A trip to Israel is on most people’s bucket list and it won’t disappoint. The country absolutely wowed us beyond all expectations. It’s small enough that with just ten days you can actually see a huge amount of what this spectacular country has to offer.
We’ll cover the incredible historical and religious sites as well as some of the natural wonders that you won’t find on any other Israel itineraries. We trawled through sites written in Hebrew to find hidden gems that are definitely going to blow you away; from slot canyons to emerald water holes in the middle of the desert!
This is the perfect Israel itinerary for those looking to see both the ancient sites and natural wonders. This itinerary focuses on Israel as sadly most car rental agreements (including ours) will not allow you to cross into Palestine.
10 day Israel Itinerary
Below is a brief map of the 10 day Israel itinerary, showing the stops and the route that this takes. This route showcases the best of the history of Israel, the ancient culture and the stunning deserts, oases, the Dead Sea and Red Sea.
If you have more time, we recommend adding on Nazareth and Galilee in the north, but it is quite a long drive away from the south.
Day 1: Tel Aviv
Day 2: Jerusalem
Day 3: Jerusalem
Day 4: Bethlehem (Palestine)
Day 5: Mitzpe Ramon
Day 6: Eilat
Day 7: Eilat
Day 8: Dead Sea
Day 9: Ein Gedi
Day 10: Masada & Tel Aviv
Day 1 - 5: Ancient Israel
The first half of our Israel Itinerary will focus on what has made this part of the world the centre of three major religions. Taking in the ancient cities of Jaffa and Jerusalem, these five days are a grand introduction to a land that is steeped in history and has a story to tell on every corner.
Day 1 - Tel Aviv
Most international flights will arrive into Tel Aviv and it’s a good starting point for your trip.
PM - Old Jaffa
Old Jaffa was our favourite place in Tel Aviv. Not only does it have beautiful sea and beach views but it has a lovely old town feel with cobbled streets and pretty buildings. It’s very easy to navigate on foot and wondering the streets is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
No one individual site is fabulous in its own right but the area as a whole is great. We also loved the cafes, and you can choose between pretty little places full of charm or those with less Israeli character but great sea views.
We went for character and chose Fairouz which was really nice and our first taste of delicious Israeli food. I’m a shakshuka fan for life!
Most people will stop at the clock tower and the little park with the wishing bridge. The flea market is also popular but we weren’t so fussed (although it’s not really our thing so hard to judge!).
Day 2 - Jerusalem
AM - Temple Mount & Western (Wailing) Wall
Jerusalem is a city we’d both wanted to visit for a long time and it didn’t disappoint. It is definitely one of the most fascinating cities we have ever been to.
An absolute must is the Temple Mount so it’s important you plan your time in Jerusalem around when you are allowed to visit if you are non Muslim. It is completely closed on Fridays and Saturdays, and only opens from 8-11am and 2-4.30pm on Sundays - Thursdays.
The iconic Dome of Rock
The Temple Mount is the holiest place in the world for Jews and the third holiest place for Muslims, making it the most contentious site in the city.
For the Jewish people, this is the foundation stone of the world as it was here that God collected the earth that was used to form Adam. For Islam, this is the place where Mohammed said he had travelled to from Mecca in a single night, leading other prophets in prayers at the Temple Mount.
Unless you are Muslim you won’t be able to go inside the Dome of Rock itself, but we were very happy to get a close up look of all the detail from the outside and wander the gardens which are lined with cypress trees. It’s quiet and peaceful and a good escape from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city.
Note that you must cover your arms and legs (full arms not just shoulders) and may not show any signs of intimacy inside the Temple Mount. The only way for non-Muslims to enter is by the wooden bridge at the Western Wall (only Muslims can enter the Dome of Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque).
The Western Wall
Seeing the Western Wall for the first time was one of those moments where it hit me that I was standing in real life in a place i had seen on television so many times before. A surreal moment.
It is exactly as you imagine, with dozens of people standing heads bowed against the wall, praying or leaving handwritten prayers inside the cracks. It’s a moving scene, but one which is also full of joy with almost a festival like atmosphere.
The wall is divided into male and female sections, there are often Bar Mitzvahs going on in the male section and chairs are set up along the divide so that women can stand on them and see over to the ceremony.
Depending on where you enter the wall you will need to go through a body scanner and have your bag checked.
We have more detail on both the Western Wall and Temple Mount in our more detailed guide to Jerusalem.
