Those who travel to Israel are often faced with the question: visit Jerusalem, look at Tel Aviv, or go to Eilat, swim and look at the fish? Our travel expert tells how to make it in time everything at once – and in ten days you can see the main attractions and have a great vacation.
Route:
Tel Aviv → Judean Desert → Masada → Ein Gedi → Eilat
Days 1–6. Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is a city of velvety beaches, savory food and colorful architecture. The cultures of two religions, modern social movements and the unique spirit of the Middle East coexist here.
In Tel Aviv we offer to stay at the four-star Link Hotel & Hub.
How to get from the airport to the hotel
The train from the airport goes to the central station Tel Aviv-Savidor Center. Travel time is 21 minutes. The ticket will cost 13.50 NIS. From the station to the hotel, the walk will take about 15 minutes (1.2 km).
A taxi ride will cost approximately 110–140 NIS.
Tel Aviv beaches
The beaches of Tel Aviv stretch one after another, forming a long strip of soft sand that meets the azure Mediterranean Sea. There is all the necessary infrastructure for a comfortable holiday in the sun: changing rooms, free shelters, rescue towers and cafes.
The picturesque marina separates the main strip of beaches from the entertaining Dog Beach, where owners come to relax with their pets, and the cozy Metsitzim Beach.
The Tel Aviv embankment stretches along the shore – the city’s attraction. In the evening, it offers breathtaking views of the setting sun, lighting up the sky with bright colors.
Carmel Market
Carmel Market, or Shuk Carmel, is famous for its excellent selection of fruits and local delicacies, Middle Eastern flavor and many eateries and cafes serving street food and full meals.
Be sure to try freshly squeezed pomegranate juice here, buy sweets, and don’t forget to bargain – local sellers always inflate the price for foreigners.
The market is open from 8:00 to 18:00 every day except Saturday.
It can be reached from Allenby St or from other streets surrounding the market.
Jaffa
Jaffa is an old colorful part of Tel Aviv with beautiful buildings and narrow alleys. Jaffa is completely rebuilt from large sand-colored cobblestones, which give the area a special charm and create a fairy-tale atmosphere. Here you can find funny sculptures “The Laughing Whale” and “The Hanging Orange Tree”, admire the city from Abrash Park, and go down the stairs to the old Jaffa port.
You can walk around Jaffa for hours, enjoying the atmosphere of calm and solitude. Be sure to check out the small shops and galleries that sell jewelry, designer sculptures, and handmade ceramics, and try the seafood at the port.
District Florentin
Photo: roman tohtohunov/Shutterstock.com
Florentin was once an area of refugees and immigrants. Now its streets are considered a fashionable space with street art, bars and clubs. During the day, real art objects can be found on the streets of Florentin, but at night the area returns to the atmosphere of the past: poverty and often illegal activity.
The area is located near Jaffa and is limited by the roads of Shalma (Derekh Shalma), Jaffa (Derech Jaffa) and Elifelet St and Herzl St.
Neve Tzedek Area
Neve Tzedek is an urban corner of peace and comfort. On its neat streets there are small two-story houses, surrounded by greenery and flowers, and birds chirping in the trees.
To explore the area, head to the Suzanne Dalal Center (Yehieli St 5, Tel Aviv-Yafo). Neve Tzedek is located near Florentin and the Carmel market.
Rothschild Boulevard
Rothschild Boulevard runs through the city, connecting southern and central Tel Aviv. Walking along its alley, you can see the varied architecture of buildings: from ancient Jewish houses to the pearls of the Bauhaus style.
The promenade is accompanied by modern recreational areas, such as hammocks and poufs, where you can relax under the shade of trees. There are also many popular restaurants and bars open here, and at kiosks you can order freshly squeezed juices and fruits.
Sarona
Photo: ColorMaker/Shutterstock.com
Sarona is a modern space with a magnificent market, park and interesting shops. The architecture of the project is of interest: two-story stone houses house stores of world and Israeli brands, and between the buildings there are recreation areas, ponds with colorful fish and picturesque paths.
The main building houses the Sarona Market, a food pavilion with a variety of rare products from Israel and other countries. There are also bistros and cafes where you can try interesting signature dishes.
Operating hours: Sat. — Thurs. from 9:00 to 23:00, Fri. from 8:00 to 18:00
Address: Aluf Kalman Magen St 3, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Yarkon Park
For a break from the concrete jungle, head to Yarkon Park, Tel Aviv’s largest green space. The vast park area includes a Rock Garden, a Topiary art area, tropical groves and desert gardens.
Here you can also do sports or rock climbing on one of the special sites, fly in a hot air balloon and sail along the Yarkon River by boat.
Admission is free.
Official website: Yarkon Park
Territory of the Old Port of Tel Aviv
The Old Port of Tel Aviv serves as an excellent recreation area. There are many shops and restaurants with sea views, and long piers and embankments allow you to enjoy walking and cycling.
