What is the best time to visit Israel?

Best Time to Visit Israel

The best time to travel to Israel is during Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November).

Spring in Israel

Spring in Israel is a delightful time of year, with pleasant temperatures and plenty of sunshine. The days are warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit. This is the ideal time to explore the country’s many outdoor attractions, such as the Dead Sea, Masada, and the Mediterranean coast. Visitors can also experience the unique beauty of Israel’s spring blooms, including the anemone, cyclamen, and poppies. There are also plenty of festivals and cultural events to enjoy during this time, such as the Jerusalem Film Festival and the Tel Aviv Marathon.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Israel

Israel in January

Weather

January in Israel is usually cold and wet. The average temperature in January is around 11°C (52°F), with highs of 16°C (61°F) and lows of 6°C (43°F). January is the wettest month of the year, with an average of 8 rainy days and around 70mm of rainfall.

Events

• The Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat is celebrated on the 15th of January. This holiday is also known as the New Year of the Trees, and is marked by planting trees and eating fruit.
• The Tel Aviv Marathon takes place in January. This is an annual event that attracts thousands of runners from around the world.
• The Jerusalem Marathon is held in January, and is one of the largest marathons in the Middle East.
• The Jerusalem International Book Fair is held in January, and is one of the largest book fairs in the world.
• The Israeli Film Festival is held in January, and is one of the largest film festivals in the Middle East.

Israel in January

Weather

January in Israel is typically cold and wet. The average temperature during the day is around 10-15°C (50-59°F), while the average temperature at night is around 4-7°C (39-45°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of around 5-7 days of rain each month.

Events

• The International Jerusalem Marathon takes place in January, usually near the end of the month. This event attracts thousands of runners from all over the world.
• The Jerusalem Light Festival is a popular event in January. This event features light installations, art installations, and performances.
• The Tel Aviv Marathon is held in January each year. This event is a popular event for runners from all over the world.
• Tu Bishvat is a Jewish holiday that takes place in January. It is a celebration of the new year for trees, and is celebrated with special foods and activities.
• The Red Sea Jazz Festival is held in Eilat in January each year. This festival features jazz musicians from all over the world, and is a popular event for jazz lovers.

Israel in March

Weather

March is the transition month between winter and spring in Israel. Temperatures are mild, with highs ranging from 16-20°C (60-68°F) and lows from 7-13°C (45-55°F). Rainfall is common, so it’s best to pack an umbrella and a light jacket.

Events

• Purim: Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the victory of the Jews over their oppressors in Persia. It is celebrated with parades, costumes, and special treats. It usually falls in late March or early April.
• Tel Aviv Marathon: The Tel Aviv Marathon is an annual event that attracts thousands of runners from all over the world. It takes place in late March.
• Israel Festival: The Israel Festival is an annual event that celebrates Israeli culture and art. It usually takes place in late March or early April.
• Israel Independence Day: Israel Independence Day is a national holiday that celebrates the founding of the State of Israel. It usually takes place in mid-April.
• Jerusalem Film Festival: The Jerusalem Film Festival is an annual event that celebrates Israeli and international cinema. It usually takes place in late March or early April.

Israel in April

Weather

April is the beginning of spring in Israel. The days become longer and temperatures start to rise. The average temperature in April is around 17°C (63°F) with highs reaching up to 24°C (75°F). The nights are still cool with temperatures dropping to 9°C (48°F). Rainfall is common during this month, with an average of 8 days of rain.

Events

• Passover: Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays and is celebrated in April. It marks the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. During the holiday, special meals are prepared and enjoyed with family and friends.
• Yom HaShoah: Yom HaShoah is a day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust. It is observed on the 27th of April and is marked by memorial services, candle lighting ceremonies, and other events.
• Israel Independence Day: Israel Independence Day is a national holiday celebrated on the 5th of April. It marks the day in 1948 when the state of Israel was declared. Celebrations include parades, fireworks, and concerts.
• Tel Aviv Marathon: The Tel Aviv Marathon is held in April. It is a popular event that attracts thousands of participants from all over the world. The marathon course takes runners through the city’s streets and along the Mediterranean coastline.
• Jerusalem Marathon: The Jerusalem Marathon is also held in April. It is a popular event that draws thousands of runners from all over the world. The marathon course takes runners through the city’s historical sites and along the Old City walls.

Israel in May

Weather

May is a pleasant time to visit Israel, with temperatures ranging from 20-30°C. The days are typically sunny and dry, with occasional showers occurring in the early morning or late evening.

Events

• Jerusalem Day: This day marks the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 and is celebrated with parades, music, and dancing.
• Israeli Independence Day: Celebrated on the 5th of Iyar, this national holiday marks the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.
• Lag B’Omer: This holiday is celebrated on the 18th of Iyar and is a day of celebration and remembrance for the Jewish people.
• Shavuot: This holiday is celebrated on the 6th of Sivan and marks the end of the counting of the Omer.
• Tisha B’Av: This day marks the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem and is a day of fasting and mourning.

Israel in June

Weather

June is the beginning of summer in Israel and temperatures can reach up to 30°C (86°F). The days are long and the nights are warm. Rainfall is minimal, but there can be occasional thunderstorms.

Events

• Jerusalem Pride Parade: The annual Jerusalem Pride Parade is held in June and is a celebration of the LGBT community. It is attended by thousands of people from all over the world.
• Israel Festival: The Israel Festival is an annual event held in Jerusalem in June. It features performances by local and international artists, as well as exhibitions, workshops, and more.
• Tel Aviv Jazz Festival: The Tel Aviv Jazz Festival is held in June and features performances by some of the world’s best jazz musicians.
• Jewish Music Festival: The Jewish Music Festival is held in Jerusalem in June and features performances by Jewish musicians from around the world.
• Jerusalem Film Festival: The Jerusalem Film Festival is an annual event held in June. It showcases films from around the world, as well as talks and workshops.

