Explore Israel: A Journey Through History, Culture, and Nature
As the cradle of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Israel is a land heavy with history. This cultural complexity is reflected in the diversity of its natural landscape, which varies from the salty serenity of the Dead Sea, to verdant national parks and parched desert plateaus.
Most visits to the Holy Land begin with a trip to the capital city of Jerusalem. Its streets bustle with activity and busy markets lie against a skyline of sacred sites. By contrast, the modern commercial centre of Tel Aviv is dedicated to more hedonistic interests, such as sun-drenched beaches, good restaurants, designer-clothing stores and sophisticated nightclubs.
Sunbathing and scuba diving draw visitors to the Red Sea port of Eilat, while relaxation and spa resorts characterise the Dead Sea experience. The Galilee area, north of Jerusalem, appeals to pilgrims and nature-lovers alike. The region’s concentration of holy sites is fascinating, particularly around the Sea of Galilee. Haifa provides a glorious, cosmopolitan base from which to explore the Galilee area, as well as the magnificent sea grottoes of Rosh Hanikra.
Israel is home to more than 200 museums, further underlining its status as one of the most culturally rich destinations on the planet. Its national parks are roundly celebrated for their beauty and accessibility. Of course, the country’s chief attractions are religious, with sites of profound spiritual importance drawing pilgrims from three religions.
Overview
As the birthplace of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, Israel is densely packed with enough religious and historical attractions and experiences to last a lifetime.
Lovers of sun, sand and sea should head to the renowned Red Sea and enjoy floating in its crystalline waters; or for a rejuvenating experience, visit one of the many Dead Sea spa resorts. Israel’s popular tourist destination of Masada, located in the Judean Desert, is a must for anyone in the area.
Some of the country’s most fascinating attractions include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Citadel of David. Bethlehem is worth a visit, as is Nazareth (two of the most important Christian holy sites), while Yad VaShem is a moving and interesting memorial to the Holocaust, providing a multifaceted tribute to the millions of Jews who died during World War II.
The best time of year to visit is during the spring (March, April) and autumn months (September, October), when the weather is cooler and more tolerable for tourists. Since Israel is a small country, it’s often better to drive to some places than to catch a plane. There are good public transport systems in place in the major cities. The best way to experience Israel is to hire a car and take a relaxed approach to seeing the country and exploring all the religious and historical sites it has to offer.
Climate in Israel
Temperatures and weather conditions in Israel vary widely. The northern and coastal regions have a Mediterranean climate, characterised by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool and wet winters. The southern and eastern regions are arid. January is the coldest month, with temperatures ranging from 40F to 50F (4C to 10C), and August is the hottest month with temperatures ranging from 64F to 100F (18C to 38C).
The rainy season runs from October to early May but most of the rain falls between December and February. Israel can experience severe storms and flooding is not unusual in the wet season. The summer months often experience no rainfall at all; rainfall decreases in the south and is not evenly distributed in the country. Israel’s higher elevations, including Jerusalem, do sometimes get snow in January and February.
Israel is a year-round travel destination because many of its attractions are not weather dependent, but many travellers prefer to visit in summer, particularly if visiting the beautiful coastline. Early March is also a lovely time to visit, as the countryside comes briefly alive with greenery and flowers after the winter rain.
Health Notes when travelling to Israel
There are no special health precautions required for travel to Israel, but insect protection from August to November is recommended due to the prevalence of the West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. A hepatitis A vaccine is sometimes recommended by doctors, as is a tetanus vaccine and an MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination for those who haven’t already had it.
Medical facilities in Israel are excellent but treatment can be very expensive, so it is essential that travellers take out full travel health insurance. It should be possible to get all necessary medications in the cities but it is always advised that travellers who need certain medications take them on their travels, along with the prescription and a letter from their doctor.
Safety Notes when travelling to Israel
Travellers in Israel should maintain a high level of vigilance and keep up to date with developments. The risk of terrorist attacks remains high and travellers to the region, including Jerusalem, need to exercise caution, particularly around locations specifically targeted by attacks in the past such as bars, nightclubs, markets and buses. Suicide bombers and other militants have targeted crowded public areas, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries over the years. Although foreigners have not been specific targets, many have been caught up in the attacks because they visited famous landmarks and religious sites.
