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50 MUST-READ Tips For Your Trip To Israel in 2023

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Israel is an amazing country – and one that brings with it a lot of unknowns for first-time visitors. I’ve visited eight times and learned a thing or two along the way. There are so many things to know before going to Israel!

We hope these tips for traveling to Israel will demystify the experience a little and leave you open to be amazed, surprised and excited by what you find. A trip to Israel is truly a dream come true for many people so our goal is to make your experience unforgettable.

Want to skip all the planning and access my detailed Israel itinerary complete with daily schedules, awesome activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Before you start planning your trip to Israel…

There are a few things to know before traveling to Israel that could make your plans a non-starter, so read these closely!

Check to ensure your passport/citizenship allows going to Israel . If you’re planning travel to Israel from the US and you carry a US passport, you’ll be allowed to enter the country on a three-month tourist visa that’s granted upon arrival. Most countries don’t require a visa in advance, but be sure to check your country’s requirements if you aren’t from North America. Use this official link for information and to apply for a visa for Israel if you need one.

Make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity from the date you plan to leave Israel. You may be denied entry if you’re planning a May visit and your passport expires in August, for example. That would be the worst way to start a trip to Israel!

There are no specific COVID entry requirements for Israel as of early 2023. You can check this website for additional details and updates. As of this writing, restrictions only apply if you actually test positive for COVID. There is no vaccination requirement to enter Israel.

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Is Israel safe to visit?

It’s safe. Don’t believe the hype you see in the news, Israel is generally a safe country to visit . Just use street smarts and tune into the news. Stay on the tourist path and you should be fine to travel in Israel. The US State Department advises that travel within Israel itself is fine, albeit with a dose of extra caution in Jerusalem’s Old City. As with any place you’re visiting at home or abroad, it’s important to keep up on what’s happening in the news. Ynetnews is the English version of the the country’s top newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth. This isn’t to say that  “Is it safe to travel to Israel?” is universally answered with a  “yes” but barring a major outbreak of hostility you’ll be fine.

Soldiers are a part of daily life. From age 18 through 20 or 21 most Israelis serve in the army. You will see soldiers throughout your time in Israel. Don’t be nervous, they are young adults who happen to be wearing a uniform. The guns you see out in the street are there because soldiers are required to keep tabs on them (or have them behind multiple locks) at all times. Apart from these requirements, there isn’t much of a “gun culture” and there are stiff restrictions on private gun ownership in Israel.

There is more to the country than the geopolitical situation.  This is perhaps the most important of our Israel travel tips. While the geopolitical situation is very real and cannot be ignored, it is not the identity of Israel. Israel is home to an innovative tech sector, world-renowned agriculture and incredible diversity. Explore Israel with open eyes and don’t be afraid to connect with the people. If you view your trip to Israel only through the lens of conflict, you’ll miss out on so much more!

The water is just as safe to drink as in any other developed country. Unless posted otherwise, the water throughout Israel is safe to drink. If you are traveling to more remote areas double-check with your accommodation or the National Park service.

Airport security can be intense… or it can be nothing. I think most travelers have heard about that friend of a friend’s second cousin who was detained for four hours at the Tel Aviv airport. Yes, it happens . But it’s far from the norm. In the US, everyone is forced to take off their shoes, unpack their bags and may be subjected to random pat-downs (it once happened to me when bringing coffee back from Hawaii on a domestic flight).

The approach in Israel is different. Rather than applying broad security measures to everyone, they apply deep security measures to those who arouse suspicion. Guards are trained to read microscopic changes in facial expressions as people answer (seemingly) random questions. Certain passport stamps will definitely increase the likelihood of additional screening and questioning.

It’s not better or worse, it’s just different. It’s never been a lengthy process for us, and sometimes faster than in the US where it seems like there’s a new and arbitrary rule every week. On the other hand, I know a guy who did get detained for hours due to a wide range of passport stamps he had accumulated from “unfriendly” countries through business travel. It didn’t help that he became aggressive when questioned about the stamps (as he told me).

Israel doesn’t stamp passports anymore . And they haven’t for quite a few years! There are enough other countries who don’t like seeing Israeli stamps that they don’t do it. Instead they give you a little blue card that fits perfectly in your passport and shows your grainy photo, date of entry, passport number etc. Try not to lose it since that’s your only proof that you’re legally in the country, but we’ve never been asked for it. You may need to use it for VAT refund or to avoid VAT at hotels. You do not need to present it to exit, but upon leaving you’ll be given a matching pink card.

Important note if you plan to travel elsewhere in the region: Israel doesn’t stamp passports anymore. But if you use an overland crossing into Jordan (let’s say for a day trip to Petra ), Jordan will stamp your passport. It’ll be pretty obvious which country is on the other side of that border! It’s not clear to what extent that Jordanian passport stamp could cause you problems in the future, so if you’re concerned then it might be worth flying from Israel to Jordan (unless your passport is nearing expiration).

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Israel

Practical details for your trip to Israel

Israel has its own time zone, IST. It’s 2 hours ahead of UTC from late October to late March and 3 hours ahead of UTC the rest of the year. The winter is referred to as Israel Standard Time while the summer is referred to as either Israel Summer Time or Israel Daylight Time.

Israel’s currency is the shekel, which is divided into agorot. The exchange rate for the last few years has been pretty stable around 3-4 shekels (sometimes abbreviated ILS, sometimes NIS for “new Israeli shekels”) per $1 US. There are 100 agorot per shekel. Prepare for your pockets to be heavy – Israel uses coins all the way through 10 shekels!

Israel uses a standard European plug adapter. When you visit Israel you can either bring a bunch of these or switch over to this consolidated solution for charging all of your devices wherever you go. I just bought one and it’s working out great!

Israel is a fairly expensive country. Whether you’re visiting Israel for the first time or the fifteenth time, be prepared to pay prices similar to the US for food and accommodations, while some durable goods may be much more expensive (particularly if they’re imported). Israel has been struggling with inflation along with the rest of the world, and the cost of living for Israelis is a huge struggle in the cities.

What to bring to Israel

What to pack is one of the most common things to know before visiting Israel that I’m asked about!

Don’t forget your swimsuit. Israel has some phenomenal beaches and benefits from the warm Mediterranean waters. Make time to go to the beach and relax if you’re visiting April to October. During other times of the year, you might still want to go float in the Dead Sea.

Dress modestly (in some places). At religious sites (including the Western Wall and the Temple Mount) and when walking through extremely religious neighborhoods, try to dress modestly out of respect for those communities – and so that you don’t get harassed. Yes, there are reports of women being spat on (or worse) for visiting an ultra-orthodox  neighborhood without fully covering themselves – ankle to wrist to collarbone .

There are plenty of microclimates to confuse your packing list. When packing for Israel, take note of what time of year you’re traveling. During the summer the country is hot everywhere during the day, but the desert and the north can experience cool temperatures at night even during the summer. During winter the whole country can be pretty chilly – we’ve seen snow on the palm trees in Jerusalem. While Tel Aviv is known for being humid, Jerusalem is higher and drier.

Pack your bags! Check out our season-by-season guide for what to bring to Israel.

Get your currency from the airport ATM instead of bringing it. Banks in the US don’t exactly specialize in shekels and agorot . You can use credit cards nearly everywhere when you visit Israel, but for a little cash just use the ATM in the baggage claim at the airport when you begin your trip to Israel.

Food in Israel

The food is so good. Israel is a nation of immigrants and you can sample some of the best, most diverse cuisine in the world. You’ll find options covering every budget from fine dining to street food. Just come prepared to eat, and to eat well.

Did somebody say wine? Israel produces some outstanding wine, and you can go tasting at wineries around the Judean Hills, in the Golan or even in the desert on your Israel trip.

Israeli breakfast is a thing . If you’re a breakfast person, then you’re gonna love Israel. Delicious fresh vegetables, cheeses, eggs and bread are served up in homes, hotels, kibbutz dining halls and restaurants throughout the country – at least on weekends. So good. Make sure you try shakshuka at least once! This egg and tomato dish is one of my favorites.

You may have to pick between sabich and falafel. There’s a great debate over which is the best Israeli street food. Sabich is a traditional Iraqi breakfast sandwich with cut up hard boiled egg, potato and roasted eggplant in a pita; modern versions now add salads and are served at lunchtime. Falafel balls are deep fried chickpeas served in pita with salads. Both make for a excellent, fast, cheap lunches.

Druze food is amazing. The northern part of Israel is home to many Druze people . The Druze religion is unique unto itself although it is a derivative of Islam. They are incredible people and their restaurants have some of the best food in all of Israel. If you’re far north, check out Al Sultan in Ma’asade (and potentially laugh as your phone alternates between thinking it’s in Israel, Syria and Lebanon).

There’s a strong cafe culture. Throughout Israel cafes are abundant and wonderful. If you like good coffee or a cup of tea make sure to stop for a break. Whether in Aroma, Caffit or one of the many independents in hipster neighborhoods, you’ll find Israelis sipping at all hours.

Limonana just might be the world’s most refreshing drink for a hot day. At most restaurants you can cool off with a glass or carafe of this deliciously refreshing drink made from lemonade and fresh mint.

Kosher food is ubiquitous. The majority of food you will purchase at grocery stores is classified as kosher – meaning that it is certified by religious authorities to conform to Jewish dietary laws. The most prominent rules are that milk and meat cannot be consumed in the same meal (or from the same dishes, even at different meals) and certain foods like pork and shellfish are off limits.

But not all restaurants are kosher. Kosher restaurants exist throughout Israel and are closed from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening. Don’t expect to eat cheeseburgers or pork chops at these restaurants, as both types of food are forbidden under Jewish dietary laws. These restaurants have a certificate that says all food prepared at the restaurant are prepared following kosher laws. Buuuuut… there are non-kosher restaurants throughout Israel as well. In fact, you’ll find some of flagrantly non-kosher restaurants in Tel Aviv ranging from high-brow foodie establishments to run-of-the-mill places that might be trying to thumb their noses at the country’s often-overbearing religious authorities.

Israel will give your sweet tooth a run for its money. Thanks to the melting pot that is Israel, you can try sweets from all over the world. My personal favorites? Kanafe – an Arab pastry made with noodle-like pastry soaked in syrup and layered with cheese. Rugelach – a rolled cake-like cookie made with chocolate and cinnamon. Halva – a sesame-based Arab dessert made with tahini paste, you can find it at any major outdoor market.

You should tip in restaurants . Tipping isn’t as generous as in the US, but 10-15% is a typical amount to tip in restaurants in Israel. Cash tips are preferred when you visit Israel.

Want to learn more about food in Israel? Check out these 20 foods you can’t miss!

Israeli culture

Israelis are friendly ish . Most people you will when you visit Israel meet are going to be friendly and willing to help you if you have a question or are lost, so don’t be afraid to ask. At the same time, Israelis are known for being direct to the point of blunt. One of our most important travel tips for Israel? Don’t be offended, and remember that it’s ok to be assertive (like when you’re in line to get on the bus). You’ll fit right in!

Most Israelis speak English extremely well. Don’t worry if Hebrew or Arabic isn’t quite up to snuff. Nearly all Israelis speak English (well) and they’d rather practice their English with you than listen to you try to remember everything you’d forgotten since fourth grade Hebrew school. You’ll have no problem traveling in Israel even with English as your only language.

Most Israelis aren’t religious (at least, not in the stereotypical way). Yes, 75% of Israelis are Jewish. But two-thirds of them self-report that they aren’t religious! What does that mean from a practical perspective? Throughout the country you’ll see that most Israelis are dressed in typical 21st century clothing and will drive on any day of the week. But you’ll also find that Friday night is often reserved for family (or friends) dinner at someone’s home. Nearly all Israeli Jews attend a Passover seder , fast on Yom Kippur, don’t eat pork… and never go to synagogue .

Some businesses are closed for Shabbat. Don’t plan on any major outings to shops or restaurants during the Jewish sabbath (Friday evening through Saturday evening), especially in Jerusalem. In Tel Aviv you will find more places open on Shabbat – and most of the city at the beach during the warmer months. Fortunately there are still plenty of cultural institutions and outdoor activities available all weekend!

There are so many Jewish holidays. Because Israel is a Jewish state, many attractions close during Jewish holidays. Check the calendar to plan your visit outside these periods (unless you are going specifically to celebrate the holiday). Accommodations will book up faster during these periods – see the point above about most Israelis being secular – and are also much more expensive. Passover and Sukkot are wonderful times to travel to Israel ( hello, shoulder season ), but those are also weeks when secular Israelis take their kids on excursions around the country. Wondering when’s the best time to visit Israel?  Find out here.

Getting around Israel travel tips

It’s easy to fly to Israel. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport is accessible from all major cities throughout North America and Europe. Flight prices vary depending on the season, but you can check here for the best flight deals on travel to Israel.

Driving in Israel is pretty easy these days. The roads are top quality and well maintained. Leading GPS app Waze was designed in Israel and will help you breeze through even the most confusing city roads. Most rental cars are European models with all of the modern conveniences. If you’ll have kids with you, make sure to read all about how to travel with car seats .

You don’t need an International Driving Permit. As long as you aren’t staying longer than a year, an International Driving Permit isn’t required in Israel. (Nor is an International Drivers License, which isn’t a real thing – just an internet scam.)

Don’t feel like renting a car? That’s ok too. Israel is well-connected on the ground bus and train systems (though not on Shabbat, Friday night to Saturday night). There are also plenty of taxis, Ubers and ride share vans ( sherutim ) to go around. Note that taxi drivers do not expect a tip, though “rounding up” is nice.

Electric bikes and scooters are everywhere . Especially in the metropolis of Tel Aviv, you will see tons of people whizzing around on electric scooters and bikes. Feel free to rent your own and give it a go! If that’s too speedy for you, pick up a free bike to explore the city for a few hours!

Don’t be surprised if your rental car ends up pricier than you thought. You just booked your car and you are bragging to all of your friends that you’re only paying $9 a day. You show up to Tel Aviv airport and find that your rental company charges a required insurance daily fee of $20+ a day. This happens to every tourist. Check with your rental company in advance to see how much they charge for mandatory insurance to avoid unwanted heart palpitations (but sorry, you won’t be able to avoid the fees!). Check rental car prices here.

It’s really not that big of a country. You can drive from the Red Sea to the Lebanon border in just over six hours when you visit Israel. The country’s relatively small size means you can see more and do more in less time when you’re traveling to Israel.

Are you thinking about renting a car in Israel? Read these 10 important tips first!

There are so many things to do in Israel

It’s an everything destination. Beach days, mountain hikes, world-class cities and incredible scenery… Israel has it all .

Jerusalem is a complicated city and it’s worth exploring. You’ll want to devote a full day to the ancient city, which is made up of four quarters: the Jewish quarter, Christian quarter, Muslim quarter and Armenian quarter. Even if you aren’t booking Israel tour packages, you’ll want to book a guided tour to provide context for the history, culture, and geopolitical situation. Be sure to allow some time exploring the modern city as well when you visit Jerusalem!

The north is couples-travel heaven. Whether you’re into waterfall hikes, wine tasting or just cozying up in your secluded cabin, you won’t regret a few peaceful days of together time. Check out these awesome tzimmers  and romantic inns perfect for love-birds – we enjoyed a few during our kid-free trips to Israel!

You won’t want to miss the National Parks. With over 60 destinations ranging from famous sites of antiquity to a stalactite cave, Israel’s national parks will give you an amazing perspective on the country’s unique environment and history. Purchase a Green Pass when you’re there to visit several parks at a discount!

You can snorkel through a protected marine reserve. If you make it all the way to the southern tip of Israel, the city of Eilat has some stellar snorkeling at Coral Beach – it’s even included on that discounted Green Pass.

There’s a lot more to Jerusalem than the religious sites. While the Old City is worth a visit, the rest of the Jerusalem area also offers outstanding hiking, museums, outdoor markets and fun communal spaces. Allow time to explore Jerusalem beyond the Old City.

Matkot is something of a past-time in Israel. Before you hit the beach, purchase a matkot set. What is it? Think of it like paddle ball on the beach. You’ll hear the distinctive ping ping allllll weekend along the coast. Try it! You’ll fit right in… though you’ll have to practice for years to make it to the level of the expert 20-somethings who’ve been playing for their whole lives.

Israel is home to the world’s largest erosion crater. At the very northern tip of Israel’s Negev desert you’ll find Makhtesh Ramon, a massive crater formed by multiple erosion processes over hundreds of millions of years. It’s also home to wonderful walking paths, fascinating wildlife and a can’t-miss visitors center.

There are four distinct environments – and you should try to see them all. Throughout Israel you can experience deserts, beaches, mountains and urban environments – many of them in a single day if you’re really ambitious. Part of Israel’s appeal as a travel destination is that you have so much to explore in such a compact country.

You can float on water. Looking to relax and detox your skin? Head to the Dead Sea, straddling the Israel-Jordan border east of Jerusalem, and you’ll feel weightless as you float across the salty water. The Dead Sea mud is famous for its skin-friendly minerals and sold at a premium all over the world. Looking to indulge a little? Book a spa treatment while you’re there! Find out more about visiting the Dead Sea and other great day trips from Jerusalem .

Want to get up close with Roman ruins? Yes, the Romans did conquer the Holy Land and they left behind some incredible ruins well worth exploring. The ancient sea port  of Caesarea makes a great stop along the coast and is an easy day trip from Tel Aviv.  Check out these other great day trips from Tel Aviv!

Walk a street from Biblical times. Thanks to a rich tradition of archeological excavation, Israel has uncovered fascinating glimpses into ancient history. Sign up for a Kotel tunnel tour and wind down a narrow passageway into a different era.

The Holy Land is holy for Christians too. – Ever wanted to see the room where the last supper took place? The street where Jesus carried the cross? Or perhaps Jesus’ tomb? All of these locations are in Jerusalem and can be visited in one (very busy) day.

You’ll find one of the most recognizable mosques in the world. The Dome of the Rock is the most visible site across the Jerusalem skyline with its Golden Dome. Built on the grounds of where the Second Temple once stood, this site is one of the most important sites in the world for Muslims. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the building, though all are welcome to visit the complex at certain restricted times. Check the tourism site to see when visitors are allowed.

The kibbutz system has changed a lot but you can still get a taste of it. When Israel was emerging as a soon-to-be nation it created an economy built on socialist communities called Kibbutzim. The kibbutz movement grew over time to include everything from agriculture to industry and members’ daily life revolves around collectivism – including things as personal as raising children communally. Today, as Israel has moved towards a free market economy, kibbutzim are a shadow of their previous incarnations. You can still get a taste of kibbutz life by staying at one or even volunteering at one.

If you’re looking for a bit of a thrill, try rafting down the Jordan River. The river that separates Israel from its neighbor is a fun place to try out some rapids. Check out these great options.

Israel is part of the great bird migratory pattern. If you love seeing a diverse set of birds then you should head to northern Israel and visit the Hula Nature Reserve. Twice every year the marshes and lakes at Hula are teeming with birds of all kinds. Try to spot a water buffalo or a capybara too!

Markets are for tourists and locals alike. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv both have major open air markets called ‘the shuk ’. Here you can sample fresh produce, sweets, bargain for a shirt or backgammon board, or sip a refreshing fresh juice – shoulder-to-shoulder with locals (especially on Friday when everyone is shopping for Shabbat dinner). Visiting a shuk is a must if you are traveling to Israel. The famous shuk in Jerusalem is Mahane Yehuda, and it’s been transformed over the past years to include a vibrant night scene with pop up restaurants and pubs.

FAQs for your trip to Israel

Yes, most of Israel is safe to visit. That said, there are sometime security situations that arise so it’s always prudent to keep an eye on the news – as with anywhere you travel.

My favorite times of year to visit Israel are Spring and Fall, but here’s a detailed breakdown of the best time of year to visit Israel .

If you’ve never been to Israel before, I recommend a 10 day trip to Israel to see the country’s highlights.

Plan your travel to Israel

I hope these traveling to Israel tips have helped you feel prepared for the journey of a lifetime!

Money-saving travel resources: – Find the cheapest flights on Skyscanner – Book your discounted rental car on RentalCars.com – Compare travel insurance options – 4 simple hacks to save more money on booking.com Check out these helpful articles to plan your upcoming trip to Israel: – The perfect 10 day Israel itinerary – 3 days in Jerusalem itinerary – 2 days in Tel Aviv itinerary – Where to stay in Israel – 50 things to know before you visit Israel – What to pack for Israel in each season – When is the best time of year to go to Israel? – 10+ must-read tips for renting a car in Israel – 20 foods you have to try in Israel – 25+ best books about Israel – Where to stay in Jerusalem – What to do in Jerusalem on Shabbat – Israel with kids: the complete guide – Visiting Jerusalem with kids – Visiting Tel Aviv with kids – Best day trips from Tel Aviv – Best day trips from Jerusalem – Your Israel itinerary for (more or less) 10 days – Visiting the Bahai Gardens in Haifa, Israel

Prefer to carry a paper guide book or map? Check out these great options:

If you plan on driving, a paper map will be one of the most important things to take on vacation to Israel!

Pin this article to come back to it later!

What to read next

22 thoughts on “50 must-read tips for your trip to israel in 2023”.

These are great tips for traveling to Israel! I visited for the first time earlier this year, and I would totally go back again! I’m bummed I missed out on trying the shakshuka!

So glad you had a good time! What was your favorite experience?

I have never considered Israel as a travel destination. Interesting to read about it, thank you. Kx

I hope you have the opportunity to go one day! It’s a incredible country with so many unique aspects, and it’s easy to travel too 🙂

This was so thorough guide to Israel! I visited Israel for the first time this year, only Eilat and Jerusalem, but I definitely want to go there again and explore many other places. It is such a unique and diverse country. I also felt very safe there. Thank you for sharing this!

It’s amazing how safe it feels once you’re on the ground! I had no problem walking alone in our neighborhoods in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, which I would never feel comfortable doing in our ritzy neighborhood in Los Angeles.

The getting around section is good. Helpful to know about GPS, Waze, electric bikes and scooters. Been concerned about renting a car in isreal. What time of year is best for the Hula Nature Preserve?

I think Israel would be a great family destination; lots of nature and culture which is what I like! I love the sound of the food too – it seems to be quite vegetarian friendly. Pinned for later! #fearlessfamtrav

I was vegetarian for 8 years and still often prefer vegetarian food to meat. Israel is HEAVEN for vegetarians! Check out all the awesome food options: https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/traditional-food-in-israel/

Thanks so much for blowing some of the myths about travelling to Israel out of the water. /would love to visit! #fearlesstravelfam

What an awesome article Melissa. I really hadn’t thought of visiting Israel but you have convinced me! The food especially for vegetarians looks so good! #fearlessfam

Such a great article and motivation to plan a trip! Israel is on our list of countries to visit, we haven’t been yet unfortunately. Everyone we know who has visited says it is one of their favorite destinations!

It’s SUCH an awesome place to visit! I hope you have the opportunity one day 🙂

Desperate to get to Israel! If only for the food! Thanks for linking up to #fearlessfamtrav

I love shakshouka – my favourite breakfast! #fearlessfamtrav

I’m going to Israel in February with a tour group and until reading your article I really didn’t know what to expect! You helped to relieve my “fear of the unknown” and now I’m just excited to go! Now to read the packing recommendations… 😊 Thank you!

Israel is a stunning country. Glad you made it to Israel. From the Golan heights to the Dead Sea, the entire country is beautiful. Thanks for sharing this tour guide.

Limonana sounds amazing! thanks for your tips x

Love lsrael been there two times. Going in a group is good but there is other ways they have prayer houses, advent house and hostels all very cost effective go on your on or own group. There is busses that take you everywhere do your own thing.

Absolutely! There are many different options for an amazing trip 🙂

Superb article Melissa. After reading your article I was inspired to travel to Israel. The vegetarian food in particular looks delicious!

Hi Michael,

I’m so glad you enjoyed! There’s tons of amazing food in Israel, so I hope you get there soon.

Safe travels,

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My travel blog to Israel

Israel is one of my most favorite countries in the world. It has a wonderful climate, Tel Aviv as the vibrant seaside city, Jerusalem as the historic city with so many stories, beautiful nature and even prettier people. And best of all: the food! It’s too bad that there’s an ongoing conflict separating its inhabitants in Israel. It’s unlikely however you’ll notice anything of the conflict as long as you stay in the big cities or touristic areas. On this page I’m sharing my travel blog to Israel with all my favorite sights, activities and restaurants.

Tel Aviv You’ll probably start your trip to Israel in Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv is a vibrant city with a beach, boardwalk, many nice restaurants, bars and markets. Tel Aviv is a city where I felt right at home and I could imagine myself living there. The atmosphere is very relaxed and there are many creative people. And there’s an extensive list of restaurants that serve delicious hummus!

Hummus in Tel Aviv There are so many options for good hummus in Tel Aviv that it’s almost improssible to list them all. Just order your favorite variety with some pita bread and a salad and you’ll have a lovely lunch (or breakfast or dinner, as most of the hummus restaurants are open from early to late). The hummus in Israel is served luke-warm, as opposed to most European people who eat hummus cold. This picture is taken at Eraz Restaurant in Tel Aviv. It’s a Yemenite restaurant with a few tables to enjoy hummus outside.

Old Jaffa Jaffa, just south of the modern city Tel Aviv, is the old capital city. You can rent bikes in Tel Aviv and cycle to Jaffa to stroll around the old winding streets and visit the street markets.

Jerusalem I don’t think there’s a city in the world that has more history and stories than Jerusalem. Take at least one day to soak up this city with it’s four quarters. See the the Western Wall, Dome of the Rock and Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus is said to be buried.

Lina The best place to go for hummus and falafel in Jerusalem, according to my friend who lives there, is Lina. You can find it in the Old City if you’re lucky because there are many small winding streets!

Mrs Burekas Ever heard of Burekas or Bourekas? It’s a very poplar snack or breakfast dish in Israel. In some other countries it’s known as Borek. It probably originated in Turkey and it’s a savory stuffed pastry. My favorite place for Bourekas in Jersualem is Mrs Burekas at the Mahane Yehuda Market.

Dead Sea Bathing in the Dead Sea is a once in a lifetime experience that you shouldn’t miss out on. It’s so strange to float in the water. You can take the bus from Jerusalem to get there. Keep in mind that if you go in the water from a public sight there won’t be any showers to wash of the salt of your body.

Short on time? You can take a day tour from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and the Death Sea.

Click here to read all my travel blogs.

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The 11 Best Things to See and Do in Israel

Home to incredible historical and religious sites, the mineral-rich Dead Sea (which is also the lowest point on Earth), a lively nightlife, and a world-class food scene, Israel has a lot to offer visiting travelers.

Though a small country that doesn’t take too long to drive around , there’s just SO much on offer that you could still easily spend weeks here and not run out of amazing sights to see, activities to do, and delicious food to eat.

To help you get started planning your trip, here’s a list of what I consider to be some of the best things to see and do in Israel:  

1. Tel Aviv

While the city has a lot to offer (including 13 beaches), one of the major draws is the food. The culinary scene is full of inventive eateries using fresh, organic ingredients and mixing traditional Israeli cuisine with tastes from around the world, reflecting the many ethnicities that make up the country’s population. There’s even a huge number of vegan options too (Israel is an incredible destination for vegetarian and vegan travelers). You can also stroll the stalls at the Carmel Market and the Levinsky Market for tasty local street food.