PM - Walking Old City & Church of Holy Sepulchre
The Old City
Cities which can easily be explored on foot are usually my favourites and Jerusalem is no exception. This is the kind of city where you set out to go from A to B and it should take 20 minutes but an hour later you still haven’t arrived because you found so much to see along the way!
Many sites in Jerusalem would be major tourist attractions in any other city but here they are not even marked! You’ll get a lot from simply striking out on foot and even getting a little lost!
We’d recommend starting at Jaffa Gate, and as well as general wandering, make sure you hit the Christian, Jewish and Muslim Quarters, all of which have their own unique atmosphere and things to see. Along the way you’ll come across Via Dolorosa which is the route Jesus took when carrying the cross to his crucifixion.
It wasn’t what we were expecting because it is now a very busy souk but we would recommend taking at least one stroll along this historic street which will take you between the Christian and Muslim Quarters (the route is roughly 600m total).
If you’d like an elevated view of the city we’d recommend walking at least some of the city ramparts. We walked from Jaffa Gate to Herod Gate and loved taking in the views as well as enjoying the city sights without any crowds for a while!
You need a ticket to get through the gates to the ramparts which costs 18 shekels (approx US $5.20).
The Church of Holy Sepulchre
Sitting at one end of the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the most important place in Christianity and the place where Jesus was crucified, laid to rest in a tomb and later rose from the dead.
From the outside it’s an unassuming place and blends in with the surrounding buildings perfectly. The inside is quite dark and solemn; built in a Greek Orthodox/Catholic style, with many beautiful and ornate paintings, lanterns and mosaics adorning the walls and ceilings.
You can go inside the Oedicule thought to be Jesus’ tomb to pray or just to take a look, you’ll have around 10 seconds before the Priest will tap the door signalling you should move on. There is an incredible amount to see in this church but there is very little information about what anything is.
If you want more than a cursory look around you will need a guidebook or a guide with you to really bring the place to life. In the article we linked in the section above we have included more information about what to look out for and a useful video you can watch to gain a greater understanding of the church’s significance.
Where to stay in Jerusalem
Our Pick: The Templer Inn
Just a 15 minute walk from the Old City, the Templer Inn offers is a modern twist on an old style inn: beautiful, stylish rooms with a kitchenette - useful for when you fancy a break from the local dining scene. The owners here are really informative and helpful, plus the rave reviews means you won’t go wrong.
Check the latest reviews & prices on:
Day 3 - Jerusalem
AM - Yad Vashem - Holocaust Museum
It is going to be a very sobering morning but the Holocaust Museum is somewhere you can’t leave Jerusalem without having visited. In fact, a bit like Auschwitz, I feel like it’s somewhere everyone should visit in their lifetime and maybe there will be less atrocity in the world if they did.
The story of the Jews persecution during the Second World War is vividly detailed using words and videos as well as visual displays. It’s not easy to read and listen to, but it is explained extremely well. The videos in particular bring the horrors to life.
We spent several hours here and still didn’t read and watch everything but you will leave understanding the impact the atrocities had on Jewish people and the world a little better.
There is also a lot of information that I knew very little about, detailing how many countries abandoned Jews during this period and would not offer them a safe haven from persecution. It was an eye opening experience.
PM - The Garden of Gethsemene & Mount of Olives
After a thought provoking and somber morning it’s time for some greenery at the Garden of Gethsemene and Mount of Olives.
The Garden of Gethsemene is where Jesus was arrested and taken away from before the crucifixion. Some sites in Jerusalem have been disputed and moved over time but there is no such ambiguity with this garden, all gospels agree this is where Jesus was arrested and the site has never moved.
It’s a small garden and if it were’t for the history you would’t think to visit but due to its significance it is well worth a stop and a ponder.
The garden is a short distance from the Mount of Olives which offers one of the most magnificent views of Jerusalem. Be warned it is windy up there though! If you’re a keen photographer this is actually a sunrise spot but we headed there for sunset and still thought the light was pretty good.
It can be surprisingly confusing to find where to park so we’ve got the exact directions in this post, as well as other things to do in Jerusalem if you have more time.
Day 4 - Bethlehem (Palestine)
You can visit Bethlehem independently from Jerusalem or you can take a tour. We visited independently and it is easy but not without potential hiccups.
We have noted absolutely everything you could possibly want to know about how to do it, including what it’s like to cross over the wall and what to expect on the Palestinian side in this post.
If you would prefer to take a tour, Get your Guide has some good options.
