tourism of israel

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Few places on earth stir up passion the way that Israel does: the breathtaking beauty of its hills and valleys, the eerie stillness of the Dead Sea, the multi-colored canyon of Makhtesh Ramon, and the ancient walls and pathways of Nazareth and Jerusalem. The call of the muezzin and the quiet prayers of Orthodox Jews at the Western Wall reflect how the religious devotion of the Muslims, Christians and Jews who live here runs through every facet of life.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Baha’i Gardens

These formal gardens flowing down 19 steep terraces to a resplendent domed shrine – the final resting place of the prophet-herald of the Baha’i faith –…

Masada National Park

The plateau atop Masada, which measures about 550m by 270m, is some 60m above sea level – that is, about 490m above the surface of the Dead Sea. The…

Basilica of the Annunciation

Dominating the Old City’s skyline is the lantern-topped cupola of this Franciscan-run Roman Catholic basilica, an audacious modernist structure that’s…

Beit She’an National Park

Lower Galilee

Beit She’an’s extraordinary Roman ruins are the best place in Israel to get a sense of what it was like to live, work and shop in the Roman Empire…

Mount of the Beatitudes

Sea of Galilee

Since at least the 4th century, this landscaped hillside is believed to be where Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), whose opening…

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve

This reserve consists of two roughly parallel canyons, Wadi David and Wadi Arugot, each of which has its own entrance complex and ticket office. It is…

Masada Museum

An outstanding and remarkably vivid introduction to Masada’s archaeology and history, this museum combines 500 evocative artefacts unearthed by…

Hai-Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve

Established in 1968 to reintroduce animals that had died out in Israel, this 32-sq-km reserve on the Yotvata salt flats is home to a wide variety of…

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• Itineraries & Travel

Updated Aug 19 2023 08:09PM EDT

75 best things to do in Israel: The ultimate travel guide

• By Jazzie Morgan

In honor of Israel’s 75th birthday, here are 75 MUST-DOs in Israel, from north to south. This is your complete travel guide or bucket list of things to do in Israel.

Jump to: The North | The Center and Jerusalem | The South

1. Go skiing on Mount Hermon.

It may surprise you to know that Israel’s Mount Hermon has over 28 miles (45 kilometers) of ski trails! While there is lots to do on top of the Hermon any time of year, skiing is definitely a special experience. Make sure to check they are open before making the trip up to the mountain.

2. Visit Ghajar, a town on the Lebanese border for a one-of-a-kind experience. 

This Alawite-Arab village , now open after being closed to tourists for years, is well-known for its authentic Syrian and Lebanese food. There are many food trucks in the village, a beautiful park filled with flowers and an award-winning pastry shop.

3. Take the longest cable car in Israel up the Manara Cliff. 

When most people think of cable cars and Israel, they think of Haifa or Masada, but the longest cable car in Israel is actually in Northern Israel up the Manara Cliff. In addition to the cable car, there is a climbing wall, a zip line and mountain sliding.

4. Have a delicious goat cheese lunch at Goats with the Wind. 

Take a step back into biblical times with an incredible goat cheese lunch in Yodfat at Goats with the Wind , a family-run cheese farm. Their set tasting menu includes tons of seasonal fresh salads, homemade cheeses and roasted vegetables.

5. Drink wine at Tel Shifon winery, located in the northernmost part of Israel.

Tel Shifon Winery is a beautiful kibbutz winery offering attractions from wine tastings to onsite villas and ATV tours. If you can make it for one of their nighttime chef pop-up meals under the stars, it is a truly special experience.

6. Take a geopolitical tour of the Lebanon Border.

Seeing the border firsthand and hearing stories from locals will help you understand the complex geopolitical situation between Israel and Lebanon. There are many different companies offering these tours and they can often be tailored to your specific interests.

7. Visit a Druze family for a home hospitality cooking workshop with Galileat.

Galileat offers authentic culinary excursions like workshops, home hospitality and more in the Galil. Their hosts go above and beyond to give you a glimpse into the Druze religion and community. They have hosts that are Christian, Druze, and Muslim. I recommend asking for Snir and Miaad!

8. Bird-watch in the Hula Valley. 

At the Hula Valley nature preserve, the lakes are stocked with fish to encourage migration, making it the ultimate bird-watching destination. Over 500 million birds (no less than 390 species) pass through the Hula Valley yearly on their way south.

9. Enjoy the view and pastries at Avtalion Coffee in Misgav.

This kosher culinary experience in the Galilee is one of the most talked-about bakeries in the north of Israel. While Avtalion Coffee is best known for their handmade pastries, they also have an impressive menu of decadent options like croissant sandwiches, blintzes, and shakshuka. The cafe has a stunning view of the region and is a must-visit if you’re in the area.

10. Visit the hot springs at Hamat Gader. 

The Spa Village at Hamat Gader is a little oasis that is great for a few hours of relaxation or a full-weekend stay. The water in the springs is around 107 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius) year-round and they offer a range of accommodations from romantic suites to tents.

11. Stop for hummus in a gas station at Hummus Eliyahu, Yokneam. 

The original location of the famous Hummus Eliyahu hummus chain is located behind a gas station and you would probably never notice it if you didn’t know it was there. It is definitely some of the best hummus in Israel. Go early because they will sell out!

12. Spend time on Achziv and visit the micronation Akhzivland.

Achzivland is a micronation between Nahariya and the Lebanese border, near the ancient port city of Achziv. It is now a national park where you can camp at their beautiful waterfront campground, rent a beach bungalow, swim amongst the ruins of the ancient city and visit the museum.

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13. Visit Merkaza, one of the largest grocery stores in the Middle East. 

More than just a supermarket, the two-story Merkaza in Nof HaGalil includes a gourmet food court and a home goods store. The store has seemingly endless aisles and is a great place to stop on a road trip up north to stretch your legs, grab a bite to eat and buy local snacks/spices. It is especially cool to visit during Christmas time when it is covered in decorations.

14. Enjoy a cup of coffee at Arthur Cafe with a view of the Kinneret.

This coffee cart is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a coffee, pastries or even fresh-made pizza in the afternoons, while enjoying a stunning view of the Sea of Galilee. They offer a really wonderful relaxing atmosphere to take a break after a fun day in the water or after a long drive.

15. Stay in a tzimer (log cabin) in Mattat. 

Although there are dozens of log cabins for rent in the area, my personal favorite is Maayan Bereshit. We go at least once a year and it is the most relaxing weekend you can imagine. Located in Mattat is a winery run on the honor system — you can go 24/7, take wine and leave money for what you take. There is also a great second-hand shop open each Friday.

16. Visit the Bahai Gardens.

There are two locations of Bahai Gardens in Israel, in Haifa and Akko. These gardens are holy sites for those who follow the Bahai faith, as well as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Touring the Bahai Garden is a must-do not only for the spectacular views but also to learn more about the Bahai religion.

17. Pick your own cherries at the Horse and Cherry Farm on Moshav Odem. 

Hidden on Moshav Odem is a cute farm called the Horse and Cherry Farm that offers cherry-picking during cherry season (May and June)! Plus, it’s located next to Odem Mountain Winery so you can cool off with a glass of chilled white wine afterward.

18. Hike from the Mediterranean Sea to the Kinneret. 

If you enjoy hiking and have 3-4 days to spare, you will definitely want to take the Yam l’Yam (Sea to Sea) hike. This classic hike is not only a favorite childhood experience for many Israelis — it is also a great way to connect to the land and experience Israel’s beautiful terrain firsthand.

19. Complete part or all of Shvil HaGolan, a hiking trail across the Golan. 

The Golan Trail stretches from Mount Hermon in the north to the Sea of Galilee at its south. It’s a hiking trail, but the majority of it is also accessible by bike or horse. In its entirety, the trail is 75 miles (120 km) and is divided into 15 segments.

20. Spend time swimming in the beautiful natural pools of Gan Hashlosha.

Gan Hashlosha is a national park in Israel with three stunning natural pools of water, making it the perfect place to picnic or camp out. Watch out for the fish that nibble on the bottom of your feet — they tickle. Note that the entrance fee is 33 NIS per adult and 24 NIS per child.

21. Visit the Kangaroo Park.

Located just outside Gan Hashlosha, Gan Garoo is home to dozens of kangaroos. The kangaroos are free-roaming and you can feed them during your visit. In the park, you will also see cassowaries, emus, flying foxes, parrots and some rare reptiles.

22. Go rafting or kayaking in the Jordan River. 

Jordan River Rafting offers tons of excursions in the Upper Galilee, but one that you cannot miss is rafting down the river itself. Trips range from 2-6 hours and there are different levels of difficulty. They also offer kayaking, jeep trips and guided hikes.

23. Visit the Pereh Mountain Hotel

Pereh Hotel blends luxury with history. Located in an old customs house that has been renovated to offer all the best amenities you would expect at a 5-star hotel, Pereh is truly a unique place. In addition to a stunning gym, pool and spa, they also have an on-site chef’s restaurant and a wine cellar. Spending a night at Pereh is like stepping into another time and place.

24. Tour the UNESCO world heritage sites in Akko. 

The walled port city of Akko is a special place filled with history and a must-see for those traveling in Israel. Make sure you climb the walls to see the port from above, visit the market and take time to explore the Crusader City .

25. Hike Mount Arbel at sunrise. 

From its beautiful observation points to biblical history, Mount Arbel is simply majestic. Carved into the mountain you will find caves where Jews hid during the Greek and Roman periods. You can also visit an ancient synagogue, which is a part of the Israel National Trail. There are a few hiking trails in the area, running from 30 minutes to three hours.

The Center and Jerusalem:

26. visit a coffee cart. i recommend blooms, mama coffee, or arthura .

There are well over 80 coffee carts across Israel! At the start of the pandemic, they began popping up in small communities across the country. Many of them are located in parks or near historic sites. They are a fun way to visit off-the-beaten-path places in Israel. Here is a map to find one near you!

27. Spend an afternoon in a natural spring like Ein Aviel.

Located in the Binyamina area, this natural spring is free, easy to get to and has water year-round! Enjoy a short stroll, spend time swimming in the spring and don’t forget to bring food for a picnic. If you look hard enough, you may also find the hidden cave with a waterfall in it.

28. Enjoy ice cream at Buza, a special shop that is jointly owned by an Israeli and an Arab. 

Buza ice cream is well-known across Israel for its really incredible texture and flavor. “Buza” means ice cream in Arabic and they make their ice cream by hand daily from fresh local ingredients. There are multiple locations in Israel, including in Tel Aviv and Akko.

29. Take a tour of Dialogue in the Dark, the Blind Museum in Holon. 

This is a one-of-a-kind experience of being led through a dark museum by a blind guide to better embrace how it feels to be visually impaired. The museum is located in the Children’s Museum of Holon , which is an easy bus ride from Tel Aviv.

30. Shop in the Jaffa Flea Market. 

Shop for unique vintage pieces from clothing to furniture at the Jaffa Flea Market . There are also amazing spots to eat nearby including the famous Mallabi shop HaMalabiah . Be sure to check out Shifra, a cute shop with lots of local goods like cheeses, oils and dips.

31. Eat lunch at Bottarga in Shuk HaCarmel, Tel Aviv

Bottarga is a home-cooking, female-run restaurant that has delicious options for everyone from meat to vegan and gluten-free. They opened recently and have been the talk of the town ever since. Check out what chef Adeena Sussman has to say about them!

32. Spend a day at Moshav Bat Shlomo

There is so much to do in Bat Shlomo, but most people drive right by without noticing it. I recommend visiting the “Truck BaMoshava” coffee cart, the award-winning winery and the cheese farm. I highly recommend taking a beautiful bike ride in the forest behind the village as well.

33. Relax on the beach at Hof Yanai, in the Hefer Valley.

Hof Bet Yanai is my favorite beach in Israel by far. There are stunning rock formations and it is often much quieter than other beaches in the center of Israel. There are lifeguards on duty, showers, a snack hut and shaded gazebos to make beach-going even more enjoyable.

34. Visit the Anu Museum

The newly-renovated Anu Museum of the Jewish People is known as one of Israel’s most unique and captivating museums. The museum celebrates multiculturalism and Jewish diversity, with exhibits on the Jewish people across generations. It is located inside Tel Aviv University and easily accessible by train.

35. Visit Asif, the Culinary Institute of Israel.

Asif is a unique combination of a library, cafe, market, garden and museum. Enjoy a delicious brunch, take a stroll through their ever-changing exhibit on Israel’s culinary history and peruse their library of cookbooks. If you’re lucky, you can catch a tour which includes a visit to their rooftop garden.

36. Take a hummus tour in the Old City of Jerusalem.

One of my favorite experiences in the Old City of Jerusalem was taking a hummus tour of the Muslim Quarter with tour guide Mo from The Holy Tourist . Mo grew up in the Old City and knows the area like the back of his hand, including all the best hummus places.

37. Enjoy coffee and a slice of cake at the Austrian Hospice in the Old City. 

Most people who visit the Austrian Hospice see the rooftop and its stunning panoramic view of the Old City but miss the adorable cafe just downstairs. Stop in for coffee and a slice of cake and sit outside on the terrace. From there, you can see the Old City from a new perspective.

38. Experience a traditional afternoon tea at KumKum in Jerusalem.

Kumkum is a one-of-a-kind tea house in Jerusalem. Owned by Elisheva, an immigrant to Israel from England, her shop offers a super-authentic English tea experience down to the tea cups. Elisheva is a trained pastry chef and makes delicious homemade scones (there are also gluten-free scones!). There is no better way to spend a few hours in the afternoon with friends than with a tea tower at KumKum.

