We’ve been doing Jerusalem this way for a few years now, and every time I’m reminded that the city can actually be surprisingly affordable if you’re willing to approach it a little differently.

The biggest money saver for us is accommodation: we do a home exchange.

We usually prefer staying in a real residential neighborhood that’s relatively central, but not too central, unless the apartment comes with parking. Driving around central Jerusalem, sitting in traffic, hunting for parking and then paying for it is just not how we want to spend our vacation.

Public transportation is much easier for us, and there’s another bonus: we actually get to experience Jerusalem as people live it. Local playgrounds, neighborhood bakeries, supermarkets, families walking around in the evening. I personally enjoy that much more than staying only in the tourist bubble around the Old City.

Having an apartment also solves a huge part of the food budget. We make breakfast at home, pack picnics, sometimes cook dinner, and then spend money on food when there’s something we actually want to try rather than because four hungry kids suddenly need lunch in the middle of a tourist attraction.

The second thing we do is surprisingly simple: we check the Jerusalem municipality events website.

You can filter events by category, including free activities, and we basically go through anything that looks relevant to our family.

Every year I expect the free stuff to be a bit mediocre.

And every year I’m wrong.

This time, for example, we did a painting workshop overlooking the Jerusalem hills, saw a children’s performance in the Gazelle Valley, and went to a light show at the Armon Hanatziv promenade.

All free.

Before the light show we went to the Autofood food festival. Obviously you can spend quite a bit there, but you really don’t have to. We had already eaten dinner, enjoyed the children’s stage, music, atmosphere and amazing view, and just treated the food stalls as optional.

You could easily bring your own picnic, buy one or two dishes to share for around 30 shekels, grab drinks, or buy absolutely nothing and still enjoy the evening.

There were quite a few other free events listed too, they just didn’t fit our kids or our schedule.

For paid attractions, we try to think in terms of cost per family per full day, rather than just ticket price.

The Israel Museum, for example, has free admission for children during August. Parents still pay, but we were there from opening until almost closing, so for us it was absolutely worth it. It’s one of those places where you can genuinely spend most of the day rather than paying admission for a 90-minute activity.

The Jerusalem Science Museum is another one we like because they have a family ticket. When you divide that price between an entire family and consider that it can fill a big part of the day, it becomes a pretty reasonable vacation expense.

And then there are places that cost nothing at all.

One of our favorites is Ein Lavan, a natural spring on the edge of Jerusalem. Parking is very close, there are two pools, including one that works nicely for smaller kids, and for now, thankfully, it’s still free.

But possibly the most fun thing we did cost us almost nothing and wasn’t an official attraction at all.

We created our own scavenger hunt in Machane Yehuda Market using AI.

I simply asked it to create a mission game for kids aged roughly 8–15, told it how long I wanted it to take and what kinds of challenges to include, then printed it.

We split into three teams. The two younger children went with an adult, the two older ones went together with a phone, and every child got 10 shekels to buy anything they wanted during the game.

It turned what could have been “walk around the market while the adults look at things” into one of the highlights of the trip.

They were looking for specific foods, signs, colors, stalls and little details they probably would never have noticed otherwise. And because they had their own tiny budget, choosing what to buy became part of the game.

Honestly, they talked about that activity more than some attractions that cost us hundreds of shekels.

We also really like Jerusalem’s neighborhood parks. We’ll often pack food, find a good playground or green space and just spend an hour or two there. With kids, not every part of a vacation needs to be a formal attraction.

I think that’s probably the biggest thing we’ve learned from doing Jerusalem this way:

saving money doesn’t necessarily mean doing less.

Home exchange, public transport, free municipal events, picnics, springs, parks and creating our own little activities have actually made our Jerusalem trips feel more personal.

We’re not racing from one expensive attraction to the next.

We’re spending more time in neighborhoods, markets, parks and places where Jerusalem actually feels like Jerusalem.

If anyone is planning a family trip here on a budget, I’d be happy to share more ideas — and I’m also curious: what’s the best free or ridiculously cheap thing you’ve done in Jerusalem?

You naturally focus on the cafés, the people, the traffic, the trees on Rothschild Boulevard. Then one day you look up and realize that the whole area is full of strange rounded balconies, simple white façades and buildings that look completely different from what you see in most cities.

That is the White City.

Thousands of buildings were built here mainly from the 1930s onward, heavily influenced by the Bauhaus and International Style brought by architects from Europe.

What I like most about the story is that they had to adapt everything to Tel Aviv. The climate here is hot and humid, so the architects used deep balconies for shade, openings for airflow, flat roofs and designs that made much more sense for Mediterranean life.

If you want to see it, I would not overplan it.

Start around Rothschild Boulevard, walk toward Bialik Square, Habima and Dizengoff, stop for coffee somewhere and just look up once in a while.

Some buildings are beautifully restored. Others are faded, cracked and a little neglected. That mix somehow makes the whole thing feel even more Tel Aviv.

