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There’s no better way to experience Israel than by coming to see it first-hand. Find resources on the best hotels, new restaurants, exhibits, activities and sites to make the most of your next trip to Israel.

Travel
Jerusalem’s ancient Tower of David gets a high-tech makeover
By Elana Shap
Bathers queuing up for the showers at an Ein Bokek (Dead Sea) beach. Photo by B-1972 via Shutterstock.com
Travel
The do’s and don’ts of waiting in line (sort of) in Israel
By Naama Barak
Travel
Doing lunch in Israel, worker style
By Elana Shap
A train traveling on Israel Railways. Photo by Yuriy Chertok via Shutterstock.com
Travel
11 things to know before boarding a bus or train in Israel
By Naama Barak
Inside HaBigudit’s King David Street branch in Tel Aviv. Photo courtesy of WIZO
Travel
Check out these second hand shops that benefit great causes
By Abigail Klein Leichman
A sign points to the city of Arad along Highway 31. Photo: Shabtay via Shutterstock.com
Travel
Experience relaxed desert tourism in Arad
By Elana Shap
Jerusalem introduces the Red Bus City Tour. Photo by Dana Heftzadi/This is Jerusalem
Travel
Tour Jerusalem in a red double-decker bus with narration
By Abigail Klein Leichman
For graffiti artist Benzi Brofman, street art is an opportunity to touch and influence people. Photo courtesy of Benzi Brofman
Travel
‘Painting on walls is an integral part of my soul’
By Naama Barak
Hagay Ben Yehuda mills his breadmaking wheat onsite in Tel Aviv. Photo by Noa Ben Yehuda
Travel
Tel Aviv baker’s luscious loaves made from ancient wheat
By Elana Shap
A woman celebrating Israel's 75th Independence Day in Jerusalem, April 26, 2023. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Travel
15 things you probably didn’t know about Israel
Business partners Ben Shukrun, left, and Avi Barkai with their camper vans. Photo courtesy of Ein Gedi Camp Lodge
Travel
Camper vans bring hippie culture to a Dead Sea visit
By Elana Shap
Photo by AstroStar via Shutterstock.com
Travel
Top live shows to catch in Israel this spring and summer
By Naama Barak
Crypt of Saint George in Lod, Israel. Photo by Marina Sorkin
Travel
The famous Christian martyr buried in Lod 
By Mariano Man
Photo courtesy of Root and Leaf Farm
Travel
8 places to pick fresh produce in Israel
By Abigail Klein Leichman
A physical and spiritual path through Israel. Photo by Golan Rice
Travel
New pilgrimage route revives ancient path from Jaffa to Jerusalem
By Elana Shap

Where to stay in Israel

Photo courtesy of The Vera
Travel
Tel Aviv boutique hotel banishes single-use plastic
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Photo courtesy of The Circassian Heritage Center in Kfar Kama, Israel.
Travel
Galilee Circassian village picked as top tourism spot
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Photo courtesy of Eilat Tourism Corporation
Travel
13 of the best hotels in Eilat
By Abigail Klein Leichman
The David Kempinski hotel on the Tel Aviv waterfront. Photo courtesy of the Kempinski Group
Travel
David Kempinski Tel Aviv named ‘Best New Hotel in the World’
By Abigail Klein Leichman
The Farmhouse in Bat Shlomo. Photo by Amit Geron
Travel
Condé Nast Traveler: Galilee is a top destination for 2023
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Photo courtesy of Setai Sea of Galilee hotel
Best hotels at the Sea of Galilee
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Photo courtesy of the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem
Best hotels in Jerusalem
By Abigail Klein Leichman

Best places to eat

Travel
Challah bread gets the ultimate food porn makeover
By Elana Shap
Injera bread and toppings at Balinjera, Tel Aviv. Photo by Nicky Blackburn
Life
Spice up your life: 10 best Ethiopian eateries in Israel
By Sol Gruffy
Samantha Baron at BlackOut restaurant in Jaffa. Photo by Jordyn Tobasky
A restaurant where diners can’t see their food
By Samantha Baron
Travel
Knafeh becomes an institution at Jerusalem’s shuk
By Sarah Levi
Benedict’s Sarona Market location. The chain offers breakfast in Tel Aviv 24/7. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90
Top 10 spots to enjoy a hearty breakfast in Tel Aviv
By Sol Gruffy
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
7 places to get a great cup of coffee in Tel Aviv
By Oreen Cohen
Chef Yoav Schverd has brought a taste of Israel to Beverly Hills. Photo by Ra Dreyfus for Tel Aviv Groove pop up
Travel
Israeli chef serves up a modern Mediterranean menu in LA
By Elana Shap
Hummus photo by Ella Olsson via Wikimedia Commons
The 12 best hummus joints in Israel
By Sol Gruffy

