nazareth

This city is Located in the heart of Lower Galilee, and it is one of the most priority Christian destinations. We must say that it’s different from other cities in the country.

So why is it so famous? it is the biblical hometown of Jesus, a place where he grew up and spent a substantial part of his life.

Nowadays, it is the largest Arab city in the country, as more than two-thirds of the population is Muslim.

The last remaining third is Christian, so it offers a different experience from others predominantly.

Today, it’s not easy to imagine that this vibrant city with a population of more than 80000 was just a small village more than two thousand years ago when Jesus supposedly lived there.

it has been recently changing, and the once-forgotten city has come back to life, at least from the tourist point of view.

The visit of the Pope, together with the municipality focusing on tourism, turned the tide of the city’s reputation.

Try autumn to see the streets lined with Christmas decorations in mid-November, and while it might seem a bit cheesy, it adds up to the joyful atmosphere. So here’s some ideas you should know about this area before you go.

History

The New Testament refers to Jesus’ boyhood home as having been in the Jewish community of Nazareth, which existed during the Roman and Byzantine eras. After Tancred made it the seat of the Principality of Galilee, it rose to prominence during the Crusades.

Nazareth, or Natsrat as its name is pronounced in Hebrew, is the cradle of Christianity, the city where, according to tradition, the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the place where Jesus spent his childhood and youth. and here that he faced the skeptical townsfolk of the city.

The area seems to have been held in some contempt in 1st century Palestine. It was a nondescript dot on the map with not much to offer, overshadowed by nearby Sepphoris, the luxurious Greek-style capital of Herod Antipas. It is beguiling to think that Joseph and Jesus, as builders, may have traipsed over to Sepphoris to work on the new buildings.

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Guide 

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Hotels

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To Do 

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  • The Old City of Nazareth has narrow streets with stone steps and dead-ends, old houses with picturesque courtyards, colorful souq full of smells and flavors, and an almost mystical atmosphere in the air.
  • Church of the Annunciation, also known as Basilica of the Annunciation, is one of the most important Christian sites in Israel. According to the tradition, the angel Gabriel appeared to Virgin Mary here and foretold her that she would give birth to Jesus, the Son of God.
  • As you would expect, the Church of the Annunciation is not the only church in the city, and there are a few more similar structures worth mentioning in Nazareth. The city is a pilgrimage destination for a reason, and the churches play a big part in its reputation.
  • The Views reminded you a bit of Amman or As-Salt Jordan not only because of the Muslim residents or hectic traffic but also because of the beautiful hilly scenery.
     
    Climbing one of the hills to get an overview of Nazareth is well worth the effort. A more convenient option is choosing a hotel with a terrace overlooking the city.
  • While the Old City still keeps its charm even after all those centuries, the ordinary life here changed beyond recognition.
     
    Historical Nazareth Village offers a glimpse into the lives of common people who used to live here in the first century CE.
     
    Surprisingly, you can reach the entrance to Nazareth Village on foot, as it's only a 20-minute walk from the Church of the Annunciation.
     
    Nazareth Village is open from Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and the last tour starts at 3:30 PM.
     

To Do While there !

Try – Visit –  Check list 

  • The Synagogue Church
  • The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation
  • Salesian Church of Jesus the Adolescent
  • Marry's Well
  • Mount Precipice
  • The Jesus Trail
  • St. Joseph's Church

when to go

The suitable time to visit this city is either in spring or autumn.

The Galilee region, where you can find it receives hot summers, and it’s better to avoid them.

Winters are colder, but it’s a better alternative to the scorching summers if you bring an extra layer or two.

Just be prepared that it can rain in December, January, and February. more than in the rest of the year.

nazareth-st-josephs-church

Where To Eat

Simple yet healthy meals were served. Every meal included bread, often made of barley, and women would make it as often as necessary. In the summer, they presumably prepared enough food for many days at a time to lessen the pain brought on by the oven’s heat.

Given this city popularity as a tourist destination, there are plenty of food alternatives there. Restaurants may be found all throughout Manger Square and its neighboring streets, as well as more traditional shawarma joints up in the Old City.

The market also features a section dedicated to fresh produce, which you should visit even if you have no intention of making a purchase just to take in the vibrant, disorganized piles of fruit and vegetables.

food in jenin

Where To Stay

Walking is one of the finest methods to get about. As a result, we think it’s preferable to stay near to the Old City.

It makes sense to remain close to the city center because it is the most fascinating region to visit.

Since it’s difficult to navigate the city by automobile, we don’t advise staying outside the city limits.

Of course, if you want to escape the traffic and parking issues, you may always hire a cab.

Fortunately, most lodgings are well located, which makes your choice much simpler.

Here is a selection of the top hotels in Nazareth that we think are deserving of your time.

Weather and Climate 

Nazareth, Israel’s climate and typical year-round temperatures

The winters are chilly and damp, and the summers are long, hot, humid, arid, and clear. The average annual temperature ranges between 44°F and 88°F, with lows of 38°F and highs of 91°F being unusual.

The height of this city affects its moderate climate, which has pleasant, sunny summers and mild, dry winters (with chilly nights) (during which thunderstorms often break out).

Check the weather in Jordan.

guide to nazareth

Summers

Summers are long, lasting from May to September, with July and August being the hottest months. Temperatures range between 23-36° C (75-96° F) and you can expect 50-90% humidity.  The good news is that there is air-conditioning almost everywhere you go, from buses and taxis to malls and hotels. However, it is really important to prepare for these temperatures, especially when spending time outdoors. Buy good sun protection, wear long but cool clothes and make sure to drink plenty of water.

Autumn

Autumn is, for the most part, a continuation of the summer weather. It does get a little cooler and the humidity drops, so it is more comfortable.  The season starts in September and at the end of November it starts getting cooler and we might see a little rain, but not too much.  September is usually as warm as summer, but the temperatures in autumn are similar to those of spring and range between 16-24° C (60-75° F).

Winter

Depending where you come from you might not even consider the city weather “real winter weather”.  This is the wettest time of the year and temperatures range between 6-15° C (42-60° F). Israeli schools have a winter break for Channukah during December, this usually doesn’t affect accommodation but activities tend to get crowded. Also, tourists from nearby countries use their winter breaks to enjoy the warmer temperatures in this city.

Spring

Spring is between March and May and this is the ideal time to visit this city. You usually won’t see much rain and the temperatures are mild, ranging between 16-24° C (60-75° F), although the nights might still be chilly. Passover falls in April so if you are planning on visiting during this time keep in mind that prices of flights and accommodation will rise and tend to get booked early.

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