Israel Itinerary: Your 7 Day Travel Guide

Israel is an extremely numerous panorama of Biblical websites, desert, mountains, and luxurious landscapes. With a lot magnificence, historical past, and tradition it may be laborious to know the place to start out. If you happen to’re planning a visit to Israel this information will allow you to plan your good itinerary!

This journey information to Israel is for a 7 day itinerary, however I’ve obtained choices for each shorter and longer journeys.

Although it is a small nation, in regards to the measurement of New Jersey, Israel has made a big impact on the world. As a result of it is a spot brimming with know-how and innovation in Tel Aviv and the Biblical websites in Jerusalem, it is on many individuals’s bucket checklist. I found there’s way more to Israel than simply these two wonderful cities.

Israel is without doubt one of the most essential spiritual locations for 3 totally different religions: Jews, Christians, and Muslims, which implies many non secular and nonreligious folks discover this space fascinating. Tracing the historical past again by means of landmarks of among the most important occasions, touring right here brings the historical past books to life.

Israel Overview

Day 1: Tel Aviv and Jaffa

Day 2: Mediterranean Coast: Caesara Nationwide Park, Tulip Vineyard, Akko, Tiberias

Day 3: Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Magdala, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Tabgha, Golan Heights

Day 4: Jesus Baptism Web site on the Jordan River, The Lifeless Sea, Qumran

Day 5: Jerusalem

Day 6: Jerusalem and Tel Aviv

Day 7: Tel Aviv

Day 1: Tel Aviv & Jaffa

Begin your journey in Tel Aviv. This metropolis is named the “Silicon Wadi” due to its booming high-tech business. It is a younger and vibrant metropolis with lots to supply together with nice nightlife, seashores, and eating places. Whereas there, be sure you take a look at among the well-known vacationer websites just like the Outdated Jaffa Port, the Carmel Market, and Bauhaus structure.

Jaffa is without doubt one of the oldest cities on the earth at over 4,000 years outdated! It is a metropolis with loads of character, so simply strolling round is an effective way to discover. Traverse the slender, winding streets and browse the artwork galleries, cafes, and outlets.

If you happen to like graffiti and murals, take a look at the distinctive Florentin neighborhood. That is the place you will discover among the greatest road artwork in Tel Aviv. Subsequent, you will discover the Bauhaus development alongside Rothschild Boulevard within the “White Metropolis.” Beautiful houses with clear traces are constructed in rows. That is the biggest single city ensemble of Trendy structure on the earth and the primary trendy metropolis in Israel.

Day 2: Mediterranean Coast: Caesara Nationwide Park, Tulip Vineyard, Akko, Tiberias

Drive North alongside the coast to go to among the Roman ruins at Caesara Nationwide Park. It is a stunning spot for climbing, picnicking, and swimming. The park is situated on the Mediterranean coast and has beautiful views.

That is the place you will discover the ruins of the port metropolis that King Herod constructed. Proper on the water you will discover mosaic flooring and even an amphitheater that is nonetheless in use as we speak.

Afterwards, head to the Tulip Winery for a tour and tasting. Not solely is the wine scrumptious and distinctive, there is a function behind it. The vineyard works with a group of particular wants people to assist produce the wine. The distinctive wine is completely the very best I had on the journey. I used to be so impressed with their mission in serving to the group.

Subsequent, cease is Akko. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site with loads of historical past. Akko is an outdated metropolis with a Crusader previous. It is now a peaceable place with a fantastic harbor.

The outdated metropolis of Akko is surrounded by fortifications and is a good place to discover. Head down into the partitions’ tunnels to find the Ethnographic Museum and tour of the Hospitallers Order’s Fortress from the Crusader interval. Uncover the wonderful ruins of a long-forgotten order, in addition to restored and spectacularly reconstructed areas, courtyards, and streets which have been misplaced for hundreds of years however at the moment are being revitalized to inform their story.

