29 Things to Know Before Visiting Israel
Planning your trip to Israel is very straightforward, even if you're visiting the Holy Land for the first time. In this travel guide, you will find everything you should know before visiting Israel.
Thanks to its history, nature, people, religion, and even political situation, Israel is one of the most captivating countries in the world.
More importantly, traveling to Israel is fun, as you will have a chance to explore cosmopolitan cities, ancient ruins, Biblical sites, vast deserts, beach escapes, and soak up tons of history while there.
However, to have a chance to understand Israel better, delving into its history is inevitable. We'll briefly also touch on even sensitive topics such as politics or geographic areas.
After our trip to Israel, we both agreed that this incredible country is very accessible to first-time visitors.
Still, there are a few essential things to know about Israel before going.
Therefore, to help you visit Israel the best way possible, we've rounded up our top travel tips and personal experiences from our recent trip to this incredible country.
Culture Diversity
One of the most important things to know about Israel is that it's a very diverse country with thousands of years of history.
Throughout the time, immigration played a vital role in creating today's Israel state, but also in creating a unique Jewish diversity.
While it might seem not that obvious at first sight, it's essential to realize that the Jewish communities lived outside Israel for a long time.
While they share the same history and beliefs, there are plenty of ethnic groups with several unique distinctions.
Not only will you hear about Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Mizrahi, or Ethiopian Jews a lot on your travels, but you will have an opportunity to meet the local people while there and learn more about them yourself.
And while Israel is predominantly Jewish, it's not the entire picture.
Jews, Christians, and Muslims have been living in this small region for centuries together, and the results are unique.
While the coexistence was quite often far from idyllic and peaceful, it made Israel one of the most exciting travel destinations in the world.
In a nutshell, history, food, culture, and architecture are one of a kind.
Prices
We'll be honest with you right from the start. Israel is an expensive country.
When it comes to accommodation, a reoccurring theme will be that cheap hotels are poorly rated, and the ones with positive reviews are very expensive.
The first sign that warned us that we wouldn't be traveling on less than $50 a day was when we searched for accommodation in Tel Aviv.
The first budget hostel we stayed in (with positive reviews) cost $110 per night for a private room.
The gas (unleaded 95) cost a whopping $2.2 per liter at the time of our visit, and that was a period when the oil prices were still reasonable.
And we haven't talked about the prices in the restaurants yet, where you can easily spend $20-$50 per meal.
By the way, if you think that you will save a lot of money by staying in dormitories, then not really.
Especially if you travel as a couple as we do, paying $30-$40 for an 8-bed dormitory per person is simply not worth it.
Nevertheless, it would be a shame to skip this country just because it's expensive. Therefore, we created this guide on traveling around Israel on a budget.
If you're not Israeli, don't throw out the small paper you get with the visa at the border during your arrival that proves you're not an Israeli citizen to avoid paying the 17% tax in hotels.
Safety
If you live in the U.S. or Europe, you probably have a chance to watch a lot of news from Israel. And the picture of the current safety situation in the Holy Land is constantly changing.
A few months before we traveled to Israel, several hundred rockets were shot from Gaza to Israel. There were protests, riots, and even airstrikes.
From the media, it seemed that it was the place to stay away. Then it got suddenly quiet, and everything seemed fine, at least on the surface.
So what was the security situation like in Israel when we were there?
It might come out as a surprise, but I must admit that Israel was one of the safest of all of the countries we have traveled around the world so far.
Well, based on our feelings when exploring cities and countryside.
The problem is that you never know when things go south.
Only a few days after we returned from the trip, a terrorist attack happened in Jerusalem, leaving one dead and a few injured.
A day before, there was a stabbing incident also in Jerusalem. Both incidents occurred in the Old City, in places that tourists visit daily.
And the big 'what if' hangs somewhere back in your mind as it happened in areas we were walking around only a few days before.
Fortunately, there are always ways to increase your safety in Israel.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
News
Israel has several great (online) newspapers in English, and we recommend you to follow them closely during your stay.
