Asia · Western Asia

Israel

State of Israel

Flag of Israel
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+02:00
🏛️ Capital
Jerusalem
👥 Population
10,134,800
📐 Area
21,937 km²
💱 Currency
Israeli new shekel (₪)
🗣️ Languages
Arabic, Hebrew
📞 Calling Code
+972
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+02:00
🌐 Region
Asia / Western Asia

About Israel

Israel is a land of impossible density — geographically small yet containing within its borders some of the most spiritually charged, historically layered, and scenically diverse landscapes on earth. When you walk the narrow stone lanes of Jerusalem's Old City, you step through 3,000 years of continuous human habitation, passing within metres of sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam simultaneously. The Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock's golden dome rising over the limestone rooftops form one of the most emotionally overwhelming urban panoramas you will ever encounter, regardless of your faith or lack thereof.

Beyond Jerusalem, Israel unfolds as a series of surprises. Tel Aviv is a buzzing, hedonistic Mediterranean city of sandy beaches, startling modern architecture, and some of the Middle East's finest restaurants and nightlife. Haifa, climbing its terraced Bahá'í gardens up Mount Carmel, is a model of coexistence. The Negev Desert sprawls south in ochre craters and ancient Nabataean trade routes, culminating in the underwater-rich waters of Eilat on the Red Sea. And the Dead Sea — the world's lowest point, a hyper-saline lake surrounded by biblical desert — offers the singular experience of floating effortlessly while smearing mineral-rich mud on sun-bronzed skin.

What may strike you most is the sheer energy of Israeli society — a young nation in one of history's oldest landscapes, driven by entrepreneurialism, military experience, cultural confidence, and an intense argument with itself about identity, democracy, and its neighbours that plays out loudly and passionately everywhere from university campuses to family Shabbat tables. Travelling Israel means engaging with one of the world's most complex and endlessly fascinating places, where every stone has a story and every meal is an invitation to conversation.

History & Background

The land of Israel carries an unbroken recorded history stretching back to at least the 10th century BCE, when the United Kingdom of Israel under David and Solomon established Jerusalem as its capital. The Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom, the Babylonian destruction of Solomon's Temple and exile of the Jewish population in 586 BCE, the return under Persian patronage, Greek Hellenistic rule, and the Roman period that culminated in the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE and the Jewish diaspora — each chapter left physical and spiritual marks still visible today. The Crusaders, Ottoman Turks, and British mandate authorities each added layers to Jerusalem's extraordinary palimpsest of civilisations.

The modern State of Israel emerged from the Zionist movement of the late 19th century, which sought to establish a Jewish homeland in the ancestral territory. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 expressed British support, and waves of Jewish immigration (Aliyot) transformed the region during the British Mandate period. On 14 May 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared Israeli independence; the following day, five Arab armies attacked. The resulting War of Independence, followed by the 1967 Six-Day War in which Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, Sinai, and Golan Heights, and the 1973 Yom Kippur War, form the military backbone of modern Israeli national consciousness. The peace treaties with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994), and the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, continue to shape the region's present and future.

Culture & People

Israeli culture is a vibrant mosaic of Jewish traditions drawn from every corner of the diaspora — Ashkenazi (Eastern European), Sephardic (Iberian and North African), Mizrahi (Middle Eastern), Ethiopian, Russian, and Yemenite communities all contribute threads to a cultural fabric that is constantly evolving and occasionally wonderfully chaotic. The shared Hebrew language, revived from liturgical use in the late 19th century in one of history's most remarkable linguistic achievements, provides a unifying medium across these diverse communities. Shabbat — the Jewish day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall — shapes the weekly rhythm of the country profoundly, closing most businesses and public transport in observant cities like Jerusalem while Tel Aviv continues to party.

Israeli directness (dugri — speaking straight) can be initially jarring to visitors accustomed to more indirect social conventions; what might seem like bluntness is understood locally as honesty and respect. The Chutzpah — audacious confidence — that characterises Israeli innovation and startup culture also appears in daily social interactions. Arab Israeli citizens, comprising about 20 percent of the population, contribute Levantine food, music, and Arabic language to the cultural mix, particularly in cities like Haifa, Jaffa (Yafo), and Nazareth. The tension and creative synthesis between ancient tradition and hypermodern ambition is nowhere more vivid than in Israel.

Food & Cuisine

Israeli food culture is one of the world's great culinary revelations — a crossroads cuisine where Levantine, Mediterranean, North African, and Eastern European traditions converge to produce extraordinary results. Hummus is the foundation: Israelis take their hummus seriously, and a great bowl of freshly made, warm hummus drizzled with olive oil and dusted with paprika, served with warm pita bread, is one of the most satisfying foods on earth. In Tel Aviv's Carmel Market or Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda (the Shuk), you will find shakshuka (eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce), falafel rolled into pita with pickles and tahini, and sabich (fried eggplant and hard-boiled egg in pita) — all eaten standing at counters and considered high art by their devotees.

