When Marco Bitran joined a Volunteers for Israel program last year, he didn’t imagine that sorting medical kits on a base outside Tel Aviv would end up teaching him lessons about culture, patience, and community. The experience wasn’t glamorous, but it was meaningful: hundreds of volunteers from across the world worked side by side, each bringing different backgrounds, faiths, and languages.
That single week provided him with insight that goes far beyond military bases or nonprofit service. It highlighted how travel in Israel — whether volunteering, touring, or visiting family — can be both rewarding and challenging. For first-time travelers, especially those unfamiliar with the country, understanding its rhythms is essential.
Below is a practical guide, blending lessons from Bitran’s trip with broader travel advice, examples, and lesser-known insights.
What to know before you go
Many travelers head to Israel with images of Jerusalem’s Old City or Tel Aviv’s beaches, but the country is far more layered.
- Cultural Complexity: Israel is home to over nine million people, with Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze, Baháʼí, and secular communities. Each group has distinct traditions, cuisines, and customs. For example, Druze villages in the Carmel region welcome visitors to communal meals — something most tourists miss.
- Food and Markets: Beyond falafel and hummus, local specialties vary by city. In Acre (Akko), the old Ottoman port city, seafood and Levantine desserts dominate. In Be’er Sheva, the gateway to the Negev, Bedouin tea and spiced breads are staples.
- Transportation Nuances: Israel’s trains are clean and efficient, connecting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Be’er Sheva. But in the Galilee or desert regions, shared minibus taxis (sheruts) may be the only option. Unlike buses, sheruts often run during Shabbat.
- Climate Extremes: Israel’s geography is compact but diverse. The Dead Sea area can hit 110°F (43°C) in summer, while Jerusalem’s hilltops may be 20 degrees cooler at the same time.
Five mistakes tourists often make
1. Treating the Country as a Checklist
Most visitors head to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and the Dead Sea. But rushing from site to site misses the nuance. The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, for instance, combines desert hikes with natural springs and waterfalls — far less visited than Masada but equally striking.
2. Overlooking Shabbat Logistics
From Friday evening to Saturday night, trains and many buses stop. New arrivals often find themselves stranded at Ben Gurion Airport without a plan. Booking an airport shuttle in advance or using sheruts avoids this common mistake.
3. Dressing for Only One Climate
Packing solely for heat ignores the reality of cool evenings in Jerusalem or sudden desert winds. Lightweight layers are essential.
4. Ignoring Regional Cuisine
Sticking to familiar dishes means missing experiences like Galilean wineries, Judean Hills olive farms, or Yemenite malawach bread in Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market.
5. Forgetting Historical Layers Beyond Religion
Tourists often focus only on religious landmarks. Yet places like the subterranean Crusader halls in Acre or the Roman amphitheater at Caesarea show Israel’s role in broader world history.
Lessons from Marco Bitran’s experience
Bitran’s group of 400 volunteers included participants from Germany, France, the U.S., and the Netherlands. Despite language barriers, they worked efficiently, checking expiration dates and repacking kits for use by medical teams.
What struck him was the sense of shared purpose. “Everyone came with different beliefs,” he reflected, “but the work pulled us together. You quickly realize travel is as much about people as it is about places.”
His family connections allowed him to spend extra time outside the program, where simple moments — sharing a meal, walking through neighborhoods — proved as meaningful as famous landmarks. For future visitors, that lesson is universal: seek out human interaction, not just photo opportunities.
FAQ for first-time travelers
Do I need to speak Hebrew?
No. English is common in hotels and tourist areas, but learning phrases like todah (thank you) or slicha (excuse me) goes a long way.
What’s the best season to visit?
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November). Summers are hot, while winters in Jerusalem can be chilly with occasional snow.
Is it expensive?
Israel ranks among the top 10 most expensive countries to visit (Numbeo 2024). Expect higher prices for food and lodging than in many Mediterranean destinations. Budget travelers can save by staying in kibbutz guesthouses or hostels.
Is public Wi-Fi reliable?
In major cities, yes. Free Wi-Fi is available on trains and in most cafes. In rural areas, consider a local SIM card.
Are credit cards accepted?
Widely, but cash is useful for markets, taxis, and small towns. Shekels are the currency; avoid relying on dollars outside of tourist zones.
What he’d do differently next time
Bitran says he would explore beyond central Israel. The Galilee region, dotted with hiking trails and kibbutzim, offers a slower pace. The Nabatean ruins of Avdat in the Negev — once a stop on ancient incense trade routes — reveal history less crowded than Jerusalem.
He also recommends preparing with basic Hebrew study. “Even a few words break barriers,” he says. “Locals appreciate the effort.”
Broader travel lessons
- Be Flexible: Itineraries often change because of weather, traffic, or cultural events. Flexibility ensures less frustration.
- Prioritize Water and Sun Protection: With 300 sunny days a year in cities like Eilat, hydration is non-negotiable.
- Engage With Local Communities: Whether through volunteering, joining a cooking class, or visiting a kibbutz, the richest memories come from interactions.
- Understand Regional Differences: Northern Israel feels different from the desert south. Each region has its own character worth exploring.
Key takeaways
- Israel is small geographically but vast in experiences — from Crusader tunnels in Acre to floating in the Dead Sea.
- Shabbat closures can surprise travelers; plan ahead.
- Volunteering or connecting with locals transforms a trip beyond tourism.
- Layered clothing, hydration, and sun protection are critical in a country with varied climates.
- Exploring lesser-known sites often yields deeper experiences than sticking to the main circuit.
Statistics that add perspective
- Tourism contributes roughly 2.8% to Israel’s GDP, with over 3 million visitors in 2023 (Israel Ministry of Tourism).
- More than 160,000 international volunteers have participated in Sar-El programs since 1983.
- Israel has over 300 museums — the most per capita in the world — ranging from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem to the Design Museum in Holon.
- Roughly 70% of Israel’s land is desert, yet agriculture thrives thanks to drip-irrigation technology pioneered there.
Final thoughts
Traveling to Israel offers contrasts: ancient ruins beside modern skyscrapers, desert heat alongside lush vineyards, solemn history alongside vibrant nightlife. For Marco Bitran, the week he spent volunteering underscored the importance of connection — not just to places, but to people.
For any traveler, the advice holds: plan carefully, stay flexible, respect traditions, and don’t overlook the unexpected corners of the country. Whether it’s a quiet hike in the Negev, tea in a Druze village, or working side by side with strangers on a volunteer project, those moments often define the journey more than any landmark.