Thinking of visiting Israel in the fall?
We’re talking about September-October-November officially speaking.
Advantages
The Weather
It’s nowhere near as hot as it is in the summer. The cooler weather makes it much more pleasant to be traveling, exploring, seeing, and doing. It’s still daylight savings, so the sun is still setting relatively late, though as the months progress, obviously, the days will get shorter.
Holidays
The most important Jewish Holidays take place in September/October. This is a fascinating cultural experience, being here during these celebrations.
Bike Riding
If you’re into cycling, come for Yom Kippur. A recent tradition developed that whoever isn’t fasting gets on their bikes and heads for the highways. The only day of the year where all the signs on the highways say watch out for cyclists. Or have a nice ride. During the fall there are a lot of bike rides going on that you can join, so even if you don’t make it for Yom Kippur, look into the different rides going on throughout the country!
Running
Cycling isn’t the only sport that is popular in Israel. There are marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, family runs, the works! And autumn is the season for all of it! Join hundreds of locals as they run their way through the different cities in Israel.
November
This is an optimal month to visit Israel. It’s after summer vacation and after the Jewish Holidays. And it’s before the Christmas boom so it’s generally less crowded than May-October. The weather is usually great, too.
Disadvantages
Rain
It ALWAYS rains during Sukkot, one of the Jewish Holidays that are in September/October. But after Sukkot there’s usually a long hiatus before the rain starts again. Lately, it’s been starting to rain again in November. So this is definitely something to consider when traveling. Bring a raincoat! Umbrellas are a little less useful here, especially when with the rain comes wind, and your umbrella just flips inside out. From Sukkot onward I always carry a raincoat with me, just in case.
Holidays
Yes, this can be an advantage, but it might also be a disadvantages, depending on what you’re looking for on your trip. During the holidays a lot of sites are closed, or only work half-days, and this makes it much more difficult to plan a trip and be able to see everything you want during your limited time here.
Conclusions
Visiting Israel in the fall is definitely a good option for those who don’t have children in the school system and can take their vacation time during the off-season. The weather is great and it’s less crowded than during the summer or winter booms of tourism. Especially November.
Make sure you take into consideration when booking during the fall:
Check when the Jewish Holidays are so you know what to expect and can plan your visit appropriately!
Want to Know What the Other Seasons Are Like?