In addition to when to come to Israel, how much time you plan on spending here is also an important thing to think about when planning your trip.
How much time you need and how much time you can afford to allow yourself are sometimes two completely different things.
Now, any amount of time is better than none. But if you really want to be able to see and experience a good portion of the country, and sample the variety the state has to offer, then I’d aim for a minimum of 10 days. The sky is the limit in the other direction — there’s ALWAYS something new to see here.
For Example:
Lets say you’re coming for a total of 2 weeks, 14 days. You have a day or two on either end for travel and jet lag adjustment, and you’re left with a 10 days to explore and experience this amazing country. In 10 days you’ll be able to cover a lot of ground. Israel is a relatively small country, and nothing is really FAR.
In this timeperiod you should be able to do and see a good deal if you utilize your time appropriately. Though time utilization is a very personal thing. For some, it means seeing as much as possible in the amount of time they have. For others, it means taking it easy and seeing where the day leads. More on this in a different post.
The shorter your trip is, the more picky you will need to be in deciding which sites are absolute MUSTS.
Ways to travel on a short amount of time
Maybe you’ll want to spend your time here all in the Galilee and Golan Heights hiking and exploring the different cities and villages of the north. Or maybe you’d rather spend your time in Tel Aviv getting to know the city, enjoying the beaches, and the night life. Or maybe you’ll want to spend all of your time in Jerusalem, delving into the traditions of the three religions laying claim to the city.
You might decide to go the classic route. To see the MUSTS and split your time between Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Masada and the Dead Sea. Here is an example of a 5-day itinerary.
But really what it usually comes down to, is how long you can afford to be away for.
If you only have 7 days worth of vacation days, your vacation most likely to fall into that framework.
If you’re from Europe…
This being said, it’s mainly relevant for those coming from North America, Australia, the far east…Europe is just a few hours away, so if you’re in Europe, you lucked out!
- Your trips can be shorter, since your travel time is nowhere near as extensive as those coming from farther away.
- The price of plane tickets is much cheaper when coming from Europe, so you can come more often.
- If you have only a weekend, you can choose a city as your base, exploring the city and the surroundings each time you come.
You have a more flexibility regarding your trips to Israel.
And if you’re NOT from Europe…
If you don’t live that close to Israel, then you’ll want to make sure you give yourself enough time to explore the country, since getting here is a much larger investment for you.
Generally speaking, when you come to Israel, there are certain highlights that you’re going to want to see if it’s your first time. Depending on who you ask, you’ll get different lists…I’m only going to give you ONE place that to me is a MUST.
The Old City of Jerusalem.
It’s the hub for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and is definitely worth exploring and experiencing while you’re here.
Everything else is up to you!
If you’re really concerned about “wasting time” during your trip, I have a post about how to best utilize your time while in Israel.
You can also look into getting a tour guide. Whether it’s myself or any other licensed guide here in Israel, it’s our job to make sure that your trip is as efficient as possible!
How much time are YOU planning on spending here? Let me know in the comments!