A guide to Israel has prepared something for everyone: a beach holiday on the Mediterranean and Red Sea, pilgrimage tours to the shrines of three religions, treatment at the Dead Sea and a powerful "excursion". Everything about Israel: news, maps, prices, weather.
From a geographical point of view, Israel is a small state located between three seas - the Red, the Dead and the Mediterranean. However, from a spiritual point of view, there is no other country in the world that would occupy such an important place in the hearts of believers. After all, it was in Israel that the three main world religions were born and the foundations of the current civilization were laid.
Tours to Israel are extremely diverse and there are a lot of reasons to visit Israel . This is a mild climate, and many famous sights, and holy places in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and treatment in unique medical centers. And for some, this is a serene rest and treatment at the Dead Sea .
Holidays in Israel - a harmonious contrast between antiquity and modernity. You will pass through the holy places where 4000 years ago Abraham stepped foot, 3000 years ago King David lived, and 2000 years ago Jesus Christ himself. And in combination with the luxurious beaches of Eilat, the bustle of the city of Tel Aviv, medical resorts and colorful bazaars, tours to Israel amaze with a lot of impressions!
We are pleased to offer you exciting and varied excursions in Israel . Undoubtedly, the main attraction of Israel is one of the oldest cities in the world - Jerusalem , whose history goes back more than 3000 years. It is worth visiting the holy city of Nazareth , where Christ spent his childhood.
Official name: State of Israel
Capital: Jerusalem
Language: official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, also spoken: English, French, Yiddish, Russian, Spanish, German.
Religion: Judaism - 82%, Islam - 13%, Christianity - 5%.
National features: Saturday is a day of rest. It begins on Friday at sunset and ends the day after sunset. The same goes for all national holidays. On Saturdays and holidays, all transport (except taxis) stops working. According to Jewish religious laws, pork, hare, crabs and other seafood cannot be eaten. Israelis drink very little hard liquor, mostly wine.
Geography:state in southwest Asia, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In the north it borders with Lebanon, in the northeast - with Syria, in the east - with Jordan, in the southwest - with Egypt. The area of the country is 21,596 sq. km, this includes the territory of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, captured by Israel during the “six-day war”. The Gaza Strip and the West Bank were also captured by Israel, but after the signing of a peace agreement with the PLO, these territories came under the control of the Palestinians. The country can be conditionally divided into five topographic zones: the heights of the Galilee, the valley of Esdraelon. Judean and Samarian hills, coastal plains and the Negev desert. In the zone of heights of Galilee is the highest point of Israel - Mount Meron (1208 m), and the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias). The main river of Israel is the Jordan;
You can import 250 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco duty-free; up to 1 liter of spirits, up to 2 liters of wine, up to 250 ml of cologne or perfume, gifts worth no more than 200 USD (including up to 3 kg of food), as well as items and things for personal use. As for the currency, you can import up to 100,000 ILS without a declaration . It is forbidden to import weapons, drugs, pornography and any materials that can offend the religion and national identity of the Israelis.
Expensive equipment (cameras, cameras, mobile phones) will raise questions. If it is in a package and does not show that it has been used, you may have to pay a fee. Some items of personal use (video equipment, diving equipment, hand tools) are subject to a customs bond at the border. The latter is refundable if these items are shown to customs when leaving the country.
Antiques can only be taken out with permission from the local cultural authority.
The situation in the country is turbulent, so passing through passport control and screening at international airports in Israel is a much more thorough and lengthy process than in most European countries.
At the border, be prepared to present a return ticket with a fixed date, a hotel reservation or an invitation, insurance for the entire duration of the trip, proof of financial solvency (bank cards or cash, a bank statement is optional). Also answer questions about whether you have relatives in Israel, where you are going to go on excursions, with whom you flew. This is a normal practice, it is not only pointless to get annoyed, but also dangerous - nervous ones can be detained for a long time.
If you have stamps from Arab states in your passport, be prepared for closer attention from border guards. Unlike some Arab countries, Israel does not categorically forbid such tourists from entering the country, but is more suspicious of them.
The B2 control insert issued at the airport must be kept throughout the trip, this is an official confirmation of the status of a tourist in the country. In addition, it will need to be presented at the hotel, if this is not done, VAT of 17% will be included in the bill.
