Israel’s rich history, wonderful nature, and Mediterranean cuisine are the three pillars that have served as a strong foundation for the best resorts in Israel on the Mediterranean, Red, and Dead Seas. Where else can you combine wellness with lazy lounging on azure shores, if not in Israel? Healing waters and air, noisy parties, historical monuments, 320 sunny days a year, and wild nature from March to December attract thousands of tourists to spend their holidays with benefit and pleasure. Below is a ranking of the best resorts in Israel.
Advantages of Holidaying
Let’s start with the uniqueness of Israel. Just imagine, the country has its own access to two of the best seas for tourist holidays – the Mediterranean, famous for its sky-blue water and white sandy beaches, and the Red Sea, which is insanely popular due to its moderate climate and simply amazing underwater world.
Besides this, within the state borders, there is another body of water that has also made a significant contribution to the country’s popularity. We are talking about the Dead Sea. We have all heard about the Dead Sea, whose salt content is considered a record for Earth’s bodies of water. Its waters are rich in minerals, salts, and other useful substances and microelements, which have a beneficial effect on the general state of the vacationers and the health of their individual organs.
It is on the shores of this healing body of water that those who wish not only to strengthen their immunity but also to get rid of their chronic ailments come. Do not forget about one more nuance. The local beauties are not only famous for their amazing landscapes and attractive climate. The country has much to see.
Where else can you “taste” real ancient history? For tourists, pilgrims, and just lovers of antiquities, the doors of the most impressive and unimaginable attractions and monuments of the world are always open here. It turns out that the choice of Israeli resorts is indeed impressive. But what advantages do they have, and which one should you prefer?
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Mediterranean Sea Resorts
The coastline of this sea conquers with its length. Just imagine, 200 km of coastline! And it’s all available to you. Netanya, Herzliya, and Tel Aviv await tourists from all over the world. These cities are the best destination for those who prefer to combine a measured beach holiday with an active nightlife. Numerous clubs and entertainment venues eagerly await visitors, luring them with their bright signs.
Tel Aviv
A relatively young city in Israel, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, has managed to win the love of tourists with its high level of service, beautiful nature, unusual white-yellow Bauhaus-style architecture, and cultural attractions, most of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The hot weather in Tel Aviv all year round has allowed the city to become one of the most popular resorts for sunbathing and warm water lovers – the average temperature throughout the year is +26°C and does not drop below +13°C. Twelve beaches belong to the state and operate for free, but some have restrictions: “Atsmaut” serves as a meeting place for people of non-traditional orientation, and “Nordau” does not allow joint recreation for people of different sexes.
All beaches have children’s slides, sunbeds, and entertainment centers for diving, windsurfing, and other water sports. Diving for a couple of hours with an instructor and equipment will cost $50.
In addition to a number of museums dedicated to the history of Tel Aviv and contemporary art, you should also visit the Ramat Gan reserve, where even wild animals roam freely, and buy traditional sweets and national costumes at the Carmel market. Jewish eateries and restaurants will feed you for $4-20, and hotels will provide a room for $80-100 on average.
Jaffa
A suburb of Tel Aviv, translated from ancient Hebrew as “beautiful,” becomes evident when you find yourself in the old part of the city, which is located on a hill and offers a view of the rocks and picturesque bays of the Mediterranean Sea. Artists have also appreciated this place, and now tourists can buy one of their works as a souvenir for a reasonable price.
Jaffa is associated with many legends and real events, including assumptions about the construction of Noah’s Ark, the rule of Cleopatra, Richard the Lionheart, and even evidence of Napoleon’s visit to these places. The city has many traces from previous peoples, so now we have the opportunity to see the fortress walls and Kedumim Square, created after the capture of Jaffa by the Turks, chapels, mosques, and churches.
Romantic natures will like the “zodiac” street – touching your sign can fulfill a wish. Jaffa is abundant with fish restaurants, but in every establishment, whether it is Jewish cuisine or any other, you will be served hummus, a must-eat dish made from chickpeas. A dish for one person will cost $8-15, and a night in a hotel – $80-200 per day.
