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. Ramat Gan Safari
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Ramat Gan Safari

    הספארי ברמת גן

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Tel Aviv
  2. Israel aquarium Israel aquarium
    03 1 hr 30 min

    Israel aquarium

    אקווריום ישראל

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  3. Memadion
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Memadion

    מימדיון

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Tel Aviv
  4. African Savannah
    05 1 hr 30 min

    African Savannah

    החצר האפריקאית

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  5. Australian Yard
    06 1 hr 30 min

    Australian Yard

    החצר האוסטרלית

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  6. Bears
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Bears

    דובים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  7. Birds of Prey Aviary
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Birds of Prey Aviary

    צפריית עופות דורסים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  8. Children's zoo
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Children's zoo

    גן חיות לילדים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  9. Chimpanzees
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Chimpanzees

    שימפנזים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  10. Deer Forest
    12 1 hr 30 min

    Deer Forest

    יער האיילים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  11. Elephants
    13 1 hr 30 min

    Elephants

    פילים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  12. Elephants
    14 1 hr 30 min

    Elephants

    פילים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  13. Lemurs
    16 1 hr 30 min

    Lemurs

    למורים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  14. Leopards
    17 1 hr 30 min

    Leopards

    נמרים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  15. Lions
    18 1 hr 30 min

    Lions

    אריות

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  16. Mandrills
    19 1 hr 30 min

    Mandrills

    מנדרילים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  17. Marsh Aviary
    20 1 hr 30 min

    Marsh Aviary

    צפריית עופות הביצה

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  18. Otters
    22 1 hr 30 min

    Otters

    לוטרות

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  19. Parrots
    23 1 hr 30 min

    Parrots

    תוכים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  20. Penguins
    24 1 hr 30 min

    Penguins

    פינגווינים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  21. Petting Zoo
    25 1 hr 30 min

    Petting Zoo

    פינת ליטוף

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Tel Aviv
  22. Red pandas
    26 1 hr 30 min

    Red pandas

    פנדות אדומות

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  23. Siamang Island
    27 1 hr 30 min

    Siamang Island

    אי הסיאמנגים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  24. Small Animal Building
    28 1 hr 30 min

    Small Animal Building

    ביתן חיות קטנות

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  25. South American Yard
    29 1 hr 30 min

    South American Yard

    החצר הדרום אמריקאית

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  26. Spider Monkey Island
    30 1 hr 30 min

    Spider Monkey Island

    אי קופי העכביש

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  27. SRF Park TLV
    31 1 hr 30 min

    SRF Park TLV

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Tel Aviv
  28. Tigers
    32 1 hr 30 min

    Tigers

    טיגריסים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  29. Tortoises
    33 1 hr 30 min

    Tortoises

    צבים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  30. Tropical Aviary
    34 1 hr 30 min

    Tropical Aviary

    צפרייה טרופית

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  31. Wolves
    35 1 hr 30 min

    Wolves

    זאבים

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Jerusalem
  32. פינת חי
    38 1 hr 30 min

    פינת חי

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • 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.