Choose from 50 Fun Things to Do in Israel
ShowingFilter 41-50 of 50 listings.
Sea of Galilee
Lake Kineret, more famously known as the Sea of Galilee, is Israel’s largest freshwater lake. The waters of the Jordan River flow into the lake near the ancient ruins of Bethsaida and out toward the Dead Sea at the lake’s southernmost tip. At 689 feet (210 meters) below sea level, the lake and the lands surrounding it are warm in winter and oppressively hot in summer, making the bathtub-like waters a popular and refreshing swimming spot for visitors.
The lake’s significance stretches back into Biblical times, when Jesus walked on its waters and fed crowds on its shores by multiplying bread and fish. He stood overlooking the lake while delivering the Sermon on the Mount. Today, the same types of fish caught by the disciples – mullet, catfish, sardine and combfish – still inhabit the waters and supply modern fishermen.
Practical Info
Several buses circumnavigate the Sea of Galilee. It’s also possible to visit significant sites on the shores by boarding a tourist cruise of the lake.
During summer, boat service connects Lido Beach with Capernaum.
Address: Galilee, Israel
From $ 105
Yad Vashem
The term “yad vashem” comes from the Book of Isaiah and can be translated as “a place to memorialize.” Yad Vashem in Jerusalem is the world’s most important Holocaust museum — a memorial to the 6 million Jewish lives lost.
The complex comprises two museums, the Holocaust History Museum and an Art Museum, as well as an exhibition pavilion, learning center and a synagogue. The centerpiece is the history museum, housed within a triangular prism-shaped structure running through the center of campus. Nine underground galleries recount the story of the Holocaust from a Jewish perspective through artifacts, survivor testimonies, personal possessions and audio-visual presentations. A visit to the museum ends in the Hall of Names, a place where the names and stories of millions of victims are recorded.
The Art Museum houses the largest and most diverse collection of Holocaust art in the world — some 10,000 works — mostly produced during the Holocaust period.
Practical Info
Children under the age of 10 are not permitted inside the Holocaust History Museum. Audio guides of the museum are available at the visitor center.
Address: Jerusalem 9103401, Israel
Hours: Open Sun-Wed 9am-5pm; Thurs 9am-8pm; Fri 9am-2pm
From $ 7
Temple Mount (Haram ash-Sharif)
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City is a raised stone plateau that’s home to some of the most significant religious structures in the world, including the Dome of the Rock, the Al Aqsa Mosque, and the Western Wall. The Temple Mount covers a 35-acre area known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif, and is considered to be a sacred place in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
The Basics
While East Jerusalem is controlled by Israel, the Temple Mount is controlled by the Islamic Trust, making the area a very contested location. The compound is open to anyone who wishes to enter, and can be entered near the gate near the Western Wall. Visitors can admire the exteriors of the Dome of The Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque, and other sights.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Non-Muslim visitors are allowed to enter outside of Muslim prayer times.
- The Temple Mount is closed on all major religious holidays and on days deemed “sensitive” by authorities.
- Visitors are expected to dress appropriately with covered arms and legs.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as there are many steps and hills to climb.
- Tours can help visitors visit religious sites in East Jerusalem in a respectful, culturally sensitive way.
How to Get There
The Temple Mount is in Jerusalem’s Old City, and visitors can gain entrance through the Mughrabi gate near the Western Wall. Private cars are not allowed inside the Old City during the day, but there are a number of public parking lots outside the various entry gates. Taxis are relatively easy to find near Jaffa gate and can take passengers inside. Public busses and the light rail stop within a 10 minute walk from the Temple Mount, and there’s also a free shuttle to the Old City every 20 minutes from The First Station in Jerusalem.
When to Get There
Sundays can be especially busy, but arriving in the early morning as soon as it opens and 7:30 (8:30 in the winter) is your best bet for avoiding crowds. Allow at least an hour to see the site, and be prepared to wait in long lines to enter.
The Western Wall
Part of an ancient, limestone retaining wall along the western side of the Temple Mount, the Western Wall is one of the most famous landmarks in Jerusalem. (It’s also known as the Wailing Wall; Kotel in Judaism; and the Buraq Wall in Islam.) For Jews, the wall is considered the holiest prayer site; for Muslims, it’s believed to be the place where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
Address: Jerusalem, Israel
Admission: Free
From $ 12
Via Dolorosa
The Via Dolorosa is an ancient path in Jerusalem’s Old City, where it’s believed Jesus carried the cross to his crucifixion. Also known in Catholicism as the Stations of the Cross, it’s a pilgrimage that’s been followed going back to the fourth century. The route has changed over the years, and today there are 14 stations along the path, each marked with a plaque detailing what took place at that location.
