Western Wall (HaKotel HaMaaravi), Jerusalem

The Western Wall, known to non-Jews as the Wailing Wall, is the most sacred Jewish prayer-site in the world. Thousands of worshippers gather year-round to pray there, and to place folded written prayers into the crevices of the wall. The 1,916-foot (584m) wall is all that remains of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, built in 30BC by King Herod. It is made up of enormous stone blocks, and endures as a tribute to the scale of workmanship in past eras. Following Orthodox Jewish practice, the praying sections have been separated for men and women. Men are required to wear a skullcap (kippah) and women must be modestly dressed. On Fridays, the Jewish Shabbat or Sabbath, the men's section particularly pulsates with the songs and prayers of the faithful, for in principle, the whole area is an Orthodox synagogue. The wall is also sacred to Muslims, who believe that it is where the prophet Muhammad tied up his winged horse, al-Buraq, before ascending into heaven.

Getting There:
Bus to Dung Gate

Temple Mount (Al-Haram al-Sharif), Jerusalem

Temple Mount, known by some as Mount Moriah, is a site of tremendous religious importance to Muslims, Jews and Christians alike. It is one of Jerusalem's most famous landmarks and can be found within the walled section of the Old City. The glinting golden dome of the Dome of the Rock rises impressively from Jerusalem's skyline and has become the city's most distinguishable feature. Temple Mount is of Jewish and Christian historical importance on two accounts: the large rock is believed to be the place where Abraham offered his son Isaac up for sacrifice, and the First Temple is the place where the Ark of the Covenant was housed. Even though off limits to Jews today, it is still a focal-point of Jewish life, and Jews worldwide face the Temple Mount during prayer. For Muslims the same rock is the place from which Muhammad, in a dream, ascended to heaven. In commemoration of this apotheosis, the Dome of the Rock was built over the site in the 7th century. It is known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary or Al-Haram al-Sharif, and is one of the three most important sites in Islamic culture. Also located on the Temple Mount are the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Islamic Museum, which houses a collection of Korans and other Islamic relics.

Getting There:
Bus to the Dung Gate

Opening Times:
The site is temporarily closed to non-Muslims due to religious tensions. Usually, it is open Saturday to Thursday, (in summer) from 7.30am to 11am and from 1.30pm to 3pm; and (in winter) from 8am to 10.30am and 12.20pm to 2pm. Closed on Fridays and during prayer times

Admission:
IS 36 (Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque and Islamic Museum); Temple Mount admission is free

Hezekiah's Tunnel, Jerusalem

Yet another fascinating historical attraction in Jerusalem, Hezekiah's Tunnel is an absolute must-see for those who like to combine their sightseeing with a real sense of discovery and adventure. The tunnel, which is about 2,700 years old, was built by Hezekiah in preparation for an attack by the invading Assyrians - he thought by "[stopping] the water of the springs that were outside the city" (II Chronicles 32) and redirecting it under the city, he could protect Jerusalem's precious water supply and so outlast the invaders. The incredible feat - the tunnel is 1,640 feet (500m) long, and carved out of solid rock - is made all the more remarkable when one learns that its middle section, which zig-zags wildly, was constructed like because the two teams of diggers (each operating from a different end of the tunnel) were trying to locate each other by the sound of the other's picks working against the rock. One of the very few 8th-century BC tourist attractions you can actually explore, Hezekiah's Tunnel is a wonderful place to pass a couple of hours, wandering through the bowels of Jerusalem's Old City. It is a particularly popular activity for kids, although less so for the highly claustrophobic.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the holiest Christian site in Jerusalem - the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection. First constructed in 335 by Emperor Constantine, persistent damage has been inflicted on the structure over the centuries and subsequent repair-work has been undertaken by the religious communities that administer it. The Church contains the Chapel of Golgotha and the three Stations of the Cross where Jesus was crucified, and the Sepulchre itself marks the place of his burial and resurrection.

