Art & culture
outdoor adventure
pilgrimage
night owl
eat like a local
Art & culture
Tsfat
TEL AVIV – Yafo
Neve Tzedek
Neve Tzedek, the first Jewish neighborhood built outside Jaffa's walls, is one of the city's most picturesque and romantic enclaves. A stroll through its narrow stone alleyways and scenic Shabazi pedestrian street takes you past relaxed cafes, chef-led restaurants, designer stores, unique boutiques, and art galleries.
The Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre infuses the neighborhood with an artistic feel and European charm in the center of Tel Aviv.
Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv – Yafo
north
Tsfat
As one of Judaism’s four holy cities, Tsfat possesses a uniquely spiritual atmosphere.
In the 16th century, scholars of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism gathered here.
Wander beneath ancient arches and past doors painted in mystical Kabbalistic blue, discover historic synagogues, and explore the galleries and studios of the Artists' Colony—active since the 1950s—beautifully weaving together sacred tradition, creativity, and breathtaking Galilean views.
Old Jaffa Alleyways
Tel Aviv – Yafo
old yafo
jerusalem
dead sea
beer sheva
mitzpe ramon
eilat
jordan
river
sea of galilee
tiberias
tsfat
acre
haifa
mediterranean
sea
Neve Tzedek,
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
TEL AVIV – Yafo
Old Jaffa Alleyways & Sculpture Garden
Jaffa has been a working port for thousands of years; the artists' quarter came later. Follow the stone alleys of Old Jaffa uphill, past the Pisgah Garden's old cannons, to a sculpture garden above the sea.
Stop into the Ilana Goor Museum, housed in a 1742 pilgrims' inn, to see the artist's work alongside pieces by Henry Moore. Don’t forget to make a wish as you cross the famous Zodiac Bridge.
Old Jaffa Alleyways
Israel Museum
tel aviv – yafo
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
Located in the cultural hub of Shaul Hamelech Boulevard, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is a leading Israeli art institution and an impressive architectural gem. The museum showcases a magnificent collection of modern and contemporary art —including works by Picasso, Monet, Klimt, and Chagall—alongside a significant collection of Israeli art.
Visitors will find rotating exhibitions of photography, design, and sculpture that guarantee an enriching experience.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
Ein Karem
jerusalem
Israel Museum
Start at the Shrine of the Book to see the Dead Sea Scrolls, then walk the Art Garden's terraces, designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi, for modern sculpture.
The archaeology wing rounds it out, tracing the region from prehistory through the Ottoman era. Budget at least half a day; it's really several museums in one.
Israel Museum
Tower of David Museum
jerusalem
Ein Karem
Nestled in a lush valley on the city outskirts,
Ein Karem is a haven of art, history, and charming village atmosphere. Tucked among narrow stone alleyways are active artist studios, ceramics and jewelry galleries, quaint cafes, and fine dining. Culture and heritage meet at every turn, from gold-spired churches to the Hadassah Medical Center's synagogue—home to Chagall's iconic stained-glass windows.
Wander through intimate courtyards and enjoy an encounter with local creativity.
Ein Karem
Judean Foothills
jerusalem
Tower of David Museum & Night Show
This citadel has been rebuilt by nearly everyone who ever ruled Jerusalem – Herod, Crusaders, Ottomans, – each leaving something behind in the stone.
By day, walk the museum's galleries and climb to the ramparts for panoramic views over the Old City. After dark, the same walls host a sound-and-light show covering roughly 3,000 years of history.
Tower of David Museum
Spice Route Quarter
judean hills
Wineries of Judean Hills
Limestone soil and high elevation make the hills west of Jerusalem an unlikely but serious wine region. Book tastings at a few of the small, family-run wineries in the foothills, where most pour cabernet and Mediterranean blends grown on the same slopes you're standing on.
Be sure to reserve ahead; some of the best operations here are barely bigger than a garage!
yarik yanish
Judean Foothills
The Baha'i Gardens
mitzpe ramon
Spice Route Quarter
The Spice Route Quarter takes its name from the ancient incense road that carried frankincense and myrrh from Arabia toward Gaza, passing near here. Wander through the former factory buildings, which are now home to ceramics studios, jewelry workshops, carpentry shops, and small boutique wineries.
Most are open for visitors to watch the artisans at work, and many sell their creations right on-site.