Akko additionally has colourful markets, museums, seashores, a fishermen’s port, marina, and loads of seafood eating places making it an incredible place to discover.

Finish your day in Tiberius, situated on the Sea of Galilee. It is a great place to chill out and benefit from the views.

An awesome place to eat in Tiberius is Deck’s Restaurant for many tasty meat and seafood choices.

Day 3: Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Magdala, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Tabgha, Golan Heights

From Tiberius we drove over to Magdala. That is the place Mary Magdalene is from. Right here, there is a model new lodge for the many individuals who make the pilgrimage right here.

Positioned close to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Magdala was fishing village which had a synagogue. Uncovered in 2009, archaeologists found the presence of a Jewish group in Magdala by discovering the First Century Synagogue. This synagogue is one among seven on the earth and the very best preserved as we speak.

Most notably, archeologists discovered the Magdala Stone, a discovery they’ve quoted to be, “some of the important finds up to now 50 years.” Right here, Jesus taught, healed and preached.

Subsequent we headed to Mount of Beatitudes, the place the place Jesus is alleged to have given the Sermon on the Mount.

It is a stunning and peaceable spot overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Whether or not or not when you’re spiritual, it is a religious place to replicate.

Tabgha is one other vacationer cease on the Sea of Galilee. Right here is the place you will discover the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. The mosaics listed below are stunning and that is the spot the place Jesus multiplied the fish and bread to feed the multitude of individuals.

Be sure that to cease on the museum to see the Historical Galilee Boat, additionally recognized on the Jesus Boat from the first century AD! Found in 1986 on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee the boat was carbon dated to close the time when Jesus was residing and dealing as a fisherman on the ocean.

Subsequent, we drove to Capernaum, which is taken into account by many as Jesus’ residence base throughout his Galilean ministry because it’s talked about so typically within the New Testomony.

This fishing village was the place Jesus was staying, preaching, and performing miracles. The stays that had been discovered are in depth. There are large temple ruins in addition to outlines of houses. Right here is the place Jesus collected disciples, as Jesus was mentioned to be a fisher of males. All of the disciples had been fisherman besides Matthew, who was a tax collector and Judas who wasn’t from Capernaum.

That is the place you will discover the stays of a synagogue and Peter’s home.

We rounded out our day within the Golan Heights, the place we shockingly noticed snow on the hillsides!

Golan Heights is a surprisingly stunning place with epic viewpoints and lovely landscapes. 

Subsequent we went to a very transferring spot, Eli Cohen Bunker. In the present day, you may see the previous Syrian bunkers that stay on the Golan Heights from 1967 (in addition to the tanks from 1973).

Eli Cohen performed a serious function in spying for Israel in 1961–65 in Syria, the place he developed shut relationships with the Syrian political and army hierarchy. (There’s an incredible Netflix sequence referred to as “The Spy” that I extremely advocate!).

That is an extremely transferring expertise to see and find out about what occurred right here in addition to the story of Eli Cohen.

Cap your day without work with some scrumptious sizzling chocolate at De Karina.

Day 4: Jesus Baptism Web site on the Jordan River, The Lifeless Sea, Qumran

It is a bit of a dispute as to the place Jesus was baptized, we went to the Baptism site in Jordan in addition to Israel. However irrespective of the place you might be, it is a transferring expertise to go to the Jordan River and dip your hand within the water the place he was baptized.

A good looking place to go to along with the Baptismal website is Yardenit Baptismal website is a fantastic place the place many Christians come to get baptized.

Subsequent, we headed to a Kibbutz, that are communal settlements in Israel right here historically all wealth is held in widespread and earnings are reinvested within the settlement. Ein Geddi Lodge and Kibbutz has a fantastic botanical backyard, spa, and a spot for retreats.

The following cease is the well-known Lifeless Sea! The water is extremely salty and you may’t assist however float. The truth is, it is essential that you do not get the water in your mouth!

