Israel Travel Guide: What to See and Do in Israel
General Information of Israel
Israel is a sovereign country in the Middle East, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It limits to the north with Lebanon, to the east with Syria and Jordan, with Palestine and the Dead Sea, to the east with the West Bank, to the west with the Gaza Strip, to the southwest with Egypt, and to the south with the Gulf of Aqaba, in the sea Red.
It has a population of almost 9 million, most of them Jews, and is the only Jewish state in the world. It is also home to Arab Muslims, Christians, Druze and Samaritans, and other religious and ethnic minority groups.
The capital, seat of government, and largest city in the country is Jerusalem; the main economic and financial center is Tel Aviv and the largest industrial center is located in Haifa.
Geographical Location of Israel
Map of Israel on Google Maps
What to See and Do on a Trip to Israel?
Israel is known for having some of the holiest sites in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, making it a must for any traveler with an interest in history.
Although it is a small territory, it has a myriad of attractions and spectacular views, historical sites, lively cities, and some of the most sacred places on earth.
What you should visit comes down to your personal taste: if you go on a pilgrimage, you'll see the best of Jerusalem and Galilee; if diving is your thing, your paradise will be Eilat; and if you are a party and fun lover, Tel Aviv will be your destination.
Main Attractions of Israel
Visit Jerusalem
Capital of Israel and essential visit. In addition to being one of the oldest cities in the world, for some it is the center of the world. Considered sacred to the three great monotheistic religions and founded in 1004 B.C. by King David.
Get to Know Tel Aviv
It is the first modern Jewish city to be built in Israel, the second most important city after Jerusalem. The economic and cultural life of the country revolves around it. Known as the "city that never sleeps" due to its rich nightlife.
Among its numerous museums, the Museum of Art and the Jewish People, the local Carmel market, the Yemeni neighborhood, and more than 14 kilometers of coastline bathed by the Mediterranean Sea stand out. It would be unforgivable not to visit Jaffa, the ancient port city. Tel Aviv has wonderful beaches in the middle of the city with different environments to enjoy.
Explore Haifa
Haifa is located about 100 kilometers north of Tel Aviv, it is the third largest city in Israel and the heart of the region.
It is considered an example of coexistence between Jews, Muslims and Christians and is located in a wide natural bay between the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Carmel. Its landscape, set in terraces, offers a wide variety of spectacular views.
Explore Caesarea
Caesarea is located halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa, it is one of the best preserved and most interesting archaeological complexes to see in Israel.
The origin of these ruins is the ancient Roman city of Caesarea Maritima founded by Herod I the Great, in the 1st century BC. The great state of conservation of the complex makes it a mandatory stop.
Travel to Galilee
Similar to Tuscany in its beauty and serenity, it is probably the best-kept secret and a rustic dream destination for travel enthusiasts.
Galilee is famous for its vast green landscapes with hills and valleys, quaint small towns, historic sites, boutique vineyards, and wineries offering romantic tours, as well as where Jesus held his ministries.
Visit Safed
Located 900 meters in the mountains of the Upper Galilee in the north of the country, it is one of the four holy cities to see in Israel, known as the city of Kabbalah, the mystical branch of Judaism.
In addition to its surroundings and its views of the Galilee, it stands out for its historic center full of narrow cobbled streets, galleries, shops of local artists and old synagogues.
Nazareth
Nazareth was the place where Jesus is said to have spent his first years of life and where the Archangel Gabriel announced his future birth to the Virgin Mary, according to the gospels.
At present it is a city with a majority Arab population whose main tourist attraction is the Basilica of the Annunciation.
Acre
It is one of the oldest cities in the world with an important Templar past that can be appreciated by visiting the tunnel of the Templars and the fortress of the Order of the Hospitallers, the great jewel of Acre.
Remember that the Knights Templar were sent by the Pope and the European kings to recover the holiest Christian places from the Muslims.
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea (also known as Ein Gedi) is the lowest point on the planet located 435 meters below sea level and has a salinity 9 times higher than the rest of the seas.
Floating in a sea without using any kind of help is one of the most incredible experiences you can have in Israel. Also, if you feel like it, you can visit a kibbutz, the typical agricultural commune of the country.
Nearby you can visit Masada, a fortress located on the flat top of a lonely mountain in the Judean desert.