Not only to catch up on what's currently happening in the country, but most importantly, for your own safety.
So what are the best sources and newspapers we followed while in Israel?
Haaretz, Times of Israel, Israel Hayom, or The Jerusalem Post were among the best ones we used on our trip.
Staying up to date on the current events is one of the best things to do to stay safe while traveling.
When we were in Jordan a few years back and wanted to continue our trip to Israel from there, Israel was strongly considering closing the land borders with its neighbor to keep their country safe.
We had already booked a flight home from Tel Aviv, so we were anxiously following the news of whether we will be able to get to Israel from Jordan or not.
And when they actually did it, we had to completely change our plans and cancel our flight tickets, rental car, and hotels.
While this was a huge inconvenience, following the local news saved a lot of trouble that could have happened later.
By the way, the newspapers are not the only source you should rely on if you decide to visit the Holy Land.
You can extend your scope by following Twitter and other social media sources as the news spreads much faster this way.
National Parks
If the term 'national park' evokes in you vast natural places such as Yellowstone National Park or Banff National Park, then Israelis have a different view on this topic.
Not that you won't find beautiful protected natural areas with a similar purpose here.
It's just that some places such as Beit Alfa Synagogue, Ben-Gurion Tomb, or even Caesarea are not exactly national parks we had imagined under this term before arriving in Israel.
There are dozens of national parks and nature reserves in Israel that fit into this category, far more than we had expected to find here before our trip.
Luckily, Israel Nature and Parks Authority has a helpful website with plenty of information about each site.
So what does it mean for a visitor from a practical standpoint?
Just that you will have a chance to visit a lot of national parks and that you should really consider getting Israel Pass to save money while traveling.
Unless you plan on staying in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv your entire stay, we believe it's a great deal and that it will hopefully be the case in the future.
Don't forget that in order to ensure visitors get the best experience possible, the national parks encourage you to make a reservation for their selected sites in advance.
Currently, you can secure your spot two weeks in advance, and while it's not strictly required yet, it's recommended.
History
If you have even a passing interest in history, you must visit Israel. There is so much history on every corner that you will enjoy every second while there.
Honestly, Israel is one of those countries where your brain will have a hard time keeping up with all the information it receives during your vacation.
There is so much to read and learn about each place that it's not humanly possible to absorb all the facts.
Throughout the centuries, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Uyabids, Crusaders, Mameluks, Ottomans, Brits, and other nations and civilizations shaped the course of this small region.
Moreover, Israel is also the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity.
The sheer amount of history you can find in such a small country is simply unparalleled.
We can't fail to mention that we've also visited Jericho on our West Bank Tour. Jericho dates back to 8000 BCE, making it the oldest known settlement on Earth.
On top of this, the history of the modern State of Israel is another colossal topic and only backs our claims.
West Bank
If you're not exactly familiar with the map of Israel, it might be surprising for you to find out that West Bank is actually located in the east of Israel.
The explanation is very simple, as this territory lies on the west bank of the Jordan River, thus the name.
Currently, West Bank is a territory divided into three zones where Palestinians and Israeli settlers live.
The majority of the population are Palestinian Arabs, its status remains unresolved, and it's still one of the most controversial areas in the world.
Zone A is administered by Palestinian National Authority, PNA and Israel administer Zone B, and Zone C is under full Israel control.
From a practical standpoint, it means that it's generally safe to visit Zone C for tourists, while the remaining zones are usually not recommended to include in your itinerary.
Therefore, it's essential to follow your government's advice as you won't be covered by your insurance when traveling into certain areas.
By the way, West Bank is definitely worth visiting, and places such as Jericho, Bethlehem, or Ramallah are easy to explore with a tour.
We took a great West Bank Tour with a fantastic guide, and while we prefer to travel independently, it was a great way to learn more about the past and current situation from a local.
Gaza
What is hard to understand for someone who's not interested or educated on the Israel-Palestinian conflict is the Gaza Strip situation.
Located in the southwesternmost point of Israel on the border with Egypt, Gaza has been a Palestinian enclave since Israeli disengagement in 2005.
