Highlights of Israel for Budget Travellers

Spend the day diving deep into the food, crafts, and vibrant atmosphere of Carmel Market.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Cafe Xoho

   08:00 – 09:00

   Enjoy fresh coffee and homemade breakfast dishes in a relaxed central Tel Aviv cafe.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   09:15 – 10:30

   Browse the main thoroughfare filled with fresh produce vendors, bakeries, and traditional street food counters.

3. 10:45|12:00
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   10:45 – 12:00

   Explore the side alleys featuring spice merchants, dried fruits, nuts, and local Halva stalls.

4. 12:15|13:15
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   12:15 – 13:15

   Check out the artisan section and handmade clothing displays along the market's western edge.

5. 13:30|14:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at HaKosem

   13:30 – 14:30

   Sample acclaimed falafel, shawarma, and fresh pita at a busy neighborhood favorite.

6. 15:00|16:45
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   15:00 – 16:45

   Discover budget souvenirs, local olive oils, and Middle Eastern treats to pack home.

7. 17:00|18:30
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   17:00 – 18:30

   Soak up the late afternoon atmosphere as market vendors lower prices before closing.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Port Sa'id

   19:30 – 21:00

   Eat inventive Mediterranean dishes served on brown paper in a lively outdoor setting.

Immerse yourself in the multi-layered history and sacred sites of the Old City of Jerusalem.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Kadosh Cafe Patisserie

   08:00 – 09:00

   Start the day with fresh pastries, eggs, and specialty coffee in Jerusalem.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   09:15 – 10:30

   Enter through Jaffa Gate and walk through the historic Christian Quarter lanes.

   • entryFree
3. 10:45|12:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   10:45 – 12:00

   Explore the vibrant Muslim Quarter bazaars and ancient stone pathways.

   • entryFree
4. 12:15|13:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   12:15 – 13:15

   Visit the Western Wall plaza and observe the historic surroundings.

   • entryFree
5. 13:30|14:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Azura

   13:30 – 14:30

   Dine on slow-cooked Kurdish-Iraqi stews and hummus in the heart of the market district.

6. 15:00|16:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   15:00 – 16:45

   Walk along the ancient Cardo and through the restored Jewish Quarter.

   • entryFree
7. 17:00|18:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   17:00 – 18:30

   Stroll the quiet streets of the Armenian Quarter as sunset approaches.

   • entryFree
8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Eucalyptus

   19:30 – 21:00

   Taste regional Israeli dishes prepared with ancient biblical ingredients.

Experience the lowest point on Earth with mud baths, buoyant saltwater floating, and desert scenery.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Benedict

   08:00 – 09:00

   Enjoy a hearty all-day breakfast selection before heading towards the desert.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   09:15 – 10:30

   Arrive at the shoreline and experience effortless floating in the hypersaline water.

3. 10:45|12:00
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   10:45 – 12:00

   Apply natural mineral-rich black mud along the beach area for a therapeutic natural spa treatment.

4. 12:15|13:15
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   12:15 – 13:15

   Relax along the sun loungers and take in the panoramic views across to the mountains of Jordan.

5. 13:30|14:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at The Last Chance Restaurant

   13:30 – 14:30

   Stop for budget-friendly Middle Eastern grilled meats and salads near the desert road.

6. 15:00|16:45
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   15:00 – 16:45

   Walk along the white salt formations along the water's edge in the afternoon light.

7. 17:00|18:30
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   17:00 – 18:30

   Enjoy a final evening float in the warm, calm waters as the desert sun sets.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Taj Mahal Dead Sea

   19:30 – 21:00

   Relax in a Bedouin-style tent dining setting serving grilled dishes and fresh flatbreads.

Spend another dedicated day uncovering hidden passages, ancient stone alleyways, and historical landmarks.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Marzipan Bakery

   08:00 – 09:00

   Grab famous warm rugelach and fresh pastries with coffee.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   09:15 – 10:30

   Walk the historic Via Dolorosa path through the vibrant market stalls.

   • entryFree
3. 10:45|12:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   10:45 – 12:00

   Visit historic courtyard areas and ancient arches surrounding the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

   • entryFree
4. 12:15|13:15
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   12:15 – 13:15

   Observe views over the Old City rooftops from elevated stone vantage points.

