Visiting Israel as a foreign tourist may come with some unique challenges. Nevertheless, by adhering to a few straightforward guidelines, you can ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trip.
- Respect Israel's cultural and religious traditions. If you choose to visit holy places (regardless of which of the three religions it belongs to), it is necessary to cover your shoulders and legs. When visiting residential neighborhoods of local Jews, it is advisable to carry a head covering, at most a yarmulke.
- Bathing on the beaches of Israel is allowed where there are lifeguards. An equipped beach in this case serves as a kind of guarantee that it is safe to swim in this place. And colored flags, which are installed on almost all beaches in the country, indicate the degree of safety. A white flag means that bathing is allowed, a red flag warns of danger, and a black flag indicates that bathing is prohibited.
- Information written on tourist maps should be treated with caution. Incorrect maps are distributed by the Ministry of Israel. The data contained on the map is largely erroneous, particularly in religious matters and specific dates. Many maps are translated from English or Hebrew. Good and truthful maps are best purchased from specialized centers.
- Tipping in local restaurants is 10-15% of the bill, provided that it is not included in the bill. It is customary to tip hotel bellboys about 10 ILS, guides - 5 USD, tourist bus drivers - 3 USD.
- According to local traditions, Saturday is a day of rest. It is the day on which the Sabbath, the most important religious holiday, falls. During the day, most stores, restaurants and shopping centers are not ready to welcome foreign visitors. Public transportation is also not available on Saturdays, so cabs can be used to get around the country.
- According to local traditions, Saturday is a day of rest. It is the day on which the Sabbath, the most important religious holiday, falls. During the day, most stores, restaurants and shopping centers are not ready to welcome foreign visitors. Public transportation is also not available on Saturdays, so cabs can be used to get around the country.
- Be careful when taking pictures. Due to tense Arab-Israeli relations, any atypical tourist behavior can cause tension. It is strongly discouraged to leave your personal belongings and luggage unattended even for a short period of time, it may be considered as a terrorist left explosives. Do not take pictures of power plants, port facilities, airports, military units, train stations. It is not uncommon for tourists to be detained, interrogated, and their belongings searched by Israeli security because of an inappropriate attempt to photograph certain sites.
- Don't be outraged by the tight security measures in this country. You may be checked with a metal detector even when entering public places. In shopping malls, restaurants, banks, movie theaters, you may be asked to show your bag for inspection. Be sensitive to this. It is very important not to joke with border guards and airport workers when answering questions like "Are you carrying a bomb?". Answer factually, briefly, and clearly. At least out of respect for people, if not for your own safety, because otherwise you may be detained to see if it was a joke.
- Almost 90% of restaurants in Israel are kosher; they don't serve pork or seafood. There are non-kosher establishments too. However, if you go to a kosher restaurant (they say "kosher" on them), never ask if they have pork, shrimp, or if you can have beef and cheese. Meat and dairy cannot be eaten together.
- Changing money in Israel is not a problem. Exchangers are on all the main streets of Israel. The rates are about the same, compare them on the internet. At the airport, there is an exchange office, the rate in it is not the best, but you can exchange a small amount for expenses for the first time. Do not exchange more; the rest is better in the city.
