Nazareth and the Galilee
The Galilee, one of the most beautiful regions of Israel, offers a wide variety of special attractions and interesting locations a short distance away from Hotel Plaza Nof HaGalil. Planning a holiday at the hotel but don’t know where you should visit?
Here are a few tourist attractions in the nearby City of Nazareth where you can learn about this amazing city with its rich history and experience its art, architecture, special cuisine, unique flavors, but most importantly an atmosphere you will not find anywhere else.
For additional information, more recommendations and even free tours, please visit Nazareth’s official website at:
Nazareth is the largest Arab city in Israel, and features one of the most charming markets of which many Israelis are unaware: the Market of Old Nazareth.
The Old City of Nazareth, home of the famous Basilica of the Annunciation, attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually, who visit it as part of their pilgrimage to Israel.
One cannot speak of a visit to Nazareth without mentioning its extraordinary culinary aspect. The Market of Nazareth, known as an important tourist attraction, is an ancient market that has its roots in the Ottoman era, when merchants used Nazareth as a center for transporting their goods. Formerly the market was divided into alleys according to the different craftsmen, and today when you tour the market you can still find Primus stove repairmen and metal workers.
The market is not large, but is beautiful and loaded with wonderful items. Walking the alleys of the Old City with the aroma of coffee, its famous sweets and the Nazareth honey cake is an experience in itself. Alongside traditional food, you will find fresh fruit and vegetables, spices, clothing booths, souvenirs and various items for the home at discounted prices
The “AlBabur” spice shop is an attraction that shouldn’t be missed and is located in a gristmill constructed by the Templers. The spice fragrances can be sensed even at a distance, and when you visit it you will definitely have an opportunity to stock up on some great items.
Another excellent recommendation is to visit during Christmas season, when Nazareth is wrapped in a special atmosphere and becomes more radiant than ever with its colorful lights and holiday decor.
The magic can be felt almost everywhere in town, and the season culminates in the ceremony of lighting up the huge Christmas tree positioned on the Ma’ayan Square and of course the festive masses and prayers.
AlMash'hadawi Bakery
AlMash’hadawi Bakery is a celebration for anyone who loves authentic baked food!
It is a family business directed by the mother Turfinda who has learned the secrets of baking as a child and is now proud of their special dough.
The family comes from the nearby Mash’had Village and grows its own ingredients – the olives, the local spinach, the excellent goat cheese, the hot sauce and more.
The bakery features a variety of baked goods, pita bread with nigella and fresh olive oil, spinach or endive sambusac, traditional sweets, karakish cookies, Syrian cookies with sesame and honey and much more.
Address:
49 Al Bishara Street, Nazareth. Please try to make it not too late in the day 🙂
Open Monday-Saturday 5:00 am to 8:00 pm
Shfaram Ice cream
“Shfaram Ice Cream” offers a variety of ice cream flavors based on traditional Arab sweets in the atmosphere of a modern restaurant.
The ice cream is produced according to the ancient recipes of Grandma Wadiya from the City of Shfaram, and legend has it that she began producing her ice cream over 80 years ago
The entire preparation process, the ingredients and the unique mixtures have been kept as family secrets, but alongside the familiar flavors the menu is constantly renewed with fresh, interesting options.
In addition to its rich culinary history, their ice cream offers unique sweet flavors inspired by the Mediterranean Arab cuisine.
The Nazareth Market
One cannot speak of a visit to Nazareth without mentioning its unique culinary aspect. The Market of Nazareth, known as an important tourist attraction, is an ancient market that has its roots in the Ottoman era, when merchants used Nazareth as a center for transporting their goods. Formerly the market was divided into alleys according to the different craftsmen. Today when you visit you can still find Primus stove repairmen and metal workers. The market is not large, but is beautiful and loaded with wonderful items. Walking the alleys of the Old City with the aroma of cardamom coffee, its famous sweets and the Nazareth honey cake is an experience in itself that you should definitely incorporate into your holiday. Alongside the traditional food, you will find fresh fruit and vegetables, spices, and here and there even narghile shops. There are also clothing booths, souvenirs and various items for the home at discounted prices. In the middle of the market you will see the White Mosque which definitely justifies a short visit.
The “AlBabur” spice shop is an attraction that shouldn’t be missed either and is located in a gristmill constructed by the Templers. The spice fragrances can be sensed at a distance and a visit is a great opportunity to stock up on some wonderful items.
The visitors center at the Strauss Elite chocolate factory
Did you know that the biggest chocolate factory in the Middle East is located in Nof HaGalil?
At the factory positioned close to the city hall, you will find a visitors center permitting adults and children over the age of 6 to watch the chocolate’s manufacturing process from up close and even to taste the delicious sweets. At the confectionery factory you will see how cocoa is turned into chocolate, how basic ingredients are used for making wonderful items, and how Elite’s popular sweets are produced.
We invite you to come for a fascinating tour of the chocolate and candy factory in Nof HaGalil, where the amazing aroma will not leave you indifferent.
To go to the visitors center website press here.
AlMuhtar Sweets
If you want to try traditional Middle Eastern honey cake, AlMuhtar Sweets is the place for you.
At AlMuhtar you will fine a wide variety of authentic sweet pastries that are all hand made, the most important being the famous Middle Eastern honey cake in various versions.
Additionally, the place offers other baked goods and various delicacies that are prepared in house: baklava with different fillings, fiselia and malabi
Everything is hand made according to Grandpa’s recipes to preserve the exact flavors.
Address: 5 Taufic Ziad Street, Nazareth
Phone: +972-4-6556027
Nazareth Village
Mount Precipice
Basilica of the Annunciation
Near a parking lot in a bustling location is the Well Square on which you will find the Greek Orthodox Basilica of the Annunciation (Saint Gabriel Church). This church was built over the remains of a crusader building and has beautiful murals. According to Greek Orthodox tradition, Mary came to the well to draw water and this was where she was told by the angel she would give birth to Jesus.
