Israel is a land suffused with the importance of its position, as the cradle of Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike. This cultural complexity is further reflected by the diversity of its natural landscape, which varies from the salty serenity of the Dead Sea, to verdant national parks and parched desert plateaus.

Most visits to the Holy Land are ushered in with a trip to the capital city of Jerusalem. The vibrant streets bustle with the activity of modern city-dwellers and busy markets spill out onto ancient cobbled streets against a skyline of sacred sites. The modern commercial centre of Tel Aviv is dedicated to the more hedonistic pursuits of life, that come in the form of sun-drenched beaches, good restaurants, designer clothing stores and sophisticated night clubs. Sunbathing and scuba diving is the allure of the Red Sea port of Elat, while relaxation and spa resorts are a specialty of the Dead Sea experience. The Galilee area, north of Jerusalem, is the destination of pilgrims and nature-lovers alike. Its concentration of holy sites provides a fascinating visit, particularly around the azure stretches of the Sea of Galilee. The cosmopolitan reaches of the Jewish-Arab city of Haifa provide a glorious base from which to explore the Galilee area, as well as the magnificent sea grottoes of Rosh Hanikra.

Home to over 200 museums, Israel has the highest number of museums per capita in the whole world - further underlining its status as one of the most culturally-rich tourist destinations on the planet - while its national parks are roundly celebrated for their accessibility and beauty, as well. Nearly 3.5 million people visited Israel on holiday last year, confirming its reputation as a chief international tourist destination.

Masada

Address: Jerusalem

Admission: Adults: NIS 23 (NIS 61 including cable car). Children: NIS 12 (NIS 34 including cable car) Open daily from 8am to 5pm (until 4pm from October to March). First cable car operates at 8am

Telephone: (07) 658 4207/8

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Address: Via Dolorosa, Old City Jerusalem

Admission: Free Daily from 5am to 9pm (April to September), and 4am to 7pm (October to March)

Telephone: (02) 627 3314

Temple Mount (Al-Haram al-Sharif)

Address: Temple Mount, Old City Jerusalem

Admission: IS 36 (Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque and Islamic Museum); Temple Mount admission is free The site is temporarily closed to non-Muslims due to religious tensions. Usually, it is open Saturday to Thursday, (in summer) from 7.30am to 11am and from 1.30pm to 3pm; and (in winter) from 8am to 10.30am and 12.20pm to 2pm. Closed on Fridays and during prayer times

Telephone: (02) 628 3393

Western Wall (HaKotel HaMaaravi)

Address: Temple Mount, Old City Jerusalem

Via Dolorosa

Address: Via Dolorosa, Old City Jerusalem

Yad VaShem

Address: Har Hazikaron Jerusalem

Admission: Free, although guided tours are subject to a fee Open Sunday to Wednesday from 9am to 5pm; Thursdays from 9am to 8pm; Fridays and holiday eves from 9am to 2pm. Entrance is permitted until an hour before closing.

Telephone: (02) 644 3749 or (02) 644 3686

The Israel Museum

Address: Ruppin Boulevard, near Parliament Jerusalem

Admission: NIS 48 (Adults), NIS 36 (Students), NIS 24 (Children aged 5 to 17). Concessions are available. Price of ticket includes audio guide. Volunteer guides conduct tours in English, Hebrew, French and Spanish (free with admission to the museum) Open from Sunday to Thursday, and on Saturdays and holidays, from 10am to 5pm; on Tuesdays from 4pm to 9pm (in August from 10am to 9pm); and on Fridays and holiday eves from 10am to 2pm.

Telephone: (02) 670 8811

Citadel or Tower of David

Address: Jaffa Gate Jerusalem

Admission: NIS 30 (adults), NIS 20 (students), NIS 15 (children and pensioners). July to August: Open Saturday to Thursday, from 10am to 5pm; Fridays and holidays from 10am to 2pm. September to June: Open Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm; Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

Telephone: (02) 626 5333

Bethlehem

Address: The PNA Tourist Ministry, located on the south side of Manger Square, is open Monday to Saturday between 8am and 2.30pm Jerusalem

The Dead Sea

Address: Jerusalem

Admission: The Ein Gedi Spa is open daily from 7am to 6pm (Fridays until 5pm)

Telephone: (08) 659 4760 (Ein Gedi Spa)

Tel Aviv Museum of Art

Address: 27 Shaul Hamelech Boulevard Tel Aviv

Admission: NIS 42 (adults), NIS 34 (students), Free for Children under 18 years Open Monday and Wednesday from 10am to 4pm; Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 10pm; Friday from 10am to 2pm; and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Telephone: (03) 607 7020

Eretz Israel Museum (The Land of Israel Museum)

Address: 2 Haim Levanon Street, Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv

Admission: NIS42 (adults), NIS28 (student). Children under 18 free. Other concessions available Sunday to Wednesday 10am to 4pm, Thursday 10 am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 2pm

Telephone: (03) 641 5244

Museum of the Jewish Diaspora (Beit Hatefutsot)

Address: Tel Aviv University Campus, Klausner Street, Ramat Aviv Tel Aviv

Admission: NIS 40 (adults), NIS 30 (children). Concessions are available Open Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 7pm, and Friday from 9am to 2pm

Telephone: (03) 745 7800

Jaffa

Address: Tel Aviv

Hamat Tiberias National Park

Address: Galilee

Admission: Open daily from 8am to 5pm (April to September); and 8am to 4pm (October to March)

Telephone: (06) 672 5287

Beit She'an National Park

Address: The Beit She'an National Park is located in the city of Beit She'an Galilee

Admission: NIS 38 (adults), NIS 23 (children) Open Sunday to Thursday, from 8am to 5pm (April to September) and 8am to 4pm (October to March). Open Fridays from 8am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 5pm.

Telephone: (04) 6587189

Gan Hashlosha National Park (Sahne)

Address: The park is on Route 669, approximately 15 minutes from Beit She'an Galilee

Admission: Open daily from 8am to 5pm (April to September), and 8am to 4pm (October to March)

Telephone: (06) 658 6219; (06) 658 6352 (museum)

Caesarea

Address: Galilee

Nazareth

Address: Galilee

Eilat

Address: Tel Aviv

The Underwater Observatory Marine Park

Address: Tel Aviv

Admission: ILS 89 (adults); ILS 69 (children) Open daily, from 8.30am to 5pm (till 4pm on Fridays and holiday eves)

Telephone: (02) 8636 4200

Hezekiah's Tunnel

Address: Hashiloah Road Jerusalem

Carmel Market

Address: Near the Hatachana Complex and Allenby Street Tel Aviv

Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater)

Address: Jerusalem

The Baha'i Gardens

Address: Haifa

Admission: Inner gardens open daily, from 9am to 12pm; Outer gardens open daily, from 9am to 5pm

Beaches

Address: Tel Aviv

Diving

Abu-Hassan

Address: Three branches: 1 Dolphin Street, 14 Shivtai Israel Street, 18 Shivtai Israel St Tel Aviv

Food Type: Local

Onami

Address: 18 Ha'Arbaa Street Tel Aviv

Food Type: Asian

The Salon

Address: 8 Ma'avar Yabuk Tel Aviv

Food Type: International