Israel is one of the most beautiful countries to visit, from the mouth-watering cuisine to the sacred history, from urban cities to the stunning beaches, from desert hikes to stunning mountain climbs. The amount of to do, to see and to experience is endless.

But to ensure you make the most of your trip, you must plan it carefully. This Israel Itinerary will help you do just that.

As a Jewish teenager, I travelled around Israel for a month on a youth tour – a common thing to do when we turn 16. It is from my previous experiences there, and my desire to return to do it all over again that I’ve created you my ultimate itinerary to explore Israel.

Don’t be surprised if you see me there joining you!

CHECK OUT THIS BLOG POST —> Where to stay in Israel (inc. Jerusalem, Tel Aviv + Dead Sea)

Photo by Haley Black from Pexels

How to get to Israel 

I’ve always had good experiences flying with EasyJet, straight into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (where you can base yourself) from London.  The price is usually very reasonable and flights are direct. Alternatively, El Al, KLM, Virgin Atlantic offer flight options travelling from various other destinations. Shop around for your Israel Itinerary

When is the best time to visit Israel? 

This is all dependent on the reason you’re visiting. If you’re looking for just a beach holiday, where you can spend your days lazing on the beach in Tel Aviv, then the summer months are the best for that – but the temperatures can reach scorching highs.

If you’re looking to travel in a comfortable climate, I would recommend visiting during Spring (April-May) or Autumn (September-October). Apart from some Jewish festivals that occur throughout these months, tourism isn’t as high as it would be in June/July/August.

Please be aware, however, that there are lots of Jewish festivals throughout the year, which makes tourism prices soar as families travel to Israel to see loved ones during these times. Passover (during March/April) and the High Holy Days, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (September/October) shut the country down, schools are off and businesses are shut – hotel prices and flight prices increase.

Fly out of these days and it’ll be cheaper! I’m not Christian, but I know that Jerusalem is very popular to visit around Christmas time, with many visits to the Christian sector. Israel – specifically Jerusalem – is very popular for many faiths and is a very well known pilgrimage destination. (More on this later!)

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How to get around in Israel 

You’ve got many options to travel around Israel. The country has a great train system but in places it’s limited, and you’ll need to rely on bus transport on your Israel Itinerary.

For example, with Tel Aviv as your base, you can take it to explore Haifa for a day, to travel the North of Israel, taking a train to the main station (Acre or Nahariyya) and continue your expedition on a bus, or similarly, taking a train from Tel Aviv to Be’er Sheva and then a bus to the Dead Sea, or Eilat.

The bus runs intercity but another great option is ‘Sherut Taxis’ which operate from central bus stations (and are slightly cheaper than buses).

They’re essentially shared taxis, running on bus routes where you can hail at any point and jump out at any point. On the Jewish Sabbath (otherwise known as Shabbat, which comes in at sunset on Friday night and ends at sundown on Saturday) buses don’t run so jumping in a Sherut is an option, but the price does go up.

I would recommend looking into a tour if you wanted to visit places a little further afield, and where travellers cannot visit alone – for example to Hebron, Masada or Bethlehem.

You also have the option of renting a car, but I would plan the route out in advance and make sure you drive the safest way – google doesn’t always offer that option.

Be aware that you’ll have to go through many army checkpoints at stations, and sometimes on roads and in cities depending on where you are. The army personnel are pleasant – especially to tourists – and please be aware that they are only doing their job, so cooperate with them.

Keep Tel Aviv as your base. After flying in, take the train one stop to HaHagana central bus and train station and take a bus which leaves every 30 minutes to Jerusalem and takes half an hour.

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Budgeting for Israel

Dependent on where you’re staying, what you’re eating, the season travelling and what activities you want to do. Israel is not the cheapest place to travel, but if you focus on staying in hostels, Couchsurfing and eating street food at the many vendors available, it’s doable.

I would bring your International student card (if you have one) as travel and activities are sometimes discounted for students. If you’re planning on living and travelling cheaply, I would say £50-70/day would be sufficient.

