How To Spend 10 Days In Israel, On A Budget

When you think of Israel, you may automatically associate this country with the troubles it has faced over the past decades. & whilst Israel does continue to be drawn into political unrest in the Middle East. We believe some light deserves to be shed on this incredible land, & the history, scenery, culture & stories that originate from it.

After recently spending 10 days exploring Israel from north to south. In this guide we are going to cover everything you need to know on how to travel Israel on a budget. This will hopefully help you to make the most out of your visit, to the Holy land.

Is Israel safe to visit?

Update January 2024 – Since our visit to Israel & Palestine last year, you will no doubt be aware that the security situation has escalated. Please refer to your countries travel advice before visiting this part of the world.

Let’s start with a burning question we are sure many of you are asking yourselves. We aren’t going to go deep into the politics behind Israel’s conflicts, as we simply don’t know enough ourselves & the situation is very complex, to make comment.

What we will say is that the media is known to create fear. As with anything they will often portray a situation, in a much more exaggerated light to create that fear. That’s not to say that terrible things don’t happen in Israel, because they do. & the stories we learnt there from both sides of this conflict, are heart breaking.

However, a lot of the news you hear about is coming out of the Gaza Strip, which is Palestine occupied territory. This is somewhere you should not & can not visit as a tourist. Israel is actually very safe, & during our time there we didn’t once feel as though our safety was threatened.

We also visited the West Bank, which is also part of Palestine, but an area that welcomes tourists. In fact many Palestinians rely on tourism. We will say that if you do decide to visit Israel it would be wise to check your own countries travel advice before flying. Whilst you’re there be smart & stay alert.

When is the best time to visit?

The northern regions of Israel sit on the Mediterranean. Therefore it receives a Mediterranean climate, similar to southern Europe. The southern regions however are semi-arid & usually warmer all year round. Jerusalem is situated in higher altitude & you should expect it to be slightly cooler here than other regions, whatever time of year you visit.

We would recommend visiting in either the Spring (March – May) or Autumn (September – November). The days will be pleasant & warm, whilst the nights will be cool, making it perfect for exploring. We visited in February of this year & although still classed as winter, Spring was in the air. We experienced beautiful clear skies & temperatures of around 20 degrees every day.

Travelling during Spring & Autumn will also be cheaper than during the summer months. If you’re looking for good deals, consider these months.

How long should I spend in Israel?

To make the most of your trip, we would advise you have at least a week to cover most ground. However, if you have additional time to play with then 10 days to 2 weeks would be the optimum amount of time to experience everything & still have the opportunity to take your time.

Is Israel really that expensive? Accommodation & food costs.

The short answer is yes. In fact it has been listed as one of the most expensive countries to live in. By our budget travellers standard, it felt expensive to us, but for others it may not be.

You can expect to pay around £100 for one night in a hotel, which obviously increases depending on where you choose to stay. However, there are great options for hostels which will be cheaper than this, starting at around £50 per night.

Full disclosure, during our time in Israel we collaborated with hotels/hostels, meaning we received free stays in exchange for content. Therefore any hotels/hostels we do recommend we did collaborate with. However our opinion on them is entirely our own & we will be providing an honest review, to help you plan your trip.

We found food to be incredibly expensive too. We didn’t even bother eating in restaurants in Tel Aviv & Jerusalem, as the cost was way beyond what we’d be willing to spend. Averaging at around 200-250 NIS (£45-55) for two people. I am sure there are cheaper restaurants available, we just didn’t have the energy or time to find them.

Supermarkets aren’t much better. Usually when we visit expensive countries we rely on supermarkets to provide us with cheap meals. Israel was a strange exception to this rule, as everything was just as expensive. Even just cereal cost around 30 NIS (£6.60). We did find that some supermarkets were cheaper than others, & we could afford to buy snacks.

You might be reading this & thinking how am I going to afford to eat? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered as we found that the cheapest & best way to get your feed in Israel is to visit the Shuk’s (markets). Here you will find many options for street food at a much more affordable price, we will recommend some to you later on.

In addition to that, there are many ‘hole in the wall’ takeaways dotted around every city. These will likely serve falafel or hummus in whichever way you fancy, most common is in a pita bread. Falafel is a staple food in the Middle East & we pretty much lived off it the entire time we were there. You can expect to pay between 8 NIS (£1.78) and 20 NIS (£4.45), for a falafel pita. They’re seriously delicious & fresh.

What’s the best way to travel around Israel?

