Israel Travel Guide: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beyond

Israel is a small country with an outsized range of experiences. In one week you can swim in the Mediterranean, walk the stone lanes of Jerusalem's Old City, float in the Dead Sea, hike the craters of the Negev and dive the coral of the Red Sea. It is also one of the world's great technology hubs, which gives Tel Aviv a youthful, inventive energy.

History is everywhere: Masada, the Crusader halls of Acre and the Baha'i Gardens of Haifa are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Caesarea's Roman harbor is a short drive up the coast from Tel Aviv. Read more in our guide to Israel's history and culture.

Entry. US citizens do not need a visa for tourism, but must apply online for an ETA-IL electronic travel authorization before flying, through the Israeli government's official portal. Your passport should be valid for six months.

Getting there. Flights arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, about 20 minutes from Tel Aviv and 45 from Jerusalem. El Al offers the widest US network. Schedules change, so confirm with your airline.

Shabbat. From Friday afternoon to Saturday night, most public transport stops and many shops close, especially in Jerusalem. Hotels and many Tel Aviv restaurants stay open. Sunday is a working day.

Dress. Tel Aviv is casual. At holy sites in Jerusalem, men and women should cover shoulders and knees, and some sites ask women to cover their hair.

Alcohol and food. Alcohol is widely available. Many hotels keep kosher kitchens, and Israeli wine has an excellent reputation.

Ramadan and holidays. During Ramadan, the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem is festive in the evenings. Jewish holidays such as Passover and the autumn High Holy Days bring busy hotels and some closures; book early.

Money. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. A tasting dinner at a top Tel Aviv restaurant costs roughly 500 to 900 ILS per person (approximately US$160 to US$290).

Spring, from March to May, brings wildflowers in the Galilee and comfortable temperatures across the country. Autumn, from late September to November, is warm and golden, with the sea still inviting. Summer is the season for Tel Aviv's beaches and late nights, while winter is mild on the coast, rainy at times in Jerusalem and the north, and perfect for Eilat and the Dead Sea.

A first week in Israel might begin with three nights in Tel Aviv for the beaches, Jaffa, the markets and the restaurants, followed by three nights in Jerusalem for the Old City, the Israel Museum and Yad Vashem. Spend a final night at the Dead Sea, with sunrise at Masada. With a few more days, add the Galilee and Haifa in the north, or the Negev desert and Eilat in the south.

Many travelers also visit Jordan on the same trip to see Petra. A private guide adds enormous depth to Jerusalem, and our concierge and family travel partners can arrange guides, drivers and VIP airport services.