01 September 2022
Your full travel guide to Israel
With its four seas, eclectic culture, rich history, wildlife and more, there is so much to see and do in Israel. Our full guide can help you find the perfect adventure for you...
With its four seas, eclectic culture, rich history, wildlife and more, there is so much to see and do in Israel. Our full guide can help you find the perfect adventure for you...
Getting there: Direct flights from London or Manchester to Tel Aviv take around four-and-a-half hours. From the airport, it’s around a 30 minute drive to Tel Aviv. El Al, British Airways, Virgin, Wizzair and easyJet all offer direct flights from the UK.
Getting around: Israel is small in size and with signposts in English as well as Hebrew and Arabic, it is easy to get around by renting a car. If you don’t choose to drive yourself, there are a variety of public transport options such as sheruts, a cross between a bus and a taxi which leave as soon as they are full.
The train is a great way to see the country, but the main way to get around is by bus. Many hotels also offer free shuttles into the Historic Downtown.
Israel’s culinary flavours reflect the diverse cultural make up of the country, and the mixture of Sephardic and Ashkenazi cooking in particular has heavily influenced the flavours found in Israel. Across the country, some of the best local dishes can be found in the street markets, local vendors and hole in the wall stores. Tuck into falafels, feast on shawarmas and start your day with a flavourful shakshuka. With all of that local fruit and vegetables, it is little surprise that Israel is such a vegan and vegetarian-friendly place, and those who prefer plant-based diets will have ample choice on almost every menu in every restaurant across the country.
For a pocket-sized country like Israel it punches well above its weight for cultural diversity. Tel Aviv is the best place to witness the country’s patchwork of heritage, whose residents include Armenian Christians, Arab Muslims and Jews, the latter of which hail from as far as Russia, Ethiopia and Spain. Wander Jaffa’s ancient flea market and harbour (the oldest part of the city) to see Arab local life in action, or visit the city at the end of November and you’ll spy a sea of vibrant umbrellas carried by Ethiopian Jews celebrating Sigd. Away from the city, distinct cultural heritage is only magnified. Standing atop Mount Carmel, the Druze villages of Isfiya and Daliat el-Carmel offer colourful splashes of Arab life with their buzzing bazaars and bustling ethnic markets (the baklava is divine). A nudge north on Israel’s west coast is Haifa, where the Baha’i gold-domed temple and elegant gardens are two of the city’s highlights, while there’s even the chance to bed down with Israel’s nomadic Bedouin tribes in the Negev Desert.
The Med, the Red, the Dead and the Sea of Galilee. Israel’s four seas offer a plethora of adventures. The Dead Sea (technically a lake) is set at the lowest point on earth, 400m below seal level. Its 30% salt content makes floating on the surface a breeze, and its therapeutic qualities have brought mud bathers here for centuries. Over in the green north of the country, the Sea of Galilee (also technically a lake) offers peaceful beaches with views of the surrounding hills of the Galilee and the Golan.
Head over to the country’s most southern city of Eilat and you’ll see myriad marine creatues among the corals of the Red Sea. In a yellow submarine at the Coral World Underwater Observatory Marine Park, visitors can enjoy underwater trips to see fish of all shapes, sizes, and colours, and the exquisite coral. And finally, there is the Mediterranean coast which runs along the western arm of the country. Here, gold sandy beaches stretch some 200km from the north of Rosh ha-Nikra to Ashkelon on the Central and South Coast.
Nothing fires a debate more in Israel than hummus. Some locals call for hummus to be served warm, some with lots of side dishes, some with extra lemon or garlic while others are firmly in the traditional camp. La Genda make theirs a frozen dish with chickpeas, tahini, vanilla and sugar turning it in to a popular sweet delicacy.
What can beat locally-grown fruit and veg? Seasonal Israeli pride is better for nutrition, better for the environment, and tastes delicious and fresh. Wonder around the souks to find bright and aromatic fresh produce for yourself, or dine in a farm to fork restaurant.
Israel has been producing wine for some 5,000 years, and in recent years has won some serious international respect and awards for its vintages. With six regions, there are so many wineries and vineyards you can visit to sample a glass or two of local vino for yourself.
Tel Aviv is the cultural capital of Israel, and it merged with its neighbouring ancient port city of Jaffa in 1950. No trip here is complete without a visit to this hip neighbourhood. Historically associated with a number of Biblical settings and stories, Jaffa is populated by Jewish people, Muslims and Christians alike and is a place of great significance to all of these religions. Jaffa is one of the most diverse, colourful, tasty, fun and fascinating parts of Tel Aviv. Don’t miss the Clock Tower and St. Peter’s Church, both built during the Ottoman period. Another must-see is the flea market (Shuk HaPishpishim) where you can spend hours rummaging through rusting antiques, vintage clothing and one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Make time for a historic tour of the port of Jaffa which was mentioned in the Bible and is one of the most ancient ports in the world.
Situated above the Dead Sea with panoramic views above the water is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Masada. Set atop an isolated cliff in the heart of the desert are the remains of the palace, built in 30BCE. The palace was once the setting for many battles, but now draws visitors who go to the top to drink in the views and learn of its history. Those who are adventurous can scale the mountain via the aptly named snake path which winds its way up to the summit. Alternatively, take the cable car to the top.
Built by Herod the Great around 25 - 13 BCE, the ancient city of Caesarea Maritima located on the Mediterranean coast between Tel Aviv and Haifa was once a major port. Caesarea’s restored amphitheater has been entertaining audiences for more than 2,000 years, from Gladiator fights in the Roman times to the summer concerts held here today. But it’s not all in the past here, and the new town of Caesarea offers a spot of luxury with villas lining a beautiful beach. Don’t miss the underwater museum where you can dive through the underwater ruins of the ancient city.
The Hula Valley, located in the far north of the Upper Galilee region is a magical place full of history and nature. It is the best and most idillic place to birdwatch in Israel due to its location on a major migration route for birds travelling from Europe to Africa and Asia. The Hula Valley Nature Reserve and the valley as a whole offers bird spotting, endless hikes and walks, bike trails, and beautiful nature to absorb. Look out for birds including cranes, pelicans, egrets, storks, cormorants and many more. As well as avian creatures, you’ll see water buffaloes.
To discover the country’s most exciting marine life, head to the City of Eilat on the southernmost tip of the country. Here, you can snorkel in the Red Sea over coral reefs that are home to some 10,000 species of fish, sea creatures and corals. Look out for turtles, butterfly fish parrot fish, rays and more.
The Jordan River is a natural paradise and swells particularly wide in the Upper Galilee, north of the Sea of Galilee. Here, you will find numerous kayak centres who can take you on a tour of the beautiful river in between the green covered banks.
Housed in a Bauhas building, this was once a movie theatre and still captures the nostalgia with original memorobilia and classic film screenings. Soak up views from the roof terrace.
This tasteful hotel offers poolside relaxation elegant rooms, private terraces and is just minutes away from Eliat’s attractions.
In a middle of the forest in Western Galilee, this hotel is the perfect place to relax with a pool, hot tub and cosy fireplace.
Head over to the official Israel website now to start planning your dream visit.
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