It might be one of the holiest sites in Christianity but you don’t have to be religious to enjoy a trip to the city. It’s an incredibly friendly place and though it was a bit more modern than we were expecting it was still very likeable and a fascinating place to have finally seen with our own eyes.
Church of the Nativity
This is the reason that almost everyone comes to Bethlehem, to see the spot where Jesus was born. The church itself is fairly humble from the outside, and on the inside really, though that’s not to say it doesn’t have beautiful features.
Jesus’ birthplace
We enjoyed wandering around the church which was built in 326 by Constantine, but the bit that makes it special is a trip down into the grotto.
Here you can see and even touch the place where Jesus was born which is marked by a silver star and you will see many people kneel down to pray by the sacred spot.
Walking around the old town
The town is well worth a wander, and it’s better to explore on foot than by car so you can really soak it in. We recommend walking a few minutes from the church to the Milk Chapel where it was claimed that Mary and Joesph stopped as they were fleeing to Egypt.
A drop of milk was said to have turned the stone white and it’s become a popular place of pilgrimage for those trying to conceive. In all honesty we didn’t love the Milk Chapel, all the breastfeeding pictures felt a little strange but it is one of the major sites to see! It’s also right beside the Panoramic Viewpoint which offers a fabulous view over the city.
Wandering the streets of Bethlehem
The main square has a couple of cafes to sit and have a coffee or some lunch before your last stop in Bethlehem which is to see the Banksy art.
Banksy Art
At the time we visited there were four pieces of Banksy art in the city and we visited two of them - the frisked solider and the armoured dove.
There are some copycat ones around but we’ve given you a step by step guide in this post as to how to get to the real ones. Both are excellent pieces and very thought provoking.
Banksy art - the armoured dove
If you’ve stopped at the armoured dove you will be right beside the infamous wall itself which is another place to take in the poignant street art.
You could actually spend quite a lot time looking at all the paintings, you’ll see a number of characters you recognise including Donald Trump and Mark Zuckerberg. There is no graffiti on the Israeli side, only the Palestinian side so this is your chance to take a look.
Day 5 - 8: Into the desert
The second part of this Israel itinerary will head into the desert which is stunningly beautiful. Here you’ll find epic canyons, amazing hikes, incredible snorkelling and the continued feeling that this land is somewhere very special.
Day 5 - Mitzpe Ramon
On route to Mitzpe Ramon - Ein Avdat National Park
If you’re a nature enthusiast then on route to Mitzpe Ramon we’d recommend stopping at Ein Avdat. We saw lots of ibex in this area as well as a pair of rare Griffon Vultures. This is a popular place with Israeli families and you can take a short, flat walk (roughly 10 minutes) through the canyon to a series of natural pools which you used to be able to swim in, but sadly no longer.
Ein Avdat, just up the staircase from the pools
For a longer walk you can continue up the staircase on the canyon wall and then up a series of ladders to the top of the canyon (the walk is strictly one way and you’ll have to use the park shuttle service or a car shuffle to get back).
Ein Avdat is a national park which costs 29 shekels (approx US$8.15) to enter unless you have a parks pass. It’s worth buying the pass if you plan on visiting three or more national parks.
Mitzpe Ramon
Mitzpe Ramon is the world’s largest erosion crater at over 40km long. There are plenty of hiking opportunities but you don’t need to walk to see the area’s many sites. You can park right beside the spot known as coloured sands which has sand that is blue, pink, red and orange!
The carpentry nearby offers a good overall view of the area which has been likened to America’s Grand Canyon (which we consider a bit of an exaggeration but it’s still a beautiful place).
The view from the visitor centre
The view from the main visitor centre is also one of the best and requires no walking whatsoever, this area also had many ibex which we spotted in the late afternoon and early morning.
If you do want to hike we did the Ardon and Harut Hill track 4km loop track which was very pretty and certainly felt like we were hiking in the desert wilderness - we didn’t see another soul!
Where to stay in the Negev Desert
Desert Days
A stay at Desert Days is an experience in itself. Each room is a mud hut, but you definitely aren’t slumming it. The rooms are well equipped and have private kitchens (inside or outside depending on the room you book), air-conditioning for those hot days, and outdoor areas, which make for atmospheric evenings.
It is the perfect place for a digital detox as there is no wi-fi in the rooms (but you can access it in the common areas if you really need to). We loved setting a fire at night or having a bbq as the sun set. If you want a glimpse of life in the desert, make a stop here.