Public transport is the easiest & cheapest way to get around the country. It is totally safe & pretty easy to use the system in Israel. There are buses that run throughout all major cities, as well as the tram system in Jerusalem. There are also trains running between Tel Aviv, Jerusalem & the Ben Gurion Airport. All public transport is efficient & incredibly clean.

TOP TIP: When you arrive in Israel, before leaving the airport collect a Rav-Kav smart card from one of the machines. It costs 5 NIS (£1.10) to purchase the card & you can also top it up at this machine. As well as train/tram station ticket machines. You cannot purchase paper tickets on buses so you will NEED this card to tap on & off the bus. You can purchase paper tickets at train stations, but having the smart card saves you time & is much easier.

Public transport is also very affordable, most journeys within a city will cost a standard 5 NIS (£1.10). Whilst a train journey between Ben Gurion Airport & Tel Aviv will cost around 13.50 NIS (£3). The journey on train from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will cost 23.50 NIS (£5.23). Longer journeys, such as between Jerusalem & Eilat will cost you 70 NIS (£15.58) on the Egged bus.

Hiring a car is also an option if you want to get off the beaten track & perhaps travel at a more leisurely pace. However, we will say that the public transport will take you pretty much everywhere you want to go. Prices for hiring a car are much the same as in Europe ranging from around 120 NIS (£26) per day & upwards. Most European rental companies are also available in Israel, the roads are easy & safe to drive on.

Another great option for those of you that enjoy looking out the window, rather than concentrating on the road, is a tour. We did a few tours with Tourist Israel, which were great as we learnt a lot more about each place we visited with a specialist guide. This was a gifted experience.

What should I wear in Israel?

Generally, Israel is a very liberal & relaxed country. Quite different from it’s more conservative neighbours. However, in saying that there are still some recommended dress codes in certain areas.

In Tel Aviv, you will be absolutely fine to wear whatever you please, both men & women. There is no dress code & the city prides itself on being the place you can express yourself in whichever way you please.

In Jerusalem, again there is no strict dress code. However, do bare in mind that it is a holy city & many residents will dress respectfully. Especially when walking around the old city & always when visiting religious sites, you should dress respectfully. By covering your shoulders, knees & chest, for both men & women.

In Eilat, the city is a holiday resort town & therefore attitudes towards dress code are almost non existent much like in Tel Aviv. Feel free to wear what you like here. Admittedly this was the only place we wore shorts as it was much hotter than in the northern regions.

If visiting areas within the West Bank (Palestine) the faith here is predominately Muslim. Therefore you should dress in accordance with this. Which means dressing respectfully again with shoulders, knees & chest covered for both men & women. In cities such a Bethlehem which is Christian, there are many holy sites so you should also cover up here too.

Shabbat (Jewish day of rest)

Before planning out your Israel itinerary, it’s important to be aware of Shabbat. The Jewish day of rest that occurs every Friday evening at sundown until Saturday sundown. During this time all public transport stops. It’s super important to factor this into your travel plans.

In Tel Aviv some restaurants & shops will likely stay open, although most Kosher restaurants will close. In Jerusalem, pretty much everything will close including restaurants, bars, shops & markets. There are a select few that will remain open, again mostly non kosher. So bare this in mind for your trip & be prepared with food for that day.

Hostels such as Abraham, offer a Shabbat meal on a Friday evening. Which would be a great experience if you’d like to try some traditional Israeli food.

Day 1-4: Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is a great city to start your adventures from. Tt’s a vibrant metropolis & feels very much like Barcelona or Los Angeles, making it the perfect introduction to Israel. There is a whole lot going on here & the vibes are immaculate.

Where to stay in Tel Aviv?

The first place we stayed in Tel Aviv was Selina TLV Beach. Specifically kitted out for digital nomads, the place is a mix between a hotel & a hostel. With co working spaces, shared kitchens, rooftop & common areas. However, all rooms are private with en-suite’s. If you can, try to secure a room overlooking the ocean, the sunsets are unreal from this angle over the Med. The location is perfect, situated between the old & new city, within walking distance to both & the beach.

The second place we stayed was By14 Hotel Tel Aviv, this hotel is situated in down town Tel Aviv. Still within walking distance of everything you would need & the beach is just across the street. We really loved the aesthetic here, its groovy. There is also a delicious breakfast included in your stay & free coffee/tea anytime of day. If you get a room with a balcony, the space is amazing & you’ll be able to chill out there with an epic view over the city.

