Flights to Tel Aviv

While Tel Aviv is more of a modern city, where its history isn’t the most exciting, Jerusalem is relatively modern. Still, its history draws people, with different religions and cultures from all around the world, to it. 

Here are the top things you must do when you visit this holy city:

• Place a prayer on the western wall – the city’s most iconic place is the western wall. The wall was built around 2000 years ago as an outer wall to support Temple Mount; when the temple was destroyed in AD 70, Jews were forced to leave, and the temple’s exact location was lost. When they got back, they avoided the Temple Mount for fear of accidentally stepping on the Holy of Holies – the ancient inner sanctum of the temple, which was accessible only to high priests. So, they began praying at the outer wall. 

Due to its history, this is one of the holiest places for Jewish people. But even if you are not Jewish or religious in any way, this is a place you’d like to experience. The size of the bricks of the wall (which is unknown until these days how it was possible to place them one on top of the other, in those times technological methods), its height, the energy of all the people that gather to pray around it, is a feeling that can’t be described in words. When you’re around, come and check it out, bring a note and a pen, and when you’re there, write something for god and place it in one of the wall’s gaps. It is believed that our prayers are heard better from this site.

• Visit the Temple Mount – seen as the holiest site for Jewish believers, parts of the four walls surrounding the Temple Mount date back to the time of the Second Jewish Temple, in the first century BCE. The walls were built around the summit of Mount Moriah. Biblically, this is where Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice. For Muslims, on the other hand, it is the third holiest site after Mecca and Medina. In Muslim tradition, this is where the Prophet Mohammed made his “Night Journey” to the throne of God. When the Muslims conquered Jerusalem in the seventh century, they built the Dome of the Rock. It is the gold-topped Islamic shrine seen in many iconic photographs of the Old City, next to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Today, within the area of the Temple Mount, there are about 100 different structures to see spanning different periods, including prayer locations, arches, and fountains. So it would help if you visited here. Please make sure to learn the site’s rules before you go.

• Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – This is one of Christianity’s holiest and unique sites. Located in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, the church is home to two of the most sacred places in Christianity – the site where Jesus was crucified, known as Calvary, and the tomb where Jesus was buried and then resurrected. Today, the tomb is enclosed by a shrine called the Aedicula. The final four Stations of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa, are also located inside the church. You must see and experience this place when you’re in Jerusalem.

• Get lost in the Old City’s market – it is impossible to stay apathetic to the Old City alleys’ magic. The structure, the old stones, the people, and the authentic smells are the components for an unforgettable magical oriental time you’ll have there. We recommend you take the time to get lost in those streets, explore the different shops and food stands, be sure you’ll have unforgettable moments when you’re there.

• Walk along the city walls – The Ramparts Walk in the Old City of Jerusalem is a gem. The Ramparts Walk one of the most exciting activities in history, beauty, and a greater sense of the Old City. This Walk makes a great trip you’ll never want to miss in the Old City.

• Visit Ein Kerem neighborhood – after spending some time in the old city, it’s time for you to get out and explore a place with a different vibe. Ein Karem is a perfect place for you to have some more relaxed time in the city. Ein Karem is a neighborhood on the outskirts of Jerusalem. The place has been inhabited since the Canaanite period. Between the 14th century and the War of Independence, it was an Arab village where during the war was abandoned. New immigrants settled in the empty houses, and as part of the expansion of Jerusalem, the town was declared as a neighborhood of the city. Even today, it still has rural characteristics due to its relative detachment from the city and being surrounded by mountains, valleys, and forests. Ein Kerem is also considered a sacred place for Christianity and a pilgrimage site for pilgrims. It is known as the birthplace of John the Baptist. There are several churches and monasteries there too. We recommend you take some time to explore this magical neighborhood, for all it has to offer, from excellent restaurants and cafes to rural nature and beautiful churches.

• Visit Mahane Yehuda Market – This colorful market is one of the most fantastic places to visit in Israel. The range of foods, vegetables, beverages, and excellent restaurants is enormous. The market is alive from 8 am to 7 pm, and we highly recommend you visit during these times. We also recommend you come back during the night to experience the fabulous authentic bars and restaurants scattered around this lovely market.

