- December 5, 2025
- 12:16 pm
- Israel
Israel has many wonderful and significant attractions for all of humanity.
9 of them have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Here they are:
- Masada,
- Old City of Acre,
- White City of Tel Aviv,
- Biblical Tels of Megiddo, Hazor, and Beersheba,
- Incense Route and Desert Cities in the Negev,
- Baha’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee,
- Nahal Me’arot on Mount Carmel,
- Caves of Maresha and Beit Guvrin,
- Necropolis of Beit She’arim
To be included in the prestigious list, cultural or natural sites must meet a number of criteria, including outstanding examples of human creative genius, the presence of unique natural phenomena, or significant historical stages of the Earth.
Masada
No visit to Israel is complete without a trip to Masada, and it seems that experts at the UN agree.
The ancient fortress atop a mountain, where a group of Jewish families resisted the mighty Roman legion for several months, stands out sharply against the backdrop of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea and is an absolute spectacle.
It is also apparently the most complete of the preserved Roman siege works, and from personal experience, it is entirely worth the exhausting hike (though you can also ascend and descend by cable car).
Old City of Acre
The Old City of Acre on the northwest coast is unique in that it showcases a stunning combination of Crusader and Ottoman architecture.
The Knights’ Hall, the Great Mosque, and the cobbled streets look just like a film set, but fortunately, they are home to a wonderful mix of people and traditions.
Our top tip is to visit this area on the hottest summer days so that the cool ancient stones give you a respite from the scorching sun — just as they have done for generations before you.
White City of Tel Aviv
The White City in Tel Aviv represents the most complete collection of modernist architecture. Colloquially known as “Bauhaus,” it features white buildings with curved balconies and elegant proportions, built with functionality in mind.
Many modernist architects fled Europe during World War II to Tel Aviv, bringing this unique style to our little corner of the Middle East and giving it a completely new look. While there are many tours in Tel Aviv to learn more about it, you can also simply enjoy a walk along the city streets, such as Rothschild Boulevard, and see many examples.
Biblical Tels of Megiddo, Hazor, and Beersheba
Tels are prehistoric settlement mounds that can be found in Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and eastern Turkey.
Out of 200 tels in Israel, UNESCO selected three in Megiddo (also known as Armageddon), Hazor, and Beersheba as vivid examples of both biblical connections and centralized power of the Iron Age, trade routes, and underground water collection, which give us insight into the thriving communities that once lived here.
Incense Route and Desert Cities in the Negev
To this day, the Negev Desert in southern Israel can create quite harsh conditions, so we can only imagine that 2000 years ago it was much more so.
And yet, as shown by the four Nabatean cities scattered along the ancient incense route, this harsh landscape was inhabited, cultivated, and formed an important part of the incense and spice trade route that crossed southern Arabia to the Mediterranean Sea.
Nowadays, you can explore the archaeological remains of forts and irrigation systems and be eternally grateful for the opportunity to return to an air-conditioned bus at the end of your tour.
Baha’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee
The Baha’i faith originated in Iran in the 19th century, and through twists of fate and exile, some of its holy places and central administration were built in the northern Israeli cities of Haifa and Acre.
UNESCO notes the shrines in the two cities, associated with the founders of the religion, their spiritual significance, and the role they play in pilgrimage. The two complexes with their well-maintained gardens provide visitors with an opportunity to admire another culture and religion in a quiet, respectful, and beautiful setting.
Nahal Me’arot on Mount Carmel
UNESCO selected the Nahal Me’arot (Cave River) complex on Mount Carmel for its stunning example of human evolution. The area, which includes three cave complexes, contains archaeological finds that represent at least half a million years of human evolution, including the simultaneous existence of Neanderthals and modern humans.
Also found at this site are samples of stone architecture and various tools marking humanity’s transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture. This, UNESCO notes, makes this area a key site for understanding human evolution in general and the prehistory of the Levant in particular.
Caves of Maresha and Beit Guvrin
The caves of Maresha and Beit Guvrin in the Judean lowlands are not only perfect for a family day trip but also serve as a microcosm of the Land of Caves and a cultural mosaic of the area, which was at the crossroads of two great empires — Egypt and Mesopotamia.
The quarried caves in this area — there are about 3500 of them — were used as places of worship, dovecotes, oil presses, and cisterns, and provide a fascinating insight into how people lived here for 2000 years, from the eighth century BCE.
Necropolis of Beit She’arim
While a cemetery may seem like an odd choice for a World Heritage site, the necropolis of Beit She’arim near Haifa is certainly special enough.
This series of catacombs served as a renowned Jewish burial site about 2000 years ago and includes a wide range of artworks, treasuries, graves, and inscriptions in Hebrew and Greek, including several curses intended to ward off grave robbers.
Its importance lies in its connection to Rabbi Judah, who led the Jewish community during Roman rule and after the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE.
…………
Read other News from Israel and the world on the channels «NiKK»
Nikk.Agency on Telegram , Facebook and Google News