Legend has it that a group of brave Jews with their families resisted in this impregnable fortress and the siege of an entire legion from Rome during the first Judeo-Roman war.
Before the time of the conquest of the fortress by the Roman troops, all the rebels of Masada decided to commit suicide to avoid surrendering and being enslaved.
Get to Know Eilat
It is located in the extreme south of Israel and surrounded by a copper mine presenting different natural landscapes, from the Negev desert to Edom and the mountains, passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba.
It is a tourist city in the middle of the desert where you can do all kinds of activities. From going to the beach, scuba diving in its incredible reefs, swimming with dolphins, relaxing in a spa, nature tourism, luxury boat rentals, jeep safaris through the desert, enjoying gastronomy and wines, shopping (it's tax exempt) or even ice skating.
Belen
Bethlehem is located near the Israeli border, so it would be a shame to take a trip to this country and not visit it. It is located just 9 kilometers from Jerusalem, it is in the city that according to the Bible, Jesus was born. The most visited place is the Basilica of the Nativity, which hides the exact place of birth inside.
Beaches of Israel
Hilton Beach
It is a highly visited beach, especially by gay tourism, but it also offers a wide range of services such as water sports such as windsurfing or kayaking and a multitude of restaurants with a wide variety of menus to sample.
Banana Beach Israel
It is very well located for visiting the old town. It is an avant-garde beach and close to the most modern area of Tel Aviv, full of tourist resorts, and also a stone's throw from the ancient city of Jaffa. After spending the day at the beach, you can enjoy an outdoor club bar called Clara which is easily accessible from the beach.
Mezizim Beach
It is the most beautiful and familiar beach on the list. Surrounded by restaurants and a very pleasant atmosphere.
It has hammocks to relax in the sun while in sight it has a play area that allows you to watch the children. The beach also has toilets and is located a few minutes from the port of Tel Aviv.
How to Get to Israel?
The best way to get there is by plane, although you can also get there by road and by sea.
Tourism in Israel usually enters by air through the main airport in Tel Aviv, Ben Giron, 20 kilometers from the city and 45 kilometers from Jerusalem.
By boat, the main passenger port is in the Mediterranean city of Haifa. To get there by road you will have to do it through Egypt and Jordan.
Best Time of the Year to Travel to Israel
Israel has a Mediterranean climate along the coast, which becomes increasingly arid inland becoming desert in the Negev desert areas and along the Red Sea coast.
The Mediterranean coast and the central-northern part of the country have a climate that is hot and dry in summer and cold and humid in winter. The arid period goes from April to October, while the rains are concentrated in winter, between November and March.
In inland mountainous areas it is not uncommon to see snow in winter.
The best time to travel to Israel is in spring and autumn (between March and June) when temperatures are not very high and accommodation prices are much more affordable than in summer. In winter it is a good time to visit desert areas such as the Dead Sea area and Eilat, in the south of the country.
Gastronomy in Israel
Israel is a destination full of flavors, aromas, spices and countless dishes to try. From the Arabs to the Ottoman or Byzantine empire, all have contributed to the gastronomy of this country.
According to the precepts of Jewish law (The Torah), some foods, such as pork or shellfish, are prohibited. Meat and some products of daily use cannot be served at the same meal. The foods that adhere to these restrictions are called “Kosher”. However, restaurants with non-kosher food can be found in almost all of Israel.
To start we recommend a good typical breakfast, the classic Israeli salad, made with cucumber, tomato, lemon, coriander and feta cheese that can be accompanied by shakskuka (eggs with spicy tomato sauce and aroma of basil). All together with a good coffee, since Israelis are fans of caffeine first thing in the morning. For fruit addicts, the best is pomegranate juice. A good place to try these delicacies is the Carmel market in Tel Aviv or Lilush Restaurant.
At lunch or dinner time there are many possibilities. Highlights of Arab influence, humus and falafel in pita bread, you can find them anywhere in the country, but one of the best places is a small roadside venue Humus Haaretz.
In Jerusalem you can find these dishes at a good price at Tala Humus & Falafel Restaurant or at Shuk Machane Yehuda, an interesting market with bars, small restaurants, perfect for a drink. Another option is gefilte fish, a kind of fish croquette, it is a typical dish brought by Jews from Eastern European countries.