The Israelis are accustomed to severe checks and take them calmly - everything is done for their own safety. But the time for passing control and inspection should be laid at least an hour and a half more than usual. The best option is to arrive at the airport no later than 3-4 hours before departure.
In Israel, you can return VAT on purchases. To do this, you need to spend at least 400 ILS in a store or shopping center where there is a Tax Refund sign. The cashier will issue a check, which must be presented at a special counter at the airport, where you will be refunded part of the amount for purchases. Since October 1, 2015, the VAT rate in the country is 17%.
Unlike most European countries, VAT can be refunded, including on food, alcohol and tobacco products.
Daily regular direct flights from Europe - Tel Aviv from major European cities are operated by El Al and others, the flight time is about 4 hours.
It is convenient to travel around Israel by trains: they run frequently (for example, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem - 8-9 times a day), the schedule is strictly observed, the speed is high. The only negative is that the country has only one main line with several branches connecting the largest cities. The trains are very comfortable and air conditioned. A one-way ticket on the route Tel Aviv - Jerusalem will cost about 20 ILS , for pensioners - half the price, for students - 20%, for children under 5 years old - free of charge. If you buy tickets immediately there and back, it will be cheaper by 10%.
Tickets are sold at the box office of the stations and on the official website of the Israel Railways. You can also pay for the fare with a Rav-Kav card. This is an analogue of the Moscow Troika, you can put any amount of money on it and pay on trains, buses and public transport by tapping it on the validator at the entrance. Cards can be purchased at any ticket office.
In addition, you can travel around the country by bus, but during religious holidays, as well as from Friday evening to Saturday evening, they do not run. The only way to get to the neighboring city is by minibuses. They run less often and cost a little more than buses, but in any case it will be cheaper than a taxi.
The main international carrier in Israel is the Egged bus company ( website ). They regularly run in all directions, except for the Western Galilee (Tzfat, Nahariya, Shlomi) - Nativ Express is in charge there. In the Greater Tel Aviv area (Tel Aviv, Jaffa, etc.) the Dan company operates;
All buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, the fare is about the same as on the train - from 17-20 ILS for a trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. But trains are still faster, more convenient, and many routes are more picturesque there.
Intercity buses are the only way to get into the Palestinian territories, trains do not go there. The Egged company will take you on an armored bus to the border, and then you will have to move on your own. Do not count on hitchhiking - taking fellow travelers here is prohibited by law. The easiest and safest way to get to Bethlehem or Jericho is to take a Palestinian bus in East Jerusalem.
The main public transport is the bus. The carriers are the same as those that run between cities: Egged, in the Tel Aviv area - Dan, in the north and northwest - Nativ Express.
The fare in major cities is 6.80 ILS , in Jerusalem - 6.60 ILS . Tickets are sold in vending machines at stops, as well as from the driver for cash.
The only city in Israel with a tram is Jerusalem. It is bulletproof, like the buses that run to the Palestinian Authority, and tickets for it can only be bought from vending machines. The metro is only in Haifa. This is one short line connecting the Upper and Lower cities, only 6 stops.
Sherut fixed-route taxis are also very popular in the country. They do not have a clear timetable - minibuses depart as they fill up, but they run until late at night and even sometimes on Saturdays. The fare is about the same as a bus.
A regular taxi can be hailed on the street or called by phone. The trip will cost about 15 ILS per landing and then 6 ILS per km. At night and on weekends, higher rates apply, you will also have to pay extra for luggage.
In Israel, there are special tourist taxis (you can take a tour of the city and other parts of the country), which are operated by guides registered with the Ministry of Tourism. On the doors of such cars is the emblem of the Ministry of Tourism (two people carrying a huge bunch of grapes).
In major Israeli cities, it is convenient to rent a bicycle. There are all conditions for cyclists: paths, parking lots and rental points at every turn. "Rental" bikes are green, heavy, but usually fully serviceable and comfortable. The cost of renting a day is 17 ILS (prices in Tel Aviv, more details about tariffs on the website) with a Russian version. Payment is by credit card only.