After the Fatah-Hamas conflict in 2007, Hamas seized control of Gaza and remained the sole governing power there.
Since then, both Israel and Egypt subjected the area to the blockade, resulting in the local population not being able to enter or leave freely.
Gaza is a small yet overpopulated area with bad living conditions, poverty, and unemployment, and it's often referred to as an 'open-air prison.'
And while the West Bank is a functional territory, Gaza is the exact opposite.
Unlike the West Bank, Gaza is off-limits to tourists.
Golan Heights
Another controversial but stunning area in Israel is Golan Heights, a huge area Israel captured from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967.
This massive basaltic plateau was created by a series of volcanic eruptions about 4 million years ago and also features Mount Hermon, the highest mountain in Israel.
The plateau also creates a natural border between Israel and Syria and has a strategic value to both countries for their security.
Currently, a special demilitarized zone (DMZ) has separated both countries since Yom Kippur War in 1973 under the Agreement on Disengagement.
For tourists, Golan Heights is an incredibly beautiful place, and seeing it in its full glory from a viewpoint in Rosh Pinna is an experience we will never forget.
Today, Golan Heights is a popular area for adventure activities, such as biking, hiking, or skiing.
The area has been fairly quiet for some time and remains safe to visit even for international visitors.
Public Transport
A lot has changed in the past years in Israel when it comes to public transport.
Fortunately, it was for the better, and travelers visiting Israel now have an easier time getting around the country than ever.
In some of our previous blog posts, we've already talked about the fact that if we wanted to explore only Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, then we would have relied only on public transport.
Public transport is cheap, reliable, and allows you to efficiently get around Israel without the need to rent a car.
Even though public transport is a good way to get around Israel, we still advise renting a car for the countryside to get the most out of your trip.
By the way, the times on the bus schedule are only estimations.
The bus can get delayed and arrive behind schedule. Even worse, if the bus arrives early at the stop, it usually doesn't wait and continues towards its next stop.
So it's better to be at the bus stop earlier than the schedule suggests.
For getting from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, or from Ben-Gurion Airport, we would probably use the train instead in most cases.
Traveling Distances
Israel is a very compact country, and it's very easy to get around regardless of your mode of transportation.
The northernmost place we visited was Nimrod Fortress in Golan Heights, and the southernmost was Eilat on the shores of the Red Sea.
The distance between these two destinations is only about 500 kilometers, regardless of whether you drive along Highway 6 or cut through West Bank.
From a practical point of view, you can cross the entire country in a matter of hours.
However, we're talking about extremes in this scenario.
Most of the time, the attractions are very close to each other, meaning you will have enough time to see several places every day.
For instance, you want to leave Israel's northern Mediterranean Coast and explore Golan Heights and everything in between.
In this case, Safed is only 55 kilometers east of Akko. Nearby, Rosh Pinna is 12 kilometers from Safed.
Travel north from here, and you will arrive in Tel Hazor in less than ten minutes.
Banias Falls and Tel Dan are only a 30-minute drive from here. Finally, you will reach Nimrod Fortress in less than ten kilometers.
The entire trip is only 130 kilometers long, and it's easy to include several stops along the way.
Road Trip
If you're wondering what the best way to explore Israel is, then you probably already know our opinion from the previous section.
Israel is a perfect destination for taking a road trip, as it allows you to explore every nook and cranny of the country at your own pace.
We have to confess that we love road trips, as they're a very memorable and enjoyable way to explore new destinations.
And there are not many better places to take a road trip than Israel.
For starters, driving in Israel is very easy and safe. The roads are in good condition, and the signage is in English.
Secondly, having your own transport means you can visit places you want, make spontaneous changes to your Israel itinerary, or don't have to rely on anyone else.
Lastly, it's a fun and exciting way to explore this incredible country.
Here you can find the best deals on rental cars in Israel.
Food
Food is always a great reason to travel and visit new countries or areas, and the Middle East quickly became one of our favorite places in the world in this regard.
