10 travel tips for Israel
Israel was founded as a state 70 years ago on May 14. The country is worth seeing because of its many sacred sites, but also its cities and beaches have their attraction for travellers.
Tel Aviv-Jaffa
Tel Aviv with its countless galleries, restaurants, bars and clubs is considered liberal, cosmopolitan and relaxed. Tel Aviv, founded in 1909, merged with the old port city of Jaffa. Therefore, the correct name is Tel Aviv-Jaffa. It is Israel's second largest city and a popular tourist destination.
The Beaches
Israel has a Mediterranean coastline some 270 kilometers long. Tel Aviv's city beach alone stretches over 14 kilometers. Enough space for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. The best place to dive is Eilat on the Red Sea, in the very south of Israel.
The Bauhaus Architecture
Tel Aviv is a treat for fans of architecture as it has the world's largest collection of Bauhaus-style buildings, the so-called White City. The approximately 4,000 properties have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bauhaus-style houses were also built in Haifa, Jerusalem and other places between the 1920s and 1940s.
The Dead Sea
Anyone who wants to read the newspaper in the Dead Sea can do so without any problems. The high salt content and thus the high density of the water ensure that you drift upwards. And it's healthy, too. Because of the many minerals the water and also the mud are well-known for their healing effect among other things for skin problems.
Jerusalem
Behind the walls of Jerusalem's Old City are religious sites for Jews, Muslims and Christians. The old town is divided into different quarters: in the Christian quarter you will find the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which was built over the presumed tomb of Jesus, in the Jewish quarter the Western Wall and in the Muslim quarter the Dome of the Rock with its golden cuppola.
Yad Vashem
In Jerusalem, Israel's central memorial for the Holocaust commemorates the victims of the persecution and murder during the Nazi dictatorship in Germany (1933-1945). It is a moving place that saves the life and suffering of Jewish people from being forgotten.
A Kibbutz
The idea of kibbutzim is closely linked to Israel. These villages were once to become a socialist community. Only very few Israelis still live there today. The first Kibbuz Degania A was founded in 1910 and still exists. In some of the 250 kibbutzim you can stay overnight.
The food
Almost everywhere on the streets in Israel you can get various freshly squeezed fruit juices. The cuisine is also very varied and ranges from Arabic food to international restaurants and kosher food. If you want to cook for yourself you will find fresh vegetables, spices, olives and pastries at the many markets.
Bethlehem
In Israel you can also visit the supposed birthplace of Jesus. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem stands directly above the cave where Jesus of Nazareth was born. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here, hikers make a pilgrimage along the "Jesus Trail" 65 kilometres to the Sea of Galilee.
Sea of Galilee
This lake, called Kinneret by the Israelis, is the largest freshwater reservoir in the country. It is often mentioned in the Bible and is considered one of the most important places in the life of Jesus, who is said to have walked over the water here. After the religious-historical excursions tourists can refresh themselves here with a jump into the water.