It is advisable to rent a car if you are going to travel around the country and ride between cities. Rescues own car and on Saturdays, when public transport does not work. Getting around cities is extremely difficult: the streets are narrow, traffic jams are common, and entry restrictions apply in many places.
Renting a car in Israel is easy. To do this, you must be over 21 years old, have a driver's license and a credit card. Small offices may also require a deposit, but usually only an insurance deposit is frozen on the account (no more than 4000 ILS ), which will be unfrozen as soon as you return the car safe and sound.
Airports have offices of Avis, Budjet, Eldan, Sixt, Albar, Hertz and other Israeli and international car rental companies. Renting an economy class car costs from 100 ILS per day, a middle class car - from 150 ILS , an SUV - from 235 ILS .
The price of gasoline in Israel is from 6.3 ILS per 1 liter. There are few parking lots in cities, in the central areas of cities they are paid, the cost of parking is from 10 ILS per hour.
It is strongly not recommended to drive a rented car to the Palestinian Authority. If something happens to the car in this territory, no insurance will cover the losses, and you will have to pay out of your own pocket. By the way, before you take the car, carefully inspect it for scratches and other damage, otherwise you won’t prove anything later. In Israel, cars are often given out broken and sometimes not even washed after a previous client. As a rule, this applies to small firms.
For more information, see the page "Rent a car in Israel".
With mobile communications in Israel, everything is fine. It covers almost the entire territory of the country and is inexpensive. Most locals use postpaid plans, but you need to have an Israeli bank account to do so.
For tourists, local operators always have a lot of offers. One of the most popular prepaid plans is Big Talk from Orange. The cost of a minute of conversation starts from 1.20 ILS , and mobile Internet - from 4 ILS per megabyte. A SIM card will cost an average of 50 ILS , of which 40 will be on the account.
SIM cards are sold in mobile phone shops, supermarkets, newsstands, post offices and gas stations. There you can also purchase cards for replenishing your account with a face value of 50 ILS .
Payphones are still preserved in large numbers in Israeli cities. Some of them work with magnetic cards, which are sold at the post office, and some work with coins. Tariffs are very different, but on average, a conversation with Russia on a street phone will cost from 3 ILS per minute.
Israel traditionally ranks first in terms of the number of people with personal access to the Internet, so Internet cafes here have practically died out as a class. And free Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere: in hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, train stations and airports. There is Wi-Fi on public beaches and parks, but it is not always possible to connect to it: the network is often congested.
As for the mobile Internet, you can count on 3G coverage wherever there is a telephone network.
"Tel Aviv walks, Jerusalem prays, Haifa works." In principle, this is all you need to know about how Israel works. This is a very different, but very compact country, and during one two-week vacation, you can easily go around it all.
The country's capital, Jerusalem, is the oldest city in the Middle East. This is a sacred place for Christians, Jews and Muslims; believing pilgrims from all over the world come here every day to touch the holy places. In Jerusalem, there are the main symbols of Israel - the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Wailing Wall. This city with a centuries-old history will be of interest not only to believers: it combines many different cultures, and the most interesting historical monuments have been preserved here, including ancient fortress walls and archaeological sites.
The entertainment capital of the country - Tel Aviv - was originally a Jewish quarter on the territory of the port of Jaffa, and eventually became one with it.
Modern Tel Aviv is one of the best promenades in the world, dozens of beaches, modern skyscrapers, the trendiest restaurants, clubs and parties until dawn. Here are the best concert halls and galleries in Israel, as well as the largest Art Museum in the country.
The city of Nazareth is considered sacred, as it was built in the very place where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary learned from the Archangel Michael that she would soon become a mother, and here she gave birth to the baby Jesus. Nazareth has many beautiful cathedrals, including the Church of the Archangel Gabriel. There is a national park and the same Roman bowls in which Christ turned water into wine.
Haifa is Israel's largest port and business center. It is different from other Israeli cities: more European, less religious (as far as possible in this country), they even work here on Saturdays. The main attraction of Haifa is the biblical Mount Carmel, on the slopes of which the city stands. All the details about the cities and resorts of Israel - on the page "Subtleties of tourism".
