Things to do in

Jerusalem

Explore the holiest cities on earth, either in a shared or private, customizable tour. Starting from Tel Aviv at 6:30 AM, travel to three of Israel's highlights. Start your guided tour in the "City of Gold." Visit Jerusalem's Old City including the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Sepulchre. Explore local Markets, Byzantine Cardo, and Western Wall.  Next, embark on a tour of Bethlehem and witness the Church of the Nativity, the city where Jesus Christ was born. Those who are not interested in Bethlehem can instead opt to enjoy free time in Jerusalem while others explore Bethlehem. In the afternoon, begin heading east through the Judean Desert. Enjoy a journey to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth and savor bathing and floating upon the therapeutic waters. At 4:30 PM leave the Dead Sea and return to Tel Aviv. Arrival should be around 7:00 PM.

This full-day tour explores the holiest of holy cities, spiritual sanctuary to the 3 great religions of the Western world; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Dating back over 4 millennia the Old City is so packed with sites that it draws visitors, whatever their spiritual leanings. You will leave with a comprehensive overview of the city, having walked in the quarters of the Old City, continue to the poignant, Holocaust Museum for the later part of the day. Start at the Mount of Olives to take in a panoramic view of the dusty city below. Then enter the Old City and tour the main attractions, such as the Wailing Wall, Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. Walk through the Jewish and Armenian Quarters and the recently restored Roman road of The Cardo, visible on Jewish Quarter Street. Visit the bazaar and the Western Wall, or Kotel, and proceed along the Via Dolorosa to visit the Church of Holy Sepulcher, also known as Church of the Resurrection and said to be the place where Jesus is buried and was resurrected. Ascend to Mt. Zion. On Saturdays you can visit the Hall of the Last Supper and David's Tomb. Continue to the new city by car and spend some time at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. The sprawling complex contains several sections, but it is the Museum that draws thousands of visitors ever since it opened in 2005. The beautiful building stands in contrast to the horrific story told within. You will also want to see the Hall of Remembrance and the Hall of Names before your return journey to Tel Aviv.

Following pickup in Jerusalem, you will ride to Bethlehem to meet your guide before heading to the Old City of Bethlehem. You will begin with a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity, as well as the Cave of St. Jerome (a visit to the Nativity Star is not always available). From there, you will continue walking to visit the Milk Grotto Church, where it is believed that the Holy Family found refuge from the Massacre of the Innocents before they could flee into Egypt. You will then ride to the City of the Shepherd's, Bayt Sahur. Once having arrived, you till take a guided visit to the Chapel of The Shepherd's Field, the church where the angels first appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. You will then have the chance to visit an olive wood factory and see the artisans crafting the wooden sculptures, which is considered to be an important and old craft in Bethlehem. Next, you will ride through the wonderful Judean Desert to the lowest point on earth, where you will have the chance to stop and take pictures at the sea-level point in the desert overlooking the oldest city in the world, Jericho. You will then stop to have lunch. before continuing to the Dead Sea to enjoy the rest of the day either floating in the rich water or relaxing at the beach.

Day 1: Your tour begins with a drive through the fertile Jordan Valley to the Sheikh Hussein border crossing in the North. Your first stop is Jerash, one of the world’s best-preserved Roman towns. Journey through time as you walk the colonnaded streets behind the impressive Hadrian’s Arch, and discover the Greco-Roman architecture telling 4,000 years of Mediterranean history. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the capital to learn about Amman’s cultural importance and eventful past, featuring palaces, a museum and the Temple of Hercules, and panoramic views across the city. Drive to a Bedouin camp near Petra, savor a traditional dinner, enjoy authentic Bedouin hospitality beneath the clear desert skies and listen to local music, before heading to rest in your tent’s comfortable bed. Day 2: After breakfast, take a day to explore Petra, carved into the red stone by the Nabataeans around 2,000 years ago. Hear about Petra’s complex history, followed by lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the sites by yourself, and admire the Hellenistic architecture, before heading back for dinner. Day 3: Your last day starts with an exciting ride through the exquisite and virtually untouched desert landscape of Wadi Rum. A 4x4 jeep will take you to stunning sights and viewpoints, past towering cliffs of weathered stone and desert animals. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the Allenby Bridge border crossing, and by late evening arrive back in Jerusalem.

Start your tour at 3:00 AM with pickup at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem. Then, drive through the desert in a comfortable vehicle until you reach the Arava Border. Cross the border with assistants, a procedure which may take up to an hour.  At 8:30 AM, transfer from the border to Petra in a new air-conditioned vehicle. This ride takes approximately 2-3 hours.  Enjoy the scenic route along the mountainside before arriving at Petra's historical site, known as one of the New7Wonders of the World.   At approximately 11:30 AM, begin your tour of Petra at the entrance to the site with a maximum group size of 25 people. Explore the highlights of this impressive site with your guide. Next, start your journey towards Aqaba at 4:30 PM. Make a few stops at certain observations points along the way to appreciate the beautiful landscapes that Wadi Rum has to offer. At 7:30 PM, return to the Israeli territory with the assistance of your guide and arrive back at the pickup location in Jerusalem by midnight.

