Essential Israel: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem & Tiberias - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Tel Aviv

Welcome to Tel Aviv! Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax after your flight or head out to start exploring the city on your own.

Day 2: Tel Aviv City Tour, Transfer to Jerusalem

Discover the highlights of Tel Aviv today with a half-day city tour that takes you from the Bauhaus and Art Deco buildings of Rabin Square to the historic neighborhood of Neve Tzedek. Take some time at the Diaspora Museum to journey through the history of the Jewish people, then head to the ancient port of Jaffa and its eclectic artists' colonies. After a stroll along Sheinkin, a lively and colorful street specially known for its independent shops and cafés, your driver will take you an hour southeast to the holy city of Jerusalem and your base for the next three nights.

Day 3: Discover Jerusalem's Mount of Olives

This morning's tour starts with breathtaking views across Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a high ridge east of the city. Here you can visit the Church of Ascension and pass Pater Noster Church before proceeding down to the Garden of Gethsemane, home to 2,000-year-old olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. It's also the site of the Basilica of the Agony and Tomb of Saint Mary, a dimly-lit, below-ground church where a Christian tradition says the mother of Jesus was buried.

The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to relax back at your hotel or explore on your own. 

Day 4: Visit Yad Vashem, Ein Karem & the Israel Museum

Start today with a sobering visit to the Museum Yad Vashem (World Holocaust Remembrance Center), Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. The museum aims to honor the dead and research the phenomenon of genocides with the aim of avoiding such events in the future.

 

Afterward, your driver will take you on a scenic drive southwest to the outskirts of the city to reach Ein Karem, a picturesque village said to be the birthplace of John the Baptist. Then it's on to the Israel Museum, where you can marvel at the detailed model of Jerusalem from the time of the Second Temple and enter the dramatic Shrine of the Book to see the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Day 5: Transfer to Tiberias via Cana & Nazareth

Bid Jerusalem farewell today as you meet your driver for today's journey north. Along the way, you'll stop at the idyllic village of Cana, where you'll visit the Church of the Wedding Miracle where Jesus was said to turn water into wine. Proceed to the biblical city of Nazareth to see the towering Basilica of Annunciation, then take a short walk to the sites of Joseph's carpentry workshop and the well of Mary. Continue to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and the historic city of Tiberias, where you'll get settled into your hotel for the night.

Day 6: Biblical Sites of Tiberias, Capernaum & Taghba

After breakfast, join your guide to delve deeper into the many important Biblical sites surrounding Tiberias. Start with an early visit to Jesus' Ministry, enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Sea of Galilee, and take in sweeping views from the Mount of Beatitudes, believed to be the setting of the Sermon on the Mount. Carry on to the small fishing village of Capernaum on the northern shores of the sea, and discover the ancient synagogues (one built on top of the other) as well as the supposed home of Saint Peter, one of Jesus' Twelve Apostles.

Other highlights include a stop in Tabgha to tour the Church of the Multiplication—believed to be the site where Christ fed five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish—and the Church of the Primacy, the location that marks the supposed spot where Jesus reinstated Peter as his chief Apostle.

After a full day of sightseeing, you'll return to your hotel in Tiberias for dinner and some rest. 

Day 7: Transfer to Tel Aviv via Haifa, Caesarea & Acre

Explore the beauty and diversity of Israel's northern coastline today, starting in the sun-soaked port of Haifa. Take in breathtaking views of Haifa Bay from Mount Carmel, then pay a visit to Stella Marris Monastery to see the fabled Cave of Elijah. Marvel at the Persian Hanging Gardens of Baháʼí (considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World), then continue fifteen minutes south to see Muharakha, the site of the battle between Elijah and the prophets of Baal and the perfect spot for panoramic views across the whole of the Israel Valley.

Continuing along the coast, you'll reach the ancient seaside city of Caesarea—the perfect place to learn about the former Roman and Crusader presence in the country. Marvel at the massive Roman amphitheater that overlooks the Mediterranean, and spend some time discovering the city's medieval fortress.

After a stop at the bustling, UNESCO-listed markets of Acre (Akka), you'll return to Tel Aviv, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day 8: Free Day in Tel Aviv

Today is free for you to explore more of Tel Aviv at your own pace. Spend some time strolling through some of the city's coolest neighborhoods, such as charming Levontine, with its low-key bars, restaurants, and thriving music scene, and historic Neve Tzedek, with its cute coffee shops and boutiques. You could also spend some time at one of the city's many world-class museums, such as the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Beit Hatfutsot (the Museum of the Jewish People), the Eretz Israel Museum, and Bialik House. 
 
In the afternoon, you could join an optional tour of the Tel Aviv Diamond Exchange, which takes you inside the world's largest diamond trading complex. 

Day 9: Depart Tel Aviv

Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast in Tel Aviv. When the time comes, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!  

More Israel Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Israel? Check out these other Israel itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

Or, describe your ideal trip and we will connect you with a local specialist to make it happen.