For something a little bit cheaper you could look at staying at Abraham Hostels. We stayed at two of their other properties & had an awesome stay, their board usually includes breakfast too.

What to do in Tel Aviv?

Jaffa – There is plenty to do in Tel Aviv to keep you busy. One of our favourite things to do is explore the old port city of Jaffa (Yafo). This corner of the city is once all that Tel Aviv was until people started setting outside the city walls.

Today, Jaffa is a really picturesque part of town, situated on the old port. It is full of narrow streets, lined by boutique shops & art galleries that you can easily get lost in. If you’re looking for the prettiest streets for photos, head to: Mazal Arieh, Mazal Dagim, Kikar Kdumim & around the port.

Carmel Markets – This is the main Shuk for street food & pretty much anything else you desire. The energy here is amazing & will allow you to experience a proper middle eastern shuk. Don’t forget to try falafel pita & hummus, the best you will ever taste!

Go to the beach – Tel Aviv is blessed with 14 kilometres of coastline stretching along the shores of the Mediterranean. There are multiple beaches to choose from. All with a fantastic city skyline for a backdrop, making it difficult to choose a bad one.

Stroll the promenade – Adjacent to the beach you will find the promenade. You can walk the entire length of the city along it & take in the magnificent views along the way. There are plenty of restaurants & shops along the way to either window shop or treat yourself.

Catch the sunset – Golden hour is a fantastic time in the city. The sun will set over the ocean, so prop yourself up anywhere along the coast line & you will be able to catch it. If you are staying at Selina, there is an awesome rooftop & a small beer garden to watch the sunset from with a free welcome drink.

Walk the city – On our visit, we really enjoyed just walking around the different neighbourhoods, as each has it’s own unique vibe. Our favourite neighbourhood was Neve Tzedek, with a mixture of European & Middle Eastern influence. Not to mention, the architecture in Tel Aviv is extremely unique. As you walk around the city, keep an eye out for the classic Bauhaus architecture.

Day trips from Tel Aviv

There are many trips you can take from the city to visit other areas of Israel. We jumped on a tour to northern Israel with Tourist Israel, this tour took us to Caesarea, Haifa & Akko. This area of Israel really surprised us & was definitely off the beaten track, as we had never heard much about it before.

Caesarea National Park is an hour’s drive from downtown Tel Aviv & is a fascinating archaeological site. The harbour & the once city that stood here was the creation of King Herod during the Roman ruled Judea times. Today, you can visit the remains of the port city & learn about the story of Caesarea & how it came to be. The amphitheatre is still used today for concerts. & the site is extremely beautiful, which is great for photographers.

Outside of the national park there is the infamous Aqueduct Beach, that has been named one of Israel’s best beaches. Here you will find the remains of an ancient Aqueduct marking the edge of the beach.

Haifa is a little further up the coast, sitting at about 1 hour 30 minutes from Tel Aviv & is Israel’s third largest city. The city is built on the slopes of Mount Carmel, which you may be familiar with from the bible. Make sure to check out ‘Louis Promenade’ at the top of the Ba’hai Gardens for spectacular views across the city & out to the border of Lebanon.

The Ba’hai Gardens, are a spectacle in themselves, neatly decorated gardens falling down from Mount Carmel. This place is the holiest site in the Ba’hai religion. If you are unfamiliar with the Ba’hai religion, it is certainly a fascinating one & we encourage you to do your own research, or jump on a tour to learn more about it. It’s a relatively new religion, founded around 200 years ago.

The Ba’hai world centre is also located in the gardens & this is where the faith’s international collective body makes all it’s decisions, in the hands of nine elected leaders. This area is closed off to all tourists.

Akko or Acre is Israel’s most northern city, sitting almost at the border with Lebanon. It is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, the old city of Akko. Which has one of the oldest ports in the world. It’s in Akko that you can best understand the turbulent history of Israel, this is a city that has been shaped by the Romans, Ottomans, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Byzantines, and British. Today it is home to mixed population of Jews, Christians and Muslims, who live peacefully together.

When you visit Akko you can take a tour of the underground ruins. & see for yourself how the city has been built on top of ancient buildings, which have then been built on top of again in another era.

Day 4-8: Jerusalem

Jerusalem was a long awaited trip for us, it had been on both our bucket lists for a long time & it felt incredible to finally tick it off. They say that whilst Tel Aviv parties Jerusalem pray’s & this couldn’t be more true. The two cities are such a contrast, not only in appearance but in attitudes & energy too.

