Walk Jerusalem's Old City through all four quarters
The Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian quarters sit within the same walled kilometre, each with a distinct character and centuries of layered history.
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Middle East
Things to do in Israel
Three faiths' holiest sites within walking distance of each other in Jerusalem's Old City, a floating swim in the Dead Sea, and a Mediterranean coastline with a genuinely modern, secular counterpoint in Tel Aviv.
Explore Israel on the map →Budget$$$
Best for7-10 days
CapitalJerusalem
VisaCitizens of around 96 countries, including the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days but must first obtain an ETA-IL electronic travel authorization online, applied for at least 72 hours before arrival.
CurrencyIsraeli new shekel (ILS)
LanguagesHebrew and Arabic (both official; English widely spoken)
InternetExcellent
Typical lodging$60–$155/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/H plug)
Time zoneUTC+3
Emergency number100 (police) / 101 (ambulance) / 102 (fire)
Dialing code+972
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Photography★★★★★ Food
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended. 10–15% expected, often added as a service charge.
Jerusalem's Old City packs the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock into less than a square kilometre, making it one of the most historically dense religious sites anywhere on Earth. The Dead Sea, at over 430 metres below sea level, is the lowest point on land, with mineral-rich water so buoyant that swimming there is closer to floating in an armchair.
When to go
SpringMarch–May
Mild and blooming, one of the most comfortable windows for visiting both Jerusalem and the desert.
SummerJune–August
Hot and dry, especially inland and in the south; the Mediterranean coast stays humid but the beaches are at their best.
AutumnSeptember–November
Warm days easing into comfortable temperatures, another strong window for touring.
WinterDecember–February
Mild on the coast, occasional cold snaps and even rare snow in Jerusalem; the Dead Sea and Eilat stay warm.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
9Pray or observe at the Western Wall
Judaism's holiest accessible site, where visitors of any faith can approach and, if they choose, leave a written prayer in the stone's cracks.
Explore Tel Aviv's Bauhaus 'White City' architecture
Over 4,000 Bauhaus-style buildings from the 1930s, a UNESCO-listed concentration unmatched anywhere else in the world.
Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Traditionally venerated as the site of Christ's crucifixion and burial, shared and jointly maintained by several Christian denominations.
Tour Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial and museum
A comprehensive and carefully designed memorial and museum in Jerusalem, widely regarded as among the most significant Holocaust institutions in the world.
Explore the Old City of Akko (Acre)
A UNESCO-listed Crusader and Ottoman-era port city with underground tunnels, a working fishing harbor, and far fewer visitors than Jerusalem.
Visit the ancient port city ruins at Caesarea
A Roman-built harbor city later expanded by Herod the Great, with a restored amphitheater still used for concerts against a Mediterranean backdrop.
Explore the Mount of Olives and its panoramic view of Jerusalem
An ancient Jewish cemetery and several key Christian sites sit on this ridge, with the classic postcard view over the Old City and Temple Mount.
Visit the Israel Museum's Shrine of the Book
Home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, some of the oldest surviving biblical manuscripts, displayed in a purpose-built structure shaped like the jars they were found in.
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Adventure & outdoors
4Climb Masada for sunrise$30–37
A clifftop desert fortress overlooking the Dead Sea, reachable by cable car or the steep Snake Path, best climbed before dawn to beat the heat.
Snorkel or dive the coral reefs of Eilat
Israel's Red Sea resort city, with accessible coral reef diving and snorkeling just off the beach, unusual for a country otherwise defined by the Mediterranean and desert.
Hike the Israel National Trail's northern sections in the Galilee
Rolling hills, forests, and small kibbutz communities in Israel's greenest region, a world away from the desert south.
Ride a jeep or camel into the Negev Desert
Israel's southern desert, with craters, Bedouin hospitality tents, and stargazing far from any city light.
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Nature & scenery
2Float in the Dead Sea from the Israeli shore
Mineral-dense water at the lowest point on Earth's land surface makes sinking nearly impossible: cover any small cuts first, since the salt content stings.
Hike the Ein Gedi oasis nature reserve
Freshwater waterfalls and pools in the middle of the Judean Desert, with ibex and rock hyraxes often visible along the trails.
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Food & drink
3Eat at Tel Aviv's Carmel Market and surrounding food scene
A dense, chaotic produce and street food market that feeds directly into Tel Aviv's modern Israeli restaurant scene just outside its gates.
Eat hummus and shakshuka at a Jerusalem or Tel Aviv breakfast spot
Israeli breakfast culture is a genuine institution: fresh hummus with warm pita, and shakshuka (eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce) are the staples.
Try Israeli wine in the Judean Hills wine region
A growing, increasingly respected wine scene near Jerusalem, with small boutique wineries open for tastings amid Mediterranean hill scenery.
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Beaches
1Relax on Tel Aviv's Mediterranean beaches
A wide, well-maintained urban beachfront running the length of the city, busy with volleyball, matkot paddleball, and beachfront cafés.
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Photography
1Wander the Bahá'í Gardens in Haifa
Nineteen manicured terraces cascading down Mount Carmel to the sea, one of the most photographed formal gardens in the Middle East.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Israel?
Citizens of around 96 visa-exempt countries, including the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia, still need to apply for an ETA-IL electronic travel authorization online before flying, ideally at least 72 hours ahead, it's a quick digital process, not a traditional visa.
▾Is it safe to travel to Israel right now?
Conditions can change, and different regions carry different risk levels at different times, so check your government's current travel advisory close to your departure date rather than relying on older information, and stay flexible with your itinerary.
▾How many days does Jerusalem's Old City need?
A full day covers the highlights, but two days lets you properly explore all four quarters (Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian) without rushing, plus visit the City of David and Mount of Olives.
▾Is the Dead Sea worth a special trip?
Yes. The extreme buoyancy and mineral mud are a genuinely unique experience, and it pairs naturally with a visit to nearby Masada, best climbed before sunrise to avoid the heat.
▾Is Tel Aviv very different from Jerusalem?
Very much so: Tel Aviv is a modern, secular, beach-city counterpoint to Jerusalem's religious and historical density, known for Bauhaus architecture, nightlife, and a strong food scene.
▾How much does it cost to visit Masada?
Entry including the cable car up the mountain typically runs around ₪107-133 (roughly $30-37) for foreign adults, with a cheaper walk-up option via the Snake Path for those willing to hike at sunrise before the heat sets in. The site sits in a hot, exposed desert setting, so an early start matters regardless of which route you take.