Israel Itinerary → 10 Days, 12 Spots (Car, Train, or Bus)

HHi adventurer, welcome to my Israel itinerary post! I live in Israel and have visited this small Mediterranean country from North to South, East to West. 

Now it’s time for me to tell you all about the best spots to add to your trip for your 10-day itinerary, all from my personal experience! Here, you’ll find it all: the most popular places to visit, the best hotels in every city, and useful tips on getting around!

If you have less than 10 days for your trip – worry not! This itinerary is entirely customizable, so you can add or remove any stop you want. I even included some itinerary alterations for 7 and 14 days!

Remember to book your flight, hotels, and tickets months in advance to secure the best deals. Traveling around Israel is on the expensive side.

HEADS UP: Check the security updates and avoid travel to the North of Israel (Galilee/Golan Heights, Days 4-6 of the itinerary) in case of a poor safety situation due to ongoing conflict. The same goes for the whole of Israel. We’ll remove this note when the security situation in the country is back to normal.

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Days: 10
Cost: ~US$1600 if traveling on a tight budget, around US$2500 for mid-range travelers, infinity and beyond if you are a luxury traveler
Transportation: car, train, bus
Best luxury hotels in the itinerary: Tel Aviv, Tiberias, Jerusalem
Best mid-range hotels: Tel Aviv, Tiberias, Jerusalem
Best budget accommodation:Tel Aviv, Tiberias, Jerusalem

Quick Picks for Your Stay

These are all the stops in this 10-day Israel itinerary:

• Day 1-2: Tel Aviv
• Day 3: Leave Tel Aviv for Haifa (via Caesarea)
• Day 4: Leave Haifa for Tiberias
• Day 5: Explore Tiberias/Galilee
• Day 6: Leave Tiberias for Jerusalem
• Day 7-9: Jerusalem, day trips to the Dead Sea, Masada, Bethlehem, Jericho
• Day 10: Departure from Tel Aviv airport

Day 1-2: Tel Aviv

● Why visit: beach fun, nightlife, urban life
● Key activity: see the beaches, explore Old Jaffa
● Estimated daily budget: US$250

Israel’s main international airport, Ben Gurion, is located in Tel Aviv, so you’ll most likely be starting your journey from here. And just in case you still haven’t booked your flight, check out Skyscanner for the cheapest flights into Tel Aviv for your dates.

Since this 10-day itinerary covers only 2 days in Tel Aviv (this can be enough if you use them wisely), ideally, start your first day early in the morning. If you arrive late at night, count the next day as Day 1 of the itinerary.

As the commercial and nightlife heart of the country, Tel Aviv is a perfect start to your itinerary. Utterly modern but also very simple, you can see all of its highlights on Day 1. Then, on Day 2, head to its historical parts like Jaffa and Neve Tzedek for more exploration.

Most of Tel Aviv is walkable, and you can walk the entire perimeter with the touristy parts in less than 3 hours. I live in Tel Aviv and have written a special guide on the best things to do in this vibrant city, so check it out for inspiration!

Also, I wrote a 3-day itinerary for Tel Aviv that you can use for more detailed info on how to spend your time here. Tip: Just omit Day 3 from the Tel Aviv itinerary and you have a full guide on what to do from morning to evening during your stay for this 10-day itinerary!

If you ask me, just maximize time by the beach, explore the main markets and streets, stroll in Old Jaffa, and do it all on foot! Here’s a short overview:

Day 1 in Tel Aviv

• Have breakfast at (or around) Carmel Market (map)
• Walk along Rothschild Boulevard (map) and Dizengoff Street (map)
• Go shopping in Allenby Street and descend by the sea
• Chill by the beach, then catch a bus to Sarona area
• Check out the Tel Aviv Museum of Art
• Eat and enjoy the nightlife around Sarona Market (map)

Day 2 in Tel Aviv

• Explore Old Jaffa‘s streets
• Go food tasting at the Jaffa Market
• Walk by Jaffa Port towards the hipster HaTachana Park (map)
• Continue to explore the picturesque Neve Tzedek area (map)
• Enjoy the vibe at the Levinsky Market (map)
• Take a bus to Tel Aviv Port (map) to catch a sunset and have dinner

