Jerusalem (status disputed internationally; many embassies are in Tel Aviv)Capital
Hebrew, ArabicLanguage
ILSCurrency
6 to 10 daysIdeal stay
$160-260Typical day
Israel is a small country holding sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, alongside beaches, deserts and a strong food scene. Jerusalem's Old City, the Dead Sea and Masada are the classic sights, while Tel Aviv brings beaches and nightlife. Galilee in the north has lakes, hills and biblical sites. Security conditions have been volatile since 2023, so it suits travellers who follow current advice closely.
Where to start
Top 15 things to do
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A walled city with the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount or Haram al-Sharif compound. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site listed separately from any state, and its four quarters are full of markets and religious life.
2 to 3 daysTime needed
noBook ahead
Tip. Check visiting hours for each holy site, as they change around prayer times and holidays.
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Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins from OpenStreetMap search; check a place before you go.
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Turn Israel into your plan
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Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Tel Aviv, 2 nightsBeach, Jaffa and the White City.
Jerusalem, 3 nightsOld City and museums.
Dead Sea, 1 nightsMasada and floating.
Tel Aviv, 1 nightsFly out.
Plan your dates
Seasons and weather
Best: March to May and September to November. Warm, dry days without the intense summer heat.
The Dead Sea and Eilat are very hot in summer but pleasant in winter, while Jerusalem can be cold and wet from December to February.
Busy and pricey. Spring and autumn, plus Easter, Christmas and Jewish holidays. High season: crowds and the highest hotel prices. Book ahead.
Shoulder. March and November. Good weather with fewer people and better prices.
Quiet and cheaper. June to August, very hot, and December to February, cooler and rainy. Low season: lowest prices and few crowds, but shorter days and some places closed.
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
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Know before you go
At a glance
2/5
Safety
The US State Department rates Israel Level 3 (reconsider travel) for terrorism and unrest, rates Gaza Level 4 (do not travel) and warns about areas near the northern border and parts of the West Bank, so check current advice before any trip.
4/5
Getting around
Trains and buses are good and distances short, but services stop for Shabbat from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.
2/5
Value
Israel is expensive for hotels and food.
Good to know
Entry with your passport
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
Entry
Check visa and entry rules on the Israel Population and Immigration Authority Israel Entry site, which handles the ETA-IL (https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/) and on your own government's travel advice before you go, as rules can change.
Plugs
Type C, H, M; 230 V
Tap water
safe
Tipping
Around 10 to 15 percent is expected in restaurants.
Payments
Cards and mobile payments are widely accepted.
Emergency
100 police, 101 ambulance, 102 fire
Etiquette
Respect Shabbat in religious areas, where driving and phone use may cause offence. Politics and the conflict are sensitive topics, so listen more than you speak. Follow security instructions and carry your passport.
What to wear
Cover shoulders and knees at holy sites, and expect gender separated areas at the Western Wall; women may need to cover their heads in some places.
Driving
On the right
Between cities
Israel Railways links Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and the airport, and buses reach most other places. Most public transport stops on Shabbat. Renting a car is useful for the Dead Sea and Negev.
The land has been at the crossroads of empires for thousands of years, from ancient Israelite kingdoms to Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Crusader and Ottoman rule. After the British Mandate, the State of Israel was declared in 1948, followed by war with neighbouring states and the displacement of many Palestinians. Further wars and an ongoing Israeli Palestinian conflict continue to shape the region. Since October 2023 a war involving Gaza and regional tensions have seriously affected travel.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.