Israel_Perker From PikiWiki_website
Spice Route Quarter
haifa
The Baha'i Gardens
The UNESCO-listed Baha'i Gardens are a global spiritual center and one of the most breathtaking feats of landscape architecture in the Middle East. Nineteen symmetrical terraced gardens cascade down the slopes of Mount Carmel.
At the center sits the Shrine of the Báb with its iconic golden dome. Wander along immaculately manicured paths, past bronze sculptures, fountains, and flowerbeds, for sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea.
outdoor adventure
Makhtesh Ramon
negev desert
Timna Park
Copper miners worked this valley thousands of years ago, leaving Egyptian temple ruins and rock art in the red sandstone. Wind and water carved the stone into arches and pillars, including a striking, monolithic rock known as The Mushroom.
Trails are well-suited for any skill level, and clear desert skies make stargazing tours a must.
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Timna Park
negev desert
Makhtesh Ramon
Gaze out upon the world's largest erosion cirque, a heart-shaped geological phenomenon unique to anywhere else in the world. This massive basin was not formed by a meteor or volcano, but by the force of water erosion through the ages, carving through layers of soft rock under hard limestone. Trails cross rock layers striped in shades of red, purple, and white.
Designated an International Dark Sky Reserve, this is one of the country's best spots for stargazing.
Ein Avdat National Park
Makhtesh Ramon
dead sea
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Nestled on the shores of the Dead Sea, discover a breathtaking oasis of lush greenery, flowing desert springs, and dramatic canyon cliffs. David hid from Saul somewhere in these cliffs, according to the Bible, and this oasis is still a pretty good place to disappear for the day.
Visitors can hike scenic trails to swim beneath cascading waterfalls, encounter wild Nubian ibex, and explore a beautifully preserved 5th-century ancient synagogue.
Nahal Darga
Nature Reserve
Ein Gedi
Nature Reserve
negev desert
Ein Avdat National Park
Climb down into a spectacular, oasis-filled canyon cutting through the Zin Valley in the central Negev Desert. This trail tracks a year-round river that carves through towering, blindingly white limestone and chalk cliffs, creating a stark and beautiful contrast against the arid desert plateau.
Ancient Nabataeans knew this water source too; their city of Avdat sits just up the road.
Ein Prat Nature Reserve
Ein Avdat
National Park
judean desert
Nahal Darga Nature Reserve
For true extreme adventurers, Nahal Darga cuts a deep, narrow line through the heart of the Judean Desert, where dry waterfalls require a series of ropes and iron rungs to descend into deep rock pools.
The canyon also offers more accessible options: visitors can enjoy a family-friendly hike in the upper part of the stream, or take in breathtaking views of the canyon and the Dead Sea from scenic lookouts without strenuous hiking.
Yehudiya Nature Reserve
Nahal Darga
Nature Reserve
judean desert
Ein Prat Nature Reserve
Just 20 minutes outside of Jerusalem you’ll find a striking desert oasis where dramatic, golden canyon walls clash with lush greenery and gushing, freshwater mountain springs. This is the perfect place for a day out in nature with the family.
Look up to find the ruins of an ancient monastery clinging to the cliffside above the trail. You may even spot the Nubian Ibex, the symbol of Israel’s commitment to preserving its natural world.
Nahal Amud
Nature Reserve
Ein Prat
Nature Reserve
golan heights
Yehudiya Nature Reserve
Achziv National Park
Yehudiya Nature Reserve
north
Nahal Amud Nature Reserve
Camp overnight (if you choose), then descend down 230 stone steps, and you’ll be rewarded with lush greenery and plenty of shade. Water runs through this Galilee canyon all year, feeding the Sekhvi pools that are deep enough for a cooling wade or swim.
Reminders of this ancient land are everywhere, as old stone watermills from the time of the Ottomans sit along the banks.
Nahal Amud Nature Reserve
north
Achziv National Park
Considered one of the most beautiful and unique beaches in the country, this park features two natural sea pools made from the creation of rock barriers.
Explore rock pools teeming with sea life like crabs, urchins, and anemones. Pheonician ruins add a bit of drama to the landscape, offering the perfect place to picnic or camp overnight on site.
This thrilling and challenging hike begins high on a sun-exposed plateau, before scaling down a sheer rock face using a system of clamped iron ladders and handholds. Once inside the canyon, make your way by swimming across deep rock pools, before arriving at the towering, magnificent Yehudiya Waterfall.