Tel Aviv also has a nightlife that would rival New York or London . For a night out, you can find rooftop bars, wine bars, and craft beer breweries all over town. In particular, check out venues lining Rothschild Boulevard. Also, there’s a strong music scene with tons of live concerts happening around town (in all genres) as well as a world-class philharmonic orchestra. There’s lots of great theatre here too!

During the day, visit any of dozens of museums, including the popular Yitzhak Rabin Center, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, or the Museum of the Jewish People. Tel Aviv also has many informative and insightful walking tour companies to help you learn more about the city’s past, its people, its street art, and its architecture (Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus structures, “the White City,” is a UNESCO World Heritage site). New Europe is the best free walking tour in town (just be sure to tip).

And don’t miss the ancient port of Jaffa (home to a large flea market, an artists quarter, fine restaurants, a mixed population of Arabs and Jews, and great views of Tel Aviv).  

2. The Dead Sea

Unfortunately, it also means that if you have any cuts on your body, you will feel them keenly! Additionally, industrial exploitation has shrunk the shoreline and caused sinkholes in some areas, so beware of that and pay attention to any signage.

The salt and other minerals (like magnesium and bromide) have historically been thought of as healing, which is why there are tons of health retreats lining the shore. While many beaches are only accessible through a resort, there are also several public ones along the coast, including Neve Midbar in the north and Ein Bokek in the south.  

3. Jerusalem

The walled Old City, not to mention nearby Mount Zion and the City of David (the original site of Jerusalem), include so many famous and significant sites that you could easily spend several days touring them.

For Jews, the Western Wall (formerly called the Wailing Wall) is considered the holiest place for prayer. It is divided into men’s and women’s sections, and there are tunnels on one side that can be explored.

The Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount (just above the Western Wall) are among the holiest sites for Muslims, behind only Mecca and Medina.

For Christians, the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City mark the path of Jesus’s final walk to his execution and the site of his crucifixion.

In the western, newer section of Jerusalem, be sure to visit Yad Vashem, the deeply emotional official memorial for the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. There’s also the Israel Museum, which is home to the Dead Sea Scrolls and other treasures of Israel’s past.

For an insightful overview of the city, take a walking tour or food tour. There’s the Machane Yehuda market tour , and Abraham Tours (which also runs an amazing hostel) organizes daily walking tours highlighting Jerusalem’s past from different (and often competing) perspectives.  

4. Biblical Sites

Galilee is home to a number of Christian sites, including Nazareth, where you’ll find the largest church in the Middle East; and the Jesus Trail or the Gospel Trail, hikes from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee — which is also home to numerous sites of Christian interest, such as Capernaum, Tabgha (where Jesus fed people loaves and fishes), Cana, and the Mount of Beatitudes (the supposed location of the Sermon on the Mount).

Known as the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem is a must-visit destination. Be sure to visit the Church of the Nativity, one of the most important Christian sites (ostensibly where Jesus was born) and also one of the world’s oldest operating churches (it opened in 333 CE).

Near Jericho, you’ll find Qasr el Yahud on the Jordan River, said to be the place where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and the Monastery of St George, a cliff-hanging complex carved into a sheer rock wall in the Judean Desert.  

5. The Negev Desert

The Negev Desert covers the southern half of Israel and spans over 13,000 square kilometers, taking up 55% of the entire country. It’s a starkly beautiful place. For the best views, visit the Florence and George Wise Observatory near Mitzpe Ramon. Also, don’t miss Timna Park in the far south (near Eilat), which has incredible geological formations: huge sandstone pillars and sand of many colors. There’s also an annual hot air balloon festival held there each autumn.

The Negev is full of all kinds of adventure activities, too, from sandboarding in the dunes in the north to rappelling off the cliffs of the Ramon Crater. If you don’t have a car, you’ll find no shortage of tour companies to take you around.  

6. Masada National Park and Fortress

There’s a cable car up to the fortress, but an alternative is to hike up the Snake Path, a 60-90-minute hike offering views of the arid landscape, the Dead Sea, and Jordan. Just be aware that it can be really hot in summer (it’s a desert after all), and sometimes authorities close the path if the weather is too hot. (Bring lots of water.) It’s better (and cooler) to ascend before dawn and see the sunrise over Jordan from the trail or the summit.

Open daily from 8am until 3pm-5pm. Admission to the park is $9 USD. You can reach the park in about 90 minutes from Jerusalem by car.  

7. Dive Israel’s Reefs and Wrecks

\\ Israel borders the Mediterranean Sea and has a short coastline on the Red Sea — both of which offer world-class snorkeling and scuba diving. Some of the best spots on the Red Sea, where you can see incredible coral and sea life, include Coral Reef Beach, Migdalor Beach, and Princess Beach.

For scuba divers, the water deepens very quickly off Eilat, so you can do deep-water diving without needing to use a boat to get further from the shore. (Those who don’t wish to go in the water can visit the Underwater Observatory Marine Park.)

On the Mediterranean coast, divers can explore shipwrecks and ancient Roman ruins at the Underwater Archaeological Park at Caesarea.  

8. Israel’s Lesser-Known Archaeological Sites

In fact, there are more than 300 excavations active in Israel, which means that there are new discoveries being made all the time. Here are some of the best lesser-known sites:

• Megiddo – Located southeast of Haifa, this was once a fortified city, with its origins going back to around 3000 BCE. The Hebrew name “Har Megiddo” (Mount Megiddo) became in Greek “Armageddon,” as this is the supposed site of the end-times battle. Today, the ruins host an excellent and informative museum that sheds light on the area and its sprawling history.
• Templars’ Tunnel in Akko – This secret tunnel was built by the medieval Templars at their fortress in Akko (Acre) in the 13th century. It stretches 150m and was only discovered in 1994. The site is accessible to the public, which means you can actually explore the tunnel yourself.
• Beit She’an – This Biblical site dates back to the 6th century BCE and is home to beautiful and well-preserved Roman ruins, including bathhouses, a theater, column-lined streets, and much more. It was the Roman capital of northern Israel and is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world.
• Beit Guvrin-Maresha – Located in Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park (near Kiryat Gat), this Roman ruin was known as Eleutheropolis during the Roman and Byzantine eras. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to a Jewish cemetery, an amphitheater, and a Byzantine church. You can also find the ruins of public baths and burial caves here as well.
• Herodium National Park – Located just outside of Jerusalem, this fortress built into a hill rivals the more popular Masada yet sees a fraction of the visitors. Here you’ll find palatial ruins, underground tunnels, secret caves, lookout points offering beautiful views, and the famous tomb of Herod the Great.

As for the more well-known Caesarea National Park, it’s located just 30 minutes by car south of Haifa. As one of the country’s biggest archaeological sites, it’s home to Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader cities. It’s famous for its Roman aqueduct, hippodrome, and amphitheater (a great place to see a concert), plus there is a public beach and shopping nearby.  

9. Learn About Gaza (and the West Bank)

While you can’t easily visit Gaza, it’s just 71 km (44 miles) from Tel Aviv, and there are several border tours you can take to learn more about the ongoing conflict. Abraham Tours runs “dual-narrative” tours of Gaza that offer insight into the complex history of the conflict (they also run tours about the West Bank).

Additionally, Green Olive Tours, a joint Israeli-Palestinian company, offers tons of insightful single and multiday tours around Gaza and the West Bank as well.

And these are some reputable NGOs that work in Gaza that you can reach out to:

• Palestinian Circus School
• Medical Aid for Palestinians
• The Freedom Theatre

You could easily spend a few days just seeing the highlights. Don’t miss the UNESCO World Heritage Baha’i Gardens in the city center, a beautiful terraced garden that is home to the golden-domed Baha’i Shrine of the Báb. For an amazing view, take the cable car up Mount Carmel to the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery. The ride is just five minutes and costs 35 ILS ($10 USD) (round-trip). You’ll be rewarded with a picture-perfect view of Haifa and the Mediterranean.

You can also base yourself in Haifa while taking day trips to Nazareth, Megiddo, or other destinations in Galilee or along the coast.  

11. Visit a Kibbutz

A kibbutz is a collective community typically centered around a particular job or workplace. They started back in 1910 and were originally centered around collective agriculture. The concept spread rapidly, and today there are still nearly 300 across the country. Many are open to visits from tourists who are looking for a more unique travel experience. Here are some of the most popular kibbutzim if you’re looking to learn more:

• Kibbutz Ein Gev – Located on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, this is one of the biggest kibbutzim in the country. It’s home to a beachside resort open to visitors, as well as several agricultural operations (including dairy farming and a banana plantation). Over 600 people live in the kibbutz, and you can take a short train tour through it to learn more or book a stay at its holiday resort. The tours last 30 minutes and cost 16 ILS (under $5 USD).
• Kibbutz Degania Alef – Established in 1910, this was Israel’s first kibbutz. It is home to over 500 people, who all work in the community’s factories, farms, or service industries. There are also two small museums in the community that shed light on its history and development, as well as some historical buildings you can visit to learn more (you’ll need to book your museum visits in advance).
• Kibbutz Ein Gedi – Located on the Dead Sea, this kibbutz is famous for its botanical garden, which spans almost 25 acres and is home to over 900 species of plants. Founded in 1953, the kibbutz is home to just over 600 people and is focused on agriculture and tourism. Free tours are available daily in English and Hebrew.

Whether you are interested in religious history, are curious about archaeology, or just want to spend time outdoors hiking, diving, and snorkeling, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Israel . It’s truly a world-class destination for laid-back vacationers, foodies, and intrepid backpackers looking to get off the beaten trail.

No matter what you’re looking for, Israel won’t disappoint.

Book Your Trip to Israel: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay are:

• Florentine Backpackers Hostel (Tel Aviv)
• Abraham Hostel (Jerusalem)
• Haifa Hostel (Haifa)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Israel Travel Blog

Israel is a vibrant country located in the Middle East. It has something for everyone – backpackers, couples, solo travelers, luxury travelers, etc.

Israel offers several experiences – from city life to beach vibes, from jeep trip to soaking in the Dead sea, from rich history to amazing outdoor activities, from Christian sites to delicious food tours – you should find something that suits your needs and interests.

If you’re planning your first trip to Israel, this guide should answer any questions you may have. We’ll talk about travel facts, the best time to visit Israel, the best destinations, travel costs, travel essentials and how to prepare for your trip.

Best Time to Visit Israel

Israel is a relatively small country and depending on when you travel there, you may be facing different types of seasons. We decided to split this section into two sections to help you understand the seasons:

Top Destinations in Israel

Jerusalem (Palestine)

Makhtesh Ramon

Israel Travel Tips & Costs

In this section, you’ll find general information on costs and how to prepare for your trip. Finally, you will find a table that will provide an overview of cost and options depending on your travel budget.

Accommodation

In Israel, you’ll find several options when it comes to accommodation. Although, you should know that Israel is not the cheapest country to travel to. You can find dorms starting at $15 per night.

When it comes to food, you can find different types of restaurants and markets. The average price of a meal is around ILS 40. Obviously, you may find elegant restaurants around the country when you can pay more if you wish to. The cheapest options are usually in small local restaurants and in the markets.

Some activities such as street art spotting or beach bumming are free. Although, if you’re planning on visiting Christian landmarks, learning to cook traditional dishes, renting a car and exploring or attending a guided sunrise hike, you will have to pay for it. You can browse activities in Israel here to have an idea of the costs.

Transportation

In general, it’s pretty easy to get around Israel by public transportation or by car. Some day trips are organized from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, so for those who do not wish to rent a car , this could be a great option too.

Safety in Israel

Overall, traveling around Israel is pretty safe. Of course, you should always lock your valuables especially if you’re staying in a hostel .

I visited Israel three times – every time I felt super safe and had no issues. I did get lots of questions at the airport (mostly when leaving the country) – and had a few issues since I lived in Muslim countries before. 

However, there are some areas where tourists are advised not to travel. The political situation remains to be sensitive and it’s good to be aware that political riots can happen.

What to Pack for Israel

Universal adapter

Quick-dry towel

Waterproof bag

Visa in Israel

Depending on your nationality, you may or may not get a free entry for 30 days. You can verify your visa requirements here . 

Preparing Your Trip to Israel

Browse flights on Skyscanner to find deals.

Go To Skyscanner

Book your travel insurance for as little as $42/month.

Go To SafetyWing

Booking.com

Find accommodation anywhere in the world.

Go To Booking.com

Check the visa requirements and apply for a visa if needed.

Go To iVisa

Worldpackers

Volunteer abroad in exchange for free accommodation.

Go To Worldpackers

Book transfers, tours, and activities in advance.

Go To Viator

Israel eSIM Plans

It’s hard to find a good data plan when you’re traveling. You have to research the best deals, go to a store, and hope they have a prepaid SIM card for travelers and tourists.

And if they don’t? You could be without service for the rest of your trip. Not only is that frustrating, but it can also be time-consuming.

eSIMs are the solution to your travel woes. With an eSIM plan, you can stay connected no matter where you go. Plus, there are no contracts or cancellation fees, so you can change your plan whenever you want.

If you’re looking for an eSIM plan while in Israel, then be sure to check out the providers below. They all offer great plans that will keep you connected while you’re there.

$3 OFF with promo code: MELISS2943

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Best 7 Days in Israel Itinerary for an Amazing Week

Posted on Published: February 28, 2023  - Last updated: March 1, 2023

Categories City Guides , Israel , Middle East , Travel Guides

This is the ultimate 7 days in Israel itinerary with a plethora of must see cities, ancient towns, historic sites and intriguing attractions. Whether it’s your first time visiting Israel or your fiftieth, this is a jam-packed tour of Israel where you’ll experience as much of this magnificent country as possible in a week.

I recently returned from Israel after going there for the first time, and this Israel travel guide showcases everything that I experienced there. These activities are some of the best things to do in Israel. This one week in Israel itinerary combines some “must visit Israel” bucket list attractions with lesser known yet awe-inspiring journeys.

This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

In this Israel travel guide, I’m going to provide you with many useful tips after visiting this spectacular country myself. This Israel travel blog includes:

• Getting to Israel and getting around
• The best times of year to visit Israel
• Arriving in Israel and airport security tips
• 7 days in Israel itinerary with detailed travel plans, Israel attractions, activities and tours
• Where to stay in every location around Israel

Table of Contents

7 Days in Israel Itinerary: Getting There

I flew direct from Toronto (YYZ) to Tel Aviv (TLV), arriving at the Ben Gurion International Airport. It’s easy for many people around the world to travel to Israel because citizens from nearly 100 nations do not require visas for entry. Those from the European Union, Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, and many others can travel to Israel and stay for up to three months.

If you’re looking for flights to Israel, be sure to compare flights to find the best rates with Skyscanner. Skyscanner offers so many flights from various providers and airlines, both direct flights and ones with stopovers, so you can find the best flight deals.

Self-Guided Trip Around Israel

Israel is not a big country and it’s rather effortless to make your way from place to place. I recommend hiring a car in Israel because it gives you the freedom to travel everywhere, especially to the more remote spots that aren’t reachable by public transportation. This is the best spot to compare the prices of car rentals in Tel Aviv in order to find the best deals.

If you plan to visit mostly big cities and towns, Israel has a fantastic network of public buses that should help you get from point A to point B. While I didn’t take the public buses myself, there is an extensive network of buses that connect travelers across short and long distance routes. You can use Egged, Afikim, Metropolitan and Dan in conjunction with Google Maps to figure out how to get around.

In order to pay for public transit, you’ll need to pick up a Rav-Kav card (at the airport, train stations or tourist information centers) and tap the card when you board the bus. Get the Rav-Kav app on your phone to preload the payments onto your card and travel with ease.

As Israel is a destination with layers upon layers of history, you may wish to travel with a licensed tour guide. As my trip was hosted by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, I benefitted greatly from the expert organizational skills and knowledge of Odelia Wainshtain. The Ministry of Tourism commissioned our professional tour guide, Ron Nitzan, who was an an encyclopedia of knowledge on anything relating to Israel, whether it’s ancient history or present-day culture.

When to Visit Israel

We visited Israel in mid-January in the middle of the winter. For this Canadian girl, it was a wonderful escape from our blustery winters. Israel in January feels more like spring with flowers beginning to bloom and mild temperatures. Plus, it didn’t rain once! Dress in layers as you’ll need everything ranging from a light jacket and a sweater to a t-shirt, depending on the day.

If you’re searching for warmer temperatures, visit Israel in the spring or the fall. The weather is pleasant, hot during the day and cooler at night. In the summer, it can get quite hot to the point of being uncomfortable at historic sites without any shade. For these reasons, I suggest visiting in the winter, spring or fall.

7 Days in Israel Itinerary: Day 1

You’ll be arriving in Israel today, most likely in the early or late morning. The airport security at Israeli airports is one of the highest in the world, but it also means that these are among the safest airports in the world. Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv is the most secure airport in the world, so you can feel completely safe as a passenger upon arrival and departure.

Since the airports are incredibly secure, the lines to get through customs are very long. Most likely, it will take you a couple of hours to reach security, answer their questions, and be on your way. To avoid the lengthy wait times, I suggest hiring a VIP service to avoid the security lines. We were fortunate enough to have this fast-track service at Ben Gurion Airport.

When we got off the plane, there was someone holding a sign with our names on it. From there, this person escorted us through the airport, past the long lines, and right up to security. We received our passport cards (in Israel, you receive a paper card with your photo on it instead of a passport stamp, and you’ll need to keep this for some hotel stays and when you depart) and went past all of the line-ups to the baggage carousel.

In fact, we never ended up speaking with a customs agent at all! The VIP service took care of absolutely everything. We whizzed through the airport from the plane and it only took about 15 to 20 minutes. Even though there is an additional cost involved, it’s worth every penny. Book your VIP service at Ben Gurion International Airport.

Have Lunch with a Local Family

Now that you’re through airport security, you’ve met your driver or picked up your rental car, it’s time to start this 7 days in Israel itinerary. Since you’re probably feeling a little bit jetlagged, we’re going to ease into the trip by participating in a couple of activities. Head out of Tel Aviv and into the countryside towards Reihan.

We stopped “Time for Bagels – Picnic Cafe on the Mountain” for a homemade lunch and wine tasting at the home of Yechiel and Dorite Shabi. Our small group of Canadian journalists and bloggers received such a warm welcome to Israel! When the weather is warmer, you can dine outdoors with beautiful views, but because it was a little bit colder out, we dined in their kitchen.

First, Yechiel gave us a tour of their farm, “Reihan Landscape Farm” and shared his visions for ecotourism, sustainability and coexistence. He showed us many native plants, including flowers, herbs and grapevines. We got to smell and taste some of the fresh herbs that are unique to the region. We also learned about how the plants could treat specific ailments. Then, we planted some of the grapes ourselves (it was very easy, just putting a stick in the ground basically!).

After our farm tour, we went up to the house for lunch. Dorite prepared several beautiful dishes, including freshly baked bagels. She also prepared a vegan salad and brought out vegan cream cheese for me. They grow as much as possible on their own property, including fruits, vegetables, olives, and they even make their own wine. Yechiel also showed us some ancient artifacts, such as an extremely old coin, which was really cool to hold in my hand! We also had Turkish coffee, sweets, and great conversation.

Thank you to Yechiel and Dorite for welcoming us into your home. On Fridays, the bagel shop is open for business and you can purchase freshly baked bagels and enjoy them up on the mountain. Meeting a local family and enjoying a meal is one of the most wonderful things to do when you arrive in a brand new country.

Visit the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa

For the afternoon, head to Haifa, a popular cruise ship port in Israel. The newly expanded Port of Haifa handles both cruise and ferry traffic, and it’s also home to a large duty-free shopping facility for cruise guests. Cruise passengers can explore Haifa or take one of several excursions to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth or more.

If you only have a short period of time in Haifa, I suggest visiting the Holy Baha’i Gardens . The Bahai Holy Places and Gardens in Haifa (and Akko) are sacred places for Bahá’í pilgrims who travel here from all over the world. These magnificent gardens are open to all, no matter your faith, as serene and uplifting places to enjoy.

As Haifa is a very hilly destination, it’s the perfect spot for a terraced garden. The Bahai Gardens are a staircase of 19 terraces extending up the northern slope of Mount Carmel. The main focal point of the gardens is the Shrine of the Báb with its gold dome, the resting place of the Prophet-Herald of the Bahai Faith.

You can take a self-guided tour of the Baha’i Gardens from the Main Entrance (80 Hatzionut Ave), the German Colony Plaza (21 Hagefen St) or the Balcony (61 Yefe Nof St.). If you’re short on time, head straight up to the Balcony for stunning views from this lookout point.

Spending only an afternoon in Haifa is a bit of a whirlwind trip, and you’ll only experience a small taste of what Israel’s third-largest city has to offer. Other excellent things to do in Haifa include a stroll around the German Templar Colony, Wadi Nisnas (an Arab market with fresh produce and delicious falafel), and a cable car ride from Haifa’s seafront to the Carmelite Monastery and caves.

Where to Stay in Haifa: Dan Carmel Haifa Hotel

The luxurious Dan Carmel Haifa Hotel has got it all: the perfect location with the best views and amazing amenities. It’s quite possibly the best place to stay in Haifa. My room was spacious and stylish with a comfortable bed, a large desk, a flatscreen TV, a whirlpool bathtub, and even a little TV screen in the bathroom mirror.

But, let’s talk about this view. One of the most beautiful scenic viewpoints was right from my hotel room balcony. You can see the Bahai Gardens straight across to the Haifa Port. From my balcony on an upper floor, I loved watching over the twinkling lights of the city by night. Since I was still feeling the effects of jetlag, I fell asleep really early that evening and had no issue waking up before sunrise. Watching the sunrise over the sleeping city was so magical.

The Dan Carmel Haifa Hotel had the best breakfast buffet out of any hotel this entire trip. The buffet is massive and you’ll be spoiled for choice. A server asked if I was interested in ordering a cappuccino or an espresso beverage. I ordered an oat milk cappuccino without any difficulty. Then, she informed me that there was an entire vegan section tucked away at the back of the buffet. There were vegan cheeses, yogurts, protein shakes and more. It was one of the best breakfast buffet experiences I’ve ever had!

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7 Days in Israel Itinerary: Day 2

After waking up in Haifa and enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast at the Dan Carmel Haifa Hotel , it’s time for the second day of our 7 days in Israel itinerary. This will be another whirlwind day where we’re trying to see as much as possible in the North of Israel, also known as Galilee.

It’s easy to stick to the familiar destinations of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, but I urge you to get outside of the major cities. This 7 days in Israel itinerary shows you that there’s so much to explore in the northern part of the country, too.

We’ll be departing Haifa and spending the morning in the Crusader port of Akko (Acre). Then, we’ll spend a couple of hours in Nazareth, a late afternoon in the village of Kfar Kama, and ending our day at the Sea of Galilee in Magdala.

The Ancient City of Akko (Acre)

The unique city of Akko, also known as Acre, is one of the best places to visit in the Holy Land. Located on the Mediterranean coast, Akko is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with layers upon layers of history. This living city has existed continuously for approximately 4000 years and has been shaped by the Romans, Ottomans, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Byzantines, and British. Nowadays, there is a coexistent mixed population of Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Knights’ Halls of the Hospitaller Fortress

The Old City of Akko is not to be missed during your week in Israel. You can discover the remains of the Crusader town both above and below street level. Extensive excavations continue as there’s much to be uncovered. At the ancient Knights’ Halls of the Hospitaller Fortress , you will learn about the ongoing excavations and see many artifacts from the old city.

Turkish Bath (Hammam Al-Basha)

As an Ottoman walled town, there are many mosques and baths that are well preserved and built on top over the old Crusader structures. Don’t miss visiting the Turkish Bath (Hammam Al-Basha), a gorgeous bathhouse that was once a gathering place for high society. The visuals and sound productions at the Turkish Bath bring it back to life and allow you to imagine how it once was.

The Templars Tunnel

The Templars Tunnel is another main attraction of Akko. In 1994, an underground tunnel was discovered, which was once used by Templars to get from the port area into the fortress during times of battle. The Hospitaller Fortress was a major defensive site in Akko during the times of the Crusaders. You can walk through this 150 meters long underground escape passage, which is an impressive feat of engineering.

Old Town Souk

Last, don’t miss the Old Town Souk. The local market in Akko is a lively experience with so many merchants selling spices, sweets, coffee, clothing and souvenirs. I loved how this market wasn’t as crowded or overwhelming as some of the other ones we visited. I didn’t feel pressured into making any purchases, and you could find some bargains, too. Be sure to try some pomegranate or pistachio Turkish Delight.

While a half day in Akko is far too quick, it’s enough time to see the city if you’re visiting Israel in 7 days and need to get all over the country. If you could extend this trip to 10 days in Israel or even 2 weeks in Israel, I suggest spending a night or two in Akko. Stay at Arabesque Arts & Residency in the Old City of Acre. It’s a stunning property that’s beautifully restored and maintained.

We spent the early part of the afternoon in Nazareth, one of the most important destinations for Christians in Israel. Located in Galilee, Nazareth is the hometown of Jesus and the Holy Family. It’s also the largest Arab city in Israel as two thirds of the population are Muslim. Again, spending only a couple of hours in Nazareth isn’t ideal. I suggest spending an entire day and evening here if you are able to extend your itinerary to 10 days in Israel or 2 weeks in Israel.

Basilica of the Annunciation

The most popular attraction to visit in Nazareth is the Basilica of the Annunciation . This modern church, constructed in 1969, is the focal point of Old Town Nazareth. Christians believe that this is where the Virgin Mary lived with her husband, Joseph. This is also the site of the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary to tell her that she would give birth to Jesus, the Son of God.

When you visit the Church of the Annunciation, be sure to venture down to the lowest level, the Grotto of the Annunciation. This is where the ruins remain from former Byzantine and Crusader churches. The Grotto of the Annunciation is also thought to be the site of Mary’s childhood home.

Other Notable Places to Visit in Nazareth

After our visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation, we made a quick stop at the Synagogue Church. It’s a small, unassuming building, but may have been a place where Jesus once prayed and preached.

Visit the markets in town if you have the chance, too. After walking through the market, we stopped at a town square, home to the largest Christmas tree in Israel. Even though we were well into January, many Christmas decorations were still on display around the country.

Before leaving Nazareth, we learned about Mary’s Well, an important water source during ancient times. The current structure is a reconstruction of what existed during the Medieval times. According to Greek Orthodox, this is the site where Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce that she would give birth to Jesus.

Circassian Village of Kfar Kama

In late afternoon, we traveled to the Circassian village of Kfar Kama for lunch and to learn about Circassian culture. Kfar Kama was founded in 1878 by Circassian immigrants from the Caucasus Mountains. They were forced to leave home by the Russian Empire. Their thousands year old culture is well preserved in Kfar Kama as their language and traditions are alive and well through its citizens and new generations to come.

Kfar Kama is one of two Circassian villages in Israel, and it was named as one of the “Best Tourism Villages” by the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization. First, we stopped for lunch at The Kitchen of Susi who prepared a home cooked, authentic Circassian meal. I enjoyed hummus stuffed dumplings, roasted cauliflower with tahini, and lentil soup.

After enjoying some Turkish coffee, our wonderful host, Aibek Napso, took us on a short guided tour of Kfar Kama. This included a stop at the Circassian Heritage Center and Museum, an 130-year old traditional building, filled with ancient artifacts and important information about Circassian culture.

