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.


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