One of the reasons why we loved our last year's trip to Jordan so much was the food. And honestly, we couldn't wait to come back to this region to try some more.
And when it comes to food, Israel didn't disappoint.
The traditional street food in Israel is hummus, falafel, shawarma, or shakshuka, which you can get on almost every corner.
It's affordable, delicious, and will fill you up for longer periods of time.
And while you can find here similarities between both countries, especially in street food, Israel also has a strong Mediterranean influence.
Moreover, immigration shaped not only Israel's future but also its cuisine.
For instance, it's not very difficult to enjoy a schnitzel in Israel, which is one of the most traditional Czech (and German and Austrian) meals.
By the way, freshly squeezed pomegranate juice is one of the best local drinks you can have in Israel. It's refreshing, healthy, and absolutely delicious.
If staying fit and healthy while traveling is not your primary goal, then you have to try Knafeh.
Made of sweet cheese and sprinkled with chopped pistachios, this traditional and delicious dessert will catapult your blood sugar through the roof.
Religion
As mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, Israel is a diverse country, and religion has always played a vital role here.
Both Judaism (1st millennium BCE) and Christianity (1st century CE) originated in Israel, or more precisely in Canaan and the Judea Kingdom.
Due to its location, heritage, and importance, this region was quite often in turmoil. And it didn't take long, and Islam started to spread here in the 7th century.
As a result, Jerusalem became a holy city to three major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
Today, almost 80 percent of the population is Jewish, nearly every sixth person is Muslim, and about two percent are Christians.
Religion was a significant force that shaped the map of this region troughout the millennia.
The Holy Land was a centerpiece of major religious wars between Christians and Muslims from the 11th to 13th centuries.
You've probably heard about the Crusades and military leaders such as Richard the Lionheart or Saladin, even if you're not a history lover.
Interestingly enough, you will also find in Haifa the headquarters of the Bahai religion. By the way, Haifa's Bahai Terraces are a World Heritage Site and a fascinating place to visit.
Guns
If you don't feel comfortable around guns in public, then be prepared that you will see the army and police in Israel with them often.
To be honest, we were expecting maybe an even bigger presence of the armed forces.
But that probably was because we've been to countries such as Colombia or Nicaragua.
On the other hand, Israel has mandatory military service for men and women, and we saw a lot of young people carrying their automatic rifles over their shoulders while traveling around the country on public transport.
We will never forget the image of a lovely young woman in a bright pink dress carrying an M16 (together with dozens of other youngsters) on a train from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Speaking of Jerusalem, the Old City has several police checkpoints, so be prepared to see more people with guns there.
Another strange thing to see for us was the armed security on the school trips, usually also equipped with voice amplifiers to maintain control over their group.
I'm not sure why they need the megaphone, though. If the tour guide had been carrying a gun, I would have probably paid much more attention.
But jokes aside, the reality was not that bad, and there were plenty of places without guns around.
Crowds
We were fortunate enough to visit the country after it reopened its borders to individual international travelers after an extended period.
It also helped that we traveled in the middle of the autumn season.
Therefore, we could enjoy some top attractions in Jerusalem, such as the Dome of the Rock, Via Dolorosa or Church of the Holy Sepulchre, without crowds, lines, and waiting times.
However, this was just a temporary exception, and you should prepare yourself for long waiting times and queues.
Waiting an hour, two, or even more to get inside a famous site is not something unheard of, and you should allow yourself enough time for every attraction.
Israeli weather can be scorching, so make sure to stay hydrated when queuing.
Nothing is perfect, though, and we couldn't escape the crowds entirely.
We're talking about school trips we met along the way, especially in the countryside.
While we believe that education is one of the most important things in life and the first-hand experience from the field is priceless, school trips can (negatively) affect your overall experience of some places.
Of course, this is just talking from a selfish tourist point of view.
Therefore, try to find your inner patience when a similar situation occurs.
Some of the jovial students at Masada even made fun of us (and pitied us) that we picked a really bad day to see these ancient ruins.
Fortunately, Masada is a pretty large complex, so it wasn't that bad in the end.
