From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and even beyond, the emotions and images are alternating and vary a lot. Through this post we want to help and inspire every traveler who wishes to travel to Israel to do it right away and we do not intend to comment in anyways the situation regarding the Palaistine.

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Our travel schedule in general (For detailed information please visit our detailed posts)

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, a modern city with great technological achievements and high growth rates when it come s to economy terms, is a seaside town with its skyscrapers, modern areas for young people and a glimpse of the old town located at the old port. A beautiful city full of wonderful graffiti, countless shops, cafes and bars, with bicycles and electric skates and a well-groomed beach that fits perfectly in the urban profile of the city while respecting pedestrians, tourists and our little friends, pets. More information about Tel Aviv, places to eat and drink and points of interest can be found in our detailed post about Tel Aviv!

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Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a city that is on the east side of Israel. It’s considered to be… The Mecca of Christianity! The Holy land for Christian believers! There lies the most important “symbol ” of Christianity, the Church of Holy Sepulcher. In the same city, however, there is a plethora of both Christian symbols of faith (Orthodox, Coptic and Catholic), Jewish and Islamic. All located at four quarters inside the old city of Jerusalem. That’s exactly what made us a positive impression in this place. The peaceful coexistence of so many heterogeneous elements of religious (generally of course the region has gone through a lot of conflicts). Visit our post about  Jerusalem to find out everything you need to know before your travel there.

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Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a small town located only 15 minutes from Jerusalem by car. It is known all over the world because it is the place where Jesus Christ was born at the Church of Nativity. Of course it has too many points of interest amd the most interesting fact is perhaps that Bethlehem is located in Palestinian territories… Crossing the borders of Palestine with a passport, of course, you enter another world and you cannot keep away any emotions when you see the wall that is built along the Palestinian territories by Israel. Read more in our post about Palestine and Bethlehem and the comments are all yours.

Masada Ein Gedi and Dead Sea
A one day excursion to one of the most beautiful natural landscapes we have ever seen! Check out our adventures in the area and find out how you can easily move there with Touristisrael.

Jericho

Jericho is also a city located on Palestinian territory. It is the oldest and lowest city in the world and its history begins in biblical times! There you can ascend to the mount of temptation via a telepherique (Jericho cable car, prebook your tickets coz its cgeaper). You can visit the cave swhere Christ lived for 40 days and nights. Enjoy the views.

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea, this extraordinary sea with the unbelievably salty water 24% more than the sea water, attracts millions of travelers. You’ve all seen the effects of awesome buoyancy and tourist photos floating comfortable on it! You’ve also all seen the smattering with mud! More information about the visit to the Dead Sea can be found in our relevant post.

Our itinerary in Israel

Day 1 – Jerusalem

Day 2 – Bethlehem – Jericho – Qumran-Galilee

6:00 Jerusalem-Bethlehem 30 minutes

6:30 Bethlehem (Palestine) – 1 hour there

• Church of the Cave of the Nativity
• Infant Cave (Herod)
• Shepherds Village
• Bethlehem-Qumran 1.30 Time – 1 hour there

7:30 Bethlehem-9:00 Jericho 1.30 time (lowest and oldest city in the world) 1.30 time there

• Cable car 16 Jericho cable cars to temptation mount-View Momonastery Deir al Kntl
• Hishams Palace

10.30 Jericho-12.30 Galilean – North Israel – Nazareth 2.3 Road (Palestinian road check)

30 Nazareth (Church of the Annunciation 20 minutes-12:50 departure
13:00 1 hour food Nazareth Mahroum (Knafe Sweets) – Alsheik (Eat) 14:00 departure
14:35-in the Desert Saints caves 20 minutes there 14:55 departure
15:40-Ascent Mount Tabor (Monastery on Mount) 20 minutes there 16:00 departure
16:50-Cana (Monastery of St. George)

17:30 Kapernaum (Capernaum Synagogue-Holy Apostles Monastery – Jesus healed the paralyzed) 15 minutes 17:45 Departure
Tiveriada (lake-Boat)-Lake Gennesaret Sea Gennesaret (we see it as we go Capernaum) departure
17:45 return Jerusalem 2.30 hours Road-20:15

3rd day Masada, Ein Gedi and Dead Sea by Touristisrael

• Read our detailed itinerary with Touristisrael 59 euro
• Masada 18.5 Euro
• Eni Gedi 7 Euro
• Dead Sea (included in 59 Euro Kalia beach entrance 8 Euro with umbrella and shower (get a newspaper for photography)

Day 4, Tel Aviv

• Avenue Rosfield-Nachlat pedestrian street or bike
• Carmel Market
• Jaffa Old Town-old Port
• Nevé Jedek
• Check out the amazing bars in the area

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Visa for Israel

The visa to enter and stay in Israel comes out as soon as you arrive at the airport. Beware only because the passport is not stamped but they give you a paper instead which you should not miss especially if you are going to enter Palestine territories.