All travel to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and the eastern border with Syria should be avoided. Foreign nationals face an ongoing threat of kidnapping in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. The frequent outbreaks of violence in these areas makes them extremely dangerous, even if tourists are not directly targeted.
Street crime is rare in Israel, though, and generally only a problem in ‘bad’ areas. The mugging of foreigners is unusual but pick-pocketing is not unheard of in busy market areas, so visitors should take normal precautions against this kind of crime.
Customs in Israel
Israel is a largely religious society and religious customs should be respected. Indecent behaviour is not tolerated and offenders will be arrested and fined heavily or imprisoned. Care should be taken not to photograph any military or police personnel or installations, and visitors should be discreet about taking photographs in Jewish Orthodox areas and of Jewish Orthodox people. It is advisable to carry official identification at all times, and to dress modestly.
Duty Free in Israel
Travellers to Israel do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products; 2 litres wine and 1 litre of other types of alcoholic beverages; 250ml of eau de cologne or perfume; and gifts to the value of US$200. Prohibited items include fresh meat and fresh fruit (especially from Africa).
Doing Business in Israel
The majority of business in Israel is centred in Tel Aviv. Dress tends to be less formal than in the US and Europe, but as business people tend to wear suits for important meetings or presentations, formal attire is recommended. Women should dress more conservatively, especially in strictly religious areas.
Business cards are usually exchanged, though with little formality involved. Meetings often do not begin promptly and much time can be given to socialising. Business hours are usually from 8:30am to 5pm, from Sunday to Thursday, and on Friday mornings. Sundays are regarded as a normal business day.
Communication in Israel
The international access code for Israel is +972. The outgoing code is 00 (not from public phones) followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free WiFi are widely available. As international roaming costs can be high, purchasing a local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option.
Tipping in Israel
Tipping is expected according to the level of service, unless a service charge is added to the bill. Around 10 to 15 percent is customary.
Passport/Visa Note
All foreign passengers to Israel must hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay in the country. Visitors should also hold return or onward tickets, and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination.
Passengers intending to proceed from Israel to Arab countries other than Egypt, Jordan or the United Arab Emirates should ensure that their passport does not contain an Israeli visa or stamps, since no passenger is allowed to enter other Arab countries with such passports.
Travellers may enter Jordan directly from occupied territory, but must hold a visa for Jordan (to be obtained from a representation of Jordan abroad), otherwise entry will be refused. The Jordanian authorities will not permit re-cross to occupied territory. Travellers may also enter occupied territory directly from Jordan. The Israeli authorities will permit a re-cross to Jordanian territory.
It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
US citizens must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of intended stay in Israel. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of intended stay in Israel. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
UK citizens must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of intended stay in Israel. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of intended stay in Israel. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of intended stay in Israel. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of intended stay in Israel. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of intended stay in Israel. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.
Tourist Offices
Israeli Tourist Office: http://www.goisrael.com
Israel Embassies
- In the United States:
Israeli Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 364 5500.
- In Canada:
Israeli Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613-567-6450.
- In the United Kingdom:
Israeli Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7957 9500.
- In Australia:
Israeli Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6215 4500.
- In Ireland:
Israeli Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 230 9400.
- In New Zealand:
Consulate of Israel, Wellington, New Zealand: + 64 4 439 9500.
- In South Africa:
Israeli Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 470 3500.
Foreign Embassies in Israel
- American Embassy
United States Embassy, Tel Aviv: +972 3 519 7575.
- Canadian Embassy
Canadian Embassy, Tel Aviv: +972 3 636 3300.
- British Embassy
British Embassy, Tel Aviv: +972 3 725 1222.
- Australian Embassy
Australian Embassy, Tel Aviv: +972 3 693 5000.
- Irish Embassy
Irish Embassy, Tel Aviv: +972 3 696 4166.
- New Zealand Embassy
New Zealand Embassy, Ankara,Turkey (also responsible for Israel): +90 312 446 3333.
- South African Embassy
South African Embassy, Tel Aviv: +972 3 525 2566.
Public Holidays Around the World
Planning your year? Knowing public holidays in different countries can help you plan trips, schedule events, or understand global schedules. Below, find a comprehensive list of public holidays sorted by country.
