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Visiting Israel can be an incredibly spiritual experience for most people. Being able to walk in the history of three major religions is something most other countries cannot boast. Israel is important for Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Along every step, you’ll stumble upon a church, landmark, or important corner of extreme religious value. While you may think of Jerusalem, there are many incredible Biblical sites in Israel.
While spending our time in Israel, we made the best of it to explore as many different spots as possible and visit as many Biblical sites as possible. We did avoid the West Bank due to the complicated security situation, so we won’t be detailing those here. There is so much you need to consider when going to Bethlehem and other Biblical spots within the West Bank, which is why we won’t be talking about it.
Biblical Sites in Israel
Here is a map of all the sites we will be talking about below. They are throughout Israel. However, Israel is a small country, the size of New Jersey, which makes all the sites very easy to visit in a week-long trip to Israel.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is really the most important Biblical site in Israel. There is so much to do and see, which really brings the Bible alive. No city in the world is like Jerusalem. Many religions center around Jerusalem.
It was an incredible experience to walk in the footsteps of so many Biblical figures, including Jesus, King David, and Mary of Nazareth. We highly recommend spending plenty of time exploring all the different corners of Jerusalem. From here, you can also take a bus to Rachel’s Tomb.
Old City
Old City Jerusalem is the main place where you’ll find biblical sites in Jerusalem. You’ll find sites for the three major religions represented in Jerusalem. However, you will not see any signs or plaques throughout the Old City, so a walking tour might be really helpful.
Check out this Biblical walking tour!
Via Dolorosa
Want to walk along Jesus’s steps from his arrest to his death? Then the Via Dolorosa is for you. You start in the plaza where Jesus was brought to trial and condemned. Then you’ll follow the 14 stations, seeing where Jesus fell, had his brow wiped, and saw the women of Jerusalem. Finally, all of it brings you to the Church of the Holy Speulchure where Jesus was placed on the cross and then died.
Pro tip: Near station number five, there is a stone in the building that is a different color and has a hand indented. Jesus used that stone to help stabilize himself; definitely put your hand in there.
Cost to visit? Free
Church of Holy Sepulchure
Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of Holy Sepulchure. It is where Jesus died on the cross, laid to rest, and rose again. Visit the Anointing Stone where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial. You’ll also be able to visit Jesus’ Empty Tomb.
Five different Christian religions run the church. Different areas of the church reflect the different orthodox and Catholic denominations. It is a huge church that can take a minimum of one hour to explore. Lastly, don’t forget to find the Ethiopian rite, the entrance is outside and up a set of stairs. Finally, the base of the Cross is in the basement area.
We also highly recommend going to Mass at the Holy Sepulchure. Mass is celebrated in front of Jesus’ Empty Tomb. It is truly the most unique, spiritual experience. It is an early morning, but completely worth it.
Cost to visit? Free
Mary’s House
Heading over to the Armenian quarter you’ll find Dormition Abbey (Hagia Maria). Here you’ll find a beautiful Catholic church run by the Benedictine Order. Mass and Vespers is in German. Dormition Abbey is built over the site where Mother Mary fell asleep.
However, Mary is buried at the Mount of Olives. Additionally, the crypt is truly beautiful and a great place of contemplation to spend time with Mama Mary. Over Mary’s final resting spot, there is a beautiful depiction of the different women in the Bible.
Cost to visit? Free
The Room of the Last Supper
The famous room where Jesus stated that he was going to be betrayed. Here they celebrated the Passover meal and Jesus offered up his body and blood (Read Matthew 26:17–29; Mark 14:12–25; Luke 22:7–38; and I Corinthians 11:23–25). I will say it is not an impressive room or much to see (it is literally just a room), but it is free and very cool to walk in Jesus’ steps.
From the exit, you can choose to go to the roof for some epic views of Jerusalem or head downstairs to David’s Tomb. Both are free options and worth seeing.
Cost to visit? Free
David’s Tomb
Below the Room of the Last Supper is King David’s Tomb. Here, you can visit one of the most famous Monarchs of the Bible. Jesus comes from the line of David. He was a prolific writer of Psalms and an incredible warrior.
Men and women have to visit the tomb in separate sections. Men wear kippas. While women are encouraged to cover their hair, keep this in mind for a couple places in the Old City. There are also pamphlets to read and psalms to help with prayer as well.
Cost to visit? Free
Western Wall/The Kotel
From the Armenian Quarter, we walk over to the Jewish Quarter. Here is the Western Wall or Kotel. Biblically, this wall is what remains from Solomon’s Second Temple. It is one of the holiest sites in Judaism. You can bring paper with your payers and leave them in the wall. Periodically, the prayers are removed, brought up to the Mount of Olives, and burned as Burnt Offerings.
Some important things to note is that men and women will be going to separate parts of the wall. Like all other Biblical Sites in Israel, modest dress is required. However, it is more strict. Both men and women cover their shoulders and their knees. If you do not have a kippa, you will be given one. Married women need to cover their hair. Women are also required to wear skirts or dresses that go below their knees.
Cost to visit? Free
Check out all the Unique Things to do in Jerusalem!
Mount of Olives
This famous mountain is a key Biblical site. Here, Jesus ascended into Heaven. Many important things happen on the Mount of Olives. Jesus’s betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus’s agony and prayers at the rock of agony. Additionally, Mother Mary is buried at the foot of the mountain. Finally, the top boasts an amazing lookout over the Old City.
Garden of Gethsemane
Also known as the Church of Nations, here is the Rock of Agony at the base of the altar. This basilica is large and gorgeous. Additionally, there are kneelers by the altar where you can spend some quiet time by the Rock of Agony. This biblical site in Israel is where Jesus was betrayed and arrested before the crucifixion (Matthew 26:42–46).