39. Row-boat in Ramla’s Pool of Arches. 

A remnant from the time of the Abbasid caliphate, this building has survived over 1,200 years! Today, visitors can experience the reservoir by rowboat, making it a great activity for the whole family. Keep in mind that you have to climb a short steep set of stairs to access it. 

40. Enjoy a wine tasting at Vitkin Winery. 

Vitkin Winery is one of the most underrated wineries in Israel. On the weekends they offer a special tapas menu with great vegetarian options as well as vegan and gluten-free options.

41. See a concert at Zappa in Jerusalem.

Zappa is a cool restaurant and concert hall, offering shows by a wide variety of Israeli musicians. The small venue allows for a more intimate and relaxed ambiance than most concert halls. The venue opens a couple hours before the concert for dinner and the bartenders continue to serve drinks throughout. There are many locations in Israel, but my favorite is in Jerusalem.

42. Have hummus at Hummus Gingi on Kibbutz Einat. 

One of the best and most fun places to stop for hummus in Israel is Gingi. Hummus Gingi has been a staple on Kibbutz Einat for nearly 20 years. They slow-cook the chickpeas overnight for especially creamy hummus and the spicy lemon sauce they serve alongside it takes the flavor to the next level. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jazzie | Gluten Free | עגלות קפה | ללא גלוטן | Jerusalem (@theisraelbites)

43. Grab coffee and a cheese platter from Cohen’s Deli in Jerusalem.

The perfect place for an afternoon date, Cohen’s Deli has a top-notch cheese selection, but even better is their salad that comes with it. It is addictive . It looks like a typical Israeli salad, but what sets it apart is the quality of ingredients — they use the best produce, flakey salt, raw tahini and nuts, which perfectly complement each other.

44. Enjoy the vegetarian tasting menu from Asaf Granit’s Tzemah. 

Many of the world’s top restaurants are renowned for their meat dishes, but Asaf Granit’s Tzemah is a 100% vegetarian restaurant serving up 5-star meals. They offer a tasting menu where you can try all the chefs’ picks and it is one of the best ways to celebrate special occasions from birthdays to anniversaries.

45. Enjoy a tour and tasting at Thinkers Distillery in Jerusalem.

Thinkers is a gin distillery located just a few steps away from Jerusalem’s famous Machne Yehudah Market. You can take a 45-minute tour for 95 NIS per person, which of course includes tasting the gin. They also have a longer deep-dive tour where you can sample cocktails from their mixologists.

46. Watch the sunset at the cliffs of Shefayim with a snack from Cafe v’Yam.

The cliffs located behind Hotel Shefayim are one of my favorite places in all of Israel, so much so that my fiance actually proposed to me there. They offer an absolutely breathtaking view of the sunset, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch Cafe v’Yam still open for pizza and beer.

47. Spend the day at Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo.

Located in southern Jerusalem in a very pastoral area, the Biblical Zoo is one of Israel’s most popular places to visit. What sets the Biblical Zoo apart is that they have verses from the Torah next to the animals showing the connection between the animal and Jewish tradition.

48. Hike in the Forest of the Martyrs, which memorializes the six million killed in the Holocaust.

In this forest, which is located on the edge of the Jerusalem Forest, six million trees were planted to commemorate the memories of those who perished during the Holocaust. Yad Vashem , Israel’s Holocaust Museum, is also located nearby.

49. Walk from the Kraft Sports Center through Emek HaArazim to Ein Kerem, stopping in Motza for a bite at Alloro Cafe. 

This 6mile (10 km) hike is a beautiful way to explore the outskirts of Jerusalem. Most of the path is paved and only the end has a steep uphill incline. About one-third of the way along the route, you’ll pass through Motza where there is an incredible pastry shop that’s perfect for a pitstop.

50. Visit Hollander Distillery for a liquor tour and tasting. 

A hidden gem in the Jerusalem Hills, Hollander has a rich history that can only truly be understood through experiencing the distillery . You can sample their delicious liquors made from local fruit while enjoying the unbeatable view from their porch.

51. Eat ice cream at Yotvata. 

You’ll probably recognize the name Yotvata if you have ever had shoko b’sakit (chocolate milk in a bag). After Tnuva, Yotvata is the second-largest milk producer in Israel and their “pundak” (rest stop) makes the perfect pitstop on any drive to Eilat. Try their fresh ice cream with local dairy from the kibbutz.

52. Hike in Timna Park. 

In my opinion, Timna is the most beautiful national park in Israel and there are endless photo ops. They even have an “Instagram map” of the most photo-worthy sites in the park. You can easily spend more than a day here, so I recommend allotting a decent amount of time to your visit. You can even rent or room or bring a tent!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Timna park – Israel (@timnapark)

53. Visit the hidden lake, a gorgeous viewpoint just minutes from Eilat. 

Bring a pakal cafe (travel coffee stove) and stop for a coffee break while looking out at the gorgeous lake in the middle of the desert. This is the most beautiful spot to stop on your long drive down to Eilat.

54. Do a late-night astronomy tour in the Ramon Crater. 

With some of the clearest and darkest skies in Israel, Mitzpe Ramon or The Ramon Crater is one of the best places to go stargazing. The cost of a tour with Astronomy Israel is 175 NIS per adult and 85 NIS per child above the age of 6.

55. Stay at the luxury hotel Beresheet.

Beresheet is one of the most famous hotels in Israel and for good reason! Just be sure to lock your door at night or you may be woken up by an ibex staring you in the face. If you don’t want to shell out a few thousand shekels a night to sleep at the hotel, you can also go for breakfast!

56. Sleep in a cement pipe at Naot Farm.

You read that right — a cement pipe! Naot Farm is a family-run farm in the middle of the Negev with tiny little pipe rooms that you can rent for just over $100 a night. They also have a small natural pool, a cafe with homemade cheeses and local wine, and plenty of space to stroll and enjoy the quiet.

57. Visit the Dolphin Reef in Eilat.

Magical views, a private beach, dolphins, snorkeling, diving and a beach bar… what more could you ask for? The cost to enter Dolphin Reef is 69 NIS for adults and 48 NIS for kids under 15.

58. Spend a day on Hof Mosh.

Visiting Hof Mosh, the most famous beach in Israel, is a must-do at least once in a lifetime. The beach is well-equipped with restaurants, making it a great option if you’re looking to spend the entire day relaxing by the water.

59. Snorkel in the Red Sea. 

The Red Sea is known around the world as one of the best locations for both snorkeling and diving. Coral Reef Beach is a super popular and easily accessible spot for snorkeling, renowned for its rich corals and diverse sea life.

60. Eat ice cream at Glenderia Ice Cream Truck.

We’ve already covered coffee carts — now it’s time for an ice cream truck! Located near Sde Boker (the exact location varies but you can find it on their Facebook page), Glenderia has been serving ice cream to passersby since 2020.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by גלנדריה (@glenderia)

61. Shop at the second-hand store in Sde Boker.

Right outside of Ben-Gurion’s Hut is one of my favorite second-hand stores in Israel! It is quite small but always packed with unique finds, local art and great prices. To get to the store, follow directions to Ben-Gurion’s Hut and you won’t miss it.

62. Have a coffee with an ibex at Ben-Gurion’s Tomb overlooking Ein Avdat. 

Knaaniya Cafe is an excellent place to grab coffee, but be sure to order it to-go and take a short three-minute walk over to the edge of Ben-Gurion’s Tomb, where you can often find ibex hanging out. Sit and enjoy the stunning view of Ein Avdat while sipping your coffee.

63. Go swimming in Ein Akev. 

Located just below Midreshet Ben-Gurion, this gorgeous, hidden natural pool is one of the best places in Israel to spend an afternoon. Remember to bring snacks and a hat, as there is little shade and it gets very hot.

64. Hike to Gev Holon, Ein Gedi.

The hike to Gev Holon may be challenging, but it is more than worth it. While most people only make it to the small pools and waterfalls at the base of the mountain, this hike takes you to a lovely hidden pool with a breathtaking view of the Dead Sea down below.

@theisraelbites If you haven’t seen Gev Halon, you need to add this to your bucket list! #hike #israel #ולוג #טיול ♬ Zen Music – Meditation

65. Float in the Dead Sea. 

Of course, no trip to Israel is complete without taking a dip in the Dead Sea. But, if you’re looking for a different experience, check out the Dead Sea mushrooms, which are salt islands you can walk out onto for gorgeous photos.

66. Stop for brunch at Studio Coffee in Arad. 

Studio Coffee is American-owned and serves up amazing treats like homemade-flavored coffee syrups and keto desserts with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. Try their great breads and homemade dips.

67. Glamp at the Dead Sea. 

Glamping has all the fun of camping but with a much higher comfort level! Located right on the Dead Sea, Badolina is a great place to glamp with an onsite cafe/bar and access to a local pool. With tents that accommodate up to 8 people, it’s a great place to go with friends, and the price can’t be beat.

68. Take a tour of Neot Semadar. 

Neot Semadar is a unique kibbutz located just north of Eilat. You might recognize the arts center and famous statue in the middle of the kibbutz. On the kibbutz you can enjoy a tour of the arts center and a visit to their winery.

69. Go for a wine tasting at Carmey Avdat, with the option to book a villa and stay overnight! 

This desert winery and estate is a small family-run establishment. They say that the farm is located on the remains of a 1500-year-old agricultural settlement on the path of the ancient Spice Route.

70. Experience home hospitality for lunch with Mevashlot Yerucham and learn about the local women of the area.

The Culinary Queens of Yerucham is part of a project to promote diversity, solidarity and a more pluralistic Israel. They offer home hospitality and workshops where you can learn about and enjoy recipes that have been passed down for generations.

71. Go ice skating in the Ice Mall in Israel’s southernmost city of Eilat. 

Ice skating in Israel ? In Eilat of all places? Yes, it is real. When you’re overheated from a full day in the sun at the beach and can’t spend any more time shopping in the tax-free malls, ice skating is the perfect way to spend the evening. Be sure to check Groo (Israeli Groupon) for a deal on tickets.

72. Have delicious Indian food at Little India in Beersheva. 

Little India is one of the best Indian restaurants in Israel, and shockingly enough, it isn’t in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem — it’s in Beer Sheva! And it’s kosher. Try the paneer!

73. Take a cable car to the top of the Masada Fortress.

While some people enjoy the challenge (or torture, depending on your interpretation) of hiking the snake path up the mountain, I prefer the more relaxed experience of taking the quick cable car ride and spending more time enjoying the ruins of the fortress at the top.

74. Check out the graffiti at Gallery Minus 430 at Kalia Beach. 

Named for its elevation level, this unique art gallery in Kalia Beach features graffiti from local and international artists who joined the project to raise awareness about the many environmental issues threatening the Dead Sea.

75. Visit the Antelope Ranch in the Arava Valley. 

Africa meets Israel’s Negev Desert at this cool ranch ! Take a mini safari tour, where you will meet antelopes, elk, goats, exotic sheep and other animals, or visit the petting zoo. There are also cabins and a campground which come with access to a sulfur pool.

Originally Published Apr 24, 2023 05:25PM EDT

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Jazzie Morgan

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Israel itinerary 7-14 days

If you’re starting to plan your Israel itinerary, then you’re in the right place!

In this post you will find a basic Israel itinerary with some extra links to more detailed itineraries, Christian sites, Jewish sites and tips for travel with or without a car (or, following my personal recommendation, partly with, partly without a car).

The itinerary I present here enables you to gain a good understanding of what Israel has to offer in one very full (perhaps even too full) itinerary.

Sale! Get all my Jerusalem tours for two devices  for $39 only!

Israel Itinerary Day 1 – Jerusalem: The Old City & Mount of Olives

If I had up to 72 hours to spend in Israel, I would stay in  Jerusalem . Although the distances between places in Israel are small, moving from one hotel to the other always takes up considerable time and is more of a hassle than one expects. It’s always better to be relaxed than to rush things, and this is even more true while on vacation.

I would start my first day at the top of the Mount of Olives. From here you have the best morning view of the Old City. The main sites are the Chapel of the Ascension at the top of the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane at the bottom. From here it is a 10-minute walk to the Old City. The most important places to see are the Via Dolorosa, Temple Mount, the  Western Wall  and the  Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Unlike the Mount of Olives, the Old City is close to the New City, where you will probably sleep, so you can visit the Old City multiple times.

Additional Christian heritage sites:  Where to start? The Old City of Jerusalem is the square kilometer with the most Christian institutions in the world: Christ Church, Ecco Homo, St. James Cathedral and many more.

Additional Jewish heritage sites:  Burnt House, Hurva Synagogue, Western Wall tunnels, Sephardic Synagogues, Zedekiah’s Cave.

You can read about the most important sites on the Mount of Olives and in the Old City in my Jerusalem booklet.   The booklets  are only sold outside Israel, so order now and come prepared! Or download as a PDF or EPUB (e-book).

Israel Itinerary Day 2 – Jerusalem: The New City

Around the Old City there are some very important sites that can also be visited on the first day, depending where your interest lies. The City of David – the ancient city of Jerusalem (yes, the ancient city is outside of the Old City) and Mount Zion, where you will find the Room of the Last Supper, the Tomb of King David and the Church of the Dormition.

North of Damascus Gate is the Garden Tomb. Some Protestant denominations see this site, rather than the  Church of the Holy Sepulchre , as the site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. Although most archeologists consider this to be a burial site that dates back to before the time of Jesus, it is nonetheless a quiet spot suitable for prayer and reflection.

The Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim is an interesting area to walk around. Here you can observe how Jews lived in Eastern Europe and how some of their traditions have been maintained. The Mahane Yehuda Market (often referred to as “The Shuk”) is a good place to grab something to eat.

If you plan on visiting just one museum in Israel, make sure it is the Israel Museum. It is by far the most important museum in Israel and, unlike other well-known museums around the world, the archeological artifacts on display here originate only from the Land of Israel, so the exhibits are connected to all the other sites that you will visit on your trip.

The Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and Memorial is a key site for those who want to learn about the Holocaust and how Israeli society has dealt with and continues to deal with the loss of one third of the Jewish people.

Sits for families:   Biblical Zoo ,  Science Museum Events in Jerusalem:    Event Calendar

Best Accommodation Options  – Cheap:  Post Hostel  Luxury:  King David Related links:   Best Accommodation ,  72 Hours in Jerusalem

If you have time, stay another day in Jerusalem.

Israel Itinerary Day 3 – Tel Aviv

The beach will probably be your first stop once you’ve settled into your hotel. In Tel Aviv you are never too far away from the beach and, although there is a lot of history, Tel Aviv is not Jerusalem and there are no real ‘must-see’ sites.

Most of the tours in Tel Aviv start at Old Jaffa (which is today a part of Tel Aviv). Jaffa was an ancient port city with a long history. The sites here are close to one another – the Visitors Center, St. Peter’s Church, the galleries in the alleyways, and the flea market.

From here it is a short walk to Neve Tzedek and Rothschild Boulevard, where you have the Independence Hall. Carmel Market is also not too far away.

Additional Jewish heritage sites:  The Museum of the Jewish People.

Recommended Museums:  The Rabin Center (the only museum in Israel that deals with the timeline charting the history of the State of Israel), Tel Aviv Art Museum.

Related links:  48 Hours in Tel Aviv ,  Best Hotels & Hostels in Tel Aviv

If you have time, stay another day in Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Judaean Desert are in the center of Israel. From here, you can head north to the Galilee or south to the Negev Desert. During the summer, I would suggest spending more time in the north, and in the winter, more time in the south. If you have limited time, travel from Jerusalem to the Judaean Desert – Masada and the Dead Sea (see Day 9).

Israel Itinerary Day 4 – The Northern Coast

The northern coast has sites that are mainly connected to overseas empires: the Romans in Caesarea, the British in Haifa and the Crusaders in Akko.

If you have a car, consider stopping off at Caesarea National Park, where you will find the ruins of the port city that King Herod built. Without a car it is too much of a hassle to get there. As you continue north you can stop for a swim in the sea at HaBonim Beach. On weekends it gets full but on weekdays (in Israel that means Sunday to Thursday) it is beautiful. You can take your time here and sleep in Dor or  Zichron Ya’acov .

If you are traveling without a car, take the train to  Haifa . The main sites are the German Colony and the Baha’i Gardens. In downtown Haifa you will also find some great places to eat. Haifa is a half-day destination for first timers. You can either spend the night there or continue to Akko. Akko, unlike Haifa, is a small city, but it has everything you need.

Akko has the most impressive ruins from the time of the Crusaders, which is one of the most interesting periods in the long history of the Land of Israel.

Israel Itinerary Days 5 & 6 – The Galilee and the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret)

Another good option is to take the train from Tel Aviv strait to Akko, sleep there for a night or two and then go back to Haifa, since from Haifa there are many more bus lines to places in the Galilee, such as  Nazareth , Tiberias, Tzfat, Kiryat Shmona and the Golan Heights.

Nazareth is where Christianity began, and it is also the largest Arabic city in Israel. I would advise against traveling there by car, as the traffic is terrible. Tiberias is on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (or Kinneret, as we say in Hebrew) but despite its potential, it isn’t a particularly nice city.

The good thing about Tiberias (and Kiryat Shmona) is that from there you can rent a car from any of the well-known car rental companies and bring the car back to the airport. The Golan Heights, Judaean Desert and Negev Desert are much more accessible with a car and there is very little traffic.

Check out my new post about  special accommodation in the Galilee

You can check out prices of car rentals in  Tiberias here

Additional Christian heritage sites:  Around the Sea of Galilee you’ll discover many sites connected to the ministry of Jesus: Tabgha, Capernaum, and the Mount of Beatitudes, where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered.

Additional Jewish heritage sites:  Safed has been the “City of Kabbalah” – Jewish mysticism – since the 16th century.

Additional Zionist heritage sites:  Some of the first Zionist settlements are in the Galilee – Kinneret (village), Rosh Pina, Degania and Tel Hai.

Hikes:  Explore the Mount Meron and Amud Wadi National Parks. And if you are looking for a challenge, there is a three-to-four day walking route from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee called the Jesus Trail. For a  Road trip around the Sea of Galilee check out this site .

Archeological sites:  Megiddo and Zippori (Sepphoris).

Israel Itinerary Days 7 & 8 – The Golan Heights

If you like nature and open spaces, then stay at least two days in the Golan Heights.

In the northern part of the Galilee/Golan are the Banias and Dan National Parks, which are full of water year round, making them perfect for hot summer days.

In the middle of the Golan Heights is Katzrin, the main city, which is also accessible by bus. Close to Katzrin is Yehudia Nature Reserve, which offers further beautiful walking trails.

Several outdoor activities:  Wineries, fruit picking, jeep tours and more.

Israel Itinerary Day 9 – The Judaean Desert

From the Golan Heights, drive down Road 90 (through the West Bank) to the Judaean Desert. Masada and the Dead Sea are sights not to be missed. Other interesting sites are Qaser El Yahud, Ein Gedi National Park, and Qumran, the site that was inhabited by a small but very interesting sect 2,000 years ago, and where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

Related links:  48 Hours in the Judean Deset ,  Best accommodation in Masada & Dead Sea

In my  Judaean Desert booklet  I have added a trek that goes around Masada (for experienced hikers only) and affords an amazing view of Masada that only a few people get to see.   The booklets  are only sold outside Israel, so order now and come prepared! Or download as a PDF or EPUB (e-book).

Israel Itinerary Days 10 & 11 – Negev & Eilat

The Negev Desert takes up half of Israel. The biggest city is Beer Sheva, in the northern part of the desert, but you can definitely skip it.

If you’re coming from the Judaean Desert (Road 90), you will reach the Arava, a part of the Negev that runs from the Dead Sea to Eilat. On the way to Eilat are some interesting villages and kibbutzim like Tzukim, Ketura and Lotan. The best-known nature park is Timna but, especially if you come in winter, just take your time and enjoy the desert.

I wouldn’t visit Eilat on Jewish holidays or during the summer vacation (July and August), as Eilat gets expensive and full of tourists, but during the winter it’s great. Eilat is a good place to snorkel and enjoy other water activities. It can also act as a base from which to head to Petra in Jordan or Sinai in Egypt for a day or two. In Eilat, you can lie on the beach in January and enjoy the warm sun.

Check out my new post about  special accommodation in the Negev

Israel Itinerary Day 12 & 13 – Mitzpe Ramon and Sede Boker

On the way back to the center you can stop off at Mitzpe Ramon. The town lies next to the Ramon Crater. If you’re only coming to Israel for a short period of time and want to get a taste of the desert, you can skip the Arava and stay at Mizpe Ramon. It’s a small town but perfect for travelers, with or without a car. Hiking, cycling, jeep tours and hotels and hostels of all kinds. Half an hour north is the area of Sde Boker, where there is also plenty to see and do.

In some touristy places, like the Mount of Olives or the Dead Sea, you can pay to have your photo taken on a camel, but if you want to experience the real deal, you can take a few days out of your itinerary to go on a real Bedouin camel ride from Mitzpe Ramon.

Israel Itinerary Day 14 – Back to Ben Gurion Airport

If your flight is in the morning, it’s better to return the car in Tel Aviv, sleep there and take the train to the airport. But if your flight is in the afternoon, you can drive straight from Sde Boker – Mitzpe Ramon to the airport. It is about a two-hour drive.

This is a basic itinerary. If you have specific interests you might also want to check out the different itineraries laid out on the official  Ministry of Tourism website .

12 Responses

Unless you badly desire to snorkel / scuba dive at the Red sea, the long drive to Eilat is not really worth it in my opinion. Instead, I would devote a day exploring archaeologial sites in the low hill country site (the “Shefelah”): the battle site of David vs. Goliath; The Bar-kokhba caves; the underground reservoir at Biblical Beth-Shemesh; and the “1948 Secret bullet factory” near Rehovoth. Enjoy touring Israel!

Hi – love your website. My brother and I ( in our 60’s ) healthy lol. We want to spend 3 weeks in Israel. What we’re trying to do is, with your recommendation of course, is to stay in 3 cities, each a week, and stay at one Hostel in each city.

We will not have a car, expect to do a lot of walking and taxis. And probably go in Oct or Nov or December.

So can you please give me your recommendation for which 3 cities, which 3 hostels. I saw some on Expedia.com that stated as low as $30 per night? Is that true ? I think it was called The Post.

Thank you in advance. I’m reading and viewing every single thing on your website.

Best Regards Gary

Thanks! My next videos will be about hiking in Israel, day tours and how to plan your trip, so you will find them very helpful I think. The Post is a great hostel in Jerusalem. If you come in winter stay also in the desrt. Mitzpe Ramon is a great option.

How much do you charge to tour two people in Jerusalem?

Hey I work with Shin Tours. I also guide Israelis in Europe so most of the time I am not available but the team is great and the guides are great – https://calendly.com/11213/oren

Thank you for your website and videos. They are awesome! I have question on the sample itinerary Day 5 & 6. For us, we are planning to have a car the whole time we will be in Israel. We plan to go to the north with the car. You suggested that we don’t rent a car in Nazareth. So how do we visit Nazareth then? Should we park it somewhere outside of the city and do a walking tour? I’m a bit confused sorry. Thanks, Shikha

Thanks! If you have a car then go with a car, it is not that bad. If you sleep there maybe you cane call your hotel and ask where you can park.

Excellent website that helps a lot if one wants to visit Israel without going with a tour group. Thank you for the information.

Are there entry fees payable at the Christian sites like the Garden Tomb, Mount of Beatitudes, City of David, etc? Also, does one have to make bookings?

Thanks! There are no entry fees to Churches, there is to the City of David. You don’t need to make bookings, but at the city of David they offer tours, check their internet site. Enjoy Israel!

Genuinely found it very odd that you completely omitted any mention of Muslim/Islamic heritage sites.

what are the contact details of Ety (not sure the spelling) the tour guide in your video? Or is he part of Shin Tours? We will be spending 6 days in Israel in June and will love to have a tour guide, or have him Ety if possible 🙂

hey, this is Itay’s email – [email protected]

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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel and tourism in Israel - statistics & facts

Impact of the coronavirus (covid-19), economic contribution of the tourism industry, diverse tourist sights, key insights.

Detailed statistics

International visitors in Israel 2016-2022

Number of departures abroad of Israeli citizens from Israel 2014-2022

Number of tourist hotels in Israel 2014-2021

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Destinations

Number of visitors to the U.S. from Israel 2011-2022

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Israel 2013-2028

Related topics

Recommended.

• COVID-19: impact on the tourism industry worldwide
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Recommended statistics

Inbound tourism.

• Basic Statistic International visitors in Israel 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals in Israel 2015-2029
• Basic Statistic Tourist arrivals in Israel 2021, by age group
• Basic Statistic Number of tourists from Europe in Israel 2022, by country of citizenship
• Basic Statistic Number of tourists from Asia in Israel 2022, by country of citizenship
• Basic Statistic Number of tourists from the United States in Israel 2018-2022
• Basic Statistic Passengers in cruises in Israel 2014-2022

International visitors in Israel from 2016 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of international tourist arrivals in Israel 2015-2029

Number of international tourist arrivals in Israel from 2015 to 2029 (in millions)

Tourist arrivals in Israel 2021, by age group

Number of tourist arrivals in Israel in 2021, by age group (in 1,000s)

Number of tourists from Europe in Israel 2022, by country of citizenship

Number of European tourists in Israel in 2022, by country of citizenship (in 1,000s)

Number of tourists from Asia in Israel 2022, by country of citizenship

Number of tourists from Asia in Israel as of 2022, by country of citizenship (in 1,000s)

Number of tourists from the United States in Israel 2018-2022

Number of tourists from the United States in Israel from 2018 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Passengers in cruises in Israel 2014-2022

Number of cruise passengers in Israel from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Outbound tourism

• Basic Statistic Number of departures abroad of Israeli citizens from Israel 2014-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of Israelis aged 20-24 years traveling abroad 2015-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of Israelis aged 0-19 years traveling abroad 2015-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of Israelis aged 25-59 years traveling abroad 2015-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of Israelis aged 60-64 years traveling abroad 2015-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of Israelis aged 65 years and older traveling abroad 2015-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of visitors to the U.S. from Israel 2011-2022

Number of departures abroad of Israeli citizens from Israel from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of Israelis aged 20-24 years traveling abroad 2015-2022

Number of Israelis aged 20-24 years traveling abroad from 2015 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of Israelis aged 0-19 years traveling abroad 2015-2022

Number of Israelis aged 0-19 years traveling abroad from 2015 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of Israelis aged 25-59 years traveling abroad 2015-2022

Number of Israelis aged 25-59 years traveling abroad from 2015 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of Israelis aged 60-64 years traveling abroad 2015-2022

Number of Israelis aged 60-64 years traveling abroad from 2015 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of Israelis aged 65 years and older traveling abroad 2015-2022