How to spend 10 days in Israel Itinerary

Jerusalem (4 days)

Jerusalem, one of the holiest cities for Jews, Muslims and Christians is split into the Old City and the New City. It has been a city that has witnessed and been a key place in religious history, containing some of the holiest sites for those religions.

The Old City is further separated into four quarters, the Jewish quarter, the Muslim Quarter, the Christian quarter and the Armenian quarter.

It’s easy to get lost in the winding, narrow streets and so I would recommend a tour to make sure you cover all the best sites!

You can often find tours through a hostel or alternatively, there are free tours offered where the only payment is tipping the guide. Please ensure you’re wearing comfortable shoes, knees and shoulders are covered appropriately and a yamaka (for women) and headscarf (for women) is taken with for certain sites.

Christian Quarter: Places of Interest

• Church of Holy Sepulchre, this is where many believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected
• David Street, one of the many market streets
• The Church of St. John the Baptist
• The Museum of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate

Muslim Quarter: Places of Interest

• Dome of the Rock, Islam’s third holiest site is only open at certain points during the day for the public, check the schedule beforehand and dress appropriately. Non-muslims are not allowed inside
• The Temple Mount, home to the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall and Al-Aqsa mosque
• Al-Aqsa mosque, the second holiest mosque in the world
• The Old City Three Markets, located on Olive Press Street, there is a butcher’s market, a perfume market here and a goldsmith’s market here
• Via Dolorosa, thought to be the path Jesus took on his way to his crucifixion. It leads from the Muslim quarter to the Chuch of Holy Sepulchre
• Zedekiah’s cave

Photo by Haley Black from Pexels

Jewish Quarter: Places of Interest

On Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening, please check timings online) the majority of Israel shuts down. Have this in mind when you visit Jerusalem, although visiting the Western Wall on Shabbat is an incredible experience. Out of respect, please refrain from using electrical devices on Shabbat.

• Western Wall Tunnels (Guided Tour. Book in advance (before Shabbat)
• Western/Wailing Wall (Free). Visit after the tunnel experience for more of an understanding. You will see Jewish women and men, separated, praying at the wall and filling the cracks with a piece of paper with a wish written down (make sure you bring yours! Wear a Yamaka (or you’ll be provided one) and women should wear a headscarf out of respect. Please dress appropriately.
• Karaite Synagogue, the oldest synagogue within the Old City
• The Ramadan Synagogue, second oldest, an active synagogue in the Old City
• Belz Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Jerusalem (and quite possibly the world)

Armenian Quarter: Places of Interest

• The Cathedral of St. James
• The Armenian Walled Garden
• St. Toros Church renovated in 1727, it was first built in the 1200s to commemorate the Armenia King of Cilicia’s son 
• Helen and Edward Mardigian museum, showcasing Armenian art and culture

Shuk Market

Situated between the Jewish quarter and the Muslim quarter is the Old City Market or the ‘Shuk’. You’ll find vendors selling fab souvenirs, jewellery, textiles and everything in-between.

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Tower of David Museum 

Located just inside the Jaffa gate, where you can find out about the history of Jerusalem

Just Outside The Old City

• The City of David, explore the water tunnels here otherwise known as Hezekiah’s tunnels (wear waterproof shoes, don’t take a handbag it might get wet)
• Mount Zion, the highest point of the city where you’ll find the Church of Apostles The Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. After 5pm, you’ll see lots of Jewish people returning from prayer which is a fascinating experience
• Malmilla Mall, an open-air mall located just outside Jaffa gate, featuring a mix of both old architecture and modern design, populated by 140 stores, restaurants and cafes
• Mount of Olives Viewpoint, located in East Jerusalem and offering an amazing view over the city, a ten minute walk to the Old City. The Seven Arches offers a great place to take in the view. The Garden of Gethsemane at the bottom is home to olive trees supposed to be over 2000 years old

New City

• Visit Mea She’arim, an extremely ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood in Jerusalem where the people here follow traditional Jewish law. It’s incredibly cultural and you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time, where you can observe how Jews lived in Eastern Europe in the 19th century and how the traditions have been kept here. But be very wary, you must dress incredibly modestly. Elbows, neck, collarbone, legs – pretty much ANYTHING – must be covered, clothes should be black or mostly dark colours and men must wear a yamaka on their head. Cafes, restaurants, TV and photography is banned and out of respect (and for your own safety), please refrain from taking photos. 

