Middle Eastern culture, Crusader history, ancient sights, as well as spectacular architecture and cities dating back to the Romans, Phoenicians, Assyrians, and Egyptians, are the epitome of ancient Israel – and something to be included in any visit to Israel if you have just a bit of historical interest.

 
Among all the ancient cities, 7 of the most significant sights are described below to inspire a visit to Israel. The cities are Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Akko, Nazareth, Caesarea, Jaffa, and Masada – all full of fascinating ancient culture that belongs to the history of Israel.

Jerusalem is one of the most interesting ancient cities to visit to get an insight into the history and culture of Israel.

Jerusalem – The Western Wall with the Dome of the Rock as a backdrop | Photo: Travel In Culture

The oldest part of Jerusalem is probably the City of David, located below the current Old City, surrounded by the spectacular city walls. In ancient times, it was here that the first settlers arrived and built their homes.

Much later, Jerusalem expanded above the original city – and under the Ottomans in the 16th century, this newer part of Jerusalem was surrounded by solid city walls.

The Jewish Cemetery | Photo: Anna Anouk / Pixabay

A unique feature of Jerusalem is that the city brings together three world religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Today, there are several famous landmarks, each representing one of these world religions. The Western Wall and the Temple Mount have symbolic and religious significance for the Jews, the spectacular Dome of the Rock and outstanding Al-Aqsa Mosque represent the Muslim faith, and the iconic Church of the Holy Sepulchre, as well as Jesus’ way of suffering, the Via Dolorosa, are Christian sites in the capital of Israel.

Read more about the Old City of Jerusalem, its history and what to see and do in Jerusalem here.

In Bethlehem, the absolute top attraction is the Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity – and the church is unarguably the main reason to visit Bethlehem on your Israel trip.

Bethlehem | Photo: Neufal54 / Pixabay

The Church of the Nativity is located in the West Bank near Jerusalem (occupied by the Palestinians). It is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, represented by the spot inside the Grotto of the Nativity where a silver star is placed. That is the precise location where Jesus was born. Pilgrims tend to kiss the 14-pointed silver star when arriving at the Church of the Nativity.

The church is the oldest in the Holy Land, and the foundation of the church, which dates back to the 4th century, was laid by the Roman Emperor Constantine, who commissioned it in 326 CE. Although the church has undergone many transformations since then, there are still traces of the original mosaics from this first church.

Akko, or Acre, is one of the ancient cities in Israel that is a must-see site to visit and explore. It is a walled seaside city along Haifa Bay that has been a port for more than 4,000 years. Moreover, it has been shaped by many cultures since the Romans, Ottomans and Byzantines, among others, took possession of the city at different times in history. Therefore, it is today also a blend of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim cultures – and a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site in Israel.

Akko | Photo: Anan Khatib / Pixabay

Being an old Crusader town, Akko features a subterranean Crusader City, and all subsequent mosques, baths, and other constructions have been built on top of the old Crusader ruins.

One of the renovated Crusader structures is the Knights’ Halls of the Hospitaller Fortress. The site also houses the Templars’ Tunnel, an underground tunnel used by Templars to get access from the port into the fortress.

Akko | Photo: Adam Clay / Pixabay

The Old City features a vibrant and colourful souk (market) and a Turkish Bath where the interesting history of Akko comes alive in a sound and light show in a perfect setting.

You can stroll along the city walls and enjoy the panoramic view of the harbour, the fortress, and the boats with the sea as a backdrop. A lot of local fishing takes place just off the seafront – and you can enjoy the local fresh fish and seafood at the many restaurants in the city.

Nazareth is the childhood home of Jesus and the cradle of Christianity. Around 2,000 years ago, it was just a small Jewish village. It later became a pilgrimage site where pilgrims came to see the home of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Also, the remains of Joseph’s carpentry are nearby. Because of its popularity, the Church of the Annunciation was built here on the very site of Mary’s home, and more churches and monasteries followed. Even later, mosques and synagogues were erected as well.

The empty tomb | Photo: TC Perch / Pixabay

A bit outside the city, along a road from Mount Carmel, an empty ‘Jesus tomb’ (to be sealed by a rolling stone) can be found. It dates to the first century.