Israel in July

Weather

July is the hottest month of the year in Israel, with temperatures reaching an average high of 33°C (91°F) and an average low of 22°C (72°F). The humidity is also high, with an average of around 65%. Rainfall is low, with an average of just 0.4 inches (10 mm).

Events

• The Jerusalem Light Festival is an annual event that takes place in July. The festival features light installations, art, and music performances in the Old City of Jerusalem.
• The Red Sea Jazz Festival is held annually in Eilat in July. The festival features performances from some of the world’s top jazz musicians.
• The Israel Festival is an annual event that takes place in Jerusalem in July. The festival features performances from international and Israeli artists, as well as art installations and exhibitions.
• The White Night Festival is an annual event that takes place in Tel Aviv in July. The festival features music, art, and performances from some of the world’s top DJs and producers.
• The Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival is held annually in July. The festival features films from student filmmakers from around the world.

Israel in August

Weather

August in Israel is typically hot and dry. Temperatures range from the mid-20s Celsius (70s Fahrenheit) in the north to the mid-30s Celsius (90s Fahrenheit) in the south. August is the peak of the summer season in Israel, with sunny days and very little rain.

Events

• Jerusalem Day (August 11th): Celebrated to commemorate the reunification of Jerusalem under Israeli control in 1967. The day includes parades, concerts, and other festivities.
• Tel Aviv Pride (August 1st-8th): A week-long celebration of the LGBTQ community in Tel Aviv. Includes a parade, performances, and other events.
• White Night (August 14th): An all-night cultural event in Tel Aviv, featuring music, art, and performances.
• Israel Festival (August 10th-20th): A 10-day celebration of Israeli culture in Jerusalem, featuring music, dance, theater, and more.
• Beer Festival (August 21st-22nd): An annual celebration of beer in Tel Aviv, featuring craft beers from around the world.

Israel in September

Weather

September in Israel is typically warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the low 20s Celsius (70s Fahrenheit) to the low 30s Celsius (90s Fahrenheit). Rainfall is low and humidity is relatively low.

Events

• Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated in September. It is a two-day holiday that includes special prayers and meals.
• The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, a day of fasting and atonement, takes place in September.
• The Israeli International Film Festival takes place in September. It is a celebration of Israeli cinema, with screenings of films from around the world.
• The Jerusalem Marathon takes place in September. It is a 26.2-mile race that attracts runners from around the world.
• The Tel Aviv Jazz Festival takes place in September. It is a week-long event featuring performances by international jazz musicians.

Israel in October

Weather

October in Israel is generally mild and pleasant. Temperatures in the coastal areas range from an average high of 24°C (75°F) to an average low of 15°C (59°F). In the inland and mountainous areas, temperatures range from an average high of 22°C (72°F) to an average low of 8°C (46°F). Rainfall in October is light, with an average of 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain.

Events

• The Jerusalem Marathon takes place in October, usually towards the end of the month. The marathon is a 42 km (26.2 mile) run that passes through the streets of Jerusalem, and is one of the largest marathons in the world.
• The Jewish holiday of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is celebrated in October. It is a seven-day holiday that commemorates the 40 years that the Israelites spent in the wilderness after leaving Egypt.
• The International Bible Contest is held in Jerusalem in October. The contest is open to Jewish youth from around the world, and tests their knowledge of the Bible.
• The Tel Aviv Marathon takes place in October. The marathon is a 42 km (26.2 mile) run that passes through the streets of Tel Aviv, and is one of the largest marathons in the world.
• The Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah is celebrated in October. It is a one-day holiday that marks the end of the annual cycle of Torah readings.

Israel in November

Weather

November in Israel is usually mild and pleasant. The days are still warm, but the evenings become cooler. The average temperature in Tel Aviv is around 19°C (66°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of around 6 days of rain per month.

Events

• The Tel Aviv Marathon takes place in November. This is a popular event that attracts thousands of runners from around the world.
• The Jerusalem Marathon is another popular event that takes place in November. This race is a great way to explore the city and experience its culture.
• The International Jerusalem Film Festival is a popular event that takes place in November. This festival showcases the best of Israeli and international cinema.
• The Israeli Opera Festival is an annual event that takes place in November. This festival showcases some of the best opera performances from around the world.
• The Israel Festival is a month-long event that takes place in November. This festival showcases the best of Israeli culture, with music, dance, theater, and more.

Israel in December

Weather

December in Israel is typically mild and wet. Average temperatures range from 10-20°C (50-68°F) during the day, and 4-13°C (39-55°F) at night. Rainfall is common, with an average of 5-7 rainy days per month.

Events

• Hanukkah: One of the most important Jewish holidays, Hanukkah is celebrated in December. During the eight-day festival, families light a menorah and exchange gifts.
• Christmas: Christmas is celebrated in Israel, particularly in Bethlehem, where it is a major holiday. There are Christmas markets, parades, and other festivities.
• Tel Aviv Marathon: The Tel Aviv Marathon is held annually in December. Participants can choose to run a full marathon, a half marathon, or a 10K race.
• Jerusalem Light Festival: The Jerusalem Light Festival is an annual event that takes place in December. The festival features light installations, art, and music.
• Jerusalem Jazz Festival: The Jerusalem Jazz Festival is held annually in December. It features a variety of jazz musicians from Israel and around the world.