This tiny strip of land, holy to the world’s three great monotheistic religions, has a wealth of history, monuments, ruins, and places of worship to discover. The region also offers extraordinary natural beauty, from the forested slopes of the Galilee, to Mediterranean white-sand beaches, and the desert vistas of the Negev and Petra.
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Dome of the Rock
- Western Wall
- The Palestinian Museum
- Haifa
- Bethlehem
- Jaffa Beachfront
- Masada
- Sea of Galilee
- The Siq, Petra
1. Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Venerated as the site of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, this is, for many, the holiest venue in Christendom. The first church was built here for Emperor Constantine in AD 326. Destroyed in AD 614 by the Persians and by the Fatimid Sultan Hakim in 1009, it was rebuilt by the Crusaders between 1114 and 1170. Having survived fire and earthquake, it is now administered by six Christian denominations.
2. Dome of the Rock
Dome of the Rock, known to Muslims as Al-Haram ash-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary) , Arabic Qubbat al-Ṣakhrah, shrine in Jerusalem built by the Umayyad caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān in the late 7th century. It is the oldest extant Islamic monument.
3. Western Wall
One of "Al Quds" holiest places, the Western Wall or "حائط البراق" is a huge retaining structure built by Herod the Great to hold up the Dome of the Rock. It is about 1,600 ft (488 m) long, but only a small section is used for jewish prayers; most of the rest is hidden or is part of an archeological park.
4. The Palestinian Museum
Founded by Palestinian American businessman Faisal Saleh who, after over 40 years of entrepreneurial work, is turning his attention to managing the most ambitious Palestinian media project in the United States. the museum opened its doors on April 22, 2018. The exhibition draws upon three centuries of Palestinian coastal history to develop focused narratives of the rise of Akka (Acre) in the mid-18th century, the rise of Yaffa (Jaffa) in the 19th century, and the gradual concentration of capital and trade in Palestine’s coastal cities. It considers possible futures by reflecting on past experiences to illuminate a less familiar perspective on Palestinian modern history.
5. Haifa
Situated on the slopes of Mount Carmel between Haifa Bay and the Mediterranean Sea, cosmopolitan Haifa is one of the most beautiful port cities in the world. The Baha'i Gardens offer stunning panoramic views of 19th-century German colonial houses, Hadar's Bauhaus buildings and the narrow streets of the Arab Quarter of Wadi Nisnas. Excellent museums can be found throughout, while at the top of the hill, boulevards and upscale neighborhoods run along boulevards lined with cafes and restaurants.
6. Bethlehem
According to the Hebrew Bible, Bethlehem was the birthplace of the shepherd boy David and where he was crowned king. It is of course the most famous birthplace of Jesus. In 326 AD, Constantine the Great built a church here, and today the Church of the Nativity is the oldest place of prayer in Christianity. Bethlehem, 10 kilometers south of the Holy City, has been under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority since 1995. About 75 percent of the once-majority Christians are now Muslims.
7. Jaffa port
Jaffa Port has an ancient history that precedes the Bible stories that made this port world famous. Come here early to sample some fresh produce from the Jaffa Port Market and buy freshly caught fish straight from the fishing boats, then take in the sights and visit the shops and galleries. Admire the modern sailboats and yachts tied up at the ancient moorings. Only a small fishing fleet remains, the last commercial boats among the shiny pleasure crafts. Without losing a sense of tradition, Jaffa Port has gradually evolved into a trendy seaside hub. These days the port’s old hangars and warehouses house modern galleries, shops and restaurants, although you can still find crates full of fruit and fish too. Take a walk along the boardwalk to get an appreciation for the sheer age and history of Jaffa Port. Dating back well beyond Biblical times, this port has been conquered by many different civilizations throughout its thousands of years of history. Romans, Greeks and Egyptians came and went, and each have left their mark on the architecture and traditions of Old Jaffa. Gaze up at the beautiful old stone buildings that rise up from the water’s edge and venture inside the boutique shops to buy souvenirs and gifts.
8. Masada
9. Sea of Galilee
The largest freshwater lake in Palestine, known in Hebrew as Kinneret, is 21 kilometers long, 13 kilometers wide and about 220 meters below sea level. The largest town on the lake shore is Tiberias, famous for its hot springs and famous rabbinic tombs. There are many important Jewish and early Christian sites related to Jesus in the surrounding area. In between are beaches, protected wetlands, water parks, biking and hiking trails.
10. The Siq, Petra
