Tel Aviv
Your journey starts in the coastal city of Tel Aviv.
As soon as you set foot in this cosmopolitan city, you’ll immediately feel a youthful ambiance and love for life, which are also reflected in Tel Aviv’s modern architecture, colourful street art scene, and vibrant nightlife. The most famous part of Tel Aviv is the White City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, composed of more than 4,000 densely built buildings in the modern Bauhaus style. You’ll also find numerous traditional shops, small boutiques, cosy restaurants, and hip bars. The city’s beautiful shoreline promenade and white sandy beaches invite you to stay, relax, and enjoy the view.
Along the coast, you can walk to historic and trendy Jaffa, a town that is now part of Tel-Aviv, which is said to be one of the oldest ports in the world.
Stay overnight near Jaffa and the beach for 20 euros in a 6-person dorm.
Nazareth
Continue by bus for about 10 euros to Nazareth.
According to the Bible, this city in northern Israel is where Jesus spent his childhood and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Holy Land. Today, the Basilica of the Annunciation stands over the cave that is traditionally believed to have been where the Virgin Mary lived when the angel Gabriel told her she would give birth to the Son of God. Mary’s Well, the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Gabriel, and St. Joseph’s Church are also worth visiting.
Nazareth is known as “the Arab capital of Israel,” and its old town still preserves the narrow streets, winding colourful alleys, and large market from times past, giving the city a mystical feel.
After exploring the biblical city, get some rest and stay overnight for 21 euros in a 10-person dorm.
Jerusalem
A bus will take you from Nazareth to Jerusalem for 16 euros.
The lively city, where three world religions meet, is a highlight of every trip to Israel. Considered a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, Jerusalem offers an incredibly interesting mix of cultures and people, which is also reflected in its varied cityscape.
A visit to the old town with its historical sites like the Dome of the Rock, the Wailing Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Temple Mount will surely give you goose bumps. There is also a lot to discover in the Christian, Jewish, and Arabic districts – from traditional shops to colourful markets and a myriad of different restaurants.
Be sure to bathe in the Dead Sea, which you can reach from Jerusalem by bus, or head to the nearby seaside resort Ein Gedi. Swim in these famous waters and float on the surface without any effort at all thanks to its 33% salinity – ten times saltier than ordinary seawater!
Stay overnight in Jerusalem’s old town in a 10-person dorm for 18 euros a night.
Tel Aviv
You can take the bus back to Tel Aviv for only two euros to catch your flight back home.
In only a short period of time, you’ll be sure to have already amassed incredible memories and insights about a place where you could easily spend months exploring. Who knows – maybe you’ll be inspired to come back?
Until next time, Israel!
