Planning to spend only 5 days in Israel isn’t nearly enough to explore all that this fascinating Middle Eastern country has to offer. However, it will give you a taste of the culture and the history here.
This was our first time in Israel, so we spent 3 days in Jerusalem and 2 days around the Dead Sea. But for those of you who have been before or don’t mind moving around to different locations every day, you may be able to squeeze in a trip to Tel Aviv and Bethlehem too. There are certainly a lot of things to do during 5 days in Israel to build a full itinerary around.
Jerusalem is one of the holiest cities on earth, and has a lot of historical attractions to visit within the Old City, as well as several important museums that are a must-visit. It would be very easy to spend a week in Jerusalem but spending 3 days in the Israeli capital is just enough to get an introduction into all that the city has to offer. And Jerusalem is just under an hour’s drive from the closest beach along the Dead Sea, Kalia Beach, so it’s a no-brainer to add this area to your Israel itinerary too.
The following itinerary is just a guide, but we managed to see a lot during our 5 days in Israel, so it’s a good starting point. I’ve included a few tips about where to eat in Jerusalem as well as where to stay while you’re in Israel too.
Day 1: Exploring outside of the Old City of Jerusalem
After arriving at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, we made our way to Jerusalem by a pre-booked taxi. The drive is around an hour so it won’t take much time out of your schedule, and you can always spend a day in Tel Aviv first if you prefer. We stayed at the Mamilla Hotel for 3 out of our 5 days in Israel. The hotel sits at the crossroads of the Old City and the newer neighbourhoods. This makes it the perfect hotel to base yourself from so you can easily access the different parts of Jerusalem by foot.
Our first day in Jerusalem was based around the neighbourhoods outside of the Old City. You can find a lot of unique attractions in Jerusalem that some tourists may not necessarily see if they just plan to visit the Old City. Here’s the order that we visited the attractions in, as well as some places to eat in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem International YMCA
A short walk from the Mamilla Hotel is the Jerusalem International YMCA. It’s a famous 3-star hotel that also offers one of the best views in Jerusalem from its bell tower. From here you can see a panoramic view of the city below. It’s a must-visit during your 5 days in Israel.
Yemin Moshe
Yemin Moshe is an historic neighbourhood that was the first to be built outside of the Old City walls in the 1890s. It’s made up of beautiful stone buildings and charming streets that are nice to walk along. This area is also home to the iconic Montefiore Windmill, which is a major historical attraction in Jerusalem.
Montefiore Windmill
Today the inside of Montefiore Windmill has been turned into a wine store thanks to Jerusalem Vineyard Winery. They offer a wine and cheese experience with a view of the Old City which is a really nice activity to do in Jerusalem if you like sampling local wines. There are a lot of wineries around Jerusalem to visit, so you can always add a few to your 5 days in Israel travel plans if you’re a wine enthusiast.
Nahman Restaurant
We then made our way by foot to the Music Square for an Italian-style lunch at Nahman Restaurant. They have a lot of nice menu options available. Their set lunch menu is a great option if you’re planning on spending 5 days in Israel on a budget.
Hebrew Music Museum
The restaurant sits at the back of the Hebrew Music Museum, which is one of the most informative and unique museums in Jerusalem to visit. Here you’ll be able to listen to different Jewish musical instruments from around the world as well as learn more about how music helps to connect the Jewish people.
Miss Brown
Miss Brown is a unique dessert shop that’s very popular with the locals in Jerusalem. They serve unique flavours of tiramisu, mini pancakes, and churros. It’s a great place to stop on your way back to the Old City or your hotel if you’re in the mood for something sweet.
Tower of David
With a museum, archaeological site, and incredible views to offer, the Tower of David is a must-visit in Jerusalem. If you want to see an amazing sunset view in Jerusalem then you should visit the tower just before the sun goes down. You’ll be blown away by the colours in the sky above the Old City. It may just be the best view you see during your 5 days in Israel.
Teddy Park Fountain Show
A short walk from the Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David is Teddy Park. This public park has a unique fountain show at various times throughout the day and in the evening. It’s one of the best free things to do in Jerusalem if you have some spare time.
The Eucalyptus
Sitting just behind Teddy Park is a world renowned restaurant called The Eucalyptus. There are plenty of places to eat in Jerusalem, but what’s unique about this restaurant is that they serve dishes that would have been eaten during biblical times. It’s so good that celebrity chefs from around the world come to learn from the head chef and owner.
King David Light Show
Before heading back to your hotel, there should be just enough time to squeeze in the light show at the Tower of David. It’s projected onto the walls of the citadel, and tells the story of King David through light and sound effects. It’s a fantastic thing to do at night in Jerusalem and it shouldn’t be missed if you’re spending 5 days in Israel and need some evening plans.