However, visiting the small and overcrowded bathhouse or walking some of the narrower parts of the Snake Path Trail with several dozen students was a pretty interesting experience.
A similar situation has repeated not only here but in some other places as well.
The only advice we can give you when it comes to crowds, lines, or school trips, is to arrive early and try to book your entrance online.
Kibbutz
If you watch the media closely, chances are you've already heard about kibbutzim.
A kibbutz is a unique type of settlement in Israel based on community, collectivism, and agriculture.
Established in 1909, Degania was the first kibbutz in Israel, and there are about 270 kibbutzim today.
The small communities with a utopian collectivist concept mixing Zionist visions and socialist values have transformed throughout the years. And some of them were even privatized.
The first kibbutzim were focused primarily on agriculture, but today they can do much more.
For instance, some of the modern ones develop modern solutions and manufacture high-tech devices.
Interestingly enough, we passed by Kfar Masaryk on our way to Akko, which instantly caught our attention.
Masaryk is a Czech name, so we were pretty surprised to see it on a road sign somewhere in Israel.
It didn't take long to find out that this particular kibbutz was founded by Czech and Lithuanian Jewish immigrants who settled here in the 1930s.
Later, the village was named after the first Czechoslovakian president to commemorate his life.
It is just another piece of the picture that shows how immigration played an essential part in modern-day Israel.
We stayed in Kibbutz in Ein Gedi, and when we arrived, we had to stop at the gate.
The lady at the small booth wrote down our license plate and quickly explained to us how things work there.
We wanted to leave early in the morning, and she said that the gate usually opens at 6 AM, but there's usually someone around.
Otherwise, there was a phone number on the main entrance that we could have called if the gate was still closed.
Kosher
Kosher is basically a set of dietary rules and regulations tightly connected with the Jewish religion, saying what they can and cannot eat.
For example, a Jewish person has to prepare the food, no shellfish or pork, and plenty of other rules are needed for a meal to be kosher.
Similarly, you can buy kosher food in grocery stores. It's easily recognizable as it should have a label saying it's kosher.
As kosher is a dietary law, it has nothing to do with the taste of the food. More importantly, you don't have to be even Jewish to enjoy a kosher meal.
And while kosher restaurants are often more expensive outside Israel, it's not the rule while you're there, and even cheap eateries serve kosher food.
The only problem with kosher restaurants that you might run into as a tourist is that they are closed on Shabbat, making as Jews are not allowed to work or even cook on this day.
It also depends on your location, because this exactly happened to us in Tiberias, but then we went to Nazareth, and it was fine as it has different demographics.
While we try to stay away from junk food as much as possible, we can't fail to mention that even some of the McDonald's restaurants in Israel are kosher.
Not surprisingly, Israel has a significant population of Muslims, and they have their own dietary law, Halal.
SIM Card
Some countries make traveling more accessible than others. When it comes to buying a SIM card in Israel, this country has to be on the top of the list.
Firstly, you can buy a SIM card directly at the Ben-Gurion Airport (a bit more expensive option) or pretty much everywhere in every city.
We bought it, for example, in a kiosk in Dizengoff Center in Tel Aviv.
Most importantly, you don't need to activate the SIM card in Israel, which is super convenient.
We heard that SIM cards are expensive in Israel, but as outrageous mobile prices in Czechia are our daily bread, we didn't notice.
Either way, we would say they're adequate to prices for other goods in Israel.
Opening Hours
It's not the most groundbreaking news to say that every tourist site in Israel has its official opening hours.
The vast majority of national parks, nature reserves, and plenty of other attractions are open from 9 AM to 5 PM in summer (they close an hour early in winter).
The opening hours of Israel's attractions are reasonable and allow you to visit multiple places a day.
What's not so great from the tourist point of view is that there are plenty of events, holidays, etc., that affect the times when each site is open.
We always recommend checking the site's opening hours of your interest before your trip.
Unfortunately, it's not always an easy task to do (if not impossible), as some places might close without prior notice, as we witnessed at Mount Tabor.
