Middle East | Israel | Jerusalem
This beautiful holy city is a spiritual lightning rod and sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians all over the world. Jerusalem is a major pilgrimage site for Christians because it is a site of key events in the life of Jesus and other important figures. It's also the spot where, according to traditional interpretations of the Koran, the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. Although Jerusalem is known primarily for its religious history, the city is also home to many artistic and cultural venues. The Israel Museum hosts nearly one million visitors a year and the 20-acre museum complex features special exhibits and extensive collections of Judaica, archaeological findings, and Israeli and European art. The Dead Sea scrolls are housed in the Museum's Shrine of the Book.
Learn More About Jerusalem
Western Wall
Also called Wailing Wall, in the Old City of Jerusalem, this is a place of prayer and pilgrimage sacred to the Jewish people.
Dome of the Rock
An Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Tower of David
Contains archaeological finds dating back over 2,500 year,s including a quarry dated to the First Temple period. It is a popular venue for benefit events, craft shows, concerts, and sound-and-light performances.
Mount of Olives
Also known as Mount Olivet, it is named for an olive grove that once covered the mountain. Several key events in Jesus' life, took place on the Mount of Olives, and in the Acts of the Apostles it is described as the place from which Jesus ascended to heaven.
Other Popular Destinations in Israel
The Dead Sea lies at the lowest point on Earth, around 430 meters below sea level, and features water with nearly ten times the salinity of the ocean. That level of salinity makes floating on its surface effortless. Visitors can lie back without effort, with views opening across barren hills and reflective water. This shoreline also hosts a mix of minerals collected over millennia and known for their soothing effect on skin and joints.
Tel Aviv began in 1909 as a new neighborhood beside the ancient port of Jaffa. The city is now home to the largest cluster of Bauhaus-style buildings in the world which earned UNESCO recognition for its early 20th-century urban planning. Visitors can explore those structures on guided architectural walks through streets like Rothschild or Dizengoff.
