City: Israel
Top Things to do in Israel
Top Hotels in Israel
- 1. Royal Beach Tel - Aviv
- 2. Dan Eilat Hotel
- 3. Fabric Hotel Tel Aviv - an Atlas Boutique Hotel
- 4. Jerusalem International YMCA, Three Arches Hotel
- 5. Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel & Spa
- 6. 65 Hotel Rothschild Tel Aviv - An Atlas Boutique Hotel
- 7. The American Colony Hotel
- 8. Shalom Hotel & Relax Tel Aviv - an Atlas Boutique Hotel
- 9. Oasis Spa Club Hotel
- 10. Port and Blue TLV Suites Hotel
Top 10 Geologic Formations in Israel, Israel
Coordinates: 31°N 35°E / 31°N 35°E / 31; 35
Restaurants in Israel
1. HaMakhtesh HaKatan
2. Nahal Tzin
3. Ramon Crater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,078 reviews
Reviewed By Travels-with-Claire
The Ramon Crater is truly a world wonder. Located in the Negev desert, approximately 2-2.5 hours south of Tel Aviv, it rivals the Grand Canyon in sheer scope and beauty. There are many jeep tours offered but we opted to simply drive down into the crater ourselves and hiked the well marked trails on our own. The vistas are simply beautiful and even the pictures do not do justice the the sheer beauty. As an unexpected but delightful 'add -on', we were able to see a family of magnificent Ibex, up close and personal. It was awe inspiring when the extraordinary horns first appeared on top of a cliff. More extraordinary was to see the family descent the vertical rock face with ease, cross the highway, and go wander into the crater. They are clearly accustomed to people and even from a practically touching distance, they exhibited neither aggression nor fear. Indeed, they seemed quite patient in personality. How beautiful to see them against the backdrop of the crater. Tip: Particularly in the wintertime, the Negev Desert and Ramon Crater can be prone to unexpected flash floods. At the very least, they can wash out roads that prohibit entry into the crater. At their worst, it has been documented that the floods can sweep away people and vehicles and there have been fatalities as a result. Exercise caution and check weather reports. Otherwise, do not miss this simply glorious area!
4. Rosh Hanikra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By damsel14 - New York City, United States
This is the furthest north you can go in Israel without being crossing into Lebanon--literally. You will see the border here, though you cannot cross. Stepping out of my van, I was amazed by the incredible views of the Israel coast at the top of the cliff, and it only got better from there. The grottoes were small, but completely worth the trip all the way up to this Northern gem. This was one of my favorite stops in all of Israel. Two words to the wise: 1. DO NOT enter the water here! Not only are the currents strong and extremely dangerous along the rocky shores, you run the risk of drifting into Lebanon. This country is NOT a supporter of Israel, so you do not want this. 2. You will take a cable car down to the grottoes. Apparently many people who are afraid of heights don't realize this, and about half the people who were at the site missed the best part. If you don't think you have the stomach for a very short cable car ride, it's best to skip this, unfortunately.
5. The Grottos at Rosh HaNiqra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 472 reviews
Reviewed By AngieBee55 - Melbourne, Australia
I've often heard about the grottoes here, and was so looking forward to seeing them. Even though it was a cloudy and drizzly day, they were still stunning. If you're nervous about heights and cable cars, these ARE sturdy and the ride down and back up is quite short, even though this one is the steepest in the world (apparently). You can opt to see a movie first if you want about the region and the sea and mountains. When you're done you can walk along the signed path to see the grottoes in action. Depending on the sunlight from outside - or lack thereof - the colour of the water can vary quite significantly and yet is gorgeous either way. There are quite a few different vantage points and it's well worth taking your time so you can get some good pictures if you're feeling that way inclined. Overall, this is very much worth the trip. It's right near the border with Lebanon, and is the most northern part of Israel and a very scenic region. I really enjoyed it.
