Israel travel guide
Israel packs a surprising amount of variety into a small country. You can walk through the Old City of Jerusalem, float in the Dead Sea, look out over the Sea of Galilee, and dive on coral at the Red Sea, all within a short drive of one another. Food, from market falafel to modern kitchens, is part of the pleasure. Jerusalem is the centre of religious and historical interest, with Nazareth and Tiberias adding sites linked to Christian pilgrimage in Galilee. Haifa offers sea views and terraced gardens on Mount Carmel, Eilat is the Red Sea resort for beaches and diving, and the Dead Sea at Ein Bokek is the place for spas and floating. Local markets, from Jerusalem to Haifa, make a good way to taste the country between the sights. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to travel, with milder days for sightseeing, while summers can be very hot. Israel suits pilgrims, history lovers and families. You can plan your itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Jerusalem.
Visa for Indian passport holders
E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
Before you go to Israel
- Currency
- ILS ₪
- Emergency number
- 112 / 100
- Plug type
- Type H, C, M
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe
- Tipping
- Expected
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex (limited), Isracard
- ATM fees
- Usually none at bank ATMs; third-party standalone ATMs do charge
Cities in Israel
- Jerusalem One of the world's oldest cities and a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The walled Old City holds the Western Wall, Temple…
- Tel Aviv-Yafo Israel's cosmopolitan Mediterranean hub, famed for Bauhaus "White City" architecture, long beaches, a buzzing food and nightlife scene, and…
- Eilat Israel's Red Sea resort at the country's southern tip, a year-round beach and diving destination with coral reefs, a marine observatory and…
- Nazareth The largest Arab city in Israel and, in Christian tradition, the boyhood town of Jesus. Its Old City clusters around the Basilica of the…
- Haifa A port city rising up the slopes of Mount Carmel, best known for the terraced Bahá'í Gardens and Shrine of the Báb, its German Colony,…
- Tiberias A lakeside town on the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), a base for Christian pilgrimage sites around the lake, Jewish holy tombs, hot springs and…
- Dead Sea (Ein Bokek) The resort strip of Ein Bokek on the southern Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth, lined with spa hotels and mineral beaches, and the…
Frequently asked questions about Israel
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for Israel?
- E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
- What currency is used in Israel?
- The currency in Israel is the Israeli New Shekel (₪). ₪1 is about ₹31.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Israel?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex (limited), Isracard. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Israel?
- Tipping in Israel: expected. Typically about 12% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Israel?
- Tap water is safe. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.
- What plug type does Israel use?
- Israel uses Type H, C, M plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Israel?
- Emergency: 112. Police: 100. Ambulance: 101.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Israel?
- SIM and eSIM available in Israel.
- What is the capital of Israel?
- The capital of Israel is Jerusalem. Time there: IST - 2 h 30 min.