A Seven-Day Travel Itinerary to Israel

Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the Dead Sea all feature on Culture Trip’s specially curated seven-day Israel adventure, allowing you to explore this fascinating country without the hassle of having to plan it all yourself.

Start off with a couple of days in Jerusalem, where you will discover historical, religious and cultural treasures dating back thousands of years. Walk the old town and explore sites sacred to Christianity, Judaism and Islam, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Room of the Last Supper, the Western Wall, the Tower of King David and the Dome of The Rock.

In addition to the fascinating stories of these holy and historic sites, Jerusalem has several newer attractions worth checking out such as the Israel Museum, which is home to several art installations designed by some of the most renowned artists on the planet. Learn about the Holocaust at the Yad Vashem Museum, taste delicious cuisine at the Machane Yehuda Market and don’t miss out on the incredible Israeli restaurant bearing the same name.

On your third day, head south towards the Judea Desert, where you can hike the Masada trail and be amazed by the magnificent desert landscapes and even ride camels at Kfar Hanokdim. If you really want to admire amazing views, try arriving at Masada before the sunset to see it while hiking the trail.

Another thing you absolutely must do in the Judea Desert is, of course, see the Dead Sea, the lowest elevation point on earth and the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. The Dead Sea, from which many cosmetics and nurturing products are produced, is an amazing experience that draws tourists who come to float on the waters, soak in the healing mud and enjoy the magnificent views of the area.

Tel Aviv is a world-class city, but make sure to take a day to drive up north, too. Visit Haifa to see the Bahai Gardens and on the way stop at Caesarea’s old port, a town built by Herod the Great in 13-25BCE, where you will find some of the most beautiful coastal and historic sights in Israel. If you have time, check out the nearby Zichron Ya’akov, a picturesque small town popular with local artists and filled with wineries.

End your day by heading up to Akko, an old port city that has been preserved thanks to Unesco with remains dating to 3,500BCE with plenty of additional Greek, Templar and Ottoman influences. Don’t miss out on the fresh seafood in Akko, either.

Next, head to Tel Aviv. Explore the coolest neighbourhoods such as Neve Tzedek, Florentin, Jaffa and the White City with the incredible variety of restaurants, bars and cafes on offer. Be sure to hit the city’s best art and design galleries, museums and cultural sites before touring the shops, boutiques and markets. By night, party at some of the bars and clubs in the underground scene or simply chill at the beach.

The coolest city in Israel, Tel Aviv is the LGBTQ capital, a vegan paradise, a hipster haven, the start-up hub of the Middle East and so, so much more.