• Visit ‘Yad Vashem’ museum – is Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Jews who were murdered during these horrible times. It is located on the Mount of Remembrance and overlooks the pastoral landscape of the Jerusalem mountains. The site covers acres of trees and paths that lead to museums, exhibitions, monuments, sculptures, memorial sites, and the world’s leading documentation, research, and education centers. Thousands of visitors visit the museum every day and study the history of the Holocaust from a unique Jewish perspective, emphasizing the personal stories of the victims. The combination of all the private means of expression displayed in the museum – personal diaries, photographs, artifacts, video testimonies, and more, allows the visitor to absorb the wealth of information through a multidimensional sensory experience and be exposed to the daily struggle of the Jews. Admission to Yad Vashem is free and with advance registration.

Last tickets at excellent prices are available for a limited time. Book your flight to Israel before you miss this chance!

One thing we guarantee you will find in Israel is – fantastic food everywhere! For real, we know that you will feel overwhelmed by the variety of great food here. We decided to help you learn about the best of them, so you’ll get the whole culinary experience this country can offer. It wasn’t an easy task to gather The Best 10, so we used the “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” 2022 list by San Pellegrino to help us decide which restaurants to include in ours.

Our top 6 are all restaurants that were placed there.

10. Magdalena by Chef Zuzu Chana – 

Magdalena Restaurant presents a beautiful combination of aesthetics and art to a unique Galilean flavor. You can find a variety of authentic Galilean dishes and interpretations of them by the chef. The location of it is at the foot of Mount Arbel, by the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee, which gives a calm and pastoral atmosphere to all the guests. 

Open Sunday to Saturday 

Address:  Migdal Junction Complex, Route 90, Migdal 

Phone: +9724-6730064

Opening Hours:

12:30 – 4:30 PM

6:00 – 21:30 PM

9. Rafaello-

A classic Italian fragrance, modernity, and innovation characterize Raffaello and what turns it into a traditional Italian restaurant for the whole family!

Raffaello’s menu is built with an emphasis on quality ingredients. It combines the best of traditional Italian cuisine alongside innovative cooking techniques and a combination of modern ones.

The spectacular, elegant design in their restaurants and the warm and family attentive service complement a heartwarming hospitality experience with the scent of Italy.

Open Sunday to Saturday 

Addresses:  

• 8 Fliman St., Castra Center, Haifa • Phone: +9724-6208753 • Hours: 12:00 – 00:00
• Alonit Fashion complex • Phone: +9724-8481918 • Hours: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
• 248 Histadrut Blvd, Haifa • Phone: +9720779386015 • Opening Hours: 12:00 – 00:00

8. Satya – 

A collective made this restaurant of local Chefs and Artists to bring Jerusalem cuisine to their guests. Day by day, they create a unique menu alongside a rich and seasonal menu that includes fish dishes, seafood, and meat; vegetarian and vegan dishes can also be found here. The versatile Israeli wine menu has been specially adapted to the restaurant’s dishes in addition to the refreshing cocktails menu. The vast and beautiful terrace overlooks Keren Hayesod Street and the windmill in Mishkenot Sha’ananim. There is a spacious bar inside, along with intimate and cozy seating.

Address:  Keren Hayesod 36, Jerusalem

Phone: +9722-6506808

Opening Hours:

Sunday to Friday: 6:00 PM to the last customer

Saturday: 12:30 – 6:00 PM\

7. Shila by Chef Sharon Cohen –

Chef Sharon Cohen creates meticulous and refreshing dishes that make up a personal and real kitchen. The kitchen focuses on fresh and quality raw materials. The restaurant menu presents various options from the sea and the land. It does not matter how you define it – the bar with the most delicious food or the restaurant with the most worthwhile bar; during its 16 years of existence, Shila has become a home place and one of the favorite gastronomic institutions for people who love to eat. Sharon Cohen, the Chef, and owner, run his kitchen like in Barcelona, with lots of laughter behind the flames and fresh ingredients in everything to do with the refugees of the seas and oceans, spiced with grace and wit and served with love. Shila was named after the owner’s beloved dog and has become a culinary institution well planted in the nightlife of the big city. it is a pleasant and delicious place to hang out at. 

Address: Ben Yehuda 182, Tel Aviv

Phone: +9723-5221224

Opening Hours: Sunday to Saturday 12:30 – 00:00

 Om Thursday open kitchen until 1:00 AM

Email: [email protected]

6. Milgo & Milbar by Chef Motti Titmo

Motti Titmo, the restaurant’s Chef, has cooked in various cuisines in the country and gourmet restaurants in Berlin and Strasbourg. After more than a decade in the kitchen, he began studying baking at the FCI when, once he finished there, he returned to Israel to produce his food and art.