Number of Israelis aged 65 years and older traveling abroad from 2015 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of visitors to the United States from Israel from 2011 to 2022

• Basic Statistic International air traffic of passengers in Israel 2022
• Basic Statistic International air traffic of passengers with Israeli airlines in Israel 2022
• Basic Statistic Revenue of El Al Airlines in Israel 2021-2022
• Basic Statistic International air traffic of passengers with airlines from the US in Israel 2022
• Basic Statistic International air traffic of passengers with German airlines in Israel 2022
• Basic Statistic International air traffic of passengers with French airlines in Israel 2022
• Basic Statistic International air traffic of passengers with Spanish airlines in Israel 2022

International air traffic of passengers in Israel 2022

International air traffic of passengers in Israel from January to June 2022 (in 1,000s)

International air traffic of passengers with Israeli airlines in Israel 2022

International air traffic of passengers with Israeli airlines in Israel from January to June 2022 (in 1,000s)

Revenue of El Al Airlines in Israel 2021-2022

Revenue of El Al Airlines in Israel in 2nd quarter 2021 and 2nd quarter 2022 (in million U.S. dollars)

International air traffic of passengers with airlines from the US in Israel 2022

International air traffic of passengers with airlines from the United States (US) in Israel from January to June 2022 (in 1,000s)

International air traffic of passengers with German airlines in Israel 2022

International air traffic of passengers with German airlines in Israel from January to June 2022 (in 1,000s)

International air traffic of passengers with French airlines in Israel 2022

International air traffic of passengers with French airlines in Israel from January to June 2022 (in 1,000s)

International air traffic of passengers with Spanish airlines in Israel 2022

International air traffic of passengers with Spanish airlines in Israel from January to June 2022 (in 1,000s)

Economic contribution and tourism expenditure

• Premium Statistic Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Israel 2013-2028
• Premium Statistic Absolute economic contribution of tourism in Israel 2014-2029
• Premium Statistic Expenditure on international tourism in Israel 2014-2029
• Premium Statistic Expenditure per capita on international tourism in Israel 2001-2029
• Premium Statistic International tourism receipts per capita in Israel 2001-2029

Share of the GDP of the tourism sector in Israel from 2013 to 2028

Absolute economic contribution of tourism in Israel 2014-2029

Absolute economic contribution of tourism in Israel from 2014 to 2029 (in million U.S. dollars)

Expenditure on international tourism in Israel 2014-2029

Expenditure on international tourism in Israel from 2014 to 2029 (in million U.S. dollars)

Expenditure per capita on international tourism in Israel 2001-2029

Expenditure per capita on international tourism in Israel from 2001 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

International tourism receipts per capita in Israel 2001-2029

International tourism receipts per capita in Israel from 2001 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

Accommodations

• Basic Statistic Number of tourist hotels in Israel 2014-2021
• Basic Statistic Number of tourist hotels in Israel 2021, by district
• Basic Statistic Number of foreign guests in tourist hotels in Israel 2014-2021
• Basic Statistic Number of Israeli guests in tourist hotels in Israel 2014-2021
• Basic Statistic Number of rural tourism guest rooms in Israel 2014-2021
• Basic Statistic Total revenue of hotel services in Israel 2014-2021
• Basic Statistic Occupancy rate of bed places in hotels in Israel 2017-2022
• Basic Statistic Occupancy rate of rooms in hotels in Tel Aviv in Israel 2014-2022

Number of tourist hotels in Israel from 2014 to 2021

Number of tourist hotels in Israel 2021, by district

Number of tourist hotels in Israel in 2021, by district

Number of foreign guests in tourist hotels in Israel 2014-2021

Number of foreign guests in tourist hotels in Israel from 2014 to 2021 (in 1,000s)

Number of Israeli guests in tourist hotels in Israel 2014-2021

Number of Israeli guests in tourist hotels in Israel from 2014 to 2021 (in 1,000s)

Number of rural tourism guest rooms in Israel 2014-2021

Number of rural tourism guest rooms in Israel from 2014 to 2021

Total revenue of hotel services in Israel 2014-2021

Total revenue of hotel services in Israel from 2014 to 2021 (in million Israeli shekels)

Occupancy rate of bed places in hotels in Israel 2017-2022

Occupancy rate of bed places in hotels in Israel from 2017 to 2022

Occupancy rate of rooms in hotels in Tel Aviv in Israel 2014-2022

Occupancy rate of rooms in hotels in Tel Aviv in Israel from 2014 to 2022

National parks

• Basic Statistic Number of visits to historical sites in Israel 2017-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of visits to historical sites in Israel 2022, by district
• Basic Statistic Number of visits to recreation sites in Israel 2017-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of visits to recreation sites in Israel 2022, by district

Number of visits to historical sites in Israel 2017-2022

Number of visits to historical sites in Israel from 2017 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of visits to historical sites in Israel 2022, by district

Number of visits to historical sites in Israel in 2022, by district (in 1,000s)

Number of visits to recreation sites in Israel 2017-2022

Number of visits to recreation sites in Israel from 2017 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of visits to recreation sites in Israel 2022, by district

Number of visits to recreation sites in Israel in 2022, by district (in 1,000s)

Popular tourist sights

• Basic Statistic Number of visits to Caesarea in Israel 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of visits to En Gedi in Israel 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of visits to the Banias springs in Israel 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of visits to Zippori in Israel 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of visits to Palmahim in Israel 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of visits to the Mizpe Ramon Visitors Center in Israel 2019-2022

Number of visits to Caesarea in Israel 2019-2022

Number of visits to Caesarea in Israel from 2019 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of visits to En Gedi in Israel 2019-2022

Number of visits to En Gedi in Israel from 2019 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of visits to the Banias springs in Israel 2019-2022

Number of visits to the Banias springs in Israel from 2019 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of visits to Zippori in Israel 2019-2022

Number of visits to Zippori in Israel from 2019 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of visits to Palmahim in Israel 2019-2022

Number of visits to Palmahim in Israel from 2019 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of visits to the Mizpe Ramon Visitors Center in Israel 2019-2022

Number of visits to the Mizpe Ramon Visitors Center in Israel from 2019 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

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14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Israel and the Palestinian Territories

Written by Jess Lee Updated May 13, 2023

Home to some of the world's most famous religious tourist attractions , Israel and the Palestinian Territories is often thought of purely as a pilgrimage destination. After all, this is where some of the main events for those of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faiths is said to have happened.

But for travelers not seeking out religious sightseeing within the churches, synagogues, and mosques, there are plenty of other things to do.

The Dead Sea is a bizarre natural wonder where you can't sink. The Galilee region's natural beauty ticks all the boxes for those who want to hike in nature. And the Negev Desert's raw and rocky landscapes are ripe for adventure and one of the best places to visit if you're seeking some dusty action and outdoor things to do.

Sure, the religious sites here will always be the main draw card for a visit, but scratch below the surface, and you'll find there's so much more.

To help plan your itinerary, check out our list of the top tourist attractions in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

1. Jerusalem Old City

3. churches of nazareth, 5. the dead sea, 6. bethlehem, 7. timna park, 8. sea of galilee, 10. mar saba monastery, 11. beit shean, 12. jericho, 14. makhtesh ramon, map of tourist attractions in israel and the palestinian territories.

Aching with the weight of history, Jerusalem has one of the world's most recognizable skylines, with the golden helmet of the Dome of the Rock glinting above the caramel-colored stone of the old city.

This ancient walled city holds deep religious significance for all those of the monotheistic faiths, and the labyrinthine alleyways inside are packed with religious sites and mind-boggling history.

Dodge the crowds of pilgrims and take a walk along the walls that still wrap around the old city. Explore the city's fabulous museums, and immerse yourself in the mazy lanes that kings, Crusaders, and conquerors have all fought over.

Jerusalem's many highlights enchant and confound in equal measures.

Jerusalem is all history. Tel Aviv is about modern dining and café culture. And Haifa just does its own thing.

Haifa's main attraction is the Baha'i Gardens , which tumble down the hillside towards the sea in a series of immaculate green terraces. They're a must-do for all travelers to this lovely city, but Haifa's big attraction for many visitors is that it's the perfect base to explore the north .

Akko, Mount Carmel and Caesarea are right on the doorstep, and even Nazareth and Megiddo could be easily done as a day trip from here.

Hands down the most easygoing city in the country, Haifa should be part of everyone's itinerary.

Forever linked to the story of Jesus in the Bible, Nazareth is one of the main pilgrimage destinations in the country.

The holy sites here are some of the most important in the world for those of the Christian faith. This is where the Annunciation took place, and where Jesus Christ was brought up, and the center of town is home to important churches that celebrate this history.

One of the most important tourist attractions in Nazareth is the Basilica of the Annunciation , but there are plenty of smaller sights in town to explore.

Away from the biblical connections, Nazareth's busy bazaar area, amid the twisty old city lanes, is a highlight in itself, always bustling with commerce.

A picturesque vision of honey-colored stone, Jaffa is a chilled-out little harbor town with an illustrious past as a major port.

Made for aimless wandering and home to an excellent flea market , Jaffa provides an old-world-style respite from the modern thrum of Tel Aviv next door.

The muddle of lanes leading down to the sea, where once the great ships of the ancient Mediterranean empires docked, are now a haven for café-hopping and a lazy afternoon of sightseeing in Jaffa .

Jaffa has been thoroughly gentrified in recent years, with small art galleries, craft shops, and restaurants moving in. On weekends, it's a busy center for outdoor dining and shopping.

The lowest point on earth and one of the world's most wacky natural wonders, the Dead Sea is the mineral-rich and overly salty sea where no one can sink.

Locked in by the cliffs of the Great Rift Valley, this bizarre body of water (where natural buoyancy occurs due to the rate of evaporation causing the high salt content) has been wowing travelers for centuries.

A handful of "beach resort" areas along the Dead Sea shoreline provide facilities, with cafés, bathrooms, and the all important freshwater showers to wash the saltwater off you afterwards, for those who want to take a dip.

Take a float — you can't really sink — and you'll be won over by the weirdness of this experience, as generations of visitors have before you.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Dead Sea Region

A major Christian pilgrimage center, Bethlehem is home to the Church of the Nativity , built over the site where Jesus Christ is said to have been born. It's one of the top sights in Bethlehem .

The stately church complex with its far-reaching historical significance, and the busy market vibe of the bazaar make this the number one highlight of the West Bank.

Although many travelers only come here as a day trip from Jerusalem, the town is an excellent place to base yourself for excursions into the surrounding countryside, with its Byzantine monasteries and sites related to events relayed in the New Testament.

Raw and rugged desert scenery at its best, Timna Park, near the Red Sea resort of Eilat, is one of the most beautiful corners of the Negev.

The landscapes here have a visceral quality, which enchants all who visit, with towering cliffs and surreally-shaped boulders set between vast tracts of multi-hued sand.

Timna's copper mining history (which stretches back to the ancient Egyptians) is also worth exploring; the area is full of ancient mine shafts and rock inscriptions that desert adventurers can seek out.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Eilat

The shoreline that wraps around the Sea of Galilee offers interesting attractions , gorgeous countryside, and bags of history.

Whether you're here to visit the churches of Tabgha, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount and carried out much of his preaching, or you just want to soak in the hot pools near Tiberias and do some hiking, this beautiful region is a major highlight of any trip.

Don't miss taking a swim in the sea itself and soaking up the views across the lake on a hillside hike.

The mountaintop fortress of Masada, overlooking the rugged scenery of the Dead Sea region, is home to incredible vistas and some fascinating history.

This is where King Herod's once mighty palace stood and where the Zealots took their last stand against the Roman Legions.

If you're up for a hike, the winding Snake Path is the perfect way of reaching the top, with excellent panoramas all the way. It's one of the top things to do in Masada .

Otherwise, take the cable car and see the views without the sweat.

Mar Saba Monastery is an architectural marvel of the Byzantine age, precariously snuggled into the cliff face as if it had sprouted organically out of the sheer rock.

The monastery is dedicated to Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, a Greek Orthodox monk from Cappadocia who founded this monastery.

Although female travelers are not allowed to actually enter the monastery (except for the Women's Tower near the entrance), the view is enough of a reason to visit, with the metal domes glinting in the sun between the rock face.

An easy day trip option from Bethlehem or Jerusalem, Mar Saba Monastery is one of the Holy Land's great historic sites .

In a country full of ruins, Beit Shean stands out from the crowd for its excellent preservation.

Here, you can get a real feel for the life of a Roman and Byzantine town , with its colonnaded streets, well-restored theater, and extensive bathhouse remains.

Stroll the once mighty streets, explore the extensive ruins, and sit in the theater where the Roman city's cultural life was played out.

It's a fabulous slice of the ancient world that any history lover should see.

One of the most important historical sites in the West Bank , Jericho lays claim to being the world's oldest continuously inhabited city and has a history that can be traced back 10,000 years.

The archaeological site of Ancient Jericho (Tel Jericho) is right in town and after exploring this layered settlement mound, you can hop on the cable car from the site to the Monastery of Qurantal on the Mount of Temptation where, according to the New Testament, Jesus resisted the devil.

This is also a prime base in the Palestinian Territories, not just for exploring the attractions in Jericho , but for venturing further afield. In particular Hisham's Palace, with its famed Tree of Life mosaic, and the monasteries inside the canyon of Wadi Qelt.

Wrapped up in Crusader history, Akko (Acre to the Crusaders) has a mellow harbor full of colorful, bobbing fishing boats; a vibrant bazaar crammed with spice, produce, and interesting artisan products; and a truckload of history to boot.

