Israel

Israel is an all year round tourist destination, traditionally proposes a wide variety of leisure activities, such as classic beach holidays, wellness and pilgrimage trips. Israel is surrounded by the Red and Mediterranean Seas, and harmoniously combines ancient historical legacy, centuries-old traditions, high level of service and excellent infrastructure. Some tourists come here in order to touch the historical sites, others want to improve the health in the healing waters of the Dead Sea, third want to enjoy diving. Above all the nightlife of the country is very rich, particularly in the capital city. While a very developed country, which exercises very strong security measures, due to the location specificity, some parts of Israel is better to avoid. The West Bank (Bethlehem, Jericho, Ramallah) all parts of Golan Heights east of the route 98 are supposed to be risky. As well we highly recommend refraining from visiting the areas within 5 km of the border with Gaza. Generally, the level of crimes is low. Violent crime in the country is rare. Bag snatching, petty theft occurs often. Tourists have reported thefts from vehicles in the beach area. SafeAround has compiled information from numerous sources make sure you have a safe trip to Israel and be aware of all potential dangers. Israel is the 29th safest country in the world, based on the safest and most dangerous countries ranking.

SAFETY INDEX

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Is Israel a Safe or Dangerous Country?

Israel is a safe country. However, due to the threat of terrorism and rockets fired from the Gaza strip, some regions of the country hide potential dangers. When planning your trip, consider the places that may be targeted by terrorists. It can be historical, sites, public transport, shopping areas, clubs, pedestrian promenades. Avoiding danger areas, exercising common sense and looking out for suspicious activity, may completely eliminate all potential risks.

Israel’s border with Lebanon

There is a significant military presence in this area. The security situation can deteriorate unexpectedly. This area is unsafe for visiting.

Israel’s border with Egypt

While visiting this area, we advise being very cautious. Terrorist groups operate on the other side of the border in the Sinai Peninsula. This area is unsafe for visiting.

Israel’s border with Syria

Due to the war in Siria, reconsider travelling to this area. Cases of a kidnapping near the border are frequent. Artillery may land in the Israeli-controlled zone from Syria. This area is unsafe for visiting.

Warnings & Dangers

Mid Priority-96 OVERALL RISK : HIGH

Avoiding risky areas, Israel is a very safe country. It is ranked 29th out of 162 on the ranking of the safest and most dangerous countries.

Mid Priority-96 PICKPOCKETS RISK : HIGH

Pickpocketing and bag snatching are very common, especially in the neighborhoods close to the beach area.

Mid Priority-96 MUGGING RISK : HIGH

There is no mugging in Israel. The level of kidnapping is high, mainly it occurs in the dangerous areas near the borders with Syria, Egypt, Lebanon.

Mid Priority-96 SCAMS RISK : HIGH

There are no scam risks in Israel for tourists.

Mid Priority-96 TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : HIGH

High degree of caution is recommended when using the public transport, first of all, because of the high risks of terrorist attacks. Be vigilant, and try to avoid public transport during rush hours.

Mid Priority-96 NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : HIGH

Israel is located in an active earthquake zone. Floods can occur in a desert during winter. Sand storms are regular.

Mid Priority-96 TERRORISM RISK : HIGH

Acts of terrorism are often. Attacks could occur anywhere. Areas near the borders of Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt are most vulnerable.

Mid Priority-96 WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : HIGH

There are no risks for women travellers in Israel.

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Useful Information

U.S., Australian, European, Canadian visitors may stay in Israel up to 90 days within any six-month period without a visa. www.doyouneedvisa.com is a useful website that can help you know if you need a visa or not based on your nationality and the country you’re visiting.
New Israel Shekel is the official currency of Israel. Sometimes in the shops, vendors try to pass off the old version of the Shekel, particularly in the denomination of 500 and 1000. Be vigilant as these notes have no value. On the genuine banknotes, you can find a sign “New Shekel”.
There is a Mediterranean climate in Israel. Usually characterized by long, hot summers and short winters. The lowest possible temperature in Israel is 6°C. In summer it goes up to 38°C.
You are more likely to land in the Tel Aviv – Ben Gurion Airport, as it’s the busiest airport in the whole country. However, there are numerous other international airports all other the country: Eilat-Ramon, Haifa-U. Michaeli, Eilat-Uvda. If you’re looking for cheap flight deals, you can find some on JetRadar.
As in any country, we advise travelers to get a travel insurance that covers not only medical problems but also theft and loss of personal items. Learn more on our travel insurance page.