walking tour in israel

Step Into The Wild With Our Israel Trail Tours

“Walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it” – Gen. 13:17

When our CEO, Avihai Tsabari, walked the Israel Trail – 700 miles in 54 days – it changed his life. To share this remarkable journey, Via Sabra offers an 11 day (or as many days as you like!) hike-and-drive down the best and most beautiful parts of the Israel Trail. Traveling from the very top of Israel to the farthest point south on the trail, guests take in a stunning and comprehensive view of our incredible country. Click here  to view information about our upcoming trip.

• Lead a trip suitable for almost all fitness levels (even non-hikers!). If you can walk four miles through easy terrain, we can accommodate your speed.
• Show you the best and most beautiful parts of the Israel Trail, a top 10 hike in the world by National Geographic.
• Take you glamping under the stars at Makhtesh Ramon .
• Introduce incredible and varied landscapes of Israel, from green hills to extreme desert, caves, sea, and urban centers.
• Share the diversity of Israeli peoples, from Tel Aviv hipsters and Kibbutznikim to Bedouins and Druzim.
• Share a group meal with a “Trail Angel,” a person who welcomes trail trekkers into his or her home.

We open by leading guests in the  Shehechiyanu , a Jewish blessing for the miracle of the moment, and a “Compass Ceremony” to center our journey.

Via Sabra invites guests on half- or full-day walking tours trekking Israel, including Tel Dan Nature Reserve, Mount Meron, Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Negev, and Ramon Crater.

For half-day hikers, the second part of our days are dedicated to learning about Israel from diverse experts and eating at local hotspots.

Sleep at hotels,  kibbutzim  and under the stars at beautiful glamping sites throughout our adventure.

or keep on reading…

My Trail, Your Trail, Our Trail

Every now and then, I feel a strong pull to go out into nature – to a place not far from home, a place that changes with every season. I think about interesting people I will meet along the way, about stopping under a random tree where I can pull out my stove, boil water to make Turkish coffee, and talk about life and its beauty with my fellow explorers. Spanning more than 1000km across Israel, the perfect place for all of this is the Israel National Trail (שביל ישראל).

The trail has been dubbed one of the world’s most epic trails by National Geographic. But, for one who has hiked the Himalayas, climbed the Alps, made his way through Scandinavian forests and fjords, what could possibly be so unique about the Israel Trail?

I want to tell you a story that will highlight what I mean when I say that the Israel Trail is “so much more than a hike”…

In May, I was hiking part of the trail in the south of Israel, crossing “Makhtesh Ramon”, the Ramon Crater, which usually takes 3 days to hike across. It was hot and dry, so I made sure to carry a lot of water and food. I also knew I could rely on the “ Trail Angels ” – people with great hearts who live close to the trail and assist hikers with whatever they may need – be it to fill water bottles, charge cell phones, provide a hot shower, or any other aid needed. The day was very long, and I ran out of water. The bottles hidden along the trail by the angels were already empty when I saw them. What should I do? There was no mobile reception, and no other random hikers that day because it also happened to be Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Memorial Day for its fallen soldiers. It’s a day to be with family and loved ones, and very few people travel on that day. I started to worry.

Having only my instincts to follow, I hid from the burning sun, under a rock, for 4 hours. Knowing that I had to make it to the main road (10km from where I was located) without dehydrating, I started walking. After a couple of hours, I saw a camel standing near a bush with two of its legs tied together so it wouldn’t escape. I realized that this meant that there was someone nearby! I crawled into that bush and there he was – an old man, likely a member of a local Bedouin tribe. This man looked at me, and, without exchanging any words, he understood my situation. He shared his tea with me to help me regain some of my strength. He then took my bottle and proceeded to fill it from the camel’s sack.  

Later that evening- while celebrating Yom Ha’Atzmaut – Israel’s Independence Day, at the “kibbutz” next to the main road – I couldn’t help but think about the miracles and legends we hear about the prophet, Elijah. Locals say he appears in various and unknown ways to provide help when needed. Maybe that man was Elijah, maybe he wasn’t. But he was my Elijah that day. This true “angel” exemplifies why this trail is more than a hike – it’s also about the people and the culture that make up this trail.

Yet this trail is not just about the nature, views and even the angels we encounter along the way – it’s about the chance to connect to one’s self and one’s roots . When I walk along the trail and there is a monument, or a mark of some sort that is connected to Israeli history – be it from biblical or modern times – we feel connected . While my son and I were planning his bar mitzvah, we decided that we would hike the Israel Trail, symbolizing his journey into adulthood . Hiking the Israel trail with him and some of his best friends was a unique way for him to learn about his roots, to explore the land he lives in and to better understand the Israeli chain of generations rooted to these springs, olive and oak trees and limestone rock found along the trails. It was also an incredibly special way for us to strengthen our bond.

