IsraelTravelBlog.com

Information, insights, advice, reviews, and recommendations about travel to and around Israel

The Ultimate Israel Bucket List

by

Whether you’re planning a trip to Israel in the near future or just dreaming of going one day, thinking of all the “must do” experiences can be overwhelming. There is so much! If you’re just not sure where to start, though, you’re in luck. Here is the ultimate Israel bucket list for all the essential things you want to see and do.

Hit the Beach in Tel Aviv

How many of the world’s major cities also feature a beach? Not many! Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Tel Aviv has the best of both worlds: A modern, urban city and a picture-perfect ocean. Spend your time catching some sun on the sand, or for the more adventuresome among us, try your hand at surfing, jet skiing, or parasailing.

Explore Caesarea National Park

Speaking of hanging out on the Mediterranean shore, just north of Tel Aviv is Caesarea National Park, known for its Roman aqueduct, Roman theatre, and Herodian hippodrome. In addition to its Roman history, it’s also important to Christians, as Paul was imprisoned here before being sent to trial in Rome.

Float in the Dead Sea

The saying is “sink or swim,” but neither is possible in the Dead Sea. You’ll simply float, since this is some of the saltiest water on planet Earth. It’s also one of the lowest, at 434 meters (1,125 feet) below sea level. Its mineral- and nutrient-rich mud has been known for its healing powers for millennia, and you can soak it all in on your trip to Israel (or Jordan, just on the other side).

Hike Up Masada

Some say you should take the cable car. We say that’s up to you. Either way, the views on the way up and back down are pretty epic. This is an important site in Jewish history, so definitely tour the fortress at the top as well. The hike is just over a mile one-way, and involves 1,000 steps, but it’s something Jewish adolescents and their families do at least once in the lives. (And you can take the cable car down if you like, no judgement here.)

Get the View from the Mount of Olives

Speaking of views, this is the best place for a view of Jerusalem. It’s a holy site for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, as is Jerusalem. It’s within walking distance of the Old City of Jerusalem, and has been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years, because this is the place where Jews believe the resurrection will begin, and those buried here will be resurrected first.

This site is important to Cheistians because this is where the Bible tells us in Acts 1:11 that Jesus ascended into Heaven. It is important to Muslims for the same reason, and because they believe the Mount of Olives is the site where the holy Kaaba will be reunited with its sister rock Al Haram Ash Sharif, or the Temple Mount. They also believe there will be a bridge of seven arches here that connects the Mount of Olives to the Temple Mount, and the righteous will walk across it to Heaven, while the unrighteous will fall off into Hell.

Hike into the Valley of Elah

The Valley of Elah is almost like a secret spot. It doesn’t make its way on to many Israel itineraries, as there is not a synagogue, church, or mosque here to mark the site. What site, you ask? This is the site of the David and Goliath battlefield. You can take in the view from Tel Azeka (where some tour groups stop for a brief visit), or you can take more time and hike down into the valley itself. You can even see the stream where David selected five smooth stones as his weapons of choice.

Explore Jericho

Known as the oldest city in the world, Jericho is an important archaeological site in the West Bank. It’s also one of the most well-known biblical sites in the Old Testament for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The fall of Jericho happened in Joshua chapter 6, after God had told the Israelites to march around every day for seven days. The biblical account also features Rahab, a prostitute. Because she helped the Israelite spies in Jericho, she and her entire family were saved, and she is one of five women mentioned in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17).

See the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in Qumran, near the Dead Sea, but several of them are now on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The scrolls are the oldest-known copies of the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, with the exception of the book of Esther. They are housed in the Shrine of the Book, which was made to look like a cave, as the scrolls were discovered in a cave.

Visit Jesus’ Baptismal Site

East of Jerusalem, on the Israeli-Jordanian border, deep in the West Bank and surrounded by landmines (not where you’ll be driving or walking–don’t worry) is Qasr al-Yahud. This is the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. It’s heavily guarded because the Jordan River here is literally the border, but Christians come here every day to see where it happened, and some even choose to be baptized here as Jesus was.

This site pulls double duty, though. This is also the site where the Israelites walked across the Jordan River into the Promised Land after wandering in the desert for 40 years. This makes it a significant site not just for Christians, but for Jews and Muslims as well.

Go to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane

The Mount of Olives is also a sacred site for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Jesus went to the Mount of Olives often to pray, and both Judaism and Islam believe the Mount of Olives will be instrumental in the final judgement. As a bonus, it also has the best, most iconic view of the Old City of Jerusalem, so get your camera ready.

Just down the mountain, toward Jerusalem, is the Garden of Gethsemane. This is a particularly important site to Christians because it was here that Jesus prayed that God would find another way to save humanity without His death. This is also the place where he was betrayed by Judas and arrested. While you’re in the Garden of Gethsemane, it may also be meaningful to read Matthew 26:36-46 and/or Mark 14:32-42 for full context and imagine what it must have been like for Him.

