Israel Travel Guide


The latest travel Information on Israel, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Israel Information

Overview

Known by millions around the world as ‘the Holy Land’, Israel is an exceptional country. The story of this land and its people is truly like nowhere else on earth. 

The first five books of the Bible itself are about the origins and cosmology of the ‘people of Israel’, the Jews, from around 2000BC.

Fleeing slavery to conquer and settle in Canaan (broadly the same land as modern Israel), Jewish culture evolved around worship at their Temple in Jerusalem, built around 1000BC. Several attempts by foreign powers to eradicate Israel ended in failure, until in AD135, after some 70 years of war with Jewish rebels, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, expelled the Jews, and renamed Israel as ‘Palestine’. 

The subsequent Jewish diaspora continues to the present day. Nineteenth-century pogroms in Eastern Europe sparked the Zionist movement that aimed to re-establish the Jewish nation in Palestine, which had become part of the Ottoman Empire. From 1882 onwards, waves of Jewish immigration began. After WW1, the Ottoman Empire was broken up and the British Mandate took control. In 1947 the League of Nations voted to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab areas, a plan accepted by the Zionists but rejected by the Arab League.

The Jewish leaders inaugurated the State of Israel in May 1948, bringing an immediate full-scale war by the Arab states. Much of the history of the region since that time has been one of this continuing conflict. Following the ‘Six Day War’ of 1967, Jerusalem came under Jewish rule for the first time since the Roman expulsion. The West Bank was occupied, and its Arab residents, adopting the name Palestinians and represented by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) became the forefront of the struggle against Israel. 

Israel has since made peace with former foes including Egypt and Jordan. A peace process began with the Palestinians in the early 1990s after years of uprising or intifada. The Palestinian National Authority was set up in 1993 to take over the Palestinian areas. However, the election in January 2006 of militant Islamist organisation Hamas, which claimed responsibility for numerous suicide bombings in Israel, made peace less likely. Lebanon’s militant Islamist group Hezbollah launched a war on Israel in August 2006.

Despite these problems, Israel remains buoyant and positive, with a ‘can-do’ attitude. It is a world-class destination with outstanding cultural, archaeological and religious attractions, spas and beach resorts, as well as a unique ancient-and-modern atmosphere.


Top Things To See

 Enter Jerusalem’s Old City through impressively fortified Jaffa Gate. David’s Tower (History of Jerusalem Museum; website: www.towerofdavid.org.il), on the right, is a must. Its brilliant displays vividly tell the history of the city. The rooftop gives a glorious vista towards Temple Mount. 

 Explore the bustling market streets, shopping lanes and quiet back alleys of the four very different Old City Quarters - Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian. Each has its own distinct character.  

 Marvel at the intricate beauty of the glorious Dome of the Rock, standing high on Temple Mount (Har HaBayit in Hebrew, Haram esh-Sharif in Arabic), site of the ancient Temple, the centre of Jewish worship. 

 Encounter Jewish faith and resilience in the immense, animated Western Wall Plaza, below Temple Mount. Extending all along one side is the Western Wall itself, 20.2m (67ft) high and 27.7m (91ft) long, the most revered site in Judaism.  

 Climb the newly reconstructed Hulda Steps, once the main entrance to the Temple, in the Jerusalem Archaeological Park (website: www.archpark.org.il), a few paces from Western Wall Plaza. Its Davidson Center includes a virtual reconstruction of a visit to the Temple 2,000 years ago.  

 Visit fascinating 2,000-year-old homes excavated at the Wohl Archaeological Museum - Herodian Quarter. Six cool, spacious villas and a mansion can be toured, each with a ritual bath decorated in ceramic tiles and collections of household antiquities on display.

 Experience Christianity at its most profound, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of the Crucifixion. A complex of different shrines, it is the heart of the Christian Quarter.  

 Pay tribute to the 6 million Jewish people wiped out in the Holocaust, with a visit to Yad Vashem (website: www.yadvashem.org), Israel’s official memorial. The extensive site contains many separate sights and museums - all are deeply moving.  

 See some of the world’s most impressive archaeological discoveries, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, at the Shrine of the Book, part of the Israel Museum (website: www.imj.org.il), the country’s principal collection of its archaeology and ancient art.  

 Discover the cultural diversity of the Jewish people during the 2,000 years of worldwide diaspora, with music, textiles, reconstructions and film footage at the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora (website: www.bh.org.il).  

 Learn about the 3,000-year history of Jaffa (the world’s oldest commercial port) and the city of Tel Aviv (one of the world’s newest cities) at the small Jaffa Museum and the vast Eretz Israel Museum (website: www.eretzmuseum.org.il).  

