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Things to do in Southern District, Israel

Our most recommended things to do in Southern District, Israel

From Tel Aviv: Jerusalem and Bethlehem Guided Day Trip

1. From Tel Aviv: Jerusalem and Bethlehem Guided Day Trip

On this full-day tour of the Holy Land, enjoy pick-up from your hotel in Tel Aviv in a comfortable air-conditioned coach and travel along highway no' 1 to Jerusalem. You’ll be accompanied throughout the day by a knowledgeable, professional guide. You’ll enjoy a panoramic overview from Mount Scopus, overlooking the new city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount Esplanade of the old city. As you travel along the Kidron Valley, you’ll be able to take in views the Garden of Gethsemane as well as the walls of the city. On reaching the Armenian Quarter you'll enter the Western or Wailing Wall square via the local bazaar. See the Christian Quarter and the Stations of the Cross, also known as the Via Dolorosa. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is considered to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus. You'll also walk along the 1700-year-old Byzantine Cardo, the main street, and see the renovated Jewish Quarter. Transfer to Bethlehem (Palestinian guide and vehicle). Bethlehem, meaning “City of Bread”, was the birthplace of Jesus according to Christian tradition. Your drive to Bethlehem takes you by way of Nativity Circle. Visit the Church of Nativity, and also the cave where Jesus was born. You’ll see Manger Square, where Jesus was placed after his birth. Before completing the tour, visit St' Catharine - a Roman Catholic Church. You’ll enjoy an overview of the Shepherd's Fields on the return drive to Tel Aviv.

From Tel Aviv: Masada & Dead Sea Full Day Tour with Pick Up

2. From Tel Aviv: Masada & Dead Sea Full Day Tour with Pick Up

Embark on a full-day guided tour from Tel Aviv to the Judean Hills and the shores of the Dead Sea by bus. Visit the ancient palace of Masada, ride a cable car, and admire the Qumran caves on your drive back. Perched on a high plateau, the ancient fortified palace of Masada became a refuge for Zealots who took a stand against the Romans, until the mass suicide of the zealots in 73 AD. The ruins sit precariously on a plateau some 1,300 feet above sea level and measure 2,000-foot long by 1,000-foot wide. They boast extraordinary views of the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert. It is an exhausting climb, but we will ascend by cable car to make life easier. Explore the fortress built by King Herod in around 37 BC. Visit the remains of the palaces and see mosaic floors, Roman baths, and other findings. Masada was also home to the oldest synagogue in Israel, but one of the most remarkable features is the 12 water cisterns, each with a capacity of up to 140,000 cubic feet. Following the tour of Masada, you will drive to the Dead Sea Mineral Beach located in the Jordan Rift Valley, between Jordan and the West Bank. It is the lowest place on earth and its high density of salt makes for a unique experience as you float on the beautiful aquamarine surface. Take a mud bath and benefit from the therapeutic qualities of the natural Dead Sea mud. You will then drive back to Tel Aviv, with an on-route view of the Qumran cave, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

From Jerusalem: Masada & Dead Sea Full Day Tour with Pick Up

3. From Jerusalem: Masada & Dead Sea Full Day Tour with Pick Up

Enjoy a full-day bus tour from Jerusalem to ancient ruins in the Judean Hills and the shores of the Dead Sea. See the archeological site of Masada and a fortress built by King Herod. Go for a dip at the Dead Sea Mineral Beach and uncover the cave where the dead sea scrolls were found. Visit the Masada National Park ruins which are perched on a high plateau. View the ancient fortified palace of Masada which became a refuge for zealots who took a stand against the Romans, which ended in the mass suicide of the zealots in 73 AD. Follow your guide and ride up on a cable car to 1,300 feet above sea level to the plateau where the immense Masada ruins rest precariously. Look out at extraordinary views of the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert. Explore the fortress built by King Herod in Masada in around 37 BC. Stroll through the remains of the palaces and see mosaic floors and Roman baths. Uncover the oldest synagogue in Israel and admire remarkable features like the 12 water cisterns that each had a capacity of 140,000 cubic feet. Drive to the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea Mineral Beach which is located in the Jordan Rift Valley. Experience the high density of the salt in the water as you float with ease on the surface of the aquamarine water. Take a mud-bath and benefit from the therapeutic qualities of the natural Dead Sea mud before heading to the Qumeran cave, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Return to your accommodation in Jerusalem at the end of your tour.

