Israel

• March or April
  • Holy Week and Easter, Jerusalem
    The Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives, and the Easter liturgies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
• July
  • Israel Festival, Jerusalem
    Israel's leading international festival of music, theatre, dance and performance, since 1961, through August.
  • Jerusalem Film Festival
    Israel's leading film festival, conceived by Lia van Leer, founder of the Jerusalem Cinematheque, with screenings at the Cinematheque and the Lev Smadar Cinema and an opening night at the Sultan's Pool below the Old City walls.
• September
  • Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival
    A week of chamber music at the Jerusalem International YMCA, led by the pianist Elena Bashkirova, with international soloists and ensembles.
  • Abu Gosh Vocal Music Festival, Abu Gosh
    Choral and vocal music in the Crusader-era church of Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant in the Judean Hills. A second edition follows at Shavuot, in late spring.
• December
  • Christmas in Nazareth and Jerusalem
    Nazareth's Christmas Eve procession to the Basilica of the Annunciation and midnight Mass, and in Jerusalem a Christmas Eve concert at the YMCA and festive dinners at the grand hotels.

Language

Hebrew is the official language, and Arabic has a recognised special status. English is widely spoken, particularly in hotels, restaurants and anywhere visitors gather; Russian and French are also commonly heard.

Greetings

A handshake is usual, and Israeli manners are famously direct and informal; first names are used quickly. In Orthodox Jewish and some Muslim settings, a man and a woman may not shake hands, so let the other person lead.

Dress

At synagogues, most churches and all mosques, cover shoulders and knees; entry is normally refused with bare legs, and women may be offered a wrap. Men cover their heads at the Western Wall and in synagogues (paper kippot are usually provided). In ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods, wear long sleeves and long trousers or skirts. On yachts, no hard-soled shoes on deck. Fine dining is generally smart-casual; jackets are rarely required.

Dining

Restaurants usually serve lunch from about midday and dinner from around 7.30–8 pm, with Tel Aviv running later. Reserve ahead for well-known restaurants, especially Thursday and Friday nights. Many restaurants in Jerusalem and in hotels are kosher, so meat and dairy are not served together.

Tipping

Service is usually not included. Around 10–12% is customary in restaurants, 15% for excellent service, ideally in cash. Luxury hotels: porters ₪10–20 a bag, housekeeping ₪20–40 a day, ₪20–50 for concierge help. Taxi fares are usually rounded up; ₪10–20 for airport transfers with luggage. Private guides commonly receive around ₪100–150 a day per family or small group.

Good to know

Shabbat runs from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Many shops and much public transport stop, especially in Jerusalem, while Tel Aviv stays livelier; avoid driving into Orthodox neighbourhoods during Shabbat. Plan Friday afternoons and Saturdays with this in mind.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.