We fell in love with Jerusalem & it’s melting pot of cultures. We would now place it as one of our favourite, if not favourite city in the world. The only way to describe it, is magic.

Getting to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv

The journey between the two cities is super easy by public transport, as mentioned previously it should only cost you around 23.50 NIS (£5.58) on the train. You can catch the train from most central Tel Aviv stations. You will likely have to get on bus from your hotel to the train station which will cost you no more than 5 NIS (£1.10) with your Rav-Kav card. This journey will take roughly 1 hour.

Once your arrive in Jerusalem the train will stop at Yits’hak Navon station, from here you can either walk or hop on the tram to your final destination.

TOP TIP: If you are hungry after your journey there is an amazing falafel ‘hole in the wall’ directly opposite the station. Grab the falafel ‘Laffa’ which is essentially a kebab for only 17 NIS (£3.79). & thank us later, one of the best we tried & believe us we tried a lot. Forgive us we can’t remember or find the name on Google.

Where to stay in Jerusalem?

We stayed at Abraham Hostels for the first couple of nights. This is more of your classic backpacker’s hostel & a little more rough around the edges than Tel Aviv. We had a private room with en suite, the rooms were perfect for us & for a budget hostel it certainly does the job. A traditional Israeli breakfast is also included & the location is perfect only a 20 minute walk from the old city & across the road from the shuk (market).

For our remaining two nights in Jerusalem we stayed at the Post Hostel Jerusalem. This is without a doubt, the coolest & nicest hostel we have ever stayed in. Built inside the old postal building of Jerusalem, across the corridor walls it tells the story of the Israeli postal system & how it came to be today. The location was unbeatable, around a 5 minute walk to the old city.

Again, we stayed in a private room which was magnificent, we had two floors with the bed on the mezzanine floor above the living room & bathroom. It definitely felt more like a hotel here, than a hostel. They also offer dorm rooms & a traditional Israeli breakfast.

What to do in Jerusalem?

Old City of Jerusalem– This area is the most obvious place to start & where you will likely spend most of your time in Jerusalem. We would advise splitting the old city into two days & concentrate on different areas across those two days. Within the old city you will find some of the most significant & holiest sites across Christianity, Judaism & Islam. Here’s what there is to see within in:

• The Western Wall – The most religious site in Judaism, it is the remaining outer wall of the ancient Jewish temple, one of the most important sites of modern Israeli history. Visit here & witness hundreds of Jew’s praying at the wall & leaving their prayers in the cracks. You are encouraged to do the same, it is a really moving experience.
• Temple Mount/Dome of the Rock – One of the most important religious sites for Jews, Christians & Muslim’s. You can tour to compound, but it can be difficult for tourists to visit alone, so it may be easier to jump on a tour.
• Garden of Gesthsemane – a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where according to the New Testament, Jesus underwent agony before being arrested & sent for crucifixion.
• The Cenacle – Said to have been the room of the infamous Last Supper, you can go inside & see where Jesus would have spent his last evening with his disciples.
• Via Dolorosa – This is the route through the old city of Jerusalem that Jesus was said to have walked to his crucifixion, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Located in the Christian quarter, it is one of the most holy & special sites in Christianity. It is home to the place where Jesus was crucified & the tomb where he was buried.

Other areas you should definitely visit & stroll around are the Jewish & Muslim quarters. Make sure you also enter the city via Jaffa Gate the most impressive of the eight gates. The streets around Zion Gate are also very beautiful & great for photos.

Ramparts Walk – This walk takes you around the entire old city walls, you will walk along the walls & get the opportunity to see the city from all angles. We highly recommend this & you should leave at least half a day to complete both the North & South sections. It will cost 16 NIS (£3.57) per person to complete the walk. You can find the ticket booth close to the Jaffa Gate entrance, just below the Tower of David.

Machane Yehuda Shuk – This is the main street food market in Jerusalem, offering many different types of street food. Go here to eat cheap & grab food to go. We bought the softest pita breads from here that were delicious. We much preferred this market to the Carmel in Tel Aviv, the vibe on a Friday evening before Shabbat is so fun. With people drinking in the bars & purchasing their meals for the weekend, its chaos. But in a good way.

Day trips from Jerusalem

The most common day trips from Jerusalem are to the West Bank & the Dead Sea. We jumped on both of these tours with Tourist Israel.