The city walls, old khans (caravanserais), and fort remnants speak of another age, when this town was the center of the empire.

One of the most enjoyable towns to explore (who doesn't like a secret tunnel?), Akko is a great mix of historic sites and modern life.

This deep erosion cirque, (a crater-shaped steephead valley created by erosion), with the town of Mitzpe Ramon on its rim, is one of the Negev's major highlights .

From lookout points along the rim, the canyon walls plummet downwards for 300 meters, with dramatic vistas across the rock formations of the valley.

For the more active, Makhtesh Ramon is a national park, and various trails have been created leading down into the depths of the valley, making Makhtesh Ramon one of the best destinations for day hiking in the country.

There are other makhtesh in the Negev, but this one is the deepest and largest, measuring roughly eight kilometers wide and 40 meters long.

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The perfect israel itinerary – guide & interactive israel map.

If you’re visiting for only a few days, this Israel itinerary will allow you to see as much as possible in the time you have.

What to do in israel in 5 days – israel itinerary for travelers in a hurry.

From the lowest point on Earth in the middle of a vast desert to the lush peaks of the Carmel Mountains, from one of the most ancient cities in the world to a glittering seaside cosmopolitan hub… Israel takes it all and crams it into a tiny strip of land. I’ll tell you all of the best things to do in Israel during your time in this incredible country.

You can’t drive more than four hours in any direction from the airport without leaving the country, yet Israel offers enough to keep visitors’ itineraries jam-packed – whether you’re staying for five days or five weeks.

This five day Israel itinerary is enough to whet your appetite and leave you wanting more. To get a deeper sense of the country and explore more, I encourage you to consider a 10 day trip to Israel – this itinerary has all the details you need to plan your entire trip, and you can even use it as the foundation for a shorter trip by just picking the days you’re most excited about.

Israel Itinerary Map

Day 1: Exploring Tel Aviv – An Israel Must See

Shalom, and welcome to Israel! You’ll start your short visit to Israel in the bustling modern city of Tel Aviv, perched on miles of a gorgeous Mediterranean coastline. It’s a must on your any Israel Itinerary. Tel Aviv is a fascinatingly diverse city of neighborhoods and today you’ll get to explore a few of them.

If you want to know what to do in Israel to relax, Tel Aviv is a great choice. Start off recovering from your flight with a relaxing stroll south along the beachside promenade, the tayelet . You’ll take it all the way to Old Jaffa, which has origins as a port city dating back to the days of Jonah in the Bible!

Start off by wandering up to the lovely Gan HaPisga, one of the most incredible places to see in Tel Aviv, where you’ll enjoy the lovely flowers and great coastal views. Next spend some time exploring the narrow, winding alleys filled with art galleries and studios. You’ll finally make your way down to the port itself, which has recently been revitalized into industrial-style galleries and is one of Tel Aviv’s new hot spots.

For lunch in Jaffa you have two excellent options:

The Old Man and the Sea : If you want a hearty traditional dining experience, head to The Old Man and the Sea. Your meal will start with a course of salatim , small dishes of various types of salad that are typical of Israeli cuisine. Thanks to its location in the Jaffa Port, The Old Man and the Sea is known for excellent, fresh fish entrees – you can’t go wrong with those!

Abu Hassan: If you’re looking for a meal on a budget or you want a different kind of traditional experience, head to nearby Abu Hassan. There’s very little disagreement: Abu Hassan serves up the best hummus in Israel . My personal recommendation is to order the masabacha , a mix of hummus, tehina and whole chickpeas. It’s served warm with a basket of fluffy pita. You may not think of a bowl of hummus as an entire meal, but that’s how it’s treated by Tel Avivians in the know.

The afternoon is a great opportunity to head back north and see some of Tel Aviv’s oldest – and most unique – neighborhoods. To see some fantastic spots with the context of expert explanation, grab this self-guided audio tour . It covers the Levinsky Market – one of the most authentic markets you’ll see when you visit Israel – and the diverse Florentine, where you’ll see fantastic Tel Aviv street art. The fee you pay for the tour includes samples at some of the market’s best shops, so you’ll have plenty of delicious sustenance for your exploration!

Walk just a few more blocks to the lovely, refined neighborhood of Neve Tzedek. This was the first Jewish neighborhood outside of Jaffa, and now it’s home to cafes, art galleries, book stores and more.

When it’s time for sunset, be sure to head back to the coast and find a lovely perch to enjoy it. Mediterranean sunsets can’t be beaten!

For dinner, you’ll head back toward Jaffa but this time to the Flea Market district. At night it comes alive as a vibrant scene for restaurants and bars. Your destination is Onza, one of the city’s best restaurants. It offers a contemporary twist on traditional Turkish cuisine and is one of my personal favorites.

Highlights in Tel Aviv:

• Tayelet- Beach Promenade
• Gan HaPisga
• The Old Man and the Sea
• Levinsky Market
• Neve Tzedek
• Flea Market district

Day 2: Day trip in Coastal Israel

One of the prettiest areas of Israel is its lush northern coastline. The coast is one of the best places to visit in Israel. Today on your Israel itinerary you’ll spend the entire day exploring it! There are two ways you can manage the logistics, each with pros and cons. If you want the flexibility to move at your own pace or you’re traveling with a family, it might be worth renting a car (in downtown Tel Aviv, not at the airport). If you’re visiting solo or you’d rather have everything planned for you, you can hop on a guided day trip to take you up and down the coast.

Regardless of how you opt to handle the logistics, you’ll see beautiful, interesting places. On a longer itinerary, you’d probably want to spend the night in the north to see everything, but with just one day you may need to prioritize just a few of these spots to visit. Here are some of the best places to visit in Israel along the Carmel coast, from south to north:

Caesarea National Park

This ancient Roman settlement was established as a port for the newly-expanded empire around 25 BCE and used as such for over 1500 years. The city is still remarkably well-preserved and includes residential buildings, a commercial area, an amphitheater and a chariot racing arena. The site is very large, so plan to spend about two hours exploring. There are several on-site restaurants to grab a lovely lunch with a view.

Ba’hai Gardens

This is known as one of the most amazing things to see in Israel. The diverse coastal city of Haifa is home to the Ba’hai World Center and its famous gardens. If you have just a few minutes, stop at the top of the garden to sneak a peek from the top level (this is what the day trip options do). With more time, you can take a guided tour all the way down through the garden – just be sure to check the English time slots in advance as they’re limited. If you plan to enter the garden, be sure to wear modest clothing that covers you knees and shoulders.

The ancient city of Akko is a fascinating look at Israel’s layers of history. You can explore the old Ottoman city, the Crusader fort, underground tunnels and more. The traditional market is a fun place to wander and sample delicious traditional food.

Rosh Hanikra

We love the limestone cliffs and grottoes of Rosh Hanikra, right on the border with Lebanon. The world’s steepest cable car takes you from the top to the bottom, where you can wind through the caverns and explore the fascinating nooks and crannies. There’s also an interesting historical movie shown in one of the caves that explains the history of the railway that once ran right next to the grottoes and in to Lebanon.

For dinner nearby, try Michael Local Bistro – famous for its Israeli take on the farm-to-table movement.

At the end of the day, head back to Tel Aviv for the night. If you’ve rented a car, you can either keep it to do more self-guided exploration for days 4 and 5 or return it if you plan to use public transportation and/or guided tours for those days.

Day 3: Jerusalem’s Holy Sites and the Shuk

On day 3 of your Israel itinerary, you’ll visit the famous Holy Sites of Jerusalem. No matter your religious affiliation, visiting Jerusalem’s holy sites is one of the best things to do in Israel and an absolute must. Religion and history are all intertwined and it’s fascinating learning about both in this country, both of which are at the heart of many ancient and modern religions today.

One of the great things about traveling in Israel is just how close much of the country is. This morning you’ll leave early to go from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which should take about an hour.

If you’ve already returned your rental car you can take either the bus or the newly-completed fast train. If you choose public transportation, you may need to take either a local bus or a taxi to your hotel to drop your bags depending on where you’re staying.

You’ll want to be done dropping your bags in time to arrive at Jaffa Gate for your 11 am tour of Jerusalem’s holy sites in the Old City. This excellent free tour lasts around 2 hours (but could go a bit longer) and visit all four quarters to give a brief introduction to the main sites of the Old City.

When your tour is done, grab lunch at Tala Hummus in the Old City (you’ll even get a discount from your tour guide). Even though it’s a restaurant frequented by tour groups, it’s quite good and hits the spot in a convenient location!

Due to the limited time available on the tour, you won’t go inside the Old City’s various holy sites. After lunch, you can opt to return to the Western Wall or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre if those are of special interest to you. If you choose to go to the Western Wall, you can even take a tour underneath to see various levels of excavation of the original Temple walls!

After you’ve had your fill of the Old City you’ll walk along the modern Jaffa Street to Jerusalem’s famous Machne Yehuda market (also called “the shuk ”). If you’re feeling tired or the heat is extreme, you can also hop aboard the light rail that runs through the middle of the street and stops right outside the market entrance.

Wander the market, take in the sights and smells, ask for samples. It’s an experience you can’t miss! Be sure to stop my favorite bakery, Marzipan, for some of their world-renowned ruggalah . It’s absolutely incredible, so make sure you buy a few extra to send my way.

After you’ve filled up at the market, you can enjoy more strolling time along Jaffa Street and its many off-shoots until it’s time for dinner. You’ll head back to the shuk , which transforms after dark into one of Jerusalem’s evening hot spots! Enjoy dinner at Machneyuda, often regarded as one of the country’s best and most creative restaurants – just be sure to make a reservation in advance (sometimes a month or more).

If you still have energy, head back to the Old City for one of the stunning “sound and light” shows put on by the Tower of David. They project images directly on to the city walls taking you on an amazing journey through history.

Day 4: Day Trip to the Dead Sea

Swimming in the Dead Sea is one of those can’t-miss once-in-a-lifetime experiences on any Israel itinerary, so we’ve gotta make it happen even with a short time in Israel! The good news is that you can be at the most beautiful part of the Dead Sea in just under two hours from Jerusalem.

The better news is that there are some absolutely fantastic places to visit along the way to make a complete day trip. You can either spend this day exploring on your own if you have a rental car or take a guided tour like this one .

I recommend eating breakfast before you leave Jerusalem and bringing a picnic lunch with you, as food options are slim (and generally not great).

Masada is one of the best outdoor attractions in Israel . Visit the mountain-top fortress where 1st-century Jews took refuge from Roman rule. If you arrive early enough in the day (in the summer, often before 8 AM) and you’re in very good shape, you can hike up the “snake path”. It takes 1-1.5 hours as you ascend 1300 feet.

The snake path is the only way to see the sunrise at Masada, which is very popular but requires you to leave from Jerusalem extremely early – potentially around 4 am in summer. Most people choose to ascend and descend via cable car, which you can do at any time of day.

Earth’s lowest point is the Dead Sea, the shrinking extremely salty sea in the middle of the desert. It’s called “Dead” because it’s so salty that nothing can survive. I recommend visiting the southern section near Ein Bokek. It doesn’t have the mud you’ll find in the northern section, but the water is prettier, the floating is better and the beach access is free.

The final stop of the day is one of the best places in Israel, Ein Gedi. This oasis in the desert provides some great easy hiking and lovely freshwater springs perfect for a swim after a hot day of exploring.

After your day in the desert, head back to Jerusalem for dinner and the evening. If it happens to be a Tuesday, this is a great time to head to The Israel Museum while it’s open later (more info on The Israel Museum for day 5 below). Otherwise head to the Jerusalem First Station ( HaTachana ), the old train station that has been converted into a wonderful public space that includes plenty of restaurants, boutiques, arcade games, fun events, and more.

Day 5: Discover Israel your way

On the final day of your Israel itinerary, choose your activities based on your own interests.

If Jewish and Israeli history is your main interest, this is a good day to split between The Israel Museum and Yad Vashem. The Israel Museum has a world-class collection that includes the Dead Sea Scrolls, thousands of years of archeological sites from the region, unique synagogue interiors from around the world and much more. There are also several restaurants on-site where you can grab a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon pay respects to victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. There are numerous memorials on the site and you’ll want to take your time to go through them and also process what you’re seeing.

Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land should spend the final day visiting two important sites: Bethlehem and the Mount of Olives. A visit to Bethlehem , located in the West Bank, will take you to the Church of the Nativity, the Franciscan Grotto of Lady Mary and the Shepherd’s fields.

The walking tour will return you to Jerusalem, where you can grab a quick lunch. You’ll continue your spiritual journey in the afternoon with a guided visit to the Mount of Olives. The tour will include churches, the Mosque of Ascension, Mary’s Tomb, the Jewish cemetery, and iconic views of the Old City.

If you are interested in diving deeper into the Israeli-Arab conflict, sign up for the excellent Hebron dual-narrative tour offered by Abraham Tours. The tour includes both an Israeli guide and an Arab guide, each explaining their side’s view of the conflict as you explore the sites of Hebron that are holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Combining a Trip to Jordan and Israel

Many visitors coming to Israel choose to combine their trip and do a Jordan and Israel combination trip. Crossing from Israel to Jordan on land is fairly easy for most tourists. It might take some time, so be patient. There are three land border crossings between Jordan and Israel:

You may want to consider getting your Israel Passport Entry Stamp on a separate paper instead of on your passport. Having an Israel stamp won’t restrict your entrance to Jordan, it’s quite common, but it may impact your ability to enter other Muslim countries in the future, so it’s better safe than sorry, unless you know you won’t be visiting them.