Day 2: The Old City of Jerusalem
The first of our 5 days in Israel was a busy one, but the second day was a little less stressful as it was mostly based around the Old City. In order to see as much as possible, I would recommend getting to breakfast at your hotel as soon as it starts so you can be in the Old City for sunrise. Some of the main attractions in Jerusalem are open 24/7, or open very early, meaning you can bypass a lot of the large crowds that appear later in the day if you plan yourself accordingly.
Temple Mount
One of the most popular attractions in Jerusalem is Temple Mount, which is where the Dome of the Rock is located. Entry to the site is completely free, and security opens at 07:00 so it’s a good idea to be there for that time to avoid the crowds. They’re very particular about clothing here. If you’re wearing something that’s too tight or revealing you’ll be given clothing to put on top of your own.
Western Wall and underground tunnels
After exploring Temple Mount, take some time to visit the Western Wall and maybe slip a prayer into one of the cracks in the wall. This is the holiest site in the world for the Jewish people and it’s incredibly moving to visit. Located next to the wall is the Western Wall Tunnels which give you access to the remains of the ancient city of Jerusalem located below the current wall.
Old City guided tour
Since you’ve woken up early, it should only be around 10:30-11:00 in the morning by the time you’ve visited these three important sites. This will give you plenty of time to join one of the many guided walking tours of the Old City. Our guides took us on a culinary adventure through the bazaars, showed us some incredible viewpoints in the different neighbourhoods, and pointed out a few hidden gems along the way.
There are a lot of options when it comes to guided tours in Jerusalem, so do some research before you start start your 5 days in Israel trip.
Live the Bible
If you’re travelling in a group, or are a bit of an extrovert, then you should take the opportunity to visit Live the Bible. This is where you can dress up in biblical clothing for a photoshoot in the Jewish quarter. This isn’t for everyone but it’s a unique experience in Jerusalem.
Holy Sepulchre
You’ve visited the most important holy sites for Muslims and the Jewish people, so now it’s time to see the Holy Sepulchre. This church contains both the tomb and crucifixion stone of Jesus, and sits at the end of the Via Dolorosa – a major pilgrimage route for Christians. It’s open very early in the morning and closes late, so there’s plenty of time to see it throughout the day. If you’re planning on spending less than 5 days in Israel, the Holy Sepulchre should be near the top of your list of things to see.
City of David Segway Tour
The Peace Forest is located in the southern part of Jerusalem, and is where you can find the City of David Segway Tour. This is a really fun activity in Jerusalem to try, especially if you’ve never been on a Segway before. The tour takes you through the park area and finishes at a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Jerusalem. This isn’t for everyone, so I would only recommend adding the Segway tour to your schedule if you have some spare time in your 5 days in Israel itinerary.
Jacko’s Street
One of the best places to eat in Jerusalem is Jacko’s Street. This modern restaurant serves Kurdish food with a twist, using local and seasonal produce in their dishes. It’s so popular that tables are booked months in advance, and the atmosphere inside is incredible with a lot of singing and dancing. The restaurant is located next to the Mahane Yehuda Market too.
Nightlife tour at Mahane Yehuda Market
If you’re not too tired from your day of walking, there’s a fun culinary evening tour with Yalla Basta that takes you to some hidden gems as well as to some food stalls at the famous Mahane Yehuda Market. The guides are very informative and will teach you about the development of the city outside of the ancient walls.
Western Wall at night
By now you probably want to dive right into bed, however I would highly suggest walking back through the Old City and visiting the Western Wall after midnight. The plaza is open 24/7 and there’s a completely different atmosphere here in the evening without the crowds of tourists. Chances are that during your 5 days in Israel you’ll want to explore some parts of the country in the evening, and Jerusalem’s Old City is a great place to start.
Day 3: Museum hopping in Jerusalem
You may want to spend another day exploring the Old City, but keep in mind that Jerusalem has quite a lot of interesting museums to visit too. If you weren’t able to fit the Hebrew Music Museum into your itinerary on the first day, you can always visit it today instead and make it a fully educational day. But if you only want to visit a couple of museums in Jerusalem, here are two you can’t miss.
Yad Vashem
The official memorial to the Holocaust in Israel is called Yad Vashem. It holds the largest inventory of artifacts from the Holocaust, and the Holocaust History Museum allows visitors to walk through history and see some of these artifacts in person. There’s even a cobblestone street donated from Poland that’s been recreated inside. I would recommend spending at least the morning here to see all parts of the site. As a bonus, Yad Vashem is one of the many free museums in Jerusalem to visit, though a guided tour comes at an additional cost.
Israel Museum
As one of the top 10 museums in the world, the Israel Museum has a lot of incredible exhibitions and artifacts within it. It’s the perfect museum to visit to learn more about the archaeology, culture, and history of Israel. It’s also home to the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, among other important finds. Many people who spend 5 days in Israel block off an entire day to visit this fascinating museum.
