Israel is an amazing place to visit with so much to see and do. It’s religious and historical significance is very well known, but it also features an incredibly diverse climate, from deserts to beaches. I thoroughly enjoyed the two weeks I spent in Israel and experienced so many amazing things. If you’re planning a visit to Israel, these are the seven “must do” activities to add to your itinerary.

Experience the Kotel (Western Wall)

Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, The Kotel, or Western Wall, is the most religious site in the world for the Jewish people. It also holds significant religious importance for other religions like Islam and Christianity. It’s the only surviving support wall from the second Jewish Temple.

In the first century B.C., King Herod built the Temple Mount, which consisted of four support walls needed for the expansion of the Second Temple. The walls were built around the summit of Mount Moriah, where according to the bible, Abraham offered his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. This location was the center of spiritual life for the Jewish people.

When the Romans destroyed the temple in 70 A.D., only the western support wall survived. After the temple was destroyed, Jewish people started praying at the Western Wall since this was the closest spot to the site of the original temple.

The Temple Mount is also a holy site for Muslims. In Muslim tradition, this is where the Prophet Mohammed made his “Night Journey” to the throne of God. In the seventh century, when the Muslims conquered Jerusalem, they built the Dome of the Rock, the gold-topped Islamic shrine seen in many iconic photographs of the Old City.

Even though I don’t consider myself a very religious person, visiting the Western Wall was powerful. If you’re in Jerusalem, it’s a must-see. It’s free to visit and open 24/7, but remember to dress modestly. That means men should cover their heads and women should cover their knees and shoulders.

Visit Yad Vashem

Yad Vashem is Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. The cornerstone of the memorial is the museum which is shaped like a triangular concrete prism cutting through the landscape like a knife.

Architect Moshe Safdie designed this building with purposeful symbolism. The entrance is dark, reminding visitors of the darkness of the Holocaust. Once inside you notice that the museum is illuminated at its apex by a 656 foot-long skylight. Visitors will also notice the bright light coming from the exit and that the exit doesn’t seem very far away at all.

The light is a symbol of the hope Jews had during this terrible time. It’s also a symbol of the hope that Israelis have today for the future of the State of Israel. But the path to the light is not straightforward. Visitors must follow a preset route that weaves in and out of various rooms and galleries that branch off from the main hall. This again was done with purpose. It’s a reminder that reaching the light (the end of the Holocaust) wasn’t easy and had plenty of twists and turns.

Walking through the museum is powerful and although the topic is horrifying and difficult, it’s something every visitor to Israel should experience. What I particularly liked about Yad Vashem, is that they placed a lot of focus on families and the heroes of WWII, and not solely on the tragic events.

Some of the artifacts they have on display, however, are truly chilling. The one that sticks most in my mind is a German board game called “Jews Out!” In it, each player had figurines with large pointed hats meant to represent Jews, and the winner was the first person to remove all the figurines from the board. This was a disturbing example of the propaganda that taught young children about the Jewish people.

Yad Vashem is the second-most-visited Israeli tourist site, after the Western Wall, with approximately one million visitors each year. It does not charge a fee for admission and I would budget at least two hours to spend here.

Ascend Masada

Masada is an ancient stone fortress in Israel, located high above the Dead Sea on a tall, rocky mesa.

King Herod originally built Masada as a fortress and haven from enemies, complete with castle, storerooms, cisterns and a foreboding wall.

When the Great Revolt of the Jews against the Romans broke out in 66 A.D., a group of Jewish rebels took over the Masada complex. There, they held out for three years, raiding and harassing the Romans.

Although the rebels would not leave with their lives, Masada symbolizes the determination of the Jewish people to be free in its own land.

Visitors have two options to ascend Masada. If you like hiking, you have the option to climb more than 700 steps up the so-called Snake Path to reach the summit. If you opt for this method, you really need to start early in the morning—like when it’s still dark—in order to beat the oppressive summer heat.

The other option is by cable-car. This gets visitors to the top in a matter of minutes. In the summer, it’s often the only option as officials will close the hiking path for safety reasons.

Float in the Dead Sea

The activity I was most looking forward to in Israel was definitely floating in the Dead Sea. It’s such a unique and amazing body of water. Over the years, I’d heard many funny and interesting stories of people floating effortlessly—to the point where they could read a newspaper in the water. I couldn’t wait to experience it for myself.

Since Masada overlooks the Dead Sea, people typically visit both on the same day. The Dead Sea is unlike any other body of water in the world. It is 34% salt, which is the reason why you can float without even trying. The Earth’s oceans contain around 3% salt, making the Dead Sea over 10 times more salty!

Read more about my experience at the Dead Sea and learn six interesting facts that may surprise you.

Shop at Outdoor Markets

Israel is home to many wonderful outdoor markets, called shuks. The best and most famous is Carmel Market in Tel Aviv. Here you’ll find vendor after vendor selling affordable produce, spices, nuts, snacks, clothes and souvenirs.

Jerusalem also has a large shuk called Mahane Yehuda Market. This one is similar to the one in Tel Aviv, selling produce, spices, nuts, etc. However, it differs from Carmel Market, in that Mahane Yehuda has vendors that serve full meals like falafel and shawarma. There were also several vendors where you could stop for a cold beer.

Hit the Beach

Israel has coastline bordering the Mediterranean, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, and the Sea of Galilee. Some of the country’s best beaches are found in Tel Aviv, which has miles of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. On most days, you’ll find people relaxing, sunbathing, swimming, picnicking and just enjoying the sun and surf.

Get Active

If it’s an active vacation you want, Israel’s also got you covered. You can do any kind of water activity you can think of here. In the Mediterranean we took surf lessons and spent an hour trying to catch a wave. And in Eilat, some of our group enjoyed snorkeling in the Red Sea. You can also go scuba diving, waterskiing, paddleboarding, kayaking, whitewater rafting and lots more.

On land, you can go hiking in the mountains, ride camels through the desert or repel down a rock wall. The thrill seeker in your group won’t have any problems finding something to do!

Bottom Line

If you’re planning a trip to Israel, I highly recommend making time in your itinerary for these seven “must do” activities. Together, it’s a great mix of site seeing, history, religion, shopping, nature, relaxation and unforgettable experiences.

Trip Report Index

1. Introduction and Planning
2. The 7 Must Do Activities in Israel
3. Dan Panorama Tel Aviv
4. Dan Panorama Haifa
5. Eight Lesser Known Activities Worth Doing in Israel
6. Dan Panorama Jerusalem
7. Masada
8. My Dead Sea Experience and 6 Interesting Facts That May Surprise You
9. Dan Panorama Eilat
10. What and Where to Eat in Israel