The Basics
Visitors can follow the path Jesus is said to have taken while carrying the cross to his crucifixion. The Via Dolorosa is open to the pubic, and visitors can choose to make their own way or book a guided tour to add context. Many pilgrims stop to pray and reflect on the events believed to have taken place at each station, although it should be noted that it’s a busy and often noisy route, with a bustling outdoor market going on around it.
Things to Know Before You Go
- While well-marked, the path winds through busy streets with lined with snack stalls and tourist shops, so it can be hard to follow.
- It’s not always easy to see each plaque, but there are many tours that guide visitors with commentary.
- There is a weekly procession along the Via Dolorosa led by Franciscans every Friday afternoon at 3pm.
- The Franciscan procession begins at the Pilgrim’s Reception Center near by the Lion’s Gate.
- The number of pilgrims to Via Dolorosa swell to thousands when Franciscans flock to the site during Holy Week.
How to Get There
The Via Dolorosa begins at the Lion’s Gate in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City and stretches about a third of a mile (500 meters) to its end at the Christian Quarter at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
When to Get There
The Via Dolorosa is open to the public year round, but the Franciscan procession at 3pm on Fridays is a popular time to follow the path.
Arab Souk in the Muslim Quarter
The Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City stretches across 76 acres (31 hectares) and can be accessed through Lion’s Gate, Damascus Gate, and Herod’s Gate. It’s easy to get lost in the winding maze of lively streets that make up the Arab Souk in center of the Muslim Quarter. Stalls selling everything from spices, breads, and pastries to freshly squeezed pomegranate juice and hummus are tightly packed along the narrow streets. The buzzing outdoor markets are a sight to behold, with traders hawking wares on streets that are thousands of years old.
Address: Begins at Herod's Palace at Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem, Israel
Admission: Free
From $ 32
Underground Jerusalem
Underground Jerusalem is an archaeological site in ancient Jerusalem, located beneath the neighborhood of Silwan. It is said to be where Jerusalem was born. Situated on a narrow ridge south of Temple Mount in East Jerusalem, it is understandably one of the most extensively excavated sites in the city. The underground city is open to visitors, who can use the same underground tunnels that residents would have used 2,000 years ago. The most famous tunnel in the area is Hezekiah’s Tunnel. He constructed tunnels to bring water to the people within the city walls; this is even quoted in the Bible: “the acts of Hezekiah and all his might, and how he made the pool and conduit, and brought water into the city” (2 Kings 20:20). There are two other major underground systems in the area: Solomon's Quarries and Solomon's Stables. There is more than a mile (two kilometers) of pathways beneath the city, away from the hustle and bustle of busy Jerusalem, under most of the city’s major historical attractions.
Practical Info
The tunnels are one of Jerusalem’s main tourist draws, with over a million visitors in 2010. However, the continued archeological digs in the Old City are currently disputed in light of the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
Address: City of David, Jerusalem, Israel / Palestine, Israel
Hours: Summer:
Sunday- Thursday: 8 am-7 pm
Friday and Holidays: 8 am-4 pm
Winter:
Sunday- Thursday: 8 am-5 pm
Friday and Holidays: 8 am- 2 pm
Admission: Adult: NIS 29; Child: NIS 15; Student: NIS 25
From $ 12
Western Wall
An open-air synagogue where worshippers recite prayers, Israel’s historic Western Wall is where travelers come to kiss pale gold stones the color of the Negev desert and to stuff paper prayers between the stones. The beating heart of the Old City of Jerusalem, this is a must-see sacred site in the Jewish Quarter.
The Basics
The Western Wall—also known as the Wailing Wall—is the holiest site in Jerusalem due to its status as the last remnant of the Second Temple built by Herod in 19 BC. Today it forms one side of Temple Mount, and this section of the wall rises 187 feet (57 meters) up. The Western Wall is divided into two areas—there’s a small southern section for women and a much larger northern area for men. If you don’t feel comfortable joining in on the action at the wall, it’s backed by a large, sloping plaza where you can stand back and just take in the scene.
The site is commonly visited on half- and full-day Jerusalem sightseeing tours departing from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Many tours also visit Bethlehem, the Dome of the Rock, or the Dead Sea.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Dress modestly while you’re here—a good general rule is to be covered from the shoulders to below the knee.
- Don’t worry if you don’t have a headscarf or kippah head covering for your visit; these can be borrowed at the entrance.
- You’ll find a security checkpoint before you reach the wall; it typically takes a few minutes to get through this safety measure.
- You don’t have to be Jewish to pay your respects at the wall—it’s open to any person of any faith.
- During Shabbat, photography isn’t allowed, and at other times, it’s best to exercise sensitivity when pointing your lens.
How to Get There
The Western Wall plaza forms the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City. Dung Gate is the nearest access point by taxi and intercity bus 1 or 2.
