Irina Ostapenko

travel and art

What to see & where to stay in Israel

 

What to see in Israel

To explorer Israel it is easy on the one hand, because there is every meter contents historical and cultural value. On the other hand it is very difficult due to great deal of sights and history layers. The first what must see no doubt it is sites of The Holy Land, it is a row of historical and biblical towns, cities and places. Different archaeological historical sites you can see also in various National Parks, and interesting nature creatures and landscapes you can see in Nature Reserve. Another thing to notice is Bauhaus heritage — famous architecture of 20 century in Tel Aviv and nearby. There is one system of excursions in Israel: from different points in Tel Aviv, Jaffa and Bat Yam tourists are collected during about an a hour and then the bus goes on to the site, for back way the bus takes the tourists back to the points during one more hour.

Jerusalem

 

 

The Holy Land

  • Jaffa Old City — Jaffa Port , Jaffa Gate
  • Bethlehem — Church of the Nativity

You can take half-day tour of Bethlehem from

  • Armageddon valley (Jezreel Valley at Tel Megiddo mount foot)
  • Nazareth The Church of the Annunciation, St. Joseph Church
  • Mount Tabor
  • Cana
  • Sea of Galilee
  • Capharnaum
    • The Church of the Twelve Apostles
    • The House and Church of St. Peter
  • Jordan river Yardenit

You can take Galilee, Nazareth and more tour from

  • Old City of Jerusalem
  • Temple Mount opens: winter 7:30 to 10:30, 12:30 to 13:30, summer 8:30 to 11:30, 13:30 to 14:30 Friday and Saturday closed May be also closed without notice for security reasons. It is no alloyed wearing or carrying ANY religious artifacts. Clothes must cover shoulders and legs. May ask PASSPORTS. Non-Muslims are NOT permitted to enter into the Dome of the Rock. it is forbidden aloud prayers.
    • Wailing Wall, or Western Wall
    • Al-Aqsa Mosque 
    • Dome of the Rock
  • Cenacle -the Room of the Last Supper, on an upper floor of King David’s Tomb
  • Jerusalem Mount of Olives — Garden of Gethsemane
  • Via Dolorosa
  • The Church of the Holy Sepulchre — Golgotha’s Rock, Christ’s Tomb
  • Omar Mosque
  • Chapel of the Ascension

You can take guided tour Jerusalem Day Tour from Tel Aviv
guided tours in Jerusalem: Old Jerusalem holy city tour, Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives walking tour

 

 

Israel Nature Reserve & National Parks

  • Kursi National Park — ancient monastery remains with mosaic. a site of Jesus’s miracle — restoration of a demon-possessed man, when demons asked Him to be sent into pigs. Opens 8:00 to 17:00, Friday to 16:00 winter — all on 1 hour less. 18 km (18 min) from Capernaum along Sea of Galilee to the east
  • Jordan Star National Park — ancient fortress remains on a hill with stunning Jordan valley views, about 12 km to south from Sea of Galilee nearby Jordan river (5 km)
  • Herodyon National Park — excavated King Herod palace opens 8:00 to 17:00, Friday to 16:00 winter — all on 1 hour less. 17 km to the south from Jerusalem (30 min), recommendation — take a guide tour
  • Stalactite Cave Nature Reserve (Soreq Cave) opens 8:00 to 17:00, Friday to 16:00, to entry — all on 1 hour less, winter — all on 1 hour less. 30 km (40 min) to the west from Jerusalem
  • Bet Guvrin-Maresha National Park — an archeological site, various types of caves, burial caves with paintings, opens 8:00 to 17:00, Friday to 16:00, winter — all on 1 hour less. 55 km (55 min) to the south-west from Jerusalem
  • Dead sea has a sharp salt rocks so better to wear bathing shoes. The sun has no aggressive UF here, because Dead sea is very deeply under sea level. Strongly is not allowed Dead sea water to get into eyes or mouth, because it is no water, it is a heavy salt concentrate
  • En Gedi Nature Reserve is located nearby the Dead sea shore, 1,6 km from the closest beach. better beach is located in 7 km to south in Ein Gedi Hot Springs SPA complex, with mud and sulfur bath, a shuttle goes to Dead sea beech (1 km)
  • Coral Beach Nature Reserve opens 09:00 to 18:00, Friday to 16:00 (from En Bokek 210 km 2 h 22 min) As variant — to stay for two nights in 500 m from the beach in Isrotel Yam Suf Hotel  (40 sq.m 410 euro suite with pool access)

You can take a guided tour also to Jordan

 

 

Museums and exibitions

  • Bauhaus Center -city guided tours, exhibitions (free entry) 10:00 to 19:00 Friday 10:00 to 14:00 Saturday closed, 77 Dizengoff St. Tel Aviv, (+972)3-522-0249
  • Rockefeller Archaeological Museum — a small collection in ancient authentic palace with garden The entrance (free) is located nearby the Herod’s gate. Opens: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 10:00 to 15:00, Sultan Suleiman St 27 Jerusalem
  • The Israel Museum, Jerusalem — art of all historical periods and peoples of the word in one place (3 km from Old City of Jerusalem). opens: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesday 16:00 to 21:00 27 Sultan Suleiman Street Jerusalem

You can take guided tour Tel Aviv architecture guided tour

 

 

What to see & where to stay in Israel check on a map 

Some hotels in historical centers (without a pool):

  • In Old Jaffa
    Casa Nova — Luxury Suites & Boutique Apart-Hotel (35 sq.m 303 euro) BOOK
  • In Old City of Jerusalem
    The Sephardic House Hotel (29 sq.m 252 euro) BOOK

Some hotels with a pool:

 

 

   

Renaissance Tel Aviv Hotel ****

  • Located in a skyscraper right on a beach with wide panoramic views
  • SPA, indoor pool with sea view
  • BOOK

Approximately price per 2 adults with breakfast . 23 sq.m 290 euro: sea view

 

 

 

The Setai Tel Aviv

  • Located in a historic Ottoman building nearby (500 m) Old Jaffa
  • SPA, an outdoor roof pool with city and sea views
  • BOOK

Approximately price per 2 adults with breakfast . 20 sq.m 560 euro

 

 

 

Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Hotel ****

  • Dead sea resort in En Bokek with marvelous Dead Sea sunrises
  • Outdoor and indoor pools
  • BOOK

Approximately price per 2 adults with breakfast . 21 sq.m 304 euro: panoramic sea view on up floor