Jerusalem/Tel Aviv: Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River Tour

4. Jerusalem/Tel Aviv: Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River Tour

After being picked up from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem depending on your booking option, travel to Bethlehem where you will meet your guide before heading into the old city of Bethlehem. Enjoy a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity.  Continue your tour with a visit to the Milk Grotto Church before riding to the city of the shepherds, Bayt Sahur where you will visit the Chapel of the Shepherds Field before getting to visit an olive wood factory where you will see artisans crafting wooden sculptures.  Then journey through the wonderful Judean Desert to the lowest point on earth. Have chances to stop and take pictures at the sea level point in the desert overlooking the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Jericho.  Stop and have lunch then pass the Mount of Temptation and drive into Jericho where you will see some of the famed sights in the city including Zaccheus's Tree which is mentioned in the bible.

From Jerusalem: Half-Day Bethlehem Guided Tour

5. From Jerusalem: Half-Day Bethlehem Guided Tour

After meeting at the David Citadel Hotel, you will begin your 3 to 5-hour tour, depending on the season. You will explore some of the religious highlights of Bethlehem, including the Church of the Nativity, St. Catherine, and the Shepherds' Fields. You will begin with the chance to visit the 1,500-year-old Church of Nativity where Jesus was born. From there you will enjoy beautiful views of the Old City of Bethlehem complete with the Manger Square. You will then take a ride through the city of Bethlehem and Beit Sahour passing by the main sites. A special visit to the Milk Grotto is also available, as well as a tour to the Shepherd’s Field where the Angels first announced the birth of Jesus Christ.

From Tel Aviv: Masada Sunrise, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Tour

6. From Tel Aviv: Masada Sunrise, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Tour

After a pre-sunrise departure from Tel Aviv, drive through the rolling hills of the Judean desert. At 5:30 AM, you’ll arrive at Masada, a set of mountaintop fortifications that date back to the 1st century BCE. Hike to peak to watch the sunrise from the summit, painting the surrounding valleys in rich hues. Continue to the En Gedi Nature Reserve, which covers an astounding 3,500 acres. A massive oasis in the desert, it includes vast streams and rivers that spill out from impressive waterfalls. Amble through the mountainous terrain, marvelling at the lush greenery in the heart of the desert. To cap things off, head to the Dead Sea, where you’ll have 1.5 hours to relax. Coat yourself in its iconic black mud, famed for its restorative qualities, and float in the highly saline water. After your time at the lowest point on earth, you’ll head back to Tel Aviv.

Full Day City Tour of Jerusalem

7. Full Day City Tour of Jerusalem

Get to know the holy city of Jersualem. This full-day tour will take you through the city's major attractions, beautiful views and historical gems alike. Today's first stop is Mount Scopus. Here, be treated to a panoramic view of the city below. Next, enter the Old City to see the Western Wall, Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. Later, move on to the Jewish and Armenian Quarters and the tread the recently restored Roman road of the Cardo. You will visit the colorful city bazaar and the Western Wall, proceeding to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, rumored to be the place where Jesus is buried and was resurrected. If your tour is on a Saturday, at Mt. Zion you can visit the Hall of the Last Supper and David's Tomb. From here, you will continue to the New City and spend some time at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, a beautiful building that stands in contrast to the horrific story told between its walls. If you've got a bit of time to spare, visit the Hall of Remembrance and the Hall of Names before you return to your hotel.

Eliat: Coral Reef Snorkeling Trip with Instructor

8. Eliat: Coral Reef Snorkeling Trip with Instructor

Snorkel the underwater world of Eliat's colorful coral reefs, and admire the more than 10,000 different kinds of fish, sponges, coral and other sea creatures that live there. Take the option for an underwater photo shoot to take some great memories home with you, if you like. Assemble at the meeting point, and rent or purchase your mask, snorkel, and fins from the local partner's diving center. Then, set off an unforgettable journey to Eliat's coral reefs. Receive brief instructions on swimming techniques and equipment safety rules from your experienced instructor before plunging into the water. Capture the experience by ordering an underwater, digital photo shoot from the diving center, at additional cost. Make fantastic souvenirs with photos of your friends and family with the abundant sealife and vibrant corals in the background. Please note that you cannot touch anything while you are underwater so as not to harm the natural balance. For the same reason, it is prohibited to feed the underwater inhabitants.

