Israel: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the Dead Sea — Where to Go and What to Try

Jerusalem: the Old City

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world. Within the walls of the Old City, the holy sites of three religions are gathered in a small area: the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock. You can wander for hours through the narrow stone streets with their markets and shops, and the Mount of Olives offers a view over the whole city.

Tel Aviv and Jaffa

Tel Aviv is a seaside city with long beaches, a promenade, cafés and nightlife. Its White City — neighbourhoods of light-coloured Bauhaus-style buildings — is on the World Heritage List. In the south of the city lies the old port of Jaffa, with winding lanes, galleries and a flea market.

The Dead Sea and the desert

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on land on Earth: the water here is so salty that it keeps you afloat without any effort. Nearby are the clifftop fortress of Masada, which people climb on foot or reach by cable car to watch the sunrise over the desert, and the Ein Gedi oasis with its waterfalls.

Galilee and the Red Sea

In the north lies green Galilee, with the Sea of Galilee, hills and vineyards, as well as Haifa with its gardens on the slope of Mount Carmel. In the south, in Eilat, is the Red Sea with its coral reefs, where people come to dive and snorkel even in winter.

What to try

Israeli cuisine brings together dishes from all over the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

• Hummus with warm pita — eaten for breakfast and dinner alike.
• Falafel and sabich — stuffed pitas sold on every corner.
• Shakshuka — eggs baked in a tomato sauce with peppers.
• An Israeli breakfast with vegetables, cheeses, salads and pastries.
• Freshly squeezed juices and dates.
• Halva and sweets from markets such as Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem.

Good to know before you go

A few tips will help you feel at ease in Israel.

• On Shabbat many shops and restaurants are closed, so it's best to plan your groceries and journeys in advance.
• Summers are very hot: wear a hat, drink plenty of water, and go out walking in the morning and evening.
• Don't dive or splash around in the Dead Sea — the salty water stings your eyes badly.
• You can pay by card almost everywhere, and tipping is customary in cafés and restaurants.
• Security checks at the airport on departure can be thorough — arrive early.

Staying connected

In Israel you need the internet from the very first minutes: to call a taxi, open a map, check bus and train timetables, or show your hotel booking. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so after landing you won't have to hunt for a SIM card at the airport or stand in queues. When a plan's validity begins is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it starts at the first connection in the destination country, for others on installation or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your carrier's terms.