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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Israel
Israeli World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Israel map · historical landmarks in Israel
Israel has 9 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 9 cultural inscriptions, inscribed between 2001 and 2015. This map of UNESCO sites in Israel covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Israeli World Heritage Sites range from Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee onwards; Masada was the country's first inscription, added in 2001; Necropolis of Bet She’arim: A Landmark of Jewish Renewal is the most recent, listed in 2015.
Start with Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and the Western Galilee, Biblical Tels - Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba and Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin in the Judean Lowlands as a Microcosm of the Land of the Caves, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 9
- Cultural
- 9
- First inscribed
- 2001
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- HFAHaifa4 sites
- TLVTel Aviv3 sites
- AACEl Arish1 site
- AMMAmman1 site
Keep exploring
All 9 sites in Israel
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Israel
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and the Western GalileeThe Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee are inscribed for their profound spiritual meaning and the… | 2008 | Cultural | The Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee are inscribed for their profound spiritual meaning and the testimony they bear to the strong… |
| Biblical Tels - Megiddo, Hazor, Beer ShebaTels (prehistoric settlement mounds), are characteristic of the flatter lands of the eastern Mediterranean… | 2005 | Cultural | Tels (prehistoric settlement mounds), are characteristic of the flatter lands of the eastern Mediterranean, particularly Lebanon, Syria, Israel and… |
| Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin in the Judean Lowlands as a Microcosm of the Land of the CavesThe archaeological site contains some 3,500 underground chambers distributed among distinct complexes carved in the… | 2014 | Cultural | The archaeological site contains some 3,500 underground chambers distributed among distinct complexes carved in the thick and homogenous soft chalk… |
| Incense Route - Desert Cities in the NegevThe four Nabatean towns of Haluza, Mamshit, Avdat and Shivta, along with associated fortresses and agricultural… | 2005 | Cultural | The four Nabatean towns of Haluza, Mamshit, Avdat and Shivta, along with associated fortresses and agricultural landscapes in the Negev Desert, are… |
| MasadaMasada — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2001 | Cultural | Masada — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Necropolis of Bet She’arim: A Landmark of Jewish RenewalNecropolis of Bet She’arim: A Landmark of Jewish Renewal — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2015 | Cultural | Necropolis of Bet She’arim: A Landmark of Jewish Renewal — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Old City of AcreOld City of Acre — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2001 | Cultural | Old City of Acre — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me’arot / Wadi el-Mughara CavesSites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me’arot / Wadi el-Mughara Caves — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2012 | Cultural | Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me’arot / Wadi el-Mughara Caves — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| White City of Tel-Aviv – the Modern MovementWhite City of Tel-Aviv – the Modern Movement — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2003 | Cultural | White City of Tel-Aviv – the Modern Movement — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Israel
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Israel?
- Israel has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 9 cultural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Israel?
- Masada was inscribed in 2001. Masada — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Israel?
- Necropolis of Bet She’arim: A Landmark of Jewish Renewal, inscribed in 2015. Necropolis of Bet She’arim: A Landmark of Jewish Renewal — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Which UNESCO sites in Israel are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Israel.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Israel?
- The 9 UNESCO-listed sites above are Israel's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Masada (2001). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Israeli World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 9 Israeli UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.