 Have fun while learning about Israel’s kaleidoscope of history at the fascinating seafront ruins of Caesarea (website: www.caesarea.org.il), once a great Roman city, with later Byzantine and Crusader sections. Wander marked paths or visit the Caesarea Experience multimedia presentation.  

 Sense the inspiration of Jesus’ day at Christian sites around the beautiful Sea of Galilee, such as Capernaum, Cana, and the Mount of Beatitudes. Nearby is his home town Nazareth, now the largest Arab city in Israel.  

 Enjoy breathtaking views of the Dead Sea, the Negev Desert and the mountains of Moab from the ruins of the Palace of King Herod high on the ridge of Masada (Mezada), where Jews fighting Romans made their last stand.

 Imagine the Essene scribes of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written, at their enigmatic site among the caves where the scrolls were discovered by a Bedouin shepherd boy in ancient pottery jars in 1947.  

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Top Things To Do

 Coat yourself in health-giving mud at Dead Sea spa resorts. It is also impossible to sink in this ‘sea’, which is in fact an inland lake with intensely salty, mineral-rich water, lying at the lowest point on earth.

 Visit pre-War Europe on a stroll, or at least a bus ride, through Jerusalem’s Mea She’arim district, home to Israel’s largest community of strictly observant Orthodox Jews who keep all their East European dress and traditions alive.  

 Tuck in to freshly caught fish, for example at one of the seafront restaurants with stunning sea views in the traffic-free centre of Jaffa, the oldest working port in the world, now part of Tel Aviv.  

 Haggle and buy anything from bargain souvenirs to real gold jewellery at open-fronted Arab stores along the Street of the Chain, the main market street in Jerusalem’s Old City. Side turnings lead into even more exotic market streets.  

 Feel the power of the desert on a trip into the Negev. There are tours by jeep, on foot or on horseback from the desert town of Mitzpe Ramon and from the Red Sea resort of Eilat.  

 Go underwater sightseeing in the coral-rich waters off Eilat. Scuba or snorkel on underwater trails, take a submarine tour, or just marvel at the scene through the windows of the Eilat’s amazing Underwater Observatory.  

 Post a prayer to God by pushing a note between the mighty stones of the Western Wall, worn smooth by millennia of devotional caresses. All around, a constant flow of people can always be found here.

Go to a performance by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, or the New Israel Opera, or one of several other great orchestras in Tel Aviv which draw audiences from all over the world.

 Enjoy the bustle of Tel Aviv’s fascinating Shuk HaCarmel, or Carmel Market, as shoppers who came here from Eastern Europe or the Jewish quarters of Arab towns throng between stalls piled high with herbs and exotic fresh produce.

Follow Jesus’ footsteps along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem’s Old City. It traces the traditional path he walked from judgment to crucifixion. The nine ’stations’ along the route lead to five more in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 

 Become acquainted with kibbutz life by visiting, or perhaps staying in, one of these intriguing semi-communal communities that can be found all over the country. Many have good facilities for tourists.

 Get back to nature at Israel’s 50+ national parks and nature reserves such as Hurshat Tal, Gamla Reserve and Ahziv National Park. As well as a wealth of flora and fauna, many are home to historic sites (website: www.parks.org.il).

Enjoy the sea at sandy well-equipped beach resorts where you can sail, surf, swim or waterski or just sunbathe either at Eilat on the Red Sea, along the Mediterranean or even in Tel Aviv minutes from the city centre. 

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Going Out

Food and Drink

Israeli eating has distinctive characteristics, especially the fondness for fresh, finely chopped salads, eaten at every meal including breakfast. In general the cuisine is a fusion of East and West, plus many dishes and flavours brought by Jewish immigrants from all over the world. Most restaurants are moderately priced. Table service is the norm, except at the  many low-cost snack bars. Restaurants, bars and cafes catering for tourists usually have menus in both Hebrew and English.

Things to know: The Hebrew word kosher means conforming to Jewish religious laws. Milk, cream or cheese may not be served in the same meal as meat. Pork and shellfish are not kosher, and rarely seen, although imitation seafood is common and may be indistinguishable from the real thing.

National specialities:
• Falafel (deep fried balls of mashed chickpeas) in pitta, with hummus (ground chickpeas), tahina (sesame seed sauce) and salads.
• Salads, which include savoury vegetable dishes served cold, such as aubergines.
• Shishlik (charcoal grilled meat on a skewer).
• Shwarma (slices of grilled meat served in a pitta bread with salad).
• Bean stews, with ful beans.
• Ashkenazi classics like cholent (Shabbat meat stew) and gefilte fish, a white fish dish.