Israel on a budget

Travel Israel on a budget with our top tips for a wallet-friendly yet fabulous holiday. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90
10 ways to travel Israel on a budget
By Naama Barak
Haifa’s stunning Bahá’í Gardens offer free admission. Photo by Nicky Blackburn
Free Things to Do in Israel
20 of the best things to do in Israel for FREE
By Abigail Klein Leichman
A panorama of Jerusalem by Katie Chen on Unsplash
Top 18 things to do in Jerusalem for free
By Naama Barak
An aerial photo of Tel Aviv's beautiful skyline. Photo by StockStudio Aerials, Shutterstock
18 cool things to do in Tel Aviv for free
By Abigail Klein Leichman

Travel Jerusalem

People riding bicycles in Jerusalem, October 2022. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Travel
TIME picks Jerusalem biking as top 50 destination in 2023
By Abigail Klein Leichman
The hotel’s foyer has a domed ceiling and Armenian mosaics. Photo by Mikaela Burstow
Behind the scenes at an iconic Jerusalem hotel
By Naama Barak
Rina gallery’s Chanan Eliav with parchment-on-wood paintings. Photo by Abigail Klein Leichman
Cool places to experience art in Jerusalem’s Old City
By Abigail Klein Leichman
The Givati parking lot/City of David excavation in the Tyropoeon Valley is the largest active archeological excavation in Jerusalem today. Photo by Yair Izbotski
Excavating Jerusalem’s ancient secrets at the City of David
By Marion Fischel
A light show displayed at The First Station in Jerusalem, February 21, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
9 ways to enjoy Jerusalem’s eclectic art scene
By Jessica Halfin and Abigail Klein Leichman
At Jerusalem’s Tower of David Museum, archeological finds blend in with the newer structure. Photo courtesy of Tower of David Museum
Ancient Jerusalem
10 best places to experience Jerusalem’s ancient history
By Marion Fischel

Travel Tel Aviv

Travel
The 3 best (and 3 worst) places to cycle in Tel Aviv
By Naama Barak
This street in Tel Aviv was named for King George V in 1935. Photo by Danya Belkin
Street Cred
Tracing the history of Tel Aviv through its street names
By Danya Belkin and Oreen Cohen
The new fountain at Dizengoff Square has a European vibe. Photo by Marion Fischel
What to see and do on Tel Aviv’s iconic Dizengoff Street
By Marion Fischel
Photo by Bas van den Eijkhof on Unsplash
Trolleys, dollars and diamonds: Tel Aviv’s most unexpected tour
By Brian Blum
The old and the new combine in Jaffa to create a backdrop like no other. Oleg Zaslavsky via Shutterstock.com
Architecture
9 of the most beautiful buildings in Jaffa
By Naama Barak
There’s no telling what you’ll find at the Jaffa Flea Market. Photo by Yonatan Stern via Wikimedia Commons
4 wacky finds at the Jaffa Flea Market
By Carly Brechner
No vacation is complete without a good book, and nothing's better than getting better acquainted with your destination. Photo by ChameleonsEye via Shutterstock
Life
11 great books you must read before a visit to Tel Aviv
By Naama Barak
The long stretch of beautiful golden beaches off Tel Aviv. Photo by Shutterstock
Beach City
The ultimate guide to Tel Aviv’s 12 beaches
By Tess Levy

Best hikes in Israel

Travel the north

Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Travel
10 fun activities in Israel’s northernmost town
By Diana Bletter
Patrons of Café Abu Salem in Nazareth. Photo courtesy of Café Abu Salem
Travel
The café where Nazareth folk have met for tea since 1914
By Elana Shap
Azizo Lavender Farm photo by Roni Sade 
Earth
A lavender farm turns the Golan purple
By Elana Shap
Hiking on Mount Hermon. Photo by Miki Inbar
The 15 best hikes in Israel’s north
By Brian Blum
A Druze flag flies in Daliat el-Carmel. Photo by Harvey Sapir Photography via Pikiwiki Israel
A taste of Druze culture and cuisine in Daliat el-Carmel
By Diana Bletter
Vered Baer and Morad Bishara in front of their Tupelo Bakery in Ma’alot-Tarshiha. Photo by Diana Bletter
Travel
Gluten-free bakery is a sweet spot in the Western Galilee
By Diana Bletter
  • An aerial view of the Old City of Akko. Photo by Menachem Lederman/Flash90
  • An aerial photo of Akko and it’s marina. Photo by Shadi Halaby, Shutterstock  
  • A view of Akko’s harbor, walls and houses of worship. Photo by Alex7370 via Shutterstock.com
  • Crusader castle in the historic district in old Akko. Photo by Muhammad Arar via Shutterstock.com 
  • Spices in colorful sacks on sale in the market in Acre (Akko). Photo by RnDmS via Shutterstock.com
  • Spices in colorful sacks on sale in the market in Acre (Akko). Photo by RnDmS via Shutterstock.com
  • View of the lighthouse, with Saint John the Baptist church in the background, in the Old City of Akko. Photo by RnDmS via Shutterstock.com
  • Photo of the Underground Prisoners Museum in Akko by Imalester via Wikimedia Commons
  • Photo of the Bahá’í Gardens in Akko by Eli Schwartz via Shutterstock.com
UNESCO City
11 reasons Akko is one of Israel’s most exciting destinations
By Diana Bletter

