Nazareth
A direct bus from Tel Aviv in about 2 hours, and then everything on foot: the basilica, the market, the alleys and the food.
Nazareth is the largest Arab city in the country, and the heart of its old town is small and easy to walk. There is no train, so you arrive by bus from Tel Aviv or Haifa, which also makes it easy to pair with the Sea of Galilee or Haifa.
Your options
Line 826 (Egged) from Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv to Nazareth and Nof HaGalil
- A direct line with no changes
- Roughly once an hour through the day, with fewer departures in the evening
- From the Nazareth central station it is a short walk to the Basilica and the market
Lines 332 and 352 from Haifa
Lev HaMifratz, Haifa to Nazareth
- Convenient from Haifa, the Krayot or the north
- From Lev HaMifratz there is the Metronit and a train onward to the rest of the country
Inside Nazareth
The old town and the market on foot
- All the main sights sit close together, so you do not need local transport
- In the midday heat, stop for coffee or knafeh in the shade
What to see
The Basilica of the Annunciation
The largest church in the Middle East, with mosaics donated from around the world and the Grotto of the Annunciation.
The market and the alleys
Spices, sweets, coffee and the real atmosphere of an Arab city.
Marys Well and St Gabriels Church
The spring where Mary drew water, next to an ancient Greek Orthodox church.
Nazarene food
Warm knafeh in the morning, mujaddara, and restaurants serving grilled meat and home style Arab cooking.
Nearby Tzipori
If you have time, Tzipori national park with spectacular mosaics, about 15 minutes from the city.
Good to know
A suggested day: the Basilica, the market, Marys Well, and food in Nazareth before heading back.
Nazareth pairs well with the Sea of Galilee or with Haifa, so two towns in one day is possible.
On Friday afternoon some of the market shops close, and on Shabbat there are no buses or trains, though Nazareth itself stays busy at the weekend.
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