When is the best time to visit Israel

It is relatively easy to decide when to travel to Israel, since it can be visited practically throughout the year. However, this country in the Middle East has up to forty different climates across the length and breadth of its territory.

Best time to travel to Israel

To decide when to travel to Israel, everything depends on the region which you are visiting. The climate varies according to the altitude and the geographical situation; in fact, during the winter, you can find a Mediterranean climate in the west of the country, and a continental climate to the east. In the south of the country there is a tropical climate, and in the highest areas, such as Mount Hermon, there is snow almost all year round.

On the other hand, Israel has two distinct seasons: the dry season which runs from April to October, and the rainy season which covers from November to the end of March. January and February are the rainiest months, especially in the north and west of the country.

However, everything depends on the region you want to visit, because as we have said there are many climatic varieties in Israel. Let’s see next when to travel to Israel to visit the most important and well-known places.

When to travel to Jerusalem

Before deciding when to travel to Israel to visit Jerusalem, take note of the temperatures in this area of the country. In Jerusalem, the warmest month is July; here temperatures rise considerably, just like during the month of August. So, if you want to enjoy the holy city, avoid these two months.

The rest of the year is optimal for travelling to Jerusalem; it is best to do so during the tourist low season. This season coincides with February and March; although February is a rather rainy month, March is perfect in terms of temperature, although it still has some rain. If you don’t like the rain, you can travel in May, when there are fewer tourists and the weather is more favourable.

When to travel to Tel Aviv

Due to its coastal position, the city has a Mediterranean climate, the summers are quite hot, the winters are humid and the spring brings a sunny and pleasant temperature. If you want to avoid the rains, don’t visit the city between November and March.

February, on the other hand, is the perfect month to travel to this part of Israel, since the temperature is around 20ºC. At the end of April is another ideal time to visit Tel Aviv and enjoy its beaches. Avoid the hottest months, especially July and August, with average temperatures of 32ºC, but they can rise a lot depending on the day.

In summary, we can say that the best time to travel to Tel Aviv is during spring or autumn. Within this period, May and October are the best months, since they are not high tourist season, and we will have the best climate.

When to travel to Haifa

If you haven’t decided when to travel to Israel to visit Haifa, you should know that from February until the end of December would be the best months to visit this city. As you can see, the time to travel to this part of the country is practically all year round.

The average temperatures in Haifa range from 19ºC in the month of January to 32ºC in August. They are generally quite pleasant temperatures, with little precipitation in winter, and not too hot in summer. From June to September are the months with the highest heat, which also coincides with the dry season.

January and February, however, are the coldest and rainiest months, while in March and April the weather is spectacular. If you want to enjoy good weather, with no rain or excessive heat, visit Haifa from March to May.

When to travel to the Dead Sea

To bathe in the waters of the Dead Sea, the best time is during spring and autumn. Avoid the summer months, especially July and August, as the temperature rises to 47ºC, so your trip would be far from pleasant.

During the winter, the rains and the lower temperatures could prevent you from enjoying a good swim in the salty waters of this sea, so it is not a good idea to travel during this time.

September and October are perfect months to visit this area of Israel, as are April and May. If you go in April, the water is warm and a somewhat fresh air is blowing, but that will not stop you from diving into the sea. Therefore, if you can, choose May, September and October to discover the wonders of the Dead Sea.

To visit other places such as Caesarea, Acre, Safed, Masada Fortress or Nazareth, the best time is the same as for the rest of Israel: the dry season, avoiding July and August. Now you know when to travel to Israel, you just have to choose your dates.