We went on a stroll around the village’s narrow streets to learn more from Aibek, an absolute wealth of knowledge about Kfar Kama and all things Circassian. We admired the old buildings and learned some intriguing and entertaining stories about daily life in Kfar Kama through the ages. Kfar Kama also hosts festivals and cultural events, such as their annual Almond Festival.

Where to Stay: The Magdala Hotel

After Kfar Kama, travel to Migdal to spend the night on the Sea of Galilee at the Magdala Hotel . The Magdala Hotel is one of the most interesting and unique hotels because there’s an archaeological site right on the property.

The hotel itself is modern and brand new with clean and comfortable rooms. My room had a small patio overlooking a central courtyard and garden. There are also rejuvenating Dead Sea bath products, too. While the rooms themselves are luxurious with everything you could possibly need, I am more interested in sharing the incredible archaeological finds from the recently discovered first century town of Magdala.

The Magdala Stone was unearthed here, which is likely the earliest known artistic depiction of the Second Temple. A replica sits in the hotel lobby within a glass display case. The hotel lobby also houses an original 1st century fountain that was originally located in the port marketplace of Magdala.

The oldest synagogue in Galilee was discovered here in 2009, adorned with color mosaics and frescoes. Coins from years 5-63 AD have been found within this 1st century synagogue. When you stay at the Magdala Hotel, you’ll also receive complimentary access to the archaeological park on site. I highly recommend taking a guided tour so you can learn more about this fascinating ancient place. We took our tour the following morning after a restful night’s sleep at the Magdala Hotel.

7 Days in Israel Itinerary: Day 3

For day three of this 7 days in Israel itinerary, depart the North of Israel and venture down to the Judean Desert. We’ll proceed south along the Sea of Galilee and Gilead Mountains, along the geological rift valley and the Jordan River towards the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.

We’ll stop at a couple of notable historic and natural sites along the way, Bet She’an National Park and Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Before our final destination of Ein Bokek at the Dead Sea, we’ll take an adventurous jeep tour of the Judean Desert.

Bet She’an National Park

Bet She’an National Park (also Beit She’an or Beth-shean) is home to the amazing ruins of the ancient Roman and Byzantine city of Bet She’an. It’s one of the oldest cities in the region with twenty layers of settlement, going back 6000 years. I had no idea that these incredible ruins existed before visiting Israel, so make sure you include them on your 7 days in Israel itinerary.

The city began its prominence during the Copper Age, and throughout the ages has been under Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine rule. As Bet She’an was once a Roman city, its excavations have revealed public streets, bath houses, and theaters.

While the excavations are ongoing, it is believed that it is one of the most impressive uncovered Roman cities in the Middle East. So far, only 1/10th of the ancient city has been excavated. The site is currently on the tentative list to become a future UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Some of the interesting places you’ll see when you visit Bet She’an National Park include the 2nd century CE Roman theater, the ruins of the Western bathhouse from the Byzantine period, the reconstructed cardo (Roman street with the remains of columns and buildings), the ruins of a large Roman temple, as well as many mosaics, columns and more.

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve

Driving from Bet She’an National Park, we continued to En Gedi Nature Reserve (or Ein Gedi), the biggest oasis in Israel. We went for a short hike here to see waterfalls and springs at the base of massive rocky cliffs. There are over nine hiking trails in total that range from a half hour to a full day trip. We spent a couple of hours here in total, hiking from the entrance towards the David Spring and David’s Waterfall.

You’ll walk along a well-marked trail to the wadi, which is a low, dry valley or dry river bed. It’s amazing to see so much water flowing around the lush greenery in the middle of the red rocky cliffs and the desert. As you continue your ascent, you’ll spot several waterfalls along the way. The oasis exists year round, thanks to the many streams and springs.

You might also see some of the wildlife that calls Ein Gedi Nature Reserve home, like ibexes and rock hyraxes. En Gedi has one of the largest ibex herds in Israel, as well as birds of prey, wolves and foxes. I loved that we included a little hike on this 7 days in Israel itinerary, though you could add an extra day to your plans and make it a half day or full day hike quite easily.

Jeep Tour of the Judean Desert

From En Gedi Nature Reserve, we drove towards the Dead Sea where we’d be staying that night. Before venturing to the hotel and the Dead Sea itself, it’s time for a nearby desert adventure. What better way to experience the Judean Desert than by safari truck?

It was an exciting (and bumpy!) ride to experience this brilliant scenery. Our guide, Eitan of Haela Tours , stopped the vehicle along the way to share more about the region. We took an hour-long tour exploring the Judean Desert by admiring the scenery both up close and afar. These safari trucks can seat between 30 and 45 people, though it was just our small group of five that embarked on the tour that day.

We sampled wild plants from the desert and got up close to the rocky cliff surfaces, which is partially made up of salt. This desert is right next to the Dead Sea, so it’s not surprising that there’s so much salt in the landscape. You can see the big chunk of salt in my hand in the photos, which Eitan grabbed directly from the rocky surface.

Float in the Dead Sea

One of the best places to float in the Dead Sea is at Ein Bokek Beach. I’ll tell you a little more about our hotel in the next section. We were able to walk straight from our hotel and down to the waters of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is a very special place on our planet and I feel very fortunate to have experienced this bucket list activity. It was one of my favorite things to do on this 7 days in Israel itinerary.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth and it is the world’s deepest hypersaline lake. Its waters are 430 meters below sea level and drop by about 1 meter annually. Due to the high amounts of salt in the water, it’s impossible to dive down into the waters. Once you enter the water, you can’t help but float to the top of the water’s surface!

Unlike some other areas of the Dead Sea, the bottom of the sea here isn’t particularly muddy. There is a sandy beach and you’ll be able to feel the bits of salt beneath your feet as you walk out into the water. This means that you won’t be able to partake in a natural mud bath from this spot, but I found that the super salty waters were therapeutic enough. It’s also home to a really unique feature that I checked out the following morning.

Some tips before you swim and float in the Dead Sea: don’t put your face underwater or more specifically, don’t get the water in your eyes. It’s extremely salty and it will really sting your eyes. Also, you don’t want to shave before entering the water as it will sting, too. The salty waters of the Dead Sea will help treat skin conditions, as well as arthritis and asthma due to the higher oxygen levels in the air surrounding the Dead Sea.

Where to Stay in Ein Bokek: Isrotel Nevo Dead Sea

You can’t get much closer to the Dead Sea than this! The Isrotel Nevo Dead Sea Hotel in Ein Bokek is directly across the street from the Dead Sea, so it’s easy to walk from the hotel and right into the sea. There’s a complimentary beach area for hotel guests with loungers, and there are bathrobes in every room. Wear your bathrobe and your bathing suit and head outdoors for a float.

The hotel itself is bright and luxurious. My room had everything I needed for a comfortable stay, and there was even a box of delicious dates in my room upon arrival. The balcony of my room overlooked the outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, though I could also see the Dead Sea through the palm trees.

The Isrotel Nevo Dead Sea Hotel offers relaxing and therapeutic experiences at the hotel’s Esprit Spa. I enjoyed a little massage during my stay, and you can also opt for dozens of different body and beauty treatments, including those with the famous Dead Sea mud. There’s a pool that uses water straight from the Dead Sea if you want the water’s benefits but don’t feel like walking down to the waterfront itself.

7 Days in Israel Itinerary: Day 4

On day four of this 7 days in Israel itinerary, travel to Jerusalem and spend two days there. On your first day in Jerusalem, visit some of the most important historic attractions and religious sites, from the City of David to the Western Wall Tunnels. Then, frequent some of the city’s markets and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Mushroom Salt Formations at the Dead Sea

The mushroom salt formations of the Dead Sea are a natural phenomenon completely unique to the Ein Bokek area of Israel. You’ll only find these formations here! I decided to walk from my hotel in the morning to get a closer look.

Known as Pitriot (mushrooms in Hebrew), these are salt medallions that have naturally formed in the Dead Sea. You can walk out to some of them directly from the shore. Many of them interconnect, so it’s easy to step from one mushroom to the next.

From the perspectives of this Canadian girl, it almost looks like snow covers the shores of the beach. But, it’s all salt on these shorelines! There’s no cost to walk to the beach, simply walk up to the mushroom salt formations and enjoy this magnificent natural wonder.

City of David, Jerusalem

After driving to Jerusalem, our first stop is the ancient City of David. It dates back over 3000 years as a fortified and impressive Canaanite city. This archaeological site is considered to be the original settlement of Jerusalem during the Bronze and Iron Ages. David founded this city as the capital of a powerful kingdom. His son, Solomon, built the Temple on the summit of Mount Moriah.

Today, you can visit the City of David National Park on the eastern ridge of ancient Jerusalem, next to the Western Wall. Admire the spectacular views upon your arrival and discover the Mazar Excavations, a public structure dating back to the Judaean kings.

Venture underground to see and learn about the underground water system. This ancient water system connects to the Gihon Spring. Witness Warren’s Shaft, the Spring House, and the Canaanite Pool. You can walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel (with a water depth up to 70cm) or alternatively, walk in the dry Canaanite channel.

The Western Wall and the Western Wall Tunnels

The Western Wall in Old Jerusalem is one of the most sacred places on earth to people of faith. When you visit, there are two sections of the Western Wall: the men’s section and the women’s section. Many visitors stayed for a long time and prayed at the wall. While I am not a religious person, I placed my handwritten note into a crack of the Western Wall with my own wishes and intentions.

Afterwards, we embarked on a guided tour of the Western Wall Tunnels , which are continually being excavated. While the Western Wall Plaza is merely 70 metres long, the tour of the Western Wall Tunnels allows visitors to reach the segments of the Wall hidden from view (the Western Wall actually stretches about half a kilometre!).

We walked through ancient and fascinating subterranean spaces with exquisite archeological findings, like large stone arches, water pits, and an ancient water aqueduct. The excavations are always ongoing in the Western Wall Tunnels, so you could visit a year from now and see new findings.

The Arab Market (Arab Souk)

The Arab Souk, or market, is the mercantile heart of Jerusalem from the days of the Ottomon Empire up until present day. You can taste local food here and go shopping for souvenirs as well. In many of the markets in Jerusalem, you’ll tend to find similar souvenirs over and over again, so don’t be afraid to haggle the prices down.

Our group stopped for lunch at Al Buraq restaurant, just outside the Western Wall. I enjoyed some really delicious falafel inside a pita, as well as coffee. I also ordered a lentil soup that arrived cold, so I can’t say that I recommend that menu item. The falafel was really yummy and I enjoyed that there were fries stuffed into the pita, too.

Cardo, an Ancient Roman Street

Cities of the ancient Roman Empire had streets called “Cardo” that were decorated with stone columns. Jerusalem had its very own Cardo inside the Jewish Quarter. Evidence that a Cardo existed in Jerusalem was discovered on a mosaic map of Jerusalem on the floor of a Byzantine church in the Moav Mountains.

Eventually, this ancient Roman street was uncovered during excavation work. The north side of Cardo, from Damascus Gate to David Street, was built in the Roman times. The south side of Cardo was built in the 6th century by the Byzantine Empire. You can walk on the Cardo much like those in ancient Jerusalem once did.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the most sacred sites according to Christians. This is the place where Jesus was crucified (the Calvary), buried, and resurrected. This church was the busiest place that we visited in Israel. It was packed! Christians from all over the world visit Jerusalem for the opportunity to enter this special holy site.

When you enter the church, you’ll immediately come across the Stone of Anointing. This is believed to be where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial. However, this tradition was first recorded in the 12th century, and the present day stone was only added in 1810 CE.

It’s also possible to visit the Tomb of Christ, although it was about a 2.5 hour wait time when I was there. We only stopped at the church briefly, so we did not visit. This is believed to be the place where Jesus lay buried for three days before rising from the dead.

The church itself is rather unassuming from its exterior, and it is rather dark and mysterious when you enter. There are a maze of 30+ worship spaces and chapels inside with elaborate ornamentation and decoration. This is a popular place of worship and you will likely encounter crowds of visitors looking to pay homage to their savior.

Hamotzi Restaurant

Hamotzi Restaurant is an Algerian restaurant offering innovative dishes and tantalizing aromas. The chef combines traditional North African cuisine with local flavors that are influenced by his upbringing in the Musrara neighborhood. At the same time, his culinary influences are also drawn from his travels around the globe.

There are several vegan dishes on the menu, like hummus, handmade bread, market salad, an Algerian Maakoud (fried leek and potato pie), falafel, fried cauliflower and tahini, and more. The food is fresh and tasty, and the service is fantastic. Plus, the restaurant has an elegant ambiance, located inside an ancient building.

Machane Yehuda Market at Night

We embarked on a night tour of the Machane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem, also known as “The Shuk”. This market was alive with energy, especially at popular spots like Beer Bazaar with 100 types of Israeli craft beer.

Discover the street art, the little grocery stores, tea shops and spice stalls. You can go bar hopping and taste yummy street food, like baklava and empanadas, from the stalls that stay open late. Those working at some of the bars will try to lure you into their establishment with a free shot, though it’s up to you whether you decide to stay and drink there.

Where to Stay in Jerusalem: YMCA Three Arches Hotel

The YMCA Three Arches Hotel is a landmark in itself in Jerusalem! Designed by the same architect who designed the Empire State Building, the hotel offers a combination of old world charm and modern hospitality. Inside and out, it’s an architectural stunner and the lobby is artfully designed. The walls are lined with colorful works by Israeli and Palestinian artists. I stayed here for two nights in Jerusalem.

The rooms themselves are rather no frills, but you have everything you need for a great place to rest your head at night. I loved opening my window to view the city streets by morning and night. Even though you’re in the middle of it all, the hotel is very quiet at night and it’s easy to enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

The YMCA Three Arches Hotel has a 152 foot bell tower with incredible panoramic views from the top. Simply ask the concierge and he will provide you with the opportunity to take the elevator to the top (2 people minimum, 5 people maximum). Of course, when you stay at the YMCA Three Arches Hotel, you have full access to the swimming pool, gym and classes at the YMCA. This sports center is the largest of its kind in the Middle East.

7 Days in Israel Itinerary: Day 5

For day five of this 7 days in Israel itinerary, we’ll discover an alternative side of Jerusalem by visiting the Islamic Art Museum, an inventive cafe, a fashion designer’s shop, and a state-of-the-art distillery. In the afternoon, we’ll visit one of the most important memorials in the world, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial.

Museum for Islamic Art

The Museum for Islamic Art is dedicated to the preservation and display of Islamic art and archaeological artifacts from across the ages. It’s the only museum of its kind in Israel and one of the most important Islamic art museums in the world. There are treasures from Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan and India, and even Spain.

We toured a special exhibition during our visit, devoted to the history of paisley. This centuries-old pattern began in Persia as a symbol of nobility. It became wildly popular in Europe and it’s still commonly used nowadays, even by pop culture icons. There are so many fantastic stories and mesmerizing paisley motifs throughout this gallery.

For something a little different, the Museum for Islamic Art also hosts one of the most impressive watch collections in the world. These watches belonged to Sir David Salomons, the daughter of the museum founder, Vera Bryce Salomons. She has the watches on display in memory of her father. One of the rarest watches in the world is the Marie Antoinette watch, a stunning piece and priceless artifact.

Nocturno Cafe

Nocturno Cafe is a vibrant cafe with an innovative menu. This cafe transforms into a lively venue by night for music and the arts. Enjoy musical performances, standup comedian acts, slam poetry, dancing and themed nights.

For over 20 years, Nocturno Cafe has been a welcoming cultural establishment for students and intellectuals. On the top floor, you’ll find several small boutiques with eco-friendly and vegan-friendly products.

The menu is very inventive and almost every dish can be prepared vegan. They serve Israel’s cutting edge “vegan egg” product. I dare you to taste the difference between a vegan fried egg and an actual egg. It’s incredible! You can also order a vegan Shakshuka, the vegan Redefine burger, a full vegan breakfast and more. Their coffee is one of the best I had in Israel, too.

Fashion Designer, Anat Friedman

Anat Friedman is a fashion designer and you’ll find her shop just down the street from Cafe Nocturno. Anat’s boutique clothing and accessories shop is located on the Bezalel pedestrian street in Jerusalem.

While Anat always loved painting and drawing while she was growing up, she transferred those skills and her passion into the field of design and fashion. She creates all of her original works and designs in her studio above her shop. Everything is designed and manufactured in Israel.

Thinkers Distillery

While there are many breweries and wineries in Israel, there aren’t many distilleries. After all, it’s hard to find a good source for water in the middle of the desert. Thinkers Distillery is not your average distillery; in fact, they combine their passion for spirits with technology, chemistry and science. They’ve developed their own systems for turning air into the water for their spirits, which is both revolutionary and eco-conscious.

We sampled a few of their products, like the Jerusalem Dry gin, the Israeli Sunset gin, their vodka and their Dew of B’dolah bourbon. I actually really enjoyed all of them, but the bourbon was my favorite. The bottles are really beautiful, too, and these would make fantastic gifts. Unfortunately, you can’t buy Thinkers Distillery products in Canada just yet, so you will need to go to Jerusalem to try it.

Yad Vashem is the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and it’s somewhere you need to visit when you travel to Jerusalem. It exhibits the history and narrative that led to the Holocaust, one of the most horrific events of human history. Yad Vashem is one of the world’s leading museums, and it is open to the general public, free of charge (you must reserve your visit in advance).

The Holocaust History Museum has nine interactive galleries with displays presenting the Holocaust through films, photographs, letters, documents and personal items. The museum leads to the Hall of Names, a space containing over three million names of Holocaust victims. Visitors can still submit names to the memorial and search through the records.

At Yad Vashem, you can also visit the Children’s Memorial, which pays tribute to the 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust. There’s also the Garden of the Righteous Among the Nations that honors non-Jews who chose to save Jews from the ongoing genocide, even if it meant putting themselves at risk. Yad Vashem is an absolute must visit place when you’re planning your 7 days in Israel itinerary.

First Station and Adom Restaurant

First Station is a center with shops, restaurants, and culture (music, arts and festivals), built on the foundations of the historic Jerusalem train station. I loved walking around First Train Station to check out the vendor stalls. There’s also a natural grocery store with many vegan food products.

Adom Restaurant has a magical ambiance and elegant atmosphere. Located inside the old train station itself, the architecture is very special with its vaulted ceilings and original windows. While there’s a wide variety of dishes, there menu is Mediterranean influenced. There’s a focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients.

It’s easy to dine at Adom as a vegan. There are always vegan specials on the menu, as well as the Redefine meat burger. Redefine is an Israeli company that’s developed an innovative 3D-printed vegan meat product that tastes much like the real deal.

7 Days in Israel Itinerary: Day 6

It’s our last morning in Jerusalem on this 7 days in Israel itinerary. We will make a couple of stops on the outskirts of Jerusalem before driving to Tel Aviv where we’ll spend two nights. As we are traveling to Tel Aviv on Friday, we will be welcoming Shabbat in the evening.

House of Wheels (Beit Hagalgalim)

Before leaving Jerusalem, we visited an amazing organization called House of Wheels (Beit Hagalgalim). They provide programming for children and young adults with disabilities, as well as opportunities to develop and grow.

Beit Hagalgalim (House of Wheels) has so many dedicated volunteers, and it’s a second home for all of its members, with and without disabilities. We met graduates of the program who went on to be employed by House of Wheels.

Then, we participated in a workshop (“The Rolling Experience”) which showcases the challenges that come with navigating the city in a wheelchair. The workshop encourages conversation and a call for change regarding accessibility. This was a very unique experience for our 7 days in Israel itinerary and I’m really happy we visited.

Nevo Winery

Nevo Winery is a beautiful boutique winery in the Judean Hills, about a half hour outside of Jerusalem. We received such warm hospitality and learned about the winery as we drank wine, and ate bread and cheese (they had vegan cheese for me!). When you’re making your 7 days in Israel itinerary, be sure to include at least one winery (and Nevo Winery is my top pick).

Then, we ventured into an old bomb shelter on the property that’s repurposed as a barrel room. I’m pretty sure this is the only winery I’ve visited that’s inside a bomb shelter. You can drink wine straight from the barrels. It’s such a fascinating winery, and the wine itself is quite lovely, too.

Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

Welcome to Tel Aviv! It’s hard to pick favorites, but Tel Aviv really stole my heart. It’s a lively, progressive, vegan-friendly city with incredible architecture, public art, and interesting neighborhoods. Our first stop was the Carmel Market, the largest and busiest market (or shuk) in Tel Aviv.

You’ll find the freshest produce, fragrant spices, souvenirs, clothing, food products and pretty much everything under the sun here. The hustle and bustle of this marketplace is alive and well, and you will need to brave the crowds in order to visit.

There’s so much going on here that will awaken all of the senses. There’s colorful pomegranates on display, street vendors beckoning you to their booths, and aromas of spices and street food being prepared. It can be a little bit intimidating. Know in advance that it will be really busy. Try to take it all in and go with the flow on your trip to the Carmel Market.

Arts and Crafts Market at Nachalat Binyamin

The arts and crafts market at Nachalat Binyamin takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays. Up to 200 artists and artisans set up booths along the street selling their unique handcrafted wares. It’s the largest arts and crafts market in Israel.

The artists need to be approved first in order to sell their products here. Everything must be unique, original and handmade. The artist themselves must be present and the only ones selling their crafts. Therefore, only the highest quality items make the cut.

The Nachalat Binyamin Market is down the street from the Carmel Market, so it’s easy to visit both if you’re there on a Tuesday or Friday. I loved seeing the hand painted pottery, the handmade puppets and toys, and there was also some really interesting art created from upcycled books.

Neve Tzedek Neighborhood to the Old Train Station

It’s time to go for a stroll in Tel Aviv! Walk through the Neve Tzedek neighborhood and down to the Old Train Station. There are many boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and more. We spotted some Bauhaus architecture among other architectural styles.

One of the best things to do on your 7 days in Israel itinerary is simply walk around and absorb your surroundings. I stopped for a vegan gelato along the way, though you may feel like getting a coffee or a tea. Admire the picturesque narrow alleyways and discover colorful street art. I loved seeing all of the cats, most of all!

Messa Restaurant

Messa is one of the leading restaurants in Israel, and Conde Nast featured it as one of the best and “hottest restaurants in the world”. The chef-designed menu is a fusion of flavors from the Mediterranean, France, Italy and Asia. There’s a warm and intimate atmosphere here. It’s ideal for a romantic dinner with your partner or dining with a group of friends.

Messa has a separate vegan menu with several starters and salads. For the main course, you can choose from a soba noodle dish, a vegetable dish with mushrooms or what I ordered, the Swiss chard tortellini with pumpkin cream.

There’s also a vegan dessert, “Costa Rica Memories”: Vanilla and coconut panna cota, orange caramel, semolina crumble and olive oil crumble, blood orange sorbet, raspberry crunch. It was heavenly!

Where to Stay: Dan Tel Aviv Hotel

Without a doubt, the Dan Tel Aviv Hotel is the best place to stay in Tel Aviv. It’s been frequented by many celebrities over the years, Paul McCartney, Madonna and Lady Gaga, to name a few. Their autographs grace the tiles in the front entranceway. The Dan Tel Aviv Hotel offers the ultimate in luxury during your stay in the city. In fact, it’s one of the “Leading Hotels of the World”.

The location can’t be beat. The hotel faces the Mediterranean Sea and you can enjoy spectacular sunset views right from your room. Walk out of the hotel and you’re steps from the city’s boardwalk and its beautiful beaches. You can walk from the hotel to many neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, like the Old Tel Aviv Port, Old Jaffa and Neve Tzedek.

The rooms at the Dan Tel Aviv Hotel are modern and spacious with the best amenities, like a Nespresso machine. The breakfast was very delicious, as I discovered that they are at the Dan Hotels. If there’s one place where you must stay in Tel Aviv, it’s the Dan Tel Aviv Hotel.

7 Days in Israel Itinerary: Day 7

On our last day in Tel Aviv on this 7 days in Israel itinerary, we’ll be frequenting some of the diverse neighborhoods of Tel Aviv. We’ll spend the morning touring around Old Jaffa, an ancient seaport mentioned in the Bible. In the afternoon, we’ll embark on a graffiti tour of the Florentin neighborhood. Then, we’ll taste some of the delicious vegan food that makes Tel Aviv the “ Vegan Capital of the World “.

Jaffa (Yafo) is one of the world’s oldest ports and where Tel Aviv originated. This is one of the most charming areas of Tel Aviv with its narrow alleyways, old architecture and picturesque scenes. Wandering around is one of the best things to do in Jaffa with new surprises around every turn.

The history here goes back for 4000 years and it’s referred to in the Bible. Old Jaffa is the site of Simon the Tanner’s home where Peter had his vision about clean and unclean foods. The Old City itself has been renovated in recent years, so it’s a pretty popular tourist attraction. In the morning, we didn’t run into many people and had it mostly all to ourselves.

You can go shopping here at artist’s galleries and studios. Or, simply grab a coffee and go for a walk along the waterfront. The Jaffa Port itself has a wide array of cafes and restaurants. It’s also a really amazing place to watch the sunset. Visiting Old Jaffa is a must for your 7 days in Israel itinerary.

Aja Restaurant

Aja is a vegan restaurant in Tel Aviv that I absolutely adored. It’s just a small place with a few places to dine indoors and one little table out front. Their menu is available daily on their Instagram page. Get out your translation app if needed!

It’s an unpretentious, unique dining spot with a small menu, but it’s really one of the best vegan meals I’ve ever had in my life! You must try the pasta dish. It’s perfectly seasoned and stuffed with vegan cheese. I’m still dreaming about this meal.

Tel Aviv Graffiti Tour

Tel Aviv has so much interesting graffiti and colorful street art. I highly recommend taking a graffiti tour when you travel here. We toured around the Florentine neighborhood, checking out the beautiful street art with some really intriguing stories behind them.

Street art and graffiti demonstrates how a city is continually changing. The art can reflect politics, popular culture, represent members of the community, or simply display a beautiful animal or colorful creation. Works of art are always being altered, added to, or destroyed. Graffiti covers up other graffiti. Regardless, it’s an open air museum that’s open to the public by day and night.

Our graffiti tour was hosted by Jigi , a local musician and graffiti artist himself. We saw a couple of small works of street art by Jigi on our tour. Feel free to reach out to Jigi to arrange a tour. You can also book your graffiti tour of Tel Aviv here , also led by a street artist.

Then, we even got to spray paint our own graffiti on the practice wall. While I have taken some graffiti tours in the past, I’ve never actually been able to try it for myself! I loved this special, personalized touch to the tour. It was such a nice surprise. Do you like the cat that I painted on the wall?

Meshek Barzilai Vegan Restaurant

Meshek Barzilai is one of the best vegan restaurants in Tel Aviv. It’s an inventive farm-to-table restaurant that showcases just how delicious vegetables can taste. They also serve several plant-based meaty dishes that taste very similar to their animal-based counterparts.

The main courses range from vegan pizza and veggie burgers to masala dosa and steaks. Their tempting appetizers feature pates, salads, breads and antipasti. There’s something for every taste on the menu at Meshek Barzilai. The meals are so fresh, sensational and comforting. This is the perfect restaurant for a date night or a gathering with family and friends.

Nightlife Tour of Tel Aviv

For your final night in Tel Aviv, why not take a Tel Aviv Pub Crawl Tour ? Tel Aviv is famous for its legendary nightlife, and your tour guide knows all the best spots. Visit Tel Aviv’s best bars and clubs with VIP perks that include skip-the-line entry and special access.