Take a Boat Out on the Sea of Galilee

One of the most well-known miracles in Jesus life was the time he walked on the water. That happened on the Sea of Galilee, so for many Christians, going out on the water is an important bucket list item. Whether you’re here with a big group on one of the larger ships, going as authentic as possible in one of the wooden boats, or going it solo in a zodiac (with a local sailor, of course), being on the water where Jesus walked will be an experience you won’t want to miss.

Bonus: Don’t miss the “Jesus Boat” at the Yigal Allon Center while you’re out there–while it’s likely not Jesus’ actual boat, it is a first century fishing boat, just like one he would have used in real life.

Experience Shabbat

Shabbat is the day of rest for Jews all over the world, but it’s observed nation-wide in Israel. Everything from restaurants to museums shut down for the day. This could be an inconvenience for visitors, or it could be an opportunity to experience a unique aspect of Israel. Some restaurants offer Shabbat meals to visitors who want to learn more about it. Or, if you prefer, you can take time to reflect on your trip and rest up, maybe at the beach in Tel Aviv or at the Dead Sea.

If you want more, check out our Israel Travel Podcast all about How to Create Your Perfect Israel Itinerary on Apple Podcast and Spotify!

Your Quick Guide to Travel within Israel

by

Travelers to Israel will most likely be flying into Tel Aviv Ben-Gurion International Airport (TLV), but then what? There are so many sites on everyone’s Israel bucket list, and you don’t want to miss anything just because you’re not sure how to get from point A to point B. Here is your quick and concise guide to getting around Israel after you land.

Air Travel

Israel is quite a small country, so the primary means of transportation will be by road to anywhere you wish to go. There is, however, one domestic airport called Ramon Airport (airport code ETM) near the Red Sea resort city of Eilat. If necessary, travelers can fly between TLV and ETM instead of taking the 4-hour drive through the Negev Desert.

Rental Cars

You can rent a car in Israel as a tourist, but pay special attention to the terms of your rental agreement. Most rental car companies in Israel prohibit driving their vehicles into the West Bank, so you will need to arrange other transportation to visit those sites. You will also have to be careful about not cutting through the West Bank, even if that’s the shortest route. You won’t accidentally cross the border without knowing it, but going around the West Bank can take a long time.

Hiring a Driver

Oftentimes, it’s just easier to hire a driver than to wait for public transportation or figure out your rental car situation. Some drivers are also tour guides, but not all, so be sure to confirm if you want one person for both services. Uber is not an option in Israel (as of June 2023), but taxi drivers are available for short trips, of even longer trips if that’s within your budget.

Rav-Kav Public Transportation Pass

The Rav-Kav is a universal public transportation pass, meaning it’s good for all public transportation in Israel. That includes trains, public buses, and the Jerusalem Lightrail. You can purchase the pass at the airport, bus station, train stations, and a variety of shops (like Super-Pharm pharmacies) across the country.

Shabbat

Keep in mind that Israeli public transportation and practicing Jewish taxi drivers are not available on Shabbat (Friday at sundown until Saturday at sundown). Arab and Christian taxi drivers will be available, but be aware that there will be fewer of them to go around in this 24-hour period.

There are many options for transportation within Israel, so choose the modes that fit you best!

How Long Should I Visit Israel?

by

How much time should you spend on a trip to Israel? It’s a totally valid question. Like so many things in life, however, the answer is… It depends. Here are some thoughts and things to consider to help you decide how long you should plan to travel around Israel.

If You Want to Hit the Highlights: 6-7 Days

If you are only interested in seeing Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Galilee, this is the ideal timeframe for that. You can even take a day trip to hit up the Dead Sea if you want to squeeze that in, too. It’ll be a fast-and-furious week, but if this is the time you have, it will be well worth making it happen.

If you can’t quite make it for a week, you could base yourself in Jerusalem for 3-4 days, but you really won’t have time to explore more of Israel in that amount of time. We definitely recommend at least a week-long trip, inclusive of travel days.

Check out this 7-day Israel itinerary for an idea of what you can accomplish in just a week.

If You Have the Time: 11-14 Days

If you’re planning to only visit Israel as a bucket list destination once, you want to do it right and you want to go all out. Spending a week and a half to two weeks in the country will be the right choice for you. You can do absolutely everything you want to do within two weeks, easily.

With a longer trip like this, you may even have time for a few days’ excursion to Jordan or Egypt if either of those nearby countries is also on your list of places to go in your lifetime.

Check out this 12-day Israel itinerary for an idea of what you can accomplish in two weeks or less.