And even if they inform the visitors in advance, it's very difficult to find this piece of information unless you're local.
Politics
Now we're getting on thin ice, and as travel bloggers, we'll try to make things simple and basic. Which, honestly, is the exact opposite of the political situation in Israel.
For starters, we need to briefly look into modern history to learn more about this country. It's going to be very brief, and it really makes sense for you to learn some basics before traveling to Israel.
The State of Israel was founded in 1948, a few years after the Second World War, making it a relatively young state.
Its birth was very turbulent, and immediately after Israel declared its own independence, the 1948 Arab-Israeli War broke out.
Israel won the war against the Arab League and gained a lot of territory as a result.
Another major conflict was Six-Day War in 1967 again against the Arab League, resulting in another win for Israel.
Another major topic tightly connected to this one is the unresolved Israel-Palestinian Conflict, and the tension and conflicts between the Jews and Arabs remain to this day.
One of the most significant issues about the modern-day conflict between both sides is that it actually didn't start in 1948 (or 1920s), but the roots of the issue date back a few thousand years ago.
Therefore, the current situation clashes with millennia-old history, making the conflict very hard to resolve.
And this brings us back to whether it's a good idea to talk about politics in Israel or not.
As usual, it really depends on who you meet and their willingness to talk with you about local politics.
Interestingly, we met a person who started talking with us about the Czech political situation. To our surprise, he was fairly well-informed about what was happening in our country.
Anyway, politics always stir emotions regardless of the destination, though some topics are more sensitive than others.
Our only advice is to keep the conversation civil and keep your hot takes for yourself.
Capital City
Do you know how confusing Bolivia's situation is with its capital city? Is it La Paz, Sucre, or both?
Well, that's nothing compared to Israel, as this particular debate is mostly about constitutional capital versus administrative capital.
So what's the capital city of Israel? It depends on who you ask this question.
Israelis claim that Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel, but Palestinians claim that Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine.
As you can clearly see, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has many aspects waiting to be resolved, and this one remains one of the central ones of the dispute.
In 2017, the U.S. administration decided to recognize Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel and moved its embassy there from Tel Aviv.
Of course, this didn't go well with the Palestinians, and deadly protests and clashes erupted immediately.
Today, Jerusalem is still divided into two parts.
The Jewish Israelis live in West Jerusalem, which is also a seat of the Israeli government, while East Jerusalem is home to key Jewish, Christian, and Muslim holy sites and is populated by Palestinians.
Airport Security Control
It doesn't matter what's your nationality or from which country you're arriving in Israel. The airport security staff will ask you many questions before you board your flight.
We all know that airlines usually require you to be at the airport for international travel three hours prior to your departure.
And while you don't think it's necessary to be that early when flying to Peru or Iceland, Israel is a different case.
Yes, this advice takes a new meaning when traveling to Israel. The security check is thorough and takes time.
And if it's your first time, you might not feel not that comfortable during the interview.
Interestingly enough, the screening process is more like a conversation than some nerve-wracking questioning or even interrogation.
During the entire time, be honest, polite, and stay calm.
Keep in mind that while the officials might not have an aura of your best buddies and ask you all sorts of personal questions, they're doing just their job.
In the end, it's also your safety that it's at stake.
Lowest Point on Earth
Sandwiched between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea, which sits at an altitude of 430 meters below sea level, is the lowest point on Earth.
The hypersaline lake is not only the world's lowest spot but also a top attraction in Israel. Therefore, Ein Bokek is one of the most popular places in Israel among travelers.
And swimming in the Dead Sea is an incredible experience that's on every traveler's bucket list.
One of the most important things to know about the Dead Sea is that the water is rich in minerals, so the lake is also renowned for its healing effects.
Unfortunately, it's also a symbol of a negative human impact on Earth.
The lake is slowly disappearing and has lost about one-third of its size since the 1960s due to unrestricted water use from the rivers for agriculture.
By the way, the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret), that's connected with the Dead Sea by the Jordan River, lies a bit more than two hundred meters below sea level making it the next lowest place on Earth.
