Israel Archaeology List: Learn About Famous Sites

This is a list of archaeological sites in Israel where I’ve either excavated, photographed, or spent meaningful time during my academic and professional work. Some were part of summer digs, others connected to my graduate research, and a few came from spontaneous travel or internship projects. It’s not meant to be a tourist guide — just a personal archive of the ancient places I’ve gotten to explore more closely.

If we haven’t met yet, I’m Sarah, a solo traveler with Master’s degrees in Biblical Studies and Archaeology. I’ve worked with excavation teams, interned with the Israel Parks Authority, and documented sites through both academic writing and creative storytelling with video and photography.

Scroll to the end for a list of all my Israel blog posts about travel, archaeology and more!

1. Tel Gezer

Located in the Shephelah, this site is an ancient Canaanite town. There are two digs that have recently been going on here – one is a palace and the other, the one I was on, was excavating part of the tower, a gate and an ancient water system. The water system is 180-foot tunnel in the ground with ancient steps. There are actually still many questions about this tunnel.

Now, if you visit Tel Gezer while you’re in Israel, this area has been readied for tourists by the Parks Authority and you’ll be able to take real (e.g., safe, haha) steps down into the water system (pictured below)!

2. Zippori

The next site on my archaeology list is Tel Zippori, a large site in the lower Galilee. Zippori is known for the “Mona Lisa of Israel”, and its mosaics in general, which are amazing. It also has an incredible, expansive water system made up of various types of systems, because this was a large city. There is a Jewish section with an incredible synagogue, Roman-style mosaics and town, and more. I dug in the Arches Reservoir (which had multiple uses over time, including a wine press), a pool, and part of the water system.

3. Masada

Masada is a famous site in Israel, known for Josephus’ story of the Jewish rebels who committed mass suicide when the Romans built a siege ramp to take them. They were at Masada because of its remote and hard to reach location, originally constructed by Herod. I dug in the Western Palace, and in a cave (Area C).

4. Tel Dan

Tel Dan is located in Northern Israel near Mt. Hermon. The site is known for its springs, and nearby is a waterfall with an amazing hike! The site has all kinds of archaeology, from Neolithic to Hellenistic times. There is a huge city gate, and the Tel Dan Stele was found here.

5. Tel Hadid

This site is located in central Israel and has remains from the Iron Age II as well as a Byzantine wine press. Cuneiform tablets have been found there in the past. I excavated the latest time in the fortress area.

6. Tel Azekah

Tel Azekah, the next site on my archaeology list, is another Shephelah site that dates from the Early Bronze Age to the Byzantine period. It is most well known as the place where David fought Goliath. Sennacherib destroyed the site at one point, and it was resettled in the Persian period.

7. Bet She’arim

This begins the part of this archaeology list that transitions to my photography. I photographed the tombs at Bet She’arim, which date to the 2nd Temple period. The famous rabbi who codified the Mishnah, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, was buried here, and so all kinds of people from all over came to be buried in the same place. The tombs have inscriptions, curses, carvings, and decorations – also spiders, beetles and bees! Climbing around in these tombs and photographing them was definitely one of my top experiences of all. This site actually connects to Zippori, because the rabbi lived and died in Zippori, where there is a story… which will come in another blog!

8. Kohav Hayarden

Also called Belvoir Fortress, this Crusader castle in Northern Israel is one of the best preserved and has unparalleled views. I absolutely loved spending time here taking photos and could not ever get enough of it.

9. Tel Afeq

This site, also called Antipatris, was built by Herod and named for his father, Antipater. The site connects to the Yarkon River and has a Crusader fortress, Roman road and theater, among older and newer remains – buildings from the British are still used for offices by the Parks Authority. There is an Egyptian governor’s residence underneath the level of the fortress, located inside the fortress walls.

10. Korazim

Also in Northern Israel, this site is known as one of the towns Jesus cursed. It is also known for its basalt rock structures and the “Korazim windows” as pictured below. The synagogue is impressive and there are amazing views from this site.

I hope you enjoyed this archaeology list of places I’ve excavated and photographed in Israel!

What you’ll need to visit archaeological sites in Israel

👉 For flights, WayAway is a flight aggregator that helps you find the cheapest flights. Use the code MUKI-TRAVELS for 10% off WayAway Plus.

👉 If you rent a car, just be prepared, especially for driving in Israel. You’ll need to be an aggressive driver. To rent a car in Israel, Discover Cars is a great tool to use to find all the best deals!

👉 Use the apps Moovit (for public transporation) and Waze (for driving directions).

👉 Find more tips on things like travel insurance, what to pack, and more on my travel resources page.

Check out these posts for more info on Israel & Middle East travel

👉 David vs. Goliath: A Journey Through the Historic Elah Valley
👉 Unveiling the Mysteries of Tel Gezer: A Journey Through Ancient Canaanite History
👉 Is Israel Safe For Travel? Important Advice Amidst War
👉 The best time to visit Tel Aviv
👉 The 20 Best Day Trips from Tel Aviv
👉 8 Best Tours From Tel Aviv To Jerusalem To Check Out
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Winter (Dec-Feb)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Spring (March-May)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Summer (June-Sept)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Fall (Oct-Nov)
👉 Is Tel Aviv Worth Visiting? 18 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (plus pros & cons)
👉 Where To Stay In Tel Aviv: Best Places for Every Budget (Neighborhoods, Hotels + More)
👉 Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: Everything You Need To Know
👉 Tel Aviv to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: All You Need To Know
👉 Is Haifa Worth Visiting? 38 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (+ Pros & Cons)
👉 Where To Stay In Haifa: Best Places for Every Budget (Neighborhoods, Hotels + More)
👉 The Best Time To Visit Jerusalem (+ 25 Things To Do)
👉 Is Jerusalem Worth Visiting? 26 Things To Do To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (with pros & cons)
👉 Winter in Jerusalem: Weather, Things To Do + Travel Tips
👉 Israel Archaeology: Volunteer On An Excavation
👉 31+ Best Things To Do In Tel Aviv (With Map)
👉 Jerusalem to Galilee / Galilee to Jerusalem: All You Need To Know
👉 Jordan to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Jordan: All You Need To Know
👉 Rome to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Rome: All You Need To Know
👉 Israel & Palestine, and the Conflict: A Beginner’s Guide (History, Maps & Resources)
👉 The 17 Best Israel Souvenirs
👉 Top 25 Biblical Sites In Israel
👉 Captivating Scenes: A Photo Journey Through Historic Jerusalem
👉 10+ Unique and Captivating Photos of Tel Aviv, Israel
👉 The 41 Best Photography Spots In Jerusalem with Map + Ideas

👉 Also check out this post on Cairo for more Middle East travel!
👉 For more International Travel guides, check out this page.