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: 2026-07-08
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 4.661292
AAVE 0.003706
ADA 1.903781
AED 1.206191
AFN 21.014854
AGIX 4.486984
AKT 0.553743
ALGO 3.844389
ALL 27.013710
AMD 120.619058
AMP 740.900511
ANG 0.593071
AOA 301.583996
APE 2.270365
APT 0.529452
AR 0.166764
ARB 4.294670
ARS 490.059422
ATOM 0.208716
ATS 3.958704
AUD 0.472827
AVAX 0.051057
AWG 0.587905
AXS 0.337367
AZM 2,791.726083
AZN 0.558345
BAKE 441.729172
BAM 0.562673
BAT 3.839329
BBD 0.656877
BCH 0.001374
BDT 40.541343
BEF 11.605396
BGN 0.562673
BHD 0.123493
BIF 979.910744
BMD 0.328439
BNB 0.000575
BND 0.424354
BOB 3.251924
BRL 1.697679
BSD 0.328439
BSV 0.024619
BSW 982.127844
BTC 0.000005
BTCB 6.473821
BTG 1.263115
BTN 31.258687
BTT 1,227,349.280842
BUSD 0.328402
BWP 4.445761
BYN 0.939870
BYR 6,434.704927
BZD 0.661844
CAD 0.466143
CAKE 0.237308
CDF 756.885504
CELO 4.725774
CFX 7.727809
CHF 0.265472
CHZ 19.338318
CLP 304.589653
CNH 2.233889
CNY 2.232282
COMP 0.018822
COP 1,095.962469
CRC 149.607817
CRO 5.820883
CRV 1.580226
CSPR 185.870720
CUC 0.328301
CUP 8.699984
CVE 31.723604
CVX 0.275775
CYP 0.168378
CZK 6.973450
DAI 0.328401
DASH 0.009531
DCR 0.029759
DEM 0.562673
DFI 475.819655
DJF 58.425243
DKK 2.150570
DOGE 4.500095
DOP 19.438668
DOT 0.392454
DYDX 2.574537
DZD 43.722596
EEK 4.501386
EGLD 0.121331
EGP 16.029934
ENJ 11.376168
EOS 4.401085
ERN 4.926578
ESP 47.867630
ETB 52.607462
ETC 0.047631
ETH 0.000186
EUR 0.287690
EURC 0.287738
FEI 0.328534
FIL 0.429233
FIM 1.710529
FJD 0.735231
FKP 0.245862
FLOW 12.261192
FLR 49.349214
FRAX 0.331919
FRF 1.887124
FTT 1.474875
GALA 151.943809
GBP 0.245862
GEL 0.864170
GGP 0.245862
GHC 37,470.675376
GHS 3.747068
GIP 0.245862
GMD 24.268038
GMX 0.057302
GNF 2,884.246583
GNO 0.003148
GRD 98.030453
GRT 18.459437
GT 0.048843
GTQ 2.507837
GUSD 0.328744
GYD 68.857998
HBAR 4.652486
HKD 2.575586
HNL 8.800961
HNT 1.463514
HOT 992.471965
HRK 2.167602
HT 9.930894
HTG 43.062984
HUF 102.279861
ICP 0.149095
IDR 5,910.687194
IEP 0.226574
IMP 0.245862
IMX 2.404370
INJ 0.069536
INR 31.258687
IQD 431.271616
IRR 451,414.248645
ISK 41.314028
ITL 557.046004
JEP 0.245862
JMD 51.840991
JOD 0.232863
JPY 53.304454
KAS 11.268427
KAVA 7.443421
KCS 0.047595
KDA 55.706214
KES 42.450198
KGS 28.726234
KHR 1,323.100461
KMF 141.534326
KNC 3.042336
KPW 295.471260
KRW 495.550151
KSM 0.102284
KWD 0.101742
KYD 0.273130
KZT 154.523458
LAK 7,427.393768
LBP 29,543.319247
LDO 1.011234
LEO 0.034796
LINK 0.042479
LKR 110.207990
