The approaching Rosh Hashanah is a great opportunity to enjoy the most beautiful scenery of Israel, which leaves no room for doubt - we are opening the next year in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
With the help of the Nature and Parks Authority, we have compiled for you the most special sites, where you can start the year with spectacular nature in your eyes.
Apollonia
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in southern Sharon, on the Korkar cliff to the west of the Nof Yam neighborhood in Herzliya, there lies an ancient and beautiful city - Apollonia.
Over the years, the Persians, the Greeks, the Muslims, the Crusaders and the Mamluks ruled it, and fierce battles took place over its control until it was destroyed.
At the top of the remains of the observation tower located on the site, an observation deck has been built and from it we can see a spectacular view: to the west - the beach, to the north - the chimneys of the Hadera power plant and to the south the chimneys of the Ashdod power plant.
On a very clear day you can also see the chimneys of the power plant in Ashkelon.
From here you can also see the remains of the Crusader port, which was right at the foot of the citadel.
The breathtaking view, combined with the fascinating history of the site, will be revealed to visitors during an easy route that is mostly accessible and suitable for strollers, wheelchairs and families and combines with a pleasant breeze.
The site displays scale models of siege tools that illustrate the siege tools used by the Crusaders and the Muslims in their wars.
Apollonia, photo: Yaniv Cohen Nature and Parks Authority
Apollonia, photo: Mano Greenspan
Migdal Tzedek -
National Park Migdal Tzedek is a vital green lung in the center of the country.
In the garden are spaces of nature and landscape with a heritage dating back thousands of years and vantage points from the Ravine.
The site is green and fresh and the paved paths make it easy to walk and large parts of the site are accessible.
On a tour of the site, you can visit a magnificent citadel with a medieval crusader base that became an Arab mansion during the Ottoman period.
It is recommended to start or end your visit to the National Park at the Citadel.
You can visit the rooms and the central courtyard of the citadel and look out over the views of the garden and its paths.
From the top of the hill, you can see the views of Rosh Ha'Ein, the settlements of Sharon and Shefala.
Further along the route there are cisterns and burial caves from the time of the Second Temple and the tombs of the Arab village of Majdal Yaba.
Migdal Tzedek, photo: Tomer Ofari, Nature and Parks Authority
Yarkon Tel Afek -
in the center of Gush Dan, between Rosh Ha'Ein and Petah Tikva is a green lung, a gem of nature, Yarkon National Park.
The Yarkon National Park has two complexes to which entrance is paid - one is the Tel Afek complex, and the other is the Mekorot Yarkon complex.
Between both of them is connected a path that runs along the Einat stream which has been restored in recent years and reaches the Nufer Pool, which attracts the eyes of visitors thanks to the Nufer plants and their spectacular yellow blooms that cover the surface of the water along with other plant species.
Many animals, species of fish, waterfowl such as the ringed fritter, species of herons, common brechia and more visit the Nouprim pool and Nahal Einat.
It is recommended to start at the Tel Afek complex, where you can enjoy a tour along the ancient hill and be impressed by the Roman cardo and the theater, enter the Ottoman fortress and inside it have a glimpse of earlier times.
Also in Tel Apek, a beautiful artificial lake into which flows a narrow stream in which you can wade your feet on a hot day.
From the end of August to the middle of October, you must not miss the stone path, a path along which spectacular stone blossoms bloom.
Tel Afek, photo: Meno Greenspan
The Stalagmite Cave -
when talking about the most beautiful places in Israel, it is impossible not to refer to the Stalagmite Cave, the largest and most beautiful of the caves in the country.
The cave space is huge, and the shapes of the stalactites, the stalagmites and the special artificial lighting make it a pearl of beauty known all over the world.
At the front of the cave there is an observation deck that allows an overall view of the cave and from the elevated balcony you can enjoy a panoramic view of the multitude of stalactites and stalagmites and the artistic ecological lighting that illuminates the parts of the cave with iridescent colors.
Beyond the impressive beauty of the cave, there is an observation deck outside it that allows you to look out over the expanses of the nature reserve and over large parts of the Judean Lowlands, including the city of Beit Shemesh.
In good visibility conditions, it is possible to distinguish from a distance even in the city of Ashdod.
At the foot of the observation deck is the quarry, whose work uncovered the cave decades ago.
Stalagmite Cave, photo: Yaniv Cohen, Nature and Parks Authority
Nabi Samuel
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at a ridiculous distance from the center of Jerusalem, there is a site sacred to the three monotheistic religions known as the burial place of the prophet Samuel.
The park covers about 3,500 dunams and preserves a fascinating ancient site, views of agricultural terraces, mountain springs and orchards.
In the heart of the site stands a large building from the Crusader period where the tomb is also located.
The roof of the building is one of the most spectacular observation points in Israel.
Terraces remain on the slopes of the mountain, evidence of traditional mountain agriculture that prevailed here in the past.
Along with the agricultural crops were orchard trees including strawberry, fig, almond and olive, some of which remain to this day.