Optional extras

If you decide to spend an extra day in Tel Aviv or are quick to finish all the activities above, here are some more ideas for you:

• Go kayaking or take a hot balloon ride at the HaYarkon Park (map)
• Visit the ANU Museum of Jewish People
• Meet the wild animals at the Ramat Gan Safari (map)
• Spend a day at the beach of your choice (map)

Where to stay in Tel Aviv

Here are the best hotels to stay in Tel Aviv that I nicely sorted by budget:

TIP: For more details on the best areas and accommodations in Tel Aviv, check out my Tel Aviv guide dedicated to the topic!

• The Jaffa ($$$) – this 5-star hotel comes with an exclusive location in Jaffa’s Old Town, amazing service, and an outdoor pool for ultimate relaxation
• Prima City Hotel $$) – a lovely place to stay in the city center featuring a free breakfast and an outdoor café, ideal for couples
• Abraham Hostel ($) – the most legendary hostel in Tel Aviv, ideal if you’re traveling without a car and want easy access to day tours (they organize tours across the region)

Day 3: Leave Tel Aviv and explore Haifa

● Time: 1 hour 15 minutes by car, 1 hour 13 minutes by train, 1 hour 25 minutes by bus
● Distance: 92 km (57 mi)
● How to get there: driving is US$48, train is from US$8, bus is from US$7
● Why visit: culture, great views, beautiful city
● Key activity: visit the Bahai Gardens
● Estimated daily budget: US$250

The next stop on the itinerary is Haifa, one of my favorite cities in the country. Haifa is located 92 km North of Tel Aviv, and the ride there takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes both by car and train (if you’re stuck in traffic with a car, that can take up to 1 hour 40 minutes).

Regarding traffic, the best way to do this Israel itinerary is via car rental. While the major cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are easily explored by public transport or on foot, you definitely want a car to have more flexibility when traveling between places.

On your way to Haifa, you should definitely make a stop at Caesarea National Park (about halfway through), to see some amazing ancient harbor ruins as well as the remains of King Herod’s palace from the 1st century BC. I loved the views from here!

Although the country is nicely connected via buses and trains (you can take a bus from Tel Aviv to Caesarea and then to Haifa), you often have to walk a lot from the station to the city or attraction. I know this far too well from experience, as we traveled between places a lot via public transport. It’s tiring to take buses and trains in the summer, but they’re still there as an option for budget travelers.

Ideally, leave Tel Aviv early in the morning after breakfast (but not earlier than 9 AM to avoid traffic). It’ll take you around 50 minutes to get to Caesarea if the traffic is not too bad, and then the tour of the place will take around 2 hours.

A ride from Caesarea to Haifa is shorter (around 30 minutes), so ideally, you’ll arrive just in time to check in to your hotel, which should be after 2 PM. If you’re doing the route on public transport, a stop to Caesarea will add another 1 to 2 hours to your journey, so you’ll arrive in Haifa after 4 PM.

You should still have plenty of time to explore the city either way. Haifa is hilly, but an underground railway takes you from the lower part of the city to the higher one. Plus, if you drive, this shouldn’t be an issue.

NOTE: We walked the hill around Bahai Gardens (more on this later) in extreme heat one August, and I regretted being born then, so I’d definitely avoid walking too much in the summer months (May to September)! If you do, always have a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and plenty of water with you.

Now, Haifa is one of the eight mixed cities in Israel (with a significant population of Jews and Arabs), making it a super interesting and culturally rich city to explore.

Plus, Haifa is the administrative capital of the Bahai community with its own religion (check out Bahai Gardens, they’re amazing), so a trip here really couldn’t get any more exciting for culture enthusiasts!

I recommend one full day in Haifa.

TIP: If you don’t drive and would rather be based in Tel Aviv, this full-day tour takes you across all the places worth seeing in this part of Israel.