Getting There:
Bus to Jaffa Gate; from there, a walk through the Old City

Opening Times:
Daily from 5am to 9pm (April to September), and 4am to 7pm (October to March)

Admission:
Free

Masada, Jerusalem

Situated in the Judean Desert and overlooking the Dead Sea, is one of Israel's most popular tourist attractions - the mountaintop fortress of Masada (sometimes spelled Massada). This enduring symbol of Jewish history is the site of the heroic defiance by 967 Jewish Zealots, who rose against the Roman Empire in 66 AD and took their own lives when defeat seemed inevitable. A cable car ride or hike up the Snake Path takes one to the top, where breathtaking views can be enjoyed over the Dead Sea and the surrounding desert. The Masada Sound and Light Show recounts this dramatic history with special pyrotechnic effects, and takes place in a natural amphitheatre on the west side of the mountain reachable only from Arad.

Getting There:
Bus 444 or 486 from west Jerusalem

Opening Times:
Open daily from 8am to 5pm (until 4pm from October to March). First cable car operates at 8am

Admission:
Adults: NIS 23 (NIS 61 including cable car). Children: NIS 12 (NIS 34 including cable car)

Citadel or Tower of David, Jerusalem

The Citadel was constructed in the 1st century BC as a fortress for King Herod, and has since served as a strategic defence position of the Old City. The tallest tower of the Citadel, the Phasael, is the place to appreciate the magnificent view as well as the orientation of the Old City. The Citadel contains the excellent Museum of the History of Jerusalem, featuring fascinating displays of 4,000 years of the city's past.

Getting There:
Bus 20 or 60

Opening Times:
July to August: Open Saturday to Thursday, from 10am to 5pm; Fridays and holidays from 10am to 2pm. September to June: Open Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm; Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

Admission:
NIS 30 (adults), NIS 20 (students), NIS 15 (children and pensioners).

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

The Israel Museum has achieved world-class status with its remarkable collections, spanning from prehistoric archaeology to contemporary art. These include displays of archaeology from the Holy Land, a comprehensive compilation of Judaica and ethnology of Jewish people, and a fine art collection encompassing the Old Masters to renowned contemporary works. Perhaps the most famous artefacts in the museum are the Dead Sea Scrolls, which date from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century AD, and were discovered in a cave by a shepherd in 1947. Numerous temporary exhibitions, publications and educational activities form part of the museum's cultural programme, and over 950,000 visitors are drawn to this vast complex each year. Another great attraction of the Museum is its Art Garden, which was designed by the Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. It is a fusion of Zen landscaping, incorporating the natural vegetation of the area such as rosemary bushes, olive and fig trees. Displayed within this picturesque setting are the famous sculptures of Rodin, Bourdelle, Maillol, David Smith, Henry Moore, Richard Serra, Sol LeWitt and James Turrell.

Getting There:
Buses 9, 17, 24, 24a, and 99

Opening Times:
Open from Sunday to Thursday, and on Saturdays and holidays, from 10am to 5pm; on Tuesdays from 4pm to 9pm (in August from 10am to 9pm); and on Fridays and holiday eves from 10am to 2pm.

Admission:
NIS 48 (Adults), NIS 36 (Students), NIS 24 (Children aged 5 to 17). Concessions are available. Price of ticket includes audio guide. Volunteer guides conduct tours in English, Hebrew, French and Spanish (free with admission to the museum)

Yad VaShem, Jerusalem

This vital memorial to the Holocaust provides a multifaceted tribute to the millions of Jews who died during World War II. The focus of the museum is to commemorate and document the events of the Holocaust and provide ongoing research and education. The Museum's archive collection is the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of material, containing documents, photographs, films and videotaped testimonies of survivors. These can be read and viewed in the allocated rooms - and doing so is an emotional, sobering experience. An inspiring tribute to the victims is The Hall of Names, where the names of the six million Holocaust victims are displayed. Symbolic gravestones are created from the 'Pages of Testimony', records of the biographical details of millions deceased. Yad Vashem's library contains an impressive collection of material in many languages. The Historical Museum chronicles the history of the Holocaust, from the implementation of the Nazi's anti-Jewish policies to the mass murder of the concentration camps. The display includes photographs, artefacts, documents and audio-visual material. An important collection of Holocaust art is displayed in Yad Vashem's Art Museum. The International School for Holocaust Studies and Holocaust Research provides education and ongoing research on the Holocaust at both national and international levels. Other facets of the Yad Vashem experience include the Righteous Among the Nations exhibition, honouring the non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews; and the Encyclopaedia of Communities, which records the historical-geographical communities of Jews destroyed or damaged during the Nazi regime.