   • entryFree
5. 13:30|14:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Dwani Pita Bar

   13:30 – 14:30

   Enjoy freshly stuffed pita sandwiches packed with slow-cooked meats and tahini.

6. 15:00|16:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   15:00 – 16:45

   Explore Zion Gate and the adjacent historic stone battlements.

   • entryFree
7. 17:00|18:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   17:00 – 18:30

   Take a tranquil early evening walk through the residential Jewish Quarter lanes.

   • entryFree
8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Machneyuda

   19:30 – 21:00

   Experience vibrant market-to-table cuisine prepared in an energetic open kitchen.

Return to Tel Aviv to discover local street foods and budget shopping stalls inside Carmel Market.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Cafe Levinsky 41

   08:00 – 09:00

   Try handcrafted botanical gazoz sparkling drinks and breakfast pastries.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   09:15 – 10:30

   Sample fresh burekas, bourekas, and local pastries straight from the morning ovens.

3. 10:45|12:00
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   10:45 – 12:00

   Walk through the coffee roasters section to taste traditional Turkish coffee.

4. 12:15|13:15
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   12:15 – 13:15

   Browse budget-friendly kitchenware, spices, and dried herbs.

5. 13:30|14:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Miznon

   13:30 – 14:30

   Taste celebrity chef Eyal Shani's famous roasted cauliflower and pita creations.

6. 15:00|16:45
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   15:00 – 16:45

   Explore cheap vintage clothes and beach gear in adjacent alleyways.

7. 17:00|18:30
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   17:00 – 18:30

   Enjoy the evening rush with music playing from stallholders along the market street.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Manta Ray

   19:30 – 21:00

   Eat fresh seafood meze while overlooking the waves along Tel Aviv's beach coast.

Return to the Dead Sea region for another day of outdoor relaxation and desert scenery.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Cafe Nimrod

   08:00 – 09:00

   Start the day with a traditional Israeli breakfast set.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   09:15 – 10:30

   Begin with an invigorating morning float in the peaceful Dead Sea waters.

3. 10:45|12:00
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   10:45 – 12:00

   Walk along the shore to observe natural salt crystal formations glistening in the sun.

4. 12:15|13:15
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   12:15 – 13:15

   Relax in shaded beach facilities and cover up in natural mud.

5. 13:30|14:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Abu Hassan

   13:30 – 14:30

   Feast on iconic warm hummus topped with chickpeas, paprika, and olive oil.

6. 15:00|16:45
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   15:00 – 16:45

   Soak in freshwater pools near the shore to rinse off mineral salts.

7. 17:00|18:30
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   17:00 – 18:30

   Watch late afternoon shadows pass across the Judean desert cliffs.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Old Man and the Sea

   19:30 – 21:00

   Enjoy a famous spread of dozens of fresh salads followed by grilled fish in Jaffa.

Revisit your favorite highlights across Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and the natural coast to conclude your trip.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Ticho House Cafe

   08:00 – 09:00

   Dine in a historic Jerusalem garden setting with fresh bread, cheeses, and jams.

2. 09:15|10:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   09:15 – 10:30

   Take a final morning walk along the ancient city walls near Damascus Gate.

   • entryFree
3. 10:45|12:00
   

   Sightseeing

   Old City of Jerusalem

   10:45 – 12:00

   Pick up handcrafted wooden and ceramic souvenirs in the Old City bazaar.

   • entryFree
4. 12:15|13:15
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   12:15 – 13:15

   Stop by Carmel Market for last-minute spice packs and Middle Eastern sweet treats.

5. 13:30|14:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Saluf & Sons

   13:30 – 14:30

   Try traditional Yemeni breads, jachnun, and hearty stews in a vibrant setting.

6. 15:00|16:45
   

   Shopping

   Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

   15:00 – 16:45

   Enjoy afternoon street performances and lively crowd energy near the market square.

7. 17:00|18:30
   

   Outdoor

   The Dead Sea Experience

   17:00 – 18:30

   Conclude your trip with a relaxing final outdoor soak in the famous mineral waters.

8. 19:30|21:00
   

   Food

   Dinner at Santa Katarina

   19:30 – 21:00

   Celebrate the end of your journey with fresh Mediterranean wood-fired dishes.