Discover Israel
Ancient history, Mediterranean beaches, desert adventures, and the world's most iconic holy sites — all in a country smaller than New Jersey.
Start Planning Your TripIsrael in Numbers
One of the world's most diverse destinations packed into just 22,072 km². Over 4.5 million tourists visited in 2024.
- Population
- 9.9M
- Area
- 22,072 km²
- Smaller than New Jersey
- Currency
- NIS (₪)
- 1 USD ≈ 3.6 NIS
- Climate
- 300+ sunny days
- Mediterranean & desert
- Main Airport
- TLV
- Ben Gurion, nr. Tel Aviv
- Languages
- Hebrew & Arabic
- English widely spoken
Explore Israel's Destinations
From the buzzing Mediterranean coast to the mystical desert, each destination offers a completely different experience.
Tel Aviv
Beaches, Bauhaus & non-stop nightlife
20 min from Ben Gurion Airport
Jerusalem
3,000 years of history in one city
1 hour from Tel Aviv
Dead Sea
Float at the lowest point on Earth
1.5 hours from Jerusalem
Eilat
Red Sea diving & desert adventures
4.5 hours from Tel Aviv
Haifa
Bahá'í Gardens & Mediterranean coast
1.5 hours from Tel Aviv
Negev Desert
Craters, stargazing & Bedouin culture
2.5 hours from Tel AvivIsrael Itineraries
Whether you have a long weekend or two weeks, these curated routes cover the best of Israel.
Essential Israel
Tel Aviv + Jerusalem
The perfect introduction: Mediterranean vibes in Tel Aviv and ancient history in Jerusalem.
Classic Israel
Tel Aviv + Jerusalem + Dead Sea + Masada
Add the surreal Dead Sea floating experience and a sunrise hike at Masada.
Israel Discovery
+ Eilat + Negev
Red Sea diving, Ramon Crater stargazing, and Petra day trip from Eilat.
Complete Israel
+ Haifa + Galilee + Acre
The full experience: north to south, from Bahá'í Gardens to desert glamping.
Getting to Israel
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv is the main international gateway, with direct flights from 60+ cities worldwide.
✈️ Flights
Major airlines serving TLV: El Al, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Turkish Airlines, United, Delta.
Ramon Airport (ETM) near Eilat has seasonal European flights with Wizz Air and Ryanair.
Search Flights to Israel →🛂 Visa Requirements
Visa-free (90 days): USA, Canada, EU/EEA, UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and 90+ more countries.
No passport stamp: Israel issues a blue entry card instead — your passport stays clean for travel to other countries.
Tip: Keep the entry card until departure. You'll need it for hotel check-ins and duty-free shops.
🚆 Getting Around
Train: Israel Railways connects TLV, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Ben Gurion Airport. Fast, cheap (~₪25-40).
Bus: Egged and Dan buses cover the entire country. Get a Rav-Kav card for easy payment.
Rental car: Best for Dead Sea, Negev, and Galilee. Drive on the right. Budget ~$40-60/day.
Is Israel Safe to Visit?
The #1 question every traveler asks — here's a practical, honest answer.
Israel's main tourist areas — Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Eilat, Haifa — are generally safe for tourists. The country has one of the most advanced security infrastructures in the world. Millions of tourists visit annually without incident.
That said: Always check your government's travel advisory before booking. The security situation can change, particularly regarding the Gaza border area and parts of the West Bank. Stick to established tourist areas and use common sense.
Practical tips: Security checks at malls and restaurants are normal (bag checks, metal detectors). Ben Gurion Airport security is thorough — arrive 3 hours early. Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) means most public transport stops.
Emergency numbers: Police 100, Ambulance (Magen David Adom) 101, Fire 102, Tourist Police 110.
Money & Costs in Israel
Israel is expensive by global standards — comparable to Western Europe. Here's what to expect.
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Street food (falafel/shawarma): ₪25-45 ($7-12)
- Mid-range restaurant meal: ₪60-120 ($17-33)
- Fine dining: ₪200+ ($55+)
- Beer at a bar: ₪30-40 ($8-11)
- Coffee: ₪14-20 ($4-6)
🏨 Accommodation
- Hostel dorm: ₪100-180 ($28-50)/night
- Budget hotel: ₪300-500 ($83-140)/night
- Mid-range hotel: ₪500-900 ($140-250)/night
- Luxury hotel: ₪1,200+ ($330+)/night
- Dead Sea resort: ₪800-2,000 ($220-555)/night
🚌 Transport
- Bus ride (city): ₪5.50 ($1.50)
- Train TLV→Jerusalem: ₪25 ($7)
- Taxi/Gett (TLV ride): ₪30-60 ($8-17)
- Rental car: ₪150-220 ($40-60)/day
- Ben Gurion→TLV train: ₪14 ($4)
🎫 Activities
- Masada + Dead Sea tour: $60-90
- Jerusalem Old City tour: $40-70
- Eilat diving (2 dives): $80-120
- Museum entrance: ₪30-60 ($8-17)
- Dead Sea beach (public): Free
💡 Budget Tips
- • Eilat is VAT-free — prices are ~17% cheaper than the rest of Israel
- • Eat at markets (Carmel, Mahane Yehuda) for the best value and authentic flavors
- • Use the Rav-Kav card for discounted public transport
- • Many museums offer free/reduced entry on certain days
- • Tap water is safe to drink — skip bottled water
Best Time to Visit Israel
Israel has distinct seasons. Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the best weather and fewer crowds.
🌸 Spring
Mar — May · BEST
Perfect weather (20-28°C). Wildflowers in the Negev. Passover crowds in Jerusalem. Great for hiking.
☀️ Summer
Jun — Aug · HOT
Extreme heat (35-45°C in desert). Beach season in TLV. Best for Eilat diving. Avoid Dead Sea midday.
🍂 Fall
Sep — Nov · BEST
Warm but pleasant. Jewish holidays (Rosh Hashana, Sukkot) add culture. Perfect beach + sightseeing combo.
🌧️ Winter
Dec — Feb · MILD
Rainy in north, mild in south (15-20°C). Christmas in Jerusalem. Budget-friendly. Eilat stays warm.
Ready to Discover Israel?
Start with our recommended itinerary, find the best deals on flights and hotels, and dive deep into each destination.