Itinerary Jerusalem, Tel Aviv & Haifa

Seasonality: April is among the best times to visit Israel. Expect warm, pleasant weather, blooming landscapes, and lively city atmospheres, especially around Passover. Ideal for exploring both urban and outdoor sites.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1100 USD
🏨 Accommodations	2100 USD
🧳 Gear	150 USD
🗺️ On-site	2000 USD
Total	5350 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇮🇱 Jerusalem - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🛕 Old City & Western Wall ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Wander through the iconic Old City’s four quarters; visit the Western Wall, the most sacred site in Judaism.

• [ ] 🏛️ Church of the Holy Sepulchre ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Pilgrimage site for Christians; admire the architecture and atmosphere.

• [ ] 🕍 Dome of the Rock & Temple Mount ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Stunning Islamic shrine — non-Muslim visiting hours are limited, dress modestly.

• [ ] 🏙️ Mahane Yehuda Market ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Vibrant food market — try local delicacies, sip fresh juice.

• [ ] 🏛️ Israel Museum & Shrine of the Book ⭐⭐ (~2.5h)

  • View the Dead Sea Scrolls; explore comprehensive archaeological collections.

• [ ] 🌳 Mount of Olives ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Breathtaking city views, historic Jewish cemetery, key Christian sites.

• [ ] 🏛️ Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Thought-provoking Holocaust history; deep emotional impact.

• [ ] 🕌 Al-Aqsa Mosque (outside) ⭐⭐ (~0.5h)

  • Observe exteriors unless permitted inside.

• [ ] 🌳 Garden of Gethsemane ⭐ (~0.5h)

  • Ancient olive trees; peaceful atmosphere.

• [ ] 🏙️ Ben Yehuda Street ⭐ (~1h)

  • Pedestrian hub with cafés, street musicians, shopping.

• [ ] 🌳 Sacher Park ⭐ (~1h)

  • Relaxing urban green space.

• [ ] 🏛️ Tower of David Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • History museum set in a medieval citadel; great viewpoint.

• [ ] 🎨 Jerusalem Artists’ Colony (Hutzot Hayotzer) ⭐ (~1h)

  • Local art studios and crafts near the Old City walls.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 First Station Complex ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Lively dining, nightlife, and pop-up events in a restored railway station. Family-friendly atmosphere.

• [ ] 🍸 Azza Street Wine Bars ⭐ (~2h)

  • Upscale bars with local wines and cheeses.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Machneyuda ⭐⭐⭐

  • Star Israeli fusion restaurant near Mahane Yehuda — approx. 50-70 USD/person.

• [ ] 🍜 Azura ⭐⭐

  • Hearty Middle Eastern stews — approx. 20-35 USD.

• [ ] 🍜 Jachnun Bar ⭐

  • Classic Yemenite pastries — 10-15 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Ein Kerem (~2-3h)
  • Picturesque village, local art, hillside cafés.

🇮🇱 Tel Aviv - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Neve Tzedek Neighbourhood ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Trendy arts district, boutiques, early city architecture.

• [ ] 🏛️ Tel Aviv Museum of Art ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Israeli and international masterpieces, outstanding modern wing.

• [ ] 🌳 HaYarkon Park ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Urban green escape, bike paths, lakes.

• [ ] 🏖️ Tel Aviv Beaches (Gordon, Hilton, Frishman) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Clean, lively beaches perfect for relaxation and people-watching.

• [ ] 🛍️ Carmel Market ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Bustling food and produce market — try fresh juice and pastries.

• [ ] 🏙️ Rothschild Boulevard & White City Bauhaus ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Elegant cafés, iconic modernist architecture (UNESCO site).

• [ ] 🏙️ Old Jaffa Port & Flea Market ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Historic port, art galleries, vibrant flea market. Great harbor cafés.

• [ ] 🎨 Ilana Goor Museum ⭐ (~1h)

  • Eclectic art, sculpture, unique building in Jaffa.

• [ ] 🌳 Charles Clore Park ⭐ (~1h)

  • Seaside promenade, sunset views.

• [ ] 🏛️ Eretz Israel Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Local archaeology, Judaica, ceramics.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Port Said ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Creative bar-restaurant with DJ sets, signature cocktails, vibrant after-dark crowd.

• [ ] 🍸 Speakeasy Rooftop Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Chic rooftop views on Rothschild, stylish cocktails.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Shila – Sharon Cohen's Kitchen & Bar ⭐⭐⭐

  • Innovative Israeli seafood & grill — 60-90 USD/person.

• [ ] 🍜 Abu Hassan ⭐⭐

  • Legendary hummus, pita — 10-15 USD.