In Nazareth, we can try this and other dishes such as shawarma or noodles with feta cheese on Avra's terrace.
For the most curious, Saturday is an interesting day in Israel, both religiously and gastronomically. What is eaten at Shabbat dinner? Mainly fish, it is the main dish.
There is no single way to cook it, it can be grilled, in a stew with tomato... and usually accompanied by vegetables. The eldest in the family is in charge of breaking the Hala (traditional Shabbat bread) and distributing it among all his relatives.
You cannot leave Israel without trying its typical sweets and desserts, most of which can be found in the markets. An interesting visit is to walk the streets of the fruit and food markets, to taste some of the Israeli delicacies.
Among them, we can highlight: the halva, a sesame paste with sugar to which different flavors are added, from coffee to passion fruit; the kana fee, a dessert from Lebanon and Syria, consisting of a thin and fine paste cut into strips filled with sweet cheese and the baklabá, a sweet made from sugar, nuts, and honey from Turkey.
Transportation in Israel
The transport is modern, comfortable and at a reasonable price to which is added that, being a small country, the distances are not too long.
- Air transportation: There are twenty-four international airlines that fly to Israel on a regular flights to Ben Gurion International Airport (near Tel Aviv): El-Al Israel Airlines, Adria, Air France, Air Sinai, Alitalia, Arkia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Cyprus Airlines, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, LOT, Malev, Olympic, Pan American, Sabena, SAS, South African Airways, Swissair, Tarom, Turkish Airways, Tower Air and TWA. There are duty-free shops at Ben Gurion, Eilat and Ovda international airports.
- Shipping: Several shipping companies operate regular lines from Europe to the port of Haifa, and many Mediterranean cruises include Israel on their itinerary.
- Rail transport: The Israeli railways cover the cities of Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Netanya, Hadera, Haifa, Akko, and Nahariyya in regular service; as well as between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with a daily train that makes a beautiful route with beautiful landscapes. Spaces can be reserved in advance. All trains have a car bar. There is no service on Sabbaths and major holidays.
- Bus transportation: The bus is the most popular means of transportation in Israel both in urban and intercity service. The Egged bus cooperative operates almost all intercity lines covering the urban service of most cities and towns. The Tel Aviv area is covered by the Dan cooperative and independent bus companies, Be'erSheva and Nazareth. The rates are affordable and the service is smooth. Most buses do not operate on the Sabbath.
- Car rental: The main international car rental companies and some local ones have offices in the largest cities in Israel and at Ben Gurion Airport. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance. In order to rent a car, you must be over 21 years of age and have a valid national or international driver's license, as well as a foreign credit card.
- Taxi: Most of the taxis, known as “special taxis”, can be ordered by phone and stop directly on the street. They all have a meter and are obliged to use it.
Official Language of Israel
Hebrew is the official language of Israel along with Arabic. The second most widely spoken language, English, is a compulsory subject at school. French, Spanish, German, Yiddish, Russian, Polish, and Hungarian are also widely spoken.
Festivals of Israel
It is important to remember that approximately 17% of the population speaks Spanish since the Jews had an important presence in Spain for centuries.
In Israel, the weekly rest day is Saturday (Shabbat) and begins on Friday, at sunset, and ends on Saturday night. In general, Jewish holidays begin the evening before.
Banks, shops, and public institutions remain closed, although, in the most important cities, other public services such as restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs, and discos are open. Public transport, for its part, ceases service these days, although you can always use taxis.
All the holidays in Israel have a strong religious component and are full of symbols and rituals.
- The ten days of penance (Yamim Noraim): Rosh Hashanah (the anniversary of Creation) and Yom Kippur (the End of Days).
- The 3 pilgrimage festivities (Shalosh Regalim) are Passover (Pesaj), the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), and Tabernacles (Sukkot).
- The minor festivities (Hanukkah and Purim).
- The semi-festivities (Lag Ba'omer and Tu B'Shevat).
- Modern commemorations (Holocaust Day, Independence Day).
How Is Security in Israel?
Israel is a safe destination, as safe as any other place in Europe. Its crime rates are very low (they say the lowest in the world).
Israel is a very safe country to explore on your own, you can do a circular route in a rental car from Tel Aviv. If you don't feel like driving you can take day trips from Tel Aviv or from Jerusalem, also making a very complete trip.
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