Things to do in Israel & The Palestinian Territories
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Bauhaus Centre
Bauhaus fans will want to stop by the Bauhaus Centre which is loaded with souvenirs and artwork. The centre runs a Bauhaus city tour on Fridays.
Bauhaus style offers simplicity and egalitarianism, designed by architects who carried socialist ideals with them from Europe to Israel. One result of their collective beliefs is the flat roof, intended to be a communal area for all the residents of each building. Of the 4000 Bauhaus-style buildings in the city, just 360 have been renovated, the rest crumbing in the salty, humid sea air, which is not kind to the plaster used for the building façades. Despite its Unesco status, there are no public funds for the restoration of…
reviewed
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Educational Bookshop
East Jerusalem’s best bookshop has an impressive range of books and DVDs pertaining to the Arab–Israeli conflict, as well as a good selection of magazines and Palestinian music CDs. It also boasts a reading balcony, cafe and function room. Journalists, aid workers, activists and other politically aware people make this place a regular stop on their East Jerusalem wanderings.
reviewed
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Baha'i Gardens
With every tree trimmed to perfection and every blade of grass seemingly cut to the exact same height, the 18 terraces of the Baha'i Gardens are truly a sight to behold.
The gardens are one of the two great holy places for members of the Baha'i faith, an independent movement that originated in Persia in the middle of the 19th century. The Baha'i are based in the area because the faith's founder, Baha'ullah spent 25 years imprisoned in nearby Akko.
The Baha'i faith is one of the world's youngest religions, established only in the middle of the 19th century. Its central belief is in equality and unity, and it clings to the notion that many prophets have appeared throughout…
reviewed
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Dome of the Rock
The jewel in the Temple Mount crown is the gold-plated Dome of the Rock, the enduring symbol of the city and undoubtedly one of the most photographed buildings on earth. As its name suggests, the dome covers the slab of stone sacred to both the Muslim and Jewish faiths. It was here that Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son and from which, according to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Mohammed launched himself heavenward to take his place alongside Allah.
The building was constructed between AD 688 and 691 under the patronage of the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik. His motives were shrewd as well as pious - the caliph was concerned that the imposing Christian Church of the Holy…
reviewed
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Damascus Gate
The scene in front of the Damascus Gate is a microcosm of the Palestinian world - vendors heave goods in and out of the Old City, families picnic on the steps and Israeli soldiers tap their truncheons. You'll also spot elderly women from the villages trying to sell herbs and produce; most of them wear intricately embroidered dresses that are a part of their dowry and identity.
The gate itself dates in its present form from the time of Süleyman the Magnificent (who oversaw the gate's construction between 1537 and 1542), although there had been a gate here long before the arrival of the Turks. This was the main entrance to the city as early as the time of Agrippas, who…
reviewed
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Focaccio Bar
The combination of good food at reasonable prices has made this one of the most popular restaurants in town. The speciality of course is focaccia, baked fresh in the taboun (clay oven) and eaten on a sunny patio. A variety of toppings is available and portions are large and reasonably priced; try the Bulgarian cheese and olive spread (32NIS). The menu also includes a nice 350g entrecôte steak, deep-fried calamari and fried mushroom dishes.
reviewed
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El-Reda
The weekend papers love to rave about this restaurant in a restored 120-year-old Arab mansion, and for once it's justified. The views of the basilica (stunning from the rooftop terrace), the food (friendly owner Daher Zeidani makes only what he likes and that's traditional Nazareth dishes with a Mediterranean twist) and the atmosphere (occasional live music and poetry) make this one of the better restaurants in the north of Israel.
reviewed
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Bat Galim Beach
Ports tend to make a mess of the coast so it's not too surprising that Haifa's beaches are infamously toxic and strewn with garbage. Case in point is Bat Galim Beach , considered one of the best surf breaks in the country and host to international competitions - surfers constantly lament its piles of rusting metal, bricks, concrete, disused furniture and other refuse.
reviewed
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Manta Ray
Spectacularly set on the beach, Manta Ray combines a five-star seafood menu, attentive service and Mediterranean views. Pick a few dishes off the mezze platter (we liked the goat cheese and the eggplant) and then enjoy a main course of roasted scallops, sea bass fillet, grilled shrimp or a juicy steak. It's also a great place for breakfast.
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Greg Coffee
Decorated with kettles and jars of spices and coffee beans, Greg might remind you of your mom's kitchen back home. Aside from the homy feel, you get excellent coffee and brownies, while laptop users can access the free wi-fi.
reviewed
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Babette
Waffles and coffee are the specialities of this popular student hang-out, which is just big enough to fit half a dozen standing patrons.
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Via Dolorosa
The ultimate Jerusalem walking tour is, of course, the Via Dolorosa, the route that Jesus is believed to have taken as he carried his cross to Calvary. The walk (around 30 minutes) is easily done on your own, but for a somewhat more unique experience join the Franciscan Fathers on Fridays as they lead a cross-bearing procession along the route. Each stop marks the stations of the cross. To begin the route known today, head deep into the Muslim Quarter, in the direction of Lions Gate.
Before embarking on the walking tour, you might want to visit St Anne's Church and the Ecce Homo Convent of the Sisters of Zion, both located close to the first station. The First Station is…
reviewed
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German Colony
At least once during your stay in Haifa, walk up Ben-Gurion Ave from Jaffa Rd and enjoy the splendour that is the German Colony backed by the cascading lights of the Baha'i Gardens. The colony (really just this street), was renovated in the 1990s into the city's premier address for shopping and dining, with many of its buildings restored and given plaques that describe the history of the area. Haifa's tourist information centre is also located here.
