From the salty Dead Sea to the Mediterranean coastline and from snow-capped mountains to the dry Negev Desert, Israel packs a lot into its compact landscape. On top of its beautiful and diverse nature, Israel is known for being the religious hotspot of the world.

Israel is one of my favorite places to visit in the world. Besides the fact that I have been visiting family in the country since I was a small child, the country has an incredible Mediterranean climate, gorgeous beaches, a vibrant city life overloaded with high-tech industries, and is packed with culture and history. Not to mention the beautiful people and world-class food scene!

Conveniently, the small size of the country makes exploring Israel pretty easy. In fact, with a well-planned itinerary, you could explore pretty much every big city in just a few short weeks. 

That said, it can take time to figure out where to start. So, to make your trip-planning a little easier, I’ve put together a list of 20 of the best things to do in Israel, from my favorite restaurants to the best day trips and dreamiest hotels.

Why I Love Israel: Things to Know Before You Go

The first thing you should know about Israel is that the country (specifically, the city of Jerusalem) is the most important Biblical site for the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religions. Israel is packed with history and archeological wonder, from millennia-old lost cities to important areas written about in the Bible, Torah, and Quran. 

Because of its religious significance, it’s essential to keep an open mind when traveling through certain areas, ensuring you are respectful of the locals and practicing religions wherever you go. The ancient cities welcome those hoping to soak up some history, as long as you dress and act appropriately at holy sites.

While the country is predominantly Jewish, there are many other cultures and religions living together in Israel. Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities have been living together in this small country for centuries, creating a diverse culture of coexistence.

Of course, I couldn’t write this article without mentioning the local conflict in the region. Political instability is rife in the Middle East, which has a pretty divided political following, to say the least. Unfortunately, this has led the country into many wars and disputes. So, make sure you check Israel’s security status before booking your flight.

Prices are high in Israel. It’s certainly no budget destination, but there are ways to travel the country without overspending. Eating at markets (locally known as shuks) is one way. I’m lucky to be able to stay with family, but I have heard horror stories of hotel bills.

Getting around Israel is pretty straightforward (although expensive). The main cities have excellent public transport networks connected via trains and bus routes. I find renting a car to be the most convenient way to get around, as train tickets can get super expensive and only get you so far. 

Shabbat is the holy day celebrated by Jewish people. It begins on a Friday evening and ends on a Saturday evening each week, during which all shops and public transport close for the day. I’ve forgotten about Shabbat many times before, leaving myself stranded in the middle of the city after dark – learn from my mistakes and plan your day accordingly.

Drive a Jeep through the Negev Desert

Spread across much of Southern Israel, the Negev Desert is a huge (relative to the country) space where you can drive for miles without seeing another person. This rugged, dusty, and dry desert looks like something out of an Aladdin scene and is packed with unique history and biblical tails.

Historically, the Negev Desert is mentioned many times in the Old Testament and Bible. During this period, the desert was a flourishing agricultural region and an important granary for the Ancient Roman Empire. Oh, how times have changed!

The region’s largest city is Beersheba (or Be’er Sheva), which is the best place to hop onto a Jeep tour around the desert. In this desert, you will find the Dead Sea and the ancient fortress of Masada, which I’ve added as separate items on this list of things to do in Israel.

Avdat National Park. Victor Gaidar/Shutterstock

Hike through Avdat National Park

Containing the remains of the ancient city of Nabatean of Avdat, this incredible park is a dedicated UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with history. Thousands of years ago, in the 3rd Century BC, this ancient city functioned as a caravan station positioned along the famous Incense Trail crossing the Arabian Peninsula from Petra to Gaza.

The park is located in the heart of the Negev Desert, on a hilltop above the Tsin Stream watercourse. You can spend some time exploring this ancient city, walking through the ruins of villas, bathhouses, Roman burial caves, and churches that once stood proudly in the desert. 

The bathhouse is one of the better-preserved buildings and has been standing since the Byzantine Period. It features different rooms for holding water at different temperatures and a dressing room.

Ancient Archaeological Tunnels underneath Jerusalem at the Western Wall. YanivBerman/Shutterstock

Tour the tunnels under the Western Wall

If there’s one activity in Israel I recommend doing in Jerusalem, it would be to tour the tunnels under the iconic Western Wall. As an historical, religious, and archeological experience, you can uncover ancient and fascinating subterranean spaces packed with archeological findings. 

The Western Wall was part of the original Temple Mount, one of the most important remains from the Second Temple of Jerusalem, destroyed around 2,000 years ago. The temple remains the most important site for Jewish people, which is why you will find many religious and secular Jewish people praying here. 

The tunnels under the wall reach almost half a mile and show a big part of the hidden temple that tells an incredible story of the Jewish nation.

It is tradition to write down a wish or a dream on a piece of paper and fit it into one of the cracks in the wall, which is now overflowing with personal notes.

If you’re short on time, this Jerusalem and Bethlehem day trip from Tel Aviv is an excellent way to see a lot in a short amount of time.

The incredible Masada Fortress. photosounds/Shutterstock

Hike to the top of the Masada Fortress

Perched on top of an isolated rock plateau overlooking the Dead Sea, the Masada Fortress is an incredible historical ruin with a tragic history. 

The fortress was built around 37 to 31 BCE as a fortress of refuge in case of attract or revolt. Stock-piled with food and protected by high walls, this was exactly what the fortress tragically ended up being used for. 

When pagan Roman forces tried to seize the fortress in 73 AD, the local Jewish population chose mass suicide instead of being captured by their enemies. The inhabitants destroyed the palatial complex themselves, making it uninhabitable for the attackers.

Today, it’s one of Israel’s most popular attractions, attracting around 750 thousand visitors each year. You can either hike to the top of the cliff face or take the cable car to the top. Whether you’re staying in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, this jam-packed day trip will show you the best of the best of Masada, Ein Gedi, and the Dead Sea.

Tuck into a meal at Rachmo in Jerusalem

If I can recommend any restaurant in Jerusalem, it would have to be the oldest restaurant in the Old City. As poetic as it sounds, Rachmo is located in the heart of the city in a traditional stone building. The restaurant started out as an eatery for city workers’, offering large portions of wholesome food for a low price. 

Today, it serves traditional Mediterranean food like falafels, homemade hummus, and pita bread that will impress you at the first bite. Don’t expect anything gourmet or fancy, but rather expect traditional Sephardi (a sect of Jewish people from Southern Europe) comfort food in a low-key atmosphere.

Berth on the shore of the Sea of Galilee at Kibbutz Ein Gev. Shimon Bar/Shutterstock

Experience a day at Kibbutz Ein Gev

Located in the north of the country on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Kibbutz Ein Gev is the oldest still operating Kibbutz in Israel today. What is a kibbutz, you ask? Well, they are a type of settlement only found in Israel, which was founded on the premise of a collective community. 

The idea of a kibbutz was revolutionary, providing housing, food, and healthcare to those willing to volunteer their time and energy to work for the kibbutz in the form of a social contract. Each kibbutz would have a core offering, usually agricultural, and any income earned by the kibbutz would be distributed evenly among its residents. Ein Gev was founded in 1920 and farmed and sold bananas and dairy products.

While many Israelis have chosen to privatize their income and follow a more capitalist existence, there are still a few traditional Kibbutzim around the country. 

Luckily for tourists, Ein Gev Kibbutz Hotel offers gorgeous accommodations with a private beach on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee. So, you can experience a taste of kibbutz life by spending some time in this hotel.