Bonjour lecteurs! Israel packs an unusual amount of contrast into a small footprint. In the space of a single week, you can float in the Dead Sea, hike through a desert canyon at sunrise, and stand in a 3,000-year-old marketplace selling fresh bread and spices. The country has so much to offer. Here are seven worth building a trip around.
Ramparts of Jerusalem’s Old City
Most visitors head straight for the Western Wall or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Sure, both deserve the time. But few take the Ramparts Walk, a path along the top of the ancient city walls built by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 1500s. From up there, you get a rare view point over all four quarters at once. You can also see how compact and tightly woven the Old City really is. The walk takes about an hour and costs a small entry fee, but it’s far less crowded than the alleys below.
Float in the Dead Sea at Sunrise
The Dead Sea sits more than 1,400 feet below sea level, making it the lowest point on Earth’s surface. Its salt content makes floating almost effortless. Arrive early to avoid the midday heat and the tour bus crowds at popular beaches like Ein Bokek. Bring water shoes, since the shoreline can be sharp with salt crystals.
Hike Masada Before the Heat Sets In
Masada, the mountaintop fortress where Jewish rebels made their last stand against Rome in 73 CE, is one of the most dramatic archaeological sites in the country. The Snake Path climb takes about 45 minutes to an hour and is steep, so starting before sunrise. It can get really hot by mid-morning. You can even take cable car if you want to make it to the top and see Herod’s palace and a Roman siege ramp still visible from above.
Tel Aviv’s Food Scene
Jerusalem gets most of the historical attention, but Tel Aviv is where Israel’s food culture shows its full range. Carmel Market might not be one of the greatest world’s greatest food markets, but it’s still worth a visit with une grande sélection of spices, halva, and fresh produce.
Try a plate of shakshuka at a late-night spot in Florentin, or grab some sabich (a pita stuffed with fried eggplant, egg, and amba sauce). Tel Aviv’s food reflects decades of immigration from North Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, and that mix shows up on nearly every menu.
Float Through the Ramon Crater
The Ramon Crater, or Makhtesh Ramon, is a geological formation unique to the Negev region. The erosion crater formed over millions of years, is the largest of its kind in the world. It stretches 25 miles long and up to six miles wide, with exposed rock layers in shades of red, orange, and purple. From jeep tours to camel treks, there is so much to do there.
Explore the Underground City of Akko
Akko (or Acre), on the northern coast, gets a fraction of the visitors that Jerusalem does, which is part of its appeal. Beneath the current Ottoman-era city lies the remains of a Crusader fortress, including vaulted halls and tunnels that were only rediscovered in the 20th century. Walking through the Knights’ Halls and the underground Templar tunnel gives a physical sense of how many civilisations have literally built on top of each other here. The old port and its seafood restaurants make a good stop afterward.
Visit the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa
The Baha’i Gardens cascade down Mount Carmel in nineteen precisely landscaped terraces, surrounding the golden-domed Shrine of the Bab. The gardens are free to visit, but you will need a guide tour for upper and lower sections. Because the terraces are steep, working with expert Israel tour guides who know the layout and timing can make it easier to see the gardens properly without missing the limited guided-access sections.
Israel has so much to discover. The country features many landmarks and geological wonders that you must see. Start your excursions as early as possible as it gets hot quickly there and see many beautiful hidden gems and more famous locations.
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