Overnight camping is also an option at a dedicated campsite above the canyon rim.
doron nissim
afiw bkreia
doron nissim
manu grinspan
manu grinspan
israel:
You'll Find It Here
Israel is a country shaped by ancient traditions and diverse cultures, where every region offers a distinctly different atmosphere. You can spend the morning walking ancient pilgrimage sites, the afternoon floating in serene waters or relaxing on the coast, and the evening eating your way through vibrant market stalls before heading out for a night that ends when the sun rises.
From sacred sites to desert adventures, these guides offer different ways to explore the country. There’s no single right way to experience it, so follow what interests you, mix and match along the way, and leave some room to wander.
learn more
israel:
one country, many worlds
Israel is a country shaped by ancient traditions and diverse cultures. That diversity becomes clear as you move from place to place. You can spend the morning walking ancient pilgrimage sites, the afternoon at the beach, and the evening eating your way through Tel Aviv before heading out for a night that will end when the sun rises.
pilgrimage
View 9 Days in Israel
Beit Guvrin National Park
Judean desert
Qasr al-Yahud (Yardenit)
Traditionally identified as the site along the Jordan River where John the Baptist baptized Jesus, marking the beginning of his public ministry, the area is also associated with the Israelites’ crossing of the Jordan and the prophet Elijah’s ascent to heaven.
Today, pilgrims gather along the riverbanks for baptisms and religious ceremonies.
City of David & Pilgrimage Road
Qasr al-Yehud
judean hills
Beit Guvrin National Park
Preserving an ancient landscape above an extensive network of man-made caves and living spaces, the site contains hundreds of chambers carved into soft chalk over more than 2,000 years. These spaces served as quarries, cisterns, olive presses, burial chambers, and places of worship.
Highlights include the Bell Caves, Columbarium, and ancient olive presses, all part of a complex recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Manu Grinspan
The Garden of Gethsemane
Beit Guvrin National Park
jerusalem
City of David & Pilgrimage Road
Set on a narrow ridge just south of the Old City, the City of David marks the site of ancient Jerusalem, with remains dating back more than 3,000 years to the Canaanite era and the time of King David. Highlights include the Second Temple-era Pilgrimage Road, used by Jewish pilgrims traveling from the Pool of Siloam toward the Temple, and the Gihon Spring, the city’s ancient water source.
Visitors can also explore early water systems, including Hezekiah’s Tunnel, which has carried water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam for more than 2,700 years.
The Old City, Jerusalem
City of David & Pilgrimage Road
jerusalem
The Garden of Gethsemane & Mount of Olives Viewpoint
Offering sweeping views of Jerusalem’s ancient walls and skyline, the Mount of Olives is closely tied to biblical accounts of Jesus’ final days, including his entry into Jerusalem, teachings on the end times, prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Ascension.
Key pilgrimage sites include the Church of All Nations, commemorating Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, and Dominus Flevit, marking his weeping over Jerusalem.
Nazareth & Church of the Annunciation
The Garden of Gethsemane
jerusalem
The Old City
Covering roughly one square kilometer, the Old City is divided into the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Armenian quarters. Narrow limestone streets connect markets, courtyards, and historic landmarks that reflect thousands of years of religious and cultural history.
Visitors can walk between major sacred sites, including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which marks the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Mount Tabor & Church of the Transfiguration
The Old City, Jerusalem
NAZARETH
Nazareth & Church of the Transfiguration
The Bible describes Nazareth as the town where Jesus grew up and where Christian tradition holds that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would give birth to Jesus. Today, the Basilica of the Annunciation marks the site traditionally associated with that moment.
Nearby, St. Joseph's Church, Mary's Well, and other archaeological remains dating to the first century offer further glimpses into the city's ancient and biblical past.
Tel Dan Nature Reserve
Nazareth & Church of the Annunciation
NORTH
Mount Tabor & Church of the Transfiguration
Rising above the green plains of the Jezreel Valley, Mount Tabor is traditionally identified by Church tradition as the site of the Transfiguration, when the Gospels describe Jesus appearing in radiant glory before three of his disciples. Today, a church at the summit commemorates the event.
Mount Tabor also figures prominently in the Old Testament as the site where Deborah and Barak defeated the forces of Jabin, king of Canaan, in the 13th century B.C. (Judges 4).