Jordan Guide

If you decide to combine your Israel itinerary with a trip to Jordan, be sure to check out my Jordan Itinerary . It’s one of my favorite places in the middle east.

Want to Make your Trip Planning Easier?

If you want to make your trip to Israel and/or Jordan memorable, but want to skip the stress of planning, these guides are the perfect open-and-go solution. They provide day-by-day itineraries, interactive maps, tour and accommodation recommendations, and more insider tips!

I hope this Israel itinerary has given you a taste of what you’ll find in Israel! For even more details to plan your entire trip or to extend your visit longer, check out this detailed itinerary and more helpful resources like where to stay in Israel , what to pack and more !

This itinerary was written by Melissa from The Family Voyage , who is my Israel Expert!

Israel Itinerary FAQ

If you’re traveling to Israel, around seven days is usually enough, though it depends on your preference and interests. You could easily spend a week in Jerusalem alone or take a more leisurely approach and spend a couple of days in each of the main cities.

Yup, if you want a jam-packed adventure to Israel, might as well consider going on tours so you can cover more ground. With 7 days in Israel, you’ll be able to explore the country’s key cities and attractions, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and the Dead Sea.

Yes, depending on the itinerary you follow, it is possible to cover the main attractions within Israel in a 5-day period. However, if you want to experience as much of the country as possible, it’s best to give yourself a week or two.

It’s best to go here from April to October when the weather is mostly sunny and dry. December to March can be colder and wetter but, depending on your preference, this might still be a great time to visit as the country isn’t as crowded and you can experience Israel’s winter charm.

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THE 10 BEST Israel Tours & Excursions

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1. Masada and the Dead Sea Day Trip from Jerusalem

2. 7-Night Israel Highlights and Bibleland Tour

3. Carmel Market Tasting Tour - LocaLocal

4. Galilee Day Tour

5. Jerusalem and Bethlehem Day Tour from Jerusalem

6. Tel Aviv Jaffa Guided Bike Tour

7. Tel Aviv & Jaffa Urban Bike Expedition

8. Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee Day Trip from Tel Aviv

9. Israel Museum Must See High-Lights

10. Introduction diving at Coral Reef with Instructor - 40 minutes

11. Masada, Ein Gedi, and The Dead Sea from Tel Aviv

12. Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat

13. Old and New Jerusalem Full-Day Tour

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15. Day Trip: Masada Sunrise, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea from Tel Aviv

16. Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee Day Trip from Jerusalem

17. Rappelling Down the Ramon Crater Cliff

18. 3-Day Petra and Wadi Rum Tour from Jerusalem

19. Tel Aviv: Carmel Market Food Tasting (Shuk Ha'Carmel)

20. Dead Sea, Masada and Ein Gedi Day Tour from Tel Aviv

21. Jaffa and Neve Tzedek walking tour

22. Old and New Jerusalem Day Trip from Tel Aviv

23. VIP Tel Aviv airport Terminal 3 Fast Track Skip Line From plane

24. Red canyon jeep tour in Eilat

25. Bethlehem, Jericho, and Qasr El Yahud Day Trip from Tel Aviv

26. Exclusive Private Tour in The Israel Diamond Exchange + Souvenir

27. Jerusalem Guided Tour from Tel Aviv

28. 4-Night Jordan Wonders Amman Hotel:Petra,Wadi Rum,Aqaba& Dead Sea

29. Masada and the Dead Sea Day Trip from Tel Aviv

30. Tour to Bethlehem, Jordan River, Dead Sea Mini Group. Up to 6 pax

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Tours to the Holy Land: Trips & Israel Tour Packages 2024, 2025

"Every place we visited was breathtakingly beautiful, with stunning landscapes and rich historical and cultural heritage. We highly recommend visiting Israel to anyone who wants to experience an unforgettable journey. We had a life-changing time there and are already planning to return." Simon L. and Beatriz G. – Tour to Israel/Egypt/Jordan February 2024 "I had a wonderful time in Israel. I felt while I was there the precautions that were taken for our safety were well in hand. I still got to experience many holy sites and be blessed by walking the path that Jesus walked. Every day was started in prayer, singing, or scripture reading which also extended the blessing of the trip." Quincie L. – Tour to Israel/Egypt/Jordan February 2024

Our Israel tours & Holy Land tours of 9-24 days for the Evangelical Protestant Bible believer are what Pilgrim Tours does best. Prepare yourself for a life-changing journey to walk where Jesus walked and visit Jerusalem, Galilee, & Samaria. Each of our Israel tours is led by a local guide who is an experienced expert on the historical, cultural, scenic, and spiritual history of the Holy Land. If you travel with 10 or more people, a private group tour can easily be arranged. Pilgrim Tours can customize an itinerary to fit your group needs with many options to choose from.

Concerned about safety? As a Christian tour operator, the staff at Pilgrim Tours takes a Biblical perspective regarding the current situation in the Middle East. We do not believe that peace in Israel is something that will occur until the Prince of Peace comes to restore His kingdom. Please do not make a reservation with us based on the hopes of a calm future. If you long for the special blessings only available in Israel, we will take you there. An expert driver and guide will carefully keep you from any areas that could present a problem and treat you to the riches of Israel as our special guest.

Below is a large variety of Israel tour packages departing in 2024 and 2025 year-round.

View Our New Israel Tour Highlights Video! Click Here

Reserve your tour at least 6 months in advance for an early booking discount, groups and parties of 6 or more click here for special rates, scheduled 2024 & 2025 israel tours.

View our Israel tours ranging from 9-24 days.

Take a tour of a lifetime and bring the Bible to life.

Featured Sites in Israel

Explore a vast selection of beautiful historical and Biblical locations throughout Israel with our Israel Holy Land tour. You can visit Jerusalem, Galilee, and parts of Samaria, getting the life-changing opportunity to see where Jesus and many other Biblical figures lived and walked. We even offer Holy Land tours that allow you to see the Dead Sea, the Garden Tomb, and the Jordan River Baptism Site. Like all of our Europe tours , our Israel Holy Land tours are led by local guides who have extensive knowledge of the area and its history. If you want to experience the history of Israel and see the Bible come to life, our Holy Land tours give you that opportunity.

The city of Jerusalem offers a unique convergence of Judaism, Christianity, and the Muslim faith. For Christians who visit Jerusalem, you will learn about many stories of the Bible while walking her streets. Many actors in the Bible such as Abraham, King David, King Solomon, the twelve disciples and Jesus all lived, visited, or spent time there. The Passion week of Christ will be highlighted during our stay as we visit the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Western Wall, the Way of Suffering, and the Garden Tomb.

Sea of Galilee

Nowhere in Israel does the Bible come to life more than along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Pilgrims who visit the Galilee region have the opportunity to imagine what life was like 2,000 years ago and what Jesus and the twelve disciples experienced while fishing on the Sea of Galilee. The peaceful setting and the natural wonders of the Golan Heights to the east and Mt. Arbel to the west make for a great way to start your morning in quiet reflection. During our tour, we explore the Biblical towns of Capernaum, Magdala, and Nazareth and take a meaningful cruise on the Sea of Galilee.

The Dead Sea is not only the lowest and most lifeless lake in the world, but also nearly 10 times saltier than the ocean. Travelers will enjoy the beautiful colors of the blue water and the red mountains of Jordan to the east. Take time to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Dead Sea “float” either in the sea itself or at one of the warm salt water pools at our hotel. The Dead Sea experience is truly a bucket list visit you won’t want to miss!

Garden Tomb

Our visit to the Garden Tomb and its surrounding gardens is normally one of the highlights of our tour to Israel. The Garden Tomb is a rock-cut tomb in Jerusalem that was unearthed in 1867 and is considered by some Protestants to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus. Our visit offers a unique time of prayer, reflection, communion, and praise, which will be a special life-long memory for many travelers.

Jordan River Baptism Site

The Jordan River Baptist Site or “Yardenit” is a baptism site located along the Jordan River just south of the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. This site is frequented by Christian Pilgrims who enjoy imagining the setting of the baptism of Jesus. For anyone who would like to be baptized in the Jordan River, Yardenit has been developed to be a peaceful setting with beautiful gardens, clean colored water, changing facilities, showers, and a nice souvenir shop.

Caesarea Philippi

To many Pilgrim travelers, Caesarea Philippi is a special surprise while on their tour. Located along the rushing springs of Mt. Hermon, the beautiful and natural setting is where Jesus asked his disciples “Who do men say that I am?” He asked this question while observing the pagan worship of the god Pan as worshipers offered their sacrifice at the “Gates of Hell.” Our time at Caesarea Philippi is one of many opportunities throughout our tour to see the lessons and message of the Bible come to light in a special way.

Israel Tours: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month for the Holy Land tour?

Taking a trip to Israel during the spring or fall offers the most enjoyable weather of the year but normally has the largest crowds. If you want to enjoy a peaceful tour with fewer crowds, consider visiting between December and February or June and August. We offer Israel and Jordan tours throughout the year, so you can select a trip that works for your schedule.

How many days do you need for a Holy Land tour?

We offer several types of tours of the Holy Land, so the duration of your tour depends on the tour package you choose. The Best of Israel Tour is our most basic offering and includes a Sea of Galilee boat ride, a trip to the Jordan River Baptism Site, the Dead Sea, and many opportunities to walk on the same land Jesus walked on. This is our shortest trip at just 9 or 10 days. Our most involved trips allow you to experience a wide range of historical locations over the course of a few weeks. Egypt tours are included in some of these packages, as well as tours in Greece and other countries. These tours can take up to 24 days, giving you the chance to spend an extended period of time learning about and visiting different parts of the world. From our Turkey tours to all of our Israel Christian tours, all of our tours feature a first-class hotel rating for the country you visit. We do offer some upgraded tours that offer better lodging options. You can review our hotel categories at https://www.pilgrimtours.com/company/hotelcomparison.htm . Check out any of our tours to view a day-by-day itinerary and see what amenities are included with each tour.

What is the dress code in Israel?

The dress code in Israel is different from other parts of the world. There are a few dress code basics you should understand before booking Israel tours: When you’re in Israel, there is no strict dress code. You can wear what you feel comfortable wearing. However, both men and women should try to dress conservatively and cover their shoulders and knees when visiting any of the religious sites throughout Israel. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid tank tops and shorts. Men need to cover their heads when visiting the Western Wall. Pilgrim Tours provides a Pilgrim Tours ball cap upon arrival in Israel, but you might consider purchasing an affordable kippa that you can bring when you visit Jewish sites. Some places may offer a free kippa, but these are generally low quality. (Women are not required to cover their heads at any sight.) You can figure out what you need to pack and how to dress each day by looking at the itinerary for our Holy Land tours. Guides normally offer guidance on how to dress for the next day while on tour. We also suggest looking at the extended weather forecast as you prepare and pack for your trip.

Is there a lot of walking involved on an Israel Tour?

Our Israel tours do require a significant amount of walking each day and you should be able to walk unassisted 3-4 miles per day on average. Make sure you have a comfortable pair of shoes that provide adequate support. While there are bus and boat rides during these tours, you have to walk quite a bit to explore some of the Biblical sites. Our tour guides normally give the group a few options at sites for those that have physical limitations. One thing to keep in mind is that there are many hills and valleys in Israel which can make walking even more taxing. The amount of walking you have to do may vary based on the tour you take, so look at the itinerary before choosing your tour. The good news is that Israel is a beautiful country to see on foot, and you’ll have several opportunities to sit down and give your feet a rest. As long as you have a good pair of shoes and comfortable clothes, it’s easy to forget about all the walking you’re doing and enjoy the tour.

What passport & visa information do I need for your Israel tours?

U.S. citizens need a valid U.S. passport with at least six months validity beyond their intended stay to enter Israel. Make two photocopies of your passport. Leave one copy at home and carry the other separately from your original. Israel: U.S. and Canadian Citizens do not need a Visa when entering Israel. Non U. S. /Canadian Citizens are responsible to fulfill appropriate entry requirements of destination. Contact your Consulate office for requirements.

What common languages will be spoken during your Israel tours?

Hebrew, Arabic and English.

What currency can I use on your Israel tours?

The U.S. dollar is widely accepted across Israel, and we suggest bringing about $30 for each day you’ll be on tour. U.S. dollars are recommended for use for small purchases and lunches. Lunches typically cost $15-20. It is important to bring about 20 $1 bills as some bathrooms charge a small fee for use. Credit cards may also be used for larger purchases. ATMs in Israel are all connected to European and American banking systems. Please be advised that the ATM machines dispense money in SHEKELS – NOT U.S. DOLLARS. Please notify your bank before traveling overseas.

Do I need to bring a converter for the Israel tour?

Israel uses the European plug with two round pins. You will need to bring along the necessary converters and adapters to operate any 120 volt appliances such as hair dryers and electric razors as well as camera and cell phone chargers. Electricity in Israel is 220 volts 50 Hz.

What is the time zone for your Israel tours?

The time zone for Israel is seven hours ahead of EST and two hours ahead of GMT.

What climate should I expect during your Israel tours?

In Israel the climate is temperate, and temperatures all year-round are reasonable. Israel has two main seasons: winter (from November to March) is cold and rainy in most parts of the country; summer (from April to October) is hot and dry with little or no rainfall. The desert areas can be extremely hot in summer time.

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"Pilgrim tours is who I'll be recommending people to travel with. We've been trying to get to Israel for two years and finally made it!! Great company from booking to on the ground with great guides. All details taken care of with great hotels, bus, and the best guides!! Wonderful experience!"