Cost to visit? Free
Mary’s Tomb
Next to the Garden of Gethsemane is Mary’s Tomb. It is underground. Pictures are not allowed inside. Mary’s Tomb is one of our favorite places to visit in Jerusalem. It is a beautiful space for some peaceful prayer and reflection. You can also see where Mary was buried before being assumed into Heaven.
Cost to visit? Free
Chapel of Ascension
The top of Mount of Olives is where Jesus ascended into Heaven (Luke 24:50-51). This chapel celebrates a very important aspect of Christianity. Personally, we did not feel that the fee was worthwhile the visit. It is a cash-only admittance.
Cost to visit? 10NIS
Pater Noster Church
This gorgeous biblical site in Israel is where Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer. Run by the Carmelite monastery, it stands tall next to the ruins of the Byzantine Church of Eleona. It is absolutely beautiful and has copies of the Lord’s Prayer in multiple languages. Finally, there is a fee, and it is cash only.
Cost to visit? 15 NIS
Jaffa
Jaffa, or Biblically known as Joppa! Many events from the Bible took place here.
Jaffa Port
Many important things happened in Jaffa Port! King Solomon’s ships used this port. Jonah attempted to disobey the Lord’s calling and was eaten by a whale. Additionally, there is a statue commemorating Jonah in Jaffa on Louis Pasteur Street! Simon the Tanner lived in Joppa, where the Apostle Peter was staying, when he received the vision to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.
Finally, the famous Dorcas lived and was raised from the dead in Jaffa. There is truly so much biblical history in Jaffa, Israel!
Cost to visit all these places? Free
Nazareth
Jesus of Nazareth. Need I say more? Here, we explore Jesus’ early life.
Basilica of Annunciation
This basilica is one of my favorite churches and biblical sites in Israel. It is built over Joseph and Mary’s Nazareth home. What makes this basilica so special is that nearly every country in the world donated a painting, drawing, or depiction of Mother Mary. Each is unique and special.
I love exploring these church grounds. You can see the Holy Family’s house underneath the church. Finally, there are masses and adoration. Additionally, if you want to experience this Basilica, they have a live stream of the mass every Sunday.
Cost to visit? Free
St Joseph’s Church
Located at the back of the Basilica of Annunciation is St. Joseph’s Church. St. Joseph’s Church was built over Joseph of Nazareth’s workshop. It is such a special church dedicated to Joseph with beautiful woodwork.
Cost to visit? Free
Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation
Near Mary’s Well (not worth the visit) is the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. It is a gorgeous church. It’s definitely worth the visit to see another beautiful church celebrating the Holy Family.
Cost to visit? Free
Kfar Kana
The site of Jesus’ first miracle. This church is particularly special to us because the story of Jesus’ first miracle was read during our wedding. Of course, that miracle also occurred during a wedding! The nuns running the church graciously let us visit as we barely made it in before it closed.
The Wedding Church at Cana is a beautiful church. It depicts the wedding where Jesus turns water into wine (John 2:1-11). There are also remains of wine jugs from the wedding found at the church, which is truly remarkable.
Cost to visit? Free
Sea of Galilee
Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Kinnert, is where Jesus and his apostles spent most of their time. There are many biblical sites along this lake. We are going to touch on the most famous and popular ones.
Tabgha- Church of Multiplication
Not far from Tiberias is Tabgha. Here Jesus raised from the dead a little girl. More famously this is the location of Jesus’s famous miracle of multiplying the fish and loaves. All throughout the area you’ll see replicas of the fish and loaves found at the bottom of the alter inside this church.
The Church of Multiplication has much of the original mosaic all on the floor of the church. It is incredibly impressive to see how well-preserved it is. The patio outside depicts the different areas where miracles occurred by the shore of the lake. Additionally, this is also a great first stop for seeing the Sea of Galilee.
Capernaum
Jesus spent a lot of his life in Capernaum. Here, he performed miracles, like walking on water, and gave many important sermons. Impressively, there is still so much left behind in Capernaum. You’ll be able to see Jesus’s home, many other homes in the neighborhood, and an old synagogue. The church has beautiful views of the Sea of Galilee, and there is even a section where the lake laps up to a walking path, making you feel like you could go for a swim (don’t go swimming here, though).
Cost to visit? 10 NIS
Mount of Beatitudes
On top of this mountain is where Jesus gave his Beatitude speech (Matthew 5:1-11). This beautiful church complex is home to a convent as well. It has some guest rooms if you want to sleep the night on the Mount of Beatitudes. There is an incredible view of the Sea of Galilee as well.
The complex has a little cafe that offers drinks, some food, and even wine. Be sure to dress appropriately for the church. Inside you can buy some religious souvenirs or request a Mass Intention.
Cost to visit? 10NIS for the car
Jordan River
The outlet of the Sea of Galilee feeds the Jordan River. The Jordan River flows south between Israel and Jordan all the way to the Dead Sea. While the area where Jesus was baptized is within the West Bank, you can still visit the northern part of the river before the West Bank. If you coordinate with a priest you can have a Jordan River Baptism.
Don’t want to drive throughout northern Israel? Take this tour instead!
Final Thoughts about the Biblical Sites of Israel
There are so many different Biblical Sites in Israel that we cannot possibly detail them all. Here we went through the most important ones and the ones we think would make the best pilgrimage. Of course, to make the a most out of a visit we recommend going with a pilgrimage group. Don’t forget to head to the south of Israel for Lot’s Wife near the Dead Sea and Akko for some sites from the Templar’s time.