On top of that, the 250-kilometer Jordan River, known for many Biblical references, is the lowest river in the world.
What to Wear
As a traveler, you must always figure out what to pack and leave behind before every trip. Israel is diverse in this regard too, but using your common sense should be more than enough.
Our first stop in Israel was Tel Aviv, and we were surprised by how casually everyone was dressed. After a few days, we went to Jerusalem, and the contrast couldn't be greater.
When you come to think of it, it makes perfect sense.
Tel Aviv is a modern open city with beaches, while Jerusalem is a traditional city with plenty of holy sites and strong religious communities.
Even though we suggested at the beginning of this blog post that Israel is an easy place to visit, there are a few basic rules you should follow when visiting religious sites.
Avoid wearing sleeveless shirts, short skirts, or shorts.
The rule of thumb is to usually cover your shoulders and knees, though some sites might have stricter regulations, especially for female travelers.
English
From our own experience, we didn't have any issues with communication in Israel. English was spoken to some degree by pretty much anyone we met on the road.
Whether it was people working in the tourism industry or a random person at a bus stop, we were always able to communicate in English.
While you might not have a deep and meaningful conversation with every single person you meet, the majority of people in Israel will be able to help you get by.
And if you're considering road tripping Israel, you might be relieved to hear that the road signage is in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.
It really makes driving around the country more accessible than ever, even for international travelers.
Shabbat
The Jewish day of rest and celebration, Shabbat, starts from sunset on Friday to sundown on Saturday.
Shabbat plays an essential role in Jewish life. It's a time to stop working and start celebrating, preparing dinner, reconnecting with your family, or praying.
There are plenty of prohibited activities that a Jewish person is not allowed to do on Shabbat unless a life-threatening situation occurs.
While the rest day is an important day for Jews, it makes traveling difficult as it introduces several limitations for non-Jewish tourists.
Be prepared that the public transport is not working on Shabbat in Israel, and the Jewish businesses or restaurants will be closed.
It means that unless you're in an area with a strong Arab or Christian community, you might not be able to find an open restaurant.
So what is there to do on Shabbat?
One of the easiest ways to avoid Shabbat restrictions is to rent a car and visit one of Israel's national parks, such as Ein Avdat or Beit Shean, which remain open throughout the Shabbat.
Or you can relax on a beach or snorkel in Eilat, take a tour of the West Bank, visit Nazareth, or stay put and just wander around the city streets.
Shekels
The official currency of Israel is the Israeli new shekel, which consists of 100 agorot (coins).
At the time of our visit, the shekel was about $0.31 and €0.28. The currency code is either ILS or NIS.
While the Israeli new shekel was introduced in 1986, the shekel was used even in Biblical times.
If you visit the West Bank, then you can pay here with shekels, though they often also accept US dollars or Jordanian dollars.
There are plenty of ATMs in Israel, and we didn't have any issues finding one when needed. Don't forget to inform your bank about your upcoming trip to prevent card block.
While most nicer restaurants and stores accept debit or credit cards, it's still better to have some cash with you, especially for smaller stores, eateries, or markets.
Also, tipping in Israel is similar to most Western countries, so having some cash with you might come in handy.
And by the way, try to avoid exchange counters at Ben-Gurion Airport as they offer poor rates.
Orthodox Judaism
Regardless of your opinion on Orthodox Judaism, it's one of those things that makes Israel so unique and fascinating.
As the name suggests, the term Orthodox describes the most religious way of Judaism.
One of the most important parts of Orthodox Judaism is the Torah, which basically tells Jewish people how they are supposed to live their life.
Before you visit Israel, one of the most common images from Israel you can often see back home is the Jewish Orthodox men with their hands and heads wrapped, wearing a hat and black clothing while praying and rocking at the Western Wall.
It's just one of the aspects of Orthodox Judaism, and while this is the most apparent one to non-Jewish people, there is so much more to this topic.
And if you're interested in this topic, there is not a better place in the world to learn more about it than Israel.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