The Sea of Galilee
Mount Tabor & Church of the Transfiguration
NORTH
Tel Dan Nature Reserve
A lush, shaded reserve combining hiking trails, spring-fed streams, and basalt terrain, Tel Dan holds the remains of the ancient city of Dan, including an Israelite gate complex and the Canaanite-era Abraham’s Gate, which some archaeologists believe Abraham may have passed through.
Tel Dan Nature Reserve
north
The Sea of Galilee (Kinneret)
Much of the ministry described in the Gospels unfolded along the shores of this freshwater lake. Small fishing villages once lined its shore, including Capernaum, whose ruins still offer a glimpse into first-century life and from which Jesus drew several of his disciples.
The Church of the Beatitudes, on a hill above the north shore, marks the spot where he gave the Sermon on the Mount. Visitors today can take a boat ride on the lake in a replica of a biblical-era fishing boat.
Yaniv Cohen
Itamar Grinberg
Red Sea
Asaf Schlomo Mizrahi
Sarit Palachi Miara
Beer Sheva
eilat
Promenade and Tourist Center
Stretching along the waterfront, the Eilat Promenade is the heart of the city's entertainment, shopping, and nightlife scene. Shops range from stalls to major brands, plus restaurants ranging from seaside cafes to upscale eateries. In the evening, the area comes alive with vibrant lighting, street performers, and a lively atmosphere.
A short walk away, the Tourist Center complex features a diverse array of bars, pubs, and clubs that stay open until the early hours of the morning.
Talpiot Industrial Zone, Jerusalem
The Tourist Center, Eilat
beer sheva
The Old City of Beer Sheva
Smilansky and KKL streets fill in once the daytime heat breaks, where restored Ottoman-era courtyards operate as pubs and craft beer bars. The crowd is largely students from Ben-Gurion University, so you’ll find good drinks and affordable menus here.
Ditch the car and go on foot; the streets are narrow and largely pedestrian after dark.
Mahane
Yehuda Market
Beer Sheva
jerusalem
Talpiot Industrial Zone
Talpiot holds Jerusalem's largest concentration of auto repair shops by day; after work hours, the same warehouses and garages give way to dozens of bars, discos, and live-music spots.
Yellow Submarine, a nonprofit venue with its own recording studio, hosts shows most weeks.
A bowling alley and pool hall round out the strip for anyone looking for non-bar activities.
Oshra Dayan_From PikiWiki_website
Tel Aviv Port
Talpiot Industrial Zone, Jerusalem
jerusalem
Mahane Yehuda Market by Night
Return to Mahane Yehuda after the produce stalls close, when many of the same storefronts reopen as bars. The atmosphere is casual and authentic – some vendors serve drinks off their metal shutters, which double as counters once the awnings come down.
With lanes that remain narrow and full of celebratory crowds, it’s a high-energy, almost standing-room only kind of night out.
Florentin,
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Mahane
Yehuda Market
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Tel Aviv Port (Namal Tel Aviv)
A vibrant entertainment and leisure destination along the waterfront, featuring an iconic wooden boardwalk, scenic pier, and sweeping ocean views. The port offers an experience for the whole family alongside a lively night scene: by day, visitors can explore a wide variety of shops, as well as dozens of restaurants and cafes. In summer, the area comes alive with a rich lineup of events, performances, and family-friendly activities. By night, its bars and clubs take center stage.
Rothschild Blvd, Tel Aviv – Yafo
Tel Aviv Port
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Florentin
Walk the side streets off Florentin's main strip to see the neighborhood's murals, then duck into a bar behind an unmarked door or a graffiti shutter after dark. The sounds of local DJs and live bands pour into the streets.
Street art and galleries make it the perfect place to wander. Florentin also offers a variety of budget-friendly restaurants and food stalls, creating a vibrant and youthful atmosphere.
Nachalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv – Yafo
Florentin,
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Rothschild Boulevard
Rothschild Boulevard comes alive after dark, when the Bauhaus buildings turn into bars and the median becomes sidewalk seating. Most bars serve late, with tables spilling toward the street.
Bike and scooter traffic mix with pedestrians along the median path creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. This is your starting point for a night out in Tel Aviv.
The German Colony, Haifa
Rothschild Blvd, Tel Aviv – Yafo
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Nachalat Binyamin
The craft market stalls come down by early evening, and Nachalat Binyamin and the adjoining Montefiore Street fill in the space with small cocktail bars and eateries. Many of the bars operate without signage – look for a lit doorway instead of a marked entrance.
Expect a younger crowd, plan for a bar crawl that will take you well into the night.
