Discover Tal Shahar

Tal Shahar combines hiking and cycling trails around the pool with a guided tour at the Iza Paziza farm; the Sorek Valley area also offers various spots along the stream. When looking for a holiday rental in Tal Shahar, you can start by asking what you want your trip to focus on: getting active on the trails, learning about cheese production, or spending time in a picnic and seating area.

Trails, a farm visit, and places to visit along Sorek Stream

Hiking and cycling trails run around the Tal Shahar pool, connecting Tal Shahar with Tzalfon. If you like to plan your days around physical activity, this connection gives you a concrete starting point for choosing your outings. The trails are suitable for planning a walk or a bike ride; no specific route lengths or walking times are provided.

At the entrance to Tal Shahar, Iza Paziza farm offers a guided tour of the goat barn and milking facility. Visitors can also view the cheese production room. The tour requires prior arrangements and registration. A farm visit therefore calls for a different kind of planning than the trails around the pool: arrange your visit in advance if the tour is part of your travel plans.

In the Sorek Valley area is the Mangalia Loop, a picnic and seating area with KKL tables. It is part of the restoration project along Sorek Stream. From a bridge over the stream, visitors can observe water turtles, ducks, and water snakes. The Bridge Loop is an elevated viewpoint above the stream. The Great Jujube Tree, also called the Great Duma Tree, stands near the stream.

These places differ in what you can experience there: the Mangalia Loop offers a place to sit and picnic, animals can be observed from the bridge, and the Bridge Loop is designated as a viewpoint. The Great Jujube Tree adds a distinctive tree near the water to the options. This lets you plan your outings around what you want to focus on, rather than treating all the places as the same kind of excursion.

Jerusalem: historic sites, museums, and trails

The wider destination of Jerusalem opens up a distinct set of themes. The Old City of Jerusalem and its walls hold great symbolic significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Jerusalem is considered a holy city. The Old City and its walls include 220 historic monuments. The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem’s Old City was built in the 7th century.

The Jerusalem Walls National Park is located in central Jerusalem and includes historic, archaeological, and religious sites. It was designated to preserve historic, archaeological, traditional, architectural, and scenic values for public benefit. The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens offer a different aspect of the landscape: they encompass 150 dunams of nature in the heart of Jerusalem.

At the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, the new permanent exhibition combines innovative technology, interactive displays, archaeological finds, and ancient artefacts across ten galleries. The Phasael Tower has a viewpoint 777 metres above sea level, offering a 360-degree view of Jerusalem’s Old City and New City. The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem presents rare artefacts from the ancient Near East and offers temporary exhibitions, educational programmes, cultural events, guided tours, and lectures. Check the dates if you are planning to attend an event. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, was founded in 1965.

Routes through the city are also among Jerusalem’s attractions: on the Pilgrims’ Road in the City of David, visitors can walk on original paving stones once used by city residents and pilgrims on their way to the Temple. The Jerusalem Trail connects Jerusalem with the Israel Trail and passes through the Jerusalem Walls National Park, along Kidron Stream, and through the Hinnom Valley. Check access requirements for the Pilgrims’ Road and trail conditions on the Jerusalem Trail before your trip.

Discover more destinations

Aderet, Li On, Giv'at Ye'arim, Agur, Ma'ale Hahamisha, Yad Hashmona, Harel, Bar Giora.

For the wider travel guide: Jerusalem.