The influence of Jewish communities from around the world gives Israeli cuisine unusual breadth: Moroccan spiced merguez sausages, Persian slow-cooked lamb with sour cherries, Yemenite jachnun (slow-baked pastry with grated tomato and hard egg), and Ashkenazi gefilte fish all appear on Tel Aviv restaurant menus and home Shabbat tables. The restaurant scene in Tel Aviv is internationally acclaimed — chefs like Eyal Shani have pioneered a New Israeli Cuisine that celebrates local produce, Levantine flavour profiles, and playful creativity. Wine production in the Galilee and Golan Heights has surged in quality over recent decades, and Israel's vibrant street-food culture means extraordinary eating is available at every price point.

Top Attractions

  • Jerusalem Old City — Walk the rampart walls, visit the Western Wall, explore the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and ascend to the Dome of the Rock in one of humanity's most sacred and complex squares of land.
  • Masada National Park — A dramatic desert fortress plateau above the Dead Sea, site of the heroic Jewish last stand against Rome in 73 CE; best climbed via the Snake Path at dawn before the heat builds.
  • Dead Sea — Float effortlessly in the world's saltiest lake at 430 metres below sea level; slather yourself in black mineral mud and emerge feeling remarkably rejuvenated.
  • Tel Aviv Beaches and Neve Tzedek — The Mediterranean's finest urban beach strip lined with cafés and volleyball courts, paired with the charming bohemian lanes of Neve Tzedek neighbourhood and the Carmel Market.
  • Bahá'í World Centre and Gardens, Haifa — A UNESCO World Heritage site of stunning terraced gardens descending Mount Carmel to the Mediterranean, a global spiritual headquarters open to visitors of all faiths.
  • Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon), Negev — The world's largest erosion crater, a vast geological marvel in the Negev Desert offering hiking, jeep tours, stargazing, and the surreal beauty of a Martian landscape.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Jerusalem's Old City is best explored on foot — wear comfortable shoes with good grip for the uneven stone lanes, and start early to avoid midday heat and tour-group crowds at major sites.
  • Shabbat (Friday sundown to Saturday nightfall) closes most businesses, restaurants, and public transport in Jerusalem and other religious cities; stock up on supplies on Friday morning.
  • The shekel (ILS) is the currency; credit cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for markets, small restaurants, and religious site donations.
  • Dress modestly when visiting religious sites — women need covered shoulders and knees at the Western Wall and churches; free loaner scarves and shawls are provided at major sites.
  • Security checks are thorough at airports and major tourist sites — arrive well early for Ben Gurion Airport departures (3 hours recommended) and be prepared for detailed questioning.
  • The Rav-Kav card is useful for public transport in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem; alternatively, use the Moovit app for real-time bus schedules and route planning.
  • An Israeli passport stamp can cause entry difficulties into some Arab countries; ask for a stamp on a separate entry card rather than your passport if onward travel to such destinations is planned.

Visa Overview

Citizens of most Western nations including the United States, EU countries, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada can enter Israel visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Israel conducts thorough entry screening at Ben Gurion Airport; travellers with Arab stamps in their passports or those who have visited certain countries may face extended questioning. Always check the latest entry requirements with the Israeli Embassy in your country before travelling, as restrictions can change.

Getting Around

Israel's public transport network is centred on an Egged and Dan bus network serving the entire country, supplemented by a growing train network (Israel Railways) connecting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Beer Sheva, and Ben Gurion Airport efficiently. The high-speed Jerusalem–Tel Aviv rail link (completed 2018) covers the journey in under 30 minutes. Sherut (shared taxis on fixed routes) are faster and depart whenever full — useful between major cities. Taxis are metered in cities; ridesharing apps (Gett, Uber) also operate. Car rental is practical for the Galilee, Golan, and Negev where public transport is sparse.

Safety Notes

Israel maintains a high state of security readiness, and travellers should follow government travel advisories from their home country before visiting, particularly given the ongoing conflict situation. Within the well-touristed areas — Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, the Dead Sea — tourist-facing violent incidents are rare. In the event of a security alert or rocket siren, follow local instructions immediately and enter the nearest shelter. Petty theft is uncommon by regional standards. Travel to Gaza and some West Bank areas may be restricted or inadvisable; check current advisories carefully.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Israel.

