There are archaeological sites in Israel literally everywhere you turn, and it is no wonder when you consider how many rules the land has been under over the course of thousands of years. Sites like the Western Wall, the Belvoir Fortress, Qumran and Shivta are just a few archaeological sites among many found in Israel, all of which offer an exciting glimpse into history and tell a detailed story. Here are some of the most popular and interesting archaeological sites in Israel, although, as you will realize when you are here, almost everywhere you turn, there is another archaeological site, a fortress or ruin, there for you to explore.
Archaeological Sites in Israel
Archaeological Sites in Israel
Beit Shearim
Beit Shearim is a national park in the Lower Galilee region of northern Israel. Beit Shearim is known for the remains of a Roman city located on a hilltop and the ancient Jewish burial catacombs located within it. Today the Beit Shearim National Park incorporates both the ruins of the city and the burial tombs. Read More
Beit Guvrin
Beit Guvrin is an important archaeological site in southern Israel around 60km south of Jerusalem. Beit Guvrin National Park encompasses the remains of the ancient city of Tel Maresha and covers 5,000 dunams. The site has a tumultuous history from the First Temple Period through to modern times, yet it is the amazing caves at Beit Guvrin which is the main attraction for many of the visitors who come here. Read More
Things to do in Beer Sheva
Beer Sheva is the capital of the Negev region of Israel, a desert city that serves as the gateway to this region. Beer Sheva is generally not on the agendas of many tourists to Israel, and is therefore somewhat of an off the beaten track destination. There are a number of interesting and unique things to do in Beer Sheva, an ancient city dating from Biblical times, including the old Turkish town, which is the only planned Ottoman city in the region, the Turkish railway station, and the Bedouin market, as well as nearby Tel Beer Sheba which is the archaeological remnants of the ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read More
Tel Jezreel
Tel Jezreel (the Jezreel Mound) is located on the southern ridge of the beautiful Jezreel Valley in the Lower Galilee region of northern Israel. The tel (which is an archaeological mound in Hebrew) sits 100 meters above the valley and covers approximately 60 dunams (22 acres). The beautiful surrounding landscape is a beautiful patchwork of agricultural fields which are nourished by the ample water supplied by natural springs in the area. With its strategically location close to the ancient Via Maris trade route running from north to south the city at Tel Jezreel was an important stop along the way. Read More
Beit Shean
Beit Shean is one of the oldest cities in Israel. Often overlooked by tourists, it's worth a visit. Like most places in Israel Beit Shean has several names – Scythopolis, Tel Beit Shean, Tel el-Husn, Tel el-Hosn, Beisan and Nysa. It is located in the Galilee region of northern Israel where the Harod Valley and Jordan Valley meet, just 27km south of the Sea of Galilee and 5km east of the Jordan River and is one of the country's largest archaeological sites. Read More
Zippori and the Mona Lisa of the Galilee
The ancient city of Zippori (aka Tzippori) in the Lower Galilee region of northern Israel, was described by the first century Jewish historian, Josephus Flavius, as 'the ornament of all Galilee.' This beautiful archaeological site is located on a hill midway between the Mediterranean Sea and Sea of Galilee. With abundant spring water and a fertile valley around it, it is a truly beautiful spot and includes what many have come to describe as the Mona Lisa of the Galilee. Read More
Sea of Galilee
The Sea of Galilee (the Kinneret) is a magnificent geographical marvel surrounded by pretty rural agricultural settlements. Famous because of its prominence among New Testament writings (as is the whole of the Galilee as the place Jesus lived), the Sea of Galilee is one of the earliest settled areas in the Land of Israel and boasts archaeological ruins sitting alongside some of the first pioneering settlements in Israel, as well as religious sites, modern cities, and endless outdoor pursuits. Read More
Caesarea
Caesarea is a magnificent site, a national park where amazing ancient harbor ruins, beautiful beaches, and impressive modern residences sit side by side. Named by Travel & Leisure as the best tourist spot in the Middle East in 2020, Caesarea is originally an ancient Herodian port city located on Israel’s Mediterranean Coast about halfway between Tel... Read More
Masada
Masada is not only important because it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site or an ancient fortress occupying a breathtaking strategic location high on a flat plateau above the Dead Sea, but because of its symbolic importance as a symbol of determinance and heroism which continues to this day with many Israeli soldiers sworn in here. Masada is one of the greatest archaeological sites in Israel and, perhaps, across the world. Its dramatic ascent can now be made by cablecar, but the drama and imagery that this site portrays is no less powerful than it ever was. Read More
Ramparts Walk
The Ramparts Walk in the Old City of Jerusalem is a gem hidden from locals and tourists alike. Hard to find, the Ramparts Walk is one of the most rewarding activities in terms of history, beauty and a greater sense of the Old City as a whole. Reasonably priced, the Ramparts Walk makes a great trip combined with the other activities and sites found in and around the Old City. Read More
Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem
The Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City is one of the four quarters of the walled city. The quarter is home to around 2,000 people and covers about 0.1 square kilometers. It is also the location of many tens of synagogues and yeshivas (places of the study of Jewish texts) and has been almost continually home to Jews since the century 8 BCE. Today, the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem is a fascinating place to explore with museums, synagogues, and of course, the Western Wall its main attractions. As well as these, however, just walking through the alleyways and watching the religious inhabitants go about their daily lives is just as fascinating. Read More