There’s additionally black mud that’s mentioned to have therapeutic properties. So be sure that to cowl your self in it! You could find this mud at many of the spas close to the Lifeless Sea. We headed to Kalia Seaside the place you may float like a cork and expertise the true feeling of weightlessness.

As a result of the water is so salty, you will float simply! You can watch me float here!

Wadi Felt Viewpoint is alleged to be the setting for Psalm 23:4 “the Valley of the Shadow of Loss of life.” It is a stunning spot to see the Wadi Qelt gorge. 

Lastly, we went to Qumran, the place the place the Lifeless Sea Scrolls had been found!

The Lifeless Sea Scrolls are a set of 972 historic manuscripts that had been discovered within the Qumran Caves in 1947. They’re the oldest recognized copies of the Hebrew Bible and date again to 400 BCE. The scrolls had been written by the Essenes, a Jewish spiritual sect who lived in Qumran from the 2nd century BCE to the first century CE.

You’ll be able to see among the scrolls on show on the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, nevertheless it’s actually cool to see the place they had been discovered!

We ended our day in Jerusalem so we may stand up early the following day and discover.

Day 5: Jerusalem

Ensure you depart time for Jerusalem as a result of there’s an immense quantity to see. I might advocate at the least 2 days right here to get a grasp of every part it’s essential see and do.

First cease is the Hill of Golgatha. You will get an unbelievable view of the Outdated Metropolis of Jerusalem from right here. It is also referred to as the place of the Cranium as a result of it’s mentioned that that is the place Jesus was crucified.

The Mount of Olives is crowded with church buildings and residential to the world’s oldest repeatedly used cemetery, which makes it a must-see for spiritual vacationers to Jerusalem. Even the nonreligious might benefit from the breathtaking metropolis views from the height.

That is the place Jesus ascended to heaven after his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection.

The Church of the Ascension, perched on prime of the mount, was inbuilt 1910 and presents spectacular views of Jerusalem.

The Church of the Pater Noster, constructed close to to the location the place Jesus instructed and gathered his disciples.

Then there’s the Church of Dominus Flevit is which is supposedly constructed over the location the place Jesus wept for Jerusalem. Inbuilt 1955 within the historic Byzantine model by Christian’s, its referred to as the weeping church or the church of the tear, as a result of there are 4 corners which have locations for choices which appear like urns or tears.

Church of Mary Magdalene is a Orthodox Christian church situated on the slope of the Mount of Olives, instantly throughout the Kidron Valley from the Temple Mount. The church was inbuilt 1888 by Tsar Alexander III and his brothers to honor their mom, Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia who was killed by Rasputin.

The Gardens of Gethsemane is a fantastic backyard amongst a grove of olive timber regarded as the place the place Jesus suffered agony within the backyard and was arrested earlier than his crucifixion.

For the Greek Orthodox, the Virgin Mary’s tomb is situated within the Church of All Nations. The inside of the church is wonderful with hanging lanterns throughout. 

Church of the Holy Sepulchre is maybe crucial spot for Christians as that is the place Jesus died on the cross and was buried and resurrected. Ensure you depart at the least half-hour to an hour to discover right here as you may stroll inside Jesus’ tomb and see the slab the place he was laid after his crucifixion.

The following cease is the Wailing Wall, or the Western Wall, which is the holiest website in Judaism. It’s a remnant of the Second Temple and is a spot the place Jews come to hope.

There are separate sides for women and men. You will see folks praying and inserting notes within the cracks of the wall. I like to recommend writing a notice and inserting it within the wall your self. It is really a transferring expertise.

Then we went to the Western Wall Museum. I extremely advocate this. The truth is, that is one among my favourite issues I did on the journey. This underground tour helps offer you a a lot better overview of the historical past of the wall, the people who come to hope, and why this place is so essential.

