Amazing Israel Nature
Natural Wonders of the Land of Israel

The tiny country of Israel, about the size of New Jersey or Slovenia is packed full with beautiful landscapes.

Tourists usually visit Israel to see historical and religious wonders, and are not always aware of the amazing diversity of Israel nature. From sun-drenched beaches, to snow-capped mountains. From spectacular desert scenery to lush wine regions.

Here is our list of the most inspiring natural wonders to be found in this tiny country:

Israel Nature
Where and What to See

1. The Dead Sea & the Judean Desert

view of the ruggest Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea

A visit to Israel is not complete without a trip to the Dead Sea in the heart of the Judean Desert.

The Dead Sea the lowest place on earth and one of the saltiest seas in the world.

enjoying mud baths in the Dead Sea - one of the wonders of nature in Israel

Tourists flock to the Dead Sea to float in its waters and energize themselves with Dead Sea mud baths.

Not far from the Dead Sea is the remarkable Masada fortress.

The Judean Desert's rugged desert terrain is awe-inspiring, as are the sudden oases. THe largest and most beautiful oasis is found at Ein-Gedi Nature Park.

Read more about what to see in the Judean Desert.

2. Stunning Beaches

Coral Beach in one of the beautiful beaches in Eilat in southern Israel

Israel nature is blessed with an abundance of gorgeous beaches!

Some have soft white sand, others are pebbled; you can find well-kept beaches and wild, pristine beaches; family-oriented beaches; surfer beaches; tranquil beaches and beaches for the young and restless.

The beaches are spread out between between four distinct 'Seas':

- The Mediterranean Sea has about 270 km (200 miles) of coastline and the most beaches all along Israel's western border. Here is my personal favorite at Achziv Nature Reserve.

The beaches at Achziv Nature Reserve in the north of Israel are my personal favorite in Israel

- Red Sea beaches are in the southern tip of Israel in Eilat. They are the best place in Israel to go snorkeling and diving.

The other two Israeli 'Seas' are actually large lakes - the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. Their beaches are wonderful.

Which beach to choose? Read more about our list of the ten best Israel beaches.

3. Carmel Mountains

The Carmel National Park is often called 'Little Switzerland' for its mountain beauty. It is full of great hiking trails and campgrounds.

You might even see some wildlife. The gazelles are making a comeback, and there are lots of wild boars and jackals, besides the local mongoose, hyrax, and more. Bats live in many of the caves, some of which you can visit.

At the Carmel Hay-Bar nature reserve, efforts are being made to help breed engangered species such as different breeds of local deer and birds of prey such as eagles, vultures, falcons and owls.

griffin vultures at Carmel Hai-Bar Nature Reserve

Hai Bar is a great place to visit for children and adults. Find out more about visiting Hai Bar.

Besides its natural wonders, the Carmel Mountains have been mentioned often in the Bible and have many historical and religious sites to explore.

Read more about the Carmel Mountain Range.

4. Rosh Hanikra

kayaks at Rosh Hanikra in northern Israel

Rosh Hanikra in the north of Israel is a unique place in Israel. Its main attraction are wondorous marine caves and grottoes in crystal blue waters.

After riding to the area in a cable car, there are paths taking you into the cliffs and the caves.

You can also take a guide and rent kayaks or go snorkeling.

The views from the cliffs above Rosh Hanikra's caves are breathtaking.

view from the cliffs of Rosh Hanikra Israel

5. Wine Regions

the Golan Heights is one of Israel's unique wine regions

Travelling in Israel's wine regions is a fantastic way to enjoy Israel landscapes, while tasting local wines.

In the past few decades, Israel has seen a rebirth of its ancient wine-making. Today there are hundreds of boutique wineries spread out among six distinct wine-regions worth discovering, each growing unique wines. From south to north, these are:

The Negev Desert Wine Region
The Judean Hills & Shfela Valley Region
The Sharon Plain Wine Region
The Carmel Mountain Wine Region
The Galilee Wine Region
The Golan Heights Wine Region

You may be surprised by the amazing quality and diversity of wine making in Israel.

If you enjoy good wine, take a day to visit some of Israel's boutique wineries, while enjoying the amazing scenery and history of Israel's wine regions.

wild flowers blooming at Emek HaEla, one of the premier wine valleys near the Judean Hills

The wild flowers above grow rampant in the late winter and early spring months in one of the premier wine valleys of the Judean Hills - Emel HaEla.

6. HaNegev - Israel's largest Desert

the Makhtesh Ramon Crater in the Negev Desert in Israel

Did you know that the Negev Desert makes up more than half of Israel's territory!

It is full of stunning Israel nature sites, such as Ein Avdat, the area around Sde Boker, the Eilat Mountains, Ein Zin, and more.

The most strikingly beautiful place in the Negev is the 500 meter deep Makhtesh Ramon Crater, sometime called the Grand Canyon of Israel, with its magnificent, moonlike landscapes.

As dry and forbidding as the Negev desert seems, it is teeming with life. The photo above shows the Nubian Ibex, a goat species you can find in all of Israel's deserts.

Read more about HaNegev, Israel's largest desert.

7. Israel National Trail

The Israel National Trail passes Ein Zuba spring and the ancient tunnel in the Jerusalem mountains

Nearly 1,000 kilometers long, this amazing epic trail traverses Israel from North to South, passing incredibly diverse scenery along its way.

From Eilat in the South on the border with Egypt, up to the Dan Stream in the upper Galilee.

You pass by deserts and seas; mountains and lakes; ancient cities and archaelogical ruins, modern cities and holy places where prophets walked; green fields and forest trails.

You can walk the entire trail in about two months, or walk along part of the trail for a day.

Read more about hiking the Israel National Trail.