Ein Karem (Israel)

Ein Karem gives you an idea of what a typical village in the region could have looked like before Jerusalem's new suburbs were built. Stone houses surrounded by cypress and fig trees, and a few streams trickling here and there create an almost timeless atmosphere. There are several churches to visit because , according to Christian tradition, Ein Karem was the birthplace of St John the Baptist. There is also a spring that is considered holy because the Virgin Mary is supposed to have drunk from it.

Apart from these places of interest you should be aware the Ein Karem has become a place where Israelis like to go out at the weekend. So, from Thursday evening the terraces of the cafes and restaurants in this old village fill up and the place is no longer calm.

Although the number of things to see is relatively limited, it's worth spending a few hours soaking up the atmosphere of Ein Karem during your trip to Israel if you are in Jersualem.