The Best Road Trips To Take In Israel

Israel is an ideal place for roadtrips; small in size yet abundant with natural beauty and diverse, majestic landscapes, fascinating historical sites, and numerous small towns and cities each with their own unique flavour and characteristics. Here’s seven of the best, beginning with Israel’s northern regions before heading south through Jerusalem.

1. Tel Aviv to Haifa, via Beit Yanai and Caesarea

Historical Landmark

The journey from Tel Aviv to Haifa is quick and easy – a scenic journey of around 90 minutes along the Mediterranean coastline – but it would be a shame to miss these fabulous detours. Starting in Tel Aviv, drive north to Beit Yanai (around 35 minutes), home to arguably the most beautiful beach in Israel and a popular camping spot. Bask in the glorious sun and swim in the warm Mediterranean waters before jumping back in the car to visit Alexander River (Nahal Alexander in Hebrew), a drive of no more than 15 minutes east, which is home to a population of giant soft-shelled turtles.

From there, continue your journey north to Caesarea (25 minutes via Cvish HaHof), a beautiful coastal town with a National Park consisting of ruins from Roman and Crusader times, museums, cafés, fine dining, and a stunning beach next to a Roman aqueduct. Haifa is only 35 minutes north from here via the same road. Israel’s third city, Haifa, is a beacon of co-existence and home to a wonderful beach, lively nightlife, and amazing shawarma – not to mention the pristinely beautiful Bahá’í Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Haifa is also an ideal base for exploring the north.

2. Haifa to Rosh Hanikra, via Acre

Architectural Landmark

Israel, North district, Galilee, Acre (Akko), old town, UNESCO, Ottoman city, Salah Ve Bazri street along sea wall

Rosh HaNikra, located on Israel’s northwestern tip just a stone’s throw away from Lebanon, is a stunning geological formation of caves and grottoes, surrounding glistening pools of turquoise water.

We suggest visiting the fascinating Old City of Acre en route, around 30 minutes north of Haifa along Okef Krayot. Steeped in history, half a day should be enough to marvel at its still-intact walls first built in 950, explore its long ancient tunnel, weave through its colourful Arab shuks, and eat mouth-watering food, from Humus Said to Uri Buri seafood restaurant.

From Acre’s Old City, Rosh HaNikra is just another 30 minutes by car, making this an easy but nonetheless magnificent road trip along Israel’s northern Mediterranean coastline.

3. Haifa to Safed (Tzfat) and Rosh Pina

Historical Landmark

Safed is Israel’s highest city, located in the mountains of the Upper Galilee, and is known as the home of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). A charming and spiritual place, Safed’s cobblestone streets, art galleries and historical sites make it a highly worthwhile place to visit in northern Israel. Equally charming is the neighbouring city of Rosh Pina, with its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and quaint streets full of boutique shops, art galleries, and cafés.

5. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem via Abu Gosh

Historical Landmark

Those with a love for hummus, as well as fascinating, ancient cities, should make this road trip a top priority! Driving around 50 minutes southeast from Tel Aviv, this trip will take you to the Arab-Israeli town of Abu Ghosh, located on the Jerusalem Hills. Here, you can taste what is arguably the best hummus in the entire country, if not the Middle East, before continuing on to Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city. From its ancient underground tunnels, monumental religious sites, buzzing Machane Yehuda market, and much, much more, Jerusalem is a must-visit for any trip to Israel.

6. Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, via Masada and Ein Gedi

Natural Feature

This is a road trip to three of Israel’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring sites, which can be done in just one day. Our recommended itinerary: depart Jerusalem at around 4am in order to arrive at Masada in time for a sunrise climb up Israel’s most majestic site. This early start not only avoids the sweltering heat but also provides the most breathtaking views.

Once you’ve descended back down, jump in the car for a short drive to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a tranquil place abundant with natural waterfalls to cool off in, botanical gardens, and wildlife. From there, you can head to the nearby Ein Gedi Beach on the Dead Sea, float in its magical waters and lather yourself in its natural skin-smoothing mud, before driving north along the Dead Sea coastline back to Jerusalem.

7. Jerusalem to Eilat via Mitzpe Ramon and Timna Park

Natural Feature

This road trip to Israel’s southernmost city takes you through some of the most spectacular sites in the Negev Desert. By Israel’s standards, this trip involves some long drives, with a total road time of around 4.5 hours. We recommend staying the night in Mitzpe Ramon (there are numerous affordable hostels), a small town that is home to Makhtesh Ramon, a vast crater of staggering beauty and the best stargazing spot in Israel.

The following morning, head 125 kilometers further south through the Negev to Timna Park, a popular attraction in Israel due to its spectacular rock formations and historical sites (here you’ll find the oldest copper mine ever found). The final leg of this trip takes you to Eilat, a busy resort town on the Red Sea famous for its gorgeous reefs, dolphins, snorkeling and scuba diving, plus Israel’s only underwater restaurant.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.