Day 3 in Haifa

• Stop by Caesarea National Park (map) on your way from Tel Aviv
• Visit the Bahai Gardens upon arrival (map, they are open until 5 PM)
• Stroll in the beautiful German Colony (map) just beneath the Gardens
• Walk to the Paris Square (map) and go bar-hopping there
• (Optional) Take a short boat ride to Acre

Where to stay in Haifa

These are the best hotels to stay in Haifa:

• Hotel Botanica ($$$) – a charming hotel in the center of Haifa with a romantic outdoor pool, a gym, beautiful rooms, and affordable parking; great for couples and families
• Golden Crown Haifa ($$) – this fancy hotel is super popular, has plenty of free parking space, and is within walking distance from the attractions
• Haifa Hostel ($) – an affordable place to stay with free parking, free Wi-Fi, and private rooms

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Day 4: Leave Haifa for Tiberias

● Time: 50 minutes by car, 1 hour 25 minutes by bus
● Distance: 63 km (39 mi)
● How to get there: driving is $US45, bus is US$8
● Why visit: beautiful nature, swimming in the lake, old towns
● Key activity: take a dip in the Sea of Galilee
● Estimated daily budget: US$200

The next stop on your itinerary is the scenic Galilee region, with the stunning Sea of Galilee (it’s actually a lake) and the natural beauty surrounding it. Ask any Israeli what their favorite place in the country is to relax in nature, and they’ll pinpoint this area on the map.

The North of Israel has a different geography than the South. It’s green with lush forests (and even a ski resort!), so driving here makes you almost forget you’re in a desert region.

According to the Bible, the Sea of Galilee is where Jesus walked on water, performing one of his miracles! Don’t miss the chance to take a dip or at least touch the water here!

I was in awe when we drove through Galilee from all the beautiful scenery, so I definitely recommend taking this route if you’re driving. Although available (you can take a bus from Haifa to Tiberias or Nazareth), bus transport can be limited, and you’ll miss out on many cool spots in the region.

Ideally, leave Haifa in the early afternoon (around 1 PM) and first drive to Nazareth. It’s a short 50-minute drive halfway to Tiberias (your destination), and you can stop to walk around the city where Jesus grew up (that’s why he’s also called Jesus of Nazareth!).

When in Nazareth, visit the Old Town and the Church of Annunciation (map) with its stunning dome (built on top of a cave where the angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary she would bear the Son of God).

It shouldn’t take more than 2 hours to walk around Nazareth, so after walking and maybe grabbing a late lunch here, head straight to Tiberias, the main city on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

INSIDER TIP: Eat at Tishreen Restaurant (map) in Nazareth! We stopped for lunch here, and everything was delicious (they serve local dishes), plus the stone interior added so much charm to the place.

Once you arrive in Tiberias, check into your hotel and walk around town. It’s a really cute but small town, so you can explore everything in one or two hours and then spend the rest of the day relaxing in your café or restaurant of choice! We had dinner at Little Tiberias (map) and I remember the meat was delicious and the service was great.

Day 4 in Tiberias

• Walk in the Old Town of Tiberias
• Visit the Tomb Site of Rambam, a holy place for Jews (map)
• See St. Peter’s Church (map)
• Relax in a bar or by the lake in the evening

Where to stay in Tiberias

Tiberias is the most central place on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where you can find some amazing hotels with free parking:

• The Scots Hotel ($$$) – an ex-hospital turned into a luxury hotel with a large swimming pool, the most scenic gardens and lake views, and stone-wall rooms with a character
• Lake Mansion ($$) – lovely mansion on the shores of the lake with 2 indoor pools, a hammam, and the cutest picnic area
• Prima Galil Tiberias Hotel ($) – a popular budget option with an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and comfy family rooms

Day 5: Discover the rest of Galilee

Wake up the next day and explore the rest of the region!

Do note that you will need a car for this day. If you don’t drive, skip Day 5 and spend an extra day in Jerusalem (I’ll give you ideas for TTDs later below).