Today, Chef Titman is considered one of the pioneers of modern cuisine in Israel with an eclectic but coherent cooking style and meticulous but unpretentious forms of serving. The menu changes between two and three times a year depending on the seasons and the quality of the raw materials. The restaurant was placed #40 in San Pellegrino’s “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” 2022 list.

Address:  Rotchild 142, Tel Aviv

Phone: +9720507981318

5. Pescado by Chef Yahi Zino- 

“Pescado” – Fish in Spanish, a kosher restaurant, opened in 2009 by Eran Geno as the manager and Yachi Zino in the Chef’s uniform. The restaurant is located by Ashdod’s port and enjoys daily fishing delivered by Eran’s three-generation fishermen family. Three fixed principles guide the Chef according to which the menu and the specials of the place are determined: fresh ingredients, simple preparation, and intense flavors. Pescado’s primary purpose is to elegantly skip the kosher problem and stand on an equal footing with the best fish restaurants in the country. The experience at Pescado is a combination of quality food, music that will please your ears, and professional and courteous service. The restaurant was placed #24 in San Pellegrino’s “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” 2022 list.

Address: Martin Buber St 1/12, Ashdod

Phone: +97288523063

Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 12:00 – 4:00 PM

 Saturday Evening – 1.5 hrs after Shabbat ends at 11:00 PM.

4. Animar by Chef Hillel Tuvkoli

Animal Restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine. They call it Med To Table – the best raw materials from the Mediterranean directly to your table, in a personal and authentic interpretation by Chef Hillel Tuvkoli. The Chef has a long path behind him of several years at other top restaurants in Europe. He specialized in Italian and Spanish cuisine and acquired a complete education in confectionery to get a comprehensive picture of the professional cooking field.

The Animal restaurant cooks exciting food with a personal and authentic interpretation while using seasonal ingredients from all over the Mediterranean. The restaurant was placed #17 in San Pellegrino’s “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” 2022 list.

Address: 87 Hayarkon St.,

Tel Aviv

Phone: +9723-5759060

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 6:00 – 11:00 PM

3. Habasta by Chef Eilon Amir – 

Small but perfectly formed, HaBasta is located on the street leading off Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market, from where almost all its produce is sourced. Passionate Israeli chef Elon Amir creates an extensive daily changing menu, which he scribbles on a piece of paper on the wall. The likes of baguette topped with mussels, smoked salmon and mackerel, yellowtail carpaccio, and pork shawarma come with the simplest of descriptions yet are satisfyingly complex in execution. The international wine list is equally exceptional.

Address: 4 HaShomer Street, Nachalat Binyamin, Tel Aviv,

Phone: +972 3 516 9234

2. George & John by Chef Tomer Tal –

George & John Restaurant serves modern Israeli-inspired dishes, along with extensive Mediterranean influences, served in the unique atmosphere of the important historic site of the first restaurant opened outside the walls of Jaffa in 1866. The senior chef, Tomer Tal, has revived this landmark restaurant using unique cooking techniques, including smoking, grilling, pickling, and local herbs and quality products. 

The restaurant was placed #9 in San Pellegrino’s “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” 2022 list.

Address: Drisco Hotel, 6 Auerbach Street, Tel Aviv Jaffa,

Phone: +9723-7269309

1. OCD by Chef Raz Rahav –

The restaurant serves a closed menu (tasting meal) to all diners simultaneously. The seating is around a bar in front of the open kitchen, so guests watch all the work of the kitchen staff while they are there. The menu changes from time to time, built by Chef Raz Rahav and influenced by the culture, raw materials, history, and local cheekiness, controlled from the world and memories. The nature of the meal requires a set menu that is not presented to the diner when he arrives. This restaurant encourages you to come with an open mind and experiment with nature; together with the other cafes, you will discover new flavors. In addition to the closed menu, a vegetarian/kosher menu is also available. Please note you’d like it at the time of booking. The restaurant was placed #3 in San Pellegrino’s “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” 2022 list.

Address: 17 Tirza Street Tel Aviv

Phone: +9723-556-6774

Email: [email protected]

Good To Know Before You Arrive In Israel:

• The average temperatures in Israel are:
• • Οι μέσες θερμοκρασίες στο Ισραήλ είναι:

During the summer – 38°c

During the fall – 29°c

During the winter  – 15°c

During the spring – 33°c

• Average meal cost in a restaurant is 22$
• Average coffee cost is 3.5$
• Average beer cost is 9$
• Average taxi rate for 1km is 4.10$
• Average bus ticket rate for one direction is 1.8$ 

Last tickets at excellent prices are available for a limited time. Book your flight to Israel before you miss this chance!