Mount Sinai is located on the Sinai Peninsula and is generally held to be the Biblical Mount Sinai, where Moses was handed the Ten Commandments as the Hebrews fled captivity in Egypt. This is depicted in the book of Exodus and is important to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike. Even if this isn't the right mountain, Christians have believed it to be since the third century, and you can check out nearby Mount Serbal and Mount Catherine, too (if you really want to cover your bases).
This beautiful octagonal shrine is a mosque, but the site is held incredibly sacred not just in Islam, but Judaism and Christianity as well. Islam holds that this is the spot where Muhammad ascended to Heaven. This is also the site of the first Holy Temple, built by King Solomon in 950 BCE. As such, it is among the most sacred, if not the single most sacred, site in all of Judaism.
(image via Flickr)
The Western Wall is an ancient limestone retaining wall built by King Herod the Great when he expanded the Second Temple about 2,000 years ago. While the entire wall runs around 1,600 feet, the part people are usually talking about is a small section in the Old City of Jerusalem, traditionally used by Jews for prayer. While this isn't the most revered site in the faith, it is the most revered site where prayer by Jews is allowed.
The Mount of Beatitudes is located in Northern Israel, and it's believed to be the spot where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. There are the remains of a Byzantine church here from the 4th century, and a Catholic chapel that's very lovely, in spite of having been built by Fascist Italy in the '30s. There's also an absolutely beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee.
(image via Flickr)
Golgotha is an important Christian site, the location of Jesus's crucifixion. All four of the gospels mention it to varying degrees of specificity. The name means "place of the skull" for the site's physical resemblance. It is close enough to Jerusalem to match the Biblical and historic accounts of the Crucifixion, as pointed out by Constantine's mother in 325, and has been largely accepted ever since.
Located in Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity sits atop a cave that is traditionally held to be the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth. Claims that this cave is where the manger lay date at least all the way back to the second century. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, commissioned a church here in 327. The church, as it stands today, is a remodel of the original, but it's still been here since 565.
Most of the Christian disciples fished for a living, and, as such, Jesus spent a lot of time on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. His walking on water, the calming of the storm, and the feeding of the five thousand are all recorded as having happened here. Four of the apostles were recruited here on its shores.
(image via Flickr)
This small fishing village is said to have been the home of Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, as well as the tax collector Matthew. All four gospels mention the town, and this is where the gospels of Luke and Mark describe Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath while teaching in the synagogue. This is also where he healed the servant of the Roman centurion and the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof towards him. The town is now in ruins, but there are still several locations here of note, including what is believed to be the house of Peter, by virtue of the fact that two different churches were built on top of it.
(image via Flickr)
It makes sense that this would be a popular spot for Christian visitors, right? He was called "Jesus of Nazareth," after all. There are dozens of churches and monasteries here, including at least two commemorating Mary's Well, which is said to be the site of the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she was to bear the Son of God. The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation and the Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation are about a quarter of a mile away from each other, both laying claim to the historic site of the event.
The Dead Sea is already a curious thing to see without any religious significance. This body of water is 9.6 times saltier than the ocean, and that harsh environment gives it its name—and makes it very easy to float in this water. But more important are the Dead Sea Scrolls, texts which date back to the Second Temple period of Jerusalem and cast new light on the Torah. Some of these texts are among the oldest known versions of Hebrew Scripture, and some include bits that were ultimately left out.
(image via Flickr)