There are also drink specials and free shots at every bar. You’ll visit four or five spots around town and meet many fellow travelers, too. Your guide will give you a local’s insights to nightlife in Tel Aviv and tell you about some of the unique beverages that you’ll find in Israel. Book your Tel Aviv Pub Crawl Tour.

I hope you enjoyed my 7 days in Israel itinerary and find it useful to help plan your trip. Like I mentioned earlier, this 7 days in Israel itinerary can be expanded to 10 days in Israel or 14 days in Israel if you don’t want to feel rushed. This is a really fast-paced itinerary, but you can see everything in a week (I did!).

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Don’t Leave Home Without Travel Insurance

Don’t take any risks when it comes to travel insurance. It’s best to be fully covered in case of emergencies, accidents or you require medical attention. Travel insurance is not expensive and it covers you in case anything happens. You just never know! I love using Safety Wing for travel insurance for many reasons, including the fact that you can even purchase insurance when you’re already away from home!

Need Travel Insurance? You should never leave home without travel insurance! Check out the best rates to make sure you’re covered in case of an emergency or accident.

Thank you so much to the Israel Ministry of Tourism for hosting my visit.

Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel as one of the very first vegan travel bloggers. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns.

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12 Best Israel Travel Blogs for Your Trip | Masa Israel

Our Picks of the Best Israel Travel Blogs

Ready for your Israel trip? Are you sure? To help you make the best of your time in the holy land, we’ve compiled a list of Israel travel blogs that offer everything you need to know (and definitely can’t miss) while you’re there. Yalla, let’s break it down by the main necessities: main attractions, art, food, drink, and of course, a miscellaneous section in case the first four don’t do it for you.

Attractions

1. Let’s start at the beginning: Tourist Israel has compiled a bucket list of the best things to do in Israel. They open their post with the best places to “get vitamin ‘sea’” and then move on to historical sights, nature and wildlife, and museums.

2. Thinking out of the box? Read Atlas Obscura’s list of “Unusual Attractions in Israel”, which leads readers to a 2,000 year old wine press, the “Jewish Sistine Chapel”, and Harry Potter’s grave . Yes, you read that correctly. Atlas Obscura is definitely one of the more unusual Israel travel blogs.

3. Want to experience Israel through the eyes of an artist? Oh So Artsy is a travel blog that opens up the world’s most exciting art scenes through local guides. And guess what? Haifa, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv all made the list.

4. Israel21c is an Israel travel blog that offers everything from what to do in Israel to tech, health, and environmental updates – but here we’ll focus specifically on the article they wrote about the top 10 things for art lovers to do in Israel . This list has a lot more than just museums on it.

One thing you can’t miss out on while you’re in Israel: the food.

5. Let’s start with Tel Aviv. Telaveat offers exactly what it sounds like: where to eat in Tel Aviv. With drop-down lists allowing you to choose what type of food you want to eat, where you want to eat it, and what occasion you’re celebrating (does casual Tuesday count?), Telaveat is our top Israel travel blog for food.

6. Moving on – are you visiting Jerusalem? Fine Dining Lovers compiled a list of all their favorite restaurants in the area including street food, bakeries, and gourmet dinners.

7. If you’re looking for a more general landscape of Mediterranean food in Israel, check out Time Out’s Food-lover’s Guide to Middle Eastern Cuisine , where they list out “the best falafel, sabich, shawarma, kebab, jachnun, shakshuka, and of course, hummus in all of the Holy Land”.

8. Tel Aviv seems to be coming up a lot in this particular travel blog, but we won’t apologize when it comes to bars. Tel Aviv is known for its nightlife, and Culture Trip highlights the best bars around. Keep digging and you’ll find several other articles like where to find the most creative cocktail bars and the coolest dive bars .

9. We spoke too soon. Travel Triangle published an article not long ago that tells you exactly where you can “drink & dance your night away” – and locations include Eilat, Mitzpe Ramon, and Jerusalem.

A little bit of everything

10. TelAvivian has every kind of recommendation about Tel Aviv you could hope to find when researching these types of Israel travel blogs. Careful not to get lost in their massive list.

11. Fodors lists out what you should do, eat, and know, as well as where you should stay, in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem . They also have a forum where you can peruse people’s frequently asked questions and even post your own.

12. And finally, the holy grail of Israel travel blogs: Secret Tel Aviv . If you’ll be visiting Tel Aviv at any point during your trip (and we really hope you are) you should know that Secret Tel Aviv offers travelers everything they need from restaurants to shops to events happening around the city every day.

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May 31, 2018

The complete israel travel guide.

As a country, Israel is a perfect blend of opposites: it has regions rich with history, and cities that are full of new world energy. After our recent travels in Europe I was ready for something new and Israel is a breath of fresh air! Tel Aviv is a dream city for anyone who appreciates food – I gorged myself on hummus, pita, and falafel in the few days we were here.

On the other hand, visiting Jerusalem is an amazing experience as it’s full of centuries-old buildings and some incredible history. Rounding off a visit to Israel with overnights in the Negev Desert and the Dead Sea is a must, as it is home to landscapes that are completely unique to this part of the world! Read on for our complete Israel guide so you can plan out your own mixture of city, architecture, and nature…

Left to right from top: Overlooking the Dead Sea landscape en route to the Negev Desert, walking around in Tel Aviv’s old town Jaffa; sunrise walk down Masada, floating in the Dead Sea, views of Tel Aviv from Jaffa.

4 DESTINATIONS you should visit — 7 DAYS to see it all   Tel Aviv •  3 days Trendy epicenter with the best nightlife, restaurants, and shopping in the country. Negev Desert •  1 day Sprawling desert landscapes mostly below sea level. Dead Sea •  1 day A bucket list destination for any Israel itinerary. Jerusalem •  2 days Steeped in history and full of neighborhoods to explore.   At a glance… April, May & September, October – mild temperatures, the best time to visit Renting a car – the easiest way to get around Currency – Israeli Shekel, most shops accept cards

I recommend starting off your trip in Tel Aviv. Besides being a great jumping off point to get a taste for the culture and lifestyle in Israel, it’s also the most convenient city to fly into. When considering a place to stay in Tel Aviv, Jaffa will give you the best taste of the old town and a spot near Rothschild boulevard will put you within walking distance of the best shops and restaurants. Or go beachfront to soak in the sun!

Where to Stay

• Brown Hotels – we loved our stay at Brown TLV , one of the four hotels by the Brown Hotel company. Highlights included the rooftop hot tubs and bar, and the breakfast credit to a number of local cafes we could choose to eat at each morning. Each unique hotel is located somewhere different, so pick based on your preference. Check out Brown Beach House just off the water, the modern Poli House , and Dave Hotel in the midst of all the action.

The courtyard at the Brown TLV.

A rooftop bathtub complete with rubber duckies at the Brown TLV.

• Market House Hotel – Jaffa was easily our favorite neighborhood in Tel Aviv, and Market House Hotel provides the perfect jumping off point to explore the winding alleyways of Jaffa’s old town. Their modern design melds old and new in the best way possible!
• Royal Beach Tel Aviv – If you’re in it for the beach scene, look no further. This stunning hotel features a pool with floor to ceiling windows facing Tel Aviv’s most famous beach, along with luxurious modern rooms and dining options.

View Additional Hotels in Tel Aviv

Where to Eat

• Manta Ray Restaurant – the views are prime at this oceanside restaurant which serves up fresh seafood and a delicious brunch.
• Santa Katarina – we stumbled on this simple mediterranean-Israeli restaurant on our first day, and it was a great way to kick off our trip. We loved it for its delicious side dishes- every meal comes with 6 mini plates, perfect for the indecisive traveler.

Fresh hummus and calamari at Santa Katarina .

• Meshek Barzilay – vegans and carnivores alike will love this home-y cafe with a cozy patio and some of the freshest, tastiest food in town.
• Anita Cafe – delicious gelato, ice cream and frozen yogurt – perfect for a hot day in Tel Aviv!

The best vegan breakfast at Meshek Barzilay.

Refreshing gelato at Anita in Tel Aviv.

• Bar Abraxas – whether you’re going for drinks or for a full meal, Abraxas does not disappoint. Dishes are brought out on cardboard or in paper bags, as Chef Eyal Shani (also the creator of Miznon ) doesn’t believe in plates! Come for the high energy and music, and stay for dessert. Reservations recommended.
• Jericho – if you’re looking for atmosphere, Jericho takes the cake. Their outdoor patio located under string lights and between centuries-old facades is picturesque, and their dishes are unique and tasty. Don’t miss the drum fish tartar – it’s totally unique!

Outdoor patio seating at Jericho in Jaffa.

• BellBoy – step back in time at this speak-easy style restaurant with some of the most unique cocktails we’ve ever had. Each dish is served with the ultimate presentation in mind. The perfect spot to meet friends for drinks!
• Visit Jaffa – this Tel Aviv neighborhood is not to be missed. Located just south of Tel Aviv’s stretch of beaches, Jaffa is full of old-world charm, outdoor markets, and trendy cafes. Perfect for an afternoon exploring and enjoying the city views.

Bougainvillea in old town Jaffa.

• Drinks on the beach – locals agree, one of the most enjoyable things to do in Tel Aviv is to spend a day at the beach with a drink in hand. Pack a beach bag and sunscreen and head over for a leisurely afternoon!
• Go shopping – Tel Aviv has something for every taste. Hit the Jaffa Flea Market for vintage furniture and home goods;  Dizengoff Center , an indoor mall with clothing boutiques;  Flashback for second-hand vintage clothing; and Gan Ha’ir for brand name stores and restaurants.
• See Carmel Market – stop by this colorful outdoor market which sells everything from spices to produce to juice and more. Its sister market,  Levinski , is also a short walk away.

Negev Desert

After soaking in the hustle and bustle of Tel Aviv, an escape to the Negev Desert is most welcome. Driving from Tel Aviv into the desert is the easiest way to travel, and you can easily experience this unique region in just one night.

• Desert Days – we loved the simple set up at this overnight camp. Each hut is equipped with an outdoor kitchen, air-conditioning, fire pit, and hammock. If you want to spend a night in the desert on a reasonable budget, this is the place for you. Tip: the rooms are great, however, be warned that the beds are foam and not mattresses.

Our outdoor patio at Desert Days.

The restaurant at Desert Days.

• Lodge Midbara – located adjacent to Desert Days camp, this small family-run property features mud and stone huts made by hand. Each individually unique, with the modern amenities you need to enjoy your stay. Bonus: breakfast delivered straight to your room.
• Arava Land – we got a peek of this exquisite hotel whilst staying at Desert Days, and we both agree it would be go-to next time we visit! The rooms are beautifully appointed, tucked away facing the Negev mountains. Plus, you get your own hammock facing the sunset.
• Beresheet Hotel – a destination in and of itself, this oasis in the desert provides the most picturesque escape. Spend the day pampering yourself at their luxurious spa, relax at the pool, or go on a jeep tour through the desert.

View Additional Hotels in the Negev Desert

• See camels – we spotted camels from the road just as we entered the desert region, but there are plenty of places to also get up close and personal with them, like the Negev Camel Ranch .
• Go biking or off-roading – explore the desert on your own terms by renting bikes or taking an off-road Jeep tour.
• Enjoy the pool – all the hotels I mentioned above have their own pools, so you’ll have no problem cooling off in the desert heat.

The pool at Desert Days camp.

• Cook dinner outside – our travels usually consist of eating out, which is why we loved roasting our own vegetables during our stay at Desert Days.
• Visit a Negev winery – though it seems a near impossible climate for vineyards, a few local wineries have made it work! Check out  Boker Valley Vineyard ‘s space, which offers local items for sale and accommodation in addition to wine tasting.
• Watch the sunset – stake out the best spot and bring your camera to capture the most magical time of day. Here are some of our tips for how we shoot photos at different times of the day.

The incredible landscape in the Negev Desert.

Catching the last light over the Negev Desert.

The Dead Sea region is fairly built up due to construction in the mid-80’s, but the real draw here is the once-in-a-lifetime experience of floating in the saltiest water on earth. One night is plenty as other activities and sights in the area are limited.

• Isrotel Ganim – the rooms are basic, but we absolutely loved the pool set up at Isrotel. Also, the breakfast buffet has a huge variety of local and standard dishes and is one of the best we’ve ever had! They have a second  Isrotel hotel just down the road.
• Herods Dead Sea – a popular choice in the Dead Sea region, Herods often has deals. Like most hotels in the region, it features its own private beach out front as well as a spa and restaurant.
• Shkedi’s Camplodge – as we spent all our time floating at a public beach anyway, Shkedi’s is a totally reasonable option for those who don’t want to pay a high hotel price for one night. Accommodation is basic (think hostel level) but the charm makes up for it.

View Additional Hotels in the Dead Sea

• Float in the Dead Sea – though there’s a designated area to swim in front of most hotels here, we opted to drive and find a public beach that was less crowded. Just south of the hotels, there are a few beaches we chose to swim at which have parking and access to the water (these beaches have much more salt formations). Tip: buy Dead Sea mud at most hotels and stores beforehand and bring it with you!

Floating in the Dead Sea at dusk.

Empty salt pools at the Dead Sea.

• Ein Gedi Waterfall Hike – if you’re spending more than one night in the Dead Sea area, this hike is a great potential add-on. There are various waterfalls to visit, so you can choose your path based on how much time you want to spend exploring. Keep an eye out for wildlife!
• Sunrise at Masada – Masada is an ancient fortification and the last holdout for rebels of the first Jewish-Roman war. I was on the fence about the early wake-up call required to experience sunrise here, but it was well worth it. It ended up being my favorite experience of the trip — the reward of watching the hazy sunrise over the landscape below and exploring two-thousand-year-old ruins with virtually no one around is indescribable. Tip: bring lots of water and snacks! We began our hike at 5am and it took us about an hour to get to the top.

Best seat in the house for the sunrise on top of Masada.

The pathway towards Herod’s Palace on Masada.

If Tel Aviv is new-world culture and ethos, Jerusalem is a step back in time. Whether you consider yourself religious or not, you can appreciate the history of this incredible city which dates back more than 5,000 years.  I recommend allotting a couple nights’ stay or at the very least, planning a day trip here (visiting by car or public transport from Tel Aviv is the most convenient).

• Hotel Alegra – located on the outskirts of Jerusalem in the Ein Kerem neighborhood, this picturesque boutique hotel is nestled amongst traditional buildings in the hills. The perfect spot for those who want city access without being in the midst of all the hustle and bustle.
• Villa Brown Jerusalem – Brown Hotels truly knows the value of location. Their Jerusalem property is located in one of the oldest areas in Jerusalem, and is complete with its own rooftop spa and tea garden.
• The American Colony Hotel – you’ll love the charming gardens and European influence at this old hotel, which dates back over 100 years. You won’t want to leave the property, which has six unique bars and brasseries!
• King David Jerusalem Hotel – this historic hotel is an institution in Jerusalem and has played host to royalty and presidents over the years. It overlooks some of Jerusalem’s most famous areas, including the Old City walls and domes.
• Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem – sleep steps away from Jaffa Gate and Jerusalem’s old city at the Waldorf Astoria. Each guest receives their own personal iPad upon check-in, just in case you need some tech support for your visit to the city.

View Additional Hotels in Jerusalem

• The Falafel Bars – we were inspired by this street food article to find Shlomo Falafel, which is rumored to be the best falafel joint in Jerusalem. Unfortunately, it was closed for renovations when we arrived! Luckily Falafel Brothers Levy hit the spot, but if we had more time, you can trust we’d be hitting every place on that list!
• Dwiny Pita Bar – if you’re a fan of seafood, you’ll love the flavor-packed dishes at this eclectic spot located just outside of the Mahane Yehuda market.

Pita for lunch at Dwiny Pita Bar in Jerusalem.

• Machneyuda – easily one of Jerusalem’s top restaurants, Machneyuda was started by the winners of Israel’s Iron Chef show Krav Sakinim, Chef Asaf Granit and Chef Uri Navon, as well as Chef Yossi Asaf, the champion of Jerusalem’s ‘slow food’ movement. Expect flavorful, comfort-food dishes that will leave you happily stuffed.
• Ben Sira Hummus – rumored to be the best hummus spot in Jerusalem when you’re feeling like a quick lunch. Be prepared to wait for your bill – but that’s part of the experience.
• Mahane Yehuda Market – crowded, crazy, colorful, and not to be missed. This winding market is an eclectic mix of food and spices, and a must-visit when you are in Jerusalem.

Dried fruit and nuts at Mahane Yehuda market.

• Shop at the souks – there are endless items to be found in the souks, which sell everything from spices to luggage to hand-stitched fabrics. I walked away with a pair of Jerusalem sandals which I’ve been wearing most days since our visit!
• Explore the various quarters – the four quarters in Jerusalem are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian. Soak in the unique vibes of each as you stroll through Jerusalem.
• Visit the Western Wall – the remaining wall of this old temple is arguably one of the most historic sites in the world. No matter what your religious beliefs are, you’ll feel the sense of undying energy and history surrounding this holy place.

• Stop by the Cardo – previously a main street in Roman-Jerusalem dating back to the 2nd century, it now plays host to shops. You can still see ancient roman columns and the old courtyard.
• Get lost in the cobblestone streets – Jerusalem is full of hidden gems, making it the ideal city to wander and get lost in. Don’t be afraid to venture away from the crowds to discover the nooks and crannies of the city!

The old city center of Jerusalem, next to the Western Wall.

What to Bring

• Light fabric thats breathable. Think cotton or linen pants and machine-washable dresses.
• A few swimsuits, including one you don’t care about as much. The Dead Sea won’t necessarily ruin a swimsuit, but it is drying so you’re better off having options.
• A hat and sunglasses. Israel is notoriously hot and sunny.
• Comfortable sandals that can be worn walking around each city. Or, hunt for a pair at the souks!

Final Notes

• You may see IDF soldiers carrying military rifles around in some parts of the country. This is normal protocol. We didn’t notice it much during our recent visit.
• Though the cities and regions listed in this guide feel completely safe for visitors, there are other areas in Israel that I would not recommending traveling to. As with any country, I recommend doing a bit of research on new areas you plan to visit.
• Parts of Jerusalem are religious so I recommend bringing conservative clothing when you visit this part of the country (think covered shoulders and knees). The old city of Jerusalem also tends to get crowded during religious holidays, so plan your visit accordingly.
• Keep in mind local hours of restaurants, shops, etc on Fridays and Saturdays. Shabat begins Friday afternoon and runs through the end of the day on Saturday, so some businesses may be closed. We didn’t notice this happening much in Tel Aviv, but it’s very common in Jerusalem. It’s always best to check business hours.
• If you’re looking for more sights in Israel: consider Eilat’s beaches in the south, the grottos in Rosh Hanikra, and the charming old streets of Safed. You can also do a day trip to Petra, Jordan from Eilat!

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Fende Rav Says

Great Post!!

Thanks for sharing this wonderful post with us. This post is more useful and helpful for find the Best Israel tour guide . Also, Israel tour guide helps in savings our lots of time and money.

Miriam Peretz Says

What a wonderful travel guide! We can not wait to be able to hop on a plane to Israel again and discover more of this beautiful country.

Selena Says

I agree! xx

Krista Bose Says

Just booked a trip to Israel & Jordan! That’s the second trip I’ve booked this year based on your blog posts!! Excited ?

Incredible!! Have the best time xx

Crystal Says

Through who did you rent a car through? (I will be traveling there this summer + I have a toddler)

We used Europcar (on points). 🙂

Dom & Jo Says

Wow this is wonderful. We’re going at the beginning of May and sort of a mess about what to do and everything else. Will definitely keep coming back and hopefully plan our trip around this! 🙂 Thanks so much!!

So glad it’s useful! Enjoy the trip xx

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Dr.Peethambaran p.k.d Says

Very infomative. I like it. Planning to visit March. Inform you.

Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great trip. 🙂

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Israel Itinerary: Your 7 Day Travel Guide

By Helene Sula

Israel is an incredibly diverse landscape of Biblical sites, deserts, mountains, and lush greenery. With so much beauty, history, and culture, it can be hard to know where to start. If you're planning a trip to Israel, this guide will help you plan your perfect itinerary!

This travel guide to Israel is for a 7-day itinerary, but I've got options for both shorter and longer trips.

Though it's a small country, about the size of New Jersey, Israel has had a huge impact on the world. Because it's a place brimming with technology and innovation in Tel Aviv and the Biblical sites in Jerusalem, it's on many people's bucket lists. I discovered there's much more to Israel than just these two amazing cities.

Israel is one of the most important religious places for three different religions: Jews, Christians, and Muslims, which means many religious and non-religious people find this area fascinating. Tracing the history back through landmarks of some of the most significant events, traveling here brings the history books to life.

Here's your perfect Israel Itinerary

Day 1: tel aviv & jaffa, day 2: mediterranean coast: caesara national park, tulip winery, akko, tiberias, day 3: tiberias, sea of galilee, magdala, mount of beatitudes, capernaum, tabgha, golan heights, day 4: jesus baptism site at the jordan river, the dead sea, qumran, day 5: jerusalem, day 6: jerusalem, day 7: tel aviv, extra time, how long to stay in israel, is israel safe, what to pack for israel, when to go to israel, things to know before you go to israel.

Israel Overview

Day 1: Tel Aviv and Jaffa

Day 6: Jerusalem and Tel Aviv

Start your trip in Tel Aviv. This city is known as the “Silicon Wadi” because of its booming high-tech industry. It's a young and vibrant city with a lot to offer including great nightlife, beaches, and restaurants. While there, be sure to check out some of the famous tourist sites like the Old Jaffa Port, the Carmel Market, and Bauhaus architecture.

Jaffa is one of the oldest cities in the world at over 4,000 years old! It's a city with a lot of character, so just walking around is a great way to explore. Traverse the narrow, winding streets and browse the art galleries, cafes, and shops.

If you like graffiti and murals, check out the unique Florentin neighborhood. This is where you'll find some of the best street art in Tel Aviv. Next, you'll find the Bauhaus construction along Rothschild Boulevard in the “White City.” Lovely homes with clean lines are constructed in rows. This is the largest single urban ensemble of Modern architecture in the world and the first modern city in Israel.

Drive North along the coast to visit some of the Roman ruins at Caesara National Park . This is a beautiful spot for hiking, picnicking, and swimming. The park is located on the Mediterranean coast and has stunning views.

This is where you'll find the ruins of the port city that King Herod built. Right on the water you'll find mosaic floors and even an amphitheater that's still in use today.

Afterwards, head to the Tulip Winery for a tour and tasting. Not only is the wine delicious and unique, there's a purpose behind it. The winery works with a community of special needs individuals to help produce the wine. The distinctive wine is absolutely the best I had on the trip. I was so impressed with their mission in helping the community.

Next, stop is Akko . This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a lot of history. Akko is an old city with a Crusader past. It's now a peaceful place with a beautiful harbor.

The old city of Akko is surrounded by fortifications and is a great place to explore. Head down into the walls' tunnels to discover the Ethnographic Museum and tour of the Hospitallers Order's Fortress from the Crusader period. Discover the amazing ruins of a long-forgotten order, as well as restored and spectacularly reconstructed areas, courtyards, and streets that have been lost for centuries but are now being revitalized to tell their story.

Akko also has colorful markets, museums, beaches, a fishermen’s port, marina, and plenty of seafood restaurants making it a great place to explore.

End your day in Tiberius , located on the Sea of Galilee. This is a great spot to relax and enjoy the views.

A great place to eat in Tiberius is Deck's Restaurant for lots of tasty meat and seafood options.

From Tiberius we drove over to Magdala . This is where Mary Magdalene is from. Here, there's a brand new hotel for the many people who make the pilgrimage here.

Located near the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Magdala was fishing village which had a synagogue. Uncovered in 2009, archaeologists discovered the presence of a Jewish community in Magdala by discovering the First Century Synagogue. This synagogue is one of seven in the world and the best preserved today.

Most notably, archeologists found the Magdala Stone, a discovery they have quoted to be, “one of the most significant finds in the past 50 years.” Here, Jesus taught, healed and preached.

Next we headed to Mount of Beatitudes , the place where Jesus is said to have given the Sermon on the Mount.

This is a beautiful and peaceful spot overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Whether or not if you're religious, this is a spiritual place to reflect.

Tabgha is another tourist stop on the Sea of Galilee. Here is where you'll find the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes . The mosaics here are beautiful and this is the spot where Jesus multiplied the fish and bread to feed the multitude of people.

Make sure to stop at the museum to see the Ancient Galilee Boat , also known at the Jesus Boat from the 1st century AD! Discovered in 1986 on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee the boat was carbon dated to near the time when Jesus was living and working as a fisherman on the sea.

Next, we drove to Capernaum , which is considered by many as Jesus’ home base during his Galilean ministry since it’s mentioned so often in the New Testament.

This fishing village was where Jesus was staying, preaching, and performing miracles. The remains that were found are extensive. There are huge temple ruins as well as outlines of homes. Here is where Jesus collected disciples, as Jesus was said to be a fisher of men. All the disciples were fisherman except Matthew, who was a tax collector and Judas who wasn't from Capernaum.

This is where you'll find the remains of a synagogue and Peter's house.

We rounded out our day in the Golan Heights , where we shockingly saw snow on the hillsides!

Golan Heights is a shockingly beautiful place with epic viewpoints and gorgeous landscapes. 

Next we went to a truly moving spot, Eli Cohen Bunker. Today, you can see the former Syrian bunkers that remain on the Golan Heights from 1967 (as well as the tanks from 1973).

Eli Cohen played a major role in spying for Israel in 1961–65 in Syria, where he developed close relationships with the Syrian political and military hierarchy. (There's a great Netflix series called “The Spy” that I highly recommend!).

This is an incredibly moving experience to see and learn about what happened here as well as the story of Eli Cohen.

Cap your day off with some delicious hot chocolate at De Karina .

It's a bit of a dispute as to where Jesus was baptized, we went to the Baptism site in Jordan as well as Israel. But no matter where you are, it's a moving experience to go to the Jordan River and dip your hand in the water where he was baptized.

A beautiful place to visit in addition to the Baptismal site is Yardenit Baptismal site is a beautiful place where many Christians come to get baptized.

Next, we headed to a Kibbutz, which are communal settlements in Israel here traditionally all wealth is held in common and profits are reinvested in the settlement. Ein Geddi Hotel and Kibbutz has a beautiful botanical garden, spa, and a place for retreats.

The next stop is the famous Dead Sea ! The water is incredibly salty and you can't help but float. In fact, it's important that you don't get the water in your mouth!

There's also black mud that is said to have healing properties. So make sure to cover yourself in it! You can find this mud at most of the spas near the Dead Sea. We headed to Kalia Beach where you can float like a cork and experience the true feeling of weightlessness.

Because the water is so salty, you'll float easily! You can watch me float here !

Wadi Felt Viewpoint is said to be the setting for Psalm 23:4 “the Valley of the Shadow of Death.” This is a beautiful spot to see the Wadi Qelt gorge. 

Lastly, we went to Qumran , the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered!

The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of 972 ancient manuscripts that were found in the Qumran Caves in 1947. They are the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible and date back to 400 BCE. The scrolls were written by the Essenes, a Jewish religious sect who lived in Qumran from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE.

You can see some of the scrolls on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, but it's really cool to see where they were found!

We ended our day in Jerusalem so we could get up early the next day and explore.

