"It is better to travel well than to arrive" - Buddha
The below doesn't include Covid 19 guidelines which may change constantly, please update at the official websites for the most up-to-date information
Congratulations! You have made an excellent choice travelling to Israel - but just before you board it’s important to keep in mind local laws, safety guidelines and social not written rules. Here are some important tips for first-time visitors to Israel.
Travel documents
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your initial entry into Israel and it is no longer stamped once you enter the country, so if you are planning on travelling to an Arab country that hold no diplomatic ties with Israel in the future, don't worry about that. Visitors from many countries (including the USA ,UK and EU) are visa-exempt, full list of visa required countries here.
Currencies and payments
The currency in Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). Most touristic service providers will accept foreign currencies like US dollars or Euros and most international credit cards are accepted. You can withdraw Shekels in all ATMs or change them in all the money changes. Shekels are used in Palestinian cities of the West Bank as well, but Jordanian dinars are accepted there as well in most places.
Climate and best visiting periods
Best visiting periods are totally subjective and depend on your preferences. In the summer time climate is dry in the interior regions and humid in the coastline, what makes you apreciate our famous mediterranean beaches while in the winter (December to March) Tel Aviv and the coastal areas are warmer and sometimes if you are lucky you can still go to the beach even in November (!). Spring (March to June) is the perfect time for those who prefer exploring the country since the weather is still not too hot.
General behaviour tips
Being sensitive to cultural traditions and political tensions is crucial and discussing politics, religion and everything in between should be done trying not to offend people's feelings.
It is ok taking pictures in touristic places but do consider asking for permission in holy places and it is prohibited taking pictures at the Western Wall (the holiest site in Judaism) on Shabbat (Saturday). Also off-limits for photographers are military sites and border police at checkpoints, and wherever you are not sure - just ask.
Tipping is expected in resturants between 12% and 15% and if you are happy with the service you can tip as well the taxi driver, the tour guide, the bell boy and other service providers.
Safety guidelines
Most places in Israel are perfectly safe for travellers and have very low crime rates, but still you should exercise caution. Entrances to malls, train stations and other pubblic places in Israel all have security guards, so bags need to be opened for a quick inspection. Street crime in Israel is relatively low, but visitors should always be vigilant and avoid wandering alone at night.
When hiking in the nature and visiting the desert always wear a hat, dress with appropriate clothes and closed walking shoes and drink water.
Important emergency numbers are 100 for the police, 101 for ambulance and 102 for fire fighters.
Getting around and business hours
Since Israel is not a big country, it's pretty simple to visit several regions in a small time. Keep in mind that weekend is from Friday to Saturday and a lot of shops and resturants close from Friday afternoons to Saturday evening in order to respect the Shabbat-the Jewish day of rest. However in touristic places like Tel Aviv's city center and Jerusalem's old city activities and convenience stores are still open even in the weekend. Public transportation as well don't work on weekend but there are alternative solutions like taxis and "Sheruts" which are 16 passengers collective taxis driving you inside the cities and between cities 24 hours a day.
2 must-have mobile apps to download are Gett to order a taxi 24-7 at the click of a button and Moovit app to have accurate and up-to-date bus and train schedules.
Israel’s cultural diversity
Israel is a place where traditions and modern lifstyle live side by side. You can pass from Jerusalem, the holy city sacred for the 3 main monotheistic religions, full of traditions and history, to Tel Aviv, the modern center of start-up nation, night life and liberal lifestyle, in a just 45 minutes ride.
And still you will feel welcome in both cities, enjoying the variety of experiences that each one of them has to offer. Tel Aviv for the beaches, nightlife and the LGBTQ-friendly vibe, and Jerusalem for a greater understanding of Jewish, Christian and Muslim history.
So many different cultures, people, religions, traditions, foods and smells live together in this place and you can get a taste of each one of them as you travel this country wide and long.
Dressing appropriately at sacred sites
From the Temple mount/Al Aqsa mosque and the Western Wall in Jerusalem to the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth and the Bahai gardens in Haifa, Israel full of religious sites and when visiting places of worship like mosques, churches or synagogues it’s important to dress appropriately. For women long trousers or skirts that cover the knees, and keeping shoulders covered with a scarf or a cardigan. Islamic holy sites might also ask women to cover their hair. For men, no shorts above the knees or sleeveless shirts. Keep these modesty guidelines in mind as well when walking through very religious Jewish neighbourhoods in Jerusalem or Muslim-majority areas around the country.
Visiting the West Bank
Many places in the West Bank are perfectly safe for tourists to visit and it is possible to join an organised tour or get a licensed local guide and visit many fascinating points of interest in this area. These include Bethlehem where Jesus was born, Jericho which is the world’s oldest city, Hebron and the Cave of the Patriarchs and Ramallah, a modern Palestinian city with vibrant nightlife. Palestinian cities and towns are demarcated by Israeli military checkpoints, so bear in mind that border officials may require travellers to show identification papers.
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