Best time to visit Israel

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Israel

Best time of year to visit Israel

Be ready to jump into the pure magic when exploring this Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean Sea. The best time to visit Israel runs from December through April. It starts with spiritual Hanukkah and its customs and treats. Early spring comes with biking through the endless desert while watching it bloom. Colder months are the right season to enjoy the tranquillity of the Dead Sea. June through August and during holidays, Israel gets crowded with curious tourists. So if your ultimate purpose is sprawling on the beach far away from noisy troops, choose May or September at its calmest. Moreover, during September off-season, in the context of the holiest days of Yom Kippur, you have an excellent chance to witness Israeli cities on hold, looking as abandoned ones.

12 THINGS TO DO IN ISRAEL (APRIL 28 - MAY 07)

Holy Fire in Jerusalem

Holy Fire in Jerusalem

May 4, 2024 • event

The miracle that is believed to occur on Orthodox Easter Saturday for centuries

Yom HaShoah Siren

Yom HaShoah Siren

May 5-6, 2024 • event

Empathize with the locals over the darkest pages in the world's history

Dead Sea Spa

Dead Sea Spa

October–April • activity

Your saltiest experience on the lowest and one of the most stunning wonders on Earth

Biking the Desert

Biking the Desert

October–April • activity

The Israeli experience that will offer you some sightseeing and sports!

Holy Week & Easter

Holy Week & Easter

Catholic: March 24–31, 2024 | Orthodox: April 28–May 5, 2024 • event

There is no better place to experience Holy Week than the Holy Land, where it all occurred

Unique Birdwatching

Unique Birdwatching

March–May | September–December • nature

Enjoy the sounds of thousands birds singing in unison in Israel's city of Eilat

Desert Bloom Season

Desert Bloom Season

February–April • nature

Enjoy the scenic views of the Negev desert with its infinite flowery fields

Beach Season

Beach Season

May–September • activity

Enjoy Israeli beach season with its clear waters and warm sun shining from spring up till the end of summer

Nubian Ibex Baby Mountain Goats

Nubian Ibex Baby Mountain Goats

February–August • nature

The Negev ibex mountain goat climbs rocks better than any cragsman!

Anemone in Blossom

Anemone in Blossom

January–April • nature

Enjoy the fragrance of thousands of anemone flowers in the most picturesque areas of the country

White Stork Migration

White Stork Migration

March–April | October–November • nature

The September farewell flights over the European countryside are for the lucky ones, but recovery breaks in Israel's wetlands is a sure thing to see

Cactus Flowers Blooming Season

Cactus Flowers Blooming Season

mid-February–August • nature

Enjoy the best views of the most thorny flowers of the country

18 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Jerusalem Light Festival

Jerusalem Light Festival

unconfirmedlate June/ early July 2024 • event

With thrilling light installations, sound effects, and the overall majesty of the old city, Jerusalem Light Festival will be a high point of your visit

Midburn Festival

Midburn Festival

out of rangeOctober 10–15, 2022 • event

Feel the power of art, creativity and style at one of world's best festivals

The Rebirth of River Zin

The Rebirth of River Zin

out of rangemid-December–March • nature

Be prepared to watch one of the most menacing natural wonders of Israel

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur

out of rangeSeptember 24–25, 2023 • event

Streets and roads are empty—the whole country is celebrating Yom Kippur, the holiday of atonement and forgiveness

Jerusalem Friday Street Parties

Jerusalem Friday Street Parties

out of rangeJuly–August • event

Get the feel of celebration and watch the whole city dancing at one of summer Friday parties

Purim Street Party

Purim Street Party

out of rangeMarch 23-26, 2024 • event

Have fun all night long, celebrating the country's most popular holiday

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday

out of rangeApril 13, 2025 • event

One of the most significant events in Christianity opens the Holy Week with a palm walk

Tel Aviv Night Run

Tel Aviv Night Run

out of rangeOctober 27, 2023 • event

The most popular fun race in Israel provides an unusual tour of Tel Aviv

Almond Blossom

Almond Blossom

out of rangeJanuary–February • nature

Tender pinkish flowers cover the almond trees all over Israel during early spring

Red Sea Jazz Festival

Red Sea Jazz Festival

out of rangeNovember 16–18, 2023 • event

Red Sea Jazz Festival: honoring the harmony of jazz culture

Levivot or Latkes

Levivot or Latkes

out of rangeDecember 7–15, 2023 • food

Probably the tastiest potato dish you have ever tried, only in Israel, only for Hanukkah

Sufganiyot

Sufganiyot

out of rangeDecember 7–15, 2023 • food

Traditional Jewish doughnuts are the sweetest reason to visit Israel for Hanukkah

Hanukkah

Hanukkah

out of rangeDecember 7–15, 2023 • event

Visit the country for one of the most well-known Jewish holidays, the Feast of Lights. Take part in the local celebrations and try traditional dishes

Negev Iris in Bloom

Negev Iris in Bloom

out of rangeMarch–early April • nature

The elegance and charm of Negev iris fields will become your ultimate love at first sight

Haifa International Film Festival

Haifa International Film Festival

out of rangeSeptember 28–October 7, 2023 • event

The largest and most important cinema event in Israel

Lekach

Lekach

out of rangeSeptember 15–17, 2023 • food

Israeli sweetest cake that will bring you joyfulness and prosperity for the following year

Jerusalem Day

Jerusalem Day

out of rangeJune 5 • activity

Take part in celebration of the Jerusalem Day hand in hand with the locals

Blooming of Cyclamens

Blooming of Cyclamens

out of rangeDecember–February • nature

Take a look at Israel's valleys covered with a magnificent carpet of cyclamens in winter

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