Israel

The best time to visit

When to go to Israel

Go in spring, March to May, or autumn, September to November, for warm, comfortable days across Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the desert. Summer is hot and humid on the coast, and winter is mild but rainy.

Every month, rated
AvoidFairGoodGreatIdeal
66
Jan
80
Feb
94
Mar
100
Apr
100
May
100
Jun
93
Jul
90
Aug
93
Sep
100
Oct
88
Nov
70
Dec

A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Tel Aviv. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.

Best months
Apr to Jun, Oct

The steadiest weather, peaking around Apr.

Shoulder
Mar, Jul to Sep

Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.

Low season
Nov to Feb

The quietest, cheapest stretch of the year.

In short

The year at a glance

Israel is small but climatically varied, and Tel Aviv, on the Mediterranean coast, anchors the ratings. Spring and autumn bring the gentlest weather, ideal for the beaches, the old cities and the long days of sightseeing.

Summer is hot and sticky on the coast and very hot down at the Dead Sea and Eilat, while winter is mild but the wettest time, with cool, rainy days in the north and Jerusalem. The desert south and the Red Sea stay warm and dry far later into the year.

Apr
Best month
31°C
Warmest, Aug
125mm
Wettest, Jan
10°C
Coldest, Jan

Month by month

Israel month by month

Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Tel Aviv.

MonthHighLowRainRatingWhat it is like
January18°C / 64°F10°C / 50°F125 mmGreat 66Mild and wet.
February18°C / 64°F10°C / 50°F90 mmIdeal 80Mild with a little rain.
March20°C / 68°F12°C / 54°F60 mmIdeal 94Mild with a little rain.
April23°C / 73°F14°C / 57°F18 mmIdeal 100Warm and dry. Tel Aviv hotels in April
May26°C / 79°F18°C / 64°F3 mmIdeal 100Warm and dry. Tel Aviv hotels in May
June28°C / 82°F21°C / 70°F0 mmIdeal 100Warm and dry. Tel Aviv hotels in June
July30°C / 86°F23°C / 73°F0 mmIdeal 93Hot and dry.
August31°C / 88°F24°C / 75°F0 mmIdeal 90Hot and dry.
September30°C / 86°F22°C / 72°F1 mmIdeal 93Hot and dry.
October28°C / 82°F18°C / 64°F28 mmIdeal 100Warm and dry.
November24°C / 75°F14°C / 57°F75 mmIdeal 88Warm with a little rain.
December20°C / 68°F11°C / 52°F120 mmGreat 70Mild and wet.

By region

Where you go changes when you go

01

Tel Aviv and the coast

Mediterranean climate, best in spring and autumn. Summer is hot and humid, winter mild and showery.

02

Jerusalem and the hills

Cooler and drier than the coast, lovely in spring and autumn, cold and wet in the depths of winter.

03

The Dead Sea, Negev and Eilat

Hot desert that stays warm and dry into winter, ideal for the Red Sea when the rest of the country cools.

Go for

Best time to visit Israel for

Jerusalem and the old cities

March to May and September to November for warm, comfortable days exploring on foot.

Tel Aviv beaches

Late spring and early autumn for warm sea and sunshine without the peak summer humidity.

The desert and Dead Sea

The shoulder months and winter, when the south is warm and dry while the coast cools.

Eilat and the Red Sea

Warm and sunny much of the year, a winter sun and diving escape.

On the calendar

What is on, and when

Spring blooms, March

Wildflowers carpet the Galilee and the northern hills.

Beach season, May and Sep

Warm Mediterranean seas on either side of the humid summer peak.

Where to stay

Where to stay in Israel

Compare hotels and rentals around Tel Aviv, then book the month you want.

Ready to book?

Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.

Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights

Questions

Good to know

What is the best time to visit Israel?
Spring, March to May, and autumn, September to November, with warm, comfortable weather for the cities, coast and desert.
Is summer a good time to visit Israel?
The coast is hot and humid and the desert is extreme, but it is beach season in Tel Aviv. Spring and autumn are easier for sightseeing.
When is the best time for the Dead Sea and Eilat?
The cooler months from autumn to spring, when the desert south is warm and dry rather than scorching.

Where else, and when

Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.