Israel is washed by two seas (not counting the Dead Sea, about it later) - the Red and the Mediterranean. The most popular beach resorts in the Mediterranean are Tel Aviv, Netanya and Herzliya. The entire coast is sandy, almost everywhere there are sunbeds, umbrellas and eateries. However, private beaches in Israel are a rarity; only the most expensive hotels can afford this.
The beaches of Tel Aviv are inhabited mainly by young people. There are many bars, discos, foam parties and wet T-shirt contests. Herzliya is a respectable resort designed for wealthy tourists. There are many luxurious hotels, restaurants and a peaceful atmosphere. Just as quiet and peaceful, but much cheaper - in Netanya - this place is great for families with small children.
Eilat is a resort on the Red Sea. It is hardly suitable for a full-fledged beach holiday, since the entrance to the sea is rocky and uncomfortable, and in some places even from a pontoon. There are no special attractions there, but on the other hand, ideal conditions for diving and other water activities, moreover, this resort is year-round.
The most popular medical resort in Israel is the Dead Sea coast. Local water is rich in salts and trace elements and successfully treats any skin diseases and more. Treat cough, runny nose and joints go to Tiberias - there are hot springs, saturated with almost the entire periodic table.
Despite its not too large territory, the climate in Israel is very uneven - from temperate to tropical, with a lot of sunny days. The rainy winter season lasts from November to May, the rest of the time is a dry summer season. Heavy rains fall in the north and in the center of the country, much less in the northern Negev, and in the south they almost never happen.
On the coast - wet summers and mild winters, in mountainous areas - dry summers and relatively cold winters. The Jordan Valley has hot, dry summers and mild winters, while the Negev has a semi-desert climate.
The swimming season continues all year round: in the summer they swim in the Mediterranean Sea and the Galilee Lake (Kinneret), in the winter - in the Dead and Red Seas. The hottest months in the Dead Sea and in Eilat (Red Sea) are June, July and August. The average air/water temperature at this time is +38/+30 °C.
Israeli hotels do not have a "star" classification: instead, there is a system of "classes". Since there are a lot of hotels of different world "chains" in the country, the tour operators themselves determine their classification, based on their more or less objective assessments. This means that when choosing a hotel in Israel, you should focus not on the number of "stars", but on a specific list of services and room descriptions. However, the service in hotels is quite clear - computers do not “freeze”, there are no overlays and “rebookings”.
Those city hotels, which operators define as 4 *, as a rule, do not have swimming pools, unlike five-star ones. Both "fives" and "fours" usually delight with spacious rooms. The food in Israel is good everywhere, but in 5 *, of course, the menu is the richest.
Accommodation prices vary by city. For example, in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem it will be expectedly more expensive (by about 20-25%) than in Haifa or Netanya.
The mains voltage is standard - 220 V. Most sockets have three contact inputs, but they are also suitable for European appliances. Electric shavers, travel irons, and other small household appliances may require an adapter. Buying it is easy.
The country's monetary unit is Shekel (ILS), in 1 shekel there are 100 agorot. Current exchange rate: (1 USD = 3.6 ILS , 1 EUR = 3.8 ILS ).
Currency can be exchanged at any bank branch or at one of the many exchange offices (the latter, as a rule, do not charge a commission). The exception is exchange offices at the airport, where the commission can reach up to 10%. If you really need cash immediately upon arrival, it is better to use an ATM, it will be much more profitable.
Most banks are open in the morning from 8:30 to 12:00 (Sunday to Thursday), and in the afternoon from 16:00 to 18:00 (Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday). On the eve of major Jewish holidays, banks are open from 8:30 to 12:00.
Credit cards of all leading payment systems (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are accepted almost everywhere, including some markets. Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs. In hotels and large shops, as a rule, you can pay in dollars, but change can also be given in shekels.
According to Jewish tradition, Sabbath ("Shabbat") begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. During this time, shops, many restaurants, some cinemas and other public places are closed. Public transport also does not work: you can go somewhere at this time only by taxi and very rare buses.
It is recommended to respect the religious traditions of this day and not to visit the religious quarters of Jerusalem and other cities during Shabbat. On this day, you should also refrain from smoking in public places - it can be perceived as an insult.
Muslim quarters should be avoided if possible, especially for girls.