Mahane Yehuda Market
One of the most famous markets in the Middle East is the Mahane Yehuda Market. It features more than 200 vendors and is always full of a mixture of locals and tourists. The market is an ideal place to grab something to eat for dinner, with a few sit-in restaurants featured inside it as well as unique street food stalls.
Day 4: Visit sites near the Dead Sea
After spending 3 of your 5 days in Israel based out of the country’s capital, now it’s time to visit another popular location in Israel: the Dead Sea. The closest beach to Jerusalem at the Dead Sea is Kalia Beach, and it takes under an hour to drive there. Surrounding this area are a number of interesting landmarks to visit which are worth researching while you’re in the process of planning a trip to Israel. We spent 2 days at the Dead Sea in Israel which was enough to get a feel for the area.
Ein Gedi Camp Lodge
Our first stop was a quick look at the Ein Gedi Camp Lodge. It’s a very unique type of accommodation in Israel where guests can stay in a converted air conditioned camper van with a private patio and hammock outside. If you’re not staying here it’s worth visiting for a quick photoshoot and across the road is a popular outlet shop for Dead Sea beauty products.
Masada National Park
One of the best archaeological sites in Israel, if not the whole Middle East, is Masada. This ancient ruin sits at the top of a cliffside and was originally built in 30 BC by King Herod. Sadly, it was later destroyed by the Romans following the destruction of Jerusalem. It’s accessible either by cable car or hiking, and the views from the top are unrivalled.
Gallery Minus 430
Before heading to our accommodation, we stopped by Gallery Minus 430, which is the lowest art gallery on earth. The site is a series of abandoned buildings that were once part of a Jordanian camp and they’ve now been completely revamped by artists. If you only have 5 days in Israel, you may want to give this a miss to save time, unless you’re really interested in street art.
Glamping -420
For the ultimate Dead Sea experience, you need to stay at Glamping -420. Situated just above Kalia Beach, these luxury glamping tents include a double bed, indoor seating, a mini fridge, and other amenities. There’s also a shallow pool on site and the views of the Dead Sea are amazing, especially at sunrise. This is one of the most unique places to stay if you’re spending 5 days in Israel and you want to be near the Dead Sea for at least one evening.
Me Casa Restaurant
Before heading to bed, we took a short 10 minute drive from our glamping site to Me Casa Restaurant for dinner. This Italian-inspired restaurant serves a selection of pizza, pasta, meat, and fish that are all freshly prepared on site. Plus, they make their own ice cream with plenty of flavours to choose from.
There aren’t too many options for good restaurants near Kalia Beach. And you don’t want to spend a large amount of time looking for places to eat if you’re only spending 5 days in Israel. So if you’re in the area I would highly recommend Me Casa Restaurant for at least one evening meal.
Day 5: The Dead Sea
Once you’ve finished visiting Masada and other nearby Dead Sea attractions, it’s time to enjoy Kalia Beach. This is a very popular beach in Israel so during the summer months it can get very busy. Luckily we visited in November and it wasn’t too crowded during the day. You’ll probably want to see some lesser known spots along the Dead Sea too before your 5 days in Israel comes to its conclusion.
Kalia Beach for sunrise
The sunrise over Kalia Beach is something else, so get yourself out of your glamping tent early to enjoy it! There’s a small dock where you can sit and enjoy the sunrise from, or you can dip your toes in the water and get a photo walking along one of the salt walls. It’s not recommended to swim at this time though as there are no lifeguards on duty yet.
Take a tour with Dead Sea Bike
There are many options for guided tours of the Dead Sea, but for a unique experience you should book with Dead Sea Bike. They have the option to go on a manual or electric bike tour to remote parts along the Dead Sea that aren’t accessible to tourists. Or you can join a Jeep tour to check out the interesting mushroom-shaped salt formations. During your 5 days in Israel I’d highly recommend taking some type of tour around the Dead Sea so you can see as much of the highlights as possible.
Kalia Beach
Following the tour, and depending on your schedule, you should have enough time to spend a couple of hours relaxing on Kalia Beach and floating in the Dead Sea. If you’ve stayed at Glamping -420 you’ll have free access to the beach, otherwise there’s a fee for a day pass. As I mentioned before, Kalia Beach is a short drive from Jerusalem so it may be the best option for you during your 5 days in Israel if you’re worried about saving time.
So, is 5 days in Israel enough? Well, that depends on what you want to see and if it’s your first time in the country. 5 days in Israel is a good amount of time to see some of its main highlights, including the ancient city of Jerusalem and a small tour of the Dead Sea. If you’ve already been to Jerusalem, you’ll be able to fit in more day trips from Jerusalem into your itinerary or base yourself from another city.
If you have any questions regarding what to do in Israel or things to see in Jerusalem, please get in touch via email, the comments section below, or Instagram. I’d also love to hear any ideas about what we should visit the next time time we plan to spend 5 days in Israel!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I would personally recommend.
Pin this blog post for later!
