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All Israel

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Israel

82 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Israel

Updated November 14, 2022

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Unusual Attractions in Israel

Ramla, Israel

Pool of Arches

You can row a boat through this ancient underground reservoir.

Acre, Israel

Rosh HaNikra Grottoes

The bluer than blue waters in these natural Israeli caves are reached via the world's steepest cable car.

Ashkelon, Israel

Beit Guvrin Caves

These numerous Israeli caves were dug out over hundreds years for reasons ranging from hideouts to burial sites.

Jerusalem, Israel

Razzouk Ink

This family tattoo parlor has been inking religious pilgrims in the Middle East for 700 years.

Jerusalem, Israel

Shrine of the Book

The home of the Dead Sea Scrolls is an abstract modernist dream.

Masada, Israel

Masada

This daunting 1st century fortress was purportedly the site of one of the most dramatic revolts of the Jewish-Roman wars.

East Jerusalem, Israel

Western Wall Tunnel

Descend 2,030 years into the past in an ancient tunnel built to support Jerusalem's most famous wall.

Almon, Israel

Wadi Qelt

A serene desert oasis speckled with ancient artifacts.
See All 82 Things To Do in Israel

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Israel

Neve Ilan, Israel

Elvis American Diner

In a small town outside Jerusalem, a roadside diner is devoted to all things Elvis Presley.

Jerusalem, Israel

Montefiore Windmill

After over 100 years out of service this landmark windmill once again turns as a symbol of Jerusalem's self-sufficiency.

Rehovot, Israel

Ida's Nut Roll Gravestone

A family recipe is just one of several touches that make this Hebrew headstone special.
Permanently Closed

Eilat, Israel

Red Sea Star

Underwater restaurant at the coral reefs of Eilat.
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Explore Israel

Sacred Spaces 16
Religion 12
Architectural Oddities 10
Ancient 10
Ruins 9
Archaeology 8
Ecosystems 8
Subterranean Sites 6
History 6
Biblical 6
Geology 6
Caves 6
Places To Stay 2

Israel Leaderboard

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Stories About Israel

How a Bedouin Tracker Sees the Desert

On a seemingly blank, sandy canvas, signs and symbols abound.
by Gitit Ginat
September 1, 2022

The 6,000-Year Story of the Negev Desert Is Etched in Stone

Millennia of rock art offer a library of human history in the Levant.
by Gitit Ginat
July 18, 2022

Is There a Future for the Sinkhole-Studded Dead Sea?

Receding waters are leaving behind an environmental disaster, and a new kind of tourism.
by Gitit Ginat
June 1, 2022

Podcast: Grandma Ida’s Nut Rolls Gravestone

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
January 4, 2022

The Friendly Rivalry—Between Israel and Iran—Over the World’s Longest Salt Cave

Spectacular Malcham Cave, at more than six miles, currently holds the title.
by Gitit Ginat
August 11, 2021

The Archaeologists Who Unlocked Cold War Spy Photos of Israel

Their efforts convinced the U.S. to declassify CIA images from America's first satellite program.
by Karen Chernick
September 28, 2020

Found: A 1200-Year-Old Olive Oil Soap Factory in the Negev Desert

Excavations in Rahat also turned up ancient board games.
by Claire Voon
August 27, 2020

The Strange Afterlife of a Mysterious Tomb Inscription

"I lay with another but I love you, the one most dear to me."
by Gitit Ginat
August 26, 2020

Lists Featuring Israel

The crostata, with the storefront in the background.

7 Extraordinary Jewish Restaurants Around the World

A global map of diverse delights.

7

Including Passticeria il Boccione, Gottlieb's Restaurant, and Nahoum and Sons

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