The “Goldilocks” Timeframe: 8-10 Days

If six days is too few, and 14 days is too many, then an eight to 10-day trip will be just right. This gives you time to see all the things you want to see at a reasonable pace, but you won’t get bored or feel like it’s a never-ending trip. You could experience all things Israel in this amount of time, and even squeeze in a couple of nights in Jordan to see Petra, if you wanted to add that as well.

If you’ve been thinking of a week-long trip in Israel, it’s worth it to at least consider bumping it up to 10 days. This will ensure you won’t miss something essential because you run out of time, and you can feel like you actually had time to experience the things you’re seeing, instead of rushing from one to the other.

Check out this 10-day Israel itinerary for an idea of what you can accomplish in just over a week.

We hope this information is helpful! How long would you be able to spend on a trip to Israel?

For more insider tips, check out the “How to Structure and Itinerary in Israel” episode of the Israel Travel Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Everything You Need to Know about Flying to Israel

by

A trip to Israel is on nearly everyone’s bucket list. Once you’ve decided to go, the next step is getting there. Flights to the Middle East can be challenging with timing and the fact that it’s long-haul from North America, but the trip is 100% worth the effort. With a little preparation and research on what to expect, you can have a great travel experience. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your flights to Israel.

Where to Fly into Israel

Israel has only one international airport, making it easy for travelers to know where to fly for their trip to the Holy Land. You will search for flights from your home airport to Ben Gurion International Airport, airport code TLV. It’s located about half way between the cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and it is accessible to both cities via taxi, public transportation, or private driver.

Flights to Tel Aviv from the U.S. or Canada

Non-stop flights between the US or Canada and Israel are red-eye flights, meaning you will be flying overnight and arriving the following day. If you want to catch some restful sleep, consider springing for business class so that you can have a couple of meals and a lay-flat seat that folds down into a bed. If that’s not in the budget, be sure to pack some compression socks and wear comfortable clothes. Remember to hydrate, and maybe bring some snacks along as well.

Connecting Flights through Europe and the Middle East

If you’re not taking a non-stop flight from North America, you will most likely be connecting through Europe or the Middle East. These will also be overnight flights to your connecting city, so plan accordingly. Possible connecting cities in Europe include Frankfurt, Vienna, Zurich, Warsaw, Rome, Amsterdam, etc. Possible connections through the Middle East include Cairo, Istanbul, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, among others. If you’re loyal to an airline or airline alliance, you will certainly have options to fly in a way that gets you rewarded.

Flying Home

Your homeward flight may also be an overnight flight (business class may start to look very appealing for this reason). This is great because you will be able to enjoy a full last day in Israel, but it can also be challenging because that does tend to make for a very long day that ends in long-haul travel. Wear comfortable clothes on the flight and try to get some rest!

Be sure to listen to our podcast all about flights to Israel for even more insider tips and travel strategies specific to Israel.

Is it Safe to Visit Israel?

by

It’s probably the #1 question you’ll be asked when you start to tell people you’re planning a trip to Israel: “Is it safe?” And then they’ll ask, “Aren’t you afraid?” And finally, the incredulous, “I would never go there!”

The good thing is the those who are afraid don’t have to go, but they don’t have to ruin your trip of a lifetime either! But the question remains: Is it safe?

The short answer is: Yes!

The comprehensive answer is more complicated than that. Yes, Israel is safe for tourists to visit. The general media makes it their business to play up any conflict, anywhere in the world, especially anywhere in the Middle East. And while it’s true that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades – and yes, there are still some acts of terror or provocation – Israel and the West Bank are remarkably safe to visit. 

Israel does security incredibly well. Every Israeli citizen – men and women, with a few exceptions – has to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). That means almost every adult citizen walking around has not only served, but they also know exactly what to do in case of an emergency. The IDF is also one of the most well-trained military forces in the world, with the most hands-on experience as well. Along the same lines, the IDF does not hesitate to defend itself and fire back as needed to protect everyone within Israel’s borders. 

Also reassuring is the fact that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority depend on tourism from the same groups of people. Putting tourists in the crossfire doesn’t serve anyone, and neither side wants to harm visitors. You will certainly be safe with a tour group, even a small or private one, or under the care and logistical guidance of a good tour operator in Israel. If you’re traveling on your own, you’ll also be perfectly safe if you just follow the rules and laws and don’t wander into areas where the government doesn’t permit or recommend that you go.

Just to put it in perspective, it’s so much less common to hear about a tourist in Israel or the West Bank being injured or killed than it is to hear about it in New York, D.C., Chicago, L.A., or any other major American or European city. That almost sounds ridiculous, but any way you look at the numbers, that is a fact. You wouldn’t hesitate to go to any of those cities if you wanted to, so you also don’t need to hesitate to visit Israel either. 