Netanya
The budget option for vacationing in Netanya will especially appeal to young people who come to this city for nightlife in 24-hour bars and clubs. There is a small fee for entry to the disco, and most hotels do not rise above 3 stars, which determines their low price.
For those who want to see something other than parties, Netanya also has something to offer – museums (art, nature, archaeology, historical), reserves, fortresses and amphitheaters, temples and synagogues, hippodromes, and even a parrot farm, gardens with rare species of butterflies and carnivorous plants, hang gliding, jeep safaris, fishing, and water sports.
In the largest city on the Mediterranean coast, the beaches stretch for 14 km and are divided into 9 equipped zones with sun loungers, drinking fountains, changing rooms, and other amenities. “Blue Bay” and “Sironit” are considered some of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the country.
Herzliya
Some areas of the “Rich Sister of Tel Aviv” are built up with luxurious villas and millionaire mansions, which is why Herzliya got such a name. In just about 60 years, so much money has been invested in its development that the city’s infrastructure has reached decent heights – here is one of the most famous medical centers for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the Mediterranean coast is lined with luxurious yachts (about 700 berths), and there are even several airfields for the private planes of the rich.
This resort also has historical value for Jews – the ruins of Mahmis date back to 3000 BC, as well as the ruins of the Crusader city of the 13th century. By the way, there is a cave on the fortress territory that houses the “Dinosaur House,” one of the most visited places among tourists. Museums, reserves, and national parks are also available in Herzliya, for example, “Apollonia,” “Herzliya,” and “Yarkon and Tel Afek.”
As in any seaside resort, there are diving, kayaking, fishing, and water attractions for children. But the prices for housing will make you think – for one night, a hotel asks from $200 to $500.
Ashkelon
One of the greenest cities in the country on the Mediterranean coast with a 5000-year history has been duly appreciated by Russians, who today occupy almost a third of Ashkelon. This resort for permanent residence has everything a modern person needs – shopping areas for shopping (Migdal), entertainment zones with clean water and sand (Afridar), wild nature, where technology has not yet reached (Dunes), business centers, and residential areas. Also, the cost of service is twice cheaper than in the same Herzliya.
After an introductory walk around the city, guides first lead to the national park Leumi for photos against the backdrop of the colonnades of the time of King Herod, the statue of the goddess Nike, and a performance in the Roman amphitheater, preserved to this day.
To see the caves with ancient tombs and the ruins of Byzantine churches of the 5th century, you need to go to remote areas, but the feeling of unity with those times is worth it. It is unknown for what reason, but the shores of Ashkelon are mostly deserted, and only on the beaches of “Dalila” and “Bar-Kochva” can you sometimes meet surfers.
Bat Yam
As Bat Yam was once captured and settled by one people or another, today people from Vietnamese to Arab Jews consider it their homeland. Starting in 1926, Israelis began to return here, forming numerous “diverse” communities. The coastline stretches only 3 km, but tourists love this place for its calm, quiet Mediterranean Sea, especially the “Stone Beach.”
Bat Yam attaches great importance to art and is famous for its regular art exhibitions, creative competitions, and street theater festivals. Special attention is paid to paintings, the “MoVu” museum, the “Fisherman’s House,” and the “Riviera” gallery store works not only of Jewish artists but also of masters from around the world. And for children, the city has an interesting institution “Havayeda,” where the laws of the universe are explained in a simple and interesting language in a playful form.
In shopping centers on the streets of Rothschild and Balfour, you can buy gifts for relatives and try national dishes. Hotels offer rooms from $100 per day, but if you travel with special offers from travel companies, then for a week-long vacation you can pay only $500, including meals.
