A photograph of Israel

Country guide

Israel

Israel occupies the Southern Levant, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, with the Mediterranean along its western coast, the Red Sea at its southern t...

Photograph · Dani Lavi 0007 · CC BY-SA 4.0

3,923 Places
2Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Israel occupies the Southern Levant, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, with the Mediterranean along its western coast, the Red Sea at its southern tip and Earth's lowest point, near the Dead Sea, to the east. Two cities carry most of what a visitor comes for and they are nothing alike. Jerusalem is the government seat and proclaimed capital, holding the sites the three Abrahamic religions hold in common; Tel Aviv is the largest urban area and the economic centre, a twentieth-century city on a beach. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict persists, and it governs where a visitor can go and when as firmly as any opening time does.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Hebrew; Arabic has special status
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+972
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Israeli new shekel (ILS)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
100 police · 101 ambulance · 102 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and H · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor statement was recorded for this content pack

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Gabbatha Gabbatha
    07 45 min

    Gabbatha

    Lithostrotos

    Lithostrotos is an exposed stone-pavement site inside the Convent of the Sisters of Zion in Jerusalem’s Old City.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Jerusalem
  2. American–German Colony American–German Colony
    08 45 min

    American–German Colony

    המושבה האמריקאית–גרמנית

    The American–German Colony is a historic neighborhood in Jaffa, within Tel Aviv-Yafo. Its streets reflect nineteenth-century settlement by American and German communities and form part of Jaffa’s layered urban heritage.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Tel Aviv
  3. Tell Qasile Tell Qasile
    09 45 min

    Tell Qasile

    תל קסילה

    Tell Qasile is an archaeological site in Tel Aviv, Israel, located within the Eretz Israel Museum complex. It contains the remains of a Philistine settlement dating to the 12th-11th centuries BCE.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Tel Aviv
  4. Tel Kudadi Tel Kudadi
    10 45 min

    Tel Kudadi

    תל כודאדי

    Tel Kudadi is an archaeological site in Tel Aviv-Yafo containing remains of an ancient settlement.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Tel Aviv
  5. Sheva Tahanot Sheva Tahanot
    11 45 min

    Sheva Tahanot

    שבע טחנות

    Sheva Tahanot, or שבע טחנות, is an archaeological site in Tel Aviv-Yafo whose name means Seven Mills. The name connects the place with milling and industrial activity, adding a practical, working dimension to the city’s historical landscape.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Tel Aviv
  6. Tel Gerisa Tel Gerisa
    12 45 min

    Tel Gerisa

    גבעת נפוליאון (תל גריסה)

    Tel Gerisa, also called Tel Napoleon, is an archaeological mound within Tel Aviv-Yafo. A tel is a settlement hill formed by layers of occupation built up over successive periods, making the landscape itself part of the historical evidence.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Tel Aviv
  7. Tel Zeton Tel Zeton
    13 45 min

    Tel Zeton

    תל זיתון

    Tel Zeton is an archaeological site within the Tel Aviv-Yafo municipal area.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Tel Aviv
  8. Tel Hashash Tel Hashash
    14 45 min

    Tel Hashash

    תל חשאש

    Tel Hashash (תל חשאש) is a named archaeological tell mapped within Tel Aviv-Yafo, where a historic landscape feature is recorded inside a developed coastal-plain municipality.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Tel Aviv

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Israel be?

Seven to ten days can divide time between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with one carefully chosen extension to Haifa, the Galilee, Dead Sea or Negev. Religious calendars and changing security conditions can alter access, so keep the route flexible rather than booking every transfer tightly.

What entry documents are needed for Israel?

Use Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority for the current entry rule, including whether electronic travel authorisation is required. Eligibility depends on nationality and travel circumstances; recheck immediately before departure because border procedures may change faster than ordinary guide content.

What is the best way to travel around Israel?

Ben Gurion Airport links into the intercity rail and bus networks, and major cities have their own local transit products. Many public services reduce substantially from Friday evening to Saturday evening, so build a separate plan for that period and confirm current operations.

When is a practical time to visit Israel?

Spring and autumn can balance coastal heat with walking in Jerusalem, but holidays may sharply affect hours, transport and demand. Desert excursions need separate heat planning, and any official security restriction takes priority over the seasonal itinerary.

What money and payment basics apply in Israel?

The Israeli new shekel is the working currency. Cards are widely accepted in cities, while markets and small operators may make cash useful; inspect the ILS amount and any service convention before payment instead of applying habits from another destination.

What practical safety details should I save for Israel?

Emergency services use 100 for police, 101 for ambulance and 102 for fire; electricity is Type C and H at 230 V. Tap-water guidance is Not recorded in this dataset, and current civil-defence instructions should be checked through official channels.