Day 6 - Eilat
AM - Ada Canyon (en route from Mitzpe Ramon)
Ada Canyon is a bit of a locals’ secret and in fact we were the only ones there on our visit despite the fact it was during the busy Passover period. If you love narrow slot canyons surrounded by stunning scenery - and we hope that you do because there’s a few on this itinerary! - then you have to stop here on your way to Eilat.
If you’re primarily interested in just the slot canyon you can walk just the first 500m or so as a return walk (the full loop track is 7.6km). This is the section which will take you through the honeycomb walls of the breathtaking Ada Canyon.
If you want to walk the whole way through you’ll need to climb a few ladders and use the metal rungs to assist you which is a whole lot of fun. If you’d rather just admire the canyon without any of that you can walk through the first bit which is flat.
For more than just the canyon, continue the hike up to the ridge line and up and down the narrow sandy paths with panoramic desert views. We’ve outlined the whole route with lots of pictures in this post on the best hikes in Israel.
PM - Snorkelling the Red Sea
After working up a sweat at the canyon it’s time to cool off in the world famous Red Sea at Eilat. You can choose between diving or snorkelling and you can go as part of a tour or independently.
We chose to snorkel on our own at the Coral Beach Nature Reserve. We didn’t have our gear with us so hired from the shop opposite (Snuba) the best snorkel site.
Even if you don’t need to hire gear you can pop the shop in Google Maps and park somewhere in the vicinity so you know where to get into the water. Once there you can only enter the sea in between the ropes to protect the coral.
Once you’re in there’s lots to see straight away and you can spend hours taking in all the colourful fish, including lots of little nemos! The water is really calm so it’s perfect for snorkelling, it’s also warm (or it was in April!).
Our favourite spot was called The Cave and you’ll have no trouble finding it, it was surrounded by hundreds of fish and we stayed at this spot for ages!
We have more details and a video from our snorkel in this post.
Where to stay in Eilat
Dan Eilat Hotel
The Dan Eilat Hotel is the best hotel in Eilat and has the benefit of a great location and comfy rooms. Many of the rooms also have sea views! The perfect way to rest up after a day exploring the nearby area.
We’d recommend going for the newer rooms as are more modern and most have desert and sea views. The pool and communal areas look beautiful and very relaxing.
Check the latest prices & reviews on:
Day 7 - Eilat
AM - Red Canyon
If you only pick one canyon from our itinerary make it this one! This canyon is magical, nothing short of spectacular, and if you go in the early morning you should get the whole thing to yourself.
We’d recently visited the stunning Antelope Canyon in Arizona and Red Canyon is reminiscent, and we loved that you could explore this one without a guide and for free! It’s a short walk to get to the start of the slot canyon and from the moment you descend the first ladder you are entering a whole other world.
The deep red cliffs tower above you as you make your way through the swirling canyon walls. It is one of the best walks we’ve ever done and couldn’t recommend it more highly.
The adventure does involve the use of ladders and metal rungs to move along the canyon walls - which are a godsend because I could never manage without - if these make you nervous take it slowly and maybe bring someone along who can lend a hand.
If you just want to walk the slot section the hike is around 2km, or you can make it a loop which is what we did and then it comes in at just under 5km.
We’ve outlined all the details with pictures of all the potentially tricky bits in this post.
PM - Black Canyon & Amram Pillars or a beach bar in Eilat
Even if you’ve never read any of our posts before you’re probably starting to gather that we’re outdoor enthusiasts.
If you’re wanting a bit of downtime head back into Eilat and check out one of the beach bars, the beaches themselves might not be postcard worthy, but the views over to Jordan are fantastic and there’s some great comfy seating at the one on Dekel Beach.
If you’re still with us on the outdoor adventure extravaganza then head out to Black Canyon. We loved Black Canyon, it’s different to both Ada and Red Canyon in that it is rarely narrow but it’s a lovely walk (5.2km) through another gorgeous canyon.
If you don’t like the sound of the ladders on the other two then this could be a good bet for you because there are only one or two tiny sections that require the use of metal rungs to get up and they are easy.
This is more of a beautiful walk than it is a slot canyon adventure. I only found out about the Black Canyon when looking at Israeli websites so it seems very off the beaten track for foreign tourists and we didn’t see anyone there. Once you’re through the canyon you finish the hike by walking through the desert, and it truly feels like you’re in the Middle East!
Just down the road from the Black Canyon are the Amram Pillars, incredible natural rock formations that look like the facade of an ancient building. They are just a five minute easy stroll from the car park and as well as the pillars the whole surrounding landscape is incredible which shimmers a deep pink. On the way in there is even rock which looks exactly like streaky bacon!