Today, Israel is relatively calm, but the police are many on the streets, and they are quite harsh. You may be stopped on the street and asked to show documents for no apparent reason. Do not show unnecessary emotions, do not try to joke, just do what is required of you. Local residents have long been accustomed to this. But if the police detained you for more than 20 minutes, they are obliged to explain the reasons and provide an act of detention.
Do not leave luggage unattended (it will be destroyed without trial) and do not take pictures of military installations and people in uniform.
In turn, if you notice abandoned luggage or people dressed suspiciously inappropriate for the weather (in coats or hooded jackets in the heat), immediately report to the police.
Security: When entering a large shopping center or other crowded places, you may be asked to open your bag, which may seem impolite. They only check for suspicious items. At the airport, before departure, the control is very strict, although courteous. We recommend that you take this as a concern for your safety. It is not recommended to stay in the controlled territories and in the Arab quarters, especially at night.
The beaches in Israel are municipal and free, but some expensive hotels sometimes enclose their private territory. If there are sun loungers and umbrellas on the free beach, you will need to pay for them (from 10 ILS per person). Lifeguards work on all equipped beaches, but usually only until 18:00.
The longest beaches in Israel are located on the Mediterranean coast. The coastline within Tel Aviv and Jaffa is parties and beach discos. The coast is sandy, bars and clubs are built along the coast, where young people come from all over the country. 4 km south of Tel Aviv is the small town of Bat Yam, which, despite its proximity to noisy Tel Aviv, is more suitable for families with children. There is a beach with a "paddling pool", fenced with stones, where the depth is maximum to the waist, it is safe to swim even for the smallest.
The most luxurious resort in the Mediterranean is Herzliya. This is a chic sandy coast, expensive hotels, restaurants and a very calm environment for a respectable vacation. It is also calm and beautiful, but cheaper - in Tiberias.
In the Red Sea, unlike the Mediterranean, you can swim all year round. The beaches of the northern coast of Eilat are also sandy, located across the promenade from the hotels. The south coast is mostly visited by divers. The coast there is not very convenient for swimming (entrance to the sea from the pontoon), but the underwater world is interesting and varied.
People go to the Dead Sea, in particular, to the resort of Ein Bokek to improve their health and prolong youth and beauty. Rest here is very specific, the smell is also (there is a strong smell of sulfur in the air), and it is advisable to consult a doctor before swimming. Even a healthy person is not recommended to stay in these saturated waters for more than 15 minutes in a row (and in total no more than 40 minutes a day is better). To keep track of time was more convenient, clocks are hung along the entire coast.
It is better not to go to the Dead Sea with children: they will be frankly bored, since the resort is not focused on tourists under 16 years old.
Israeli medicine is one of the best in the world. There is a high level of diagnostics, professional training of doctors and clinics with the most modern equipment. Medical centers specializing in neurosurgery, cardiology, oncology, urology, etc., often take on cases that other clinics have refused.
These include, for example, the Wolfson Clinic in Tel Aviv, which has no equal in oncohematology, the Herzliya Medical Center is the best in the field of cardiology, and the Rabin Center is known for its best transplant department in the world. Services of specialists of this level cannot cost little. A doctor's consultation will cost from 200 EUR , diagnostics - from 900 EUR , and then everything is strictly individual.
People come to Israel not only with complex diagnoses, but also for beauty and general health. The most popular medical resort is the Dead Sea. Microelement-rich sea water and mud treat skin conditions, arthritis, asthma and more. In Tiberias, hot springs beat, which help with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and respiratory diseases. There are also health resorts in Arad, Ein Gedi and other regions.
Opening hours for shops and institutions: Sunday-Thursday: 8:30-13:00 and 16:00-19:00, Friday and on the eve of holidays: 9:00-13:00. The markets close at nightfall. Muslim-owned businesses are closed on Fridays, while Christian-owned businesses are closed on Sundays. Sales in Israel are seasonal, as in Europe, but the most generous ones happen before the big holidays - Pesach (March-April) and Sukkot (September-October).
Israel is famous for its jewelry industry, especially diamonds and gold jewelry. It makes sense to buy jewelry only from certified sellers and in no case from the hands, as there are a lot of fakes. For example, in any of the branches of the Diamond Exchange (website in English), a passport is issued for each item purchased.