Israeli new shekel (ILS)
Updated: 2026-05-20
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 3.705685
AAVE 0.003869
ADA 1.372747
AED 1.264098
AFN 21.631663
AGIX 4.073699
AKT 0.434562
ALGO 2.934540
ALL 28.260467
AMD 126.624838
AMP 408.410836
ANG 0.620445
AOA 315.604774
APE 2.351258
APT 0.359561
AR 0.154295
ARB 3.041606
ARS 481.196425
ATOM 0.170986
ATS 4.074714
AUD 0.481062
AVAX 0.036757
AWG 0.616130
AXS 0.282615
AZM 2,925.754981
AZN 0.585151
BAKE 395.992898
BAM 0.579162
BAT 3.461112
BBD 0.688413
BCH 0.000922
BDT 42.312423
BEF 11.945491
BGN 0.579162
BHD 0.129422
BIF 1,024.954970
BMD 0.344206
BNB 0.000530
BND 0.439907
BOB 2.378235
BRL 1.722878
BSD 0.344206
BSV 0.022835
BSW 464.232132
BTC 0.000004
BTG 1.076813
BTN 33.277596
BTT 1,067,707.906377
BUSD 0.344354
BWP 4.669136
BYN 0.943129
BYR 9,431.294170
BZD 0.693041
CAD 0.473302
CAKE 0.234655
CDF 789.951517
CELO 4.205342
CFX 5.799778
CHF 0.270990
CHZ 7.493787
CLP 309.354664
CNH 2.340883
CNY 2.340992
COMP 0.015056
COP 1,277.650271
CRC 155.654352
CRO 4.967245
CRV 1.431893
CSPR 115.967932
CUC 0.344206
CUP 8.261129
CVE 32.653261
CVX 0.199230
CYP 0.173312
CZK 7.195526
DAI 0.344413
DASH 0.006833
DCR 0.019717
DEM 0.579162
DFI 380.841764
DJF 61.351860
DKK 2.212876
DOGE 3.290570
DOP 20.272013
DOT 0.274852
DYDX 2.252443
DZD 45.682239
EEK 4.633298
EGLD 0.086758
EGP 18.389344
ENJ 7.618573
EOS 4.223182
ERN 5.163097
ESP 49.270386
ETB 55.562666
ETC 0.037913
ETH 0.000161
EUR 0.296121
EURC 0.295900
FEI 0.346285
FIL 0.354926
FIM 1.760655
FJD 0.757662
FKP 0.256062
FLOW 9.529063
FLR 41.192373
FRAX 0.346691
FRF 1.942426
FTT 1.048912
GALA 100.581224
GBP 0.256062
GEL 0.918509
GGP 0.256062
GHC 39,747.316807
GHS 3.974732
GIP 0.256062
GMD 25.339892
GMX 0.051462
GNF 3,019.642793
GNO 0.002879
GRD 100.903226
GRT 13.623633
GT 0.048606
GTQ 2.624459
GUSD 0.344945
GYD 72.005573
HBAR 3.845995
HKD 2.696165
HNL 9.155813
HNT 0.414590
HOT 852.303405
HRK 2.231124
HT 2.387120
HTG 45.069766
HUF 106.497090
ICP 0.134539
IDR 6,077.159485
IEP 0.233214
IMP 0.256062
IMX 1.989565
INJ 0.067754
INR 33.277596
IQD 450.966971
IRR 454,948.212298
ISK 42.464218
ITL 573.370180
JEP 0.256062
JMD 54.470604
JOD 0.244042
JPY 54.691827
KAS 9.846706
KAVA 5.832424
KCS 0.042933
KDA 41.625510
KES 44.574444
KGS 30.108713
KHR 1,380.693076
KLAY 6.730594
KMF 145.681975
KNC 2.394834
KPW 309.792147
KRW 515.164235
KSM 0.068678
KWD 0.106314
KYD 0.286248
KZT 162.558721
LAK 7,552.435385
LBP 30,727.590117
LDO 0.950918