If you are travelling in a group with access to two cars you can do a car shuffle and hike between the canyon and the pillars which was what we wanted to do but alas couldn’t with just one car.
Day 8 - 10: The Dead Sea
Most people come to the Dead Sea for the unique experience of floating in the salty water, but few international travellers venture onto the incredible Ein Gedi or hike to the top of the ancient fortress at Masada.
These are some of the highlights of Israel and should be on any itinerary!
Day 8 - The Dead Sea
AM - Wadi Baraq (en route from Eilat) or head straight to the Dead Sea to relax
I know what you’re thinking, another canyon? On a 10 day itinerary, really? But trust us this one is different and our second favourite after Red Canyon.
Depending on the time of year this is a water canyon, and if it is for you too, then it really isn’t to be missed. This is the most adventurous and difficult of all the hikes on this itinerary but it’s definitely doable because I was nervous and I did it!
You’ll start by hiking up the side of a cliff and then descend into the canyon itself through a number of water filled holes. To descend through the canyon you will use a series of ladders and metal rungs and then swim across the pools which are pretty cold!
When I saw the first ladder I was really unsure but once you get going it is ok, but you will need shoes. The ladders are quite slippery and I wouldn’t attempt the cliff walk or this section in flip flops!
It’s an absolutely incredible experience and yet again we had it to ourselves. We didn’t dare take the camera on this one so to get a better idea of what it’s like you can watch our short video.
PM - Float & visit the Dead Sea Tree
We’d highly recommend booking a good hotel at the Dead Sea. You can’t actually spend as long as you might think in the water itself due to the high salt content so it’s great to have somewhere nice to relax afterwards.
If you are going to treat yourself anywhere in Israel it should be here. We stayed at one of the 5 star hotels and in a ‘cheap’ place in the nearby village and honestly the luxury hotels are worth the extra money.
If you’re staying at one of the resorts it will have a private beach, but if not head to the public beach, which to be honest is really good, just more crowded than at a hotel.
There is no longer any mud at the Dead Sea so if lathering up was on your bucket list you need to buy some from one of the hotels and take it down to the beach yourself. Then cover yourself head to toe, let it bake in the sun for 15-20 minutes and wash off as you float in the sea. It’s a truly unique feeling and though we had done it before in Jordan it definitely never gets old!
If you’re up for a bit of a challenge then it’s time to go and find that iconic Dead Sea tree. It’s not far offshore but believe me, it’s harder to swim in the Dead Sea than you might imagine! It took me a while to get out there but it was worth the effort. Sitting on the salt island and keeping that lonely tree company for a while was a moment I won’t forget in a hurry.
We’ve outlined exactly how to find the tree and everything you need to know in this post.
Where to stay in the Dead Sea
Vert Hotel - Ein Bokek
Head and shoulders above the rest, the Vert Hotel (previously the Crowne Plaza) is the place to go when visiting the Dead Sea. The rooms here are plush, comfortable and come with stunning views of the sea itself. There is a beach literally in front of the hotel, so you won’t have to walk far to float or have a swim. Ask for a renovated room.
We also stayed in Neve Zohar, but found that even though it was half the price, it was around a tenth as good and we wish we had just stayed the whole time in Ein Bokek.
Check the latest reviews & prices on:
Day 9 - Ein Gedi
AM - Wadi Arugot
If there is a greater place to swim in the entire world than in the middle of a desert, surrounded by towering sandstone mountains in an emerald pool, please let us know! I swam in this pool for hours and every few minutes I looked up at the scenery around me and I knew there was nowhere I’d rather be. It is utterly spectacular and not many people even know about it!
To get there requires a bit of a hike but it’s flat and easy and around half of it is in shallow water which is both fun and perfect for the desert heat. In fact the walk would be reason enough to visit Ein Gedi without swimming in the Upper Pools but you get to do both which is magic!
When I put these pictures on Instagram I had so many people contact me about the location, and most of them were Israelis! The scenery is mind blowing throughout the walk and you’ll pass a beautiful waterfall as well as several other smaller pools, but keep going for the whole 3.1km it takes to reach these emerald beauties.
You can read all about the hike details including entry fees and opening times in this post.
PM - Wadi David and Ein Gedi Spring
When you mention Ein Gedi to someone, Wadi David is what they immediately think of. This is the most famous waterfall in the area and a mecca for foreign tourists and Israelis alike. Unfortunately that does mean it gets terribly crowded, but it is still worth seeing.
