Category
Biblical Sites
Ground the Scriptures actually name.
Biblical sites in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Egypt are where the events of the Bible actually happened. This guide to the most important biblical places to visit in the Holy Land covers Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Jericho, Mount Sinai and the Jordan River baptism site — each dated, mapped and rated for biblical significance, with the scripture references, best time to visit and practical travel information a Christian traveller needs before booking a Holy Land tour.
27 destinations
5/5 SignificanceJerusalem, Israel
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The church built where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and buried, and where he rose again. Six different churches share the same building.
5/5 SignificanceBethlehem, Palestine
Church of the Nativity
The oldest church still used every day. It stands over the cave where Jesus is believed to have been born, marked with a silver star.
5/5 SignificanceTiberias, Israel
Sea of Galilee
A large freshwater lake, 210 metres below sea level, where Jesus did most of his teaching and healing.
5/5 SignificanceJerusalem, Israel
Mount of Olives
The hill just east of the Old City where Jesus cried, prayed, was arrested and went up to heaven. The view is famous.
5/5 SignificanceCapernaum, Israel
Capernaum
The small fishing village Jesus used as his home base. You can still see the synagogue and a house believed to be Peter's.
5/5 SignificanceSelçuk, Turkey
Ephesus
Paul lived here for three years, and his preaching once caused a riot. The ruins are some of the best kept in the world.
5/5 SignificanceSaint Catherine, Egypt
Mount Sinai
The 2,285-metre mountain where, according to Jewish, Christian and Muslim tradition, Moses received the Ten Commandments.
5/5 SignificanceAl-Maghtas, Jordan
Bethany Beyond the Jordan
The riverside spot where John baptised people, and where Jesus was baptised. Old churches and mosaics mark the place.
5/5 SignificanceChora, Greece
Patmos
The Greek island where John was sent away as a prisoner and wrote the book of Revelation. His cave is still there.
5/5 SignificanceAntakya, Turkey
Antioch (Antakya)
The city where followers of Jesus were first called Christians, and where Paul started his mission trips.
5/5 SignificanceBethlehem, Palestine
Bethlehem
The home town of King David and the place where Jesus was born. A small hill town the Bible comes back to again and again.
5/5 SignificanceHebron, Palestine
Cave of the Patriarchs
The cave Abraham bought as a family grave. People have prayed here for thousands of years.
5/5 SignificanceNazareth, Israel
Nazareth
The small village where Jesus grew up. Today it is the biggest Arab city in Israel.
5/5 SignificanceJerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem
The city at the heart of the Bible story: the temple, the cross, the empty tomb and the promise of a new city.
4/5 SignificanceJerusalem, Israel
Via Dolorosa
The route Jesus is believed to have walked to the cross: 14 stops through the narrow streets of Jerusalem.
4/5 SignificanceNazareth, Israel
Basilica of the Annunciation
The largest church in the Middle East, built over a very old cave-house with an early prayer to Mary carved into it.
4/5 SignificanceMadaba, Jordan
Mount Nebo
The hill where Moses looked out over the Promised Land he was never allowed to enter.
4/5 SignificanceJericho, Palestine
Jericho
One of the oldest towns on earth, with a stone tower older than the pyramids and the famous walls from the Bible story.
4/5 SignificanceJerusalem, Israel
Hezekiah's Tunnel
A 533-metre water tunnel cut through solid rock 2,700 years ago so Jerusalem would have water during a siege. You can walk through it.
4/5 SignificanceCaesarea, Israel
Caesarea Maritima
A harbour city built by King Herod. Here Peter baptised a Roman officer, and Paul was kept in prison before sailing to Rome.
4/5 SignificanceShiloh, Palestine
Shiloh
Israel's first holy place, where the tabernacle (the tent of God) stood for many years.
4/5 SignificanceDamascus, Syria
Straight Street, Damascus
The old main street where Ananias found Saul after he went blind. Saul then became the apostle Paul.
4/5 SignificanceBeer Sheva, Israel
Beersheba
A desert town with an old well, where Abraham and Isaac made promises with a local king.
4/5 SignificanceHaifa, Israel
Mount Carmel
The mountain ridge where the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal.
4/5 SignificanceMegiddo, Israel
Megiddo
A hill made of 26 towns built on top of each other, looking over the valley the Bible calls Armageddon.
4/5 SignificanceJerusalem, Israel
Pool of Bethesda
Two old pools in Jerusalem where Jesus healed a man who had been sick for 38 years.
4/5 SignificanceJerusalem, Israel
Pool of Siloam
The stone pool where Jesus told a blind man to wash his eyes. Workers found it again by accident in 2004.