6. Tabgha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By KimGTravels - Pacific Grove, United States
Many early Christian experiences have occurred in the Tabgha area, yet this lovely church honors the extraordinary miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude with 5 loaves and 2 fish, as written in Luke 9:16, as well as other books of the Gospel in The Bible. Known for the beautiful mosaics in recognition of this miracle and other scenes, the lovely, peaceful church has a welcoming inner courtyard with an olive tree as its focal point. We enjoyed a hot cappuccino and snack before entering the church in the early morning, prior to the arrival of all of the tours.
7. Arbel National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 447 reviews
A vertical cliff towering magnificently over the Sea of Galilee and looking out towards the Golan Heights and Mt Hermon;
Reviewed By outside67
Fantastic hike, few people on the trail, easy to picture lives millennium ago in the caves and more recent fortifications, ascend to the top from trail that takes you by the overlook, overlooking Sea of Galilee the entire trip... going up is a 7-8 effort level... rock scramble easily doable, especially since they’ve strategically placed iron holds in the most difficult spots... we did it in runners, many of the locals coming down had thin sandals... the exposure to wind, sun and vertical drops makes it seem much more of an adventure.... bring water, and apple and a hat. Tip: start at bottom and climb up... different perspective and much bigger sense of accomplishment than coming down.
8. Soreq Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By sebal224
High diversity of different, amazing forms. Incredible scenery given the illumination. Some interesting information provided by guide. Easy access from Jerusalem.
9. Rocks Park
10. HaMakhtesh HaGadol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By YitzchakMiskin - Ramat Gan, Israel
A month ago, my grown son and I went on our bi-annual, extreme hike. As is the case in all our hikes, it was an epic, life adventure. This time we travelled down to the desert in the south of the country, to the Central Negev, to explore the desert in the area of the Big Crater (Machtesh HaGadol), including climbing up two of Israel’s tallest, steepest, ascents - the Palmach ascent with ladders and handholds and narrow ledges, and the Big Fin, the main ascent to the top of the Big Crater. The hike was 18 kilometers (11 miles) and took us 9 hours to do. As usual, it was a totally awesome, worthwhile experience, and as usual, the pictures we took don’t capture the real beauty of the cliffs, canyons, mountains and the crater itself. We parked our car at the Oron Phosphorus factory and ordered a cab which took us to the dirt parking lot and trail head ("green" trail) of the Yamin Stream. We followed the Yamin Stream southward, passing natural, rock-hewn pools of water, passing huge 30-meter deep cracks in the mountainside, and passing a massive 50-meter high, dry waterfall until we came to the Hatira Stream (the stream that flows out of the Big Crater) which flows from west to east and empties into the Dead Sea. We followed the Hatira Stream westward for about 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) until we came to another 50-meter high rock wall, another impassable waterfall. At this point the trail veers to the left and we began to climb the interesting Palmach Ascent, which included climbing up metal ladders, hand-holds and railings all attached to the rock face of the steep, rocky, southern wall of the stream. We continued westward pass the beautiful Yorkean Spring, which was crowded with swimmers until we came to our spare water bottles that we had hid alongside Highway 206. We then crossed the highway and headed up the side of the Big Crater on a very steep rocky ridge called the Big Fin because from the distance it does look like the fin on the back of a fish. In reality, it is one of the “ribs” of the crater and looks more like a rib than a fin if you ask me. At the top of the crater, we had a phenomenal, breathtaking 360-degree view of the surrounding desert and the entire circle of the crater, including the lone opening (gap) in the crater that is common to all the craters in this desert (which a million years ago had allowed water that had collected in the crater to flow out and down towards the Dead Sea). We then turned south, walking along the lip of the crater with fantastic views of the inside of the crater, and finally, the trail turned eastward and down the crater back to the highway. We walked the two kilometers back to our car along the side of the highway and finally arrived at the car just as it got dark. We were exhausted, but exhilarated! This hike is a definite MUST DO for desert and nature lovers!