Make sure you leave time for Jerusalem because there's an immense amount to see. I'd recommend at least 2 days here to get a grasp of everything you need to see and do.

First stop is the Hill of Golgatha . You'll get an incredible view of the Old City of Jerusalem from here. It's also known as the place of the Skull because it is said that this is where Jesus was crucified.

The Mount of Olives is crowded with churches and home to the world's oldest continuously used cemetery, which makes it a must-see for religious tourists to Jerusalem. Even the nonreligious may enjoy the breathtaking city views from the peak.

This is where Jesus ascended to heaven after his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection.

The Church of the Ascension , perched on top of the mount, was built in 1910 and offers spectacular views of Jerusalem.

The Church of the Pater Noster , built near to the site where Jesus instructed and gathered his disciples.

Then there is the Church of Dominus Flevit is which is supposedly built over the site where Jesus wept for Jerusalem. Built in 1955 in the ancient Byzantine style by Christian’s, its called the weeping church or the church of the tear, because there are 4 corners that have places for offerings which look like urns or tears.

Church of Mary Magdalene is a Orthodox Christian church located on the slope of the Mount of Olives, directly across the Kidron Valley from the Temple Mount. The church was built in 1888 by Tsar Alexander III and his brothers to honor their mother, Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia who was killed by Rasputin.

The Gardens of Gethsemane is a beautiful garden among a grove of olive trees thought to be the place where Jesus suffered agony in the garden and was arrested before his crucifixion.

For the Greek Orthodox, the Virgin Mary's tomb is located in the Church of All Nations . The interior of the church is amazing with hanging lanterns all around. 

Church of the Holy Sepulchre is perhaps the most important spot for Christians as this is where Jesus died on the cross and was buried and resurrected. Make sure you leave at least 30 minutes to an hour to explore here as you can walk inside Jesus' tomb and see the slab where he was laid after his crucifixion.

The next stop is the Wailing Wall , or the Western Wall, which is the holiest site in Judaism. It is a remnant of the Second Temple and is a place where Jews come to pray.

There are separate sides for men and women. You'll see people praying and placing notes in the cracks of the wall. I recommend writing a note and placing it in the wall yourself. It's truly a moving experience.

Then we went to the Western Wall Museum . I highly recommend this. In fact, this is one of my favorite things I did on the trip. This underground tour helps give you a much better overview of the history of the wall, the people that come to pray, and why this place is so important.

What we see of the Western Wall is such a tiny amount, going to this museum helps us understand the impact on so many today.

Make sire you head to the  Jerusalem Archaeological Park , at the south end of the Western Wall Plaza, where archaeologists have found incredible remnants of old Jerusalem.

We walked up Via Dolorosa Street , the same pathway Jesus walked to be crucified. This is where you can see the fourteen stations of the cross marked. On the way, you'll also see the Chapel of Flagellation , Station 2, where Jesus is believe to have been flogged.

Lastly, stop in the Room of the Last Supper , also called the Cenacle. This is located on an upper floor of King David's Tomb, this is considered to be one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem.

We spent the early part of the day taking the Rampart Walk . To reach it walk through Jaffa Gate, one of the main Gates to the Old City of Jerusalem. The Rampart Walk is a path that goes along the top of the Old City walls and offers incredible views.

Make sure you stop at one of the several lookout points to get a view of the entire city. You can also see the Mount of Olives and the Dome on the Rock from here.

We then went up to Dome on the Rock . There is a roof on the entrance and you'll go through security in order to reach the Dome. You cannot go inside unless you're Muslim, but it's a beautiful and ornate place to view from the outside.

According to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, this is the spot where Abraham (father of all three monotheistic faiths) offered his son as a sacrifice to God, where Solomon constructed the First Temple for the Ark of the Covenant, and where Prophet Muhammad is said to have ascended to heaven during his early years of preaching Islam.

It is a holy site for people of faith, and it's been the scene of many a religious quarrel over who rightfully owns this area.

Jerusalem's most famous monument, the Dome of the Rock, is encircled by a vast plaza that extends south from the Old City. The sacred stone under the golden dome where Jews and Muslims believe Abraham offered his son to God and where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad began his journey to heaven.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque , on the southern slope of the mount, is one of the world's oldest mosques.

Jerusalem is broken up into different quarters: Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Armenian. Despite being tightly packed, they each are distinct from one another. Make sure to leave time to visit each.

The Armenian Patriarchate Road is the main thoroughfare of the Old City's tiny Armenian Quarter. The St. James Cathedral and St. Mark's Chapel can be found within the winding pathways of this district, which receive significantly less traffic than other sites in the city.

Cap the day off by heading to the Israel Museum . This houses incredible collections including the Dead Sea Scrolls. I also recommend Yad Vashem museum, which is a memorial complex to Holocaust victims. A moving and important museum that share stories, memories, and the resilience of the Jews during the Holocaust.

Jerusalem is vast and there's so much to see and do in this one city. I spent two days but could have easily stayed more. We headed back to Tel Aviv that night and spent the night here.

On our last day we explored more of Tel Aviv! Since Jerusalem is stepped in religious history, this was the best way to end the trip. We explored Carmel Market , one of the oldest and most popular markets, or Shuk Hacarmel, in Tel Aviv.

You'll find spices, nuts, dried fruit, olives, cheese, fish, meat, and much more. It's a great place to do some souvenir shopping for foodie friends back home.

Make sure you get some pomegranate juice, halva, and, you really can't leae without trying “malawach.” The lively and delicious malawach stand is a place I recommend you go back to again and again! This is a Yemenite dish served on a spongy bread called lachuch with tahini, tomato, egg, meat and spices.

Also, make sure to try the cauliflower! It's delicious!

Check out the Tel Aviv Museum of Art . the leader for Israel's contemporary art scene with works from Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas, Monet and more!

Stroll Rothschild Boulveard to see some of Tel Aviv's finest Bauhaus architecture. Make sure to pop in to different cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and even hidden bars!

Leave some extra time to take in the beach at sunset or relax at one of the beach bars. Its the best way to unwind!

Head to Masada ! This is an ancient fortress located on a plateau in the Judean Desert. It was the last stronghold of the Jews during the Great Revolt against the Romans.

The Jews of Masada committed mass suicide rather than surrender and suffer humiliation by Emperor Vespasian's troops, taking their families with them.

The best way to see Masada is to take the cable car up and then hike down. There are also ranger-led tours available.

Or, stay longer in Jerusalem . Outside the Old City's Damascus Gate is East Jerusalem, which has a largely Arab population. The cave system known as Solomon's Quarries runs under the city beneath the gardens at the base of the wall. According to ancient mythology, this was where Jerusalem's stone for its First Temple was quarried.

I also recommend spending some extra time in Tel Aviv as there are tons of things to see and do here.

I would recommend staying in Israel for at least a week. This will give you enough time to see all of the main sights and do some exploring. If you have more time, you can explore more of Tel Aviv or places like Masada.

For the most part: yes. However, there are things to note about safety while traveling like many other places. Israel, now and in the past has dealt with terror attacks and that's important to recognize. So yes, you need to be aware of your surroundings. As a woman I felt very safe walking around Israel.

Israel is considered a safe country to travel to. However, as with any destination, it is important to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Petty crime such as pick-pocketing and theft does occur, so be sure to keep your belongings close and secure.

When traveling to Israel, it is important to be respectful of religious customs and sites. Remember that this is a holy land for many different religions and be considerate of others.

Many wonder what you need to wear in Israel. Israel does not have the same customs as nearby Middle Eastern countries, you don't need to worry about covering up. The only time you do is if visiting Temple Mount in Jerusalem – you'll need to wear pants or a skirt and to cover your shoulders.

It can get cool at night and very hot in the summer.

I recommend the Fall or Spring time to visit to avoid the heat. It's also a good idea to note when religious holidays take place like Passover and Ramadan. Things can be closed or crowded.

English is widely spoken, while Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages in Israel. Most people speak English but it's nice to know a few Hebrew words like “shalom” for hello, and “toda” for thank you.

Many places take credit cards, but in the markets cash is preferred. The “Shekel” is the currency but many places actually take American dollars.

Israel is unlike any place I've ever visited. With modern restaurants and nightlife along with history steeped in religion and traditions that make you feel like you've stepped back in time.

The history here is some of the most significant and important in the world. Jerusalem is the holiest place on earth with the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus died on the cross and Temple Mount. But there's many more places with important history like the Sea of Galilee, Qumran National Park, and Caesarea. If biblical sites are important to you Israel really can't be beat.

Bottom line: if you're interested in history, religious significant sites, natural beauty and culture I think you should visit Israel. In general, I believe in visiting most places in order to gain an understanding and to learn. Destinations which are often in the news are worth visiting so you can form your own opinions.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Helene Sula

I believe that one trip can change your life. It did for me. I'm a self proclaimed home body that quit her job, moved abroad, and more often than not, lives out of a carry-on bag. If I'm not traveling, I'm most likely re-reading Harry Potter or watching "Midnight in Paris" while snuggling my dogs. I'm a digital marketing expert who turned my love of travel into a full-time career. And I help others do it too.

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TRAVEL GUIDE

Located in Western Asia, Israel is famous for being the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity. The country is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a fascinating destination for travelers. Its ancient landmarks, including the Western Wall, Masada, and the Old City of Jerusalem, attract millions of visitors each year.

Why Visit Israel

Culture & history.

Israel has an extensive and interesting history, from the Bible to the Ottoman Empire. It is home to countless historical sites, like the Church of Nativity, the City of David, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is considered to be one of the oldest and the holiest city in the world, as it is holy for Christians, Jews and Muslims. 

NATURAL BEAUTY

Israel’s natural beauty is also a major attraction for travelers. The country’s diverse landscape includes lush forests, sparkling beaches, and stark deserts, as well as mountains and valleys. Visitors can hike in the stunning nature reserves of the Galilee or Negev, explore the vibrant coral reefs of the Red Sea, or relax on the Mediterranean coast.

Israel’s food scene is another highlight for visitors. The country’s cuisine reflects its diverse cultural influences, with flavors and ingredients from Jewish, Arab, Mediterranean, and North African traditions. Visitors can sample traditional dishes such as falafel, hummus, and shakshuka, as well as modern interpretations of Israeli cuisine.

Tel Aviv, Israel’s second-largest city, is a hub of art, culture, and nightlife. The city’s beaches, cafés, and museums attract a diverse range of visitors, from families to young travelers. Tel Aviv is also known for its architecture, with over 4,000 Bauhaus-style buildings in the city center, earning it the nickname the “White City”.

• Name: State of Israel
• Capital: Jerusalem
• Official Languages: Hebrew
• Currency: New shekel
• Time Zone: UTC +2

Explore the Fortress of Masada

Float on the Dead Sea

Take a Ride in the Negev Desert

Tour the old city of Jerusalem

Tour the Western Wall Tunnels

Hit the beach in Tel Aviv

Visit the  Rosh Hanikra Grottoes

Marvel at the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa

What to expect

Israel’s official languages are Hebrew and Arabic. Hebrew is the primary language spoken by the Jewish population and is the language of government, education, and daily life. Arabic is the primary language spoken by the Arab population and is also an official language of the country. English is widely spoken and is often used as a common language between different communities.

ELECTRICITY

In Israel the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. That’s the standard voltage in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa; If you are traveling from the US you will need an adaptor.

The Israeli shekel is the official currency in Israel. Other foreign currencies might be accepted at major hotels and tourist attractions but not anywhere else. You are able to exchange your currency at the airport, banks or exchange houses. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are available almost everywhere. 1 USD equals 3.65 shekels (as of 2023).

Israel has a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. Temperatures can vary widely depending on the region and time of year, with the coastal areas generally cooler than the inland areas. Summers can be very hot, with temperatures often reaching above 30°C (86°F), and humidity levels can be high. Winters are generally mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 10°C (50°F). The best time to visit Israel is in the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November), when the weather is mild and pleasant.

Israel is generally a safe country for tourists, with low levels of violent crime and terrorism. The country has a well-trained and well-equipped security force, and security measures are in place in public spaces and tourist sites. However, visitors should exercise caution in areas near the borders with Syria, Lebanon, and the Gaza Strip, and should be aware of the potential for political unrest.

How to get around Israel

• Bus: Israel has an extensive network of public buses, which are a convenient and affordable way to travel between cities and towns. Most buses are air-conditioned and equipped with free Wi-Fi, and tickets can be purchased at bus stations or on board. Some popular bus companies include Egged and Dan.
• Train: Israel also has a train system that connects major cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem. Trains are generally faster and more comfortable than buses, with reserved seating and air conditioning. Tickets can be purchased at train stations or online, and some routes offer express trains for faster travel times.
• Taxi: Taxis are widely available in Israel, and are a convenient way to get around cities and towns. Taxis are metered, and fares are regulated by the government. In some cities, such as Tel Aviv, there are also ride-sharing services such as Uber and Gett.
• Car rental: For those who prefer to drive themselves, car rental is also an option in Israel. Most major car rental companies have offices at the airport and in major cities. It’s important to note that driving in Israel can be challenging, with narrow roads and aggressive drivers. Additionally, parking can be difficult and expensive in cities.
• Bicycle: Israel has a growing network of bike paths and cycling trails, and renting a bike is a great way to explore cities and scenic areas. Many cities, including Tel Aviv, have bike-sharing programs that allow visitors to rent a bike for a short period of time.

Overall, there are plenty of transportation options available for tourists in Israel, depending on your preferences and travel needs. Whether you prefer the convenience of public transportation or the flexibility of driving yourself, getting around Israel is easy and accessible.

Israel has a visa policy that varies depending on the visitor’s nationality. Citizens of over 100 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many European countries, do not need a visa to enter Israel for stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business, or other purposes. Visitors from these countries will receive a visa waiver upon arrival at the airport or other border crossing point, provided they meet certain requirements, such as having a valid passport, proof of onward travel, and sufficient funds for their stay.

Citizens of some countries, including China, Russia, India, and many African and Middle Eastern countries, are required to obtain a visa before traveling to Israel. Visitors from these countries should apply for a visa at an Israeli embassy or consulate in their home country. The application process typically requires providing proof of travel plans, accommodation arrangements, and financial means to support the stay.

In addition, visitors who have traveled to certain countries with a high risk of infectious diseases, such as yellow fever, may be required to present a vaccination certificate upon arrival in Israel. It’s a good idea to check with your embassy or consulate before traveling to Israel to ensure that you have the necessary documents and meet the entry requirements.

Overall, Israel has a relatively open visa policy for tourists, with most visitors from Western countries able to enter without a visa. However, visitors from some countries will need to obtain a visa in advance, and all visitors should ensure that they meet the entry requirements before traveling.

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One-Week Itinerary

One Week in Israel: The Ultimate Itinerary

There's no way to see everything that Israel has to offer in just one week but it’s still possible cover a lot of ground. This seven-day itinerary includes many key sights and cities in Israel, including Jerusalem’s Old City, Machane Yehuda, the Dead Sea, and Masada. 

Using Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as a base, there are many great locations that can be visited on day trips so that you don’t have to worry about constantly changing hotels. You can use a tour company, or you can do it yourself, which will likely be cheaper. Feeling overwhelmed by planning your trip to Israel? This one-week travel itinerary will make it easy.

Day One: Tel Aviv

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After landing at Ben Gurion International Airport, hop on the high-speed train to Tel Aviv. It's the fastest and easiest way to get to the city. Or you can take a bus or sheirut (shared taxi). Israel doesn't have Uber or Lyft, but you can use the app Gett to get a taxi, the most expensive option to get to the city.

Once you drop your bags off at your lodging, you’ll likely be pretty jet-lagged so instead of diving right into touring, spend your first day at the beach. There’s about 9 miles of sparkling Mediterranean coastline in Tel Aviv and the string of beaches are all excellent . Walk along the seaside promenade (tayelet in Hebrew) until you see a spot you like. (Hilton Beach, in front of the rainbow-colored Hilton hotel, is always a good option.) Grab a drink and lunch at one of the many beachfront cafes and bars, sunbathe, or join a beach volleyball game. You can even try your hand at windsurfing—check out The Sea Centre Club for lessons.

In the afternoon, get a feel for Tel Aviv's art scene. Walk along Ben Yehuda Street to Gordon Street, where many of the city's art galleries are located. Pop into the Givon Art Gallery , the Gordon Gallery , and Stern Gallery , ending at Dizengoff Square where you can see the famous, accordian-style fountain by Israeli artist Yaacov Agam.

For dinner, make your way to one of the city’s modern Israeli restaurants like Opa , Dok , or Mashya —make a reservation from home before you leave! If you're not too tired for a nightcap, check out one of the city's fantastic cocktail bars, like Bellboy Bar , Spicehaus , or Imperial Cocktail Bar .

Day Two: Tel Aviv

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

For breakfast, make your way to the lively Shuk HaCarmel outdoor market and get coffee and pastries at Café Yom Tov or one of Israel’s best breakfast dishes at the eponymous Shukshuka. Then stroll through the marketplace, sampling whatever catches your eye—halva, freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, nuts and dried fruit, and a rainbow of herbs and spices. Buy some sumac and za'atar spices to bring home.

Take a short walk to the area called the White City (Rothschild Boulevard and Bialik Street) to see the largest concentration of Bauhaus architecture in the world. Stroll on your own, or take a guided tour of the area ( Eager Tourist offers a good, albeit pricey, one). Stop in the Bauhaus Center to learn more. Get lunch at HaKosem , one of Tel Aviv's best falafel joints.

After lunch, if it’s a Tuesday or Friday, hit up Nachalat Binyamin , a street that closes to traffic on those days for a bi-weekly art fair, a great place for gifts and souvenirs (it closes early on Friday because of Shabbat so check the time carefully). Stop by Levinsky Market in Florentin and get one of the gorgeous fizzy drinks topped with fruit, herbs, spices, and flowers called a gazoz. You can find it at Cafe Levinsky 41, a corner storefront.

For more upscale shopping, stroll through Neve Tzedek, the city's oldest neighborhood. Check out Numero 13, Agas & Tamar, Fine Lab, and the Hatachana Compound , the old train station that's now filled with independent boutiques and cafes. Get an ice cream cone at Anita if you're hungry.

In the evening, take a bus or taxi to Jaffa, the walled Old City of Tel Aviv. Walk through the impressive stone gates, see the Ottoman-era clocktower, and meander over to the old port, which is now filled with bars and restaurants, Pick one ( The Old man and the Sea is a good option) and order the fish—it will be fresh! If you’re not too tired, get a taste of Tel Aviv’s nightlife at one of its bars or clubs.

Day Three: Day Trip to Akko and Haifa

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Just a little over an hour away, these two cities are well worth a visit and are perfect for a day trip. You can either rent a car, take a train , an inter-city bus , or a sheirut or taxi to Akko.

Akko is an ancient walled city on the Mediterranean with lots of ancient sites to discover. Meander its narrow cobblestone streets, go through the Templar's Tunnels , haggle your way through the old market selling everything from perfumes to T-shirts, and see the panoramic views near the Church of St. John and the lighthouse. Have lunch at the famous Uri Buri fish restaurant—be sure to order the wasabi tuna and keep an eye out for Uri, a friendly man with a long, white beard. If the timing works out, take the ferry from the Old Port to Haifa (it runs at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Otherwise take a bus, sheirut, or taxi if you don't have a car with you.

In Haifa, visit the impressive and beautiful Baha’i Gardens , take a cable car to the stunning Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery, go down to Elijah’s Cave, and if you have kids with you, check out the Madatech science museum.

Before heading back to Tel Aviv, have an early dinner at Abu Marun, known as the best hummuseria in Haifa since 1969—and don't forget to order the spicy French fries.

Day Four: Jerusalem

Gelia / Getty Images

This morning, go to Jerusalem either by train, bus, or sheirut. Jerusalem is a completely different city from Tel Aviv, filled with holy sites and ancient archaeological finds, so be prepared for a totally different experience than Tel Aviv.

First, head to the walled Old City and meander its narrow streets, making your way to the Western Wall , Al-Aqsa mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Walk through the Arab market (don’t be afraid to bargain!), go underground in the Western Wall tunnels , and stroll through the Cardo , an ancient Roman-era shopping arcade with modern stores. If you’re up for it, walk above it all along the ramparts. Have lunch at Rooftop , on the roof of the Mamilla Hotel, just outside the city walls for a sweeping panoramic view.

In the afternoon, stroll around the flower-filled Yemin Moshe neighborhood with its historic windmill outside the Old City or visit the Israel Museum to see amazing archaeologic finds and Israeli and international art. Have dinner at the renowned Machneyuda restaurant (be sure to make a reservation well in advance) and get ready for a lively performance in terms of food and service.

Day Five: Jerusalem

Photo_fisher / Getty Images

When you wake up, walk or take a taxi or bus to Cafe Kadosh , a top-quality bakery and cafe with a cozy interior. From there, walk along Jaffa St to Zion Square and stroll down pedestrian-only Ben Yehuda Street to get a taste of downtown Jerusalem life.

Next, take a bus or taxi to Yad Vashem , the national Holocaust museum and memorial. Give yourself a couple hours to see the museum and memorial; it is an intense experience as you learn more about that tragic period in history, but well worth the time spent.

Afterwards, have lunch at Anna Italian Cafe, the restaurant at the Ticho House , a historic home and museum with a gallery you can explore after your meal. If you didn’t make it to the Israel Museum yesterday, head there now, or go to Machne Yehuda, the lively open-air market.

For dinner, dine at Chakra , a Jerusalem institution, or Satya , started by a former chef at Chakra. Both focus on Mediterranean cuisine and fresh ingredients. Turn in early for the big day tomorrow.

Day Six: Day Trip to the Dead Sea and Masada

vvvita / Getty Images

Although it feels like another planet, the Dead Sea is less than two hours from Jerusalem and easy day trip combined with nearby Masada. You can take a tour or go on your own, though in that case you’ll probably need a car.

Spend the morning at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, smearing mud on yourself and floating in the sea. Ein Bokek is the main area where there are hotels, spas, and restaurants. None are truly amazing, but Taj Mahal makes for a fun experience in a Bedouin tent—belly dancers and hookahs included.

After lunch, drive to Masada and hike up the snake path, or ride a cable car if it’s very hot. At the top, take in the scenic desert landscape and explore the excavated fortresses. Stay for an epic sunset over the desert before driving back to Jerusalem, stopping for a falafel or shawarma at a roadside stand along the way.

Day Seven: Day Trip to the Sea of Galilee

jplank1807 / Getty Images

On your last day in Israel, wake up early and take a bus, taxi or car a couple hours north to the Sea of Galilee, or the Kinneret, as Israelis call it. Once there, you can bike or walk around the freshwater lake, take a swim, go for a boat ride, or just enjoy the scenery. If you want to rent a bike, go to just about any hotel or hostel in the town of Tiberias. The loop around is about 35 miles, but you don't have to go the whole way. There are various beaches and boat rentals around the lake.

Have lunch in Tiberias at Galei Gil, on the promenade overlooking the lake, where the speciality is St. Peter's fish, a white fish that's only found swimming in the Kinneret.

On your way back south, stop at Beit She’an , an archeological park with remains from the Roman and Byzantine city, complete with a Roman theater, two Byzantine bathhouses, a Roman temple, and more. Or stop in the city of Nazareth, described in the New Testament as the home of Jesus, which is home to many churches. Today, it is predominantly Arab Muslim.

In the late afternoon, return to Tel Aviv for your last night. O if you have a late-night flight out, enjoy one last dinner (local favorite Ha'Achim is a good bet) and a final walk on the beach before you go.

Your Trip to Israel: The Complete Guide

Top 15 Destinations in Israel

Where to Go in 2023: The Most Exciting Destinations to Explore This Year

The 19 Best Things to Do in Israel

Complete Guide to Visiting the Dead Sea

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Israel

The Best Time to Visit Israel

The Top 25 Things to Do in Jerusalem

Ben Gurion Airport: The Complete Guide

Akko in Israel, called Acre in the Bible: Exotic, Authentic, Unforgettable

One Week in France: The Ultimate Itinerary

Top 10 National Parks in Israel

One Week in New York State: The Ultimate Itinerary

Weather in Israel: Climate, Seasons and Average Monthly Temperature

The Top 15 Restaurants in Tel Aviv

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How to Visit to Israel Like a Pro: 20 Essential Travel Tips

Last Modified: April 8, 2024 //  by  Anda //   32 Comments

Israel is a very controversial country, guaranteed to raise tensions and emotions, regardless of your political views or religious convictions. War and political turmoil have been the norm here for thousands of years, so traveling to Israel can be a little intimidating. But if you know what to expect, you’ll have a great experience when visiting Israel. In this post I will give you some travel tips that will help you better understand Israel and make the most of your visit here.

Table of Contents

1. Getting acquainted with Israel’s history really helps

2. food is really good, 3. everything in israel is expensive, 4. prices are negotiable, 5. renting a car vs. using public transportation, 6. tipping is not mandatory, but is expected, 7. english is spoken almost everywhere, 8. israel is really small, 9. everything closes down on shabbath, 10. religious holidays are very strictly observed, 11. jerusalem is dead on weekends, 12. there is an obvious military presence, 13. getting in and out of israel is a lengthy process, 14. what’s the best time to travel to israel, 15. what to pack for israel, 16. is it safe to travel to israel, 17. what plugs to pack for israel, 18. is wifi widely available in israel.

• 19. Are drones allowed in Israel?

20. What time zone is Israel on?

Essential travel tips for israel.

If this is your first time in Israel you probably have many questions on your mind. So did I when I started planning our trip. And although I tried to inform myself the best that I could, there were still a few things that caught me by surprise when I arrived. Therefore I decided to put together a list of tips and useful information for traveling to Israel.

Planning to visit Jordan while you are in Israel? Read these useful travel tips for traveling to Jordan .

This guide will cover some of the most common questions asked before traveling to Israel. Like what to expect, when is the best time to go, or what costs are involved. So here is what every visitor should know before going to Israel.

One of the biggest travel mistakes people make when visiting other countries is not getting themselves acquainted with the local history. Of all the travel tips that I’m about to give you, this is perhaps the most important one: learn a little about Israel’s history!

The archeological sights in Israel are not particularly impressive, unless of course you know what you are looking at. Unlike the pyramids of Egypt that will impress regardless of how much you know about them, in Israel you’ll encounter places infused with religious and historical meaning that will make no sense to you unless you know their history.

Israel’s history goes back to ancient times and much of what we know about it comes from the Hebrew Bible. According to it, Israel’s origin starts with Abraham, who is considered the father of both Judaism (through his son Isaac) and Islam (through his son, Ishmael).

Although the Land of Israel was occupied by many nations over the centuries, the Jewish people have always been a physical, cultural, and religious presence here.

Food in Israel is extremely diverse and generally very good. A well known favorite is falafel – small fried balls of mashed chickpeas, usually served with pita bread and humus.

There are many other Middle Eastern and Arabic dishes whose names I can’t even pronounce, but they are good. Kosher refers to the food that complies with the standards of the Jewish law (for instance, pork and shellfish are not kosher).

Do try all the food in Israel! The worse that can happen is that you won’t like it. For those less adventurous, there is also regular Western style food available. Alcohol is available at many hotels and restaurants, but is rather expensive.

Street food is safe to eat in Israel, but I would stat away from fresh fruit and produce that I didn’t wash and prepare myself. Exercise caution even with cooked food. If it doesn’t look or smell right, don’t assume that’s how it’s supposed to be. Just don’t eat it.