Nabi Samuel, photo: Yaniv Cohen Nature and Parks Authority
Ein Abdat -
at the foot of Midrash Ben-Gurion, part of Nahal Tzin joins a deep and spectacular canyon.
Three springs in it feed a stream that flows all year round and a magical oasis.
At the Ein Maarif lookout (Ein Abdat Alyon) -
there is a view of the head of the canyon of Nahal Tzin.
The view is especially impressive when the stream is overflowing and you can look out from a safe distance on the mighty waterfall and the water engulfed in the canyon's depths.
In the cliffs of the canyon it is possible to notice a special appearance of cave openings that were used by monks in the Byzantine period for living.
During this period, the nearby city of Abdat was an important Christian center, and it can be assumed that the proximity to the city and the abundance of water in the area were a fertile ground for extensive religious activity.
A working eye, photo: Meno Greenspan
David's Cave in Ein Gedi -
In the Ein Gedi nature reserve, the largest desert oasis in the country, there are springs and waterfalls and at the foot of the cliffs, the home of the goats and rock hares, streams of water flow. There are four areas in the reserve, one of which is the Nahal David complex.
At the top of a strong waterfall in the Nahal David River is David's Cave, a small, less known and intimate cave with flowing water.
The cave lies under a chain of beautiful and magical pools and a spectacular view of the Dead Sea and the rich vegetation of the place emerged from it.
In order to reach it, it is recommended to go up the stairs that go out near the waterfall - the walk is only for walkers and takes about an hour.
For this magical and romantic cute corner - it is undoubtedly worth it.
The Coral Coast Nature Reserve -
this is one of the most beautiful marine reserves in the world, which is full of colorful underwater gardens.
The bay of Eilat reefs are the only coral reefs in our country, where you can observe a wonderful and colorful world of corals, fish and a huge variety of unique animals.
The reserve provides its visitors with the opportunity to glimpse the rich and wonderful world that exists near the belt reef and the coral reefs there, even without professional diving, but with the help of a diving mask and a snorkel that can be rented at the beach.
Instrument divers (SCUBA) will be able to go deeper along the front of the reef and its slope and witness the wonderful sights of the deeper reef.
The site also has shallow wading pools located near the beach, which allow small children to wade in the water.
Arbel -
Harbel is a cliff located in the eastern part of the Lower Galilee, rising to a height of about 390 meters above the Sea of Galilee, and on a trip along it you can enjoy a romantic and spectacular view of the green and blooming landscape, a picturesque cave fortress, birds and other animals unique to cliffs and, of course, rare plants.
Barbel has a number of birds, one of which is the Carob, which is reached by marching on the black route and has a view overlooking the Sea of Galilee, the Golan, the Hermon and the east of the Upper and Lower Galilee.
Further along the route starting in Matzfar are caves from the 17th century, where finds from the Hellenistic period were also discovered, including coins and purification bowls.
At the top of the cliff, three more mezpoors will be waiting for you: Mezpoor El Mitzpoor, Mount Nitai and Kotli Mezpoor overlooking the entire area with breathtaking views, which can also be reached via the Mezpomor Trail - a circular route suitable for the whole family.
Arbel, photo: Asaf Dori, Nature and Parks Authority
Gamla - Gamla
Nature Reserve provides a combination of nature and landscape with a fascinating historical human story.
On the site, an observation deck offers a view of the remains of the ancient city of Gamla and the remains that tell the unique story of its heroism, including the remains of the oldest synagogue in the world.
A steep path descends from the balcony to the old city and allows access for the well-to-do.
The birdhouse provides a view of the cliffs of Nahal Gamla Canyon and the nesting colony of birds of prey.
Nahal Gamla waterfall, the highest waterfall in Israel, which is 51 meters high and flows throughout the year.
From the site there are panoramic views of the North Kinneret and Beit Zeida Valley as well as the Lower Galilee Ridge and the Upper Galilee Ridge, the eastern slopes of the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon.
Gamla in winter, photo: Sarit Palaci Miara
Star of the Jordan - Star
of the Jordan National Park presents visitors with a unique Crusader fortress in Israel, overlooking the Jordan Valley and Gilead from the heights of the Lower Galilee.
The Star of the Jordan fortress is the most complete and well-preserved of the Crusader fortresses in Israel.
This sturdy and impressive structure was built at the eastern end of Ramat Issachar, at a height of 312 meters above sea level, on the edge of the cliff descending towards the Jordan Valley, about 550 meters above it.
It is recommended to start with a short hiking route around the fort that departs from the Department of Shelter for Endangered Plants, which was trained by the Nature and Parks Authority.
The route goes through the open area in wild nature with breathtaking views
Further along the trail is a spectacular vantage point to the views of the Lower Galilee and the Jezreel Valley, from which rise Givat Hamorah, Mount Tabor and the Nazareth Mountains, the channel of the Nahal Tabor that goes underground in Ramat and on a day with good visibility you can see Hermon HaSaba.
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