To get to the falls is an easy 30 minute loop walk and along the way you’ll pass another pretty but smaller waterfall. Our favourite bit of the walk though was spotting the gorgeous little ibex careering up and down the cliff sides and even straight out onto the path in front of us!
If you are satisfied just seeing the waterfall, we’d recommend coming towards the end of the day to try and miss the majority of the crowds. If you want to see the spring too perhaps visit Wadi David on the way back.
To walk to both Wadi David and Ein Gedi Spring is just under 4km in total and the trail to the spring has some climbing to do. The path up to the spring is a little slippery but there is a hand rail in the places that might concern you - I would only do this in proper shoes though!
The spring itself is a small natural pool in the middle of the desert surrounded by trees which make it feel like a proper little oasis. I loved this spot, it’s a subtle beauty, but the peace of listening to the water trickling by gave me an amazing sense of calm.
Joe didn’t like it as much so if you think from my description it might not be for you, you can skip this bit : )
Day 10 - Masada & Tel Aviv
AM - Sunrise hike to Masada Fortress (or cable car)
This was our favourite sunrise in Israel and a treasured moment on our trip. If you’re thinking that a 4.30am wake up call is way too much on holiday, don’t skip this bit just go a little later instead!
If you can drag yourself out of bed in the middle of the night to witness the sun rise over the Dead Sea you won’t regret it. You can do this as part of a tour but it’s really easy to do yourself which is what we did.
Watching sunrise over the Dead Sea
The Snake Path opens exactly one hour before sunrise and it’s a fairly steep 45 minute - one hour walk on a series of switchbacks. The walk is not too difficult but I didn’t sleep much the night before so I felt pretty woozy. You can stop many times and still make it for sunrise though, because that’s what I did! Once there, watching the sunrise from the fort walls really was the best way to start a day!
After sunrise you can explore the fort and then head back down the Snake Path or wait until the cable car starts running. Everything you need to know about hiking the trail for sunrise is in this post.
As mentioned if you don’t want to get up at the crack of dawn you can hike up the Snake Path until 10am when it closes due to heat. If you want to go after 10am you can jump on the cable car instead.
Masada is a national park which costs 29 shekels (approx US$8.15) to enter unless you have a parks pass. It’s worth buying the pass if you plan on visiting three or more national parks.
Masada fortress
PM - Drive back to Tel Aviv & hit the beach
If you’ve got through all this then we salute you and hope you’ve had the best holiday of your life! Now it’s time to relax and head back to the big smoke.
Luckily Tel Aviv has plenty to do but as you’re at the end of the trip now, it’s a good time to check out one of its many beaches. Popular choices include Hatzuk Beach (which has an entrance fee but is one of the nicer beaches) and Gordon Beach which has a saltwater swimming pool if you prefer that to the waves.
Alternatives: Nazareth for the churches and delicious food
If you have more time or you want to skip a few of the natural sites on this itinerary for a bit more history, we’d recommend visiting the city of Nazareth. We really loved this city, it’s hard to explain exactly why because it doesn’t have one individual thing to do which is a major wow, but the overall vibe is just so lovely.
Spending a few days pottering around here was wonderful. The reason we have not included it in the main itinerary is purely because it has no major must do’s. It’s perfect if you want to spend a few days relaxing, and to be honest, eating your way around town because the food is fantastic!
Our favourite place we stopped on our wanders was the Church of Annunciation which is the biggest Basilica in the Middle East. You might not be wowed when you first step in but head upstairs and we think it gets a lot more impressive. The paintings and mosaics in the gardens are also beautiful.
After you’ve finished at the Church of Annunciation head next door to St Joseph’s Church which is thought to be the carpentry workshop of Joseph, father of Jesus.
We also enjoyed wandering the souks which are far more catered to locals than many you’ll see in places like Jerusalem, and you won’t have to battle with so many crowds. You’ll also get some fantastic cheap eats (don’t miss the old city pizza place for the freshly baked bread with zatar and cheese baked in an old school oven) as well as atmospheric cafes to while away an afternoon. The cafe just opposite the pizza place had good coffee and had fantastic music that we Shazam-ed and still play to this day!
Mount Arbel on the Sea of Galilee
Nazareth is also only half an hour from the Sea of Galilee which is also well worth a visit if you have the time. We outlined the best things to do there in this post.
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Are you planning a trip to Israel? What would be on your Israel Itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!
