Top Things to do in Northern District
What to do and see in Northern District, Northern District: The Best Historic Sites
Discover the best top things to do in Northern District, Israel including Magdala, Gadot Lookout, Daoud Courtyard, Carma Akko Vacation Home, Cana, Citadel of Acre, Hatser Tel Hai, The Church of the Annunciation, Church of the Multiplication, Capharnaum the Town of Jesus.
Restaurants in Northern District
1. Magdala
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,128 reviews
A unique Holy Land site known as the hometown of Mary Magdalene, located at the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The archaeological site features a complete first century town from the times of Jesus. It is one of Israel´s most recent archaeological discoveries with the best preserved synagogue in the Galilee. Complementary tours of the site are available upon request. The site also features "Duc in Altum" a place for worship and prayer. Magdala is known as a crossroads of Jewish and Christian History, and will soon also feature a guesthouse in opening mid-2018.
Reviewed By RobynDavid_25 - Melbourne, Australia
This is a special place. The small excavation site contextualises the role of Mary Magdalene in the life of Jesus and is complemented by the exquisite modern church nearby, its altar a boat which appears to be sailing on the Sea of Galilee outside the window, with its mast forming a cross above. It is surrounded in the atrium by eight vibrant pillars honouring women of faith. Fr Eamon Kelly is a warm and welcoming presence. We were invited into a private room at the end of our visit where he and volunteer Rosa led the singing of ‘Happy Birthday’ to our guide, Eyal Carmel. It was a delightful moment!
2. Gadot Lookout
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Redleg93 - Maple Grove, United States
On a tour and it initially didn't look like much, but glad we stopped to learn the history of this point, as well as take in view towards the west. You can easily see the commanding position the military had overlooking the valley.
3. Daoud Courtyard
4. Carma Akko Vacation Home
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Carma is a self-catering vacation home housed in a 1000 year old building featuring actual historical artifacts, including a Crusader arch. It combines old world charm with the best of modern convenience, including brand-new appliances and furnishings, satellite TV, air conditioning, free WiFi, solar-based water heater, espresso maker, and well-stocked wine fridge. It is airy and roomy, with lots of natural light and an expansive roof-top terrace overlooking the colorful market. Located in the center of the Old City, is approximately a 6 min walk to all of the Old City's major landmarks, restaurants, tourist attractions and public transportation. The owners, who speak multiple languages, provide free pick-up service from the Akko Central Train Station and Central Bus Station, and a free orientation tour of the environs.
5. Cana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Reviewed By 211hankh - Virginia, United States
Came here with a group of 30 fellow pilgrims, and was grateful to spend time in the place of one of my favorite parables. I found the church very attractive and not busy at all. In fact, we had Holy Mass in the late afternoon and were the only pilgrims in the church at the time - a serene experience. Afterwards, the couples among us renewed our wedding vows and received a historical-looking document attesting to it. TIP: Contrary to the advice of others reviewing this site, I would consider it a must-see for married, biblically-inclined tourists.
6. Citadel of Acre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 933 reviews
The Hospitallers, the Order of the Knights of St. John, built this impressive fortress more than 700 years ago.
Reviewed By MiriamBee - Tel Aviv, Israel
Though I have visited Acre (or Akko, St Jean d'Acre) several times, Wisam Kharouf's guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site brought new discoveries and historical facts to light. The benefit of spending time with a local guide was immediately apparent. Wisam is a native of the city (his family have lived in Akko for several hundred years) and he wears his considerable knowledge and academic background lightly, making the highlights of our visit accessible and interesting to three generations! We saw several aspects of the City in all its unique grandeur. Wisam guided us through the old city with its remarkable excavations and restorations of the Halls of Crusader Knights, the magnificent central courtyard and the Khan Al-Umdan, the 18th century caravanserai near the port. We also visited the Ramchal (or Rabbi Luzzatto) Synagogue with its connections to this poet and Kabbalist who arrived in Akko in 1743. We strolled through the atmospheric Market Street and heard the call to prayer from the El-Jazzar Mosque that dates from 1782. Altogether, this proved to be an exciting and informative day for our family group, thanks to Wisam, who patiently answered questions and offered generously of his valuable knowledge and experience as a Tour Guide.
7. Hatser Tel Hai
8. The Church of the Annunciation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,632 reviews
Built on the grotto where Mary is believed to have lived and the Site of the Annunciation, this basilica houses a collection of excavated remnants of churches from the Crusader and Byzantine eras.
Reviewed By hawkes2an - Cranbrook, United Kingdom
Towering into the sky is the cupola of the Church of the Annunciation standing over the cave, reputed to be home of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed the young Mary (aged about 14) was told by the Archangel Gabriel that she would become the mother of the Son of God. Carved, in Latin, across the Church's triple-doored entrance is the result of her consent to Gabriel "Let it be done to me according to your word". On the limestone façade above this inscription are reliefs of Mary, Gabriel and the four Evangelists with, above them all, a bronze statue of Jesus. Inside the Church (which, when it was completed in 1969, became the largest Christian church in the Middle East) is divided into two level; the upper level is the parish church for Nazareth's catholic community and the lower level enshrines a grotto containing the cave-home of the Virgin Mary. Another simple altar, with seating on three sides, This altar stands directly beneath the cupola of the Church. The cupola represents an inverted lily opening its petals to the shrine below; the symbolism being two fold combining the lily image of Mary's purity with one of the Semitic meanings of the name Nazareth, a flower. In the upper church, around the walls, are colourful representation of the Virgin Mary in a variety of materials. These have been presented by many countries, as have the mosaics in the arcades outside the Church. On any tour of Israel, the Church of the Annunciation is one church you should not miss
9. Church of the Multiplication
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
Reviewed By 607jayb - Fairhope, United States
While this quaint little church is nothing too fancy, especially compared to many of the more ornate Holy Land churches, it has its own very special appeal. The ancient structure commemorates where Jesus performed the miracle of feeding five thousand people from just a few loaves and fishes. Inside you will see the rock where Jesus served the masses from, original Byzantine floor mosaics, and other ancient, historical relics. This is a very quiet and holy quiet site with a nice gift shop to boot. This attraction, like several in Galilee, serves as a nice respite from the maddening crowds in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and other more famous places.
10. Capharnaum the Town of Jesus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 542 reviews
Reviewed By 607jayb - Fairhope, United States
Wow, what a great place this is! The archeological site has been professionally and carefully excavated and the remains are simply one of the coolest treasures we saw in the entire Holy Land! We were on a guided tour and learned this was where Jesus lived for a while with the apostle Peter's mother-in-law. The house has been excavated and you can see where He actually sat, prayed, and ate meals. Incredible! The site also includes an excavated Jewish synagogue, so you can get a feel for worship practices of the Jews in those days. This amazing site has a working church, so be aware you may have to vacate that church above “Peter’s mother in law house” during worship services. They also have clean restrooms, a snack bar and a gift shop. All in all, a great place to spend a couple of hours away from the maddening crowds.
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