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There’s plenty to do and see in Israel, from strolling around world-class museums to adrenaline-boosting rappelling in craters. Belying its diminutive size, there are nine Unesco world heritage sites, including the ancient Nabataen spice route in the Negev desert and the Wadi el-Mughara caves in northern Mount Carmel. You’ll love learning about all the big-name historic personalities (Alexander the Great, Constantine, Marco Polo, Napoleon) who have either passed through or made this storied place their home over the ages, each leaving a distinct mark. You’ll also be amazed at just how good the food is. The Israeli dining table is a rendezvous point for Middle Eastern fare and the star dishes of the Jewish diaspora, making it completely reasonable to top Yemenite lachuch bread with Moroccan matbucha salad and Balkan smoked fish. Most dishes are made with fresh, locally grown produce, and seasoned with regional olive oil.

Main photo: new sinkholes near the Dead Sea in Ein Gedi (Alamy)

A week is enough time for a whistle-stop Israeli tour that includes religious sites, food and antique markets, seeing mosaics pieced together millennia ago, riding camels in the desert, and dining on fresh fish and salads at hip urban restaurants. Or just a few of these, of course, at a slower pace that matches the local laid-back temperament. Travellers who want to fully kick back can happily lounge on one of the beaches along Israel’s Mediterranean coastline. Nature lovers will find a diverse landscape where deserts, lakes, and green mountains all exist within an hour or two of each other. Hike in nature reserves such as the Ein Gedi oasis, or cover yourself in mineral-rich mud and float in the salty Dead Sea. Culture aficionados will have plenty to choose from, with art museums, a rich architectural heritage (Bauhaus enthusiasts, take note) and historical walking tours.

Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are Israel’s biggest cities, and each metropolis has an array of international hotel chains, upmarket boutique lodgings and budget stays. Public transport makes it easy to take day trips from either of these hubs, so many visitors spend their entire holiday checked into one of these spots and starbursting around, or doing a half-half combination of the two.

Those looking for an alternative experience outside the country’s city centres can book a stay at a countryside kibbutz hotel. Kibbutzim were collective communities active in the early 20th century, but most are no longer the agricultural powerhouses that they once were (replacing chicken coops with office space, for example). Still, a kibbutz offers a different take on Israeli life and many in the Golan Heights are conveniently close to nature reserves. (Plus, these socialist relics tend to be more affordable.)

The ancient port city of Akko (also spelled Acre) isn’t as busy as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, but is a charming coastal spot easily reachable by public transport and should not be missed. Akko earned its world heritage site status because it has been continuously inhabited for more than a millennium, and boasts well-preserved Crusader walls.

The Baha’i Gardens in nearby Haifa are considered a must-see, but the equally manicured and impressive Baha’i Gardens of Akko are an under-appreciated (and usually uncrowded) spot. Beyond its archaeological credentials the city is also a foodie destination, with lots of family-run eateries and the nationally famous Uri Buri Fish Restaurant — named for its bearded and Biblical-looking celebrity chef, Uri Jeremias.

The Baha’i Gardens of Akko are an underappreciated (and usually uncrowded) spot

Jeremias also opened a boutique 12-room hotel facing the Mediterranean a few years ago, Efendi Hotel, by combining two adjacent Ottoman-era townhouses that were carefully restored, right down to their 19th-century frescoes. Those not craving seafood (even though Akko is where it’s at its freshest) should track down Hummus Said in the old city’s serpentine market. It’s easy to find; just look for a long line out the door.

In theory, Israel is a year-round destination. Temperatures are mild and you’ll scarcely need a jacket for most months of the year. However, July and August are the busiest months, when prices are generally the highest, and they’re hot and muggy — best avoided then if that’s not what you’re into. Israel also celebrates Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Baha’i holidays, meaning domestic travel can drive up prices in months such as April, September, December and January; book well ahead if you plan to travel then. So for the budget-conscious, the remaining months of October, November, February and March are your best bet.

Best time to visit Israel

Is Israel expensive to visit?
Yes, Israel can be pricey if you go during the peak summer months and check into high-end hotels. But it is also quite affordable if visiting during the low or shoulder seasons and choosing stays at short-term apartment rentals or in hostels or kibbutzim.

What should I know before travelling to Israel?
If planning a long weekend getaway, note that public transport and retail shops shut down completely between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning to mark the Jewish Sabbath. Many restaurants will still be open and there are workaround ways to shuttle about, but expect weekends to be slower (and Jerusalem in particular to be quiet). Most Israelis speak at least basic English, but it’ll be easier to get by on English alone in the big cities.

What is Israel famous for?
Israel is known for its rich density of biblical and ancient cities, with Roman ruins and other archaeological leftovers of empires past scattered in national parks all over the country. It is also a holy land of immense religious significance for Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Baha’is, containing sacred sites such as Jerusalem’s Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the terraced Baha’i Gardens in coastal Haifa.

Currency
Israeli New Shekel

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Inspired to visit Israel but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from British Airways and Virgin Holidays. These are the best tours of Israel from our trusted partners.