Best Time to Visit Israel

The best time to visit Israel is from March to May and from December to February. If you are looking for a tourist place where you will be able to experience an amazing culture, history and the coolest nightlife, you must visit Israel. This Middle-Eastern country has been a centre of attention since biblical times and offers a fascinating past for visitors to explore.

If you have considered visiting this country, ensure to visit in the colder months. The following sections will tell you all you need to know about the best time to visit Israel.

Technically, there are two distinct seasons in Israel. The first is cool and rainy winters, and the latter is dry and hot summers. In terms of tourism, people have divided the seasons into four parts, out of which two seasons are the best times to visit Israel, and they are:

Spring Season

• Time Period: March to May
• Average Temperature: 10 to 27 degrees Celsius
• Annual Rainfall: 10 to 60 mm

Spring Season is the best time to travel to Israel from India. This is the peak season because many international tourists visit this country from March through May. During these months, the weather is extremely pleasant in Israel and is accompanied by light rainfall.

If you visit Israel during spring, you can participate in many outdoor activities and admire all the famous places in Israel comfortably. Given below are a few things that you can do in Israel while you are vacationing there during spring:

1. Hike up to “The Carpentry” in Makhtesh

2. Explore the ruins of the ancient Nabatean city at Avdat National Park

3. Ride a bike along the Tel Aviv Old Port

4. Walk along the Yakorb river in HaYarkon Park, Tel-Aviv

5. Visit Latrun Monastery in Ayalon Valley

6. Stroll along the ramparts of the Old City Walls while travelling in Jerusalem

7. Climb the Mount of Olives and admire views of the Old Jerusalem City

8. Explore the ancient Siloam Tunnel

9. Enjoy the beauty of the Gethsemane Garden

10. Pick fruits and flowers at various farms near Netanya

Winter Season

• Time Period: December to February
• Average Temperature: 10 to 22 degrees Celsius 
• Annual Rainfall: 70 to 110 mm

Winters in Israel are not very harsh if you are an Indian traveller. If you plan a trip to Jerusalem or Golan Heights during this time of the year, you will be able to witness snowfall. The mountainous areas will be much colder than places near the sea, like Tel Aviv.

You will be able to enjoy the Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations that are celebrated with much grandeur in this country. Below are some places that you should visit and some events to attend during your trip to Israel in winter:

1. Celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights, with the locals

2. Enjoy the Israeli nightlife in Tel Aviv

3. Have a good time during Hamshushalayim

4. Admire the ancient ruins at Nazareth

5. Go skiing at Golan Heights

6. Cover yourself in mud and float on the Dead Sea

7. Attend the Midnight Mass in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve

8. Be a spectator at all the Christmas rituals that the locals take part in during this time

9. Enjoy some good music at the annual Feelin’ Blues music festival in Tel Aviv

10. Go to the Hullegeb Israeli-Ethiopian festival

Summer Season

• Time Period: June to September
• Temperature Range: 18 to 31 degrees Celsius
• Average Rainfall: 0 to 100 mm

The summer season is the hottest month in this country. Alongside high temperatures, this season also sees hot desert winds which blow in the morning and are called “Hamshin” by the locals. Hamshin makes it uncomfortable for tourists to explore the popular tourist places in Israel.

This is also when many people come to this country to enjoy the beaches. As a result, you will find it difficult to get flight tickets at an affordable price. Moreover, if you book an Israel tour package from India during this season, there will be a high chance of not getting a good deal on your accommodation.

The rainfall during this season is scant. This makes the days quite arid so make sure you carry a lot of water if you travel to Israel during the summer. Furthermore, be prepared to bear the scorching sun if you want to get tickets to enter tourist places or events you wish to attend.

The beaches will also be quite crowded during this time of the year. Furthermore, this is also the season where there are many Israeli holidays, like Yom Kippur and Passover, so you will find many local crowds in the streets.

The cheapest season to travel to Israel is the autumn season. This season lasts from October to November. This season also receives a lot of rainfall, around 30mm to 70mm on average, which makes it more comfortable than the summer.

Few people visit Israel during this season, so you will easily find flight tickets and accommodation at affordable prices. Furthermore, all the Israel tour packages from India curated for you will be far cheaper than in the peak seasons.

You can go sightseeing without having to stand in long queues. Golan Heights will also look very enticing in its fall shades. You should plan a trip to Israel during this time if you want to experience the beautiful culture of this country without burning a hole in your pocket.

Here are a few things that you should know before you travel from India to Israel:

• During Sabbath, almost all businesses like restaurants, shops, tourist attractions, and banks remain closed.
• Israel is both liberal and very orthodox at the same time. So, for instance, you will be able to party to your heart's content in Tel Aviv and experience your spirituality in Jerusalem.
• This country is the most developed in the entire Middle East and South West Asia.
• Israel has a unique healthcare system for its citizens.
• You can easily go snorkelling and diving at the Red Sea and Eilat.
• The public transportation system is great in Israel.
• All citizens of Israel have to serve the armed forces at least once in their life. This applies to both men and women,
• Israel is very LGBTQI-friendly.
• It is not allowed to smoke in public in many places in Israel.
• Israel has a complicated history, so make sure you research it before visiting and try not to say anything that will offend the locals.

Below are certain tips that will be useful for you when you plan your Israel trip from India:

• Carry an electrical adapter with you to charge your electronic devices because Israel uses the 3 round pegged prong adapters.
• If you plan to visit Jerusalem, pack modest clothing.
• Most Israeli restaurants will serve Kosher food, a Jewish counterpart to Halal foods.
• When you land in Israel, the authorities will hand you a paper slip/visa, which you need to keep with yourself properly until you return.
• The interview process at the airport is quite strict, so make sure you are prepared for that.

Here are certain phrases in Hebrew that will help you communicate with locals when you are vacationing in Israel:

• Hi/Hello- Shalom
• Goodbye- Lehitraot
• Good Morning- Boker tov
• Good Evening- Erev tov
• Excuse me- Slicha
• Thank You- Toda
• You’re Welcome- Bevakasha
• My name is_- Ani [name]
• It’s a pleasure to meet you- Naim meod
• Yes- Ken
• No- Lo
• I do not speak Hebrew- Ani lo medaberet Ivrit / Ani lo medaber Ivrit

This blog aims to discuss in detail the best time to visit Israel. However, before you visit Israel, you must remember that this country has a very complicated history as it has been constantly in conflict since its formation.

This is why we suggest that you purchase travel insurance and health insurance plans before you visit this country. It will help you enjoy your vacation to its fullest without worrying about any unpredictable circumstances.