Travel the desert

Tourists at the Dead Sea enjoying Neve Midbar Beach alongside the Dead Sea Boat. Photo courtesy of the Dead Sea Revival Project
Travel
On World Water Day, boat undertakes maiden Dead Sea voyage
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Travel
Take a journey on the ultimate salt route
By Elana Shap
Simcha Marom at Eshkolot Farm near Mitzpeh Ramon. Photo by Judith Sudilovsky
The woman who nurtures a biblical farm in the Negev Desert
By Judith Sudilovsky
Ilanit Bronstein in her TelePele studio at Vidor Artist Colony. Photo by Abigail Leichman
A charming artist colony in a former desert army camp
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Kibbutz Lotan, a southern Israeli desert retreat. Photo by Meg Stewart via Wikimedia Commons
Kibbutz Lotan, Israel’s transformative desert retreat
St. George Monastery, Wadi Qelt. Photo still from film
Desert Adventures
10 amazing reasons to visit Israel’s desert
By Haim Silberstein

Things to see and do

Uncovering the mosaic floor at Horvat El-Bira in central Israel. Photo by Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority
Travel
Ancient flower mosaic unearthed on the Israel Trail
By Naama Barak
A view of the Hula lake in northern Israel. Photo by Yossi Zamir/Flash90
Travel
15 stroller-friendly and accessible hikes in Israel
By Brian Blum
Children kayaking in the Sea of Galilee. Photo by Chen Leopold/FLASH90
Travel
10 reasons why Israel is the most kid-friendly destination
By Naama Barak
Image courtesy of Golan Heights Winery
Travel
12 terrific wine-tasting tours in Israel
By Naama Barak
Keshet Cave in Adamit Park. Photo by Philip Stein
Travel
Nine off-the-beaten-track destinations in Israel
By Abigail Klein Leichman
The Tower of Power thermo-solar power station at Ashalim. Photo courtesy of BrightSource
Travel
8 Israel innovation tourist spots to put on your itinerary
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Israel’s many food markets are a wonderful place to stock up on the best culinary highlights of the country. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90
Travel
Israel’s 11 top food markets
By Naama Barak
People visit the ancient Bet Guvrin-Maresha caves, a UNESCO world heritage site, November 5, 2022. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Travel
10 ecotourism day trips around Israel
As these preschoolers at Moshav Yashresh can attest, Israel is very kid-friendly. Photo by Yossi Aloni/Flash90
Top 32 things to do with kids in Israel in the summer
By Abigail Klein Leichman
  • A miniature kitchen at Great Mini World. Photo courtesy of Great Mini World
  • A crow looks like a giant among the miniature models of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period. Photo by Michael MK Khor via Wikimedia Commons
  • These are among 1,000+ scale models on display at Greif Miniature Model Museum in Haifa. Photo by Dror Doron
  • Painting the model of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple that was moved from the Holyland Hotel to the Israel Museum in 2009. Photo by Yossi Zamir/Flash90
  • Photo of the Second Temple Jerusalem Model by Edmund Gall via Wikimedia Commons
  • A model of Tempio Maggiore, The Great Synagogue of Florence, Italy. Photo courtesy of ANU
5 ways to tour Israel in miniature
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Downtown Rishon LeZion, January 3, 2022. Photo by Yossi Aloni/FLASH90
7 awesome places to visit in Israel’s 4th largest city
By Alexa Greenstein
Hamsa souvenirs for sale in Tel Aviv. Photo via Shutterstock
10 original souvenirs to bring home from Israel
By Naama Barak

Learn more about Israel

What to pack when visiting Israel. Photo by Africa Studio via Shutterstock.com
Travel
What to pack on your trip to Israel
By Naama Barak
Illustrative image by Eiko Tsuchiya/Shutterstock.com
Travel
All the slang you’ll need for your trip to Israel
By Jessica Halfin
Image by Protasov AN via Shutterstock.com
Life
14 must-read books about Israel
By Jessica Halfin
A spot of sunbathing on Ashkelon Beach. Photo by Shutterstock
Life
10 ways to blend in on an Israeli beach
By Naama Barak
Caracals are among Israel’s most interesting and unusual wildlife. Photo by Leo za1/Wikimedia Commons
Earth
Check out Israel’s 10 most unusual wild animals
By Naama Barak

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