West Bank – We believe that when visiting Israel & particularly Jerusalem. It is extremely important to learn more about the Israel/Palestine conflict. Which is why we decided to join a tour to visit the West Bank & discover more about what life is like on the ground there. As well as visiting holy cities such as Bethlehem & Jericho.

If you aren’t aware of the ongoing conflict, there is a armistice line that separates Israel from Palestine occupied West Bank. Before leaving Israel & entering Palestine you will go through check points which are armed by Israeli forces, this is all totally normal. Make sure you are carrying your passport, whilst you don’t really need a passport to entire Palestine. You may be asked by officers to show it before entering, for whatever reason.

The West Bank is separated into ‘areas’. Area A which is exclusively administered by the Palestine National Authority, area B which is administered by both the Palestine National Authority & Israel. Then finally area C which is controlled fully by Israeli civil & security services. When jumping on the Bethlehem, Jericho & Jordan River tour like we did, you will enter Area A.

Bethlehem – You will no doubt have heard stories from the bible of Bethlehem & it is surreal to be there in person to witness these stories come to life. The main attraction here is to visit the Nativity Church. Which is of course, the birthplace of Jesus & an absolute must on a trip to Palestine.

Sometimes the queues to see the actual spot inside the church, where Jesus was born can take up to 3 hours. So unfortunately we had to skip this part. However, the Nativity Church itself is stunning & is well worth walking around with a tour guide to learn more about the significance.

Jericho – The oldest city in the world & again an important biblical setting. It is home to the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was said to have spent forty days & forty nights in a cave on the mount. He was tempted by the Devil, with food & water but resisted. & this is now the reasoning behind Lent in Christianity.

You can take a cable car up to the Monastery on the Mount of Temptation, where you can then go inside the cave where Jesus spent those forty days & forty nights. The views from up here are magnificent across the Judean desert & out to the Dead Sea.

Jordan River – The baptism site of Jesus by John the Baptist. It’s here that you can visit the river & see where Jesus was baptised. You can also go one step further & get baptised here yourself, as Harry is Catholic he decided to do just that.

In order to get baptised here, you must purchase one of the robes from the shop that will cost you around 45 NIS (£10). Then find your denomination & wait to be called upon to be baptised in the river. This was a super special experience, despite our laughter at Harry’s outrageously see through robe.

The energy here is wonderful, it felt like a warm hug. It was incredibly moving to watch the pilgrims be baptised in the river & you could tell that people had travelled a long way for this once in a lifetime experience.

Whilst you’re here you will be able to see Jordan just a stones throw away across the narrow river. The Jordan River is actually the border between the two countries, which is pretty cool as you can wave to everyone over there.

The second trip we did from Jerusalem was to Masada, Ein Gedi & the Dead Sea, deep within the Judean Desert. We opted for the sunrise start at Masada as we had heard such good reviews of this place at sunrise. We can confirm that it is a must.

Masada National Park – This national park is made up of a huge rock plateau that on top lies the ancient fortress of King Herod of Judea. You will ascend this fortress in darkness & hopefully make it to the top just before sunrise over the desert, the Dead Sea & the Jordanian Mountains in the distance. The sight from the top is truly awe inspiring, & the landscapes are out of this world.

Once the sun has risen & if you are on a tour, you will get a guided tour around the ancient fortress, where you will learn about the significance of Masada during the Roman rule in Israel. It is the most unique archaeological site we have ever visited & the views alone are worth the visit.

Entry to the park is 31 NIS (£6.90) per adult & 17 NIS (£3.80) per child. There is a cable car that you can take up or down, if you don’t fancy walking. A round trip costs 46 NIS (£10) per adult & 28 NIS (£6.24) per child.

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve – This is one of Israel’s premier hiking spots, & a natural oasis in the desert. Here you will find flowing streams & beautiful waterfalls, that seem totally out of place in the mostly arid desert. It is without a doubt one of the most stunning places in all of Israel.

You can follow the various walking track throughout the reserve. The main trail will lead you to David’s Falls, a small waterfall which also featured in the bible. It is a welcome surprise after a hike in the heat.

Entry to the nature reserve is 28 NIS (£6.24) per adult & 14 NIS (£3.12) per child.

The Dead Sea – You can’t visit Israel without stopping by the Dead Sea, which is the lowest place on earth, at 427 metres below sea level. As you drive out towards the Dead Sea, you will pass a sign on the highway marking ‘Sea Level’ & the road continues downwards towards the Dead Sea.

