8 places to see in Israel & Jordan

Jerusalem has such an intense history, and therefore shouldn’t be missed on a trip to Israel. Even if you are not very religious, the get-together of three different religions and to see how important that place is to them is really fascinating to watch. The Western Wall is really worth a visit; that’s a huge wall in which people stick their prayers into. Some of them stood there for hours and were deep in their thoughts and prayers. We are not really religious, but nonetheless this was a fascinating experience. The same goes for the Dome of the Rock – with its colourful tiles and its shiny golden roof it is simply beautiful to see. Attention: opening hours to see the Dome of the Rock are quite limited, the opening hours during summer are from 7:30-10.30 and from 12:30-13:30 and during winter from 8:30-11:30 and from 13:30-14:30. Entrance is free of charge. Furthermore, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount offer a huge market, cute and picturesque aisles and many more historical places.

Hotel Recommendation: Lago Suites

The Dead Sea in our opinion needs to go into every bucket list J! With an altitude of 423 meters below sea level, it is not only the lowest point on earth, but it is also one of the most beautiful “seas” I’ve ever seen. Thanks to the white salt that covers the ground of the Dead Sea, its water is a gorgeous turquoise and after sunset when the water is calm, the whole sea turns into a mirror. With a salinity of 34%, which is about ten times as much as in a common sea, there is one more special thing you can do in the Dead Sea: FLOATING :D! As there is so much salt in it, you cannot sink and can simply float on the surface, which is really a lot of fun! BUT: do not shave in the morning, as tiny injuries might burn like hell, AND: bring your flip-flops, as the salty ground is really sharp and going in barefoot really hurts…

Hotel Recommendation: Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Hotel

The Ein Gedi National Park is about a 30 minute drive from Ein Bokek, just aside the Dead Sea. Entrance fees: 28 NIS for adults, 14 NIS for children. This National Park is a really beautiful stop when you are driving along the Dead Sea. The most popular sight in the park is for sure the David Waterfall, which is really really beautiful, but if you climb a little bit higher up the mountain, you will have a fantastic view over the Dead Sea. The hike to David Waterfall will take no longer than 30 minutes (one way), but on the way up, you will come across several smaller waterfalls and gorgeous pools in which you can swim or cool down. Furthermore, there are lots of animals to see, as for example the rock hyrax, wolves and foxes, or bats. We can definitely recommend a visit <3.

Tel Aviv and Eilat are the most popular beach destinations in Israel. While Tel Aviv is located at the Mediterranean Sea, Eilat is in the very South of Israel, at the Red Sea. The beaches in Tel Aviv are by far bigger, and Tel Aviv is a really modern and huge city, so if you have the chance, go there!! However, as Eilat is located in the south, it is also a winter destination, and with temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius during the day, we could also go swimming in December/January, while in Tel Aviv it’s been too cold. Eilat is also really modern and clean, with lots of bars, restaurants and shopping malls. If you have time: visit both places, and if you are planning to stay in Tel Aviv, I would recommend to go between April and October J!

Hotel Recommendation Eilat: Central Park Hotel

Antelope Canyon in Arizona is on your bucket list?! Then THIS is your place! The Red Canyon is located in the desert close to the Egyptian border, and about a 20 minute drive from Eilat. The Red Canyon gets its name from the phenomenon which occurs when sunlight hits the reddish rock that lines the canyon. It is an easy and accessible hike. Even if the canyon isn’t as long as the “original” in the USA, it is equally beautiful, and the best: it is absolutely free! Make sure not to visit the canyon on a Friday or Saturday, and go in the morning, then you will have the canyon to yourself J.

Hotel Recommendation Eilat: Adi Hotel

Petra was one of the main reasons why we did this trip. One of our travel goals is to visit the new seven wonders of the world, and as we found out that Petra isn’t that far from Israel, we decided to spend a few days in Jordan. And what can we say: it is probably the most beautiful of the seven wonders!! I always thought that Petra only consists of the famous treasury, but it is actually a whole city, with lots of buildings that are carved into the stone. Walking in through the 1.2 kilometre long “Siq”, the canyon that leads into the lost city of Petra, alone is an experience, and when the canyon finally opens up and you see glimpses of the treasury, you will be really excited, I promise you J! As the place is mostly crowded, I would recommend to visit early in the morning (Petra opens at 6 a.m.). But even if you visit later in the day, there are many elevated photo spots which allow you to to take wonderful pictures without the crowds on it, so do not worry too much about getting up at 5 a.m. or earlier! However, please do not only visit the treasury – the Monastery at the very end of Petra is at least as pretty as the treasury. It is a 6 km hike and more than 600 steps up, so make sure to bring comfortable shoes! Entrance fees: 50 JOD (=75€) for a one-day visit.

Hotel Recommendation: Anbat Midtown Hotel

I am sure that most of you have already seen Wadi Rum, on TV or at the cinema. With its Mars-like landscapes, it has been the filming location for “The Martian” and also for “Star Wars”. However, even if you are not a sci-fi fan, Wadi Rum will take your breath away. It is really huge and you best explore it on a jeep-tour, as the Bedouins will take you to the most beautiful spots in the desert. Even if we have already seen quite a few deserts in the world, this one was one of our favourites. It is about a one-hour-drive from Aqaba, and as it is on the way to Petra, it is a perfect stop-over. If possible, make sure to see the sunset at Wadi Rum, which is a really beautiful experience, as the orange sand will turn a deep red during sunset. You can also stay overnight in the desert, in cute bubble hotels, which must be a unique experience, but during the winter months it simply gets too cold in the night…

Hotel Recommendation Aqaba: Laverda Hotel 

This is one of the places that we unfortunately didn’t have time for anymore, but I still want to recommend it to you <3. Located in southern Israel, about a 1-hour-drive from Jerusalem, you will find Beit Guvrin. It is not only an archaeological site, but it is also home to more than 800 caves, which are the main reason most visitors come here. The caves are bell-shaped, and when the sunlight seeps in through the holes in the ceiling, it looks really really beautiful. If you visit that place, make sure to send us a photo <3! Entrance fees are 27 NIS for adults, 14 NIS for children.

• FAQ about Israel & Jordan
• Our video about this trip