Plan the perfect trip to Israel | Israel Holiday Guide

Welcome to Israel, one of the most incredible eastern countries. This sovereign state is considered historical, religious but above all a beautiful country! Israel is located in Western Asia; with more than 9 million inhabitants, this small country has earned its place in history and its importance in the world. Israel is an excellent destination to travel; there you can enjoy many places where you will have fun.

This country offers a rare mix of delightful and exotic food, nice people, and attractions to travelers of all ages and backgrounds. Beautiful desert landscapes, lush forest, amazing beaches, and some of the most important historic sites in the world. Keep reading and learn more about the different ways to enjoy your trip to the Israelis country!

How to get there

Although Israel is a small country, three main airports in this popular destination handle a large number of tourists each year. The most popular (and the biggest) is Ben Guiron Airport located in Tel Aviv. The experience of traveling through this airport is unique and is currently among the five best airports in the Middle East. It is easily accessible by rail, bus, and car.

The second-largest airport is the Eilat Ramon Airport. It is a new airport, opened in 2019. It is accessible by bus, a network that connects the airport with the city (Eliat). Finally, there is also the Haifa Airport also known as U Michaeli Airport. In 2016, it handled around 119.000 passengers, and it is a good option for domestic flights.

Visa Information

Visitors from most of the countries around the world do not need a visa to enter Israel (visa-exempt countries). So, before going there it is important to check if you need it or not. Something that you do need is a valid passport (valid for six months after your departure date). If you need a tourist visa, it costs around $40 and you can get one from one of the Israeli diplomatic missions.

Best time to visit the country

With long, hot summers and short, cold winters, this Mediterranean country has excellent and pleasant weather during spring and fall months, when temperatures around 15°C – 25°C. Leaving the winter behind, the spring (April and May) begins with an agreeable sun. Festivals and events such as The Banquet at Jerusalem’s Mishkenot Sha’ananim, Open House Tel Aviv, and Catamona Rave are held during spring.

On the other hand, fall (September and October) weather is still warm during the day and cool at night. This time is perfect to go hiking on the Israel National Trail, in the desert, and on the Golan Trail, in Jerusalem. The following festivals are also popular: the Honey Festival, the Jerusalem Contemporary Art Festival, and the Neverland Electronic Music Festival.

Safety

Regardless of where we are traveling, it is always important to stay alert and take certain precautions while traveling. In the case of Israel, some tips that will help you to stay and feel safe during your trip are the following:

• Always be aware: it is important to periodically check the news, just to make sure that everything goes well.
• Avoid demonstrations: especially if you are close to the Gaza border. It is better not to go near this area.
• Do not touch or take any object left unattended: If you see a street or a store closed by police, they may be defusing a bomb. It is not something that usually happens, but the police take security very seriously!

Budget

Compared to its nearby neighbors, Israel is quite expensive. However, do not let that stop it from being your next travel destination. The important thing is to plan your trip, then you will avoid running out of budget in the middle of the trip.

During your trip, you can expect to spend around ILS 347 ($102) per day, which includes standard accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment. A trip for one week for one person is around ILS 2,431 ($711.5) and for two weeks ILS 4,862 ($1,423).

Let’s see how much you can afford with ILS 347 ($102) per day:

• Hotel or Hostel: ILS 197 ($56.59)
• Food: ILS 99 ($28.44)
• Local transportation (taxis, buses, subway): ILS 24 ($6.89)
• Entertainment (shows, movie tickets): ILS 38 ($10.92)

Let’s break down some more specific food and drinks prices:

• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: ILS 35 ($10.5) – Barbecue (street food).
• Mid-range restaurant: ILS 125 ($35.91) – Three-course meal.
• Soft Drink: ILS 8.84 ($2.54) – 0.33-liter bottle.
• Beer: ILS 28 ($8.04) – 0.5-liter draught.

Currency

The official currency in Israel is the Israeli new shekel, which international code is ISL. One ISL is equivalent to 0.29 USD. If you plan to take some dollars for your trip to Israel, let’s say that it is not the best idea. Only a few places accept the dollar and the exchange rates are not convenient.

Cash is commonly used to pay for street food, so to get some you can always use an ATM. They are at airports and malls around the country. To purchase items you can use your credit card, both MasterCard and Visa. Just make sure what your bank fees are (usually around 3%).

Interesting facts about the culture

This country in the Middle East is located right at the junction of three continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa. It is a small country, but it has a diverse geography, including forests, valleys, mountains, deserts, and more.

