Posted on Friday, 11 August 2023

As the centre of the Christian world, Israel is home to many awe-inspiring religious and historic sites, alongside stunning desert vistas, biblical seas and vibrant cities.

An Israel holiday is quite unlike any other. Our Israel travel guide gives you all you need to know.

Modern Israel has Tel Aviv at its heart, a thriving beachside city where all the pleasures of a vast metropolis await.

The nation’s many ancient attractions are easily explored on the excellent road network or the rapidly-expanding rail system.

It may not be a particularly affordable destination, but in terms of sheer world-changing history, epic landscapes, and a unique Middle East-meets-West vibe, it's hard to beat.

When is the best time to visit Israel?

The best time to visit Israel is the springtime - from March to April.

Summertime - June to August - is too hot for most (30 to 35 degrees Celsius every day). However, if you prefer visiting churches and cooler indoor attractions, a summer visit may be enjoyable. But outdoor activities such as hiking are unpleasant in such extreme heat.

Autumn visits

The temperature drops again in October - although it's still warm enough for shorts and a T-shirt.

Winter visits

Winters experience occasional heavy rains, but even in January there are sunny days. Winter is a good time to visit if you want to explore the Negev desert.

How the Jewish calendar may affect your Israel holiday

Israel uses both the Gregorian calendar and the Jewish calendar.

It's important to be aware of the Jewish calendar, as it features various religious holidays such as Hanukkah, Sukkot, and Pesach.

While visiting during these times can be very enjoyable due to all the vibrant religious celebrations, note that public transport does not run and hotel and flight prices rise due to the increased demand.

Is Israel expensive?

Most cost-of-living comparison sites place Israel as slightly cheaper than the UK. However, it may feel a little more expensive since hotels and tours are rather expensive.

An entry-level room in the Hilton, for example, costs around 400 GBP, compared to just 100 GBP for a similar room in Dubai.

The local currency is shekels (4.75 shekels to the UK pound, at time of writing).

Israel holiday on a budget

Backpacker-style travel is possible thanks to a number of hostels, which charge 30-40 GBP per night.

Do note that many of these only permit those aged 18-45.

Getting around Israel

Renting a car in Israel

With mostly excellent road surfaces, multi-lane highways, and a good standard of driving, renting a car for your Israel trip is a great way to get around this small nation.

Prices can vary greatly depending on the season. While fees drop to around 30 GBP a day in September, they can soar to well over 100 GBP in March - the peak tourist month.

Note that congestion around Tel Aviv can make driving at rush hour something to avoid.

Trains and buses in Israel

Israel has a modern and inexpensive rail network that connects all the key sites. Trains are also a great way to avoid getting stuck in Tel Aviv traffic.

A number of firms also run intercity buses - a quick and inexpensive way of getting around the country.

Is Israel safe to visit?

While religious tensions remain and acts of violence can’t be ruled out, most visitors feel safe when exploring Israel. Indeed, reports abound of UK and US visitors feeling safer in Israel than in their own cities.

As always, the UK’s FCDO urges British nationals to take out comprehensive travel insurance before visiting Israel.

Things to do in Israel

Israel covers roughly the same area as Wales.

You can drive from the northernmost reaches to the south in just 6 hours, and east to west in 1.5 hours.

Despite its diminutive size, there's a lot to see and do.

Israel in 24 hours: Jerusalem

If you only have around 24 hours in Israel, make a beeline for Jerusalem. Among things to do in Israel, it comes right at the top.

Jerusalem is located about 70 km southeast of Tel Aviv and takes about 1.5 hours by road and 1 hour by rail.

Jerusalem: Must-visit sites

Temple Mount

The holiest site in Judaism, Temple Mount is the site of the former First Temple.

The vast site is also central to the Islamic faith - following only Mecca and Medina in terms of importance. Muslims believe the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven here.

Central to the entire Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Temple Mount is the Dome of the Rock - an Islamic shrine only accessible to Muslims.

Entry is only from Sunday to Thursday (winter - between 7:00-10:30 and 12:30-13:30; summer - between 7:00-11:00 and 13:30-14:30).

Western Wall ('Wailing Wall')

This famous section of ancient limestone wall is located in Jerusalem's Old City and part of a retaining wall of Temple Mount whose construction was initiated by the Roman-Jewish client-king Herod in around 19 BC.

Visitors to the Western Wall Plaza should dress modestly.

To pray at or get close to the wall, women should ensure their legs and shoulders are covered, while men should cover their heads.

Since Jews are not permitted inside the Al-Aqsa mosque, praying at the Western Wall is the closest they can get to praying inside the compound.

Whatever your religion, you are permitted to go near or even touch the wall, or you can stand on special viewing platforms (and there's no dress code for this).

It's also traditional to write a message or prayer on a piece of paper and place it in one of the wall's cracks. Anyone is allowed to do this.

Under Jewish law, these pieces of paper cannot be thrown away. Instead, they are periodically swept up and taken to the Mount of Olives, where they are buried in the Jewish Cemetery.

Visit at night for a completely different experience: the scene is far more sedate, with Jews wearing orthodox Jewish clothing.

Lion's Gate and Via Dolorosa

The 16th-century Lion's Gate marks the beginning of the Via Dolorosa (called St Stephen's Gate by Christians) - the stretch of road on which the Bible states Jesus carried the cross for his crucifixion.

Christians often find this one of the most memorable experiences of visiting Jerusalem. Even if they are not practising Christians, childhood memories may well come flooding back: Jesus' final journey to Calvary Hill told through the Bible.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Considered to be the most important site in the Christian world, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre contains the location where Jesus was crucified and the tomb where he was resurrected.

Israel in 3-4 days: + Masada and the Dead Sea

With a few days at your disposal, you can also visit the incredible Dead Sea, which is 2-3 hours by bus from Tel Aviv. 

The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth - at 434m below sea level. It's famous for its healing mineral waters - and the fact that it's so far below sea level that the additional natural atmospheric layers help prevent sunburn.

Undeniably one of the most popular things to do in Israel.

The Dead Sea is located at the end of Highway 1, which itself bypasses Jerusalem - which you can visit either before or after the Dead Sea.

Masada

No visit to the Dead Sea is complete without exploring Masada, which overlooks the calm, saline waters and is home to the ruins of Herod the Great's fortress, built in the classical Roman style.

Tel Aviv

Within this timeframe, you can also explore Tel Aviv properly (rather than just passing through), a thriving metropolis with all the draws of a modern capital.

If you're in the market for some European-style beach lounging or a spot of nightlife, make time for this city.

2 Weeks: Galilee and Negev

With a fortnight, you have enough time to visit both the Sea of Galilee (north) and the Negev Desert (south).

The Sea of Galilee

Galilee is where Jesus met his disciples and gave the Sermon on the Mount.

The Negev desert

Encounter Bedouin tribes in the silent, majestic and vast Negev Desert.

Numerous archaeological sites hint at the ancient civilizations that once inhabited this most unique of places.

The bus from Tel Aviv takes around four hours.

Get a Quote