Top 10 Holy Land Christian Destinations to Visit this Year

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem

Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Matthew 33:57, Matthew 27, Matthew 28:10) in Jerusalem is identified as the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus. This large and complex church has long been a major pilgrimage center for Christians all around the world. Six denominations in and around the church are Christianity’s most ancient. Including the less known church of the Ethiopians, who trace their origins to Christianity back to Philip’s conversion on the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-34 ).

Capernaum in the Gailee

Capernaum (Matthew 13:54, Matthew 4:13, Luke 7, Matthew 17:24, , John 4:46, Mark 1:2, John 4:54) a vital center of the Lords ministry, and where He made many miracles. Capernaum is where Peter’s mother-in-law lived and healed (Luke 4:38-40). The town in Jesus times was a thriving sea side community, as predicted by Matthew 11:23. One of the highlights is Peter’s home, where Jesus made the miracle healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15 ; Mark 1:29-31 ). Capernaum is a must when visiting on a Christian tour of the Holy Land in Israel.

Tour Nazareth and The Church of Annunciation

The Church of Annunciation in Nazareth (Luke 4:16, Luke 1:26, Matthew 2:23 & Luke 4:29), the childhood town of the Lord is a modern Catholic church where the miracle of Annunciation took place; Mary was drawing water from a spring in Nazareth, when news came from the angel Gabriel that she would give birth to Jesus. Nazareth has been an important holy land pilgrimage tour destination for centuries.

Visit Bethlehem and The Church of Nativity

The Church of Nativity in Bethlehem is the town where Joseph traveled (Luke 2:1-7 ) with Mary whom was pregnant, and where the Lord was born (Matthew 2:1-5 ). The Palestinian city situated in the West Bank is home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. The city also known as the “City of David” since the Hebrew Bible identifies it as the city David was from, and where he was crowned as the king of Israel. Today’s local Bethlehem economy is largely sustained by tourism, and in particular holy land tour pilgrims visiting the Church of Nativity.

Travel to Sinai in Egypt

Mt. Sinai in Egypt is the traditional place where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, and where the golden calf was forged (Exodus 32). There are several chapels at the top of Mt. Sinai, from where pilgrims experience amazing sunrise views of the surrounding holy land.

The Jordan River in the Holy Land

Jordan River where the faithful celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17). The Scriptures tell the Holy Spirit descended like a dove from the heaven after Jesus emerged from the waters. Christian pilgrims today take the time to submerge themselves in these waters, and specially at the Yardenit pilgrim destination in the Jordan River.

Mount of Beatitudes and Tabgha

In the Galilee see the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5, Matthew 6, Matthew 7, Matthew 8) believed to be where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Atop of the mountain you’ll find the Church of the Beatitudes chapel. By the Sea of Galilee you’ll find Tabgha the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 and Primacy of Peter (John 21, Matthew 13, Mark 45 & Mark 33), Here you can visit the Church of Multiplication.

Tour Mount Zion in Jerusalem

Mount Zion, visit the Upper room also known as the Last Supper room (Luke 22 ), visit also King David Tomb. Some of the important Christian events which took place on Mount Zion include The Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples (Mark 14:12-25, Matthew 26:17-30, John 13:1 —17:26, Luke 22:7-23), the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the form of a fire tongue on top of each disciples head (Acts 2:1-13 ), both Scripture events are believed to have taken place on the holy site of the Cenacle.

Walk the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa

The Via Dolorosa; for as long as Christian’s have been visiting Jerusalem, they’ve been walking where Jesus walked on the last path known as the “Via Dolorosa,” and for the last 1,000 years it is the exact path that is walked today in the Old City. With time, sacred past stories became revered landmarks – known today as the Stations of the Cross.

Stand atop the Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives holds special significance in the heart of Christians, located nearby east of Jerusalem’s Old City. The Mount of Olives is a prominent location mentioned in the Scriptures, first as King David’s escape route during the rebellion of his son Absalom, then later in the prophets, but it is most known and referred in the New Testament, where Jesus’ taught his pupils, and where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, and where Jesus says "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." (Matthew 26:36-39 ).