• [ ] 🍜 Cafe Xoho ⭐

  • Healthy brunch, sweet baked goods — 15-20 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Palmach Museum (~1.5h)
  • Interactive experience on Israel’s 1948 independence fighters.

🇮🇱 Haifa - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🌳 Bahá’í Gardens & Shrine of the Báb ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • UNESCO World Heritage site — spectacular stepped gardens and panoramic views.

• [ ] 🏛️ German Colony ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Charming 19th-century district, trendy cafés, restaurants at garden’s base.

• [ ] 🌳 Louis Promenade ⭐⭐ (~0.5h)

  • Scenic city overlook, great walk especially at sunset.

• [ ] 🏛️ Stella Maris Monastery & Cable Car ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Historic Carmelite monastery — panoramic city and sea views.

• [ ] 🌳 Haifa Beaches (Bat Galim, Dado) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Uncrowded, relaxing; Bat Galim for surfing, Dado for promenade cafés.

• [ ] 🏙️ Wadi Nisnas Neighbourhood ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Cultural melting pot, renowned street art, multicultural food.

• [ ] 🏛️ Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art ⭐ (~1h)

  • Unique international art collection.

• [ ] 🌳 Carmel National Park ⭐ (~2h)

  • Forested hiking trails, caves, scenic outlooks near the city.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Fattoush Bar-Gallery ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Art-filled, relaxed, popular with locals; cocktails and mezze.

• [ ] 🍸 Libira Brewpub ⭐

  • Beer-focused, with local brews and live music.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Dona Rosa ⭐⭐

  • Argentine grill in German Colony — 30-50 USD.

• [ ] 🍜 Fattoush Restaurant ⭐

  • Middle Eastern specialties, big terrace — 20-35 USD.

• [ ] 🍜 HaMitbahon ⭐⭐⭐

  • Homey bistro for shakshuka and fresh salads — 15-20 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Elijah’s Cave (~0.5h)
  • Place of biblical legend, calming retreat near the shore.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇮🇱 Jerusalem

• [ ] 🎬 Waltz with Bashir (2008) — ⭐ 8.0 — Animated docudrama exploring memory and war — Prime Video
• [ ] 🎬 Footnote (2011) — ⭐ 7.1 — Satirical drama set in Jerusalem’s academic world — Apple TV

🇮🇱 Tel Aviv

• [ ] 🎬 Big Bad Wolves (2013) — ⭐ 6.8 — Stylish black comedy-thriller — Shudder
• [ ] 📺 Fauda (2015– ) — ⭐ 8.2 — Undercover counter-terrorism action-drama — Netflix

🇮🇱 Haifa

• [ ] 🎬 The Syrian Bride (2004) — ⭐ 7.5 — Social drama about culture and borders, partly set near Haifa — Prime Video

🍜 Local specialties

🇮🇱 Jerusalem

• [ ] Meorav Yerushalmi (Jerusalem mixed grill)
• [ ] Knafeh (sweet cheese pastry)
• [ ] Kubbeh soup

🇮🇱 Tel Aviv

• [ ] Sabich (eggplant, egg & salad pita)
• [ ] Malabi (rosewater milk pudding)
• [ ] Shakshuka (eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce)

🇮🇱 Haifa

• [ ] Hummus masabacha (warm chickpeas & tahini)
• [ ] Sambusak (filled pastry)
• [ ] Bourekas (flaky dough filled with cheese or potato)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇮🇱 Jerusalem

1. 🌤️ Old City & Western Wall
2. 🌙 First Station Complex
3. 🛍️ Mahane Yehuda Market
4. 🏨 Harmony Hotel
5. 🍽️ Machneyuda

🇮🇱 Tel Aviv

1. 🌤️ Neve Tzedek
2. 🌙 Port Said
3. 🛍️ Carmel Market
4. 🏨 Hotel Saul
5. 🍽️ Shila – Sharon Cohen's Kitchen & Bar

🇮🇱 Haifa

1. 🌤️ Bahá’í Gardens
2. 🌙 Fattoush Bar-Gallery
3. 🛍️ German Colony shops
4. 🏨 Bay Club Hotel
5. 🍽️ HaMitbahon

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Jerusalem (Ben Gurion Airport Tel Aviv, then transfer)
• [ ] 🚅 Jerusalem → Tel Aviv
• [ ] 🚅 Tel Aviv → Haifa
• [ ] 🚅 Haifa → Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Jerusalem	3	Harmony Hotel	900 USD
Tel Aviv	2	Hotel Saul	700 USD
Haifa	2	Bay Club Hotel	500 USD
Total	7		2100 USD