LEO 0.034232
LINK 0.035627
LKR 118.610554
LRC 20.425966
LRD 63.007688
LSL 5.669090
LTC 0.006332
LTL 1.022447
LUF 11.945491
LUNA 5.376784
LUNC 4,484.979327
LVL 0.208114
LYD 2.191171
MAD 3.175213
MANA 3.848490
MBX 8.796590
MDL 5.983346
MGA 1,445.398674
MGF 7,226.993369
MINA 6.000292
MKD 18.253830
MKR 0.000201
MMK 722.743267
MNT 1,231.672268
MOP 2.777050
MRO 137.596366
MRU 13.759637
MTL 0.127125
MUR 16.316811
MVR 5.316394
MWK 596.872186
MXN 5.954479
MXV 0.676263
MYR 1.366297
MZM 21,983.630640
MZN 21.983631
NAD 5.669090
NEAR 0.205927
NEO 0.118221
NEXO 0.389516
NFT 1,218,348.136409
NGN 472.126515
NIO 12.667933
NLG 0.652565
NOK 3.190176
NPR 53.269111
NZD 0.586274
OKB 0.004238
OMR 0.132504
ONE 169.502769
OP 2.646731
ORDI 0.080309
PAB 0.344206
PAXG 0.000076
PEN 1.176641
PEPE 91,853.608757
PGK 1.501071
PHP 21.164514
PI 2.266698
PKR 95.917148
PLN 1.257818
POL 3.782610
PTE 59.366927
PYG 2,123.232785
QAR 1.252912
QNT 0.004663
QTUM 0.382139
ROL 15,511.322013
RON 1.551132
RPL 0.196790
RSD 34.771427
RUB 24.611140
RUNE 0.779553
RVN 62.435042
RWF 503.848212
SAND 4.741709
SAR 1.290774
SBD 2.766083
SCR 5.033235
SDD 20,659.194598
SDG 206.591946
SEK 3.214573
SGD 0.439907
SHIB 59,194.240069
SHP 0.256062
SIT 70.962433
SKK 8.920941
SLE 7.865089
SLL 7,865.089430
SNX 1.083722
SOL 0.003964
SOS 196.431913
SPL 0.057368
SRD 12.782290
SRG 12,782.289791
SSP 1,620.340132
STD 7,312.895381
STN 7.312895
STX 1.411675
SUI 0.318944
SVC 3.011807
SYP 38.051832
SZL 5.669090
THB 11.207241
THETA 1.699211
TJS 3.199620
TMM 6,038.871182
TMT 1.207774
TND 1.000280
TON 0.166801
TOP 0.828967
TRL 15,689,870.099416
TRX 0.960621
TRY 15.689870
TTD 2.334183
TUSD 0.344682
TVD 0.481062
TWD 10.873233
TWT 0.743058
TZS 899.531066
UAH 15.238317
UGX 1,298.400649
UNI 0.095276
USD 0.344206
USDC 0.344385
USDD 0.344406
USDP 0.344741
USDT 0.344613
UYU 13.881240
UZS 4,161.943862
VAL 573.370180
VEB 17,848,533,711.7891
VED 178.479045
VEF 17,847,904.536642
VES 178.479045
VET 51.555310
VND 9,076.149304
VUV 40.945796
WAVES 0.885602
WEMIX 1.229287
WOO 19.974773
WST 0.932047
XAF 194.242633
XAG 0.004529
XAU 0.000076
XAUT 0.000076
XBT 0.000004
XCD 0.931915
XCG 0.620445
XCH 0.095157
XDC 9.822827
XDR 0.251939
XEC 47,317.779136
XEM 512.327659
XLM 2.383237
XMR 0.000851
XOF 194.242633
XPD 0.000250
XPF 35.336633
XPT 0.000176
XRP 0.250012
XTZ 1.005573
YER 82.133769
ZAR 5.669090
ZEC 0.000526
ZIL 86.555803
ZMK 6,537.231313
ZMW 6.537231
ZWD 124.568323
ZWG 9.033609
ZWL 22,572.497648