When to Get There
The large crowds that gather here can really add to the atmosphere, but if you’d rather have peace and quiet, try visiting early in the morning or in the late evening on a weekday. Bar mitzvahs are often held during Shabbat, or on Monday or Thursday mornings, and those times can be busy with celebrating families, too. The same goes for Jewish holidays.
The Western Wall Tunnel
The Western Wall Tunnel is an underground tunnel beneath the buildings of the Old City of Jerusalem. There have been many Herodian discoveries (plus the uncovering of a Hasmonean Aqueduct) since excavations began in the 19th century and again after the Six-Day War in 1967. Join a Western Wall Tunnel tour to see this slice of Jerusalem history.
Address: Jerusalem, Israel
Admission: Free
From $ 49
Zion Gate
When Ottoman Turkish Sultan Suleiman was rebuilding the Old City walls of Jerusalem during the sixteenth century, the architects neglected to consider a Franciscan monastery just outside the walls. What is today the Zion Gate was punched through the wall to provide the monastery access to the Old City. During the 1948 War of Independence the gate was the site of fierce fighting between Jordanians and Palmach forces; the facade still bears bullet holes.
One of eight gates in the wall, Zion Gate is situated on the south side of the city, looking out toward Mount Zion. For modern day visitors, the gate serves as one of the primary entrances into the Jewish and Armenian quarters.
Practical Info
The Zion Gate is the closest gate to the Western Wall. It’s also located nearby the Tomb of David and Upper Room, so consider visiting them at the same time.
Address: Jerusalem, Israel
From $ 475
Wailing Wall
Another element of the World Heritage Site in old Jerusalem, the Wailing Wall (or, as Jews call it, the Western Wall) lies at the foot of the Temple Mount, a remnant of the stone wall that used to surround the Second Temple of Jerusalem. Babylonians destroyed this temple in 425 B.C., and since then it has been a sacred site for Jewish pilgrimage; the name “Wailing Wall” was coined by non-Jews who witnessed the weeping of devoted Jews who had come to mourn and daven (pray with a rocking motion).
Long a hotly-contested symbol for Jews, Muslims and Christians (all three groups have, over time, built houses of worship on this site), the Arab-Israeli Six Day War in 1967 was largely fought over claim to the Wailing Wall. Israel won both the war and the right to include the wall in the boundaries of the Jewish state. Within days, Israeli soldiers also bulldozed the surrounding Moroccan Quarter, an 800-year old Arab neighborhood, forcing the residents out of their homes; the resulting razed land was turned into a huge courtyard where Jews now come to pray.
The Wall today remains the dividing point between the Jewish, Muslim and Christian areas of Jerusalem.
Long a hotly-contested symbol for Jews, Muslims and Christians (all three groups have, over time, built houses of worship on this site), the Arab-Israeli Six Day War in 1967 was largely fought over claim to the Wailing Wall. Israel won both the war and the right to include the wall in the boundaries of the Jewish state. Within days, Israeli soldiers also bulldozed the surrounding Moroccan Quarter, an 800-year old Arab neighborhood, forcing the residents out of their homes; the resulting razed land was turned into a huge courtyard where Jews now come to pray.
The Wall today remains the dividing point between the Jewish, Muslim and Christian areas of Jerusalem.
Address: Israel
From $ 32
Sheinken Street
Notorious for being one of the swankiest, hippest streets in all of Tel Aviv, Sheinken Street (שיינקין) is home to some of the best shops and restaurants in town. Elegance and culture reign in this bustling district, and if you're looking for a great shopping experience, this is the place to be.
Speciality stores and boutiques for every visitor line the streets along with delicious restaurants and charming cafes. If you're looking for a calmer experience, people-watching on Nafha Street (רחוב נפחא) is the prime location, with beautiful al fresco cafes. Whatever you're looking for, Sheinken Street is sure to have something for you.
Practical Info
Sheinken Street is located in the heart of Tel Aviv, and is incredibly easy to access by any mode of transportation. Be sure to check out all of the connecting and side streets in order to get the full Sheinken experience.
Address: Tel Aviv, Israel
Admission: Free
From $ 98
The Cardo
During Byzantine Jerusalem a sunken north-south thoroughfare was built across the city, from what is now the Damascus Gate southward toward the Zion Gate. The general term for such a main street in Ancient Roman cities was cardo maximus, and today, the street is simply called The Cardo.
Today the Cardo begins just south of David St. and is only half its original width — it was once as wide as a six-lane highway — and passes into the modern-day Jewish Quarter. A walk along the Cardo will reveal a strip of high-end shops selling souvenirs, Judaica, jewelry and artwork. A southern portion of the Cardo has been restored with colonnaded walkways, much like it had during the sixth century.
Practical Info
The area surrounding the Cardo contains several worthwhile archaeological excavations of the First and Second Temples.
Address: Jewish Quarter St, Jerusalem 97500, Israel
From $ 73