There are also elegant manor houses and other imposing 19th-century buildings from the Ottoman era. Some of them are adorned with fascinating frescoes. The city is a significant Muslim city in Israel, and its blend of archaeology, picturesque remains, Middle Eastern culture and history, and its location in the Lower Galilee Valley, makes it a popular tourist destination.

Galilee valley | Photo: June Rule / Pixabay

Besides its numerous churches in the Old City, Nazareth features many gems, such as an ancient Turkish bathhouse, the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation, and the White Mosque, serving as both a house of prayer and a museum of Nazareth’s history. Finally, it is worth mentioning that Nazareth has plentiful restaurants that prepare authentic local food with delicious flavours and spices belonging to Middle Eastern cuisine.

Near Nazareth, you can visit Sepphoris (Zippori), which used to be the Roman capital of the Galilee in Israel. There are still Roman remains, for example, a colonnade, a mosaic portrait, an amphitheatre, and a Byzantine Synagogue.

Caesarea is located in Israel between Tel Aviv and Haifa and is a port city with much to offer, from ancient ruins to breathtaking views of the landscape and seascape. It was a Roman-controlled city and capital of Roman Judea and Palestine, built by Herod the Great as a major seaport.

Caesarea | Photo: Samir Smier / Pixabay

A visit to Caesarea is a step back in time, where you can explore the Roman-era port city and its outstanding architecture. The archaeological sites are plentiful – spanning over ancient aqueducts, an awe-inspiring amphitheatre, a hippodrome, and well-preserved mosaic artwork and monuments – it is rich in Roman culture and history and highly deserves its designation as a national park in Israel (Caesarea National Park).

Caesarea | Photo: Robert Alvarado / Pixabay

There is much to explore and discover at the historical sites, and if you are a Roman history lover, Caesarea is a must-see archaeological site. The amphitheatre was built by King Herod and is the oldest amphitheatre in this class in the eastern Mediterranean. Due to being well-preserved, it is still being used for performances and reveals, along with the rest of the archaeological city, a fascinating history from long ago. There is also a Crusader fortress at Caesarea.

As one of the most ancient port cities in Israel and the world, Jaffa in Southern Tel Aviv is still inhabited and has been since the Bronze Age. With its hilltop location and natural harbour, Jaffa had a strategic location in antiquity and was surrounded by massive city walls. It was conquered countless times by the Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians and more. Over the years, it expanded, and modern Tel Aviv grew out of Jaffa, which turned it into the neighbourhood of Tel Aviv-Yafo. In 1836, a major earthquake destroyed the city walls, which were never rebuilt.

Jaffa | Photo: Noamarmonn / Pixabay

Jaffa has a picturesque Old City, including the lively port area still used by fishermen, and it is an exciting part of the city to explore, full of winding alleyways. The city has a wealth of historic stone buildings, churches, mosques, and art galleries – not to mention the Jaffa Flea Market. It is a mix of ancient and new cultures and is unique in Israel.

Jaffa | Photo: Barak Broitman / Pixabay

Until the end of the 19th century, Jaffa served as the gateway to Israel, including for the Jews who returned. After some time, they moved from Jaffa to Tel Aviv and other cities in Israel. Anyway, Jaffa kept its Jewish culture and is today a melting pot in Israel of Jewish and Muslim culture.

Among the countless things to do in Israel is a visit to Masada, a popular tourist attraction, as the site attracts about 750,000 visitors annually.

Masada | Photo: Samir Smier / Pixabay

Atop an isolated rock in the Negev Desert in Israel, an ancient fortress can be found on the flat-top mesa. The ruins include storage buildings, an armoury, a palace, barracks, as well as cisterns. The Romans besieged Masada 73-74 CE towards the end of the First Jewish-Roman War.

Masada | Photo: Gidon Pico / Pixabay

The ancient settlement built by Herod the Great sits on a natural rock plateau that abruptly drops 400 metres to the steep side and only 90 metres to the other, where a ramp gives access to the fortifications. There is also a newer cable car for easier access to the iconic site.

The majestically rising cliff of Masada overlooks the Dead Sea and a visit up here provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

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