Israel is an expensive country to visit. Almost everything here costs a lot: hotels, food, entrance fees, clothes, electronics, etc. Basically you pay more for the same commodity than you would pay in other parts of the world. Besides that, they have a huge sale tax of 17% that is applied to most goods and services. A trip to Israel will cost you a lot, so be prepared for that.

One thing I noticed is that speaking English will make prices go a little higher that they actually are.

You can exchange money almost everywhere in Israel. The exchange rate for the US Dollar is currently around 3.5 – 3.7 Israeli Shekel, but of course this will vary according to the time of your travel.

Bartering I one of the most important tips for people who travel to Israel. Learning to bargain will save you not only money, but also a lot of frustration. Exactly like in Istanbul , where you don’t walk into the Grand Bazaar and pay the first price you are asked to pay, in Israel almost everything is negotiable.

Israeli people expect to get a discount on all major purchases, so the listed price is calculated accordingly. Except for cars, almost everything else is open to negotiation. That’s counterintuitive if you are coming from the USA, where you can only negotiate the car or the real estate prices.

If you are not an expert driver with nerves of steel, don’t drive in Israel. Although roads are in good condition, getting in and out of any city is a nightmare! Leave alone driving in places like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Haifa! Road signs are bad and traffic if always heavy.

Using planning public transportation on the other hand works really well. Bus schedules are set up very conveniently and the train system is simple and easy to use. It’s hard to get lost.

You’ll most like have to use Taxis in some situations, so be prepared to negotiate the price before you hop on the cab.

Hitchhiking is definitely not recommended in Israel, especially in the current political situation.

Tipping in Israel is discretionary but expected, similar to most of the Western world. Unlike in the USA, where you are expected to tip between 15% – 20%, in Israel the tip is between 10 -15%. The minimum is at least 10%, the average is 12% and maximum is 15% (for exceptional service).

Waiters and bartenders get a relatively low salary, so the majority of their earnings coming from tips. Tips are usually left in cash not on card, so it is useful to carry some small change with you.

Tipping the taxi drivers, hotel personnel and other people in the travel industry is not usually expected. However, they will not mind a tip if you decide to be generous.

Unlike in Morocco , where English is rarely spoken, in Israel is widely spoken. The country’s official language is Hebrew, but you’ll also hear Arabic, English, Russian and some other languages.

Although English doesn’t have an official status, most Israelis can speak it fairly well as it’s a required second language in schools. As such, you’ll be able to communicate in English almost anywhere you go. However, learning a few Hebrew words will put you ahead of the game in Israel.

• Shalom  – is used as a salutation, but it actually means peace
• Bevakasha  – please
• Slicha  – sorry/excuse me
• Boker Tov – good morning
• Erev Tov – good evening
• Mazel Tove – congratulations/good luck
• Toda/Toda Raba  – thank you/thank you very much
• Lehitra’ot – good bye/see you later

It’s surprising to discover how small Israel really is. The total area of the State of Israel is 22,145 square kilometers (8,630 square miles), just slightly bigger than the state of New Jersey. Getting from one end of the country to the other doesn’t take long, which means it’s very easy to take day trips. You can use either Jerusalem or Tel Aviv as a base for exploring the important sights in Israel.

If you are not completely ignorant about the Jewish religion, you’ve probably heard about Shabbath before. Sabbath (or Shabbath ) is Judaism’s most distinctive practice – a 25-hour celebration that starts at sundown on Friday and ends after sundown on Saturday.

In Israel Shabbat is more than just a day off from labor. It’s a unique and special time of physical respite meant to be spent with family and loved ones or for worship, if you are a religious person.

Wherever you go when you travel in Israel, make sure you get there before 4 o’clock on Friday. On Shabbat all public services are closed (except for emergency ones). There are no train and no busses working.

Traveling in Israel during any of the Jewish holidays can be a very frustrating experience for a tourist. Especially for those of us living in America, who became so accustomed to 24 hour open stores!

In Israel religious holidays are very strictly observed. Most places close down, including restaurants, cafés and public transportation. On Yom Kippur (the Hebrew Day of Atonement) everything closes down. Even Ben Gurion International Airport! No one drives on that day, and the roads are completely empty. So be prepared to do nothing on this day if you are in Israel.

If you are not religious and you are a tourist for which every single day counts, don’t stay (or travel to) Jerusalem on weekends. From Friday night to Saturday night everything closes down in Jerusalem, so there is not much you can do here.

Instead, plan to go to a more secular place like Tel Aviv or to Haifa, where everything stays open on weekends.

You are going to be seeing a lot of armed soldiers while visiting Israel, so don’t be alarmed. The presence of barbed wire and armed soldiers is nothing new in this country that has been in political turmoil for so long.

Despite the many frictions in the region, Israel is a pretty safe country to visit and the weapons you see are there for defensive purposes.

Not all the soldiers you’ll come across are on active duty however. Some are young people doing their military service. Army service is mandatory in Israel. Both girls and boys are drafted at 18 and serve a minimum of two years.

Border control is way lengthier and more thorough in Israel than in any other countries we visited so far. You’ll need to get an Israeli passport stamp , so the best advice I can give you is to arm yourself with patience when traveling to Israel.

When entering Israel you have to answer a series of routine questions (why are you there, how long will you stay, etc. etc. If you don’t look suspicious the process will be very smooth. But if you have passport stamps from certain Muslim countries (such as Iran, Lebanon, or Pakistan), you’ll have to go through a special interrogation process that will take quite a while.

Israel no longer stamps your passport on arrival, which is good news if you plan to visit other countries in the Middle East for which an Israeli visa may be a problem. Instead, you’ll get your visa on a piece of paper which you need to keep this safe, as you’ll need it for your departure.

You may expect an even lengthier process as you are leaving Israel, so plan to be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure. At the Security Check they will ask you to open your bag of electronics and they will check each and every one of them.

Practical Travel Tips for Israel

Deciding when to go to Israel depends in large part to what you are interested in doing while you are there. While there is no wright or wrong time to go, there are however a couple of things that you need to consider when planning your trip: climate and Jewish holidays .

There are basically two seasons in Israel: summer (April to late October) and winter (November to March). Summers are hot and humid in Israel, bur rain free. Winter starts when it gets from cool to cold and it begins raining). Generally it doesn’t snow in Israel, except for the mountain areas in the Golan Heights.

Another important tip to consider when you travel to Israel are the Jewish holidays. In Israel there are two calendars: the Gregorian calendar and the Jewish calendar, but most religious holidays are based on the Jewish calendar.

Even though it’s interesting to be in Israel during some of these holidays, you’ll have to remember everything closes down during that time: public transportation, banks, stores, etc. Also, hotel prices will be much higher.

When traveling to Israel it’s important to be conscious of what you wear. While places like Tel Aviv, Jaffa, or Haifa are more open-minded and fashion-forward, in cities like Jerusalem modest clothing is recommended. Don’t bring tank tops, shorts or anything above the knees.

With very few exceptions, just about everything you would pack for Europe you can pack for Israel as well. As a general rule however, think convenience before fashion. Here are a few tips on what to pack when you travel to Israel:

• A scarf and a long-sleeve top, if you are a woman and plan on visiting the religious sites. Some sites may provide a cover up, but it’s better to have your own.
• Light-weight clothing is the best for summer months. We traveled here in mid October and the temperatures were above 30ºC and very humid.
• A light jacket and some sweaters for colder months.
• Comfortable shoes are a must in Israel, especially in Jerusalem.
• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion. You won’t be able to get by without them in this torrid sun.
• Wet wipes, small roll of toilet paper, hand sanitizer. Carry some in your pockets at all times. Many times the public toilets will not have toilet paper or soap.
• A small umbrella. Rain may come totally unexpected in Israel, but it usually stops just as sudden as it started.

Israel is overall a pretty safe country. However, considering its fast changing security situation, it’s important to exercise a some caution when traveling to certain areas, like East Jerusalem, or the West Bank cities of Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah.

If you want to visit the West Bank, I would advice hiring a cab from the Muslim quarter in Jerusalem, or booking an organized tour. Many cab drivers in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem will offer to take you to the West Bank, but I’m not sure how safe that is. If you are not in an organized group, you may have issues at the border.

One thing to be mindful in Israel is that authorities are always on high alert. So don’t leave your purse, camera, or anything else unattended. People will assume it’s a bomb and the bomb squad will come and search your purse and interrogate you.

The standard voltage in Israel is 220 volts and 50 Hz. The primary socket is type H (plugs with three pins in a triangular shape), so you’ll need a Power Adaptor Type H . In many hotels you will probably also find the C type sockets (two pins, like in Europe).

If you are coming from the U.S. you’ll need both a plug adaptor AND a voltage converter. Coming from Europe or other countries that have 220-230 voltage systems, you’ll only need a plug converter . Most modern devices such as mobile phones and laptops have a built-in converter, but it’s safer if you bring a voltage converter as well.

WiFi is widely available throughout Israel and is usually offered free of charge in most hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars. Some small hotels may charge for Internet though.

19. Are drones allowed in Israel ?

Technically, yes. However, there are very many restrictions and you’ll need a permit for using it. Also, like everywhere else in the world, you won’t be able to use your drone in places that are of interest.

If you want to bring your drone to Israel, my advice is to register with the Aero Club of Israel and get a permit. They will provide you with a map of the places where you can fly, and also give you with up to date information about their rules and regulations.

Israel is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime (GMT). Daylight Saving time starts on the Friday before the 02 April. The move back to standard time can take place in late September/early October according to the Jewish calendar (between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.)

NOTE : As of June 30, 2023, NO Covid-19 test or proof of vaccination is required for tourists entering Israel.

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Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

Sreenandhana

April 2, 2024 at 2:00 am

This is the page that impressed me the most that I have visited, the beautiful description and the page is made in a way that is useful to benefit others without being stingy.

April 2, 2024 at 1:59 am

Time spent on this page is never wasted. Very nice presentation, very nice pictures. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

Santhosh Raghavan

November 2, 2023 at 7:54 am

Dear friend Superb guide you covered almost everything a traveler should look into. I’ve been thinking lately that I would love to visit I am glad to read your blog about your travel experience very interesting thanks. Your personal experiences and vivid descriptions truly bring the city to life, making me feel like I’m right there with you on this incredible journey. Your blog is a wonderful source of inspiration for fellow adventurers looking to explore the magic of. Keep sharing your stories and insights – they’re a delight to read!

November 4, 2023 at 2:15 pm

Thank you for your kind words.

July 16, 2023 at 7:39 pm

You should really educate yourself. Lebanon is NOT a Muslim country per se. There are probably more Muslims in Israel! Further, there are 18 officially recognized religions in Lebanon, Judaism being one of them. Please alter your article to reflect correct information. kind regards Joe.

July 17, 2023 at 8:48 am

What else would you call a country where the great majority of the population is Muslim, Joe? According to the U.S. Department of State, 67.6 percent of Lebanon’s population is Muslim (31.9 percent Sunni, 31 percent Shia, and small percentages of Alawites and Ismailis). Also, Lebanon estimates that only 32.4 percent of the country’s population is Christian. It seems to me that I’m not the one who needs to be educated here, lol!

Michael Guide

April 12, 2023 at 4:49 am

I appreciate you providing this important travel advice for going to Israel. Israel is a contentious nation that has the potential to cause unrest and arouses strong feelings, but I concur that knowing its background is essential to getting the most out of your trip there. Israel is a nation with a long political history and a rich cultural and religious heritage.

I like how you stressed the significance of researching Israel’s history before traveling there. It’s an excellent approach to understanding the significance of the numerous historical and religious places you’ll see while traveling. Keep in mind that Israel is a nation that is ever-evolving and that its history is still being written.

Anyone organizing a first-time trip to Israel will find your guide to be a valuable resource. I appreciate that you addressed often-asked issues like what to anticipate when to go, and the associated expenditures. Before travelling, it’s always beneficial to have a thorough understanding of these concepts.

Overall, I believe that your guide is an excellent place for anyone thinking about visiting Israel to start. It offers useful information that will enable tourists to more fully comprehend and value the rich history and culture of the nation. I appreciate you sharing these helpful travel suggestions!

April 12, 2023 at 9:44 am

Thank you for your thorough review of my article, Michael. I hope to revisit Israel sometime next fall.

April 11, 2023 at 3:17 am

Superb, very useful information. Keep sharing

March 24, 2023 at 10:19 am

Beautiful write and I am fascinated by your blog as much as anyone else. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and ideas here with others. I want to come here again. Thanks kindly visit my Kerala tourism blog, please

July 24, 2022 at 12:30 pm

Ana Hernandez Well , it’s a petty you didn’t enjoy of such an exiting country. Israel semmed to me the extraordinary convergence between history and modernity. Vibrant. and modern Tel Aviv vs traditional fascinating Jerusalem, beautifull beaches beside amazing desserts. Good bargains in “zoco” vs most famous fashion brands and jewelry. Tasty. and delicious food from almost alll around the world. I’m really sorry you didn´t get all that . Hope next time you will be able to discover the real country.

July 24, 2022 at 2:57 pm

I have to confess that your comment left me wondering whether you read one post but commented on another. I can’t figure out what part of this guide made you think that I didn’t enjoy visiting Israel. I absolutely loved this country and tried to give some tips to those who didn’t see it yet. You seem quite confused about what you read.

Patrick Morgan

February 17, 2022 at 8:02 am

Do you have an Amazon link to the power adaptor and voltage regulator?

February 17, 2022 at 11:21 am

I sure do, Patrick. Here it is: Power Adaptor Type H .

Pranita Purohit

September 16, 2020 at 10:05 am

Like me, there are many who want to travel to Israel, but fear due to the political conditions and tussle with the neighboring states. However, after reading your post, the notion that all have about this country will be put to rest forever. You have presented a useful guide in the form of this post. Thank you very much.

September 16, 2020 at 11:33 am

I’m glad to hear that. Hopefully you’ll be able to visit Israel sometimes soon.

August 24, 2020 at 11:40 pm

This is the right guide for those who want to visit Israel. You certainly put a new spin on a subject that has been written about for decades. Great stuff, just excellent!

August 25, 2020 at 2:45 pm

Thanks, Melanie.

July 29, 2020 at 8:06 am

Thank you so much for your the tips.! We are going at the end of the summer, found a good flight deal! I know it will be hot, but I am from the Caribbean so that’s not a problem! can not wait to visit beautiful Israel and experience the culture. Your insights are super helpful to thank you! Have a question! What about at the airport at entering the country is no issue with the drone that I have to register? Do u know anything about it? Thanks

July 29, 2020 at 8:50 am

Hi John, The end of the summer will be hot indeed, but you’ll have a blast in Israel anyway. In regards to the drone, you won’t be able to use it much. My husband is a drone enthusiast too and did a lot of research for that before we traveled to the Middle East. He even registered with aeroclub.org.il, but still didn’t help much. Like everywhere else in the world, the places where it would be interesting to use it, you can’t. He used it secretly a couple of times (once in Acra and once in Tel Aviv) while I was keeping watch, but it’s stressful to use it like this. At any rate, my advice would be to check their website and register anyway. They will provide you with a map of the places where you can use it.

November 6, 2019 at 10:50 am

This is a comprehensive post , I wished I had before visiting Jerusalem. I found the prices to be really expensive , much to my surprise. I was also nervous when seeing so many armed guards around. It is still worth a visit and I would recommend anyone going to read this post!

November 5, 2019 at 8:46 am

Totally agree with you that these are really good to know. My parents are planning to go to Israel and I just shared this post with them.

Thank you for the heads up regarding the prices. I will ask them to adjust their budget accordingly. 🙂

Vanessa Ball

November 5, 2019 at 5:15 am

I’d love to visit Israel and had no idea that it was this small or that things were expensive to buy. The food looks super tasty, I love Arabic dishes. It’s handy to know about the religious holidays and weekends when planning your trip too. This is a really useful article to read before going to Israel.

November 5, 2019 at 3:28 am

I traveled to Israel when I was 15 years old as part of a school trip. We spent 2 months in the country and experienced many facets of it. Many people asked me if I felt safe and I personally never felt safer. Like you mentioned the entire population goes to the army they are all trained and the military is always around. This provided me with a sense of security. Love the tips to learn about history so you understand what you are looking at. And to use public transport – it is very organized and easy to use. The food as you mentioned is great although pricy and I personally loved everything I ate. Wonderful post. Israel is a beautiful country and despite the turbulent history and current political climate it is a great place to visit.

Anda Galffy

November 5, 2019 at 8:24 am

It must have been a great experience for you as a teenager to see how other people live. Thanks for your comment.

Blair villanueva

November 4, 2019 at 9:17 pm

I truly enjoyed readinv your Israel travel guide. As a Philippine passport holder, we got privilege for free travel visa access. It would be great to visit Israel for faith tourism.

E. J Requina

November 4, 2019 at 7:37 pm

Well you pretty much covered everything about Israel. Israel is part of my top places to visit and getting a deep dive of the country helps a lot. Its a bummer when you mentioned that the place is dead on weekends but hey im pretty sure there a lot of things to do the rest of the week.

Linda (LD Holland)

November 3, 2019 at 3:47 pm

We visited Israel for a few days with a cruise ship. So we were probably prepared for some things. But not others. I was certainly surprised to find that it was the religious centre for so many different religions. It was a bit disconcerting to find so many marketing messages on religious souvenirs. We ate in markets when we were out during the day. Even if I am a very bad haggler. We found armed guards in Israel, Jordon and Egypt. So I guess we sort of got used to them. This was a very helpful post. We would like to return on our own to Israel. So I will keep this post for reference.

November 4, 2019 at 12:54 pm

Thank you, Linda.

Laura Axtman

November 3, 2019 at 3:19 pm

What an amazing adventure. I hope to one day be able to travel to Isreal. Your description of the city helped me to understand the current climate and how to navigate the area with the history of war as a consistent reminder. Your photos are great and made me want to visit the region even more.

November 3, 2019 at 1:00 pm

I loved reading all your tips for traveling to Israel. It is at the very top of my bucket list right now, and I’ve heard such wonderful things about traveling there recently. As a Christian, there is so much Religious history that I want to experience. I appreciate the tips you’ve included on tipping, transportation, and electric plugs. Those are things I always research in detail before leaving on a trip!

November 4, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Hope you’ll manage to visit Israel someday, Leah.

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Israel Travel Guide: Tips and tricks from experts

For a country about the size of New Jersey, there are so many unforgettable places to visit in  Israel . It’s one of the few countries where you can hit the mountains, desert, ocean, and a major city in a single day—a place full of indescribable beauty, immense history, irresistible eats, and incredibly warm people.

With some of the oldest sites in the world, as well as some of the most advanced technology, the attractions in Israel are endless. This Israel Travel Guide will show you all the unique places and experiences you can only have when you visit the Holy Land.

Plan a future trip to Israel

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Tel aviv travel blog — the fullest tel aviv travel guide for first-timers.

When it comes to Tel Aviv, people will immediately think of an expensive city with all night parties. Tel Aviv is like a rose growing in the desert, symbolizing the will of the Jewish people to return to the Promised Land. For me, Tel Aviv is not the most beautiful, most livable city or want to return to in the future. But I really must write about this special city with my full respect. Tel Aviv really has created its own identity, both young, hybrid, and grumpy. I would like to share my guide to Tel Aviv for young people who love to travel. So, is Tel Aviv worth visiting, what to do in Tel Aviv and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Tel Aviv for the first-time? Let’s check out our Tel Aviv travel blog (Tel Aviv blog) with the fullest Tel Aviv travel guide (Tel Aviv guide, Tel Aviv tourist guide) from how to get to Tel Aviv, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit, what to eat and top things to do in Tel Aviv to find out the answer!

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Located along the sparkling blue Mediterranean coast, Tel Aviv is a bustling and free city by the sea that promises to give visitors a great trip. Clearly secular with proud hedonism, the pride of Tel Aviv’s thriving cultural scene is the art galleries, gorgeous boutiques and fine restaurants adjacent to street food stalls. You can party to your heart’s content and then relax on any of the great white sand beaches on the west side of the city.

Tel Aviv travel blog: Overview of Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is away 70 km northwest of the capital Jerusalem. North of Tel Aviv is the Yarkon River, which flows in the Saron region, followed by the Judée plains south of the city. It is an important industrial and commercial center, including textiles, metallurgy, chemicals, mechatronics, leather and footwear, and diamond processing. Ten Aviv is also the economic and financial center of the country, with the second largest economy in the Middle East after Dubai, and is the largest cultural and educational center of Israel with two leading universities, one national museum of art and many theaters, opera houses…

Tel Aviv is located in the western part of Israel, on the shores of the blue Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to its vantage point, Tel Aviv was once a vibrant port for the Arabs during the Ottoman period. Contrary to popular belief, Tel Aviv is neither the capital nor the second most populous city of Israel after Jerusalem. However, the capital Jerusalem is currently not recognized by the international community, so Tel Aviv is the headquarters of many international diplomatic missions and embassies of other countries.

Tel Aviv-Jaffa like the version of Barcelona in Spain or San Francisco in the US, is famous as a “city that never sleeps”, with bars, cafes, restaurants, beaches, parks, shopping centers… And the skyscrapers facing the sea front, combined with vibrant entertainment venues, green parks, clubs, upscale shopping malls. This place is really the perfect entertainment world for visitors.

Tel Aviv-Jaffa is also an Israel’s largest cultural hub with a wide range of museums, galleries, theaters and concert halls. In 2005, the city was recognized as a strong contender for the global city title.

Having a history of more than 4,000 years, Tel Aviv was originally a port for trade in the area around the Mediterranean with the eastern region. The earliest traders here were the Egyptians, then the Babylonians, Phoenix from 2000 BC. Then came the Sumerians, the Canaanites, then about 1000 BC were the Jews. The Jews called this port Yafo, now Jaffa, the name of one of the sons of Noah in their legend (whose legend and name are of older Babylonian origin).

Tel Aviv is a popular place for young people who love swimming, surfing, and partying at night. Or simply walk along the coast, watch the sunset at Jaffa port by the ancient walls. Israeli families often come here on weekends or holidays. It is one of the world’s leading modern, developed cities, and is Israel’s second most populous city, after Jerusalem.

Tel Aviv travel blog: What is Tel Aviv – Yafo?

When you come to Tel Aviv first, you will wonder why Tel Aviv is often attached with the name Yafo on the signs. In fact, Tel Aviv is just the name of a land built by the Jewish immigrants after 1909. Yafo is another pronunciation of the port of Jaffa. The ancient city of Yafo is like the old quarter of Hanoi, and Tel Aviv is the districts like Dong Da, Hai Ba Trung. Tel Aviv was once a desert, swamp, now it’s full of new buildings and Yafo was inhabited by the majority of the Arab population. The calling Tel Aviv – Yafo aims to separate the geographical and historical aspects of this multi-ethnic administrative area.

Why should you travel to Tel Aviv once in a lifetime?

The Middle East has a lot of modern, bustling and thriving cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi but Tel Aviv is more different thanks to its openness to LGBTQ gender equality and ethnic equality. As a home to Jews from all over the world flocking to, along with Arabs, African immigrants create an atmosphere of openness unmatched anywhere in the Middle East.

Tel Aviv is also a city with historical and cultural layers second only to Jerusalem. The port city of Jaffa with Byzantine, Ottoman architecture and the cheerful colors of the Mediterranean port.

The white city of Tel Aviv is a World Cultural Heritage site with the famous Bauhaus architectural style of the early 20th century. Along the Tel Aviv coast are dazzling skyscrapers. Not to mention, each district of Tel Aviv is home to ethnic groups with different cultures. Due to the hot and dry climate most of the year, Tel Aviv beaches are famous for its vibrant nightlife.

Is Tel Aviv safe?

Tel Aviv is a safe city for tourists because it is located quite far from the disputed lands between Israel and Palestine. Tel Aviv is also the city with the most stringent security checks in the world, security checks everywhere. So far Israel is the only country in the world where since its re-establishment everyone is required to join the army, regardless of male or female.

Everywhere male soldiers go, they carry weapons… if you come to Israel, it is normal to encounter dozens of gunmen on the road or in the parking lot.

The security system here is extremely strict. Passengers, regardless of nationality, are thoroughly interrogated. All luggage is checked to the smallest detail. Security staff use machines to check suitcases, bags, cameras, laptops, etc. However, everyone sympathizes because Israel is still a hot spot in the Middle East.

What is quite special is that passengers are stamped entry on a separate sheet, which is customary to stamp on the passport. The guide explained that in order to avoid Muslim countries like Iran, Arabs… not knowing you went to Israel because if they knew, they would interrogate you and cause trouble for you when you travel to their country.

Is Tel Aviv an expensive city?

Exactly. Because Israel is located in an area with many conflicts, taxes on goods and people’s living are quite high to maintain the army. Not to mention, in addition to the agricultural industry, Israel has to import a lot of raw materials such as crude oil, household appliances, even laborers. All the above reasons make the living costs are very expensive in Tel Aviv, on par with the central districts in Paris, New York or London.

Tel Aviv travel blog: When to visit?

Due to its low altitude, close to the coast, Tel Aviv is hot and dry from April to September. The temperature can reach 40 degrees Celsius in mid-summer. However, the winter is cold at 10 degrees Celsius, cloudy with rain. You should visit Tel Aviv in the summer.

Spring (late February to May) and autumn (late September to November), when the weather is mild but still not scorching hot which is also a good time to come.

If you traveling to Tel Aviv in July and August, the temperature and humidity are very high, and so crowded.

Room rates skyrocket during Jewish festival months such as Pesach (around April) and Sukkot (a week in early October), although there are many shows and exhibitions for children at these times.

Tel Aviv travel guide: How to get to Tel Aviv?

From other countries, you can land at Ben Gurion airport, the customs here stamp on a separate sheet as mentioned above (removable stamps), so it’s okay for you to go to the Arab countries later. Security is very strict, everyone has to go through 2 security rounds at the transit airport and Tel Aviv airport, so the air ticket is very very expensive.

Ben Gurion Airport is located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, so you can go to one of these two cities first and then move to the city you want. From the airport you take a taxi is the most convenient way. If going from Jerusalem, take the train for about 2 hours and bus 405 or 408 for about 1 hour from Jerusalem Central Station. Note that each bus by the number will stop at a different station, so you should pay attention to which station is close to your hotel, then get off at that station for convenience.

Bus or train

If you come from Arava desert region of southern Israel like me, you can go to Highway 90 to catch a bus, the bus stops at Central Bus, there are many trips a day up there, then take the Dan bus to the center city, ticket 5.9 shekels ($1.75)/person.

If you come from Northern Israel, you can take Egged bus or train that departs every day from Haifa.

If you start from Central Israel, let hitchhiking for a ride to the train station, Central Bus in Beer Sheva, then buy a ticket to Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv is a hub for road and rail. Road lead to the northern city of Haifa and rail links to Jerusalem, Beersheba, and Gaza. Lod (Ben Gurion) International Airport is about 15 km from the center of Tel Aviv.

Getting around Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is probably the city with the best inner city bus system I have ever known. Modern vehicles, many trips, diverse routes and especially almost every street has a bus passing through. You can use Google map, or go to this website to look up the route.

To use the bus, you have to buy a magnetic card on the bus and then top up at some convenience stores. With one ride, you have to swipe one when get on and one when get off to deduct the card. From 12am on Friday to late Saturday evening is the Jewish Shabbat (a Judaism’s day), so all services and activities are stopped. If you still want to go around at this time, you have to catch a dedicated bus here. This bus is currently free for people.

