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: 2026-10-05
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 3.139941
AAVE 0.001815
ADA 1.228569
AED 1.203374
AFN 21.132292
AKT 0.413618
ALGO 2.502186
ALL 26.789338
AMD 118.701179
AMP 517.883161
ANG 0.589981
AOA 300.667247
APE 1.953190
APT 0.414554
AR 0.073228
ARB 1.629865
ARS 502.064638
ATOM 0.188147
ATS 4.031705
AUD 0.472318
AVAX 0.030083
AWG 0.586532
AXS 0.250155
AZM 2,785.256331
AZN 0.557051
BAKE 1,364.482501
BAM 0.573049
BAT 3.190234
BBD 0.655343
BCH 0.001029
BDT 40.294022
BEF 11.819405
BGN 0.573049
BHD 0.123205
BIF 987.569129
BMD 0.327672
BNB 0.000415
BND 0.420036
BOB 3.924489
BRL 1.710761
BSD 0.327672
BSV 0.016392
BSW 788.801295
BTC 0.000004
BTCB 4.623462
BTG 0.495300
BTN 31.601801
BTT 875,012.685680
BUSD 0.326907
BWP 4.525601
BYN 0.984836
BYR 6,413.214672
BZD 0.659501
CAD 0.468071
CAKE 0.131191
CDF 757.412226
CELO 3.115939
CFX 6.076620
CHF 0.271979
CHZ 19.605305
CLP 321.066007
CNH 2.198919
CNY 2.197080
COMP 0.013071
COP 1,074.892754
CRC 150.105444
CRO 4.799328
CRV 0.855639
CSPR 127.110779
CUC 0.327205
CUP 7.846793
CVE 32.308603
CVX 0.140678
CYP 0.171483
CZK 7.157120
DAI 0.327263
DASH 0.005502
DCR 0.017781
DEM 0.573049
DFI 495.290267
DJF 58.433156
DKK 2.189861
DOGE 3.438865
DOP 19.613884
DOT 0.270036
DYDX 2.263683
DZD 43.806883
EEK 4.584394
EGLD 0.073367
EGP 17.250329
ENJ 9.802367
EOS 3.398159
ERN 4.915076
ESP 48.750333
ETB 53.496447
ETC 0.036556
ETH 0.000121
EUR 0.292995
EURC 0.292454
FEI 0.327216
FIL 0.312379
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FJD 0.738532
FKP 0.248063
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FRAX 0.330133
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FTT 1.281574
GALA 132.130428
GBP 0.248063
GEL 0.850438
GGP 0.248063
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GHS 3.841706
GIP 0.248063
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GMX 0.039075
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HNT 0.570370
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HTG 42.877401
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IEP 0.230753
IMP 0.248063
IMX 1.803391
INJ 0.043329
INR 31.601801
IQD 429.000710
IRR 571,476.159982
ISK 40.195114
ITL 567.318205
JEP 0.248063
JMD 51.832314
JOD 0.232319
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KAVA 4.757226
KCS 0.043725
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KGS 28.656595
KHR 1,328.487808
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KNC 2.328244
KPW 294.484451
KRW 441.235604
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KWD 0.101220
KYD 0.271899
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MKR 0.000149
MMK 687.860607
MNT 1,179.357472
MOP 2.648266
MRO 131.594291
MRU 13.159429
MTL 0.125783
MUR 15.874798
MVR 5.065653
MWK 567.772975
MXN 5.972918
MXV 0.677819
MYR 1.339528
MZM 20,916.145356
MZN 20.916145
NAD 5.483406
NEAR 0.067192
NEO 0.128695
NEXO 0.381015
NFT 1,363,214.112981
NGN 434.859857
NIO 12.039021
NLG 0.645677
NOK 3.166670
NPR 50.586583
NZD 0.586121
OKB 0.002628
OMR 0.126082
ONE 2.241387
OP 2.501756
ORDI 0.072602
PAB 0.327672
PAXG 0.000079
PEN 1.133905
PEPE 74,623.373524
PGK 1.471863
PHP 20.558712
PI 3.772239
PKR 90.730161
PLN 1.285605
POL 3.018058
PTE 58.740304
PYG 1,913.116778
QAR 1.192725
QNT 0.001314
QTUM 0.333631
ROL 15,658.360095
RON 1.565836
RPL 0.171707
RSD 34.235318
RUB 27.478603
RUNE 0.419339
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RWF 484.024179
SAND 4.488605
SAR 1.228769
SBD 2.643893
SCR 4.671938
SDD 19,668.482391
SDG 196.684824
SEK 3.304622
SGD 0.420036
SHIB 55,517.865919
SHP 0.248063
SIT 70.213418
SKK 8.826779
SLE 7.551226
SLL 7,551.226212
SNX 1.303050
SOL 0.002716
SOS 186.733036
SPL 0.054612
SRD 12.391191
SRG 12,391.191220
SSP 1,871.854618
STD 7,239.943560
STN 7.239944
STX 0.830331
SUI 0.269063
SVC 2.867127
SYP 4,254.317286
SZL 5.483406
THB 11.038713
THETA 1.447000
TJS 3.017111
TMM 5,734.233859
TMT 1.146847
TND 0.979828
TOP 0.787425
TRL 16,108,211.142131
TRX 0.976639
TRY 16.108211
TTD 2.220423
TUSD 0.327335
TVD 0.472318
TWD 10.420992
TWT 0.576805
TZS 862.385319
UAH 14.736143
UGX 1,306.923168
UNI 0.036377
USD 0.327672
USDC 0.327229
USDD 0.327370
USDP 0.327838
USDT 0.327310
UYU 13.196878
UZS 3,859.012934
VAL 567.318205
VEB 28,412,351,240.9658
VED 284.123512
VEF 28,412,351.240966
VES 284.123512
VET 37.696807
VND 8,524.023159
VUV 39.464268
WAVES 1.089089
WEMIX 1.677316
WOO 24.295391
WST 0.909019
XAF 192.192384
XAG 0.005381
XAU 0.000079
XAUT 0.000079
XBT 0.000004
XCD 0.886810
XCG 0.589981
XCH 0.208062
XDC 9.959731
XDR 0.241998
XEC 40,334.340791
XEM 573.094853
XLM 1.470659
XMR 0.000608
XOF 192.192384
XPD 0.000280
XPF 34.963652
XPT 0.000192
XRP 0.217597
XTZ 0.997604
YER 77.459159
ZAR 5.483406
ZEC 0.000249
ZIL 91.440044
ZMK 6,435.250027
ZMW 6.435250
ZWD 118.584391
ZWG 8.770580
ZWL 21,915.261357

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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.