LRC 30.433854
LRD 59.569109
LSL 5.339733
LTC 0.007528
LTL 0.993337
LUF 11.605396
LUNA 6.528639
LUNC 5,365.263312
LVL 0.202189
LYD 2.111394
MAD 3.075624
MANA 4.837851
MBX 12.860810
MDL 5.791341
MGA 1,394.777567
MGF 6,973.887835
MINA 7.064333
MKD 17.734387
MKR 0.000244
MMK 689.524342
MNT 1,177.104493
MOP 2.652853
MRO 131.861226
MRU 13.186123
MTL 0.123505
MUR 15.458782
MVR 5.077459
MWK 570.610514
MXN 5.744811
MXV 0.649093
MYR 1.338996
MZM 20,961.140785
MZN 20.961141
NAD 5.339733
NEAR 0.169959
NEO 0.171315
NEXO 0.445356
NFT 1,230,098.427695
NGN 450.734294
NIO 12.082719
NLG 0.633986
NOK 3.213510
NPR 50.037343
NZD 0.575639
OKB 0.004168
OMR 0.126367
ONE 273.088447
OP 3.281256
ORDI 0.095272
PAB 0.328439
PAXG 0.000080
PEN 1.118681
PEPE 125,161.989932
PGK 1.446021
PHP 20.203443
PI 3.114812
PKR 91.465943
PLN 1.237402
POL 4.293994
PTE 57.676717
PYG 2,003.750530
QAR 1.195516
QNT 0.004979
QTUM 0.483899
ROL 15,057.378106
RON 1.505738
RPL 0.190270
RSD 33.761108
RUB 25.115064
RUNE 0.853001
RVN 88.856881
RWF 482.237244
SAND 6.850641
SAR 1.231645
SBD 2.657711
SCR 4.800259
SDD 19,712.325454
SDG 197.123255
SEK 3.179757
SGD 0.424354
SHIB 75,951.992064
SHP 0.245862
SIT 68.942092
SKK 8.666957
SLE 7.517971
SLL 7,517.971264
SNX 1.520179
SOL 0.004145
SOS 187.684151
SPL 0.054740
SRD 12.354195
SRG 12,354.195051
SSP 1,564.036964
STD 7,120.981345
STN 7.120981
STX 2.022557
SUI 0.456801
SVC 2.873837
SYP 36.287828
SZL 5.339733
THB 10.956563
THETA 2.371732
TJS 3.045691
TMM 5,742.490371
TMT 1.148498
TND 0.968903
TOP 0.791005
TRL 15,388,458.243383
TRX 0.993379
TRY 15.388458
TTD 2.232231
TUSD 0.328873
TVD 0.472827
TWD 10.507968
TWT 0.989780
TZS 862.453367
UAH 14.610158
UGX 1,203.736270
UNI 0.102249
USD 0.328439
USDC 0.328225
USDD 0.328516
USDP 0.328844
USDT 0.328461
UYU 13.249424
UZS 3,957.503671
VAL 557.046004
VEB 22,250,479,697.0036
VED 222.663017
VEF 22,266,301.716028
VES 222.663017
VET 69.890382
VND 8,636.378386
VUV 39.540589
WAVES 1.275911
WEMIX 1.160085
WOO 28.383387
WST 0.909265
XAF 188.712435
XAG 0.005422
XAU 0.000080
XAUT 0.000080
XBT 0.000005
XCD 0.888988
XCG 0.593071
XCH 0.211780
XDC 12.051538
XDR 0.241753
XEC 64,463.721411
XEM 715.886406
XLM 1.763363
XMR 0.000991
XOF 188.712435
XPD 0.000258
XPF 34.330579
XPT 0.000200
XRP 0.297940
XTZ 1.257930
YER 77.835263
ZAR 5.339733
ZEC 0.000677
ZIL 110.376158
ZMK 6,076.363596
ZMW 6.076364
ZWD 118.861913
ZWG 8.802248
ZWL 21,994.390811

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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.