Israel is also famous for its silver. We are talking not only about jewelry, but also about dishes, candlesticks and other products. Be vigilant if the price seems too low. Probably, silver is only sprayed here, and everything else is made of plastic or wood.
You can also bring cosmetics based on Dead Sea minerals from the country. The most famous brands are Ahava, Sea of Spa, Hlavin, Dead Sea Premier. It is sold everywhere, but the largest selection is directly on the Dead Sea. In addition, local pharmacies have a lot of lesser-known, but often very effective cosmetics. A good choice in duty-free shops upon departure, but already noticeably more expensive. In stores at the Dead Sea clinics, you can buy serious medicines: creams and ointments for the treatment of eczema, lichen planus, etc., but before buying, you should at least consult a local pharmacist.
Shops, shopping: Shops are usually open from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 19.00 from Sunday to Thursday, on Friday from 9.00 to 13.00. Shops are closed on Saturdays. Ceramics, copperware, religious paraphernalia, handicrafts are Israeli features. Israel is one of the best places in the world to buy diamonds and other precious stones set in gold and silver. Israel is the 1st supplier in the world for the production of high quality diamonds. A tax of 17% is imposed on all goods and services and is included in the quoted price. Tourists enjoy the right to a tax refund at the points of departure.
Israelis love shopping and new things, so everything related to trade in the country is very well organized. Each large and not so big city has its own shopping quarter, pedestrian shopping streets and, of course, markets. The latter are worth a visit, even if you don't intend to buy anything. These are very colorful noisy places, the stalls are littered with fruits, clothes, jewelry, toys, accessories and many, many others. It is accepted to bargain in the markets. If you refuse, not only overpay twice, but also offend the seller with inattention.
In Israel, it is customary to leave a tip in restaurants and cafes (10%), prices in hotels and taxis include service charges. However, it is customary to tip the hotel staff, guides and drivers: $ 3 per day - the guide; $2 per day - to the driver.
In Israel, people from various nations live, respectively, the cuisine is also very diverse. There are many restaurants in the country: Chinese, Russian, French, Indian, Moroccan and the list goes on. The menu is usually printed in Hebrew and English. The portions are large, but they are decently priced.
Of the meat dishes, which traditionally contain a lot of spices and herbs, it is worth trying "Jewish meat" and "Meorav Yerushalmi" - a dish of four types of chicken meat. From vegetable dishes, various salads are recommended here, hummus (chickpea paste with olive oil and spices), falafel (pea and bean balls fried in oil, served with salad or in pita with pickled vegetables and hummus), cold beetroot soup, potato pancakes and fried zucchini. Local beer "Macabi" also tastes quite good. The most kosher desserts: eggnog, baked apples, pancakes, gingerbread with almonds.
The main limitations of kosher cuisine: pork and seafood dishes are not available as a class. It is allowed to eat the meat of ruminants and fish that have scales and fins. Dairy and meat products are served strictly separately. Bloody meat is also prohibited. Note that these restrictions do not at all make the local cuisine not diversified enough, and if you really want to, then any non-kosher products can be found in Arab shops or restaurants.
All cafes and restaurants in Israel are divided into kosher and non-kosher. Both a fish restaurant and a children's ice cream parlor can be kosher. Also, the country has an abundance of establishments of Arabic, Turkish, Mediterranean and other cuisines. It makes sense to look for kosher cuisine in small towns where the majority of residents are religious, or in non-tourist quarters of large cities.
In Israel, small cafes similar to French bistros are very popular, selling coffee, lemonade, pastries and sandwiches, as well as hummus. These are small cafes where hummus is served as the main dish, which is prepared according to its own recipe in each establishment. One serving is usually enough for two, and it costs no more than 30 ILS . Of the local fast food, falafel is very common.
Prices depend on the restaurant and the city, but in general they are quite high. For example, in Tel Aviv, a dinner for two with wine will cost an average of 250 ILS for two, lunch in an inexpensive cafe - from 60 ILS , and falafel in a street cafe - 15-20 ILS . For comparison: dinner in Haifa will cost an average of 50 ILS cheaper.