So, if you want to connect – to Israel and its culture, and to yourself and your heritage, come hike the “Israel trail”. I guarantee you will come out with a better understanding of at least 3 very precious things – yourself, your neighbor, and the land of Israel.

Segev Ben Shalom Via Sabra Tour Guide

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Early bird special - $200 off per person.

Available only between october 1-10, 2021.

Registration for the trip will open on October 1. Fill out this form to be notified when registration for the trip opens, so you can take advantage of early bird special pricing!

Israel Trails

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ISRAEL TRAILS

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From city walking tours to multi-day treks, Israel Trails is here for you. With our expert tour guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, we are committed to your safety, education, and entertainment. Be in touch today.

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Join us on a half or full day tour with one of our guides.

Half Day Tour

Meet your guide on location and hear the untold story - every site is better with a guide!

Full Day Tour

Have a guide ride along in your private vehicle for a tour or hike, or enjoy an in-depth city walking tour.

Full Day Tour with Transportation

Ride the road in comfort, see the sites, and even turn off-road and take the path less traveled! 

HEAR FROM OUR EXPLORERS

"Jonny took us on a private half-day hike in Makhtesh Hakatan. Everything ran smoothly, all we had to do was meet him at the entrance to the hotel. He even provided us with water bottles! Highly recommended."

• Feb 23, 2021

Israel National Trail Day 11: Ras Ali to Isfiya

• Nov 21, 2020

Israel National Trail Day 9: Kfar Kisch to Mesh'had

10 Awesome and Accessible Walks in Israel

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Jerusalem Old City Walking Tour

Our self-guided walking tour in the old city of jerusalem will take you to narrow picturesque alleys, famous sites, and interesting, lesser-known historical landmarks., main landmarks on the ths tour, christian quarter:.

• Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
• Armenian Ceramic Center
• Monastery of Saint Saviour
• Ethiopian Patriarchate
• El-Khanqa Street
• Church of the Redeemer (Viewpoint)

JEWISH QUARTER:

• Hurba Synagogue
• Wohl Archaeological Museum
• The Burnt House
• Western Wall

WALKING TOUR MAP

Starting from Jaffa Gate of the Old City, we’ll step back into time and walk through the different Quarters of the Old City. Taking in the indescribable energy that every corner presents, we’ll visit the sites most holy to all three religions.

Price from: 140 NIS

Details & Booking

The tour is not circular. It starts at the Jaffa Gate and ends at the Dung Gate near the Western Wall. Both locations are well served by public transportation , and it is the recommended way to make the tour.

If you prefer to arrive by car , you can park at the nearby Mamila Parking. At the end of the tour Return by bus, or walk back about 10-15 minutes.

The old city of Jerusalem is roughly a square of 1 Kilometer by 1 Kilometer surrounded by the city walls. It is hard to imagine it today, but Until around 1850, this area was the entire city of Jerusalem. Only in the 2nd half of the 19th-century residents started to move gradually outside the city walls .

The Ottomans built the current walls and most of the buildings that exist today during the 16th century. However, these “modern” structures are built above ancient foundations. The streets we walk in today are about 2-4 meters above the Roman city and about 4-8 meters above the first-temple period city. The Old City is divide into the Muslim, Christian, Armenian and Jewish Quarters. This division evolved gradually, and the current designations that are common nowadays were introduced only in the 19th century.

Armenian Quarter : The Quarter is surrounded by its own walls and forms a private enclosed area of the Armenian Monastery. It is the smallest Quarter, with a population of about 3,000.

Muslim Quarter : It is the largest one with a population of about 30,000. It is mostly an impoverished and densely populated residential neighborhood with less historic buildings and tourist attractions. However, part of the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) passes through it, and the Western Wall Tunnel (Highly recommended visit) passes under it.

Jewish Quarter: Its origin is from the same period as the rest of the old city. However, in 1948, when the Jordanians occupied the eastern part of Jerusalem, they demolished and burned down most of the house and 58 synagogues , including the 700-year-old Hurva synagogue that was destroyed and desecrated. The Quarter stayed in this state for 19 years, until the IDF liberated Jerusalem in 1967. Shortly afterward, Israel started to restore the Jewish Quarter. Because most of the buildings are new (After 1967), the area looks “White” compared to the other parts of the old city. The restoration project presented a rare opportunity for archeological excavations. Thanks to that, today, we can visit parts of ancient Jerusalem under the current modern streets.