Haifa
Haifa’s attractions have great religious significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. To see Mount Carmel and the Tomb of the Bab, the Monastery of the Order of the Barefoot Carmelites, and the Bahá’í World Centre, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, believers come from all over the world. Interestingly, this is the only city in Israel where Shabbat does not affect the lives of other people, and Haifa continues to “live” despite established customs.
In Middle Haifa, there are museums (technology and space, archaeology, Japanese art, railway, art, music, etc.), in Upper Haifa – prestigious cottages, restaurants, and shopping centers (“Panorama”), and Lower Haifa is famous for the Rambam clinic, where they treat cancer patients and work with 3 Nobel laureates.
The city also took care of children – the “X-Park” with active entertainment (climbing wall, rope descent, paintball, etc.) will appeal to restless children, and the zoo and children’s museums are suitable for more calm natures. For souvenirs and treats, tourists go to the flea market on Kibbutz Galuyot Street. Antique and vintage items, as well as handmade products, are inexpensive, and delicacies at a bargain price are sold at the “Talpiot” market, from where they bring kumquat liqueur, coffee, wines, and date paste.
It is impossible to pass by these places without trying traditional “krembo” pastries, salty “bisli,” and halva. A hearty lunch for two will cost from $14 to $30, and the hotel staff will ask for a stay in a room for one night – from $20 to $140. Due to the hot summer weather, Haifa’s Mediterranean beaches are not popular with tourists, so lovers of a quiet holiday should take note of this.
Ashdod
30 km from Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean coast is a city that began its existence back in the 17th century BC but had different names until 1950. Today, it is a cultural center and one of the main ports in the country.
The most visited attractions in Ashdod are the Sand Dunes and Lachish parks, which tourists love for their cleanliness and corner of wildlife. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the city by climbing to Jonah’s Hill, and the “Monart Center” museum in the form of a pyramid presents exhibits of contemporary Israeli art.
The city has several shopping complexes selling local clothing brands, and at the market near the “Lido” beach, you can stock up on sweets and fruits. Ashdod’s restaurants delight with their prices – a full dinner with drinks will cost you $8, and hotel accommodation ranges from $70 to $160.
Akko
For about 4000 years, Akko has been a target for Egyptians, Byzantines, Turks, the British, and even Alexander the Great. Such frequent attacks forced the city to build a defensive fortress, which has been preserved to this day and offers beautiful views of the bay. Noisy narrow streets, Arab trading shops, Turkish souvenir tents, fish markets, and hummus with baklava in small eateries give Akko a special atmosphere of antiquity, which travel lovers strive for.
It is impossible to imagine Israel without mosques and temples, so Akko did not do without places of worship: the “White Mosque” and the “Or Ha-Torah” synagogue are mandatory places for worship. Tourists also do not bypass the Turkish baths, built by order of Suleiman Pasha. This is one of the most inexpensive resorts on the Mediterranean Sea with warm weather but without scorching sun.
Caesarea
One of the most prestigious cities in the country is better known as a business center than a resort. About 200 enterprises in Caesarea are engaged in the development of high technologies, medicine, and other scientific fields. However, the high pace of life does not prevent Israelis from sometimes relaxing on the azure shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Caesarea owes many historical monuments to the Romans, who once captured the city and built entire streets here. Among the ruins of the ancient city, the amphitheater of Herod, the “Palace on the Reef,” and other attractions have been preserved, which can be found in national parks and reserves, and the “Ralli” museum will consolidate your knowledge of the city with documents and several exhibits.
All these types of educational leisure are available to everyone and do not require an entrance fee. As in any seaside city, restaurants are abundant with fish dishes and seafood, which will cost you around $30, and rooms in budget establishments with decent service cost from $80.
Nahariya
The mild climate and artificial sandy beaches have made Nahariya a favorite place for fans of measured quiet rest. There are almost no noisy bars and discos here, so people have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset on the Mediterranean shores in silence. The beaches are clean and free, but this is the only thing you can save on in Nahariya; all other types of leisure are several times more expensive compared to other resorts in Israel.