Part of the renovation required that the entire street be moved 168cm, so that its centre divide would line up with the staircase of Baha'i Gardens.
The colony was established in 1869 by the Templers (not to be confused with…
reviewed
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Carmel Market
Passionate free-marketeers pedal everything from fresh-cut flowers to piles of cumin in this frenetic market, squeezed between the old Yemenite Quarter and Nahalat Binyamin St. This bubbling cauldron of commerce starts at Kikar Magen David, where hippies strum guitars for shekels. You need to push your way past the first few metres of clothing (Sponge Bob Square Pants boxer shorts and knock-off Nikes) to reach the more aromatic and enticing stalls of fruits and vegetables, hot breads and spices.
When in form, the stallholders have an amusing sales patter, singing songs to promote their goods and often joining in with one another.
Each of the narrow sidestreets specialises…
reviewed
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Fatoush
Set up like a medieval Arabic house, complete with burgundy cushions, nargileh (water pipes) and candle lamps, Fatoush is an atmospheric and popular restaurant serving a fusion of Western and Middle Eastern cuisine. It's named after a kind of salad eaten by poor people of the Levant - a Middle Eastern version of peasant pie - but there is much more to the menu than fatoush.
Try the aroos al-wadi (pride of the valley), baked bread topped with minced calf meat, or tasty seafood dishes. You can dine inside a cavernous underground chamber or, in pleasant weather, it's just as nice to eat under the olive trees on the street-side patio.
reviewed
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Hof HaCarmel Beach
Ports tend to make a mess of the coast so it's not too surprising that Haifa's beaches are infamously toxic and strewn with garbage. If you really fancy some sun-worshipping in Haifa, you should head for the much more attractive Hof HaCarmel Beach, in the south of the city. The beach has an inviting promenade with a number of restaurants and cafés, some of them upscale places serving steak and seafood. Folk dancing is held here on Saturdays (11:00 February to June and 19:00 July to January).
Trains from Haifa Merkaz come here every 20 minutes for around ₪5.
reviewed
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Kidron Valley
Historically the oldest section of Jerusalem, the Kidron Valley has archaeological remnants that date back more than 4000 years. This is the site of the legendary 'City of David', which was actually a city long before David slung any stones. There are also a number of graves and tombs in the area, particularly in the Valley of Jehoshaphat.
Steep topography has isolated the valley from the rest of the city (the best access is via the Dung Gate or the Lion's Gate in the Old City), but it's definitely worth trekking down here for a morning of exploration.
reviewed
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Souq al-Qattanin
The recently renovated Souq al-Qattanin was originally a Crusader market improved by the Mamluks in the mid-14th century. Almost 100m long, it has 50 shops on the ground floor with residential quarters above. About halfway down is a gate that leads to the 'Al-Quds University Jerusalem Studies Centre'. If it's open, climb up to the roof for a spectacular view of the Temple Mount.
The market also included two hammams (public baths), which have been closed for years but are one of many city projects planned for renovation.
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Nazareth Village
If you're having trouble imagining Jesus doing anything miraculous amid the bustle of modern Nazareth, then step back 2000 years at Nazareth Village. Everyday life and commerce in a traditional Galilean village has been duly reconstructed with actors in period clothing leading tours of the working farm. Leave any nightmares of tacky olde worlde historical theme parks at the door - it's well done and worth a stop. It's a 15-minute walk due west from the basilica, just beyond Al-Wadi al-Jawani St.
reviewed
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Mosque of the Ascension
Sometimes confusingly referred to as the Church of the Ascension, the Mosque of the Ascension is a Muslim-administered building in an odd little octagonal Crusader reconstruction of an earlier Byzantine structure. Saladin authorised two of his followers to acquire the site in 1198 and it has remained in Muslim possession since. Hours are irregular but someone is usually around most mornings to open it up.
reviewed
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Shesek
Something of a black sheep on this street of progressive bars, Mish Mish is a rough-around-the-edges scenester bar and bohemian haunt well-known for pumping out a variety of music (mash-ups and punk to trance and avant-garde hip-hop) and quality beer (including Taybeh, a micro-brew manufactured in Ramallah). It's the kind of place where you can have a civilised conversation with the DJ and make a few requests.
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Beer House
The Beer House is a little downtrodden but if you are after some very nice beer it's hard to beat. The bartender can guide you through the complexities of the 120 types of beers on offer and provides good commentary with friendly service to boot. They usually recommend a fruity Belgian beer (try the peach). They also serve food and do a nice smoked meat platter. It's below street level in Gan Ha'em Park.
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Chakra
This casual but classy dining experience whips up legendary seafood dishes cooked with Mediterranean spices. Less expensive pastas are also available and there are steaks too (but these are nothing special). Stick with the seafood; choose the aubergine and tahina side dish and you’ll have a wonderful gastronomic experience. It’s located under Cup o’ Joe, with the entrance in the back.
reviewed
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Village Green
A vegetarian’s delight, this kosher restaurant offers homemade dishes made from the freshest ingredients. It’s cafeteria style with various offerings of vegetable soups, quiches, veggie burgers, pizza, blintzes, savoury pies and lasagne, all served with home-baked bread. Meals are sold by weight (8.5NIS per 100g). If you still have room for dessert try one of the freshly baked pies.
reviewed
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Souq
Starting at the top of El-Bishara St and occupying a maze of steep and narrow, winding alleys, the Souq is a lively place to haggle over a dayglo Jesus for the car dashboard. In the lower part of the town, local authorities have taken steps to clean up the white-stone streets of the souq but it still retains a somewhat authentic Arabian air, particularly on Fridays.
reviewed