Our tour focuses on the Christain and Jewish Quarters . In the Christain quarter, we will visit famous landmarks. However, in between, we will walk in small streets, visit hidden courtyards, unique shops, and fantastic viewpoints of the old city. In the Jewish Quarter, we will explore the 2,000 years old remains of ancient Jerusalem, hidden underneath the modern streets.

OLD CITY SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR

Christian quarter section map.

On this guided day tour of Judea and Samaria we will take you to three of the highlights of the region – Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah. With thorough information provided by a local guide.

Price from: 400 NIS

Latin Patriarchate: Admission: Free. Opening Hours: Monday-Friday, 08:00-14:00 Location: St. Peter street . Direction: Just after you enter the city through Jaffa gate, Turn left to the Latin Patriarchate Street and walk until the intersection with St. Peter Street.

The center of the Catholic Church is located in the Vatican state in Rome. The Pope’s representative in Jerusalem is known as the “ Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem “, and his job is to safeguard the interests of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. The first appointment of a Latin patriarch in the Land of Israel was in 1099 AD. But when the Crusaders were expelled from the land, the Latin Patriarchate also ceased to exist. In the mid-19th century, the Catholic Church noticed the weakness of the Ottomans and renewed its representation in Jerusalem after more than 550 years. Giuseppe Valerga was the first Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in modern times. He wanted to show the wealth and splendor of the Catholic Church also in Jerusalem. The result is a large cathedral paved with marble, decorated with dozens of sculptures and filled with countless paintings. In 1872, Vallerga inaugurated the Cathedral, which is still one of the most impressive in Israel.

Armenian pottery started to develop in the 11th century. However, Armenian ceramics reached unprecedented levels of finesse and originality during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, when many Armenian families operated workshops in Turkey, and contributed to decorating palaces and mansions. Armenian traditional ceramic artists arrived at Jerusalem in 1919 to help replace the centuries-old glazed tiles decorating the Dome of the Rock. The task was never completed, but the tradition rooted in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is now the only place in the world where traditional Armenian pottery is still preserved. The Sandrouni workshop is one of the finest spots to explore and buy original Armenian handmade pottery. (Watch out for the many imitations on display in the market streets!)

Saint Saviors Convent: Admission: Free. Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday, 08:00-17:00 Location: St Francis street . Direction: Exit the ceramic shop and Walk down on Ahim Street about 100 meters and turn left to St. Francis street. After a few meters, you will see the entrance to the convent on your left.

Saint Savoirs is the headquarter of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land ( Custodia Terræ Sanctæ ). Saint Francis founded the order in 1209. Its mission is to guard “the grace of the Holy Places” of the Holy Land and the rest of the Middle East, as well as pilgrims visiting them, on behalf of the Catholic Church. Their presence in Jerusalem is traced back to 1217. The original building built in 1559 with the aid of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent . However, the current Church and Convent were constructed in 1885 with funding provided by the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph during his visit to Jerusalem in 1869. The compound houses today also a Catholic school, printing press, and an organ workshop. In 2017 Pope Francis renewed the mandate to “Preserve the Holy Places of Christianity in the Holy Land” in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of Franciscan presence. In addition to the historical importance, the impressive Basilica hall (30 X 12 meters), is well worth a visit.

The building we are about to visit is from 1890. It was built to serve as the administrative center of the community. At the heart of the complex is a small church decorated in a traditional Ethiopian style. The church floor is carpeted, and its ceiling is full of colorful illustrations featuring characters and stories from the New Testament. You can have a look at an ancient 400-year-old book with texts from the Old and a New Testament. The book is written in the Geez language (Ethiopian holy language). After the tour of the small church, go up to the roof of the building for a fantastic panorama of the old city.

• Residential Courtyard: Look for house number 44 on your left and enter through the small door into an internal courtyard. It is a fine example of a residential compound. In the center of the yard, there is a water well and the surrounding houses feature door lintels painted in bright blue color. Wander around and absorb the tranquil atmosphere.
•   Elia Photo Service: Continue a few minutes further on El Khanqa street until house number 12, and you will see on your right an entrance to a small photo shop filled with historical B&W photos and unique nostalgic atmosphere.

The interior of the Church of the holy sepulcher and its surrounding is one of the most crowded tourist spots in Jerusalem (We do not cover it on this tour since it is very well covered elsewhere). The main reason to visit the Church of the Redeemer is the fantastic panorama of the old city from the top of its 40 meters tower. It is the best view of the old city since you are high above the street right in the middle of the old city (All other high locations are around the old city and not inside!).

