The relatively compact size of Israel means that you can get to see almost all of Israel in 7 days! OK, we’d all like a longer vacation, but sometimes time is limited, for whatever reason. We’d obviously recommend a good few days longer in Israel, but, yes, you can definitely get a very good taste of what the Holy Land is all about in just SEVEN DAYS!
So, if one week is all you have, and you’d rather go it alone without a tour guide dictating the route, the following could be your perfect itinerary. Israel in 7 days is also ideally done using a rental car, although is also doable using public transport.
Day 1 in Israel
Your unforgettable tour of Israel in 7 days starts with arrival in Tel Aviv.
Depending on when you arrive, hopefully you’ll have at least enough time to take a look at Tel Aviv beach, and grab a late night drink at one of the beachside restaurants/bars, or at one of the many amazing restaurants and cafes in Tel Aviv.
If you arrive earlier in the day and have enough energy, we’d highly recommend a quick look at the Carmel Market (closed on Saturdays of course) and then perhaps a nearby art/street graffiti tour, or even one of Tel Aviv’s museums if you’re looking for something relaxing.
Or how about just taking it easy with a walk through the Yemenite Quarter, between the Carmel Market and the sea, or maybe a stroll down Allenby Street to check out some of the locals. If time is at a premium we’ll try and squeeze a bit more into your last day (see Day 7).
If you’ve still got energy to burn, how about taking a Tel Aviv Pub Crawl to get a taste of Tel Aviv’s legendary nightlife?! And don’t forget to get some sleep – try a night at one of these great Tel Aviv hostels if you’re on a budget, or one of these very nice boutique hotels.
Day 2 in Israel
On Day 2 of Israel in 7 days, it’s time to pick up your rental car and head north as early as possible.
We’d recommend driving up to the Sea of Galilee, about 2.5 hours drive from Tel Aviv. Take in the view along the way, especially when driving into the Jordan valley on your approach down into the Sea of Galilee (known as the Kinneret in Hebrew).
Once you’ve found somewhere to stay for the night in Tiberias, or even nearby Rosh Pina/Zfat, head off to do the Sea of Galilee circuit route. This will take some time, especially with stops along the way that you shouldn’t miss, such as at Ein Gev, Tabgha, Capernaum and Tiberias. Alternatively, you could try one of the hiking options at nearby Mount Arbel – don’t miss the stunning views of the surrounding area!
End your day with a nice evening meal and drink at one of the lakeside restaurants in Tiberias (or Rosh Pina or Zfat if you end up staying overnight there).
Day 3 in Israel
Israel in 7 days can sometimes feel a little hectic, and here’s where it gets busy – on Day 3 we recommend you either head for Haifa or Nazareth.
In Haifa you could take in the amazing Bahai Gardens, the chic German Colony (always impressive at Christmas time with all the Christmas lights and decorations), the large port, the kilometres of good sandy beaches or the nearby Ein Hod artists colony.
In Nazareth there is, of course, an abundance of Christian biblical sites to see, including the Church of the Annunciation (where Gabriel announced the future birth of Jesus to Mary). There are also some great authentic restaurants in Nazareth, such as Diana’s in Paul VI St.
Later in the evening you could drive to Jerusalem, which is 131km away from both Haifa and Nazareth, or alternatively find a room for the night in Haifa or Nazareth (our recommendation in Nazareth is the awesome and unique Fauzi Azar Inn) and head out in the morning.
Days 4 and 5 in Israel
It doesn’t matter if you’re exploring Israel in 7 days or 70 days, we’d highly recommend at least a couple of days in Jerusalem, there’s just so much to see (we’ve selected the ten Jerusalem must-sees right here)!
It would probably be best to split your 2 days into old and modern, one day focusing on the Old City, including the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and your second day visiting more modern sites such as the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, the Israel museum, a little bit of shopping down Ben Yehuda promenade and a bite to eat at some of Jerusalem’s great restaurants.
If you’re not sure of what to see exactly, there are also a number of great Jerusalem tours you could try. These tours are very budget-friendly and will give you an excellent insight into this amazing city.
As you’ll be staying a night or two, you might want to book yourself a hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 6 in Israel
Head out early to the Dead Sea, an hour or so from Jerusalem (you can also reach the Dead Sea from Tel Aviv, it just means an earlier wake-up call!).
First head for Masada, the ancient Jewish mountain fortress. This is best visited in the early morning – and there’s nothing quite like a Masada sunrise – before it gets too hot.
After exploring the mountain top, head for the resorts of Ein Gedi or Ein Bokek, both of which have decent places to stay and are relatively near the sea where you can float on your back and chill out. Another alternative is to head to the northern end of the Dead Sea and Kalia Beach (a little easier to reach from Jerusalem). One other great option in this area is the water hike at Ein Gedi National Park, it’s gorgeous!
Don’t forget to splash some of that mud on, and bring a newspaper to read (for the perfect picture opportunity, floating in the Dead Sea). You could drive back to Tel Aviv the same evening, or book a hotel in the Dead Sea and wait til morning.
Day 7 in Israel
If you returned to Tel Aviv on Day 6, you should have plenty of time to squeeze some of the things you couldn’t squeeze in on Day 1.
Of course, Israel in 7 days isn’t really complete without some time on Tel Aviv beach, so if you didn’t make it on Day 1, squeeze some time in on your last day! Just remember to put on that sunscreen or you’ll be burnt to a frazzle!
Time permitting, we’d also recommend a taxi ride down to the old port of Jaffa, at the southern end of town, or you could just go shopping in Tel Aviv. The narrow and atmospheric Jaffa Flea market shouldn’t be missed, neither should Jaffa’s Old City. This final day’s activities will depend on the time of your flight of course, as well as your energy levels after packing in a pretty intensive tour.