• Mahane Yehuda Market, an amazing food market during the day (check out doing a food tour here) and a great place to go out during the night. Make sure you try the hummus and the falafel!
• The Garden Tomb, where some believe Jesus was buried and resurrected rather than at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Yad Vashem (The Holocaust Museum and Memorial), is one of the sites you cannot miss. You will learn about the Holocaust, visit the memorials dedicated to the adults and children who died and learn how Jewish people managed to move forward after this atrocious event
• Visit the Hertzl Museum/Mount Hertzl, named after Theodore Hertzl, the founder of modern Zionism, is the site of Israel’s national cemetery, where many IDF soldiers and police officers have been buried. Israeli political figures have been laid to rest here including Theodore Hertzl himself, whose tomb is situated at the top of the hill, Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin. There are a couple of observation decks located here and you can also visit the Hertzl museum

Photo by Haley Black from Pexels

How to spend 10 days in Israel Itinerary

The West Bank: Hebron, Bethlehem and Jericho

I would book a tour from Jerusalem to visit Hebron and the West Bank. It’s safer and you’ll learn a lot.

Please bear in mind that Israeli citizens cannot enter the West Bank. Bethlehem is a very important place to visit for both travellers and pilgrims alike.

Hebron is less than two hours away from Bethlehem so it’s possible to do both on the same day – depending on your tour. Abraham Tours offers a good choice to pick from! If you prefer to do it alone, buses are available from Jerusalem.

If you stay at Abraham Hostels, you receive 10% off the tour price – you’re welcome!

Hebron

• The Tomb of Patriarchs is really the only site to visit here. It is believed to be where Abraham and his family were buried
• People visit Hebron to understand the scale of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A small part of the city is owned by Israelis, but the majority is controlled by the Palestinian Authority
• People – both Israelis and Palestinians – are usually open to discussing topics, if asked respectfully, but appreciate the topic is a difficult one at best. I would recommend exploring to both the Israeli and Palestinian parts of Israel, and speaking to BOTH sides as well as joining a tour to gain insight and form your own opinion

Bethlehem

• Visit the Old City
• Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus. Take the pilgrimage walking path
• The Cave of St. Jerome, located beneath the Church of St. Catherine, where Saint Jerome settled and translated the Old Testament from Hebrew to Latin
• Milk Grotto Church, many locals pray here and the story goes that the stone is white after Mary dropped some milk whilst feeding Jesus
• City of Shepherd’s, Bayt Sahur
• The Chapel of The Shepherd’s Field, where many believe the angels appeared first to announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds
• Olive wood factory, an old craft in Bethlehem, you can see people at work
• Mar Saba Monastery, built into a cliff and overlooking the stunning Kidron Valley. There’s lots of hikes to do around here

Jericho

• Tel As-Sultan, the oldest city in the world
• The Sycamore Tree, over 2000 years old and thought to be (according to the Bible) where Zacchaeus climbed up to view Jesus when he arrived in Jericho
• Elisha’s spring, oldest functioning freshwater spring in the world
• St. George’s Monastery, beautiful – but strenuous to get to – viewpoint

Photo by Haley Black from Pexels

How to spend 10 days in Israel Itinerary

Southern Israel: Ein Gedi, Masada and the Dead Sea (1 day)

Prepare for some great hikes and some good old floating in the sea relaxation when you reach Ein Gedi, Masada and the Dead Sea.

You can jump on the 486 bus from Jerusalem if you’re sticking to a budget and make sure to get off at the Masada junction, located near to the National Park entrance. Masada itself is an ancient fornication, located on top of a hill and declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001.

