I don’t know how popular Israel is in your countries, but as far as I know the two main topics concerning this country when it comes to media coverage are religion and politics.
As usual, having the chance of seeing places in first person always reveals many unknown sides, and I am glad I visited Israel to discover much more about it and experience the unexpected.
Israel has something to offer to all kinds of travelers. Are you going there to party? To volunteer? For religious purposes? Either way, here is why I think you should add Israel to your travel list!
Jerusalem at dusk
1. Moving around the country is incredibly easy. I traveled all around Israel and easily reached any place by bus and shared taxi. Other than that, an efficient railway system is also available.
Most buses (especially the Egged ones) have wifi on board (yes, it’s as awesome as it sounds!) and considering the cleanliness, reliability and services offered the prices are definitely low.
Bus stop in Tiberias… don’t worry, English version is on the back!
2. Hitchhiking is safe. All around the country and especially outside of the main cities, hitchhiking is very common. Everyone does that. You can just wait on the road pointing your hand at the street, and someone will stop and give you a ride. Since it’s a very common thing, it’s normal and safe to do it.
3. There’s a fantastic network of hostels and cool accommodations called ILH-Israel Hostels that makes your life so much easier! You can just check the website or get one of their maps in any hostel to choose where to book next and get a 5% discount on the following booking too. You can rely on great service and certified quality.
Abraham Hostel in Jerusalem. Just one of the many options!
4. Such a small country, so many things to see and do! Israel looks small. I thought I would spend 6 or 7 days there, and ended up staying 12 days, seing just half of what I could have seen! From the Golan Heights to Galilee, from the nightlife in Tel Aviv to the Negev Desert, there’s absolutely nothing you want to miss in this country.
Sunset in the Golan Heights
5. People are helpful. I’m not gonna lie, some Israeli people look (are?) rude for no reason, but luckily others are extremely helpful.
The staff at Abraham Hostel in Jerusalem went the extra mile to give me all the info I needed and helped me planning my stay in Israel.
The night I arrived to Jerusalem and I had no idea where the hostel was (both phone and laptop batteries dead…) I asked a girl in the street and she literally took me to my destination.
On the bus from Jerusalem to Beer Sheva, a guy sitting next to me showed me how to do some really cool stuff with my phone and wrote me a list of apps to download according to my needs… and I didn’t ask him!
6. Food is good. I didn’t get to try fancy restaurants (which I am sure are great) but what can I say after living almost exclusively on street food for the whole stay is that food is great. I am pretty sure I had my best falafel in Jerusalem… Some really great mezze in Nazareth… and a superb typical dinner in the Negev.
A typical dinner at the Negev Camel Ranch
7. Israel is not as expensive as you expect. Yes, it’s definitely pricier than the rest of the Middle East (the cheapest dorm I slept in in Israel was €12, while in Egypt you can get a private room with bathroom for that price) but you definitely get what you pay for. I’ve already mentioned the transportation is great and worth the few extra bucks. You can get cheap and delicious food in local markets, such as Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem. Also, you can sleep at unique places and I always found them clean and functional.
Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem
8. This place makes you think. Maybe you are not into politics or don’t know much about the Middle East, but when you travel across Israel you will have to face some situations that will inevitably lead you to think, which is always good. You will see or hear about security, checkpoints, division walls, etc. and even if you intended to spend your entire holiday getting wasted in Tel Aviv, at some point you will find yourself wondering “why this and that?”. This is what travel is supposed to do. Make us think. Go for it.
Religion and security: main aspects of the Israeli life
9. There are many volunteering opportunities. ILH offers volunteering opportunities to work in a hostel for 6 weeks. Other than this, you can surely find humanitarian associations to volunteer or have an internship with, both in the Israeli side or the West Bank. This is actually something that I am planning to do on my next visit!
Who’s been to Israel and wants to add a 10th reason to travel to Israel? I am curious to know about your experiences.
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20 Comments
Hi, great post :-)
A small correction: The market in Jerusalem is called “Mahane Yehuda”, not “Yahane Mehuda” (Yeah, I know, Hebrew for you is like Italian for me…) it mean’s “Jeudah’s camp”: http://www.machne.co.il/en/
Enjoy the rest of your journey!
Hi Yoav… opsie! I just corrected the typo. *blushing*
Thanks for the correction and explanation, very interesting!
10. It never rains in the summer.
11. Women can travel hassle free.
Thanks for the suggestions, Monika. In fact, you are right!
Because it is so geographically and culturally diverse. In it’s 470 kilometers (len) & 135 (Wi) you will find from desert to forests from sea to mountains and so many different cultures and religions.
True! I confess I didn’t know much about what to see in Israel before entering the country and realized there’s so much to see and do, so many landscapes and things to see. Very, very interesting. Thanks for your comment!
Israel has been on my to-go list for a very long time given the amazing things there are to see and how the country is so steeped in history. Your list has given me even more motivation to visit!
That must be such a wonderful land! I haven’t been there before, andI guess we wouldn’t allowed to enter this land because of the religion of my husband. By the way, I have always wanted to get there, it might be a really interesting land with that multicultural environment, although I think it could be a little bit dangerous for tourists nowadays.
I don’t know if religion alone could prevent you to enter the country. In fact, I am pretty sure it wouldn’t be the case! I believe it’s mostly about nationalities. If you have the chance, I would suggest you to look for info about entering (don’t know where you come from etc) and if you can visit then go for it :)
Giulia, I love this post and I’m so happy you traveled to Israel and like it! Israel is really a must-see country for anyone interested in the Middle East – or the world. Its religious sites are another reason I can add to your list. Where else in the world can you see so many places of extreme importance to Christians, Jews and Muslims? Nowhere. Also, the country is so diverse – the Negev desert in the south, the cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in the middle, and the green, mountainous area of northern Israel. So there’s two more reasons for you :)
Also, your photo of the bus stop in Tiberias makes me homesick. I loved that little city.
I agree it’s a must see for people interested in the Middle East (and not only…). It makes you understand/think again on so many things it’s unbelievable!
Yes, I didn’t mention the religious sites, but that’s actually a very important aspect of travel to Israel.
I didn’t have time to explore Tiberias, I was just on the way to the Golan from Nazareth, but I am sure I will have time when I go back.
Israel is the cheapest place to spend your vacation, especially for those with limited budget because everything is found here and the standard of living is relatively cheap.
I have already written this wonderful country on my bucket list, it must be really worth for a visit, although I was afraid from the terrorists…
The more I see on Israel the more tempted I am to go there. Good to hear you had such a positive experience there.
I went there on honeymoon a long, long time ago (and long since divorced!) but it was a wonderful holiday. You make it sound very tempting to go back!
My number 10 would be the fabulous snorkelling and diving over the beautiful coral reefs of the Red Sea from Eilat.
I have already gone there many time and find good place.
Israel is super high on my travel bucket list. Your posts are extremely helpful. I love that you blog about this region :)
another reason is the Dead Sea, lowest place on earth, a great place to relax and heal, for me the most special and beautiful place on earth.
Thanks for your addition, Brigitte! I’ve been to the Dead Sea on the Jordanian side, and it was definitely a unique experience. Maybe next time I will try it on the other side!
Israel is such an amazing place for travel that I’ve gone five times! We actually spent 6 weeks there during our gap year and continuously found new and different things to do – and didn’t hit everything on our list.