The Church was built between 1893 and 1898. Its cornerstone was laid by the Prussian prince Frederick III as part of his visit to the Middle East to participate in the opening of the Suez Canal. The land was given as a gift to the Prussian heir by the Ottoman Sultan. The church was inaugurated in  1898, during the visit of the German Emperor Wilhelm II, his son, and Empress Augusta Victoria. On one of the walls of the prayer hall hangs a sign in the German language that tells of the dedication and establishment of the house. There are also archeological excavations and a museum in the church. You can find all the details on the excellent official website .

The Muristan is a complex of streets and shops that cover a square area spanning between the holy sepulcher and David Street (The main street of the old city leading to Jaffa gate). The market in the form as we know it today was established in 1903 by the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. At the center of the market, there is an ornamental water fountain , which was built to mark 25 years of the rule of the Ottoman sultan Abdul Hamid. The name “Muristan” comes from the Persian word for a hospital  (Bim?rest?n).  It originates from the fact that during the crusader period, a complex of a Church and hospital was operating here. However, the history of the area starts as early as the days of Christ. You can learn more about it at the Museum in the Church of the Redeemer . Ramble through the streets and the shops and make your way towards David street and the Jewish Quarter where the tour continues.

JEWISH QUARTER SECTION MAP

The Cardo was the “Main Street” of Jerusalem during the Roman period. Nowadays, it is an underground street under the new houses of the Jewish Quarter. The Northern half of the street (Where we enter), was turned into a modern shopping street with fancy boutique shops. The Southern half is a restoration of the Roman street. As we walk, we can peek through peers in the pavement down to remnants from ancient Jerusalem (700 BCE), while above us are the modern, residential houses.

Hurba Synagogue: Admission: 20 NIS. Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 09:00-17:00, Friday 09:00-13:00. Location: HaYehudim Street #89 . Direction: Go up from the Cardo street, turn left, and after a few meters, you will be in front of the Synagogue.

The Hurba synagogue was built in 1864 and served as the most important Ashkenazy synagogue in the land of Israel. It became a center for religious and national revival for jews in the land of Israel. Around the synagogue, some of the most important institutions of the Ashkenazi community in Jerusalem were concentrated: Yeshiva, Court, Charity institutions and religious schools. In 1948, when the Jordanian army conquered the Jewish Quarter they demolished it with explosives. Only in 2010 (after 62 years), the synagogue was restored and reopened. The design was based on testimonials and old pictures. Most of the eastern wall is the original wall from 1864. It was not painted and therefore, creates a sharp contrast to the modern white walls. Besides visiting the impressive synagogue hall, there are interesting archeological findings from the second-temple period and Byzantine period in the basement floor. Round up the visit with an excellent 360° panorama from the balcony that encircles the dome.

You descend again from the street level, down to 2,000 years old history. The excavations that took place here after 1967 revealed a magnificent residential quarter from the second-temple period. The findings include mosaic floors, water wells, Mikveh , and warehouses.

The “burnt house” is a second-temple period residential building that was also discovered during the excavations in the Jewish Quarter. Unlike the Wohl Museum, this house was found in ruins and with fire signs. The tiny museum presents the fascinating findings discovered in the excavations. However. the remains are disappointing compared with the display in the Whol Museum. The main attraction is an Audio-Visual show. The movie describes life in Jerusalem during the months preceding the destruction of the second temple.

• Put a note with your wishes between the stones of the Western Wall.
• Visit the Western Wall tunnels.
• Visit the Temple Mount.
• Visit the City of David.

Written by Erez Speiser

Zaatar - Israel Walking Tours

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Zaatar - Israel Walking Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Free walking tour near Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Hi! I'm Lior.

I'll be happy to be your guide in israel..

I completed the Israeli tour guide course in 2019, but my love to travel has started way before. I’ve traveled all around Israel since childhood and lived in several parts of the country.

After years of travel, I know that the best way to experience a place is on foot. That’s why I decided to establish Israel Walking Tours, so I can show YOU the beauty of Israel through guided walking tours. My favorite place is Jerusalem, my current home, but I can also show you around Tel Aviv, Haifa, Akko, Safed, and nature trails in Israel. 

Why should you take me as your guide?

• I do extensive research before any of my tours, even if I’ve done the same itinerary in the past. 
• I’m always happy to hear questions about anything that comes to your mind – religion, everyday life, politics, etc. And I always try to answer as openly as possible.
• I don’t talk too much about dates and names. I want you to remember the important things, so I try to be as focused as possible. And if you have any further questions, I’m always happy to talk more about a topic.
• I can walk a lot. If you like walking too, we can walk and walk and walk. But don’t worry, I can match myself to any pace.

Ready to come on a tour?