From Jerusalem/Tel Aviv: Bethlehem and Dead Sea Day Tour

9. From Jerusalem/Tel Aviv: Bethlehem and Dead Sea Day Tour

Discover the famous old city of Bethlemen and the Dead Sea on a guided day trip from Jerusalem. Swim in the Dead Sea, visit an olive wood factory and see the famous Church of the Nativity. Following pickup in Jerusalem, ride to Bethlehem to meet your guide before heading to the Old City of Bethlehem. Begin with a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity. Next, if availability allows, visit the Nativity Star and the Cave of St. Jerome. From there, head to the Milk Grotto Church, where it is believed that the Holy Family found refuge from the Massacre of the Innocents before they could flee into Egypt. Next, drive to the City of the Shepherd's, Bayt Sahur. In Bayt Sahurt, enjoy a guided visit to the Chapel of The Shepherd's Field, the church where the angels first appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. Continue your trip with a visit to an olive wood factory and watch the artisans crafting wooden sculptures. Continue through the Judean Desert to reach the lowest point on Earth. Hop out and take pictures at sea-level in the desert . Continue to the Dead Sea to enjoy the rest of the day, either floating in the rich water or relaxing at the beach.

From Tel Aviv: Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Guided Tour

10. From Tel Aviv: Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Guided Tour

Embark on a guided tour of the Masada Fortress and take in the sweeping views of the Judean Desert. Travel in a comfortable and airconditioned van to the nature reserve of Ein Gedi before floating in the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Depart Tel Aviv. Be driven through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea region, the lowest on earth. Heading south alongside the Dead Sea, reach the foot of Mount Masada, the ancient fortress which was constructed in Roman times and is famous as the location of an iconic story of heroism. At 9:00 AM ascend Masada by cable car and explore the site. At 11:00 AM continue to Ein Gedi, a beautiful nature reserve and oasis where you will have a chance to take a short hike or walk through the cooling and beautiful surroundings. After Ein Gedi, continue to the Dead Sea where you will access a private beach and have a chance to float in the famous waters and immerse in the muds that are so famous all around the world. Return to your hotel in Tel Aviv in the early evening.

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What people are saying about Southern District, Israel

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 10,693 reviews

the guide took us to the mining place from this century, what was very nice experience even before the Timna… then we went to Timna park where we stopped on some nice places, like the ancient mining spots, solomon pillars, the mushroom rock and finally near to the lake to make some color sand bottles. To go by jeep on the main road - with strong wind against you is cool experience. I would prefer to spend little more time on the stops… especially on the solomon pillars and for us personally we would love if the tabernacle tour was included in the trip - or have it as a option. Because of not having time to go to the tabernacle, we visited the park day after on our own.

What an amazing experience!! Our tour guide Yonathan was knowledgeable about any and every topic we could come up with - we learned so much about history, archeology, religion, culture, and general social topics of the area. He was extremely accommodating and helped us tailor our day based on our interests and our needs with our young toddler. We had an incredible day and visit thanks to this private, personalized tour and our wonderful guide! I highly recommend doing a private tour to get the most of your trip

it was very nice dive in the place with many fish and nice corals. The instructor was nice. I payed also for the pictures… the quality wasn’t as was showed me… probably not took with the same camera (and even same place) and I would prepare more pics with fish and corals then only me in the water, but it can be just me. And I understand it is not easy to be taking pictures and videos and to manage non licensed divers :-). All together I have enjoyed it and can recommend the experience.

One of our best trips in Israel and Palestine, we booked it only one day before but everything was so smooth. Definitely the best driver ever, punctual, communicative, very friendly and patient. The tour guide Tia is very nice, knowledgeable, patient, very helpful and thoughtful. Wonderful journey and will recommend to our friends in the future

it was about an hour on the camel and then time to relax while the guide made for us tea and bread on the fire and brought very tasty cheese and vegetables. We really enjoyed it!