Is it safe to travel in Israel as a single woman? What are the best Israel things to do as a solo female traveler? If you’re thinking of solo traveling to Israel as a woman, you may ask yourself questions like this. In this Solo Girl’s Guide to Things to Do in Israel, my friend Denise from The Navy Blonde shares her experience living in Israel with some great safety tips and recommendations.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
Is it Safe to Travel in Israel Alone? Solo Girl’s Guide to Traveling to Israel As a Woman
In short, definitely—Israel is not only home to some of the most important religious and historical sites in the world, but it’s also earned a reputation as the Middle East’s most liberal and democratic country.
Best Things to Do in Israel
Israel is home to famous historical sites like the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, the Sea of Galilee, and Jerusalem’s Old City. The country also offers incredible food (like hummus, falafel, and mind-blowing salads), breathtaking beaches, and friendly people.
While the most well-known historical sites and major cities are located in central Israel, head south for the Dead Sea and resort city of Eilat, often called the Las Vegas of the Middle East. Israel is full of countless other natural wonders, so there’s no shortage of things to see and do.
Here are some more recommendations for Israel things to do alone:
- Embark on a desert adventure: Take a camel ride or Jeep tour through sand dunes.
- Go hiking: The Golan Heights and Galileo areas have many beautiful walking paths.
- Float in the Dead Sea: Since the Dead Sea is so full of salt, you’ll get to experience the unique sensation of floating.
Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.
Best Israel Tours: Click here to check out the top Israel tours
Best Israel Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Israel
Best Israel Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Israel
Israel Nightlife
If history and culture aren’t really your thing, there’s also Tel Aviv, which resembles a mix of New York City and Miami. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Tel Aviv boasts an impressive culinary scene with plenty of restaurants to choose from, regardless of taste. Tel Aviv is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world and hosts the largest Gay Pride Parade in Asia and the Middle East.
Tel Aviv also has amazing nightlife, with many bars staying open until the early hours of the morning. Head to the Florentine, Dizengoff, and Rothschild areas for some of the best bars in the city. Is Tel Aviv safe to travel to alone? The city is generally safe, though you’ll want to stay aware of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings close.
Is Israel Safe for Female Travelers?
As a female who moved to Israel alone, I can honestly say it’s one of the safest countries I’ve been to. Israeli people look out for and protect each other, so you can feel safe exploring the country alone.
If you’re visiting a religious site or city like Jerusalem, avoid super revealing clothing so you won’t offend anyone. In the beach city of Tel Aviv, you can wear anything you want—I guarantee you’ll see people wearing more revealing clothing than you are.
Is Israel Expensive?
There are plenty of things to spend your money on in Israel, but it’s also possible to keep to a tight budget. Hotels in Israel are notoriously expensive, but you can find awesome hostels to save money. Food is quite affordable, but if you love to party, know that alcohol is very expensive (think New York prices). Tour prices throughout Israel are quite average, and there are also many free walking tour options.
Where to Stay in Israel
The Tel Aviv Beachfront area is ideal for those who want to be right by the beach and have easy access to the vibrant atmosphere of the city. In Jerusalem, I recommend staying in the Old City to immerse yourself in its rich history and religious significance. You’ll have easy access to iconic sites like the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Accommodations throughout Israel include hotels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals. There are Abraham Hostels in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem—they’re known for their warm and friendly atmosphere, perfect for making new friends.
Traveling From Ben Gurion International Airport to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
I recommend starting your trip to Israel in either Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, both of which can be reached by bus, taxi, train, or monit sherut, a large taxi that holds around ten people. Take a taxi or monit sherut to either city when you first arrive since they’re easier to navigate than the train and bus system. Both services are easy to find and conveniently located near the airport exit.
Pro Israel travel tip: ask the taxi or monit sherut driver upfront what the cost will be, as some will try to rip you off instead of charging the standard flat rate.
Getting Around Israel
Like Europe, Israel is a country made for walking, especially Tel Aviv. I don’t suggest renting a car unless you’re planning to drive throughout the entire country. Driving in Israel is slightly terrifying, so if you’re not a brave driver, just stick to buses and taxis.
How Long to Visit Israel
Israel is a small country, so you can get to most cities and landmarks within a few hours. To see most of the country’s top sights, you’ll want two days in northern Israel, three days in Jerusalem, two to three days in southern Israel, and two days in Tel Aviv. In total, I recommend visiting Israel for around ten days.
Traveling to Israel As a Woman FAQs
Is Tel Aviv Safe to Travel To?
Yes, Tel Aviv is known for being a safe city for tourists and solo female travelers.
Is Israel Safe for Female Travelers?
Yes, just stay aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Israel?
I recommend touring Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and embarking on an adventure in the desert.
Israel Travel Guide Planning
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance. I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise, Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Israel?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options available! You can also check Abraham Travel for more information about tours, events, and bars.
🚗 Where can I book rental cars or private transportation?
I strongly recommend using RentalCars. They are available in more than 60.000 locations and customer service support in more than 40 languages.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia. They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Is it Safe to Travel in Israel? Final Thoughts
There are so many things to do in Israel that you could visit multiple times and still not experience everything the beautiful country has to offer. Hopefully, your questions of, “Is it safe to travel in Israel?” have been answered, and you feel prepared to plan a trip with this guide to Israel things to do.
Author Bio:
Denise is a blogger and entrepreneur who runs @thenavyblonde on Instagram and www.thenavyblonde.com. Before she began blogging, Denise was an international TV news anchor and worked for major media outlets, creating and editing viral multimedia for audiences all over the world. Having traveled to dozens of countries, she currently resides in Portland, OR, and is passionate about style, travel, and helping others live their best life.
Follow Denise on Pinterest | Twitter
Check out our other Solo Girl’s Guides:
Barcelona | Copenhagen | Israel | Kuala Lumpur | Moscow | Nepal | Queenstown | Prague | Santa Barbara | Stockholm | Uzbekistan | Vegas | Zurich