The Waterfront Street is responsible for entertainment, where there are attractions and children’s cafes, and in the Botanical Garden, there is a zoo with rare species of animals. For wildlife, they go to the Rosh HaNikra caves, where unusual grottoes have formed as a result of natural processes, the path to which lies through a cable car, and for the history of the city – to the Holocaust Museum.
On the way, you can visit the knight’s castles for $2-4 (Monfort and Yehiam fortresses), which have survived to this day. Restaurants here offer to taste cuisines from folk to Asian, so even picky eaters will not stay hungry. If a street snack will cost you $3, then cafes will charge $14 and more for lunch. Hotels, as everywhere, are not cheap – from $80 to $500.
Red Sea Resorts
The best beaches on the shore of this sea are located in the northern part. It is here that you can reach the azure waves on golden-brown sand. Therefore, most hotels are located here. However, the southern part of the coast will not suit everyone, as the land by the sea is abundantly strewn with large pebbles and sharp stones. Although, if you prefer complete seclusion and “wild” rest, you should definitely get to know these places.
The city-resort of Eilat enjoys fabulous popularity. The main advantage of this area is that the sun shines here all year round, only sometimes hiding behind rare clouds. Eilat is located at the southern border of Israel and represents a real oasis. How wonderful it is to rest in such a place, around which a lifeless desert stretches for kilometers!
Eilat
In one of the driest cities in southern Israel, there are several nature reserves protected by law: the coral beaches of the Red Sea, the Eilat mountains, and the Red Canyon. The beaches stretch for 12 km and divide groups of tourists into two types – those who love fine sand and swimming without obstacles choose the North Shore, while admirers of the beautiful choose “Migdalor” with impeccably clean water but a rocky bottom.
The underwater world of the Red Sea impresses with its diversity of marine inhabitants and attracts divers from all over the world, but only the most desperate swimmers are not afraid to encounter poisonous sea snakes and fish on sunken ships. Such pleasure will cost $500, but the many-hour expedition is worth it, according to divers. For those who prefer a tour without unnecessary extremes, the “Coral World” underwater observatory was built in 1974.
More than 800 species of marine fauna coexist in natural conditions, as the aquarium water communicates directly with the waters of the Red Sea 24 hours a day. Predators and peaceful sea inhabitants feel so comfortable here that they regularly produce offspring, which can be observed. The observatory offers a whole range of entertainment, including attractions for children, cinemas, boat trips, shops, and restaurants.
In addition to the review of historical attractions, Eilat is rich in unexpected types of fun – ride an ostrich or ride a dolphin, and the younger generation will be delighted with the ice center “Ice Park” and the journey into the past according to biblical motifs in the “City of Kings.” After a tiring leisure, local restaurateurs will feed your family dinner from $5 to $50.
Dead Sea Resorts
Tired of depression and constant stress, tired of the “oppressive” atmosphere of a noisy metropolis? Then you definitely should go to the shore of the salt Israeli body of water. Even the most inveterate skeptics, after spending a few days on the shore of the Dead Sea, enthusiastically talk about how their condition improved and how they managed to mitigate the effects of chronic ailments.
It’s amazing how quickly the body relaxes and plunges into an unseen atmosphere of calm and tranquility. Without any doubt, the Dead Sea will be the best place for a holiday with the family. Such a holiday will be especially beneficial for children, whose immunity needs constant support. The best sandy beaches can be found in the Ein Bokek area, which is in the southern part of the resort. This is where most of the hotels are located.
Ein Bokek
On the shores of the Dead Sea lies a popular wellness resort designed more for tourists than for locals. All hotels must have spa complexes with a set of medical procedures (massages, inhalations, sulfur baths), but the cost of such service can reach $250 for a double room. If you book in advance, you can count on $50 per day.
Hotels have qualified doctors and offer clients general wellness courses lasting one and a half weeks. For the treatment of the respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems, people turn to the clinics of Ein Bokek, as it is famous for its latest equipment and competent specialists in this field. Among the attractions of this city that you must visit, the archaeological park Qumran, the ruins of the Masada and Bekek fortresses, and Mount Sodom made of salt rock are noted.