"We had a great experience in Israel with Pilgrim Tours. Everything went very well and there were no glitches or problems of any kind. The bus and driver were top notch as were the hotels and daily breakfast buffets. Our tour guide was great as his depth of knowledge of the people, history and languages Israel was quite amazing. We will very likely use Pilgrim again in the future."

"We have toured with Pilgrim Tours three times and what a blessing. Accommodations, excursions, information and food were all high quality. Post pandemic, we were so thankful to return to Israel."

"I couldn't have asked for more for a trip to the Holy Land than what Pilgrim Tours provided me. It was the perfect balance of spiritual reverence, history, geography, and social issues. I am so grateful for the experience that I had on this trip."

"Our church group just returned from taking a "Best of Israel" ten day tour. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I am so glad we chose Pilgrim tours. From our excellent hotel accommodations, to our wonderful tour guide, we enjoyed everything. Our trip exceeded our expectations. I would recommend Pilgrim Tours to anyone who is planning a trip to the Holy Land. We definitely plan to travel with them again."

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Fully Guided Tours & Trips in Israel

Find the right fully guided tour for you in Israel. There are 223 trips to choose from, that range from 2 days in length, up to 15 days. The month with the most departures is September, making it the most popular time to visit Israel.

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223 fully guided tour packages in israel with 929 reviews.

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Jewish Israel Tour Package, 5 Days

overall the tour was good. the guides were very knowledgeable. Unfortunately my planned visit to the Golan heights was cancelled and I ended up visiting Jerusalem twice

Heritage of the Holy Land

I cannot recommend this tour because there are other companies that offer wifi service on their buses and they use headphones to hear theur guide. We could barely hear or understand our gude at times. The accomodations we've been in on this tour is dreadful. The first one was the best of the 3 we stayed in. The last 2 both looked depressing and dirty. Especially the last one, Jerusalem Gate hotel. The mattress was disgusting with large stains, I only noticed because the sheet they placed on it wasn't a fitted sheet and would come off everytime I moved. I wouldn't rate these hotels as 3 or 4 stars.

Jewish Israel Tour Package, 7 Days

Marvelous, it was a great experience to get a glimpse of God's creation on the Holy Land. A real Blessings. Glory be to God!

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Heritage & Holy Land - 8 days

Everything is great I had an amazing time. Thanks be to God. And thank you, tour radar. Thanks also to CTO and our tour guide Joseph. He is the best. I can’t say anything more.

Discover Israel

Informative and interesting historical and biblical sites. Accommodations and food were very good and guides and drivers were friendly. Only real glitch was pairing English speaking and Spanish speaking tourists together. Lead tour guide had to repeat everything in both languages. Both sets of tourists were frustrated as it slowed things down. Queue line control at the church of the holy sepulcher was lousy, allowing people to cut lines; and at one point the line didn’t move at all from 3:00 until 4:15. By 5:00, they rushed everyone through — if they maintained flow speed throughout the day instead of just at the end and had more queue line discipline, people could get through faster and suffer less frustration. Jordan river— site near Jericho had putrid looking water; should use a site closer to the Sea of Galilee where the water is cleaner. Dead Sea was disappointing— staff would not allow people to swim or float — only wading.

The Story of the Israeli State - 10 Days

My husband and I had never been to Israel and booked this tour as a “bucket-list” event. Our tour guide, Efraim Native, was the best - he was a history professor, knew philosophy, religion, politics, economics, abd engineering - answering every question we had. He was friendly, helpful and made excellent food recommendations. Our tour covered Tel Aviv (our new favorite city), Haifa, the Golan (do not miss the Hula Nature Preserve), and Jerusalem (Old and New). We added the Masada/Dead Sea tour at the end. Finally, we chose the 5-Star hotel option and stayed in true luxurious accommodations). We will use Tour Radar and Click Tours again!

Past to the Future - The Story of the Israeli State - 11 days

I thoroughly enjoyed the Past to the Future - The Story of the Israeli State tour with Consolidated Tour Operators, Boaz, our tour guide, had a deep understanding of the history of the area, which made the experience come alive. The way he presented the places he took us, and in the order he presented them, gave us a real appreciation of Israel and its place in history. His attention to detail, easy-going personality, and expertise gave us an on parallel tour! Using Consolidated Tour Operators for our days in Israel was a treat. Not having to deal with or wait for strangers in a larger group also made the experience more personal. Will definitely recommend Consolidated Tour Operators and Boaz to friends and associates who are planning a trip to Israel! Many thanks, Lisa

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Galilee, Golan, Caesarea and Nazareth 4 days

We had a fantastic tour to Galilee, Golan, Caesarea, and Nazareth, the guide Tomer was extraordinarily knowledgeable and answer any questions we had. We highly recommend him for your visit to Israel. The communication and the booking process with the booking-tours company were smooth, and all pickup was on time.

Heritage & Holy Land 5 star - 8 days

Jewish Israel Luxury Tour 10 days

We booked a 10-day Luxury Private tour of Israel. Overall, we enjoyed the trip, but there were some disappointments and several surprises that were not clear in the offering materials. The best part was that the guides were quite good. Our guide on the second day seemed to be willing to stay with us until 7 pm, but we had not energy for that. Perhaps he was paid by the hour! The connections to and from the airports were flawless. One flaw was that none of the guides offered us a map of the country or locations we were visiting. We had to get our bearings on our own. On the first three days, our guides (Gil and Eli) charged us for parking fees and entry fees. Thankfully, you have refunded these fees. We wonder if these two guides were reimbursed by the tour company as well as collecting from us. Our fourth guide (Sarah) paid for all fees. On the last day, Moti also paid for all fees. Our guide on the third day, Gil, skipped the visit to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Instead, he just summarized it verbally while driving past it on the highway. When we said that the visit was on our itinerary, he replied: “It’s optional.” Ha Ha! He evidently wanted to get home early that day, as he dropped us off at our hotel at the Dead Sea at about 2:30 pm. Thus, we did not get the full-day tour for which we paid. Gil had incorrect information about which was our hotel at the Dead Sea, but it was cleared up by phone calls just prior to our arrival. We did not understand that we would have no continuity of service from Bookings. Tour guides picked us up in the morning and returned us to our hotel at the end of the day. We did not have the names of our guides in advance, and were not provided with a telephone number to reach them. As a private tour we were to have some discretion over sites visited. Some guides understood this while others did not. The itinerary in the offering materials for the days in the Galilee made little sense, but our guide (Moti) was able to construct tours that worked. Our major complaint is that you promoted this as a luxury tour, yet there was little luxurious about it. Our Jerusalem and Dead Sea hotels were good. Our Tel Aviv hotel was less than good. Our 3-day kibbutz stay was not good. At the kibbutz, the room was not properly cleaned when we arrived. The TV was tiny and barely functional. We were nowhere near places to eat the evening meal and transportation to/from dinner was not easy. We tipped someone to drive us to and from dinner one night. However, the kibbutz breakfast was excellent. We think you owe us a partial refund for the three nights we spent at the kibbutz. In the evenings, we wanted to watch the French Open tennis at the hotels, but the hotel in Tel Aviv did not offer that channel. Also, at that hotel, I asked at the desk clerk if they could change a 100 NIS bill. The answer: “No.” Also, in that hotel, the thermostat was set to a temperature that was too cold for us, but it COULD NOT be changed. The hotel desk clerk advised with a smile: “You could turn it off.” Though the location was good, the breakfast at that hotel was plentiful but not the best. We added a day trip to Petra, expecting it to be of the same quality as the rest of our trip. Far from it! We traveled on 40-person buses and toured with the same large group. The walking tour was long, and we had to pay $50 for a return golf-cart ride.

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7 Day Jewish Heritage Israel Tour Package

Israel's Rich History and the Dead Sea Experience (Private Tailored)

What people love about fully guided tours in israel.

Ami, Dima and all guides were excellent! And overall very well organized and thanks to Oksana for prompt response!

Mark was great tour leader!

Very knowledgeable and pleasant guides. Made the days interest and showed a lot of care. Great ambassadors of the company.

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Azerbaijan pushes for increased Israeli tourism

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Florida Jewish Journal Palm Beach Jewish News

(JNS) Azerbaijan is working to boost Israeli tourism, with the flight schedule between Tel Aviv and Baku returning to pre-war levels this month, the head of Azerbaijani tourism bureau said in Tel Aviv.

The wartime tourism push by the predominantly Shi’ite Muslim country is the latest sign of the burgeoning ties between the two countries, at a time of growing antisemitism around the world and isolation of Israel amid its six-month old war with Hamas.

“Azerbaijan continues to be open and safe for Israeli tourists,” Florian Sangeschmidt, CEO of the Azerbaijain Tourism Board, told JNS during an official visit for the annual Israeli Tourism expo. “It is an important message that we are here.”

Only 12 countries, including Azerbaijain, sent representatives to Tel Aviv Tourism Exhibition on April 3-4, which focused on promoting tourism to Israel after the war, while some two dozen other nations other participated in the event last year were notably absent. The additional countries participating in the event were France, Czech Republic, Cyprus, El Salvador, Taiwan, India, Greece, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Romania and Ethiopia.

Defying external pressures, the state-run Azerbaijan Airlines resumed direct flights from Baku to Tel Aviv last month, and is now operating nine weekly flights between the two cities. Together with the three flights that Israir is also relaunching at the end of the month, the number of flights between the two countries is now returning to pre-war levels, Azerbaijaini tourism officials said.

“There is this perception of Azerbaijain as Muslim nation, but it is really a colorful tapestry and destination showcasing a multi-ethnic society,” he added. He noted that many Israelis had thanked him for coming to the tourism expo during wartime.

Thirty thousand Israelis visited Azerbaijan last year, which remained a safe haven for Israelis as antisemitism surged in European capitals and around the globe following the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre.

Last year, Azerbaijan made history by becoming the first Shi’ite country to open an embassy in Israel.

For Israel, ties with Azerbaijan—which shares a 428-mile border with Iran and supplies and estimated 30% of the Jewish state’s oil—are of strategic importance. At the same time, Azerbaijan is a leading purchaser of Israeli military hardware, which helped lift Baku to victory in its 2020 war with archrival Armenia.

About 25,000-30,000 Jews live in Azerbaijan today, while tens of thousands of Jews from Azerbaijan immigrated to Israel and maintain strong ties with the Caucasus nation.

To read more content visit www.jns.org

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Hamas’ war is a dangerous threat to Israel’s economy

The October 7 terror attacks wiped out entire families and left many children orphans and others permanently injured by both visible and invisible trauma. As this war between Israel and Hamas continues in the wake of that tragic and bloody day, it is important to remember that the costs of war are not only felt by soldiers, but by average Israeli citizens.

Moms and dads, small business owners, and many of my own friends are paying a hefty price for this war that Hamas unleashed .

Every year, billions of people around the world are affected by conflict or violence due to warfare. Few things destroy economies as much as war. Israeli families are certainly no exception. We are feeling it every day.

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With many called up for military service, including myself, that means their regular occupations are unfilled. Whole regions of the country are under constant terror threat, and normal economic activity is restricted. As the war continues, supply chains that depend on workers and safety struggle to cope.

I personally know the toll that war takes as well. I was on the frontlines in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 terror attacks near the Gaza border. My own life is in danger, both as an IDF soldier and a civilian.

I am all too familiar with the effects of war, and the toll it exacts on people’s financial, emotional, and even mental health.

The war has also resulted in a drastic decline in tourism, which is one of Israel’s biggest industries . That means all the families who rely on tourism for their livelihood are now struggling just to make ends meet.

I know these families well. During the pandemic, my team helped find a way to get artisanal goods and gifts from Israel to the doorsteps of Americans , items that would have normally been purchased by tourists. Many of the small family-owned businesses — run by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike — were kept afloat with creative strategies like this.

Now, we face a very similar challenge. Due to both Hamas’s terror attacks, and Israel’s ongoing defensive war, tourism — which is a vital part of Israel’s economy — has witnessed a rapid decline .

I am in regular contact with families who worry about how they’ll pay rent, and how they’ll put food on the table. This is a daily reality in a post-October 7 world.

Israel, and the families that call this place home, face many serious threats. Nevertheless, we will prevail. We are resilient people. We will overcome this hurdle because we must. Defeat is not an option, as we have nowhere else to go. This is our ancestral, eternal homeland.

To help us prevail, I pray Americans and the rest of the world recognize the existential threat we face, as well as the threat to our basic, daily livelihood. Our economy is at risk, with supply chains and entire industries hanging in the balance.

For those that want to be just a small part of our redemption story, or counter the hateful boycotts of Jewish businesses worldwide, consider what steps can be taken to be a part of the solution.

Buy goods made in Israel.

Choose to invest in Israel — like those who’ve done so before — even in times of crisis.

Support my Jewish friends elsewhere in the world who deal with bigotry and boycotts as well . 

Justice after October 7 requires not only defending ourselves against the threat of death and destruction but acknowledging we have a right to establish order and carry out our daily lives — just as any other peaceful citizen in any other land deserves.

Itai Schimmel immigrated to Israel ten years ago and is one of the founders of Artza, a new direct to consumer company delivering a taste of the Holy Land to Christians across America. 

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Could a new letter change the UK’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war?

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A new letter signed by hundreds of legal professionals has put further pressure on the government to change its stance on Israel .

The letter calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the UK’s supply of arms to Israel.

It’s significant because it’s signed by retired senior judges, who don’t usually get involved with politically sensitive issues.

The letter comes as some of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ’s own MPs have called on the government to stop UK arms sales after seven  Gaza  aid workers – including three Brits – were  killed in an Israeli airstrike .