There are many different ways to visit the Dead Sea, it is a popular day trip on a tour, but you often don’t get a lot of time to enjoy it. You can also self drive from Jerusalem, it will take only around 50 minutes. Another option is to stay in one of the resorts at the Dead Sea, we would recommend only one night as there isn’t much else to do here other than float.

There are multiple beaches where you can access the sea. Our tour took us to Kalia Beach, which has an entry fee of 54 NIS (£12) per person, which is a little steep. But you do get full access to changing rooms, as well as showers & sunbeds. The showers will prove to be a necessity after soaking in the salty waters. Most beaches will charge an entrance free, we are unaware of any free beaches on the Israel side, but I am sure with some research you could find some.

The experience of floating in the Dead Sea is priceless though & had been on our bucket list for years. The sea is 30% salt which is why you can float so effortlessly in it. Here’s some things to know before you go:

• Don’t shave at least 2 days before visiting – the pain will likely ruin your experience.
• It would be a good idea to wear water shoes, the salt crystals are incredibly sharp.
• Don’t put your head under water, or anywhere near your eyes. It really stings!
• It’s super hot down there, so make sure you pack suncream, sunglasses & potentially a hot to keep yourself protected from the harsh sun.
• Wash off any camera equipment you may get wet immediately in fresh water to avoid damage.

We thoroughly enjoyed this experience & would absolutely do it all over again. The scenery is unbelievable, to be floating in the desert with the Jordanian Mountains in the background, is so memorable.

Day 8-10: Eilat

Eilat is situated in the deep South of Israel on the border with Jordan & Egypt, on the shores of the Red Sea. The town itself is very much a resort town & is centred around the diving opportunities to be had in the Red Sea.

Getting to Eilat from Jerusalem

The easiest & cheapest way to get to Eilat is by public transport on the Egged route. The bus leaves from Jerusalem Central Bus Station & as mentioned previously will cost around 70 NIS (£15.60) one way. The journey will take approximately 5 hours, so plan to leave early if you want to make the most of your arrival day.

Where to stay in Eilat?

There are plenty of hotels to choose from for varying budgets. But as this is a budget guide, we are going to suggest Abraham Hostels, which is where we stayed. This is a really groovy hostel, that gave us ‘High School Musical’ vibes. It’s very colourful & is kitted out extremely well with great common areas, kitchen & breakfast included. We stayed in a private room with en-suite & it was perfect.

What to do in Eilat?

Diving/Snorkelling – If you are into your diving then this is a great place to do it, with an abundance of coral reefs in the Red Sea it has become a very popular spot to dive & snorkel.

Go to the beach – There are many beaches in Eilat to visit, the beaches closer to the city aren’t as nice as the ones a little further away. We really enjoyed Dekel Beach, which is a free beach. Something we didn’t realise is that a few of the beaches in the area are paid beaches. Another beach that was recommended to us is Mosh Beach it looked awesome, but we didn’t fancy paying.

Dolphin Reef Beach– Here you can encounter & swim with dolphins in their natural environment. The reef here is home to colourful tropical fish, beautiful coral & of course the dolphins. Apparently, the dolphins are not kept captive, they are free to roam in their natural habitat & can leave into the open ocean on their own accord. We can’t confirm this as we didn’t have the chance to visit. If you do visit, please let us know how you found the experience.

Entry fees are 69 NIS (£15.38) per adult & 48 NIS (£10.70). Diving & snorkelling is at an extra cost.

Shopping – Eilat is a tax free zone, meaning that you don’t pay VAT on anything you buy. There are huge shopping malls for those of you who enjoy shopping & are after some bargains, this would be a good place to do it. The tax free zone was beneficial to us when visiting supermarkets as it made food much cheaper here. Which was music to our ears.

In all honesty we didn’t vibe too well with Eilat, it is a bit of a purpose built city based solely on resort beach holiday’s which isn’t our thing. However, swimming in the Red Sea was a great experience & the scenery is beautiful of the surrounding desert & mountains. The reason we visited Eilat was to cross the border from here over to Jordan, read our ‘Ultimate 10 day guide to Jordan’ to hear all about it.

This brings us to the end of our Israel guide, a country that surprised us in so many ways. Littered in history, it was the most fascinating & informative trip we have ever taken. We left Israel feeling grateful for the experiences we had & the lessons we learned along the way.

We hope you find the information provided helpful when planning your own trip. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment or send us a message on Instagram.

Happy Travelling 🙂