Are you getting ready for Israel? Believe us, it will be a trip that will offer you plenty of experiences and emotions. Below you will find gathered valuable information that you will need for your trip to Israel. It’s one of those things we wish we knew before we got there. Thus, we would not miss some points of interest that were worth it. We hope they will be useful, save you time and “save” you on your trip to Israel!
#1 Shabbat holiday
The most important thing to know before you even book your tickets is the Jewish holiday, is the so-called Shabbat. From sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, no means of transport operate in Israel. Also, most shops are closed. The day of rest is sacred to the Jews and they respect it in full. If you are leaving for the airport during that time, the only safe way to get there is by taxi. Contact us here, to get local TAXI contact details.
Extra tip: During this time, the old city of Jerusalem can be visited, except for the Muslim quarter.
#2 Muslim quarter
You can enter the Muslim quarter in the old city of Jerusalem only from Sunday to Thursday, but strictly until 14:00. It is a district worth visiting, as one of the most important attractions located there is the “Dome of the Rock”. Inside the mosque is the rock on which Abraham’s sacrifice took place. It is therefore an attraction of great religious importance for Jews, Muslims and Christians.
Read also: Jerusalem: 3 religions, 2 populaces, one land
#3 Passport, visa & airport control
Check that your passport does not expire 6 months from the date of your arrival in Israel. The visa is issued free of charge and no prior action is required. You will receive it as soon as you arrive at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Also, at Tel Aviv airport, there is a fairly strict control. Allow extra time on your way back, don’t leave at the last minute, even if you’re traveling with only one hand luggage. There is a chance that you will be asked very personal questions that it is best to answer, so that you can then proceed to the standard screening of an airport.
Extra tip: For Israel, Visa is free and you will receive it at the airport when you get there. They give you a piece of paper with a barcode, which you should not lose until you leave the country.
#4 Policing
In Israel women are conscripted! Especially in Jerusalem you will find that army is everywhere. You will soon get used to it; it is there for our safety. Also, if you need information, they will kindly give it to you.
#5 Accommodation
For your stay in Tel Aviv, choose to stay near the old city of Jaffa. Accommodations there may be a bit more expensive, but this particular spot is the best. The beach is very close and can be reached on foot. In the evening, you have many options i.e., bars and restaurants. It is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Tel Aviv, as it is always crowded.
Extra tip: The best way to get around the city is by renting a bike.
Read also: Tel Aviv: 48 hours in the “party city”
For your stay in Jerusalem, be sure to stay as close as you can to the old city of Jerusalem. That’s where you’ll spend most of your time. Believe me, the extra few kilometers of walking will cost you dearly. We chose to stay in an apartment in New Town, just a 10-minute walk from the “New Gate” of the old town. In Jerusalem, you also have the option of staying in a monastery in the Christian quarter, within the old city, and at a very low cost. An experience at least unique! For information about your stay in a monastery, contact us, here.
#6 Extra tours
Additional excursions & guided tours mean additional time, but also ultimate experiences. Therefore, estimate your trip to last six to seven days. Yet again, although we once more came too close, we did not make it and visit the Dead Sea. In the Dead Sea, the amount of salt is so great that you simply float! Don’t forget to take a magazine or a newspaper with you to take a Instagrammable photo.
Other places worth visiting are:
- The city of Bethlehem to find the Temple of the Nativity.
- Masada: A natural fortress located in the Judean desert overlooking the Dead Sea. It is a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the last stand of the Jewish patriots in the face of the Roman army, in 73 AD.
- Jordan River, where Christ was baptized.
- Jericho: It is believed to be one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Recent excavations prove that 7,000 years before the birth of Christ, stone houses existed.
Read also: Bethlehem: A Day in the Place of the Nativity
