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. Jerusalem Theater
    02 1 hour

    Jerusalem Theater

    תיאטרון ירושלים

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  2. Habima Theatre
    03 1 hour

    Habima Theatre

    הבימה

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  3. Holyland Model of Jerusalem
    05 1 hour

    Holyland Model of Jerusalem

    דגם ירושלים בימי בית שני

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  4. Cameri Theater Cameri Theater
    06 1 hour

    Cameri Theater

    הקאמרי

    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
  5. Palestinian National Theatre
    07 1 hour

    Palestinian National Theatre

    المسرح الوطني الفلسطيني / الحكواتي

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  6. Beit Lessin Theater Beit Lessin Theater
    08 1 hour

    Beit Lessin Theater

    בית ליסין

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  7. The Arab-Hebrew Theater
    09 1 hour

    The Arab-Hebrew Theater

    התיאטרון הערבי-עברי ביפו

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  8. Gesher Theatre
    10 1 hour

    Gesher Theatre

    תאטרון גשר

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  9. Hasimta Theatre
    12 1 hour

    Hasimta Theatre

    תיאטרון הסמטה

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  10. Monument to the Holocaust
    13 1 hour

    Monument to the Holocaust

    אנדרטה לשואה ולתקומה

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  11. Nalaga'at
    14 1 hour

    Nalaga'at

    נא לגעת

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  12. Tribute to Jerusalem
    15 1 hour

    Tribute to Jerusalem

    מחווה לירושלים

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  13. Givatayim Theater
    16 1 hour

    Givatayim Theater

    תיאטרון גבעתיים

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  14. Jerusalem Music Centre
    17 1 hour

    Jerusalem Music Centre

    מרכז למוסיקה משכנות שאננים

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  15. Beit Russell
    18 1 hour

    Beit Russell

    בית ראסל

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  16. Beyond the Limit
    19 1 hour

    Beyond the Limit

    מעבר לתחום

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  17. Hangar 11
    20 1 hour

    Hangar 11

    האנגר 11

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  18. Happenings
    21 1 hour

    Happenings

    Happening

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  19. Hasifriya Theatre
    23 1 hour

    Hasifriya Theatre

    תאטרון רמת גן

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  20. Judah Arising Judah Arising
    24 1 hour

    Judah Arising

    יהודה המתעורר

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  21. Maalot
    25 1 hour

    Maalot

    מעלות

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  22. Monument Burning Bush
    26 1 hour

    Monument Burning Bush

    הסנה הבוער

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  23. Nahum Gutman Fountain
    27 1 hour

    Nahum Gutman Fountain

    פסיפס תולדות תל אביב

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  24. Olam "Naḥmani"
    28 1 hour

    Olam "Naḥmani"

    אולם נחמני

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  25. PhotoHouse
    29 1 hour

    PhotoHouse

    The Photo House

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  26. Serpentine
    30 1 hour

    Serpentine

    עקלתון

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  27. Statue of Faith
    31 1 hour

    Statue of Faith

    פסל שער האמונה

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  28. Suspense
    32 1 hour

    Suspense

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  29. The Hebrew Worker
    33 1 hour

    The Hebrew Worker

    פסל הפועל העברי

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  30. Train Theater
    34 1 hour

    Train Theater

    תיאטרון הקרון

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  31. Tzavta
    35 1 hour

    Tzavta

    צוותא

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  32. Uprise
    36 1 hour

    Uprise

    התרוממות

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  33. Aeropassivics 3
    37 1 hour

    Aeropassivics 3

    אווירופסיביקה 3

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  34. Ohel
    40 1 hour

    Ohel

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  35. 2000 & beyond
    41 1 hour

    2000 & beyond

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  36. Abu gamal
    42 1 hour

    Abu gamal

    ابو جمال

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  37. Amphi HaShalom
    46 1 hour

    Amphi HaShalom

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

    Amphi HaShalom

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  39. Angel
    48 1 hour

    Angel

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  40. Aquarius
    49 1 hour

    Aquarius

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  41. Asa and Yehoshafat
    50 1 hour

    Asa and Yehoshafat

    פסל אסא ויהושפט

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  42. Beita
    52 1 hour

    Beita

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  43. Beit Aharon Kahana
    53 1 hour

    Beit Aharon Kahana

    בית אהרון כהנא

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  44. Beit Alpha mosaic copy
    54 1 hour

    Beit Alpha mosaic copy

    העתק פסיפס בית אלפא

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  45. Beit Avi Hai
    55 1 hour

    Beit Avi Hai

    בית אבי חי

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  46. Beit Shmuel
    56 1 hour

    Beit Shmuel

    מרכז שמשון-בית שמואל

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  47. Bell of peace
    57 1 hour

    Bell of peace

    פעמון השלום היפני

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  48. Big Suspense
    59 1 hour

    Big Suspense

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  49. Bike Rider
    60 1 hour

    Bike Rider

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  50. Boat
    61 1 hour

    Boat

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  51. Bordelo
    62 1 hour

    Bordelo

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  52. Bruno Gallery
    63 1 hour

    Bruno Gallery

    גלרייה ברונו

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  53. Cancer
    64 1 hour

    Cancer

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  54. Capricorn
    65 1 hour

    Capricorn

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  55. Cyber Horse
    67 1 hour

    Cyber Horse

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  56. Einstein's Sculpture
    68 1 hour

    Einstein's Sculpture

    פסל אינשטיין

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  57. Floating Orange Tree
    70 1 hour

    Floating Orange Tree

    עץ תפוז מרחף

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  58. Florentine Circus
    71 1 hour

    Florentine Circus

    קרקס פלורנטין

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  59. Gemini
    72 1 hour

    Gemini

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  60. Gerard Behar
    73 1 hour

    Gerard Behar

    ז'ראר בכר

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  61. Gesher Hangar
    74 1 hour

    Gesher Hangar

    הנגר גשר

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  62. Habait Theater
    76 1 hour

    Habait Theater

    תיאטרון הבית

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  63. HaMaabada
    78 1 hour

    HaMaabada

    המעבדה

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  64. HOLY LAND COMMUNITY
    80 1 hour

    HOLY LAND COMMUNITY

    الاراضي المقدسة للتحف السياحية

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  65. I Have Wings
    81 1 hour

    I Have Wings

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  66. I love JLM
    82 1 hour

    I love JLM

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  67. Israeli Time Capsule
    84 1 hour

    Israeli Time Capsule

    קפסולת הזמן הישראלית

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  68. Jaffa’s Flea market Jaffa’s Flea market
    85 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
  69. Juliet
    87 1 hour

    Juliet

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  70. Keren Bar Gil
    88 1 hour

    Keren Bar Gil

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  71. Leo
    89 1 hour

    Leo

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  72. Levys Art
    90 1 hour

    Levys Art

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  73. Libra
    91 1 hour

    Libra

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  74. Love
    92 1 hour

    Love

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Jerusalem
  75. Mayumana House
    94 1 hour

    Mayumana House

    בית מיומנה

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  76. Mosquito
    95 1 hour

    Mosquito

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  77. Muha
    96 1 hour

    Muha

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  78. Muhaack
    97 1 hour

    Muhaack

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  79. Muhaack 2017
    98 1 hour

    Muhaack 2017

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tel Aviv
  80. New Life
    100 1 hour

    New Life

    • 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.