up on foot, you can certainly take the cable car.

Israel is a so-called 'melting pot.' Immigrants come from all parts of the world. You can also tell by the fact that there is no 'typical' Israeli dish. If you say it's hummus or falafel, the Israeli shakes their head and denies it.

Israel is also a land of contradictions: Here, religious traditions and highly conservative regions meet a highly modern, multicultural, and open-minded country. Especially the cities of Tel Aviv and the Old City in Jerusalem couldn't be more contradictory.

The shocking fact about Israel is: The young country has been a conflict area since its founding due to its location in the Middle East. Unfortunately. But it is bursting with holy cities of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, which is another reason why you will encounter many tour buses with pilgrims from all over the world.

Israelis are very open-minded and are pleased that you have chosen Israel as your travel destination. The perfect destination for those who want to travel not only in biblical footsteps but also experience the diversity of this incredibly exciting country.

It's worth discovering the country on your own. The visit will be an unforgettable experience, I promise you. You can find all travel tips for Israel here.

If you want to make a detour to Jordan, you should also check out these reports on the travel blog. Many combine their trip with a visit to the rock city of Petra.

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