What we see of the Western Wall is such a tiny quantity, going to this museum helps us perceive the affect on so many as we speak.

Make sire you head to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, on the south finish of the Western Wall Plaza, the place archaeologists have discovered unbelievable remnants of outdated Jerusalem.

We walked up By way of Dolorosa Avenue, the identical pathway Jesus walked to be crucified. That is the place you may see the fourteen stations of the cross marked. On the best way, you will additionally see the Chapel of Flagellation, Station 2, the place Jesus is consider to have been flogged.

Lastly, cease within the Room of the Final Supper, additionally referred to as the Cenacle. That is situated on an higher ground of King David’s Tomb, that is thought of to be one of many holiest websites in Jerusalem.

Day 6: Jerusalem

We spent the early a part of the day taking the Rampart Stroll. To achieve it stroll by means of Jaffa Gate, one of many primary Gates to the Outdated Metropolis of Jerusalem. The Rampart Stroll is a path that goes alongside the highest of the Outdated Metropolis partitions and presents unbelievable views.

Ensure you cease at one of many a number of lookout factors to get a view of your entire metropolis. You can too see the Mount of Olives and the Dome on the Rock from right here.

We then went as much as Dome on the Rock. There’s a roof on the doorway and you will undergo safety with the intention to attain the Dome. You can not go inside until you are Muslim, nevertheless it’s a fantastic and ornate place to view from the skin.

In keeping with Jews, Christians, and Muslims, that is the spot the place Abraham (father of all three monotheistic faiths) supplied his son as a sacrifice to God, the place Solomon constructed the First Temple for the Ark of the Covenant, and the place Prophet Muhammad is alleged to have ascended to heaven throughout his early years of preaching Islam.

It’s a holy website for folks of religion, and it has been the scene of many a non secular quarrel over who rightfully owns this space.

Jerusalem’s most well-known monument, the Dome of the Rock, is encircled by an enormous plaza that extends south from the Outdated Metropolis. The sacred stone underneath the golden dome the place Jews and Muslims consider Abraham supplied his son to God and the place Muslims consider the Prophet Muhammad started his journey to heaven.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque, on the southern slope of the mount, is without doubt one of the world’s oldest mosques.

Jerusalem is damaged up into totally different quarters: Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Armenian. Regardless of being tightly packed, they every are distinct from each other. Be sure that to depart time to go to every.

The Armenian Patriarchate Highway is the principle thoroughfare of the Outdated Metropolis’s tiny Armenian Quarter. The St. James Cathedral and St. Mark’s Chapel could be discovered throughout the winding pathways of this district, which obtain considerably much less visitors than different websites within the metropolis.

Cap the day without work by heading to the Israel Museum. This homes unbelievable collections together with the Lifeless Sea Scrolls. I additionally advocate Yad Vashem museum, which is a memorial complicated to Holocaust victims. A transferring and essential museum that share tales, recollections, and the resilience of the Jews in the course of the Holocaust.

Jerusalem is huge and there is a lot to see and do on this one metropolis. I spent two days however may have simply stayed extra. We headed again to Tel Aviv that night time and spent the night time right here.

Day 7: Tel Aviv

On our final day we explored extra of Tel Aviv! Since Jerusalem is stepped in spiritual historical past, this was one of the best ways to finish the journey. We explored Carmel Market, one of many oldest and hottest markets, or Shuk Hacarmel, in Tel Aviv.

You will discover spices, nuts, dried fruit, olives, cheese, fish, meat, and way more. It is an incredible place to do some memento purchasing for foodie mates again residence.

Ensure you get some pomegranate juice, halva, and, you actually cannot leae with out attempting “malawach.” The full of life and scrumptious malawach stand is a spot I like to recommend you return to many times! It is a Yemenite dish served on a spongy bread referred to as lachuch with tahini, tomato, egg, meat and spices.

Additionally, be sure that to strive the cauliflower! It is scrumptious!

