Israel is an amazing, unique and very authentic country, and we think you should visit it as soon as possible. But you need to know a few things first!
There is some know-how in advance that you have to take into account when you go to Israel. We traveled around Israel for two weeks and in this article, we have listed several things you need to know before traveling to Israel.
Language
In Israel, they speak Hebrew, which is a very difficult language for foreigners to understand and pronounce. Here you can find the most important Hebrew words for your trip. In addition, it is nice to know that in the tourist destinations Israelis generally all speak some English. So it shouldn’t be a problem to make it intelligible on your trip through Israel.
Continent & timezone
Israel is a small country in the Middle East and belongs to the continent of Asia. Israel has a population of 8,698,132, and over 92% of the population lives in the cities, mainly in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. The timezone is UTC +2.
Visa
US citizens can enter Israel visa-free for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days. Israel does not stamp your passport with an entry stamp but instead provides all travelers with an entry card. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you leave Israel. For all other countries visiting Israel, please check out this Wiki-page.
Don´t forget one of the most essentials things for your next trip: the right travel insurance! Consider World Nomads or Safety Wings!
Best time to travel to Israel
The best time to visit Israel is from March till May and in October. The temperatures are then very pleasant to explore this holy country.
Currency
The currency in Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). At hotels and larger restaurants you can pay by credit card and in the cities, you will find enough ATMs. For the markets and smaller restaurants and shops, it is useful to have cash with you. A tip of 10-15% is expected at restaurants and you can round up the amount for a taxi ride.
Be aware that Israel is not a cheap destination. We were actually a bit surprised about this but if you go to a supermarket, everything will be a lot more expensive than what you are used to in your home country of The Netherlands. By 2020, Israel is ranked 8th in the world in the list of most expensive countries to live in!
Nothing exciting happens staring at screens all day, book a flight and hotel today, and live a little!
Safety (important to know before traveling to Israel)
The security situation in Israel can change from one day to the next. Thus always read the current travel advice from your government before departure.
Travelers are advised against traveling to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The border area with Lebanon and Egypt can also be unsafe. And the political situation in the Palestinian territories is unsettled: so don't get involved in political discussions. But don't let this discourage you from visiting Israel. In a normal stable situation and in the tourist areas it is safe to travel as a tourist. But be aware of the above safety risks and keep an eye on the local media during your visit.
During our visit in March 2020, we did not feel unsafe for a moment. It just takes some getting used to that you regularly see (young) soldiers walking on the street fully armed with machineguns. But this has to do with the precautionary measures that Israel is taking and the applicable duty of service. Furthermore, do not take photos of strategic buildings, policemen, or soldiers. This is prohibited.
The emergency numbers of the fire brigade, police, and ambulance are respectively: 102, 100, 101. From mobile phones, you call 112.
Culture & Religion
Israel is the only country where the Jewish population is in the majority. The population groups of Israel are the Jews (76%) and the Arabs (20%).
About half of the Jews call themselves secular. And many Jews live in Jerusalem, along the coasts and in the valleys of Galilee. The Arabs are Muslims and are scattered throughout the country.
Jewish traditions determine public life in Israel throughout. The Sabbath, from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon, is strictly observed. Shops close and public transport comes to a standstill. Almost the entire country also participates during national holidays. And we must admit; we liked that everybody stopped working, stopped watching screens all day and came together to wine and dine with family and friends!
Israel insider tips you need to know
>>Israel is filled with holy places. As a tourist, it is important that you are dressed appropriately and that you respect the rituals. As a woman, you will have to cover your shoulders and head when viewing these sacred sites and you may need to use another entrance, such as at the Western Wall. So pay attention to what other tourists and locals are doing and adjust accordingly.
>>Israel is foodie heaven for vegetarian and vegan food. Almost everywhere the dishes on the menu are based on options without meat. It's all super fresh and delicious, and especially Tel-Aviv is a big recommendation when it comes to great food.