Currently, the subway in Tel Aviv is under construction, but it has to stop construction because the Chinese contractor cannot come because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But it will be completed in near future.

Bike or on foot

The best way to get around in Tel Aviv is on foot or by bike. Its wide boulevards (like Ben Gurion, Rothschild or Nordau), the park and the main beach promenade are great for baby strollers and have a dedicated bike path. Most city buses have a trolley zone.

Tel Aviv is notorious for its lack of parking, so renting a car in the city is stressful. If necessary, choose to take a taxi for about 30-50 NIS for a short trip. It is a “comfortable” price if you care about the air conditioning and have a place for the children to rest.

Tel Aviv travel guide: Where to stay?

For international tourists who are exempt from 17% VAT, the cheapest dorm price is also 70sk / bed, and other hotels with various prices depending on your budget. Before, I rented a room at Overstay TLV backpackers Hostel , location near Old Jaffa port, a good place to stay, light breakfast, self-cooking, tea, coffee… You can take a bus from Central Bus to come here, walk 4km takes a lot of time.

You can choose the White City or Jaffa area to rent a hotel. I really like this B&B in Jaffa, both spacious and very close to the old town of Jaffa. Nice view to the old town. For LGBT friends, you can refer to Inta Hotel ( Agoda , Booking ), a gay friendly hotel that I accidentally booked but really liked. At first, I didn’t know it was a LGBT-friendly hotel, but when I arrived, I saw that the staff were all male and the room decor was full of beautiful men photos, so I figured it out. However, the quality of this hotel is very good.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Royal Beach Tel – Aviv Isrotel Exclusive ( Agoda , Booking )
• The Vera ( Agoda , Booking )
• 65 Hotel – an Atlas Boutique Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
• Shalom Hotel & Relax – an Atlas Boutique Hotel ( Agoda , Booking )
• The Poli House by Brown Hotels ( Agoda , Booking )
• Carlton Tel Aviv ( Agoda , Booking )
• Embassy Hotel Tel Aviv ( Agoda , Booking )
• Abraham Hostel Tel-Aviv ( Agoda , Booking )
• Hotel Metropolitan ( Agoda , Booking )

Check out more top and best hotels in Tel Aviv on Agoda.com or Booking.com

Tel Aviv blog: Where to go, what to do in Tel Aviv?

To fully enjoy its old-world charm, visit the Port and Old City of Jaffa. Stroll around trendy Neve Tzedek to discover interesting shops, cafes and art galleries. To see more of the beauty of Israel, take a trip on a day tour to the Dead Sea, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

White City is the pride of Tel Aviv. Nowhere in the world is the density of Bauhaus-style buildings and houses as dense as Tel Aviv. Bauhaus is an art style including architecture and interior born in Germany in the 30s. The characteristics of Bauhaus art are minimalist, utilitarian but extremely elegant lines. The Bauhaus-style buildings in Tel Aviv were built by Jews returning from Germany with distinctive white paint and soft curved lines. Combined with Arabic garden style and the subtle balcony window that catch Mediterranean breeze, the Bauhaus Tel Aviv’s identity is created. Today Bauhaus architecture is concentrated in Carmel Market, Dizengoff Square and Rothschild Street.

The city’s name says it all: The White City is a unique collection of 4,000 all-white buildings. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, built by German-Jewish architects in the 1930s. The city has the largest number of Bauhaus-style buildings in the world and is a prominent contributor for the modernist movement. You can stop by the Bauhaus Center and go on a two-hour professional walking tour to see some of the city’s most striking architectures.

The mile-long stretch of Tel Aviv’s coastline adds to the popularity of this exciting and sandy city. But among so many beaches, which one is the best? The beach, known as the ‘gay beach’, can be easily recognized thanks to the numerous rainbow-colored umbrellas. This is a relaxing stretch of sand well-equipped for muscular copper-skinned men in tight swimsuits.

Gordon Beach is loved by both locals and visitors, with its ideal location close to dozens of restaurants and bars. Or if you’re into extravagance, Hilton Beach next to TopSea surf club is a promising spot with beautiful people, beachside service and sometimes you can meet celebrities.

Yemenite Quarter

Located behind Carmel Market, Yemenite is a quarter of spice merchants, hipster cafes and small eateries that have been around for generations. Guests can visit Shlomo & Doron, which has the best hummus, or Anat’s Kitchen for a taste of local cuisine made by a charming Israeli grandmother.

Jaffa Port and Old Town

Jaffa is the oldest part of Tel Aviv city as introduced above, with bustling shopping streets, mosques, churches, museums, galleries, cafes, bars, walkways along the old port… This is a must-see attraction for visitors when coming to the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.

Jaffa, after many historical ups and downs today, is a mysterious and beautiful Arabic-style city on the shores of the Mediterranean. Viewed from the sea, Jaffa undulates the bell towers of the mosques, the ancient lighthouse, the bell tower of the Christian churches and even the typical shadows of the oil palm trees of the desert. Jaffa gives you an idea of ​​the cities of the Thousand and One Nights, with their hundred-year-old tiled alleyways, restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean, and Tel Aviv’s famous lemonade fish.

One of the reasons why you should visit Tel Aviv is the opportunity to visit the ancient port of Jaffa – one of the oldest port cities in the world that still exists today.

Besides such a rich history, Jaffa is also a young and culturally diverse city. Here you can meet a lot of people from different countries, cultures and religions living together happily.

After shopping, you can head to the seaport for the freshest fish dishes or visit the traditional restaurant Abu Hassan on HaDolfin Street for the best local hummus.

Tel Aviv’s vibrant cultural scene is most impressively displayed at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art (Address: The Golda Meir Cultural and Art Center, Sderot Sha’ul HaMelech 27, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel/Hours: 10AM-6PM, Closed on Sundays). Founded in 1932 by Tel Aviv’s first mayor, the museum now includes the Herta and Paul Amir building and landmark, an outstanding work of modern design. Inside the museum displays Israeli artworks along with international works.

Tel Aviv Museum of Art is a place to store and display local and international artworks. The museum is located in a shopping district with impressive and modern cubic architecture, in stark contrast to the city’s traditional culture.

Visitors with a deeper interest in design should head to the Holon Design Museum (Address: Pinkhas Eilon St 8, Holon, 5845400, Israel). This is a very unusual space, designed by a celebrated Jewish architect named Ron Arad. The terracotta walls with curved arcs reminiscent of orange peels are the first indication that this is no ordinary museum. The unique designs on display will clear all doubts.

Hayarkon Park

Address: Rokach Blvd, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6902045, Israel

Located north of Tel Aviv, HaYarkon Park offers the largest green space extending from east to west of the Yarkon River. There is also a small zoo in the park and an ideal space for picnics, cycling or boating on the river.

Rothschild Boulevard

Rothschild Boulevard was the first street built in the city of Tel Aviv. On the corner of Herzl Street, the first coffee kiosk was born in 1910, which is also a favorite spot for tourists. Along the same street, you can also visit Levin House at No. 46 Eclectic architecture from 1920 and Engel House at No. 84. The buildings and structures on Rothschild Boulevard mostly have a history of decades and carry a unique character. unique local architecture.

What to do in Tel Aviv: What to eat in Tel Aviv?

Because the prices in Tel Aviv are expensive, in my opinion you should enjoy street food in popular restaurants, take away or eat in Carmel market for cheap. Normally, food safety and hygiene issues in developed countries are very strict, so street food is still as safe and delicious as restaurants. As I said, Israelis are very strict vegetarians, so meat dishes, especially pork, are rare. Finding food in Tel Aviv is also a headache for me, if in Jerusalem I can find pizza everywhere for only 8sk / piece, in this expensive city, the food is both rare and too expensive.

Hummus, vegetable sandwiches with bean sauces, are daily dishes in Israel. In addition, to change your taste, you can have Falafel, a deep-fried ball or doughnut dish, made from chickpeas or peas.

Drinks, try Sahlev or Sachlav, a traditional drink made from ground orchid bulbs and milk, often flavored with rose or orange blossom, and topped with nuts, dried fruit and cinnamon. Today, many versions are thickened with cornstarch, with toppings, including vanilla, caramel, and banana. Don’t forget to try fruits and juices, the pride of Israel.

In the US, fast food makes people think of cheese sandwiches, salted hot dogs. But in Tel Aviv, it’s easy to eat healthy even when you’re hungry on the road. The street food in Tel Aviv, as in many cities near the Mediterranean Sea, is full of fresh fruit, beans and olive oil. If you come here, you can’t help but try Falafel or sabich. This is a sandwich with a filling made from chickpeas (chickpeas) or eggplant with cabbage, beets, and sesame oil. Israel is famous for its delicious chickpeas and fried bean balls.

Below we recommend some restaurants you should try

The norman and bar.

Address: Nachmani St 25, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6579442, Israel Hours: 7AM–10:30PM

A small refurbished hotel in the heart of Tel Aviv, The Norman is renowned for its lavish facilities and impeccable service. It is therefore not surprising that the hotel’s restaurant of the same name is considered one of the best restaurants in the city. Inspired by the culinary traditions of Italy, The Norman restaurant designed the floor with sophisticated textures and neutral decor with the liberal style of a French restaurant, in harmony with the elegance of the menu of Mediterranean style. The outdoor lounge is where diners can enjoy Israel’s mild climate while indulging in an extensive wine menu. You should make a reservation if you want to have a seat here.

Yaffo Tel Aviv

Address: Yigal Alon St 98, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel Hours: 12–3PM, 6–10PM/Friday, Sunday: 6–11PM

Renowned Israeli chef Haim Cohen has made a splash with Yaffo Tel Aviv, a relaxed high-ceiling restaurant that combines familiar local flavors with fine dining in the European culinary arts. Pay special attention to the wine menu, carefully curated to inspire diners with less well-known tempting wines.

Address: Yigal Alon St 98, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel Hours: 12–4PM, 5:30–11:30PM/Friday, Saturday: 9AM–4PM, 5:30–11:30PM

Under the brilliant hands of veteran chef Ran Schmeli, it should come as no surprise that Claro is one of Tel Aviv’s most loved dining venues. From a distillery with honeycomb limestone walls, Schmeli has built a bustling restaurant serving the culinary needs of discerning young people. The bill is expensive but it’s well worth it for the local dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and the exceptionally creative cocktails.

Address: Nahalat Binyamin St 66, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel Hours: 7PM–1AM/Monday, Sunday: Closed

Housed in a large old building near Rothschild Boulevard, Aria’s historic look is completely different from the vibrant bar and restaurant inside. The short menu, which combines seafood and animal dishes, is inspired by the views of the surrounding area, like Greek sashimi with tzatziki sauce, mashed tomatoes, red onions and Spanish mint. Diners who want to try everything can explore the buffet menu with ten main courses and two desserts. Guests can then head downstairs to the cocktail lounge with the DJ and enjoy outstanding drinks.

The best rooftop bars

From the attic floor of the Brown TLV Urban Hotel , you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, making it a favorite bar for yellow-skinned people. Plaid deck chairs, extendable sun loungers, outdoor Jacuzzi tubs and a well-stocked bar will encourage guests to enjoy the two best pleasures in life, sunbathing and cocktails. Guests also have access to the sleek and sophisticated “B on top” Rooftop Lounge and Pool with beautiful fountains. Guests can enjoy the breathtaking view of the infinity pool during the day, then drop to the beats of Tel Aviv’s top DJs as night falls.

Although located on the 10th floor of an office building, the rooftop bar SuraMare with a glass wall surrounded is a completely different world from the office environment. With a splendid skyline all around, this restaurant serves fresh food and creative cocktails.

If you want to explore the nightlife in a city steeped in traditional culture when traveling to Tel Aviv, visit the famous bar Teder. Teder is a pop-up bar held in a small courtyard inside the Beit Romano shopping complex. Downstairs is a dance floor area and a pizza workshop.

What to buy as gifts in Tel Aviv?

After walking along Mediterranean coast early in the morning, I checked out and went to Flea Market near Jaffa port to look for antiques and find something strange as souvenirs. This market has many old and interesting things such as antique coins, old bowls, multi-branched lamps, things from Iran, China… or old books, bibles… if you look carefully, you will find them. The price, the guys here look at your face and then quote the price, you consider the value of the items before you bid. You can take a bus from Jaffa to Carmel market, I don’t have time to go to this market, but my friend said there’s a lot of food there.

• Cosmetics in the Dead Sea: Premier and AHAVA are two quite famous cosmetic brands in this area, if you buy them right at the factory, it will be much cheaper.
• Dates: Date here is grown a lot, so the output is very large, buying as a gift is also very reasonable, the fruit is bigger and drier than in Vietnam but very delicious and sweet.
• Wine: Here you can choose to buy a few bottles of wine  as both delicate and meaningful gifts, some of the following wine brands you can refer to: Galilee, Negev, Judean Hills,… Israeli bracelets: This can be considered a meaningful gift because it brings the symbol of Israel on the bracelet.
• Pottery: You can choose from many pottery items such as mugs, plates, bowls, decorative objects of all kinds.
• If giving as a gift, buy arak, a 30% alcohol-based spirit made from grapes, or pomegranate wine, which has an alcohol content of 12%.
• The refrigerator magnets bearing the Israeli symbol are also very lovely.

Things to note before you traveling to Israel?

• No smoking on Saturday, according to Jewish law, if you want to smoke, you should go to a place where there are no people to avoid disturbing others.
• Leave a tip to the waiter, because the waiters here don’t have a salary, they live off the tips of the guests. So you should tip them 10% of the bill .
• Keep your distance, limit touching the body of the other gender if they show any dislike.
• Dress discreetly when visiting sanctuaries such as mosques, churches.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Tel Aviv you can refer to

• Masada, Ein Gedi and Dead Sea Day Tour from Tel Aviv
• Tel Aviv Architecture 2-Hour Walking Tour
• [Unlist] Tel Aviv Diamond Exchange Private Tour
• Tel Aviv Street Art Walking Tour
• Tel Aviv Architecture, Food, and Street Art Walking Day Tour
• Tel Aviv Carmel Market Walking Food Tour
• Jericho, Ramallah, and Bethlehem Tour from Tel Aviv
• From Tel Aviv: Masada & Dead Sea Full Day Tour with Pick Up
• From Tel Aviv: Jerusalem and Bethlehem Guided Day Trip
• Caesarea, Haifa & Akko Day Trip from Tel Aviv
• From Tel Aviv: Jerusalem Old City & Dead Sea Guided Day Tour
• Nazareth, Tiberias & Sea of Galilee Day Trip from Tel Aviv
• From Jerusalem: Nazareth and Sea of Galilee Tour
• From Tel Aviv: Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Guided Tour
• From Jerusalem: Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea Guided Tour
• Masada & Dead Sea Tour: Full-Day from Jerusalem

Read more Israel guide here .

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• Israel Travel Guide: Everything A Traveller Should Learn About The Historically Rich Country

02 Dec 2021

If you are willing to explore ancient history in the context of world’s recognized ancient religious identities at one place, then visiting Israel will not go in vain. Tourism value of this West Asian nation at the Mediterranean Sea’s eastern edge remains paramount. Large number of tourists arrive here throughout the year. Israel’s capital city, Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world while Tel Aviv is its biggest trade center. As a traveller, it is of extreme importance to know about the essence of a place you want to travel. This Israel travel guide would then be helpful.

Best Time To Visit Israel

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As a visitor, you should be aware of the best suitable time to explore Israel. Through Israel travel guide, you can have the knowledge about perfect time to plan a visit. It is recommended that you visit this country anytime between December to April to avoid scorching summers. In wintertime, you can enjoy the fascinating tranquility of Dead Sea. Those visiting during the early springs can watch endless blooming of the deserts. Curious tourists flock during August to witness holiest Yom Kippur spiritual fest held every September.

How To Reach Israel

By Air: Tourists arrive at the Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. It is the country’s major international airport nearby Jerusalem city. Mandated as a part of the Israel travel requirements, strict security checks are done by keeping security aspects in consideration.

By Road: Buses can be taken from nearby Jordan to Israel. There is direct bus service from neighboring Jordan’s capital Amman to the cities of Tel Aviv, Nazareth, and Haifa by the King Hussein Bridge. Taxis can also be taken from these routes to reach Jericho, Ramallah, and Jerusalem. Other route to Israel is from neighboring Egypt’s capital, Cairo from where you can avail the bus service. Buses operate from Cairo Gateway Plaza, also famous as Turgomen Garage or Metro Stop Orabi to Israeli cities and vice versa.

By Water: It is not a popular option to visit Israel by waters although a route does exist. Cruise service is available from Cyprus’ Limassol to Haifa by Louis Cruises and Salamis Cruises to connect Israel to the world through waterways.

Questions like is it safe to travel to Israel often arise. Border to Israel facilitates 5 crossings for entry through roadways. They include 2 entries from neighboring Egypt for Nitzhana and Taba at south of Eilat to 3 from Jordanian border to Allenby King Hussein Bridge; Tiberias nearby Jordan River and Yitzhak Rabin respectively. Israel has sealed borders for neighboring countries of Syria and Lebanon. So, traveling to the country cannot be any safer.

Best Places To Visit In Israel

Options to visit beautiful beaches, amazing natural landscapes and explore great history as notable places to visit in Israel make it once-in-a-lifetime experience to evaluate its variegated tourist significance. Here is enlisted must-see places during Israel tour:

Historic significance of Acre makes it key landmark. For several centuries since Ottomans crusade Acre, it witnessed mingling of cultures with gradual inhabitants. Redefining past glories, this North Israeli city enchants history lovers to evaluate its buildings molded culturally to the ruins everywhere. A modern port is perfect place for evening strollers. Its local markets and restaurants serving great foods are worth trying.

Location: Northern Israel District, Israel

Suggested Read: 10 Best Places To Visit In Israel For An Extended Tour Of The Holy Land

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2. Nazareth

Early settlements to Nazareth are recorded to be in 2200 BC while major city saw development to full-fledged establishment in 300 AD. Christians consider Nazareth their holy destination. Besides being valued for exuberant religious identities, this city is famous for historic and cultural richness amongst the places to visit in Israel. Travellers witness great archaeological richness and unique charm of Middle Eastern region not usually found in rest areas thus often denoted with a metaphor “the Arab Capital of Israel.”

Location: Northern District, Israel; Website: www.nazareth.muni.il

Must Read: 10 Things To Do In Israel: Know Why It’s On Every Wanderer’s Bucket List

3. Sea of Galilee

One of the notable Israel travel tips is that visitors must head towards the Sea of Galilee which is also denoted with local name—the Kinneret. Due to being key water source for the country as the biggest freshwater lake catering to the water needs. According to the Christian faith, it was on the Galilee waters that Jesus miraculously walked. Modern day Sea of Galilee is famous destination for travellers to rejuvenate at its banks. They delve into various water sports activities.

Location: Nearby Tiberias, Tel Katzir settlements, Israel

Suggested Read: Honeymoon In Israel: The Beginning Of A Lifelong Romance

4. Golan Heights

Tourists are advised to relook packing list while traveling to Israel to explore its location diversities. Golan Heights mountainous ranges in the northern side are worth viewing. Tourists enjoy its spectacular landscapes to feel the natural reserves literally welcoming them. It is famous for hiking activities. Skiers find in Hermon Mountain at Golan Heights an ideal place to delve during winters.

Location: Nearby Yarmouk River and Hula Valley, Israel

Israel travel guide advises why tour remains incomplete without visiting the 3rd largest city, Haifa. Located on Mount Carmel slops, modern Haifa city its diversified neighborhoods amalgamate multiple cultures. Its history spans to more than 3000 years. Tell Abu Hawam were its earliest settlements.

Haifa served as a dye-making center during 3rd century. Ruled by Canaanites to Phoenicians to Israelites to Persians and even Romans and Hasmoneans besides Byzantines to Arabs until Ottomans and finally coming under the British, cultural glimpses of them all still reflect here. UNESCO World Heritage site of Bahá’í World Center appeals the visits. Its vivacious beach literally keeps all tourists hooked.

Location: Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel; Website

6. Tel Aviv

Modern Tel Aviv city or the ‘Ancient Hill of Spring’ is a great place to visit. Being the 2nd most populous urban establishment after Jerusalem, its beaches and nightlife are key attractions. It is hub of great shopping and ultimate culinary delights. This city’s diversity also reflects from entertainment and cultural events held throughout the year. Israel travel guide highlights about its identity of emerging into a hub of technology. Today, Tel Aviv welcomes more than 2.5 million travellers from the global locations throughout the year.

Location: Tel Aviv District, Gush Dan Metropolitan Area, White City of Tel Aviv, Israel

7. Jerusalem

Strategically planned Israel travel tips keep Jerusalem in the must visit list for the travellers. This city is an oldest of the existing holiest cities in the world with unique identity of being a spiritual site for world’s three major religions—Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Its exploration takes you to the ancient era reflected through Grand Wall; Al Aqsa Mosque, Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher etc. Four quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem namely Jewish quarter; Muslim quarter; Christian quarter and Armenian quarter describe its religious values.

Location: District Jerusalem, Jerusalem Municipality, Israel; Website

Suggested Read: 15 Scenic Israel Beaches That Flaunt The Best Of The Mediterranean

Things To Do In Israel

1. visiting ramon crater for hiking.

Ramon Crater in Mitzpe Ramon, Israel has an identity of being world’s largest erosion crater where you spend good time to assess remarkable view from the top. You must pack sufficient water, sun lotion, packed lunch, walking shoes, warm cloths if travelling in the winters and backpacks to keep your stuffs safe.

Hiking Distance: Approximately 6km Timing: Sunrise to Sunset (June – September)

2. Relaxing at the Dead Sea Beaches

Dead Sea offers true fun exploration to travelers to float on the boats, relax on its beaches and much more fun activities. A visit to the beaches would ensure you get to relax yourself after a long day of travel and exploration. Sit back and unwind as you witness the Black Sea in all its glory.

Timing: Sunrise to Sunset

Suggested Read: 16 Best Things To Do In Beirut For The Perfect Mediterranean Experience

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3. Exploring Eilat

Eilat is a town located near Jordan, on the Red Sea. An ultimate destination for relaxing purpose; Eilat is best suitable for involving in water sports activities like snorkeling, scuba diving as well as swimming alongside dolphins among others. The coral reefs here are a must to witness. You can spot various aquatic animals here and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Suggested Read: 10 Places For Scuba Diving In Israel To Satiate Your Adventure-Lust

4. Visit to Jerusalem Ancient Pathways

Located on the plateau in Judaean Mountains, amidst Mediterranean sea and Red Sea, the old city of Jerusalem is known for ancient pathways where visitors stroll to feel as if they have gone back to the past era. Being one of the oldest cities of the world, Jerusalem is a pivotal place of sacred importance to the three religions, namely, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Suggested Read: 8 Restaurants In Hungary That Can Match Any European City For Culinary Travel

5. Visit To The Wailing Wall

Ancient Wailing Wall is the holiest site on earth for Judaism. It is worth observing during the visit. This is an old limestone wall in Jerusalem and can be seen as a small section of longer wall, known by the name of Western Wall. The construction of Wailing Wall began in 19 BC. The wall measures 19 m in height and 488 m in length. In Islam, it is famous by the name of Buraq Wall.

6. Trip To Tel Megiddo

Considered a mysterious site to observe, Tel Megiddo is sprawling valley listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is worth visiting for being a strategically important location to connect Egypt to Damascus. It is located around 30 kilometers southeast of Haifa. This place holds a historical significance with its Greek name, Armageddon.

Suggested Read: 6 Museums In Italy Across 6 Cities. Which One Will You Choose For Your European Adventure?

7. Banias Nature Reserve For Water Hike

An ultimate tourist attraction, Banias Nature Reserve is famous for water hike in the backdrop of splendid waterfalls nearby Herodian site ruins. “Banias” is the actually a modern Hebrew and Arabic name of an age-old place that was located along a spring that was related to the Greek God, named Pan. This place is situated at the Mt. Hermon foot, at the north of Golan Heights.

Price: Adults: ₹ 530; Child: ₹ 265 Timing: 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM

8. Trekking at Israel National Trail

A great location for trekking, Israel National Trail attracts visitors who are looking for hiking and other related thrilling activities. This trail covers the whole country of Israel at the southern and northern borders. The usage of this path commenced from 1995. The trail covers some significant historical places, landscapes, and archaeological sites.

Price: ₹ 11,000/- (All Exclusive) Timing: Refer to organizers for schedules

Suggested Read: Shopping In Czech Republic: For Adding More Charm To Your Wardrobe With A European Touch

Where To Stay In Israel?

Israel offers best accommodation options to its visitors. Its hotels facilitate best comfort to guests. Here is the list of popular hotels:

1. Shkedi’s Camplodge

Located nearby Dead Sea, it is famous for iconic bonfire, private cabins, and dorm tents for families willing to explore seashore.

Location: Neot HaKikar, Israel Price: ₹ 7000/- for Standard Cabin meant for 2 people per night

2. Genghis Khan in the Golan

Renowned Mongolian tents accommodation with all amenities is a perfect choice for family accommodation.

Location: Giv’at Yo’av, Israel Price: ₹ 5000/- for 2 persons

Suggested Read: 35 Best Places To Spend Christmas In Europe 2021: Where Festivities Breathe Magic Into The Air!

An excellent accommodation option in Zuqim area nearby southern part of Dead Sea connecting to Eilat, it provides luxurious and comfortable accommodation.

Location: Tzukim, Israel Price: ₹ 20,000/- for family accommodation

4. Brown Hotel Tel Aviv

One of the famous hotels in Tel Aviv, it is cost effective and makes your stays truly comfortable.

Location: 25 Kalisher Street, Tel Aviv City Center, Tel Aviv, Israel Price: ₹ 12,500/- for family accommodation

Further Read: 9 Restaurants In Berlin To Visit In 2022 That Offer Delicious Food & Gorgeous Views, All On One Platter!

Known for its history and culture, Israel is a country that cannot be explored without having a good knowledge about its roots as well as significant places. This Israel travel guide will not only make it convenient for you to prepare an itinerary but will even help you comprehend the essence of each place. Therefore, when planning your vacation in Israel , it is pivotal you go through these guidelines.

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Finding Alexx

| Bucket list adventures around the globe

welcome to finding alexx

A travel blog sharing epic adventures around the world for travellers on any budget, kia ora, i'm alexx.

I'm a Kiwi blogger, photographer and solo female traveller, and I'm here to help you bring your travel dreams to life.

My travels have taken me to 57 countries in the past ten years, some on university exchanges & working holiday visas, some while working my 9-5 in the travel industry, and some while travelling full-time as a digital nomad, creating content for travel brands all around the world.

Here at Finding Alexx I share all the adventures (and misadventures) that come with full-time solo travel, honest reviews of the places I've visited, and actionable travel tips that will actually help you plan your own unforgettable trip, whether you're pinching pennies on a backpacker budget or ready to splurge for the trip of a lifetime.

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How Israel's travel will be affected by the war as summer approaches

Travel affairs: nearly eight months into the war, israel’s travel industry faces a long summer of struggle..

El Al receives high amounts of profit

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Israel Introduces New Electronic Travel Authorization System  

By: CIBT Editorial Team

June 11, 2024

The Israeli Population and Immigration Administration announced the introduction of a new electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) system, which will become fully operational in August 2024. The initiative is aimed at modernizing Israel’s border management processes and enhancing the border-crossing experience for citizens from visa-exempt countries. Here’s an in-depth look at the new system and its implications for corporate and leisure travel. 