Enjoy a full-day exploring some of the most significant holy sites in Israel on a full-day excursion by coach from Jerusalem. The 12-hour tour sets out from the city early in the morning and drives along the scenic coast via Tel Aviv and the plain of Armageddon to Nazareth. Arrive in Nazareth and visit St. Joseph’s Church and the Church of the Annunciation. The largest Roman Catholic church in the Middle East, the Church of the Annunciation is, according to tradition, the scene of the annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The architect Giovanni Muzio built the striking new basilica in the 1960s. Continue onwards via Kfar Kana to view the Mount of Beatitudes and Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha. Set on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, you will stop to view the sea, and continue to the nearby ruins of the ancient synagogue of Capernaum. Visit Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, considered one of the 4 Holy Cities of Judaism, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Safed. Drive to the Jordan River at Yardenit, where guest are invited to receive an optional baptismal service. You will return to Jerusalem via a scenic route that takes in views of Mt. Tabor, the site of the transfiguration.

On this full-day tour of the Holy Land, enjoy pick-up from your hotel in Tel Aviv in a comfortable air-conditioned coach and travel along highway no' 1 to Jerusalem. You’ll be accompanied throughout the day by a knowledgeable, professional guide. You’ll enjoy a panoramic overview from Mount Scopus, overlooking the new city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount Esplanade of the old city. As you travel along the Kidron Valley, you’ll be able to take in views the Garden of Gethsemane as well as the walls of the city. On reaching the Armenian Quarter you'll enter the Western or Wailing Wall square via the local bazaar. You’ll see the Christian Quarter and the Stations of the Cross, also known as the Via Dolorosa. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is considered to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus. You'll also walk along the 1700-year-old Byzantine Cardo, the main street, and see the renovated Jewish Quarter. Transfer to Bethlehem (Palestinian guide and vehicle). Bethlehem, meaning “City of Bread”, was the birthplace of Jesus according to Christian tradition. Your drive to Bethlehem takes you by way of Nativity Circle. Visit the Church of Nativity, and also the cave where Jesus was born. You’ll see Manger Square, where Jesus was placed after his birth. Before completing the tour, visit St' Catharine - a Roman Catholic Church. You’ll enjoy an overview of the Shepherd's Fields on the return drive to Tel Aviv.

Benefit from pickup at your hotel in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, and then drive north along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Venture inland to the legendary Valley of Armageddon, and continue towards Nazareth to see the Mount of Precipitation. Visit the church where Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would soon be with child. Head towards the Sea of Galilee and pass the site where Jesus turned water into wine. Then, visit Capernaum at the foot of Mount Beatitude to see the home of Peter and visit the Church of the Multiplication. Travel along the waterfront of the lake to discover where Jesus walked on water. Get a beautiful view of the Golan Heights as you pass the ancient city of Tiberius, named after the Roman emperor. Reach the southern region of Kinneret to gaze in wander at the spot where Jesus was baptized. Get the chance to take part in a baptismal ceremony at the same spot, before heading back via Mount Tabor, where the Transfiguration took place.

Explore Jerusalem with a friendly local who is passionate about the city and eager to share all the information that will help you make the most of your trip. Get to know Jerusalem through the eyes of a Lokafyer on a 2 to 6-hour private tour. Meet your guide at your accommodation and head out on the tour to get familiar with the neighborhood. Learn about the best places to eat and buy groceries, the easiest ways to get around and the top things to see and do. During the walking tour there will be the option of taking public transportation or a taxi to get around the city. Please inform the tour operator if you’d like a private car included in the tour.

This 2-day Jordan tour leaves from Jerusalem and includes visits to the incredible cities of Jerash and Amman, as well as Petra. Authentic meals, an overnight stay with local Bedouins and a full day in Petra are all part of the package. Depart Jerusalem in the morning on a drive up the Israeli side of the Jordan Valley. Enjoy views of the stunning landscapes and then cross the border at the Sheikh Hussein Bridge in the north. You’ll have spectacular views of northern Jordan before arriving at the ancient city of Jerash, an incredibly well-preserved Roman city featuring colonnaded streets, baths, theaters, temples and a hippodrome. See a striking blend of Eastern and Western architectural traditions. Your next stop is Jordan’s capital city of Amman. Visit both the modern downtown area of the city, now the economic, political and cultural center of Jordan, and also the old Citadel above the city. At the Citadel, you’ll see the Temple of Hercules and historic palaces, and have excellent views of the modern city. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and try some sweet kanafeh for dessert. After lunch, you’ll continue south to the desert, where you’ll spend the night in a Bedouin camp. The Bedouins, nomadic inhabitants of the desert, have lived in the region for thousands of years. Experience Bedouin hospitality as they share their tasty meals and comfortable tents with the group. The second day is devoted to Petra. You’ll stand in awe at Petra, one of the New7Wonders of the World, poetically described as a rose-red city half the age of time. Carved into the red rocks of the desert cliffs thousands of years ago by the ancient Nabatean people, Petra was hidden under sand for centuries before recently being made accessible again. Your guide will take you to see the iconic Treasury, the amphitheater, the royal tombs, the monastery and much more, before you return to Jerusalem via the Allenby crossing. This is a fully guided tour, with transportation to all sites and an extensive informational travel app for smartphones and tablets that provides additional information about each of the sites you visit. It also contains useful information about border crossings. The app, with maps, information and pictures, can be downloaded before you set out, and doesn’t require an internet connection. You can download the Abraham Tours app for free from the operator’s website.