Best Things to Do in Israel
A curated bucket list of 18 must-see highlights — what they are, where to find them and how to fit them into your trip.
By The Visit Israel Editorial Team · Last updated
Israel packs an astonishing amount into a country the size of New Jersey — four millennia of history, three of the world’s great faiths, a buzzing Mediterranean coast and two deserts, all within a few hours’ drive. Here are the 18 experiences worth building a trip around, spread across the 11 regions. Short on time? See the best guided tours or use our trip-length calculator.
The 18 best things to do in Israel
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Jerusalem Old City
Lose yourself in the four walled quarters where Judaism, Christianity and Islam meet within a ten-minute walk.
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Western Wall
Stand at the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism and the surviving wall of the Second Temple.
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Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Enter the church built over the traditional sites of the Crucifixion and the empty Tomb.
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Masada
Climb Herod’s cliff-top fortress for a desert sunrise, then descend by cable car.
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Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Hike the waterfalls of the Ein Gedi oasis, then float effortlessly in the salty Dead Sea nearby.
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Tayelet Tel Aviv
Walk or cycle the Mediterranean promenade between the city beaches and Old Jaffa.
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Old Jaffa
Wander the ancient port’s stone lanes, galleries and flea market at the south end of the beach.
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Carmel Market
Graze your way through Tel Aviv’s busiest food market, then dive into the surrounding bar scene.
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Bahá’í Gardens Haifa
Marvel at the perfectly terraced Bahá’í Gardens cascading down Mount Carmel — a UNESCO site.
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Capernaum
Follow the Gospels around the Sea of Galilee at Capernaum, “his own town”.
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Basilica of the Annunciation
See the largest church in the Middle East, built over the traditional home of Mary.
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Caesarea National Park
Explore the Roman harbour, theatre and aqueduct of Herod’s seaside city.
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Akko Old City
Descend into the vaulted Crusader halls beneath the Ottoman port city of Akko.
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Mitzpe Ramon
Stand on the rim of the Makhtesh Ramon, the world’s largest erosion crater, under dark desert skies.
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Coral Beach Eilat
Snorkel or dive the Red Sea coral reefs at Israel’s southern tip.
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Mount Bental
Take in the volcanic Golan Heights and the Syrian border from the old bunkers of Mount Bental.
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Mahane Yehuda Market
Eat through the Mahane Yehuda market — produce stalls by day, bars and live music by night.
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Keep planning
Stitch these into a route with our itineraries and trip builder, add a Petra side-trip from Eilat, and sort where to stay and the best time to visit before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Israel? +
The headline experiences are exploring Jerusalem’s Old City, floating in the Dead Sea and climbing Masada at sunrise, the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa, the Christian sites around the Sea of Galilee, Tel Aviv’s beaches and food scene, the Makhtesh Ramon crater in the Negev, and snorkelling the Red Sea at Eilat. This page is a curated bucket list of 18 of them across the country.
What is the number one attraction in Israel? +
Jerusalem’s Old City — the walled square kilometre holding the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock — is the single most-visited and most layered sight in the country, and the top of almost every Israel bucket list.
How many days do you need to see the main sights? +
A week covers the essentials (Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea and a Galilee or Masada day); 10 days lets you add the Galilee and the south properly. Use our “how many days in Israel?” calculator to estimate your own, then turn it into a day-by-day itinerary.
What is the best time to visit Israel? +
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal across the country — mild in Jerusalem and the Galilee, and not yet searing in the desert and at the Dead Sea. See our best-time-to-visit guide for the month-by-month picture.
By The Visit Israel Editorial Team · Last updated