Take a look at the Tel Aviv Museum of Artwork. the chief for Israel’s modern artwork scene with works from Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas, Monet and extra!

Stroll Rothschild Boulveard to see a few of Tel Aviv’s most interesting Bauhaus structure. Be sure that to pop in to totally different cafes, eating places, boutiques, and even hidden bars!

Depart some additional time to soak up the seaside at sundown or chill out at one of many seaside bars. Its one of the best ways to unwind!

Further time?

Head to Masada! That is an historic fortress situated on a plateau within the Judean Desert. It was the final stronghold of the Jews in the course of the Nice Revolt in opposition to the Romans.

The Jews of Masada dedicated mass suicide somewhat than give up and undergo humiliation by Emperor Vespasian’s troops, taking their households with them.

The easiest way to see Masada is to take the cable automobile up after which hike down. There are additionally ranger-led excursions accessible.

Or, keep longer in Jerusalem. Outdoors the Outdated Metropolis’s Damascus Gate is East Jerusalem, which has a largely Arab inhabitants. The cave system generally known as Solomon’s Quarries runs underneath town beneath the gardens on the base of the wall. In keeping with historic mythology, this was the place Jerusalem’s stone for its First Temple was quarried.

I additionally advocate spending some additional time in Tel Aviv as there are tons of issues to see and do right here.

How lengthy to remain in Israel

I’d advocate staying in Israel for at the least per week. This provides you with sufficient time to see the entire primary sights and do some exploring. In case you have extra time, you may discover extra of Tel Aviv or locations like Masada.

Is Israel Secure?

For essentially the most half: sure. Nonetheless, there are issues to notice about security whereas touring like many different locations. Israel, now and up to now has handled terror assaults and that is essential to acknowledge. So sure, you want to pay attention to your environment. As a lady I felt very protected strolling round Israel.

Israel is taken into account a protected nation to journey to. Nonetheless, as with all vacation spot, it is very important take precautions and concentrate on your environment. Petty crime similar to pick-pocketing and theft does happen, so be sure you preserve your belongings shut and safe.

When touring to Israel, it is very important be respectful of spiritual customs and websites. Keep in mind that it is a holy land for a lot of totally different religions and be thoughtful of others.

What to pack for Israel

Many surprise what it’s essential put on in Israel. Israel doesn’t have the identical customs as close by Center Jap nations, you need not fear about protecting up. The one time you do is that if visiting Temple Mount in Jerusalem – you will have to put on pants or a skirt and to cowl your shoulders.

It will probably get cool at night time and extremely popular in the summertime.

When to go to Israel

I like to recommend the Fall or Spring time to go to to keep away from the warmth. It is also a good suggestion to notice when spiritual holidays happen like Passover and Ramadan. Issues could be closed or crowded.

Issues to Know Earlier than You Go to Israel

English is broadly spoken, whereas Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages in Israel. Most individuals communicate English nevertheless it’s good to know a couple of Hebrew phrases like “shalom” for hiya, and “toda” for thanks.

Many locations take bank cards, however within the markets money is most popular. The “Shekel” is the forex however many locations truly take American {dollars}.

Israel is not like anyplace I’ve ever visited. With trendy eating places and nightlife together with historical past steeped in faith and traditions that make you’re feeling such as you’ve stepped again in time.

The historical past right here is among the most important and essential on the earth. Jerusalem is the holiest place on earth with the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre the place Jesus died on the cross and Temple Mount. However there’s many extra locations with essential historical past just like the Sea of Galilee, Qumran Nationwide Park, and Caesarea. If biblical websites are essential to you Israel actually cannot be beat.

Backside line: when you’re involved in historical past, spiritual important websites, pure magnificence and tradition I believe it’s best to go to Israel. Basically, I consider in visiting most locations with the intention to acquire an understanding and to be taught. Locations which are sometimes within the information are price visiting so you may kind your individual opinions.