Holy Land Tours

The Top Holy Land Sites

Bethlehem

This small city located in the Central West Bank is where David was crowned as the first king of Israel and is the burial place of the matriarch Rachel. It is also home to the Church of the Nativity, which marks Jesus’ birthplace.

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea or Yam Ha-Melakh (the Sea of Salt) is a landlocked salt lake between Israel and Jordan. The lake’s elevation is the lowest of any body of water on the planet. The lake’s salty waters are renowned for their myriad health benefits and natural buoyancy.

Masada

This ancient stone fortress in Israel sits high on a rocky mesa above the Dead Sea. Here 960 Judean rebels held out against 8,000 Roman soldiers for three years. The site is now a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the historical significance of its well-preserved ruins.

Mount of Beatitudes

The Mount Is a hill in northern Israel where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount which includes the Beatitudes (eight blessings) and the Lord’s Prayer.

Mount Nebo

This mountain in western Jordan overlooks the Dead Sea. In the Hebrew Bible, Mount Nebo is where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land. Mount Nebo is also the place where Moses is said to be buried.

Qumran Caves and the Dea Sea Scrolls

These caves, which were reportedly stumbled upon by Bedouin shepherd boys, are where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The Dea Sea Scrolls are a series of religious manuscripts dating from the third century BCE and are among the most important discoveries of modern archaeology.

Sea of Galilee

This freshwater lake in Israel fed by the Jordan river is famous for its association with the Bible as the place where Jesus performed two miracles: walking on water and the Feeding of the Multitude. It is the lowest freshwater lake in the world and the second-lowest lake in the world (second only the Dead Sea).

Holy Sites in Jerusalem

It is impossible to overstate the religious importance of this ancient city. One of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem is a sacred place for all three major Abrahamic religions. Jerusalem has been sacred to Judaism since King David proclaimed it his capital. For Christians, Jerusalem features prominently in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. For Sunni Muslims, Jerusalem is the third holiest city, where Mohammad ascended to Heaven.

The Western Wall   

The Western Wall or the Wailing Wall, is the only remaining exterior wall of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. It is the most religious site in the world for Jewish people. Visitors to the wall pray and wedge petitions into the cracks of the wall.

Temple Mount & the Dome of the Rock

The Temple Mount (or Har Habayit) is the elevated plaza above the Western Wall. For Judaism, it is traditionally the place where Abraham took his son Isaac to be sacrificed and was the site of both ancient Jewish temples. For Islam, the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock are sacred because they commemorate Muhammad’s ascension into heaven.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a church in the old city of Jerusalem. It marks the two holiest sites in Christendom: where Jesus was crucified in Calgary and the empty tomb where he was buried and resurrected. Today, the tomb is enclosed by a shrine called the Aedicula.

Mount of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane

Like so many places in Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives is holy to all three Abrahamic faiths. It features prominently in the New Testament and is home to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before being betrayed by Judas. It is also the place where Jesus ascended into heaven.