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How to get from Ben Gurion Tel Aviv Airport to Jerusalem

The first option is to take the 485 bus outside the airport. The bus is located on the Platform 3 on the 2nd floor at gate 23 and takes about 50 minutes to reach Jerusalem. It makes around six stops so check out the one that suits you best.

The second one is by train, the new fast train of Israel which in just 20 minutes will reach you to Jerusalem. At the airport, search the counter in green colour, take out a RAV Kav card and scroll quickly and easily.

From Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport take the bus from 220 Jaffa Street-16ils

How to get from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem bus 480, 405

Things to do and see in Jerusalem

Quarters

• Christian Quarter
• Jewish Quarter
• Islamic District
• Armenian Quarter

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Via Dolorosa

After the many cultural changes that took place in the area over the centuries, 14 stops of Christ Golgotha were established:

1. Praetorium. The place of the death sentence of Jesus.
2. Praetorium. Jesus receives the cross.
3. Corner of El Ouad Street the first fall of Jesus due to the weight of the cross.
4. Armenian Catholic Chapel. According to the folklore tradition, the meeting of Jesus and his mother was held there.
5. House of Simon of Cyrenaean. The Roman soldiers are on the job to carry the cross for a few meters
6. The house of Veroniki. According to legend (The Veil of Veronica), Saint Veronica wipes with her veil the face of Jesus and is depicted in it miraculous the image of his face.
7. Gate of conviction in the Latin chapel where the second fall of Jesus took place.
8. Jesus meets and comforts the daughters of Jerusalem entering the Church of Resurrection where the third fall of Jesus was held.
9. East of the Holy Court
10. Chapel of Armenians and Syrians, where Jesus is stripped to begin the process of crucifixion.
11. Golgotha outside the chapel of the Latin Calvary
12. Golgotha outside the chapel of the Greek Orthodox
13. Point where Jesus was taken off the cross.
14. Holy Tomb

Shopping – markets

• Yeluda
• Old city markets
• AD Dabbagha Market
• Beit Habad Streets
• The three markets
• Signs of an interesting

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Places of interest

• Alexander Nevskjy church
• Arch of The Virgin Mary
• Armenian monastery
• Christ Church
• Church of the holy Sepulchre
• Church of the redeemer
• Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate
• Greek Catholin Patriarchate
• Room of the last Supper
• St James cathedral
• The Greek orthodox patriarchate
• Via dolorosa
• Kings David tomb
• The western wall
• The temple mount – All Haram Al sharif
• Al Aqsa mosque
• Dome of the rock
• Tower of David museum
• Yad Vasem museum

Watch our video to have an idea about Jerusalem!

Gates

• Golden Gate
• Damascus Gate
• Dung Gate
• Herods Gate
• Jaffa Gate
• Lions Gate
• New Gate
• Zion Gate

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Food-coffee-night life

For food, its all about falafel of course! You will find it everywhere fried in large cauldrons with colorful vegetables waiting to be served along with the falafel. The prices are a bit pinched but they will leave you satisfied.

For breakfast try either the sweet yellow fluffy buns that you will find by street vendors being sold or visit the wonderful bakery we discovered in the Islamic quarter. Just take the road to Herods gate! The owner is really amazing and will be happy to introduce to you all the staff! Try the ones with the baked meat or cheese.

Coffee we tried only in the Islamic quarter, Arabic  coffee, tastes a lot like the greek one but much more aromatic!

For your nightlife escapes we suggest you go to the Yeluda market! A whole market is transformed into cool bars, and anything you like from food and drinks or for dessert! Crowded and full of great graffiti, we personally liked it very much and it is worth to visit it a least once in the late evening.

Accommodation

Staying in Jerusalem can be rather expensive. We recommend trying a hostel located outside the old town and close to the Yeluda market. The rooms are maily mixed dorms! Make the best choice for you by clicking here! 

How safe is to travel to Israel

You may wonder if it is safe to travel to Israel. Israel, however it sounds, can be said to be the safest city in the world. A trully moerdm city, full of technology and equiped with camera systems everywhere while is being policed from soldiers all over the streets. Do not forget that a hitch can happen everywhere and it is not an absolute feature of certain cities. As we have said before, we need to respect the local habits and religions and you will be fine (e.g. in the wall of tears if you find yourself on a Friday afternoon when Sabbath starts, photos are prohibited!). Just enjoy your stay, be careful and dont trying anything stupid!

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