Israel Travel Guide
| Due to the unstable situation and very high level of general risk, traveling to Israel may be dangerous. Read more |
Tourist season
Are December and January good months to visit Israel?
December
Shoulder
season
January
Shoulder
season
Did you know?
The population of Israel is around 8.66 mil., which puts the country in 100. place in terms of population (out of 231 countries and dependent territories).
How far is it?
1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings
The distance between Jerusalem (IL) and Washington D.C. (US) is 5901 miles
To calculate distance between your location and Jerusalem click here
Country Comparison
Compare Israel to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.
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Cities and Top Tourist Attractions
From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Israel
| Miles | Jerusalem | Tel Aviv | Haifa | Nazareth | Beer Sheva | Bethlehem | Akko | Ashdod |
| Jerusalem | - | 34 | 73 | 64 | 45 | 5 | 80 | 35 |
| Tel Aviv | 34 | - | 52 | 53 | 57 | 36 | 61 | 21 |
| Haifa | 73 | 52 | - | 20 | 109 | 77 | 9 | 73 |
| Nazareth | 64 | 53 | 20 | - | 105 | 69 | 20 | 74 |
| Beer Sheva | 45 | 57 | 109 | 105 | - | 40 | 117 | 39 |
| Bethlehem | 5 | 36 | 77 | 69 | 40 | - | 84 | 34 |
| Akko | 80 | 61 | 9 | 20 | 117 | 84 | - | 82 |
| Ashdod | 35 | 21 | 73 | 74 | 39 | 34 | 82 | - |
A Brief History of Israel
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
1000 - 922 B.C.
Hebrew kingdomKings David and Solomon establish a Hebrew kingdom. Solomon builds the first temple.
332 B.C.
Conquest of JerusalemAlexander the Great conquers Jerusalem.
63 B.C.
The RomansRome, led by Pompey the Great, conquers the region.
634 A.D.
MuslimsMuslim armies take over.
1500s
Turkish ruleThe region comes under Ottoman Turkish rule.
1917
Balfour DeclarationThe Balfour Declaration gives British approval to the effort to create a Jewish homeland. After World War I, the area comes under British control, which allows some Jewish settlement.
1948
State of IsraelOn May 14, the State of Israel is proclaimed. David Ben-Gurion is its first prime minister. Neighboring Arab countries declare war, but Israel survives.
1967
The Six-Day WarIn response to Arab threats, Israel attacks Egypt. After what becomes the Six-Day War, Israel occupies the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Syria's Golan Heights, and extends its control to all of Jerusalem.
1973
The Yom Kippur WarOn October 6, during a Jewish holy day, Egypt attacks territory occupied by Israel. The conflict is known as the Yom Kippur War.
1978
Egypt-Israel peace treatyEgyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin sign the U.S.-sponsored Camp David Accords. The countries sign a peace treaty on March 26, 1979.
1982
Israel invades LebanonIsrael invades Lebanon to drive out Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) fighters who are attacking northern Israel.
1987
Palestinian uprisingA Palestinian uprising against Israel starts in the West Bank and Gaza.
1993
The Oslo AccordsThe PLO and Israel agree to recognize each other's existence. The treaty is known as the Oslo Accords.
1994
Jordan-Israel peace treatyJordan and Israel sign a peace treaty.
2008
Israeli attacksThe Palestinians and Israelis continue to trade attacks. The U.S. tries to restart the peace process.
2009
Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin Netanyahu becomes Prime Minister.
2010
FiresIn December, a forest fire rages for four days in northern Israel. It is the biggest and deadliest in Israel's history.
Best Ways to Experience Israel
- Cuisine
- Art
- Animals
Practical Information for Travelers
- Budget
- Currency
- Vaccinations
- Visa
- Electricity
Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country
MoreBackpacker's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).from
Tourist's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.from
Currency
MoreNew Israeli Sheqel (ILS)
- EUR
- GBP
- ILS
- USD
- EUR
- GBP
- ILS
- USD
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Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Israel.
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
Israel for tourism
A visa is not required.
- Allowed stay: 3 months
- Dual nationals of Israel and the United States who don't have an Israeli passport, including infants, may be required to obtain an Israeli passport in order to leave Israel.
- Entry prohibited for any person "who knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel".
Electricity
230V (50 Hz)
In Israel the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, H sockets are used.
Click on the socket icon to see more information
Type C
Type HFacts and Figures
Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country
Population | 100 / 231 Ranking | 8 655 535 Jewish 75.1% (of which Israel-born 73.6%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 17.9%, Africa-born 5.2%, Asia-born 3.2%), non-Jewish 24.9% (mostly Arab) |
Area | 154 / 230 Ranking | 8 thous. mi² |
Life expectancy | 7 / 196 Ranking | 83.2 Life expectancy expressed in years.men 81.3women 85.2 |
Median age | 74 / 157 Ranking | 30.4 Average age of population expressed in years.men 29.8women 31 |
Population growth | 63 / 172 Ranking | 1.45% The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss. |
Literacy | 22 / 131 Ranking | 97.8% Ability to read, write and count.men 98.7%women 96.8% |
GDP | 32 / 194 Ranking | 42 391 INT$ GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population. |
Lebanon