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'Afula 'Akko 'Ar'ara 'Arad 'Arrabe 'Ein Mahel 'Ilut 'Isifya 'Omer Abu Sinan Ashdod Ashqelon Baqa al-Gharbiyyah Basmat Tab'un Be'er Sheva Be'er Ya'aqov Beersheba Beit Jann Beit Shemesh Bene Ayish Bene Beraq Bet She'an Bet Shemesh Bethlehem Bi'ne Binyamina Bir-al-Maksur Bnei Brak Bu'eine-Nujeidat Caesarea Dabburye Daliyat-al-Karmil Dayr Hannah Dayr-al-Asad Dimona Elat Even Yehuda Fureidis Gan Yavne Gat Rimon Gaza Gedera Givat Shmuel Hadera Hazor HaGelilit Hebron Hibat Zion Hod HaSharon Hogar I'billin Iksal Jaljulye Jatt Jerusalem Jizr-az-Zarqa Judeide-Maker Kabul Kafar Kanna Kafar Manda Kafar Qasem Kafar Yasif Karmiel Kefar Sava Kefar Yona Kfar Saba Khadera Khefa Kiryag Bialik Kiryag Bialik kiryat Malachi Kisra-Sumei Lod Ma'alot Tarshikha Majd-al-Kurum Mazkeret Batya Mevasserat Ziyyon Migdal Ha'Emeq Modi'in Mugar Nahal `Oz Nahariyya Nahef Nazerat Nazerat 'Illit Nes Ziyyona Nesher Ness Ziona Netanya Netivot Nordiya Ofaqim Or 'Aqiva Pardes Khanna-Karkur Pardesiyya Petach Tikva Petakh Tiqwa Qadima Qalansawe Qalqilya Qiryat 'Eqron Qiryat Atta Qiryat Bialik Qiryat Gat Qiryat Mal'akhi Qiryat Motzkin Qiryat Shemona Qiryat Tiv'on Qiryat Yam Ra'anana Ramallah Rame Ramla Rehovot Reine Rekhasim Rekhovot Rinnatya Rishon LeZiyyon Rosh HaAyin Sakhnin Sederot Sgula Shefar'am Shoham Tamra Tayibe Tiberias Tirat Karmel Tire Tsur Igal Tur'an Udim Umm-al-Fahm Yavne Yehud Yeroham Yerushalayim Yirka Yoqne'am Illit Zefat Zikhron Ya'aqov Zur Yigal אבן יהודה אופקים אור יהודה אור עקיבא אילת איתנים אלעד אשדוד אשקלון באר יעקב באר שבע בית דגן בית רבן - גבעת וושינגטון בית שאן בית שמש בני ברק בת ים גבעת שמואל גבעתיים גדרה גן יבנה דימונה הוד השרון הרצליה זכרון יעקב חדרה חולון חיפה חצור הגלילית חריש טבריה טירת כרמל יבנה יהוד מונוסון יוקנעם עילית ירוחם ירושלים כוכב יאיר צור יגאל כפר יונה כפר סבא כפר קרע כרמיאל לוד מבשרת ציון מגדל העמק מגדל תפן מודיעין-מכבים-רעות מועצה אזורית בני שמעון מועצה אזורית גלבוע מועצה אזורית גליל תחתון מועצה אזורית הערבה התיכונה מועצה אזורית זבולון מועצה אזורית חבל יבנה מועצה אזורית חוף אשקלון מועצה אזורית חוף הכרמל מועצה אזורית יואב מועצה אזורית מבואות החרמון מועצה אזורית מטה אשר מועצה אזורית מטה יהודה מועצה אזורית מנשה מועצה אזורית מעלה יוסף מועצה אזורית מרום הגליל מועצה אזורית מרחבים מועצה אזורית משגב מועצה אזורית נחל שורק מועצה אזורית עמק המעיינות מועצה אזורית עמק יזרעאל מועצה אזורית שדות דן מועצה אזורית שער הנגב מועצה אזורית תמר מזכרת בתיה מיתר מעלות תרשיחא מערב ירושלים מצפה רמון נאות חובב נהריה נוף הגליל נס ציונה נשר נתיבות נתניה סביון עומר עכו עפולה ערד עתלית פרדס חנה-כרכור פתח תקווה צפת קיסריה קציר קצרין קריית אונו קריית ביאליק קריית גת קריית טבעון קריית ים קריית מוצקין קרית אתא קרית מלאכי קרית שמונה ראש העין ראש פינה ראשון לציון רחובות רכסים רמלה רמת גן רמת השרון רעננה שדרות שוהם שלומי תל אביב–יפו أم الفحم البعنة الطيرة المشهد الناصرة باقة الغربية برطعة بسمة تل السبع جلجولية حورة دير الأسد رهط زيمر‎ سخنين شفا عمرو طلعة عارة طمرة عرابة عين ماهل قلنسوة‎ كفر قاسم‎ كفر قرع كفر كنا مجلس إقليمي البطوف مجلس إقليمي القيصوم مجلس إقليمي بستان المرج مجلس إقليمي واحة الصحراء نحف يافة الناصرة

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Israel needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Israel?
The capital of Israel is Jerusalem.
What currency does Israel use?
Israel uses the Israeli new shekel (₪) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Israel?
The official language(s) of Israel include Arabic, Hebrew.
What is the population of Israel?
Israel has a population of approximately 10,134,800 people.
What region is Israel in?
Israel is located in Asia, specifically in the Western Asia subregion.
What is the international calling code for Israel?
The international dialing code for Israel is +972.
What time zones does Israel observe?
Israel observes the following time zone(s): UTC+02:00.
What is the current time in Israel?
The local time in Israel is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Israel?
Israel covers a total area of 21,937 km².
How many states or provinces does Israel have?
Israel is divided into 28 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Israel in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Israel in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Israel?
Visa requirements for citizens of Israel vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.