• Drive around the Sea of Galilee and stop at its beaches (Gofra, map, is a good one)
• See The Syrian Headquarters (map), a deserted building with views of Syria
• Explore Bet Shean (map), Israel’s largest archaeological site
• Drive to Megiddo National Park (map)

Day 6: Leave Tiberias for Jerusalem

● Time: 2 hours by car
● Distance: 177 km (110 mi)
● How to get there: driving is from US$68, bus is from US$7
● Why visit: history, culture, religion
● Key activity: see the Old Town of Jerusalem
● Estimated daily budget: US$270 (accommodation, day trips, fuel)

On Day 6, it’s best to wake up as early as you can and drive to Jerusalem. This will be the longest drive on the itinerary.

The fastest way from Tiberias to Jerusalem is Highway 90 (2 hours without traffic). But if you didn’t have time to see Megiddo on Day 5, you can also take Route 6 (this one has tolls, it’ll be charged automatically and then added to your bill for your car rental in most cases). It’s a slight detour, but it’s worth it so you can see another unique spot!

Megiddo is a place where, according to the Bible, the final battle between the good and evil (Armageddon) will take place before the end of times!

It took us less than 90 minutes to walk around Megiddo (and we reeeally took our time), so consider it a quick detour. From here, it’s a 2-and-a-half-hour drive to Jerusalem.

Arrive in Jerusalem before noon (even if you end up going to Megiddo, in this case leave Tiberias around 8 AM) so you can have enough time for sightseeing. Jerusalem needs very little introduction, being the holy city for not 1 but 3 of the world’s biggest religious groups.

I have a detailed guide on the best things to do in Jerusalem, so you’ll find plenty of inspiration there! Now, here’s a short overview:

Day 6 in Jerusalem

• (Optional) Book a private tour of Jerusalem with a guide
• Walk to the Old Town and start your visit from the Jaffa Gate (map)
• Explore the Christian Quarter, notably the Church of Holy Sepulchre (map)
• Place a written prayer in the Western Wall (map)
• Roam the narrow alleys filled with shops in the Muslim Quarter
• Visit the Tower of David and admire views of Old Town from the Citadel (map)
• Walk through Mamilla (map) to explore a new luxury shopping area
• Exit Mamilla through Jaffa Road and walk to Zion Square (map) for urban sightseeing and dining

Day 7-9: Jerusalem

After exploring a good portion of Jerusalem’s Old Town on Day 6, you can continue exploring more! On Day 7, you’ll see more of the Old Town’s treasures, but the focus is mostly on Downtown Jerusalem and its other modern areas.

You need 2 full days in Jerusalem to see it all without rushing, so use Day 7 to the maximum of your abilities!

For the remaining new places on this itinerary, it’s best to visit them on day trips from Jerusalem. The best way of doing that is splitting the day trips into 2 groups: the South Israel and the West Bank groups.

In the South, you’ll get to explore the vast Negev desert, the Dead Sea, and some unmissable attractions. Again, it’s best to drive here, but you can also take day tours. The car/bus tour will take you less than a whole day, so you’ll still have enough time to pick a nice, cool place to eat in Jerusalem in the evening!

For the West Bank day trip, I recommend going on an organized tour since, firstly, it’ll be really hard to drive your car with Israeli license plates in the West Bank (car rental companies don’t include insurance there).  And, secondly, so you can avoid falling for some tourist traps around taxis and private guides that’ll stop you on the streets of Bethlehem and other cities in the West Bank.

The 2 main places you want to see in the West Bank are Bethlehem, where Jesus was born (there’s so much history here for history nerds), and Jericho (the oldest city in the world).

Day 7 in Jerusalem

• Go food tasting and shopping at Mahaneh Yehudah Market (map)
• Stroll in Sacher Park (map) and then visit the Israel Museum
• Visit Temple Mount with its beautiful Dome of the Rock (map)
• Stroll to the Garden of Gethsemane (map)
• Walk or take a bus to the observation point at Mount of Olives (map)

Day 8 in Jerusalem

On Day 8, head South of Jerusalem towards Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, where you can float in the Dead Sea and cover yourself with mineral-rich mud! The ride here is 1 hour and 15 minutes. Spend up to 2 hours here and then continue South on Route 90 to Masada National Park.

PRO TIP: If you want to experience something magical, depart from Jerusalem early and meet the sunrise at Masada. Then, do the itinerary the other way around.

