Best time to visit Israel

The best time to visit Israel definitely is from early October to mid-November and March to May, when the days are not hot and the sea temperature is warm enough for a dip. So, both spring and autumn are ideal for beach holidays in the country as well as exploring Israel’s attractions.

Spring is especially good for sightseeing in Israel, when the air temperatures are still relatively mild and the flowers are in bloom. You will enjoy visiting Jerusalem with its places of worship and Gethsemane and Bahai gardens. All of these are better to see in spring.

Summers, from June to September, may not be the best time to go to Israel, unless you like high temperatures and high humidity. It is so hot then that even swimming in the sea is not refreshing. Despite the sweltering heat, this period forms the peak season that leads to overbooked hotels, high prices and a lot of tourists.

The winter months from December to February are warm enough only in the Red Sea region. The rest of the country witnesses temperatures below 20°C and a few days of rain each month. This make winters a low season in Israel, and the prices at this time of the year are significantly reduced.

Read more: Souvenirs you can bring from Israel

The following overview shows the best time to travel to various regions in Israel.

Region Best time to travel
Tel Aviv all months except January-March and December
Eilat April , May , September , October and November
Haifa April , May , September , October and November
Jaffa all months except January-March and December

What is the climate like in Israel?

Israel has several climate zones. The Mediterranean climate prevails in the north. The coast in the west characterizes a subtropical Mediterranean climate. The climate in the south of Israel is dry and arid as in a desert.

The different climate zones bring different weather conditions with them. For the entire country, however, January is the coldest month with an average of 18 degrees Celsius. In addition, January is the wettest with an average of 10 rainy days.

The most rain falls in Israel in the winter months from November to March. The rain is usually accompanied by storms. The summer months May to September are free of rainy days – statistically there is no precipitation during these months.

The subtropical Mediterranean climate of the coastal region brings hot and dry summers. The winters, on the other hand, are mild and humid. In summer you can expect maximum daytime temperatures between 28 and 31 degrees Celsius. It is pleasant at night with 16 to 22 degrees Celsius. The water temperature is ideal for swimming and the hours of sunshine reach their annual maximum at 10 to 12 per day.

Israeli summers are dry as there is usually no rain. But the air humidity is higher, which can make them unbearable.

Israel in winter – December to February

Weather in Israel in the winter is quite warm. If in Jerusalem and other cities of the northern and central regions the air temperature is + 10 ° C, on the Red Sea (Eilat) it rarely drops below + 23 ° C. But as soon as there is a rain shower, the temperature in Eilat can drop to 17°C. So even thought the sea in at 23°C, the outside temperature will make it quite chilly.

In the rest of Israel, it often rains in winter. So holidays in December, especially beach holidays in Israel can be ruined when not holidaying on the Red sea coastline.

If you managed to visit Israel not just in the winter, but also during a snowfall on Mount Hermon, then do not miss the rare chance to go skiing on the slopes of this unique ski resort. Hurry up as snow here rarely lies longer than a week.

Israel in spring – March to May

The weather in Israel in the spring is perfect for trips to the historical centers of cities and long trips around the country. The heat has not come yet and nature is in full bloom.

You can go to the Red Sea, and in May to the Mediterranean Sea, or go to the Dead Sea for medical procedures. The high season is in full swing, and it continues until May, when the heat is rapidly transforming spring into summer.

The salt accumulated on the coast of the Dead Sea

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Israel in summer – June to September

Summer in Israel is hot and humid. The sea water so warm so that even swimming does not bring any pleasure.

Due to the intense heat, the salty waves of the Dead Sea are not very suitable for medical procedures. And there is nothing to say about sightseeing. In such harsh heat, visiting the various attractions in Israel is simply unthinkable. Lastly, don’t even think about going to Eilat from June-August.

Having said that, the month of June is the transition between end of spring and start of summer in Israel. In cities like Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem the average maximum temperature in June still hovers around 30-33°C, which is not very hot.

Just be mindful of the fact that for about 3 weeks in June/July, jellyfish appear on the beaches of Tel Aviv, making a dip in the Mediterranean sea somewhat dangerous.

Israel in fall – October to November

After spring, autumn in Israel is the second favorable period for a visit to the country. In September and even early October, the weather is still really summer like. For example, on the Red Sea in Eilat, the air temperature is above 30°C, and the water temperature is about 26°C.

Perhaps October is one of the best months of the year for a vacation in Israel. The weather is still warm, and neither the Red, nor the Dead, nor the Mediterranean seas have cooled down. But it is worth remembering that in November the rainy season begins. And although in reality there are not so many of wet days and certainly not as stormy as in winters, they can still spoil your vacation.

The weather in Israel in the autumn allows not only swimming in the sea, but also visiting all the places you want, exploring the centers of Jerusalem, Jaffa and other cities.

Ski season in Israel

Of course, there is no ski season in Israel as such, and probably few go to Israel just to go skiing. But if you end up in Israel in the winter, and you get tired of a beach holiday, then you should definitely visit Mount Hermon. It is more than than 2200m high and your best bet to skiing in Israel!

There are several routes of varying complexity on Hermon, the total length of which is about 8 kilometers. There are lifts and cable cars to take you up the slopes. You can rent ski equipment right there.

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