• Sunrise Hike at Masada, using the Snake Path, which takes between 90 minutes-2 hours to climb (and up to 40 minutes to descend). It’s a moderate hike, and sunrise is recommended not only because of the views but it’s better to hike before it gets too hot (they close the trail after midday). Stay at the Massada Youth Hostel (they offer private rooms) the night before and book it through them (or do it yourself if you’re brave..) The hostel is located at the bottom of the mountain.
• If you prefer a shorter route, Ramp Trail is another hike, and you can also get into a cable car (but these don’t run for sunrise).
• Masada’s visitor centre, starting point for the cable car and  you can learn about the history of Masada
• Ein Gedi Nature Reserve/National Park, home to some of the most beautiful hikes – including the water hike – although you’ll need some waterproof shoes. Check out the Botanical Park too
• Float in the Dead Sea, known as the lowest point on Earth

Photo by Naya Shaw from Pexels

How to spend 10 days in Israel Itinerary

Eilat and the Negev Desert (3 days)

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.

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. It’s also a great place to base yourself if you want to head to Petra in Jordan.

• Home of watersports – from snorkelling in the coral reef, to diving to see shipwrecks
• Sunbathe and relax on the beach
• Swim with wild dolphins
• Hike up Mount Zefahot/Har Zefahot the highest point of the Southern Eilat Mountains, but be warned. It’s difficult, depending on the route, it can take up to 4 hours and is best done for sunrise or sunset to avoid the scorching heat. I would recommend a headlamp!
• Night hike through the Negev, make sure you look at camping beneath the stars
• Meeting the Bedouins (ancient Arab nomads) in the desert, camel riding and sleeping in a bedouin tent
• Head in the Timna Valley for more hiking!
• Visit the Shopping Mall, it’s tax-free
• Snorkel in the Red Sea

How to spend 10 days in Israel Itinerary

Mitzpe Ramon and Sede Boker (2 days)

A couple of hours from Eilat is Mitzpe Ramon, a small town perfect for travellers, located in the middle of the desert. Base yourself here and visit the Makhtesh Ramon Crater, a natural wonder, where you can abseil and stargaze.

Sede Boker is a short drive away/bus ride away and you can visit Ben Gurion’s Grave here, have a guided tour of his hut, visit the museum and hike in Ein Avdat National Park.

Tel Aviv (2-3 days)

Time to party, relax and learn some history. Tel Aviv has it all! Remember the majority of Israel shuts down for Shabbat from Friday evening until Saturday evening, apart from Tel Aviv where everyone goes wild! Try and make it to Tel Aviv on a weekend, otherwise, you won’t have much to do!

• Explore the nightlife 
• Relax on the beach
• Explore Old Jaffa and the Carmel market for some great food
• Visit Independence Hall and see the table that they declared Israel Independence
• Visit the Yitchak Rabin Centre – named after the former prime minister – and learn about the history and development of Israel

Photo by Haley Black from Pexels

How to spend 10 days in Israel Itinerary

Netanya (2 days)

Time to relax after Tel Aviv! Netanya, the cute, coastal town en route to Haifa where you can relax on the beach, and enjoy some delicious seafood. If you’re looking for a hike, The Israel National Trail runs through Netanya. Alexander Stream Hof Bet Yanai National Park is gorgeous too if you want to fit in some camping.

Haifa (2 days)

Haifa is Israel’s third-largest city and is rich in history, built on Mount Carmel. There’s a lot to explore but 2 days should suffice. Remember, you can also book onto a tour to explore the North including the below for sake of ease. Do your research!

• Make sure you visit the Bahá’í World Centre, a UNESCO world heritage site – the gardens are stunning! 
• Visit Akko for the day, which is known for its ruins from the time of the Crusaders. Visit The Hospitaller Fortress and the Templar Tunnel 

• Hike in Mount Carmel National Park, accessible from the centre of Haifa. Stunning walking paths and cycling routes
• Relax on The Quiet Beach (Hof Hasheket)

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How to spend 10 days in Israel Itinerary

Tiberias, The Galilee and the Sea of Galilee (2 days)

From Haifa, travel to Tiberias, which is a good base from which to visit the Sea of Galilee (the Kinneret), tombs of ancient sages and now is becoming popular to party.