Downtown Haifa
Nachalat Binyamin
haifa
The German Colony
Walk up Ben Gurion Boulevard, where restaurants, cafes, and bars fill the ground floors of restored Templer buildings. The street runs toward the lit, terraced Baha'i Gardens above the city.
Find a sidewalk table as sunset approaches for a glorious view of the boulevard at twilight. All in all, it’s an ideal first stop before heading out to Haifa's other nightlife hotspots.
The German Colony, Haifa
haifa
Downtown Haifa
Start on Jaffa Road after dinner and head toward the Old Turkish Market area, where historic buildings and former warehouses now operate as craft beer pubs and cocktail bars.
Stop on Natanzon Street for live music on weekend nights. The area's intimate stone alleyways hold most of Haifa's nightlife scene after dark.
Lizi Shanan From PikiWiki_website_Israel
Guy Yechiely
Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem
negev desert
Bedouin Hospitality
In villages and communities across the northern Negev (such as Rahat and Lakiya), guest tents and local homes open their doors for immersive culinary experiences.
Enjoy slow-cooked stews, fresh saj flatbread, zesty salads, cardamom coffee, and sweet herbal tea served around generous shared platters while connecting over rich heritage, living traditions, and the relaxed, timeless rhythm of the desert.
Hummus in the Old City of Jerusalem
jerusalem
Mahane Yehuda Market (Daytime)
Mahane Yehuda is still very much a working market, with locals shopping alongside visitors at fishmongers and specialty counters.
Graze as you walk, stopping for bourekas, kubbeh (semolina dumplings often served in soup), halva, and rugelach, which represent some of the most beloved and iconic local foods.
Hatikva Market, Tel Aviv – Yafo
Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem
jerusalem
Hummus in the Old City of Jerusalem
In Jerusalem’s Old City, hummus is less a snack than a meal, served warm with pita, pickles, and whatever variations a particular kitchen has perfected over generations.
Some of the best-known hummus shops are tucked into the Muslim and Christian quarters, where tiny dining rooms fill quickly around lunchtime.
Carmel Market,
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Hummus in the Old City of Jerusalem
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Hatikva Market
Come for Iraqi kubbeh soups, Yemenite jachnun and malawach, Persian stews, other home-style Middle Eastern cooking, and a glimpse into Tel Aviv that's driven by everyday routines, not restaurant trends.
Levinsky Market, Tel Aviv – Yafo
Hatikva Market, Tel Aviv – Yafo
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Carmel Market & Kerem HaTeimanim
A colorful and diverse market for fresh fruits and vegetables, alongside narrow streets packed with small restaurants and longtime kitchens serving Yemenite soups, grilled meats, and other staples away from the market’s busiest stretch.
Wadi Nisnas Market, Haifa
Carmel Market,
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Tel Aviv – Yafo
Levinsky Market
More like a neighborhood hangout than a traditional market, delis and specialty shops share the block with tiny bars and restaurants.
Friday around noon is prime people-watching, as the neighborhood gets busy ahead of the weekend; after dark, the market shifts gears as its bars and late-night food spots take over.
Old Acre (Akko) Market, Acre (Akko)
Levinsky Market,
Tel Aviv – Yafo
haifa
Wadi Nisnas Market
Haifa’s market streets offer a more everyday taste of the city, where neighborhood bakeries and a variety of Arab cuisine alongside other local favorites.
Druze Hospitality
Wadi Nisnas Market, Haifa
acre (akko)
Old Acre (Akko) Market
Old Acre (Akko) Market winds through the narrow stone lanes with stalls selling spices, produce, sweets, and fresh seafood.
Stop for hummus, falafel, grilled fish, and local pastries for a taste of the Arab and Mediterranean flavors that define Akko’s food culture.
Old Acre (Akko) Market, Acre (Akko)
north
Druze Hospitality (Daliyat El Carmel, Hurfeish, Peki'in)
In these Druze villages on Mount Carmel and in the Galilee, expect a long table of salads, pita, and slow-cooked dishes, with the pace itself as much a part of the tradition as the food.
Dana Friedlander
Bedouin Hospitality
N
night owl
Eat like a local
Tsfat
Druze Hospitality
Achziv Nat'l Park
Downtown Haifa
The Sea of Galilee
Tal Almog
Druze Hospitality
Yarona Richardson
Haifa Municipality Spokesperson's Office
Haifa Municipality Spokesperson's Office