Last updated March 4th 2019
If you are looking for the most important Christian sites in the world, there’s nowhere better to start than Israel – the birthplace of Jesus and the country where he spent all his life.
BETHLEHEM
Bethlehem – Baby Jesus
This is where it all began, the birth of a Super Star.
Key Highlights:
- Church of the Nativity – A 1,500 year old Basilica with an underground Grotto where JC was born.
- Church of Saint Catherine – Underground chapels where the bible was first translated into Latin.
- Herodium – Herod’s palace fortress near by.
HOTELS AND TOURS OF BETHLEHEM
Places to Stay – Bethlehem is a short trip from Jerusalem (but there is a checkpoint between the two) – we recommend staying in hotels in Jersualem – check out our Best Jerusalem Hotels Guide.
Tours – there are regular tours from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv – check out our Best Christian Tours Guide for some cool tips.
GALILEE
Nazareth – Jesus’ Hometown
Jesus’ home town, and today, the home of the largest Christian Church in the Middle East.
Key Highlights:
- The Church of Annunciation – believed to be the home of the Virgin Mary, and the spot where she talked with the Angel Gabriel.
- Mary’s Well – Where the Greek Orthodox believe Mary spoke to Gabriel.
- The Church of Saint Joseph – Joseph’s workshop.
- Greek Catholic Synagogue Church – Crusader building, believed to be a Synagogue where Jesus preached.
- Mount Precipice – Where Jesus was chased from the Synagogue and disappeared in the mist. Side note – 13 Neanderthal skeletons were found here, a 50,000 year old discovery.
Capernaum, Sea of Galilee – Jesus’ ‘Home Away From Home’
Jesus gets his own place and meets some new friends.
Key Highlights:
- Ancient Synagogue – Jesus preaches and performs many miracles.
- The House of Peter – An Octagonal hovering Church, commemorating where Jesus heals Peter’s mother in law.
- Kfar Nahum – Biblical location of the House of Peter.
- Sea of Galilee – Jesus spent a lot of his time in this area, check out all the other sites he visited.
Cana – Water to Wine
The life of the party
Key Highlights:
- Today’s town of “Kfar Hana“.
- Jesus first miracle – Changes water to wine at a wedding
- The Wedding Church – A Franciscan Church, commemorates the miracle Jesus performs at the Cana Wedding.
- Performs another miracle – Heals a boy from a distance.
Mount of Beatitudes – Sea of Galilee – Jesus’ Stage
Jesus’ famed sermon on the mount is commemorated here.
Key Highlights:
- The Church of the Beatitudes – An Antonio Barluzzi design. An Octagonal Church, 8 sides for 8 Beatitudes.
- Domus Galilaeae – “The house of the Galilee” – Christian center for studies and meetings.
- Jesus visited the mount after his resurrection.
- Byzantine church – Near by you’ll fin ruins of a 4th century church.
Tabgha – Sea of Galilee
Jesus feeds 5000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.
Key Highlights:
- Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes – a beautiful Byzantine mosaic (pictured aboved)
- Church of the Primacy of St Peter – Jesus makes breakfast.
- Believed to be one of the places Jesus appeared after his resurrection.
Mount Tabor – Galilee
Jesus get a make-over
Key Highlights:
- Jesus transforms and meets with Moses and Elijah.
- The Franciscan Monastery – Believed to be the location of Jesus’ transfiguration
- Roman and Crusader ruins
- Long trail – 5km // Short trail – 2.5km
- Hang gliding – Popular departure point and quickest way down.
HOTELS AND TOURS OF THE GALILEE
Places to Stay – For luxury options check out The Carmel Spa and Mitzpe Hayamim in the Galil, and Vered Hagalil and the new Setai Hotel near the Sea of Galilee. For a great cheaper option check out the Faudi Inn in Nazareth (part of Abraham Hostels).
Tours – there are regular tours from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv – check out our Best Christian Tours Guide for some cool tips.
JERUSALEM & SURROUNDINGS
Qasr el Yahud – Jesus takes a Dip
Famous baptismal site of Jesus.
Key Highlights:
- Outside Jerusalem
- Baptismal site – Jesus gets baptized by John. (John the baptist, get it?)
- Israelite Crossing
Mount Zion
Key Highlights:
- Cenacle – Room of the Last supper.
- Church of the Dormition – Where Mary “fell asleep”.
- Church of St Peter in Gallicantu.
- Tomb of King David.
- Oskar Schindler from Schindler’s list is also buried on Mount Zion.
Via Dolorosa – 14 Stations
“The way of sorrows/suffering” – The path and story of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.
Key Highlights:
- 14 stations of the cross – stations are marked with a plaque, taking you across the Muslim and Christian Quarter.
- Church of Holy Sepulchre – Where Jesus was crucified and buried (10-14 stops) (see below).
- Friday Procession – Every Friday a large Catholic procession make their way from the Lions gate to the Holy Sepulchre.
Church of Holy Sepulchre
The end of the road.
Key Highlights:
- Crucifixion and burial place of Jesus.
- Part of the Via Dolorosa, 10th-14th stations.
- Golgotha – “The place of Skulls”
- So many Chapels – Chapel of the Franks (10th station), Chapel of the Nailing of the Cross (11th station), Chapel of the Crucifixion (12th station), just to name a few
- Our Lady of Sorrows – Altar commemorating Jesus taken down from the cross – 13th Station
- Stone of Anointing (Unction): – Jesus was laid here after being removed from the cross.
- The Edicule – Jesus’s Tomb – 14th station
Mount of Olives
Houston, we have lift off.
Key Highlights:
- Jesus’s ascension
- Church of All Nations – 12 nations contributed to its construction. Believed to be the site Jesus prayed the night before his crucifixion.
- Church of Dominus Flevit – Where Jesus wept
- Tomb of Mary – “The Church of the Assumption” an underground crypt that resembles The Holy Sepulchre.
HOTELS AND TOURS IN JERUSALEM
Places to Stay – Check out our Best Hotels in Jerusalem Guide.
Tours – Check out our Best Christian Tours Guide.