Nazareth
Israel · Northern District · 350 m
Description
Nazareth (נָצְרַת) is the largest Arab city in Israel and the place the gospels give as the childhood home of Jesus, which makes it one of the busiest Christian pilgrimage stops in the country. The Basilica of the Annunciation, finished in 1969 over the grotto held to be Mary's house, is the largest church in the Middle East, and its courtyard carries donated mosaic panels of the Virgin from dozens of countries, each in its own national style. The old souk below it works as a market rather than a museum, and the food is the other reason people come.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: March – May or October – November
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Basilica of the Annunciation and its mosaic courtyard
- Nazareth old souk
- Galilean Arab cooking and the restaurant scene
- Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation at Mary's Well
- Church of St Joseph and the carpenter's workshop
- Nazareth Village first century open-air museum
- Knafeh and the Nazareth sweet shops
- Mount Precipice viewpoint over the valley
- Christmas processions in the old city (December)
- Cana and the wedding church(Day trip)
- Zippori mosaics and the Roman town(Day trip)