National drinks:
• Soft drinks - Israelis are among the world’s largest consumers.
• Fresh fruit juices - very popular and widely available, made from all kinds of fruit.
• The wines of Israel range from light white to dry red and sweet rosé. The best come from the Golan and Carmel regions.
• Gold Star and Maccabe, Israeli beers.
• Sabra (chocolate and orange liqueur). A centre for liqueurs is the monastery at Latrun on the road between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: A 15% service charge is added to restaurant, cafe and hotel bills by law. There is no need to add any further tip.

Nightlife

There are nightclubs and discos in most cities. Israel’s club scene, particularly Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, draws DJs and club fans from the USA and Europe. Tel Aviv has a wealth of entertainment and there are rock, jazz, folk and pop music clubs in all the main cities and resorts. Israeli folklore and dance shows can be seen everywhere, especially in the kibbutzim.

Particularly prominent in Israeli life are classical music, ballet, opera and theatre, which are mainly based in Tel Aviv. The city has 18 out of Israel’s 35 performing arts centres, including the mainstream Habima Theatre and the contemporary Suzanne Dellal Centre. The New Israel Opera (website: www.israel-opera.co.il) performs at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts centre. The Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra (website: www.ipo.co.il) can be heard at the Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv, the Haifa Auditorium, and the ICC Center in Jerusalem.

Cinema is extremely popular in Israel and many cinemas screen three daily shows of international and local films (all Hebrew films are subtitled in English and French). Tickets and even the films themselves can be purchased from ticket agencies and sometimes from hotels.

Shopping

There is a wide choice for shoppers in Israel. Contrary to a widespread belief among visitors, bargaining is not usual in Israel except in the few Arab markets. There are also very animated Jewish markets (shuks) of tremendous cultural diversity, notably the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv. The best place to buy food is at these outdoor markets; the produce is cheap and fresh.

Tourists benefit from a zero rate of VAT (a tax on transactions) on many goods and services. In addition, when buying from souvenir and specialist shops displaying a Ministry of Tourism sign, especially jewellers and luxury good stores, it is possible to obtain a refund of VAT: when making your purchase, ask for a Tax Refund Invoice; then, when leaving the country, take the invoice to the tax refund desk at the airport or port for the VAT refund.

Shopping hours: Sun-Fri 0800-1900; some shops close 1300-1600 and some early on Friday. Remember that Jewish-run stores close for Shabbat from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, while Arabic stores close Friday. It takes a while to realise that Sunday is a normal working day unlike in Christian countries. For shoppers, Jewish stores are therefore open Friday, Arab markets Saturday and both are open Sunday when Christian stores close. Shops in hotels are often open until midnight.


Climate

Mediterranean, with a pleasant spring and autumn. Winters in the north can be cool. Occasional light rain in winter is possible, particularly in Jerusalem, though recent years have seen insufficient rain. Snow is rare. Summers can be very hot, especially in the south. The Red Sea resort of Eilat has a good climate for beach holidays all year round.

Required Clothing

Lightweight clothes for warmer months are required. Mediumweights are recommended for winters, although on the Red Sea coast they are unlikely to be necessary during the day.


Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
21 Mar Purim.
20-26 Apr* Pesach (Passover).
8 May Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day).
9 Jun Shavuot (Pentecost).
30 Sep-1 Oct Rosh Hashana (New Year).
9 Oct Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
14-20 Oct* Sukkot (Tabernacles).
21 Oct Simchat Torah.
22-29 Dec Chanukah (Festival of Lights).

2009
21 Mar Purim.
9-15 Apr* Pesach (Passover).
8 May Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day).
29 May Shavuot (Pentecost).
19-20 Sep Rosh Hashana (New Year).
28 Sep Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
3-9 Oct* Sukkot (Tabernacles).
10 Oct Simchat Torah.
12-19 Dec Chanukah (Festival of Lights).

Note

*Only the first and last days of Passover and Sukkot are national holidays, but there may be some disruption on intermediate dates; many shops and businesses may open but close early. The festival of Chanukah is a holiday period, but it is not a national holiday - businesses remain open. Jewish festivals always commence on the evenings before the dates given above.

The Jewish religious day is Saturday (Shabbat) and begins at nightfall on Friday until nightfall on Saturday. Most public services and shops close early on Friday as a result. Muslim and Christian holidays are also observed by the respective populations. Thus, depending on the district, the day of rest falls on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.


Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

Israel has excellent medical facilities and tourists may go to all emergency departments and first-aid centres. However, any form of medical treatment can be expensive. Health centres are marked by the red Star of David on a white background. Medical insurance is recommended.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

New Shekel (ILS) = 100 agorot (singular, agora). Notes are in denominations of ILS200, 100, 50, and 20. Coins are in denominations of ILS100, 50, 10, 5 and 1, and 50 and 10 agorot.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currency can only be exchanged at authorised banks, hotels and change shops. Change shops found in most cities charge no commission and equal the bank exchange rates. It is advisable to leave Israel with the minimum of Israeli currency. Payment in foreign currency exempts tourists from VAT on certain purchases and services, and is sometimes preferred by shop keepers.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

All major credit cards are accepted. ATMs are widely available.

Traveller's Cheques

These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take the traveller’s cheques in US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Sun-Fri 0830-1200 and Sun, Tues, Thurs 1600-1800.


Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No/1
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Passport Note

(a) Former nationals of Israel holding a foreign passport must have written proof of having given up Israeli identity, otherwise they may be required to obtain a new Israeli passport or renew their original one.
(b) Tourists continuing to Arab countries excluding Egypt and Jordan are recommended to request that an Israeli stamp does not appear in their passport. The granting of such requests is at the discretion of the authorities.

Passports

Passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond intended date of arrival required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to three months except:
(a) 1. nationals of Romania.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

Nationals are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements if staying for longer than three months or if travelling for business purposes.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses for details.

Working Days Required

Some visas will require authorisation from Israel and so it is advisable to contact the embassy before booking travel tickets. Generally tourists are advised to allow seven working days.


Contact Addresses

Embassy of Israel in the UK

2 Palace Green, London W8 4QB, UK
Tel: (020) 7957 9500.
Website: http://london.mfa.gov.il
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1730.
Consular section: 15a Old Court Palace, London W8 4QB, UK
Tel: (020) 7957 9576/9627/9680.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 1000-1330, Fri 1000-1230.

Israel Government Tourist Office in the UK

UK House, 180 Oxford Street, London W1D 1NN, UK
Tel: (020) 7299 1100/10/11.
Website: www.thinkisrael.com 

Embassy of Israel in the USA

3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 364 5500 or 5527 (consular section).
Website: www.israelemb.org 

Israel Government Tourist Office in the USA

800 Second Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 499 5660 or 1 888 774 7723.
Website: www.goisrael.com


Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits to Israel are trouble-free. However, the situation is unstable in the OPTs, though it varies depending on what area you visit. It is advised against all travel to Gaza because of the security situation and kidnap threat. Many people also have difficulties on entry and exit at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv.

It is advised against all travel to Sheba’a Farms and Ghajar on the border with Lebanon because of military operations. It is also advised against all but essential travel to areas within 5km (3.1 miles) of the Gaza perimeter, including Sderot, because of rocket fire from Gaza. Following recent events in Gaza, Israel has closed Route 10 (Israel/Egypt border) and prohibited access to sites 3km east of the road. Following the reported death of Hezbollah military commander Imad Mughniyah in Damascus on 12 February 2008, there may be an increased risk of tension between Hezbollah and Israel over Israel’s northern border.

A high threat from terrorism in Israel remains. Following renewed Israeli military action in Gaza in May 2007, Palestinian militant groups have threatened attacks in Israel. There was a terrorist attack on 4 February 2008 in a commercial area in Dimona, southern Israel, killing one civilian and injuring at least 10 others.

It is strongly advised to maintain a high level of vigilance when travelling anywhere in Jerusalem, and to follow local advice. You are advised to take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. There remains a risk of demonstrations which have the potential to turn violent.

It is advised against all travel to Gaza because of the security situation and kidnap threat. There continue to be frequent clashes between armed Palestinian groups and attacks on individuals, resulting in deaths and injuries. Groups in Gaza are currently actively targeting Western nationals for kidnap.

If you decide to travel to or remain in Gaza, you should review your security arrangements and seek professional security advice on whether they are adequate.  You should use fully protected transport.

It is advised against all but essential travel to the West Bank. Terrorist groups continue to maintain the intent and capability to kidnap foreigners including British nationals, particularly in Nablus and the northern West Bank. The most recent incident, on 20 February 2007, involved three US nationals.

There are frequent demonstrations in Ramallah and elsewhere in the West Bank, some of which have turned violent. For immediate, specific information about planned demonstrations or any other events, which may affect the local security situation, you should register with the consulate-general in Jerusalem.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel




Disclaimer
We've tried to make the information on this page as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.