Shopping centers are crowded with cosmetics with salts and muds of the Dead Sea, for which tourists queue up, but the prices for such goods are several times higher here – other cities in Israel offer them much cheaper. The average check in Ein Bokek’s restaurants for two will be around $40.
Lake Kinneret Resorts
Hamat Gader
Near the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), there is a health resort town famous for its thermo-mineral springs – pools, jacuzzis, and waterfalls possess healing properties, and sulfur and other beneficial substances positively affect the skin and immune system in general. Moreover, each medical center with therapeutic baths has 15-20 offices with professional specialists offering various physiotherapy procedures.
The entrance fee is paid once. You can also see the Roman baths, which are over 1,500 years old, but you cannot use them. Typically, tourists do not book rooms in hotels independently but purchase tours – it’s more economical, and a six-day trip will cost from $600 and above.
Tiberias
One of the holy cities of Israel, where pilgrims from all over the country come to the graves of Jewish sages. When the Jews recaptured Tiberias from the Romans, they began to build synagogues actively, but the name given in honor of the Roman emperor was not changed. The city has many structures from the times of the Crusades – the fortress of Daher el-Omar, the Franciscan church, Jewish baths, and the remains of the city wall of the 18th century.
Tiberias is perfectly visible from the height of Mount Bernike, the national park Hamat Tiberias is known for its mineral baths, and by the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus once resurrected the dead, tourists love to gather for active and passive recreation. The average price of hotels in Tiberias is $100 per night.
Which Resort to Choose for a Family Vacation with Children
A vacation with a child involves cities rich in entertainment with warm seas and clean beaches. In this case, cities washed by the Dead Sea should be immediately crossed off the list of children’s resorts, as its salty waters are contraindicated for children, and hotels may even refuse to accommodate such families.
Eilat has taken the most care about children’s recreation, where the water temperature of the Red Sea does not fall below +21°C, and various entertainments are designed for all ages (water park, amusement park, dolphinarium, oceanarium, educational museums, etc.). A pleasant bonus in Eilat hotels is special services for young guests – baby food jars, nannies, animators, and playrooms.
You should also consider Tel Aviv, Netanya, Haifa, and Herzliya on the Mediterranean coast – here not only children but also adults will have a good time. The only downside of Israeli resorts is the high hotel prices, but you can find offers where no money is charged for a child’s stay up to 12 years old.
Among the 140 active beaches, there is a ranking of the best, most of which are located on the Mediterranean Sea. They all belong to the state and imply free use for both locals and visitors. For crystal clear waters, the top three beaches include: “Coral Beach” in Eilat, “Achziv” in Nahariya, and “Poleg” in Netanya.
Yacht and boat rentals, professional rescue teams, beach parties, diving with exotic fish, bizarre rocks protruding from the sea will leave no chance to form a negative opinion about a holiday on these shores.
Tel Aviv (“Gordon,” “Banana Beach”) and Herzliya (“Apollonia,” “Accadia”) can also boast of high-quality services and are marked with the “Blue Flag,” but the prices for luxurious resorts on their shores are not affordable for everyone. The young Netanya became famous thanks to the beaches “Sironit” and “Herzl,” which, thanks to breakwaters, are available for swimming in any weather.
The Best Time to Travel
Since the weather remains warm all year round, tourists can be seen as early as spring. The average temperature reaches +24°C, but this is not enough for swimming. However, in the convenient Eilat, starting from April, you can already see children and adults frolicking in the sea – the temperature reaches +30°C.
The Red Sea warms up faster than others, and in summer, when the heat strives for +40°C, only the most desperate and curious travelers can go on excursions. Still, for walking tours, it is better to choose the autumn season when hotels lower prices, and the temperature stays within +25…+28°C. In winter, Israel is deserted, and you can only meet pilgrims on the streets.