Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Israel

A photograph of Israel
Photograph · Dani Lavi 0007 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Israel occupies the Southern Levant, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, with the Mediterranean along its western coast, the Red Sea at its southern tip and Earth's lowest point, near the Dead Sea, to the east. Two cities carry most of what a visitor comes for and they are nothing alike. Jerusalem is the government seat and proclaimed capital, holding the sites the three Abrahamic religions hold in common; Tel Aviv is the largest urban area and the economic centre, a twentieth-century city on a beach. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict persists, and it governs where a visitor can go and when as firmly as any opening time does.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Hebrew; Arabic has special status
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+972
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Israeli new shekel (ILS)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
100 police · 101 ambulance · 102 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and H · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor statement was recorded for this content pack

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre
    02 1 hour

    Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre

    The Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre is Tel Aviv-Yafo's principal dance campus and a major cultural landmark in the Neve Tzedek neighbourhood.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  2. Cameri Theater Cameri Theater
    08 1 hour

    Cameri Theater

    The Cameri Theatre is a prominent repertory theatre located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Established in 1944, it has grown to become one of the country's leading theatrical institutions.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  3. Nalaga'at
    16 1 hour

    Nalaga'at

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  4. Hangar 11
    21 1 hour

    Hangar 11

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  5. Happenings
    22 1 hour

    Happenings

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  6. Judah Arising Judah Arising
    25 1 hour

    Judah Arising

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  7. Maalot
    26 1 hour

    Maalot

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  8. PhotoHouse
    30 1 hour

    PhotoHouse

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  9. Serpentine
    31 1 hour

    Serpentine

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  10. Suspense
    33 1 hour

    Suspense

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  11. Train Theater
    35 1 hour

    Train Theater

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  12. Tzavta
    36 1 hour

    Tzavta

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  13. Uprise
    37 1 hour

    Uprise

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  14. Ohel
    42 1 hour

    Ohel

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  15. 2000 & beyond
    43 1 hour

    2000 & beyond

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  16. Amphi HaShalom
    47 1 hour

    Amphi HaShalom

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  17. Amphi HaShalom
    48 1 hour

    Amphi HaShalom

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  18. Angel
    49 1 hour

    Angel

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  19. Aquarius
    50 1 hour

    Aquarius

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  20. Beita
    51 1 hour

    Beita

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  21. Big Suspense
    52 1 hour

    Big Suspense

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  22. Bike Rider
    53 1 hour

    Bike Rider

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  23. Boat
    54 1 hour

    Boat

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  24. Bordelo
    55 1 hour

    Bordelo

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  25. Cancer
    56 1 hour

    Cancer

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  26. Capricorn
    57 1 hour

    Capricorn

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  27. Cyber Horse
    58 1 hour

    Cyber Horse

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  28. Gemini
    60 1 hour

    Gemini

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  29. Givon Art Gallery Givon Art Gallery
    61 1 hour

    Givon Art Gallery

    Givon Art Gallery, known locally as גלריה גבעון, is a documented museum in the Tel Aviv-Yafo visitor inventory. The gallery operates as an art exhibition space within Israel's cultural landscape.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  30. I Have Wings
    65 1 hour

    I Have Wings

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  31. I love JLM
    66 1 hour

    I love JLM

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  32. Jaffa’s Flea market Jaffa’s Flea market
    68 1 hour

    Jaffa’s Flea market

    Jaffa Flea Market, known locally as שוק הפשפשים יפו, is a longstanding antiques and street-market district located in Jaffa within the municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  33. Juliet
    70 1 hour

    Juliet

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  34. Keren Bar Gil
    71 1 hour

    Keren Bar Gil

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  35. Leo
    72 1 hour

    Leo

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  36. Levys Art
    73 1 hour

    Levys Art

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  37. Libra
    74 1 hour

    Libra

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  38. Love
    75 1 hour

    Love

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  39. Mosquito
    77 1 hour

    Mosquito

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  40. Muha
    78 1 hour

    Muha

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  41. Muhaack
    79 1 hour

    Muhaack

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  42. Muhaack 2017
    80 1 hour

    Muhaack 2017

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  43. New Life
    82 1 hour

    New Life

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  44. On The Fence
    83 1 hour

    On The Fence

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  45. Pisces
    86 1 hour

    Pisces

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  46. Puka
    87 1 hour

    Puka

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  47. Ram
    88 1 hour

    Ram

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  48. Red Heart
    89 1 hour

    Red Heart

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  49. Red Pyramid
    90 1 hour

    Red Pyramid

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  50. Sagittarius
    92 1 hour

    Sagittarius

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  51. Scorpio
    93 1 hour

    Scorpio

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  52. Sea Horse
    94 1 hour

    Sea Horse

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  53. Ta'ar Gallery
    95 1 hour

    Ta'ar Gallery

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  54. tattooizm
    96 1 hour

    tattooizm

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  55. Taurus Taurus
    97 1 hour

    Taurus

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Israel be?

Seven to ten days can divide time between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with one carefully chosen extension to Haifa, the Galilee, Dead Sea or Negev. Religious calendars and changing security conditions can alter access, so keep the route flexible rather than booking every transfer tightly.

What entry documents are needed for Israel?

Use Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority for the current entry rule, including whether electronic travel authorisation is required. Eligibility depends on nationality and travel circumstances; recheck immediately before departure because border procedures may change faster than ordinary guide content.

What is the best way to travel around Israel?

Ben Gurion Airport links into the intercity rail and bus networks, and major cities have their own local transit products. Many public services reduce substantially from Friday evening to Saturday evening, so build a separate plan for that period and confirm current operations.

When is a practical time to visit Israel?

Spring and autumn can balance coastal heat with walking in Jerusalem, but holidays may sharply affect hours, transport and demand. Desert excursions need separate heat planning, and any official security restriction takes priority over the seasonal itinerary.

What money and payment basics apply in Israel?

The Israeli new shekel is the working currency. Cards are widely accepted in cities, while markets and small operators may make cash useful; inspect the ILS amount and any service convention before payment instead of applying habits from another destination.

What practical safety details should I save for Israel?

Emergency services use 100 for police, 101 for ambulance and 102 for fire; electricity is Type C and H at 230 V. Tap-water guidance is Not recorded in this dataset, and current civil-defence instructions should be checked through official channels.