Things to do in Israel

This is a territory with a very storied past that’s sacred to three different world religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism – so historic holy sites are Israel’s bread and butter. Exploring these sacrosanct attractions is one of the most popular things to do in Israel, and the reason a lot of people choose to visit. Many of the most notable ones are found in the capital, Jerusalem, behind the stone walls of the Old City. Here you’ll find landmarks like the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock. You’ll also want to check out the Mount of Olives and the City of David – an active archaeological site.

Away from Jerusalem, there are other historic gems to discover in Nazareth and Haifa, like the Basilica of the Annunciation and the terraced Baha’i Gardens. There’s also the Jordan River, where the ancient Israelites first crossed near Jericho; the Sea of Galilee where Jesus is said to have walked on water; the ancient Roman city of Caesarea; and the fortress of Masada, which rises majestically above the Dead Sea and was originally built in 150BC.

If you’re looking for a holiday packed with sun, sea and sand, Israel certainly delivers. It’s got coasts on the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee – so when it comes to picking a beach, you’ll be positively spoiled for choice.

Tel Aviv, on the Med, is the place to go for an urban beach break. While Gordon Beach is the biggest of the bunch, the city’s got no fewer than 13 sandy stretches to its name, so it’s certainly not your only option. Meanwhile, over on the Red Sea, the resort of Eilat is famed for its spectacular corals and proves popular with tourists and Israeli families alike. Alternatively, there are a range of sandy and rocky beaches surrounding the Sea of Galilee – where a handful of holy sites are thrown in for good measure – or you can float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea and then enjoy a pampering spa treatment using its mineral-rich mud.

If you’re something of a thrill-seeker you’ll find plenty of things to do in Israel that let you scratch that itch. In coastal locales along the Mediterranean or the Sea of Galilee, you can enjoy watersports such as surfing, jet-skiing and kayaking, while over on the Red Sea the clear turquoise waters and kaleidoscopic corals make for excellent snorkelling and diving. And if you want to take things up a notch, you can always go white-water rafting on the Jordan River.

The Negev and Judaean Deserts allow for yet more adrenaline-inducing adventures. Here you can tour the wadis and ravines in a Jeep, or ride the dunes on a sandboard. You can also go canyoning in the Eilat Mountains or rugged Golan Heights. Or, for something completely different, why not try potholing in an underground salt cave? After hiking to the top of a natural salt mountain, where you’ll be rewarded by spectacular views of the Dead Sea, you’ll climb down nearly 300 feet to the cave floor where you’ll crawl through tight spots and climb into huge chambers while surrounded by extraordinary multi-hued salt crystals.

Wine tasting might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of things to do in Israel. But this country is actually jam-packed with vineyards and produces a diverse selection of wine that continues to rack up international acclaim. There are five main wine-producing regions in the country – Galilee, the Judean Hills, Samson, the Negev and Shomron. Although all regions enjoy a Mediterranean climate, different soil compositions mean that a range of grapes are able to be grown. Classic French varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah are amongst the most popular, although a number of native grapes are also harvested.

If you join a wine tour you’ll spend the day at three or four wineries, where you’ll have the chance to learn about the production process, find out what makes a wine Kosher, enjoy a delicious lunch, and of course sample the produce. Plus you’ll also take in the beautiful scenery of the Israeli countryside along the way.