The official language in Israel is Hebrew, which is native to the country. You will also listen to many people talking Arabic, English, and Russian. It is important to say that when you hear someone speaking Hebrew, they can sound a bit rude. That is only a linguistic and cultural characteristic. The excessive use of polite words implies that there is no closeness between people. So they are just being nice!

One thing that makes this country famous is its capital. Jerusalem is considered the holiest city in the world. It is a city of tradition and religion, but it also contrasts with modern heritage. It is, of course, a must when you are planning where to go in Israel.

The food in the country is a mix of species and flavors that makes it very tasty. The best way to try it is on the streets, so let’s mention some typical dishes that you cannot miss: Sfenj (similar to a doughnut), Falafel (the national dish, a mixture of chickpeas, herbs, and spices), and Hummus (a dip made from chickpeas).

People in Israel are always willing to help. They are supportive, so if you need help at any time during your trip, do not hesitate to ask for it, they will be delighted!

What to do in Israel

Israel can be a quite interesting country, where you can visit places full of history and religion such as museums, ruins, or important restored sites. Fill yourself with history and learn more about these interesting and beautiful places.

The best historical places:

• Masada, in the Judean Desert: An archaeological site includes remains of several ancient palaces and fortifications.
• Israel Museum, in Jerusalem: This museum has collections ranging from prehistoric archeology to contemporary art, through important collections of Judaica and impressionist paintings.
• Hanging Gardens of Haifa, in Haifa: Dazzling gardens with 19 terraces of geometric flowerbeds leading up to the Baha’i shrine of Mount Carmel.
• Caesarea Maritima, in Haifa: This place was one of the four Roman colonies for veteran legionaries in the Syria-Phenicia region; today it is a national park with a beach, shops, restaurants, and Roman ruins.
• Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem: Center in honor of the victims of the Holocaust, with guided tours of a museum with historical exhibits.
  Besides, in case the above is not enough for you, Israel can also be a place with quite fun activities; you can enjoy beautiful landscapes, bathe in its clear beaches and see the barrier reefs on them. You can also visit the iconic Dead Sea.

The best activities:

• Take a relaxing bath in the Dead Sea, in the Southern District: One of the lowest places on earth, come and take a dip in these hypersaline waters where you will float effortlessly and its mineral-rich lands will give you a relaxing treatment.
• Take a tour of Tel Aviv: This coastal city on the Mediterranean has a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere. It is the most modern city in the country! Enjoy its relaxing beaches (13 in total), taste the most exotic Israeli dishes. However, if you are nocturnal, we recommend the nightlife with its rooftop bars or go to the concerts that are available even from the Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Dive Israel`s reefs and Wrecks in the Red Sea, in Coral Reed Beach and Princess Beach: Immerse yourself in these aquatic adventures, if you like diving this is the place for you, see the beautiful corals, or if you prefer you can go to the Underwater Observatory Marine Park.

How to get around in Israel

Although it is a small country, there are several ways to get around. If you are short of time, and you want to see many places, your best option is to take a domestic flight. There are only three airports in the country, but they can easily take you from the south (Eliat) to the north (Tel-Aviv and Haifa). However, many tourists prefer getting around by car, bus, or train.

If you want to rent a car, it costs around $18 per day and you need a driver’s license. On the other hand, if you want to travel by bus or train, you need to get a Rav-Kav card. You can buy one on the bus or train stations. It is easy to use; just load money onto your card and then use it while traveling in public transport.

How to stay connected in Israel

It is important that when we travel we do not lose contact with our friends and family at home. That is why we must find the best way to stay connected, almost as if we were in our country of origin. Several Wi-Fi hotspots are across the country (in restaurants, bus and train stations, shopping malls).

However, keep in mind that the connection might be unstable. That is why we recommend that you buy a prepaid SIM card. The operators in Israel are Pelephone, Cellcom, Partner, Hot Mobile, Golan Telecom, and we4G. You can visit their website and take a look at the different options that they provide.

Another option is to order an international prepaid SIM card. Our SIM cards will provide you with enough services for your whole trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I rent a car?

You can rent a car if you have a license, but it is a better idea to travel by bus or train.

Which airports can I fly to?

The main airports are the Ben Guiron Airport, the Eilat Ramon Airport, and the Haifa Airport.

What are the most popular types of hotels?

The most popular accommodation types are hostels, hotels, pilgrim houses, short-term rentals, and camping.

How much does a holiday cost?

You can spend around ILS 347 ($102), including standard accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.

What are the best things to do?

If you are traveling to Israel, you need to visit its capital Jerusalem and the heritage sites.