Should I go to Israel solo? If you thinking of traveling to Israel alone then you may be asking yourself this very question! In this Solo Girls Guide, my friend Denise from The Navy Blonde shares her experience of living in Israel with some great tips for solo female travelers.
Is it safe to go to Isreal solo?
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.
So What is There to See Besides Deserts and Camels?
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. On a more practical level, it’s also home to incredible foods (think hummus, falafel, and salads that will blow your mind), breathtaking beaches and seriously good-looking people.
While the most well-known historical sites and major cities are in central Israel, head a bit to the south and you’ll also find the Dead Sea and the resort city of Eilat (think: Las Vegas of the Middle East with a beachfront), along with countless other natural wonders .
The best nightlife in Israel
And if history and culture isn’t really your thing, there’s also Tel Aviv – a place that can only be described as a mix of New York City and Miami. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Tel Aviv boasts a truly impressive culinary scene with plenty to choose from, regardless of taste. Fun fact: After NYC and Toyko, Tel Aviv has the most sushi restaurants per capita. It is also 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 last patron leaves – even if that’s 6 a.m.
As for where to find the best bars – just head to the Florentine, Dizengoff or Rothschild areas and you’re sure to find a bar (or 20) to your liking.
How safe is it to travel to Israel?
As a female who moved by myself to Israel, I can honestly say that it is one of the safest countries I have ever been to. Are there wars in the Middle East? Absolutely. However, Israel has an incredible security system in place, and Israelis are big into looking out for one another, meaning you never need to be afraid to walk around by yourself – even at 2 a.m.
In terms of what to wear in Israel, that’s also not something that should concern you. Use common sense: if you’re going to a religious site (or religious city like Jerusalem), don’t wear super revealing clothing. This isn’t an issue of safety, it’s so you won’t offend anyone. In the beach city Tel Aviv, you can wear anything you want – I guarantee you’ll see people wearing more revealing clothing than you are.
Is Israel Expensive?
That’s a great question. In short, it depends on you. There are plenty of things to spend your money on in Israel, but it’s also possible to keep to a tight budget if you are careful. Hotels in Israel are notoriously expensive, but you can easily stay in awesome hostels and save money that way. Food is quite affordable, but if you love to party you should know that alcohol is very expensive – think New York prices. Tour prices are quite average, and there are also many free walking tour options, such as Sandeman Tours.
Accommodation in Israel
Hotels in Israel are notoriously expensive, but you can easily stay in awesome hostels and save money that way. Abraham Hostels have locations in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and they’re known to have a good vibe and lots of community events.
Food in Israel is quite affordable, but if you love to party you should know that alcohol is very expensive – think New York prices. Tour prices are quite average, and there are also many free walking tour options, such as Sandeman Tours.
How to get from the airport to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv?
I would definitely recommend starting your trip to Israel in either Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, both of which can be reached by bus, taxi, train (Tel Aviv), or monit sherut. The last option is basically like a large taxi that holds around 10 people, and it’s way cheaper than a private taxi. I would recommend either taking a taxi or monit sherut to either city when you first arrive since they are way easier to navigate than the train or bus system until you get a little more used to the country. Both services are very easy to find and are conveniently located directly outside of where you exit from the airport, with signs that are written in English.
A final note: you should also ask the taxi or monit sherut driver upfront what the cost will be, as some drivers will try to rip you off instead of charging you the flat rate if you don’t ask.
Getting around Israel
Like Europe, Israel is a county that’s made for walking, especially in Tel Aviv. I would highly discourage you from renting a car unless you’re planning to drive throughout all of Israel rather than stay in one city.
Driving in Israel is slightly terrifying – as someone who lived in LA before moving to the Middle East, I thought I had seen it all, and I was seriously mistaken. If you’re not a brave driver, just take the easy route and stick to buses.
Ok, you’ve convinced me – How long should I stay?
That totally depends on you! Israel is a small country, so you can get to most locations in a few hours. In order to really see everything, you would probably want to give yourself 2 days in northern Israel, 3 days in the Jerusalem area, 2-3 days in southern Israel, and 2 days in Tel Aviv. In total, I would recommend around 10 days.
Are you planning a solo trip to Israel soon? What places are you wanting to see, and what to you have questions about? Comment and let me know!
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 multi-media 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 Girls Guides
Barcelona | Copenhagen | Israel | Kuala Lumpur | Moscow | Nepal | Queenstown | Prague | Santa Barbara | Stockholm | Uzbekistan | Vegas | Zurich
This post was proofread by Grammarly
