Israel Tourist Information

In Israel, there are numerous ethnicities and diverse cultures. As a result, there are multiple annual events celebrating crucial dates in the cultural and religious calendars. Jerusalem is the most important religious and historical city in the Western World. Christians, Muslims and Jews all consider it to be a sacred place and therefore, Jerusalem is often referred to as the Holy Land.

Due to its importance, the city often receives tourists from various parts of the world. You can observe pilgrimages and devotions in its streets on a daily basis. There are also very many things to do in public arenas all the time. With this in mind, it is essential to know in advance the ones that could affect your travel itinerary so that you can prepare in advance.

Shabbat

Also known as the Sabbath, this is a day of resting that is recognized every week by both the religious and non-religious Jewish people of Israel. On Shabbat, some people will rest from 20 to 30 minutes before dusk on Friday, up to one hour after sunset on Saturday night. The effect of the Sabbath is most evident in the patterns of traffic and business activity on the respective days.

A good example is Tel Aviv where Friday night is one of the busiest moments in this metropolis. On the other hand numerous restaurants and business enterprises shut down until Saturday night. Note that the front desk in your hotel may shut down on Friday evening and stay closed until Saturday because the workers are likely to be observing Shabbat.

Should you happen to be in Jerusalem or Galilee on Shabbat, make sure to have performed ample research about establishments where you can dine as well as attractions that will be available for viewing during the resting period. However, if you are staying in other parts of the country such as the Negev Desert, North Coast, Tel Aviv or the Dead Sea, your travels will not be interrupted in any way. Please note that it is always ideal to have a back up plan in case the residents and accommodation providers make some impromptu changes.

Israel has a huge variety of culinary delights. There’s always something to entice your palate whether you are having fine dishes in Tel Aviv or sampling street delicacies at Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem. The Middle Eastern culinary style has something for everyone.

Shopping

Shopping in Israel is fun because you can do it at any time, anywhere. There are laneway markets in the Old City section of Jerusalem as well as luxurious malls in Tel Aviv. As a result, you are highly likely to see some big international brands and some local favorite ones as well. While visiting Israel, make a point to dedicate some time to shopping. When you are making purchases that cost less than USD 8 (ISL 30), carry your currency in low denominations because street stall owners and retailers are very unlikely to accept credit cards. Also, note that haggling prices is not accepted in any markets outside Jerusalem’s Old City because most stores apply fixed prices upon all their items.