Best Time to Visit Israel

What is the best season to visit Israel?

The best time of year to visit Israel is during March and April. During this period, temperatures are pleasant all over the country, and the chance of precipitation gradually diminishes. Before March, rain chances are much bigger, and after April, it begins to be too hot for touring.

When Not to visit Israel?

It is best to avoid the summer months between June and September since it is too hot to enjoy touring the country (30°-42°C). Besides, don’t come during the Jewish holidays of Sukkot and Passover. During this period, Israelis are on vacation, the attractions are crowded, and the prices are much higher.

Understanding the seasons in Israel

Israel has a typical Mediterranean climate with long, hot, rainless summers and relatively short, mild, rainy winters. Almost all of the rain occurs between Mid-December and Mid-March. This sharp contrast in rainfall also creates a sharp contrast of how the landscape looks in different seasons. After the winter kicks off, the landscape becomes green and fresh, and visibility is clear on many days. As the winter progresses into early springת colorful wildflowers dot the land. From April onwards, the landscape gradually becomes dry, and the fresh green turns into arid yellow. The ground becomes dusty, and visibility becomes poor. These conditions remain until November-December, when the first rains start. If you want to enjoy Israel’s nature, come between December and April. If you plan to spend most of your time in the cities, it is best to aim for moderate temperatures and a small rain chance. The best months for this combination are October, November, April, and May.

Another thing to consider is the huge difference in weather conditions between the north and the south of Israel. The southern area of Israel is a desert. During the summer, it is boiling with temperatures around 40°C (104°F). On the other hand, the winter period between December and March brings delightful temperatures combined with a minor rainfall chance. Because the landscape is dry all year, there is also no difference in scenery between the seasons. In the north, the summer is still hot with temperatures around 30°C (78°F), but it is still possible to tour outdoors, especially if you opt for early morning or late afternoon. There are plenty of days with sunshine and mild temperatures also during the winter, but there are also many days with rain and thunderstorms. Traveling outdoors during this period is a gamble. The north’s best period is mid-March to April, when the chance for raindrops significantly while the temperatures are still pleasant, and the landscape is green and full of wildflowers.

Month by Month Guide

Israel Weather in January

Best For:

• Touring the south.
• Hiking.
• Avoiding crowds.
• Lower prices.
• Mostly pleasant temperatures.

Problematic for:

• Touring the north.
• About 50% of rainy days.
• Beach holiday.
• Touring Jerusalem if you are sensitive to cold weather.

Israel Weather in February

Best For:

• Touring the south.
• Hiking.
• Avoiding crowds.
• Lower prices.
• Mostly pleasant temperatures.

Problematic for:

• Touring the north.
• About 50% of rainy days.
• Beach holiday.
• Touring Jerusalem if you are sensitive to cold weather.

Israel Weather in March

Best For:

• The best month for touring Israel in all areas.
• Hiking.
• Avoiding crowds.
• Lower prices.
• Pleasant temperatures.

Problematic for:

• About 30% of rainy days. Most of them during the first half of the month.

Israel Weather in April

Best For:

• A great month for touring Israel in all areas.
• Hiking, though it can be too hot on some days.
• Pleasant temperatures.
• Almost no rain.

Problematic for:

• Take care to avoid Passover Holiday.
• Getting crowded.
• Expensive.
• Starting to be too hot in the south.

Israel Weather in May

Best For:

• Touring Cities.
• Hiking, though it can be too hot on some days.
• Mostly pleasant temperatures.
• No rain.

Problematic for:

• Too hot to hike in the south.

Israel Weather in June

Best For:

• Beach holidays.
• Indoor activities (With air-condition)

Problematic for:

• Hiking.
• Touring the south.
• High temperatures.

Israel Weather in July

Best For:

• Beach holidays.
• Indoor activities (With air-condition)

Problematic for:

• Hiking.
• Touring.
• Very high temperatures.
• Crowded.
• Expensive.

Israel Weather in August

Best For:

• Beach holidays.
• Indoor activities (With air-condition)

Problematic for:

• Hiking.
• Touring.
• Very high temperatures.
• Very crowded.
• Very expensive.

Israel Weather in September

Best For:

• Beach holidays.
• Indoor activities (With air-condition)

Problematic for:

• Take care to avoid the Jewish Holidays of Rosh Hashana and Sukkot.
• Hiking.
• Touring.
• High temperatures.

Israel Weather in October

Best For:

• Touring Cities.
• Possible to hike in the north but not ideal.
• Touring the north, though, the landscape is dry and less attractive compared with springtime.
• Avoiding crowds.

Problematic for:

• Take care to avoid the Jewish Sukkot Holiday.
• Hiking in the south.

Israel Weather in November

Best For:

• Touring Cities.
• Touring and hiking in the north through the landscape is dry and less attractive compared with springtime.
• Pleasant temperatures with a low chance for rain.
• Avoiding crowds.

Problematic for:

• Hiking in the south.

Israel Weather in December

Best For:

• Touring in all areas.
• Hiking in the Desert.
• Rainy in the north, but less than in January and February.

Problematic for:

• Take care to avoid the Hanukkah holiday and Christmas.
• Beach holiday.
• Touring Jerusalem if you are sensitive to cold weather.

Written by Erez Speiser

I am Erez Speiser. I live in the Galilee region in Israel. By education, I am a mechanical engineer. In 2018 I founded "Israel by Foot" to promote hiking tourism in Israel. Learn more in the About me Video. Do you want me to help you plan your hikes in Israel? Check out here. Or contact me erez@hike-israel.com