PRO TIP 2: Avoid Ein Gedi beach and instead go to Ein Bokek, a free public beach (map), it’s so much better! Make sure to bring water shoes to enter the sea!

• Drive or take a day trip to Masada, Ein Gedi, and the Dead Sea

Day 9 in Jerusalem

On your final day of exploring, take a day tour of Bethlehem and Jericho. Tours start from US$80 per person and usually take 8 hours.

Where to stay in Jerusalem

As usual, here’s a list of the best hotels where you can stay in Jerusalem:

For a more detailed list and description of Jerusalem’s most touristy areas and best hotels, check out my full Jerusalem accommodation guide!

• Waldorf Astoria ($$$) – your 5-star retreat in the heart of Jerusalem with valet parking (US$15 per day), spectacular rooftop views, an indoor pool, 3 restaurants, and a spa and wellness center
• My Jerusalem View ($$) – fabulous views, beautifully decorated rooms, and a central location await in this best-value-for-money accommodation in Jerusalem
• The Post Hostel ($) – a super modern hostel with private rooms or dorms with daily housekeeping, free Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour front desk

Day 10: Departure from Tel Aviv Airport

It’s the last day of your Israel itinerary, and it’s time to head to the airport.

If you have a car rental, it’s best to arrive at the airport 4 hours before your flight so you have enough time to return the car and pass the security check. Airport security in Tel Aviv can get long when you fly out of the country.

INSIDER TIP: Plan at least 2 hours for the drive from Jerusalem to the airport. Even though the distance is just 53 km (32 mi) and Google Maps says it takes 45 minutes, there is always traffic on the road from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.

The thing is, you never know how bad the traffic will be at the time you depart. We drove this route many times, and there were absolutely no rules. Sometimes, we make it in under 1 hour, and sometimes, it takes 1 and a half hours in the middle of the day.

If you don’t drive, just take the direct train from Jerusalem to the airport. The drive takes less than 30 minutes and is much cheaper and faster than a car, taxi, or bus. If you take the train, aim to be at the airport 3 hours before departure.

In the end, if you forgot to buy souvenirs, you can get some in duty-free shops after passing border control!

Customizing the itinerary

Don’t have 10 days to spare for Israel, or, the opposite, have more time? No worries, here are some handy itinerary customizations for you:

7-day itinerary 

If you have only 7 days to see Israel, you can still see a lot! Just make the following alterations to the itinerary:

• Skip Tiberias/Galilee region (Day 4-6)
• Skip the Bethlehem and Jericho day tour

14-day itinerary

If you have 14 days, this is the perfect time to add a trip to Jordan to the itinerary!

Do note that it may take you hours to clear the land border crossings between Israel and Jordan (at least this was my experience), so it’s best to fly from Tel Aviv right into Amman!

This is definitely more expensive (flights start at around US$120 for one-way vs. a US$20 ticket from Jerusalem to Amman), but it is a much faster and stress-free way to get to Jordan! The buses in Israel only take you to the border crossing with Jordan, and then you have to organize your own transport to Amman, which adds unnecessary stress to the whole trip planning.

• On Day 10, fly from Tel Aviv to Amman, spend 2 days in Amman
• On Day 12, a 2-day tour from Amman to Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum
• On Day 14, fly out from Amman

🤩 Best attraction:	Western Wall
🌇 Top area:	Tel Aviv
🏨 Best hotel:	The Jaffa
🌞 When to visit:	April to May

FAQs about Israel itinerary

Final thoughts on Israel itinerary 10 days

This is all I had planned for you in my Israel itinerary article! Hopefully, you have all the information you need to start your 10-day journey across the Holy Land!

My final advice would be to rent a car if you can and only avoid driving in the West Bank (take an organized tour there from Jerusalem). Israel is a small country, but many attractions are scattered across small, uninhabited places, so the car is a lifesaver.

Also, please book your car rental, hotels, and all tickets in advance because the good options are fast to go!

If you have any questions or would like a personalized recommendation for your trip to Israel, drop me a comment below! I’ll be happy to help!

Safe travels,

Darija

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