Getting There:
By bus to Mt. Herzl, on Herzl Boulevard

Opening Times:
Open Sunday to Wednesday from 9am to 5pm; Thursdays from 9am to 8pm; Fridays and holiday eves from 9am to 2pm. Entrance is permitted until an hour before closing.

Admission:
Free, although guided tours are subject to a fee

Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem

The Via Dolorosa (Road of Sorrow), also known as the Way of the Cross, is the route Jesus is said to have followed as he carried the cross to his crucifixion. There are 14 stations along the way commemorating different events, starting at Lion's Gate in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, where Jesus was convicted by Pontius Pilate, and ending at his tomb, inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre within the Christian Quarter. Every Friday at 3pm priests lead a procession and prayers are said at each station. A steady stream of pilgrims remember and honour Jesus' sacrifice by walking the Way of the Cross each year.

Getting There:
Bus to Lion's Gate

The Dead Sea, Jerusalem

The Dead Sea and its immediate environment is a landscape abundant with natural wonders. Most notable of these is the high salt and mineral concentration found in the sea's waters, that enables visitors to float effortlessly on the surface. The therapeutic properties of the black mud found in the region are formed by a mixture of sea minerals and organic elements. For a completely rejuvenating experience, several Dead Sea spa resorts offer a range of health and beauty treatments. The Ein Gedi Spa is on the western shore. Equally fascinating are the archaeological sites of the Dead Sea region, with traces remaining of Persian, Greek, Roman and other civilisations. Notable historical locations include the notorious biblical city of Sodom that was destroyed along with Gomorra. Salt pillars emerge from this eight-mile (12km) geological ridge, located in the southern part of the Dead Sea area.

Getting There:
Bus 444 or 486 from west Jerusalem

Opening Times:
The Ein Gedi Spa is open daily from 7am to 6pm (Fridays until 5pm)

Bethlehem, Jerusalem

Bethlehem is just six miles (10km) south of Jerusalem, and is a major tourist attraction for pilgrims and visitors alike. The putative birthplace of Jesus, this is a charming town despite its tourist-centred commercialism. The Church of the Nativity is the focal point for a visit to the town, erected over the site of Jesus' birthplace. Bethlehem is also a wonderful place to experience the variety of Christian monasteries that represent every permutation of Christianity. Christmas is celebrated on three separate dates in accordance with the Catholic and Western church calendars, the Eastern calendar followed by the Armenians, and the Julian calendar followed by the Greek Orthodox and Eastern churches. For further exploration of the town's cultural diversity, visit the Bethlehem Museum, established by the Arab Women's Union to celebrate the area's Palestinian cultural heritage. The exhibits include displays from traditional household items to clothing, jewellery and old photographs. (The Bethlehem Museum is open Monday to Wednesday and Friday and Saturday between 8am and 5pm, and on Thursdays between 8am and 12pm.)

Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater), Jerusalem

The Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater) is an extremely interesting geological site located in Israel's Negev Desert, about 53 miles (85km) south of the city of Be'er Sheva. The crater (or more properly, makhtesh) was not formed from the impact of a meteor, but is rather a geological formation unique to the Negev desert, caused by millions of years of erosion and weathering following the retreat of the ocean. These days, the 40km-long, 500m-deep crater is housed within Ramon National Park, one of Israel's most popular ecotourism destinations. The crater, which is shaped like an elongated heart, is a magnificent sight - and a potent reminder of the incredible age of the region. The crater is also home to a variety of indigenous plants and animals, including the Nubian ibex, striped hyena, Arabian leopard and Dorcas gazelle. There are numerous hiking trails leading down to the bottom of the crater, where you can see the ruins of prehistoric Khan Saharonim (a stop used by Nabatean traders travelling the Incense Route more than 2,000 years ago). An ideal destination for those who like their experiences of nature to be silent and expansive, there are also wonderful star-gazing opportunities (and cheap accommodation) available at the nearby town of Mitzpe Ramon.