Christianity locations in Israel

Christianity and Jesus go hand in hand with Israel. From Nazareth to Jerusalem, Jaffa, Bethlehem, all the way to the Sea of Galilee—walk the Jesus Trail and step into history with every sunrise—there are countless places to explore and connect with the roots of faith.

Written by Zvika Gasner Koheleth 12-December-2024 (Originally 06-January-2020) photography by Angela Hechtfisch

Nazareth & Jesus

Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus, is a must-see. At the Church of the Annunciation, built over Mary’s traditional home, Gabriel told her she would be the mother of God’s Son. In Luke 1:38, Mary replied: “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”

Just south of the city stands Mount Precipice, also known as Mount Kedumim, —linked to Luke 4:16–30—where tradition says an angry crowd tried to throw Jesus off the cliff after his bold words in the synagogue.

Just outside Nazareth, stop by the Wedding Church in Kfar Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle—turning water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2:1–11). The village is also mentioned in the book of John as the place where Jesus healed a royal official’s son (John 4:46) and as the hometown of the disciple Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew (John 21:2).

Back in Nazareth, don’t miss Nazareth Village—a fascinating open-air museum that brings the 1st century to life with a full-scale recreation of daily life. It’s a true step back in time.

Caesarea & Jesus

Step into ancient Caesarea and discover the famous Pontius Pilate stone. Pilate, the fifth Roman prefect of Judaea under Emperor Tiberius (26–36 CE), is remembered as the official who oversaw Jesus’s trial, offered a pardon, and ultimately ordered his crucifixion at Golgotha—today marked by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The stone, uncovered in 1961 in Caesarea as part of a temple inscription, stands as rare archaeological proof connecting history with the New Testament story of Jesus.

Christianity & Jaffa

The Church of Saint Peter in Old Jaffa is a must-see. According to Acts 10:11, it’s here that Peter—the first Pope of Rome—had his famous vision, hearing a voice telling him that all kinds of food were now permitted. This moment marked the first major step separating Christianity from Judaism.

 

Jesus & Jerusalem

From the Mount of Olives, you get a breathtaking view of Jerusalem’s Old City. Right after the Last Supper, Jesus came here to pray and was later arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. On the mount stands the Church of All Nations, built over a section of bedrock where Jesus once taught. Gethsemane was a favorite place for Jesus and his disciples to reflect, both during the day and at night (John 18:2; Luke 21:37).

Explore Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter, home to Christianity’s holiest sites. Walk the Via Dolorosa along the 14 Stations of the Cross, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with Golgotha (Calvary), the Stone of Anointing, the Rotunda, and the Aedicule—believed to be Jesus’s tomb.

Nearby, just above David’s Tomb and next to Zion Gate, you’ll also find the Room of the Last Supper, where tradition says Jesus shared his final meal with the disciples.

 

Jesus & Jerico

Drive into the Judean Desert, with its dramatic canyons and endless views. At Jericho—one of the world’s oldest cities—Jesus healed a blind beggar who called out to Him (Luke 18:35–43), a moment that filled the crowd with awe and praise:

“As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. And he cried out, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!
Jesus stopped. What do you want me to do for you?
The blind beggar said, Lord, let me recover my sight.
And Jesus said to him, Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.
And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.”

In Jericho you can also see the famous Zacchaeus Sycamore Tree, tied to the story of Zacchaeus who promised half of his possessions to the poor, and visit the Mount of Temptation, where tradition says Jesus was tested by the devil (Matthew 4:8).

Bethlehem & Christianity

Visit Bethlehem, located in the Palestinian Authority, the village where Jesus was born. Here stands the Church of the Nativity, one of Christianity’s holiest sites. In Manger Square, locals and pilgrims gather each Christmas to sing carols before midnight mass. Nearby, Shepherds’ Field marks the place where angels announced Jesus’s birth to shepherds watching over their flocks.

 

 

Jesus trail at Tiberias & Sea of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee—known in Hebrew as the Kinneret (from the word kinor, meaning violin)—played a central role in Jesus’s life. Around its shores you’ll find some of the most important Christian sites. Visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, and stop at Kibbutz Ginosar to see the “Jesus Boat”, a 1st-century fishing vessel discovered in 1986. On the Mount of Beatitudes, reflect on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), one of Jesus’s most powerful teachings.

At Yardenit, near Kibbutz Kinneret, you can experience a baptism site along the Jordan River, often used as a substitute for Qasr al-Yahud where John baptized Jesus (Matthew 3:13–17). On the lake’s northern shore, explore Capernaum, the town where Jesus lived and taught, and the Church of the Multiplication, marking the miracle of the loaves and fishes where thousands were fed.

 

 

The Jesus Trail in the Galilee

The Jesus Trail™ is a 65 km hiking route in northern Israel’s Galilee, starting in Nazareth and ending at the Mount of Beatitudes by the Sea of Galilee. It connects key sites from the life of Jesus along with other historic and religious landmarks, giving pilgrims a chance to walk in His footsteps.

Jesus trail begins in Nazareth and passes through Zippori National Park, Cana, Ilaniya, Kibbutz Lavi, the Horns of Hattin, Nebi Shu’eib, Arbel National Park, Migdal, the Jesus Boat at Kibbutz Ginosar, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes, and Capernaum.

Completing the full trail takes several days and is best for advanced hikers, though shorter sections are also possible. For more details, read here.

 

 

Independent Christian pilgrimage tours – General info

With so many Jesus-related sites across Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the best way to explore them independently is by dividing the journey into three main areas, staying overnight in each to save on logistics and fully enjoy the experience.

 

All suggested pilgrim tours can be done in just a single day, or stretched over several days—depending on how much of the full program you choose to follow.