Tiberias makes up ones of Israel’s four Holy Cities, the others being Jerusalem, Hebron and Safed/Tzfat. You can take a bus from Tiberias to the Kinneret and is where Jesus is meant to have walked on water – interestingly, it’s not actually a sea!

After you’ve finished exploring, you can look at a bus to take you to Safed or you can choose to rent a car to drive to the next few cities as public transport becomes quite difficult in the North. You can choose to find a tour from Tiberias or in Safed (although they’re more limited to book from here) to continue onwards to The Golan Heights. Remember to BOOK ahead of time. 

• Pitch a tent on Gofra Beach and enjoy the lake views

• Kayak/canoe on the Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee)
• Hike on the Shvil Sovev Kinneret trail
• Visit the Church of the Beatitudes
• Check out the Hamat Tiberias National Park
• Mount Arbel National Park
• Hamat Gader Hot Springs
• Megiddo and Zippori National Park

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How to spend 10 days in Israel Itinerary

Safed/Tzfat (1 day)

Not so commonly visited, Safed is a perfect hub for travellers looking for great hiking opportunities. It’s the highest city in Galilee and Israel, at approximately 3000ft above sea level – so look into medicine that can help with altitude sickness just in case.

It is from Safed that you can book onto a tour to explore the Golan Heights because without a car, it’s quite difficult to get there via public transport. The only buses that go to the Golan Heights from Safed arrive at times you wouldn’t visit the Golan Heights at (eg. the afternoon).

• Explore Mount Meron
• Explore the cute streets and Artist Colony
• Enjoy the view from the Citadel, the highest point in the city. Take a sandwich and relax!
• Safed has become known as the ‘City of Kabbalah’ – you may recognise this term from Madonna…otherwise known as Jewish mysticism. You can visit the Tzfat Kabbalah Center for a tour if you’d like to find out more

Golan Heights (2 days)

You’ve made it to the Golan Heights! Well done, now you can spend a couple of days enjoying the wilderness. These are located very close to the Syrian border, and the mountains are absolutely spectacular here. I would recommend you research what the security situation is like in advance. 

• Banias and Dan National Parks
• Explore the main city of Katzrin
• Yehudia Nature Reserve is located close to Katzrin and has some gorgeous paths to walk on
• Visit the Syrian border
• Fruit picking
• Jeep rides
• Golan Heights Winery
• Nimrod Fortress National Park
• The Golan Trail
• Rosh Hanikra Grottos

If you’ve somehow got here via public transport, you’ll have to take a bus back to Safed, otherwise wherever your tour drops you off, take a bus from Safed/Tiberias to Jerusalem and then another bus to Tel Aviv. 

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How to spend 10 days in Israel Itinerary

Top places to eat in Israel

I love Israeli food. Some say it’s Middle Eastern cuisine and others describe it as the Mediterranean but I tend to find it’s a delicate fusion between the two.

The flavours and the texture of the food are divine and if you want to really experience it at its best, the smallest places usually make the best dishes.

Ensure you taste Hummus, Falafel, Shakshuka (for breakfast!), stuffed vine leaves, Tahini, Shawarma (in a pitta is delicious)  and of course some challah bread on a Friday night (where Jewish people eat some with their kiddush and prayers at the beginning of the Shabbat)

Israel is a Jewish state and therefore (and as described above) pretty much everywhere shuts down for Shabbat – that includes the majority of restaurants, shops and public transport – unless you’re in Tel Aviv. Some of my favourite restaurants I’ve listed below:

JERUSALEM: HaHummus Shel Tchina, one of the best places you find for hummus, pitta and falafel. It’s located near the market and the prices are pretty reasonable

SHABBAT MEAL: I would thoroughly recommend experiencing a Friday night meal with a Jewish family. The food is great, and the atmosphere is magical and traditional. This can be possible if you’re staying with someone through Couchsurfing, but there are places that also place you with hosts like Shabbat of a Lifetime

TEL AVIV: If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can’t leave without visiting Max Brenner, located in Rothschild, well known for their amazing chocolate treats. I had a chocolate pizza there years ago and it was hands down, the best chocolate pizza I’ve ever had – not that I’ve had many of them, but if Dominos is reading, come on guys, up the game! If you’re looking for a cool, slightly less tourist populated market, The Levinsky Market is a good option for some classic street food. The Carmel Market is great but busier.