The port regularly hosts various events: art exhibitions, dance shows and festivals.
The old port is located in the northern part of the city, and can be reached from Metzitzim Beach or from Yarkon Park.
Official website: Old Tel Aviv Port
Days 6–7. Judean Desert and Jerusalem
Early in the morning on the sixth day of your trip, head out to the natural attractions of Israel.
First of all, go to the Masada fortress. From Tel Aviv Central Bus Station, take bus number 405 to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem you need to change to bus No. 444 or No. 486. The final stop is Masada Center. The entire journey will take about 2 hours 40 minutes. Tickets will cost 53.5 NIS.
Masada National Park
Masada is the oldest cliff-top fortress in the Judean Desert. The fortress once belonged to King Herod I the Great and his family, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortress offers stunning views of the wild desert and the Dead Sea.
You can climb to the top of the rock by cable car, the ticket for which will cost 46 NIS in both directions. You can also climb to the fortress on foot along the so-called Snake Path. The journey along it takes about 40 minutes.
Park ticket price: 31 NIS (does not include cable car tickets)
Official website: Masada National Park
After visiting the fortress, go to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, which is located near Masada National Park. To get to the reserve, take bus No. 444 or No. 486. The journey will take about 25 minutes, and the ticket will cost 16 NIS.
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Ein Gedi is a nature reserve of incredible beauty on the shores of the Dead Sea. Its valley is home to caves, waterfalls and desert wildlife. On the territory of Ein Gedi there are several hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, leading to the top of the cliff, from where magnificent views of the valley and the Dead Sea open.
When heading to the reserve, take a swimsuit with you to enjoy a cool dip in one of its natural pools.
Ticket price: 28 NIS
Official website: Ein Gedi Reserve
Finally, head to Jerusalem. From the reserve to the city you can take bus number 486. The journey will take about 1.5 hours, and the ticket will cost 34 NIS.
Jerusalem
Spend the evening of the sixth day of travel and the morning of the seventh day for a walk around Jerusalem.
First, head to the Old Town. It is divided into three parts: the Christian Quarter, the Jewish Quarter and the Muslim Quarter. Here you will find ancient buildings, colorful markets and several important religious attractions.
In the Christian Quarter stands the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is believed that this is where Jesus Christ was once buried. Not far from the temple you can walk along Via Dolorosa – the street where Christ’s Way of the Cross took place.
In Western Wall Square you will find the Western Wall, Judaism’s greatest shrine. Between the Western Wall and the Jaffa Gate lies the Jewish Quarter with quiet streets and flower beds.
Most of the Old City is occupied by the Muslim Quarter. The main Muslim shrine of the city is the Dome of the Rock mosque with a golden dome and colorful decoration.
For the night, stay at the Shlomtzi Hotel, which is located near the gate leading to the Old Town. To book, click on the card.
Days 7–10. Eilat
We suggest spending the last part of the trip on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba of the Red Sea – in Eilat.
To get to the city from Jerusalem, take bus number 444, which leaves at 15:00 from the Central Bus Station. The journey will take 4 hours 40 minutes, and the ticket will cost 70 NIS.
In Eilat, stay three nights at the Dan Panorama Eilat Hotel.
Eilat is a resort in the south of Israel, famous for its stunning nature and rich underwater world.
The beaches of Eilat stretch for 12 kilometers. Coral Beach is considered especially beautiful, with piers extending into the sea. It is from the piers that you can enter the water to swim surrounded by the colorful inhabitants of the reef.
On Dolphin Reef Beach you will find larger inhabitants of the sea – dolphins.
In addition to relaxing by the azure waters of the bay, you can go to Timna Park with desert landscapes and rocks of unusual shapes, as well as to the Red Canyon with fascinating curves of the relief.
To see the park and canyon, we suggest you take a day tour from Shanti Jeep Safari.
How to get from the hotel to the airport
Take the Route א50 bus at the Tarshish/Dorban stop (5 minutes walk from the hotel). The journey will take about 50 minutes, and the ticket will cost 4.20 NIS.
The cost of a taxi ride will be 110–140 NIS.
Day 10. Flight to Tel Aviv
On the tenth day you will have a flight to Tel Aviv, and then return to Moscow. You can find convenient flights on OneTwoTrip.
Expert advice
- Before your trip, print out your return tickets and confirmation of your accommodation reservation so that you can present these documents at the border in case customs officers have questions.
- On the day of departure, arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure: airport staff carefully check departures, which takes a lot of time.
- When going to the desert, be sure to take a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water with you.
- On the day of your trip to the Masada Fortress and Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, we advise you to leave your luggage at the Jerusalem Central Bus Station, and upon returning from the desert, pick it up and go to the hotel.
- To plan your travel in and between cities, use the Rome2Rio service.
- Use offline maps Citywalks.me and Maps.me.
- You can view rental information and book a car here.