So, what is this letter, and why is it important?

What does the letter say?

The 17-page long letter was sent to the Prime Minister on Wednesday evening.

The signatories say that they ‘share deep concern about the catastrophe unfolding in the Gaza strip’.

They warn the government of its obligations under international law.

The letter says that the UK has obligations under the Genocide Convention to take ‘all measures to prevent genocide which were within its power’.

They add that failure to meet those obligations ‘would incur the UK state responsibility for the commission of an international wrong, for which full reparation must be made’.

What have the signatories asked for?

The letter’s signatories call for the government to take five actions.

Firstly, they ask the government to ‘work actively’ to secure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The government has so far called for a ‘sustainable ceasefire’ and temporary ‘humanitarian pauses’.

According to a YouGov poll, 66% of Brits think that Israel should stop and call a ceasefire, up from 59% in November.

In their second demand, the signatories ask the government to take all measures to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

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This includes restoring funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which delivers aid to Palestinians who have fled the conflict.

UNRWA withdrew its staff from Gaza after Israel alleged that 12 of its staff members were involved in the October 7 attacks.

The UK stopped funding UNRWA following the allegations. In the 2023/24 financial year, the UK contributed £35 million towards the agency.

The letter’s third demand asks the government to impose sanctions on individuals and organisations who have made statements inciting genocide against Palestinians. 

In their fourth ask, the signatories call on the government to suspend the provision of weapons to Israel.

They say that the UK’s sale of weapons to Israel ‘fall significantly short of your government’s obligations under international law’.

Finally, the letter calls for the government to suspend a trade agreement between the UK and Israel.

Who has signed it? 

More than 600 lawyers, academics and retired senior judges have signed the letter.

Prominent signatories include Baroness Hale of Richmond, the former President of the Supreme Court, and Lord Sumption and Lord Wilson, both former Justices of the Supreme Court.

Why is this an important development?

This letter marks a significant change from earlier calls from legal professionals.

A letter sent on 26 October 2023 was signed by over 1,000 lawyers and legal academics. It warned the government to avoid complicity in breaches of humanitarian law in Gaza.

However, not only does Wednesday’s letter go further in its demands than the October letter, it is also signed by senior retired judges.

Normally, senior retired judges do not publicly comment on politically sensitive issues. 

The letter comes at a time when Sunak is facing increasing pressure from his own MPs to stop arming Israel.

Conservative MPs David Jones, Paul Bristow and Flick Drummond have called for the suspension of arms exports to Israel.

Drummond said that she believes that Israel’s actions in Gaza have broken international law.

What weapons does the UK export to Israel?

The UK has licensed arms worth more than £574 million to Israel since 2008.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said that UK defence exports to Israel amounted to £42 million in 2022, which he called ‘relatively small’.

Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell recently said that the UK exports amount to just 0.02% of Israel’s military imports.

Sunak said the UK has a “very careful” arms licensing regime.

The US is Israel’s biggest arms supplier. Israel has received more US military aid than any country since World War Two.

Since November, the US has approved two emergency sales of weapons, including tank ammunition cartridges and artillery shells, for $254 million in total, which is around £200.5 million.

The UK suspended arms sales to Israel in 1982 when Israel invaded Lebanon and it limited the sale of military equipment to Israel in 2002.

Is there a genocide in Gaza?

Genocide is defined as the act of killing a large number of people with the intent to destroy a particular national, ethnic, racial or religious group.

In January 2024, South Africa alleged that Israel was breaching its obligations under the Genocide Convention and brought the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The ICJ found that there is a plausible risk of genocide being committed and issued a preliminary ruling to Israel to do all in its power to prevent genocide against Palestinians. However, the case could take years to come to a full conclusion.

Under the terms of the Genocide Convention, the UK must take all actions within its powers to prevent genocide.

In March, UN human rights expert Francesca Albanese said she believed that Israel had committed ‘acts of genocide’ in Gaza.

What’s the latest on the conflict?

At least 32,623 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. 70% of those deaths are said to be women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Gaza health authority data indicates that the number of children reported killed in the last four months in the enclave is higher than the number of children killed in four years of war around the world combined.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said that there is ‘nowhere safe for people to go’.

The World Bank Group said that more than half the population of Gaza is ‘on the brink of famine’.

Seven international aid workers, including three British citizens , were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Monday.

Some 130 of the 253 people taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 remain unaccounted for.

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Biden warns netanyahu support for israel against hamas may slip without gaza civilian protections after ‘unacceptable’ strike.

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President Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday that the US would reconsider its support for Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip if stronger protections aren’t put in place for civilians — following the “unacceptable” airstrike that killed seven aid workers, including an American, earlier this week.

During the half-hour call with Netanyahu, the White House said, Biden “made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.

“He made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps,” the readout added.

Officials did not specify what about US policy might be different, but National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters the administration wanted to see improvements in the humanitarian situation in the “coming hours and days.”

“If we don’t see changes from their side, there’ll have to be changes from our side, but I won’t preview what that’ll look like,” he said while still referring to the Jewish state as a “friend and ally” of the US.

Kirby added that Biden had been “shaken” by Monday’s attack on a three-car convoy carrying relief workers with World Central Kitchen in northern Gaza. American Jacob Flickinger was among those killed in the attack.

The Israel Defense Forces chief of staff apologized for the strike early Wednesday, saying it stemmed from a “misidentification” and “shouldn’t have happened.”

It was not immediately clear whether Netanyahu had apologized privately to Biden for the deadly mishap.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported Wednesday that Biden had told a gathering of Muslim community leaders the previous evening that first lady Jill Biden had urged him to more forcefully advocate for a halt to the fighting in the Hamas-controlled enclave.

When an attendee told Biden his wife had disapproved of him coming to the White House because of the president’s support for Israel, according to the report, Biden said he understood and added that the first lady had urged him to “stop it, stop it now” in reference to the Middle Eastern war.

Biden also told Netanyahu “that an immediate cease-fire is essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians,” the White House said.

The leaders also discussed the need to reach an agreement on hostage negotiations with Hamas, which is believed to hold about 130 captives — including several Americans — alive or dead, and Iranian threats against Israel.

Earlier this week, Iranian leaders vowed to hit back after an Israeli airstrike destroyed Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria — killing 12 people, including two elite Iranian generals. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said Wednesday the attack “will not remain without answer.”

There was no immediate reaction to the call from the Israeli government, with Netanyahu coming under increasing pressure to call an early election amid criticism over his conduct of the war.

Following the president’s call with Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Biden’s remarks in Brussels, where he had gone to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of NATO. 

“Despite important steps by Israel to allow assistance into Gaza, results on the ground are woefully insufficient and unacceptable,” Blinken said. “Unlike Hamas, Israel is a democracy and democracies place the highest value on human life.

“This week’s horrific attack on World Central Kitchen workers was not the first incident, but must be the last,” he added. 

World Central Kitchen, founded by restauranteur José Andrés to provide immediate food relief to disaster-stricken and war-torn areas, has called for an independent investigation into the IDF airstrike, which also killed three British nationals along with relief workers from Australia and Poland, as well as their Palestinian driver.

Despite the uproar over the erroneous airstrike, the Biden administration has proceeded apace with arms transfers and deliveries to Israel, many of which were approved years ago but are only now being fulfilled.

On Monday, the White House’s list of munitions transfers included the sale to Israel of more than 1,000 500-pound bombs and more than 1,000 1,000-pound bombs.

At the White House, Kirby confirmed that the US “haven’t really sent emergency aid and military assistance to Israel” since the Gaza war was in its earliest months.

The WCK strike is the latest blow to Biden and Netanyahu’s already tense relationship.

Biden privately called Netanyahu a “bad f–king guy” in February, according to sources close to the president, and the two went weeks without speaking following Biden’s Feb. 8 comment that the Israeli response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that killed an estimated 1,200 people — including 33 Americans — had been “over the top.”

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The president also allegedly hung up the phone on Netanyahu back in December while criticizing the prime minister’s handling of the war and lack of progress on the hostage exchange deal.

While the Biden administration has reaffirmed that the US backs Israel –for now — in its war against Hamas terrorists, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said the attack on aid workers justifies a review of whether the US will place conditions for delivering future aid to Israel.

“I think we’re at that point,” Coons, a member of the  Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN just before Biden’s call with Netanyahu. “I think we’re at the point where President Biden has said — and I have said and others have said — if Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister, were to order the IDF into Rafah at scale, they were to drop thousand-pound bombs and send in a battalion to go after Hamas and make no provision for civilians or for humanitarian aid, that I would vote to condition aid to Israel.”

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Aid worker deaths have appalled Israel’s European allies. Some are considering a halt to arms sales

The Associated Press

April 6, 2024, 12:07 AM

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LONDON (AP) — The words coming from some of Israel’s closest allies have been startling in their vehemence: “appalled,” “outraged,” “no more excuses.”

The Israeli military’s killing of seven aid workers in Gaza has triggered unprecedented criticism from European leaders, who are stepping up calls for a cease-fire and in some cases halting arms sales to Israel as the war’s toll mounts.

The attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy has sharpened the dilemma for European politicians, who are squeezed between support for an ally that suffered a terrible attack on Oct. 7 and growing public pressure to stop a war over which they have little control.

“Nothing justifies such a tragedy,” French Foreign Minister Sébastien Séjourné said after Monday’s attack. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “appalled” by the deaths of the aid workers, three of whom were British.

Britain summoned the Israeli ambassador for a reprimand over the killings. So did Poland , which lost one of its citizens and whose foreign minister, Radek Sikorski, expressed “moral indignation.”

Beyond Europe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said attacking aid workers was “absolutely unacceptable,” and Australian leader Anthony Albanese said his country was “outraged.”

Israel said the attack that killed the aid workers and their Palestinian driver was a tragic mistake. Its military dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others, saying they violated the army’s rules of engagement.

Julie Norman, associate professor of politics and international relations at University College London, said unease about the conflict was already growing in Europe, and Monday’s attack “accelerated that and made it much more public.”

“Things that had been said more quietly are now being said much louder,” she said.

When Hamas killed some 1,200 Israelis in a cross-border attack from Gaza on Oct. 7, Israel’s European allies strongly backed its right to strike back.

Within weeks, some were expressing disquiet at the mounting bloodshed. French President Emmanuel Macron called for a cease-fire as early as November. Sunak has moved from backing a “humanitarian pause” to support for a “sustainable cease-fire” contingent on Hamas releasing Israeli hostages and halting attacks.

Germany is one of Israel’s closest allies and, given memories of the Holocaust, treads carefully when criticizing its actions. While remaining careful to stress Israel’s right to defend itself, the government has become increasingly critical of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has voiced unease at the war’s toll, asking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a meeting last month how any goal can “justify such terribly high costs.”

Palestinians, aid workers and international rights groups say Western outrage over the deaths of foreign aid workers contrasts with the subdued response to the suffering of Gaza residents. More than 33,000 people have been killed, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, including more than 220 humanitarian workers. Hundreds of thousands of Gazans are on the brink of starvation .

“It’s sad that it has taken an attack on international aid workers” to crystalize leaders’ attention, said Nomi Bar-Yaacov, associate fellow in the International Security Program at international affairs think tank Chatham House. “But that is unfortunately the reality.”

The World Central Kitchen attack has increased pressure on Europe’s governments to move from criticism to suspending arms sales to Israel.

The United Nations’ Human Rights Council passed a nonbinding resolution to that effect Friday. Among European countries in the 47-nation body, only Germany voted against it, as did the United States.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Thursday that his country had stopped selling weapons to Israel and urged other nations to do the same. In February, Canada announced it would stop future shipments, and the same month a Dutch court ordered the Netherlands to stop the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel — though the Dutch government said it would appeal.

In Britain, more than 600 British jurists, including three retired Supreme Court judges, pressed the government to heed the International Court of Justice’s conclusion that there is a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza and stop shipping weapons to Israel.

“I believe we have no choice but to suspend arms sales,” said Alicia Kearns, a lawmaker from the governing Conservatives who chairs the House of Commons foreign affairs committee. “U.K. arms export licenses require a recipient to comply with international humanitarian law.”

Suspending arms sales would be a major political statement by Britain, but it wouldn’t make a big difference to the war. Britain sold just 42 million pounds ($53 million) worth of defense equipment to Israel in 2022, according to the U.K. government.

The only country with major influence is the United States, which has also begun to harden its line toward Israel. President Joe Biden told Netanyahu in a phone call Thursday that continued U.S. support for the war depended on Israel taking more action to protect civilians and aid workers. Hours later, Israel announced it would open new aid routes into Gaza and increase the amount of food and other supplies getting into the territory.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Friday that Germany expected “the Israeli government to implement its announcements quickly.”

“No more excuses,” she wrote on X — a tone that would have been unthinkable mere months ago.

Germany is the second-biggest weapons supplier to Israel and approved 326.5 million euros ($354 million) in defense exports last year, according to German news agency dpa.

Asked Friday under what circumstances Germany would consider suspending weapons deliveries to Israel, government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann replied that “weapons exports are always case-by-case decisions … taking into consideration political and human rights questions.”

Bar-Yaacov said a decision by European countries to stop arms supplies unless Israel complies with international law would “make a huge difference” by increasing pressure on the United States to take its own tough action.

“The question,” she said, “is how much pressure and how much leverage is President Joe Biden prepared to put on Prime Minister Netanyahu in order to ensure that the war ends?”

Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin, Joseph Wilson in Barcelona, Thomas Adamson and Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Vanessa Gera and Monika Scislowska in Warsaw contributed to this story.

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