EILAT: If you’re looking for lunch (that’s kosher) that’s slightly different, check out Lalo which blends Moroccan and Israeli food together and produces some epic food as a result. You’ll have to arrive early as it’s very popular,  and if you manage to get served, prepare for the finest couscous in Eilat!

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Top places to drink in Israel

Remember that public transport shuts down on a Shabbat and the only option to travel around on a Friday night in Tel Aviv (or between the cities) would be with a Sherut as aforementioned above (although these are few and far between on a Shabbat) or a private taxi which could be expensive.

Once again, it’s pretty difficult to name every single place to drink throughout Israel, but here are some good places to check out!

JERUSALEM: Ben Yehuda Street, King David Street and Mahane Yehuda Market all have a mixture of great bars and restaurants to drink at. Locals and tourists gather here alike and usually arrive quite late. Jerusalem might not be as lively as Tel Aviv, but you can still have a LOT of fun here

TEL AVIV: Mondo 2000, located above Florentin’s Levinksy Market, showcasing some stunning views across the city, this rooftop bar has a distinctive 1980s feel and has some tasty cocktails to match. HaMinzar is another place popular with tourists offering cheaper beers and a more chilled atmosphere, open 24 hours, 7 days a week. The Rothschild Boulevard and its surrounding streets are also a great, lively option FULL of bars to explore.

EILAT: Mike’s Place, a great place for cheap drinks and live music! The Three Monkey’s Pub is also extremely popular as there is live music but it’s popular so do arrive early to make sure you can get a table!

Where to stay in Israel

Dependent on your budget, hostels despite being cheaper than hotel rooms are still not as cheap as ones you’d find in Asia for example. Couchsurfing is a popular way to meet locals as well as saving on accommodation.

Having said that, there are hostels that offer discounts on tours or include breakfast so you save on something here and there! Do remember prices heavily fluctuate around Jewish holidays. Here are some places to check out, but please aware some prices are changing due to COVID.

For a fill list including hostels, hotels and more, read my where to stay in Israel post and check out my other posts on Israel.

If you on a bigger trip exploring more of Europe check out my guides to France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and United Kingdom.

Author Bio: Emily runs the blog Emilys Eyes Explore. She has been travelling the world since September 2018, after finally being diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Determined to change her life and mentality around, she moved to Spain for two months to learn Spanish, flew to South America, travelled around India, explored Malaysia, ventured around SE Asia and started life in Australia. Emily blogs to raise awareness of travelling solo as a female who suffers from depression and anxiety and it is her hope that people in the same position will be able to relate to the stories she shares and in turn feel less lonely and isolated as she shares her thoughts, feelings and emotions along this journey. Check out her Instagram too! 

My Travel Tips and Recommendations

Flights

To book flights, I always use flight search engine Skyscanner, I regularly use the Everywhere tool to find the cheapest places to travel. It’s how I get to travel so much all around the world. I find it the easiest way to compare flight prices across airlines and get the best deals. 

Accommodation

For accommodation, I usually book most of my hotels or hostels through Booking.com. I love using this platform as it provides me with some amazing deals for accommodation all around the world. Or if you prefer, I also recommend using Airbnb. If you haven’t signed up with Airbnb already, you can use this link to get £25 off your first visit!

Travel Insurance

Picking travel insurance that covers you in all eventualities is an essential part of planning a trip for every single person. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. You never know what’s around the corner. 

You can also find me on social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Did you know I also vlog my trips? Make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel so you get alerted when all my travel videos go live… CHECK THEM OUT HERE

Thank you for reading and as always happy adventuring! If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below.

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Sophie X