When is the Best Time to Visit Israel and the Holy Land?

by

A trip to Israel is a trip of a lifetime. People literally wait all their lives to visit Israel and the Holy Land, and when they finally make it happen, they understandably want to do it right! You want to avoid the heat of summer, but you might not think about the possibility of avoiding the cold in winter. And then there are Jewish, Muslim, and Christian holidays to contend with. So when should you actually visit Israel and finally fulfill your lifelong dream of seeing the Holy Land?

The Ideal Times to Visit Israel

To help you sort through all these factors, here is everything you need to know about finding the right time to visit Israel and the Holy Land.

The Best Time is the Time You Have

This is really the most important thing to keep in mind. If your choice is to go to Israel at a less-than-perfect time of year, or to not go to Israel at all, definitely go to Israel! The best time to go is the time you have available, whenever that may be. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time when the time you have is a good time for you.

Nice Weather: Mid-Spring or Mid-Fall

If you’re particularly sensitive to temperature, or if you want to avoid Israel’s limited rainfall or extreme dryness, plan to travel in spring or fall. The winter rains in February and March make much of Israel’s landscape green and beautiful by the time April and May roll around, and temperatures are mild at this time as well. Or if you don’t mind terrain that’s a little more brown, October and November have the benefit of cooler temperatures after the summer heat. 

Lower Crowds: Off Season

For those looking to avoid crowds above all else, consider visiting in the winter months, from January-March. This is the low season for Israel and the Holy Land in general. It can be quite chilly in these months, and there is a higher likelihood of rain. Average temperatures fall to the 40s Fahrenheit overnight, but can rise into the 50s or low 60s in the day time. Bring a light jacket and avoid the high season.

Less than Ideal Times to Visit Israel

As previously mentioned, the time you have available is the best time to visit Israel. If you can avoid these key events, however, you can more easily avoid crowds, weather issues, and other inconveniences.

The Summer Months

The heat alone is enough to put this on the no-go list for many! Summer temperatures can soar into the triple digits (Fahrenheit) in much of Israel. Aside from the discomfort and occasional dangers of extreme heat, some hiking trails and outdoor sites can close due to temperature. If those are important to you, try not to visit in the summer.

The Month of Ramadan

The Muslim population in Israel and the Palestinian Territories celebrates Ramadan for a full month, but the dates change by 11 days (earlier) each year, making it difficult for non-Muslim visitors to track its exact dates when making their travel plans. Additionally, Muslims fast during the day throughout Ramadan, which means that some Muslim-owned restaurants may be closed, making it challenging to find places to eat breakfast or lunch in some Muslim-majority areas. 

The bigger issues for visitors, however, is that non-Muslims are not allowed to visit the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock during the 10 days prior to Eid, at the end of Ramadan (nor on Friday of every week, since this is the Muslim holy day, or the Muslim version of Sunday, if you will). If you want to make sure you can visit the Temple Mount during your trip, you will want to plan to avoid travel during this time. A quick Google search will tell you when Ramadan falls each year, so always check if you’re unsure when Ramadan will fall during your year of travel.

Over Jewish Holidays

Israel observes all Jewish holidays, which is probably not a surprise! What may surprise you is that many businesses and even public transportation can completely shut down, and Jewish people in the tourism industry do not work during the most important holidays. The Jewish calendar is different from the traditional calendar, so dates for these holidays change annually.

If possible, avoid travel that falls on Yom Kippur, Chanukkah, Purim, Rosh Hashana, Passover, and Israeli Independence Day, although it can also be really neat to see the display of patriotism and national pride over this last holiday. Or if you cannot avoid these periods in your travels, at least try to plan so that you don’t absolutely need to get somewhere across the country on one of these days. Instead, just chill for a day or two wherever you are along your journey and enjoy seeing how Israelis celebrate these Jewish holidays.

Additionally, Shabbat (the Sabbath) begins every Friday at sundown and lasts until sundown on Saturday each week. You will likely be in Israel on a Shabbat, but don’t worry! You will still be able to do some touring and dine out as you like.

Around Christian Holidays, Unless…

It seems like the dream to be in Bethlehem on Christmas Day, or in Jerusalem on Easter Sunday. If that will make your trip the most meaningful to you, plan early—hotels are at their most expensive and sell out quickly for these dates, as these are definitely the most crowded times to visit these sites. 

It’s also worth noting that security is on high alert during the holidays mentioned above for all three religions, which many visitors find to be uncomfortable. There is no need to worry about this; it’s just something to know for your own situational awareness.

Again, the best time to visit Israel and the Holy Land is the time you have, so just go, enjoy, and have the best time visiting Israel while enjoying all of the unique features, quirks, nuances, and surprises that this bucket-list country has to offer.