The Best Road Trips to Take in Israel

The journey from Tel Aviv to Haifa is quick and easy – a scenic journey of around 90 minutes along the Mediterranean coastline – but it would be a shame to miss these fabulous detours. Starting in Tel Aviv, drive north to Beit Yanai (around 35 minutes), home to arguably the most beautiful beach in Israel and a popular camping spot. Bask in the glorious sun, and swim in the warm Mediterranean waters before jumping back in the car to visit Alexander River (Nahal Alexander in Hebrew), a drive of no more than 15 minutes east, which is home to a population of giant soft-shelled turtles.

From here, continue your journey north to Caesarea (25 minutes via Kvish HaHof), a beautiful coastal town with a national park consisting of ruins from Roman and Crusader times, as well as museums, cafes, fine dining and a stunning beach next to a Roman aqueduct. Haifa is only 35 minutes north from here via the same road.

Israel’s third city, Haifa, is a beacon of co-existence and home to a wonderful beach, lively nightlife and amazing shawarma – not to mention the pristinely beautiful Bahá’í Gardens, a Unesco World Heritage site. Haifa is also an ideal base for exploring the north.

Rosh HaNikra, on the northwestern tip of Israel, just a stone’s throw from Lebanon, is a stunning geological formation of caves and grottoes, surrounding glistening pools of turquoise water.

Visit the fascinating Old City of Acre en route, which lies around 30 minutes north of Haifa along Okef Krayot. Half a day should be enough to marvel at the still-intact walls built in 950, explore the long ancient tunnel and eat mouth-watering food at Humus Said or Uri Buri seafood restaurant.

From the Old City, Rosh HaNikra is just another 30 minutes by car, making this an easy but magnificent road trip along the northern Mediterranean coastline of Israel.

Safed, in the mountains of the Upper Galilee, is the highest city in Israel and known as the home of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). A charming and spiritual place, Safed has cobblestone streets, art galleries and historical sites that make it a worthwhile place to visit in northern Israel. Equally charming is the neighbouring city of Rosh Pina, with its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful scenery and quaint streets full of boutique shops, art galleries and cafes.

The total road time for this trip back south is around two hours, provided traffic isn’t bad. Daliyat el-Carmel is the largest Druze village in Israel, 20km (12mi) southeast of Haifa. Getting here, you’ll pass through the scenic Carmel mountain range via Route 672. This village is popular with both Israelis and tourists, who flock here to get a literal taste of Druze culture and to find bargains in the market.

We recommend continuing the journey southwest (24km/15mi) to Zichron Ya’akov, a charming town on the Carmel mountain range with an interesting history. Here, you’ll find quaint streets brimming with boutique and quirky shops, art galleries and cafes, plus gorgeous views over the Mediterranean and numerous wineries.

Finally, head back to Tel Aviv, a city that needs no introduction, with an easy and scenic journey south along the coast.

Those with a love for hummus, as well as fascinating, ancient cities, should make this road trip a top priority. You’ll drive around 50 minutes southeast from Tel Aviv to the Arab-Israeli town of Abu Ghosh, on the Jerusalem Hills. Here, you can taste what is arguably the best hummus in the country, if not the Middle East, before continuing to Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel. From ancient underground tunnels to monumental religious sites and the buzzing Machane Yehuda Market and much, much more, there are plenty of reasons that make Jerusalem a must-visit during your trip to Israel.

This is a road trip to three of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring sites in Israel, which can be done in just one day. Our recommended itinerary: depart from Jerusalem at around 4am to arrive at Masada in time for a sunrise climb up the most majestic site in Israel. This early start not only avoids the sweltering heat but also provides the most breath-taking views.

Once you’ve descended back down, jump in the car for a short drive to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a tranquil place abundant with natural waterfalls to cool off in, botanical gardens and wildlife. From here, head to the nearby Ein Gedi Beach on the Dead Sea, float in its magical waters and lather yourself in its natural skin-smoothing mud before driving north along the Dead Sea coastline back to Jerusalem.

You can now visit Jerusalem, Masada and the Dead Sea (plus several other fantastic destinations) with Culture Trip on our epic seven-day Israel tour.

This road trip to the southernmost city in Israel takes you through some of the most spectacular sites in the Negev Desert. By Israeli standards, this trip involves some long drives, with a total road time of around 4.5 hours. We recommend staying the night in Mitzpe Ramon (there are numerous affordable hostels), a small town that is home to Makhtesh Ramon, a vast crater of staggering beauty and the best stargazing spot in Israel.

The following morning, head 125km (78mi) further south through the Negev Desert to Timna Park, a popular attraction in Israel due to its spectacular rock formations and historical sites (here, you’ll find the oldest copper mine ever discovered). The final leg of this trip takes you to Eilat, a busy resort town on the Red Sea famous for gorgeous reefs, dolphins, snorkelling and scuba diving spots as well as the only underwater restaurant in Israel.