Jaffa, Tel Aviv, IsraelVideo: PoRtnOy, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Israel
Israel, made simple: ancient stones, Mediterranean beaches and the lowest place on earth
Israel packs an extraordinary amount into a small country: the Old City of Jerusalem, sacred to three faiths, the beaches and cafes of Tel Aviv, the hills and lake of the Galilee, Haifa's terraced gardens and the salty calm of the Dead Sea. It also raises real questions, about the ETA-IL, security, Shabbat transport and costs. This guide answers them plainly so you can travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyThe ETA-IL, current travel advice, seasons and budgets, answered
- LandingBen Gurion Airport, trains, SIM cards and your first night, explained
- Your days in IsraelHoly sites, beaches, markets, desert and Galilee hills, planned with care
- Home againAirport security and departure tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain the shekel, cards, VAT, tipping and typical budgets so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Israel should feel inspiring, not stressful. We answer the questions about entry, security, Shabbat, money and transport before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming home from New York, London, Paris or Toronto to see family, making a first heritage trip, or visiting the Holy Land as a pilgrim? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your IsraelHoly sites, beaches and nightlife, food, hiking or desert: start with the destinations that match your trip.
- Check the essentialsApply for the ETA-IL if your passport needs it, and read your government's current travel advice before booking.
- Shape your routePlan around Shabbat, when most trains and buses stop from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list to find markets, hummus counters, beaches and stays you will love.
Everything your Israel trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred markets, hummus spots, beaches, museums, bars and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Tel Aviv and stays across the country.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Israel trip
City, sea, lake and desert in one easy loop
Most first trips use two or three bases. Start in Tel Aviv for beaches, Jaffa's old port and the food of the Carmel Market, then take the fast train to Jerusalem for the Old City, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Yad Vashem. Spend a night or two by the Sea of Galilee for Nazareth, Capernaum and Golan wineries, see Haifa's Bahai Gardens on the way, and finish with a float in the Dead Sea and a sunrise climb at Masada. Ten days covers the highlights comfortably.
- The Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall
- Beaches and markets in Tel Aviv and Jaffa
- Christian sites around the Sea of Galilee
- Masada at sunrise and a Dead Sea float
Start with the destinations
See how the cities, the lake and the desert fit together.
Israel destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Israel rewards a little preparation: the ETA-IL checked for your passport, an eye on current travel advice, a plan for Shabbat when public transport pauses, and a budget that allows for high prices. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- The right season for beaches, hiking or holy days
- Where to base yourself for day trips
- How to move around on Shabbat
Where to go in Israel
From the golden stone of Jerusalem and the beaches of Tel Aviv to Haifa's gardens, the shores of the Sea of Galilee and the desert calm of the Dead Sea.
Jerusalem District
Jerusalem
A walled Old City sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, with world-class museums and a market that comes alive at night.
Read the guidePhoto: Ricardo Tulio Gandelman from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tel Aviv District
Tel Aviv
Beaches, Bauhaus, markets and nightlife, with the ancient port of Jaffa at its southern end.
Read the guidePhoto: Amos Meron, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Haifa District
Haifa
A hillside port city of terraced gardens, mixed neighbourhoods and easy trips to Crusader Akko.
Read the guidePhoto: Yuval Y, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern District
Sea of Galilee
A lake ringed by hills and holy sites, with Nazareth, the Golan and Safed close by.
Read the guidePhoto: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern District
Dead Sea
Float in the lowest place on earth, climb Masada at sunrise and walk to desert springs at Ein Gedi.
Read the guidePhoto: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is it safe to travel to Israel right now?
The situation can change quickly. Read your own government's travel advice before you book and again before you fly, as some border areas, Gaza and parts of the West Bank carry warnings. Follow Home Front Command instructions while you are there and know where the nearest shelter is.
Do I need a visa or the ETA-IL to visit Israel?
Many visa-exempt travellers must now get an electronic travel authorisation, the ETA-IL, before flying. Rules depend on your passport, so check the official Population and Immigration Authority site well before travel.
How many days do I need in Israel?
A week covers Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the Dead Sea. Ten days to two weeks lets you add the Galilee, Haifa and the Negev desert at an easy pace.
Is Israel expensive?
Yes, it is one of the pricier countries in the region, especially for hotels and restaurants. Markets, street food like falafel and hummus, and public transport help keep a trip mid-range.
What is Shabbat and how does it affect travellers?
Shabbat runs from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall. Most trains and buses stop, and many shops close, especially in Jerusalem, though Tel Aviv stays lively. Plan travel days around it.
What is the best time to visit Israel?
Spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, bring warm days and comfortable sightseeing. Summer is hot and humid on the coast and very hot at the Dead Sea.
Ready to find your Bliss in Israel?
Tell us your dates, interests and travel style and our free planner will help you shape a route that fits.