Israel Travel Guide

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UPDATED MARCH 2023!

Israel has a rich history that dates back thousands of years, with significant cultural, religious, and political significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Israel is home to many important religious sites, including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock.

If you're planning a trip to Israel this guide is for you! I've covered everything you need to know when planning a trip to Israel; some history, religion, transportation, accommodations, currency, language, when to visit, when not to visit, shopping and more.

Israel

SOME HISTORY:

Israel gained independence in 1948. It is a relatively new country Israel is a small country. It is number 149 in its territory in the world out of 194 countries. You can drive from one end to the other in just 5.5 hours. (north to south).

 

RELIGION:

Israel is a Jewish state and 74% of the

citizens are Jewish. When visiting certain places that are holy/religious such as the western wall and synagogues one should dress modestly. Weekends here are Thursday night until Saturday night. The religious Jews celebrate the Sabbath starting Friday at sunset until Saturday night. The religious Jews believe that the Sabbath is a time to rest by not using electricity, drive or do any sort of work. Most of the country is closed for 25 hours. There are cities/neighborhoods in Israel that you can not enter by car during the Sabbath.


CURRENCY:

In Israel, we have the NIS (New Israeli Shekel), most places will not accept USD unless you are in a very touristy place.
Israel is a very modern country, it is a country that is very accessible to people and tourists in particular. There are many banks to pull out money from, it is possible to pay by credit card anywhere.

 

WHEN TO VISIT:

The best time to visit: is between March-May (spring) and October-November (Autumn) because it is great weather for traveling, hiking and you can still go to the beach.
Israel is a Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea, therefore it is warm here compared to other countries.

Winter in Israel is from December until February. The average temperature in winter is between 5 and 20 degrees, depending on where you are.

Summer in Israel is from June-September. The Summer here is very difficult to deal with sometimes.
Don't forget that because we are so close to the ocean we have high humidity levels that we feel in the summer. The average temperature in summer is between 25-40 degrees. Midday in the summer the temperatures are usually in the region of 35 degrees (depending on where you are in the middle of the day) and can even reach up to 45 degrees down south.

It is very hard to enjoy everything the country has to offer during this time, but it is the ideal time to come and enjoy Israel's beaches.

On that note, I do want to make it clear that you can still enjoy Israel's beaches from May-November.

WHAT TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN BOOKING YOUR TRIP:

It is very important to look at the Jewish calendar before booking your trip.

During our Jewish holidays, prices can double, and places can get very crowded because we have a small country and most Israeli's love to travel.

Our biggest holidays are:


•PASSOVER:
Crowds: Passover is one of our biggest holidays and Jews from all over the world travel to Israel to celebrate this holiday here.
Dietary Restrictions: During Passover there are several dietary restrictions that must be observed. These restrictions are based on the biblical account of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and the subsequent journey through the desert. One of the primary restrictions during Passover is that leavened bread (chametz) is not allowed. This includes bread, cake, cookies, pasta, and any other food made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has been allowed to rise or ferment. Additionally, grains such as corn, rice, and legumes like beans and lentils are also prohibited during Passover. You can find Chametz in Israel during Passover but it will be difficult in some areas and you definitely wont find the 'Chametz' in stores either.
Dates: Passover usually falls around March or April (7 day holiday) so if you're planning a trip during March and April, look at a jewish calender before.
 

•JEWISH NEW YEAR AND TISHREI HOLIDAYS: 
Jewish New Year and Tishrei holidays are September or October (~3 weeks). If you're planning a trip to Israel in September-October I would google 'Rosh Hashanah', 'Yom Kippur' and 'Succot' and the year to be able to see the exact dates are.
There aren't any dietary restrictions here but due know that it can get crowded and public transportation might be limited.

ACCOMMODATION:

Israel has a wide range of accommodation options for visitors, from luxury hotels to budget hostels. Hotels can be pretty expensive so if you're on a budget you should look into Zimmers which are cabins.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Israel:

  •  Jerusalem - As one of the world's most famous cities, Jerusalem offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to hostels. Staying in the heart of the Old City is a popular choice for those who want to be close to the city's historical and religious sites.
  • Tel Aviv - As Israel's largest city and cultural capital, Tel Aviv has a vibrant nightlife, world-class restaurants, and beautiful beaches. There are many hotels and hostels to choose from, ranging from budget to luxury.
  • Dead Sea - The Dead Sea is a unique destination in Israel that is known for its healing properties and stunning natural beauty. There are several resorts and hotels located along the shoreline that offer access to the Dead Sea's mineral-rich waters.
  • Haifa - Located on Israel's northern coast, Haifa is a port city known for its picturesque gardens and panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. There are several hotels and guesthouses to choose from in the city center and along the beach.
  • Eilat - Located in the southernmost part of Israel, Eilat is a resort town known for its beaches, coral reefs, and vibrant nightlife. There are several hotels and resorts to choose from, ranging from budget to luxury.

 

TRANSPORTATION:

We recommend renting a car. Public Transportation in most of the country doesn't work during the sabbath and if you have a car there are plenty of places you could enjoy during the sabbath such as National parks

Apps that can help:

  • Rav Kav - A card that you can pre-pay for transportation and use on buses and trains. These days in some buses you can not pay the bus driver, you need to fill your Rav Kav card with money and scan the card when you get on the bus and it'll take off the bus fee from the card. There is a Rav Kav app and you can refill it there.
  • Moviit - This app offers guidance on how to use public transportation to get you from one point to another if it's by train, bus, and walking, they connect it all.
  • Google Maps - This app is one of my favorites. Usually, before I go to a new destination I create a map on google maps and pin all the locations I would like to go to including restaurants, Insta-Worthy locations, and more.

LANGUAGE:

In Israel, Hebrew and Arabic are mostly spoken, but most of the people here know English at a good level, many even excellent, this is due to the fact that a lot of English is taught here in schools and universities, and all the TV movies and series we see in English.

 

SHOPPING:

Shopping (Makeup, clothes, and electronics) in Israel is relatively expensive, So do not forget your essentials at home. Bring short sleeve shirts and a warm layer in case it gets cold and bring comfortable shoes.

 

TAP WATER:

You can actually drink tap water in Israel, it is really good.

 

REGIONS:

  • Northern - Tzfat, Kinneret, Akko and Golan.
  • Haifa - Haifa and Hadera.
  • Central - Sharon, Peta Tikva, Ramla and Rehovot.
  • Tel Aviv.
  • Jerusalem.
  • Southern - Ashkelon, Be'er Sheva, and Eilat.
  • Judea and Samaria.

Enjoy our beautiful country!

 

Elizabeth xxx

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