Overview of the ETA-IL system 

Israel’s new ETA system is designed to streamline the entry process for visa-exempt travelers for stays of up to 90 days. This initiative is in line with global trends, where countries are adopting electronic systems to improve security and efficiency at their borders. The ETA-IL will be mandatory for short-term stays, including tourism and business. 

An ETA-IL authorization has a validity period of up to two years, or until the expiry date of the passport under which it was issued - whichever comes first. If the holder obtains a new passport or changes name, gender, or country of citizenship, they will be required to apply for a new travel authorization. 

Eligibility and application process 

The ETA-IL system will open for application submissions as a pilot program for holders of United States and German passports from June 1, 2024. Applications are voluntary during the pilot phase. The system will open to visitors from all visa-exempt countries on July 1, 2024, with valid ETA-IL being required for entry into Israel from August 1, 2024. 

The application process will be conducted online, requiring applicants to provide personal information, travel details, and answer security-related questions. The processing time is expected to be brief, typically within a few days. 

Summary of key ETA-IL dates 

June 01, 2024: Applications open for passport holders from Germany and the United States.   

July 01, 2024: Applications open for all other eligible nationalities. 

August 01, 2024: Full implementation of the ETA-IL system. From this date, eligible travelers are required to hold a valid ETA-IL for entry into Israel. 

Benefits of the ETA-IL system 

The introduction of the ETA-IL system offers several key benefits: 

• Efficiency: The online application process eliminates the need for in-person visits to Israeli consulates or embassies, saving time and administrative effort. 
• Security: Pre-screening travelers before their arrival enhances border security, allowing Israeli authorities to identify potential risks in advance. 
• Convenience: The ETA-IL will facilitate a faster and more streamlined entry process, significantly reducing wait times at immigration checkpoints. 

Preparing for travel 

Corporate travel managers should verify whether their employees' countries of origin are eligible for the ETA-IL. Once eligibility is confirmed, it is advisable to complete the online application well in advance of travel dates. Additionally, travelers should carry a printed or digital copy of the ETA approval, as it may be required by airline staff or immigration officers. 

In conclusion, Israel’s new electronic travel authorization system represents a significant modernization in the Israeli border-crossing experience. By simplifying the entry process, it enhances the overall travel experience. Travellers with upcoming trips to Israel should stay informed about the latest travel regulations and prepare accordingly to ensure a smooth and efficient travel experience.  

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Israel-Hamas war latest: US official 'part of the problem', says Hamas - as group hits back over ceasefire changes claims

Hamas says it wants written guarantees from the US before agreeing to a ceasefire deal - as it hits back at Anthony Blinken over his claims that the group wanted "substantial" changes to the deal.

Wednesday 12 June 2024 20:08, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• 90 missiles fired at northern Israel from Lebanon after 'massive' alerts | Further 70 sent in second barrage | IDF strikes back
• Israel 'has not decided' whether extensive reaction required in Lebanon
• Hezbollah claims responsibility for strikes after commander death
• Confusion remains over Biden ceasefire deal
• Explained:  The three phases of the deal and what key players have said
• UN finds war crimes committed by both Israel and Hamas in early months of war
• Live reporting by Emily Mee , Mark Wyatt and, earlier,  Ollie Cooper

That brings our live coverage to an end for this evening.

Scroll back through the blog to catch up on the day's events.

The two main features of our coverage today have been the apparent breakdown of the ceasefire plan approved by the UN Security Council on Monday - and the exchange of missile attacks between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

The two strands are very much intertwined, a point made today by Mairav Zonszein, the senior Israel analyst with the International Crisis Group, a conflict resolution organisation.

In a piece for the New York Times, she references the fact that Israeli officials have repeatedly insisted the country cannot stop the war in Gaza, "not just because Hamas is still not entirely defeated, but because of what it means for Israel’s power projection in the region", specifically in relation to Hezbollah and Iran.

As she says, a number of Israeli officials think another war with Hezbollah is "a matter of time", while far-right politicians have begun calling for an invasion of Lebanon.

"But the reality on the ground tells a different story," she writes.

"The military, which is accustomed to short wars, seems fatigued - as is the Israeli public, which wants a new government. And if Israel has not been able to dismantle Hamas, a much smaller and less formidable adversary, after eight months of war and a nearly 17-year blockade of Gaza, what makes Israelis think that they can defeat Hezbollah in Lebanon, even putting aside the high price in soldier and civilian lives?

"Continuing on the current trajectory of escalating tit-for-tat attacks is also dangerous, not just because of what Hezbollah is learning, but also because the risk of all-out war, even if no one wants one, is constantly rising because of miscalculations in the expanding battlefield and potency of the weapons used."

The US military has urged a de-escalation in rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon, in the wake of the exchange of rocket fire between the two countries over the last 24 hours.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin raised the matter in a call with his Israeli counterpart yesterday, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh.

"We don't want to see a wider regional conflict and we do want to see a de-escalation of tensions in the region," she told a news briefing.

Hezbollah fired the most rockets it has launched at Israel in a single day since cross-border hostilities broke out eight months ago, as part of its retaliation today for an Israeli strike which killed a senior Hezbollah field commander.

As reported in our 18.22 post, Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to hold a security assessment this evening.

Police in Jerusalem are investigating an incident in the Old City that saw an off-duty Israeli soldier open fire and reportedly injure four people.

Israeli news outlet Kann has reported that an IDF soldier - who was with other off-duty troops - shot at a suspect who was then seriously injured, while another three have been lightly hurt.

The report adds that police are investigating a claim made by the off-duty soldiers that the suspect attempted to snatch one of their weapons.

Israeli's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding a security assessment this evening "in light of the developments in the north, and Hamas’s negative response regarding the release of the hostages", according to The Times of Israel quoting his office. 

Hezbollah earlier fired more than 200 rockets at northern Israel after the IDF killed a senior commander. 

No injuries or deaths were reported in Israel following the attack. 

The IDF later responded to the barrage by striking targets in southern Lebanon. 

Dozens gathered in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura today to mourn the death of a public utility worker killed by an Israeli drone strike.

Saleh Ahmad Mehdi was severely injured when he was struck by a drone while driving his motorcycle in the coastal town, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency.

Mr Mehdi, identified as a worker for the South Lebanon Water Establishment, was helping to supply water to Naqoura when he was hit, later succumbing to his injuries.

Funeral attendee Samir Al Hassan told reporters: “Saleh was one of the guys who was persistent and patient. He was a good person. 

"He didn’t want to leave the town because he wanted to serve the public with water. Some people asked him why he didn't leave. He said he wanted to stay to give people water and he wasn't scared of death."

More than 400 people have been killed in Lebanon over the past eight months in ongoing clashes between the Israeli military and the Hezbollah group.

Hezbollah, a key Hamas ally, maintains that it will stop attacking northern Israel when the war in Gaza ends.

The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) says a significant proportion of Gaza's population is now facing "catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions."

Since 7 October, the escalating crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory has caused large numbers of civilian deaths and injuries.

The vast majority of these have been in Gaza, where airstrikes and a lack of medical supplies, food, water and fuel have almost completely wiped out an already under-resourced health system.

"Despite reports of increased delivery of food, there is currently no evidence that those who need it most are receiving sufficient quantity and quality of food," said WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“A significant proportion of Gaza's population is now facing catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions."

Tedros says there are more than 8,000 children under five years old who have been diagnosed with acute malnutrition, including 1,600 children with severe acute malnutrition.

He said: "Our inability to provide health services safely, combined with the lack of clean water and sanitation, significantly increases the risk of malnourished children."

In the southern suburbs of Beirut, crowds turned out to mourn the death of senior Hezbollah commander Taleb Sami Abdullah. 

He was killed late yesterday in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon. 

Hezbollah fired a huge barrage of rockets into northern Israel today in response. 

A blame game appears to be taking place between Hamas and the US today, with both sides accusing the other of causing problems with the ceasefire proposal. 

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has been discussing the proposal this afternoon, after the US said Hamas had proposed "unworkable" changes. 

"Many of the proposed changes are minor and not unanticipated," Mr Sullivan said. 

"Others differ more substantially from what was outlined in the UN Security Council resolution." 

Mr Sullivan did not provide details as to the changes the US is claiming Hamas proposed.

He added that the US would work with Egypt and Qatar to bridge the gaps in the proposal. 

Hamas earlier denied it had put forward new changes to the potential deal.

Some clue as to the nature of the disagreement - and the changes the US is referring to - was offered in comments senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan made to Al Mayadeen yesterday.

He told the outlet that the plan discusses a ceasefire in Gaza but does not specify that it is permanent - despite Joe Biden having referred to a permanent ceasefire.

"We have amended this," Mr Hamdan said.

Firefighters in northern Israel have brought fires sparked by Hezbollah rockets under control, according to a report in the Times of Israel.

More than 160 rockets were launched at Israel from southern Lebanon, after Israel struck and killed a senior Hezbollah commander overnight.

No casualties have been reported.

Teams are still working to fully extinguish the blazes in the Birya Forest and the Kadita, Ein Zeitim, and Zivon communities.

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Middle East Crisis U.S. Won’t Suspend Aid, for Now, to Israeli Unit Accused of Abuses

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• Israeli police detaining protesters during a demonstration by Israeli and American rabbis near the Erez crossing into Gaza. Reuters
• Palestinian children waiting for a water supply tank in Rafah, southern Gaza. Mohammed Abed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Damage in the area of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon. Ramiz Dallah/Anadolu, via Getty Images
• Walking past posters in Tel Aviv of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
• Hanging around the apparent remains of a ballistic missile near the southern Israeli city of Arad. Amir Cohen/Reuters
• Palestinians on a hot day at a beach west of Deir al Balah in southern Gaza. Mohammed Saber/EPA, via Shutterstock

Follow live news updates on the crisis in the Middle East .

Blinken says the U.S. could take action if Israel fails to hold its troops accountable.

The Biden administration, which has been under pressure for its support of Israel’s war in Gaza, will not withhold military aid from a troubled military unit accused of human rights violations in the West Bank, so long as Israel continues with steps to hold the members of the unit accountable.

In an undated letter, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken told the House speaker, Mike Johnson, that the United States was working with Israel to address charges against the unit, the Netzah Yehuda battalion. Though the letter did not mention the battalion’s name, a U.S. official confirmed that Mr. Blinken was referring to Netzah Yehuda, which has been investigated for crimes in the West Bank predating the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack that set off the war in Gaza.

The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss delicate diplomacy, said that the Biden administration could still take action against Netzah Yehuda if it concludes that Israel has not taken sufficient steps to hold its members to account.

The letter, obtained by The New York Times, said the State Department had determined that Netzah Yehuda had committed “gross human rights violations” against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

U.S. officials had reached similar findings about two other Israeli military units and two civilian units, the letter said, but in those cases the Biden administration had decided not to withhold military aid because Israel was already acting to “bring to justice” culpable service members.

Mr. Blinken assured Mr. Johnson in the letter, reported earlier by ABC News , that the United States “will not delay the delivery of any U.S. assistance, and Israel will be able to receive the full amount appropriated by Congress.”

Under federal statutes commonly known as the Leahy law , the U.S. government must deny aid to foreign military units found to have committed gross violations of human rights without accountability. The law allows for the targeting of individual units without cutting off entire foreign militaries.

It was not clear what practical effect any such move might have, given that funding of specific Israeli units is hard to track, and it is unclear whether the units mentioned in the letter receive American training or equipment.

Still, the news last week that U.S. officials were considering withholding aid from Israeli military units for abuses prompted a furious response from Israel and from Mr. Johnson, a strong supporter of the current Israeli government. Mr. Johnson said this week that he had called the White House in protest and had received an assurance in writing that none of the billions in additional U.S. aid to Israel approved by Congress this week would be affected.

The Biden administration has faced growing calls to restrict American aid to Israel over its military offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attacks in October. President Biden so far has declined to place conditions on U.S. aid over Israel’s devastating tactics in the Gaza war, though he has taken several steps in response to violence by Israelis in the West Bank, including placing sanctions against several Israeli settlers for what the U.S. has called “extremist” acts of violence against Palestinians.

In his letter to the Republican House speaker, Mr. Blinken said that two Israeli battalions and “civilian authority units,” none of which he named, had committed human rights abuses but that he had “determined that the Israeli government has conducted effective remediation of the units involved.” He defined remediation as a process in which a foreign government takes “effective steps to bring to justice the responsible members of the unit.”

In the case of Netzah Yehuda, which he did not cite by name, he said that “there has not been effective remediation to date” but that the Israeli government “has presented new information regarding the status of the unit, and we will engage on identifying a path to effective remediation for this unit.”

Mr. Blinken is planning to travel to Israel next week for meetings with Israeli leaders to discuss efforts to free hostages from Gaza and an impending Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, an Israeli official said on Friday. It was not immediately clear whether he would discuss Netzah Yehuda. Mr. Blinken has discussed the matter by phone with senior Israeli officials in recent days.

Under the terms of a 10-year security agreement that the United States and Israel reached in 2016, the United States must consult with Israeli officials before placing restrictions on security assistance. That consultation is ongoing, according to the U.S. official.

Netzah Yehuda, which was created to accommodate the religious practices of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community, has been repeatedly accused of mistreating Palestinians.

In January 2022, according to witnesses, its soldiers bound and gagged a 78-year-old Palestinian American who died of a heart attack while in military custody. An investigation concluded that the two soldiers who bound the man thought he was sleeping. The soldiers faced disciplinary action but no criminal charges were brought.

The unit was transferred in 2022 from the West Bank to the Golan Heights in northern Israel, according to Mr. Blinken’s letter.

Mr. Blinken added that no other Israeli units had been found culpable of rights violations under the Leahy Law and that the administration’s deliberations “will have no impact on our support for Israel’s ability to defend itself against Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah or other threats.”

— Michael Crowley reporting from Washington

Blinken will make another wartime trip to Israel.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will visit Israel next week, an Israeli official said on Friday, as talks on a cease-fire deal that would allow for the release of hostages held in Gaza appear stalled and tensions have risen between Israel and the United States over the war.

The Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of lack of authorization to speak publicly on the matter, said talks with Mr. Blinken would center on hostages and an impending Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Mr. Blinken last visited Israel in March, when he warned that its plans to invade Rafah , where more than a million displaced people are sheltering, would pose severe risks to civilians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with those plans, saying that such an operation is necessary to eliminate Hamas battalions in the city.

Still, the Biden administration has stuck by Israel as mediators have failed to broker even a temporary cease-fire in Gaza that would give Palestinians some respite and allow for the release of hostages abducted in the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel .

The United States has proposed a deal through Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries in which Hamas would release 40 of the most vulnerable hostages in exchange for a six-week truce and the release of hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. A senior Biden administration official who briefed reporters on Thursday on condition of anonymity under official ground rules put the blame solely on Hamas for blocking the deal.

The official said that while Israel had signaled it would accept those terms, the response from Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader hiding underground in Gaza, had been “totally nonconstructive.” Hamas has since signaled that it is not completely rejecting the deal and is willing to sit down again, the official said, adding that the United States and its partners would test that in coming days.

President Biden and the leaders of 17 other nations called on Hamas on Thursday to release all the hostages in a joint statement that appeared intended to send the message that the world is not entirely against Israel and that Hamas is the main impediment to ending the war.

Peter Baker contributed reporting from Washington.

— Patrick Kingsley reporting from Jerusalem

Israel fires into Lebanon after a deadly Hezbollah missile strike.

An Israeli man was killed in an anti-tank missile attack from Lebanon, the Israeli military said on Friday, the latest in a growing string of civilian casualties on both sides of Israel’s northern border as tit-for-tat strikes intensify with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah .

The Israeli military said in a statement that the man had been carrying out “infrastructure work” when two anti-tank missiles were fired late Thursday into the area of Har Dov in northern Israel, a disputed sliver of land where Israel, Lebanon and Syria meet. Also known as the Shebaa Farms, the area is claimed by Lebanon but occupied by Israel, and has long been a crucible for violence.

Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful regional proxy , described the overnight attack as an “ambush,” claiming that two vehicles had been destroyed in a combined missile, artillery and rocket assault on an Israeli military base in the area. The Israeli military statement did not say whether a base had been hit.

Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster, identified the man killed as Sharif Suwayed, 35, and said that his truck had been hit while he was working to improve defenses at a military base, modifications that were being carried out at night to protect against Hezbollah attacks. The Israeli military was investigating, the broadcaster reported.

Israeli forces responded by striking Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon, among them a weapon storage facility and military compound, according to a military statement. Lebanese state media reported on Friday that multiple towns had been targeted by heavy Israeli bombardment, damaging dozens of houses. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, the heaviest between the sides in nearly two decades, has shown no sign of subsiding. Israeli strikes inside Lebanon have begun to creep deeper into the country’s interior, though the hostilities for now have been confined largely to areas along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

In Israel, 19 soldiers and civilians have been killed in the recent violence, which began after Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel in support of the deadly Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7.

More than 70 civilians have been killed in Lebanon, along with roughly 270 Hezbollah fighters, the group has said, a figure that exceeds its losses in the 2006 war with Israel .

Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, said this week that its strikes had eliminated half of Hezbollah’s commanders in southern Lebanon, although experts expressed skepticism about that claim . They also have cast doubt on whether targeted killings of commanders could achieve Israel’s goal of pushing Hezbollah farther from the border, reducing the threat of attacks and allowing the tens of thousands of Israeli civilians displaced by the fighting to return to their homes.

Patrick Kingsley contributed reporting from Jerusalem.

— Euan Ward Reporting from Beirut, Lebanon

A baby born in Gaza after her mother was killed in an Israeli strike dies less than a week later.

A baby who was delivered through an emergency cesarean section after her mother was killed in an Israeli strike died on Thursday, a relative said, less than a week after news of her birth brought a glimmer of hope to war-torn Gaza.

The baby, who was born prematurely after a strike in southern Gaza that also killed her father and sister, suffered respiratory problems, and doctors were unable to save her, said her uncle, Rami al-Sheikh.

“I buried her in her father’s grave,” he said in a phone interview on Friday.

The mother, Sabreen al-Sakani, was killed along with her husband, Shukri, and their 3-year-old daughter, Malak, when an Israeli strike hit their home in the city of Rafah shortly before midnight last Saturday. Rescue crews took the bodies to the Emirati Hospital in Rafah, where doctors performed a cesarean section on Ms. al-Sakani, who was 30 weeks pregnant.

The girls’ uncle said that Malak had wanted to name her little sister Rouh, the Arabic word for soul. The extended family decided instead to name her after her mother, Sabreen.

Sabreen weighed just three pounds at birth, said Dr. Mohammed Salama, head of the neonatal intensive care unit at Emirati Hospital. Her birth was captured on video by a journalist from the Reuters news agency, who filmed doctors providing artificial respiration to her after she emerged, pale and limp, from her mother.

Instead of a name, doctors initially wrote, “The baby of the martyr Sabreen al-Sakani” on a piece of tape across her chest.

“The baby was delivered into a tragic situation,” Dr. Salama told Reuters, adding, “Even if this baby survives, she was born an orphan.”

— Hiba Yazbek Reporting from Jerusalem

Drone attack kills 4 workers in an Iraqi gas field, but no one claims responsibility.

A drone attack on a large gas field in Iraq’s Kurdistan region killed four workers and plunged much of eastern Kurdistan into darkness because it relies on gas to fuel its electrical plants, according to a Kurdistan regional government spokesman.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. While Iranian-backed armed groups have bases in the area, there are many competing interests in Kurdistan, leaving it unclear whether the attacks are part of the larger regional fight between Iran and Israel, which has intensified during the war in Gaza.

The Kurdistan region’s president, Nechirvan Barzani, condemned the attack and called on the government in Baghdad to investigate. “These attacks endanger the peace and stability of the country,” Mr. Barzani said, adding, “The representatives of the Iraqi federal government must do their duty to prevent these attacks and find the perpetrators from any side and punish them according to the law.”

Iraq’s joint command in Baghdad issued a statement calling the attack “sabotage,” confirming that a drone was used. The statement said Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani had ordered an investigation.

Friday’s drone attack was the second so far this year on the Khor Mor field in Sulaymaniyah Province. The last one, in January, did not inflict casualties.

“Four Yemeni workers have been killed, and the field has been severely damaged, which will cause electricity shortages,” said Peshawa Hawramani, a spokesman for the Kurdistan regional government.

Almost a million people in Sulaymaniyah Province were left without power, along with thousands more in adjacent provinces. It took about 24 hours to restore electricity after the last attack, but because the damage was greater this time, Kurdish authorities said it could take longer. While hospitals and security services have large generators, many ordinary residents have access only to limited power from shared generators.

Claims of responsibility were never made for previous attacks on the gas field, which is operated by Dana Gas, based in the United Arab Emirates, and a related company, Crescent Petroleum.

While the drone attack could stem from the regional conflict between Iran and Israel, there are other tensions in the region — between internal Iraqi factions and between Baghdad and Kurdistan. There has been a multiyear effort by the Iraqi federal government in Baghdad and the courts to reduce the Kurdistan region’s control over its natural resources.

At the same time, there is tension between Iran and Iraq over any efforts by Iraq to expand domestic gas production. Iran sells about $4 billion of gas to Iraq each year because Iraq does not have enough gas to fuel its electricity plants. Kurdistan and the Iraqi government had been discussing expansion of the Khor Mor field.

Kamil Kakol contributed reporting from Sulaymaniyah Province, Iraq .

— Alissa J. Rubin Reporting from Baghdad

Rabbis are arrested near the Gaza-Israel border at a rally to highlight starvation.

Police arrest group of rabbis and activists near gaza, the israeli police arrested rabbis and peace activists near the border with gaza..

[singing] You can arrest us, but we’re going to walk slowly, our way towards the crossing.

Seven rabbis and peace activists were arrested on Friday near the border with Gaza after they tried to take food supplies into the territory, according to two participants and the campaign group that organized the effort.

The detainees were among a group of roughly 30 rabbis and activists from Israel and the United States who were stopped by police officers as they tried to reach the Erez crossing, a major transit point between Israel and northern Gaza.

Organized by Rabbis for Ceasefire, a peace movement based in the United States, the effort was intended to build support for a truce and to highlight rising reports of starvation in Gaza . A global authority on food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative, has predicted an imminent famine in northern Gaza, the area of the territory closest to Erez.

The protest was timed to coincide with the week of Passover , a Jewish festival that celebrates the biblical story of the liberation of Jews from slavery in ancient Egypt.

“We were making the point that Jewish liberation is bound up with Palestinian liberation, that we want freedom for all,” said Toba Spitzer, a rabbi from Boston who attended the protest but was not arrested.

The group had tried to drive into Gaza with a pickup truck carrying half a ton of rice and flour but was stopped roughly a third of a mile from the border, Rabbi Spitzer said. The effort was largely symbolic and the organizers expected it to fail given the restrictions along the border; the supplies will now be donated to needy Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Rabbi Spitzer said.

The Israeli police did not respond to requests for comment.

The author Ayelet Waldman of Berkeley, Calif., was among those arrested, her husband, the author Michael Chabon, said on Instagram .

There are widespread food shortages in Gaza. Israeli restrictions on where convoys can enter the strip, Israeli bombardment and widespread damage to roads, the collapse of Gazan agriculture, and a breakdown in law and order have all made it harder to distribute aid safely.

Aid groups and United Nations officials have accused Israel of systematically limiting aid delivery. Israel denies the assertion, blaming the shortages on logistical failures by aid groups, and has recently increased the number of trucks entering the strip.

Israeli officials say that the Erez crossing, which was primarily used for pedestrian traffic before the war, is difficult to use for aid delivery because it lacks the right infrastructure and was also badly damaged during the Hamas-led raid on Israel in October.

A majority of Jewish Israelis oppose the delivery of more aid to Gaza, according to a poll conducted in February by the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based research group.

Israeli protesters regularly gather at another crossing point farther south, trying to block aid convoys entering Gaza .

— Patrick Kingsley and Rawan Sheikh Ahmad Reporting from Jerusalem and from Haifa, Israel

The U.S. Army has begun work on a floating pier to move aid from ships into Gaza, the Pentagon says.

Army engineers on Thursday began construction of a floating pier and causeway for humanitarian aid off the coast of Gaza, which, when completed, could help relief workers deliver as many as two million meals a day for the enclave’s residents, Defense Department officials said.

The construction on the “initial stages of the temporary pier and causeway at sea” means that the project’s timing is in line with what Pentagon officials had predicted, Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Defense Department’s press secretary, said. The construction is meant to allow humanitarian aid to bypass Israeli restrictions on land convoys into the besieged strip.

General Ryder said that defense officials expected the project, ordered up by President Biden early last month, to be completed early next month. The facility is meant to include an offshore platform to transfer aid from ships, and a floating pier to bring the aid to shore.

Aid organizations have welcomed the plan, which will be an addition to the airdrops of humanitarian supplies that the U.S. military has been conducting over Gaza. But aid workers say, and defense officials have acknowledged, that the maritime project is not an adequate substitute for land convoys. Such aid convoys fell sharply when the war began more than six months ago and have only partly recovered .

Some U.S. military officials have also privately expressed security concerns about the project, and General Ryder said that the military was looking into a mortar attack on Wednesday that caused minimal damage in the area where some pier work is supposed to be done. However, he said, U.S. forces had not started moving anything into the area at the time of the mortar attacks.

The floating pier is being built alongside an Army ship off the Gaza coast. Army ships are large, lumbering vessels, so they have armed escorts, particularly as they get within range of Gaza’s coast, defense officials have said.

The United Nations says famine is likely to set in within Gaza by the end of May.

Aid workers have described bottlenecks for aid at border crossings because of lengthy inspections of trucks, limited crossing hours and protests by Israelis, and they have highlighted the difficulty of distributing aid inside Gaza. Israeli officials have denied that they are hampering the flow of aid, saying the United Nations and aid groups are responsible for any backlogs.

Senior Biden administration and military officials detailed a complex plan in a Pentagon call with reporters on Thursday afternoon, explaining how the pier and causeway are being put together, and how it is supposed to work. Army engineers are constructing the facility aboard Navy ships in the eastern Mediterranean. One official said that the “at-sea assembly of key pieces” of the pier began on Thursday.

Biden officials are insistent that the Pentagon can carry out aid deliveries through the floating pier without putting American boots on the ground in Gaza. Officials described a complicated shuttle system, through which aid would be loaded onto Navy ships in Cyprus and transported to a causeway — a floating platform — at sea.

The Pentagon’s military acronym for the project is J-Lots, for Joint Logistics Over the Shore.

The causeway at sea is different from the floating pier where the aid will be offloaded into Gaza. An engineering unit with the Israeli military will anchor the floating pier to the Gaza shore, a senior military official told reporters in the Pentagon call.

Shuttle boats run by aid organizations, the United Nations or other countries are then expected to transport the aid to the floating pier, where it is to be loaded onto trucks driven by “a third party,” the official said. He declined to identify the third party.

The official said that Israel was dedicating a brigade to provide security for the American troops and aid workers working on the pier.

The operation is expected to bring in enough aid for around 90 trucks a day, a number that will increase to 150 trucks a day when the system reaches full operating capacity, the official said.

— Helene Cooper Reporting from Washington

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