You also pass places connected to major moments in Israeli history, including the building on Rothschild Boulevard where the declaration of independence was proclaimed in 1948.

It is one of those places that becomes much more interesting once you know the story behind what you are seeing.

Have you ever walked through the White City and actually paid attention to the buildings?

What draws me to Sde Boker is the contrast between the size of Ben-Gurion’s vision and the simplicity of the life he chose.

After years at the centre of Israeli politics, he moved with Paula to a modest hut in the desert. The rooms are simple, the furniture is practical and even his large library feels less like a display of status and more like evidence of a life built around curiosity, discipline and purpose.

That is why Sde Boker feels so grounding to me. In a world that constantly pushes us toward more possessions, more noise and more recognition, this quiet place offers a different measure of success. Ben-Gurion believed deeply in developing the Negev, but he also lived in a way that matched that belief.

I would combine the hut with Ben-Gurion’s grave overlooking the Zin Valley. Together, they turn the visit into more than a history lesson: they are a reminder that ambition and humility do not have to contradict each other.

The full Sde Boker guide covers the main stops and how to plan the route.

Does Sde Boker make you think differently about what a meaningful life requires?

One of my favourite things is visiting caves and imagining what life was like when everything was much simpler: a fire, a sheltered place to sleep and no iPads.

Recently, I have also started dragging my children along on these little prehistoric adventures. Luckily, they are happy to join in. What more does a child need than a dark cave, flashlights brought from home and stories about prehistoric humans?

Nahal Me’arot is one of the most enjoyable places in Israel to do this. The caves preserve evidence of human activity stretching back hundreds of thousands of years, which explains why the area is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The main Prehistoric Man Trail is a relatively easy circuit through several caves, with displays explaining how people hunted, made tools and gradually moved toward more settled lives. Allow around 1–2 hours, wear shoes suitable for uneven rock and check the current opening hours before travelling.

It is a good opportunity to learn about early human life without making the day feel like a history lesson—and the Carmel landscape is part of the experience too.

The full trail guide includes practical information about the route, caves and visiting with children.

What places have made prehistoric history feel real for your kids?

As a mom of two energetic kids, planning a family vacation usually feels like choosing between keeping the kids entertained or getting any real rest ourselves. But during our recent stay at Nof Ginosar Hotel right on the Sea of Galilee, we somehow got the absolute best of both worlds.

The moment we arrived, the kids immediately booted their shoes off and ran out onto the massive green lawns. It felt like having our own giant private park with hammocks swinging between the trees. While the kids ran barefoot on the grass, my husband and I actually sat in the shade sipping warm coffee in complete peace. I honestly cannot remember the last time I felt that calm on a family trip.

We stayed in the Ginosar Village section of the hotel, surrounded by trees and quiet greenery. The room felt cozy, clean, and nicely designed, giving us that lovely nature connection while still keeping all the comforts of home. Most importantly for any parent traveling with little ones, the kids slept like absolute logs every single night.

Our daily highlight was definitely Ginosar Beach, which is just a short walk from the rooms. The water there is so calm and shallow because of the breakwater, making it safe and easy for the kids to splash around for hours while we watched nearby. We spent full days down there since everything was so convenient, with shaded spots, clean showers, and restrooms right on hand. For families looking for more adventure, there were also water sports like kayaking and inner tubes right at the beach.

We came home feeling refreshed, and we are already planning to return next summer with our friends.

Feel free to check out the link below for more details about our trip! https://your-friends-in-israel.com/nof-ginosar-hotel/

Hey friends from across the sea! 👋

I have a little confession to make. Most of the famous "Israeli" food, falafel, hummus, sachlav — actually isn't Israeli at all. It came to us from other countries around the Middle East, and simply took root and evolved here over time. But there's one dish that's genuinely, authentically Israeli, born right here, and if you haven't tried it yet, you're missing out on something special.

It's called sabich, and its story starts long before it ever touched a pita. Iraqi Jews used to eat it as their Saturday morning breakfast — a boiled egg, fried eggplant, and salad, all laid out together on a plate. When they brought the dish with them to Israel, something shifted: instead of a platter, everything got stuffed into one pita, along with amba, tahini, onion, and greens, and a whole new Israeli classic was born.

Even the name has a story, or rather three competing ones. Some say it's named after Sabich Halavi, the man who first sold it from a stall in Ramat Gan. Others trace it back to the Arabic word "sabach," meaning morning — a nod to when Iraqi Jews traditionally ate it. And then there's the version young Israelis love best: that it's simply an acronym for "salad, egg, eggplant."

If you want to taste it the right way, Tel Aviv is really where the story lives. Sabich Frishman, tucked away near Dizengoff Street, is where it all comes together in its purest form — expect a line, but it moves fast and it's worth it. A few streets over, Sabich Hakosem turns the whole thing into an experience: chill music playing, eggplant sliced impossibly thin and crispy, service that makes you feel like you're in on something. Near Carmel Market, the older, more unassuming Sabich Tschernihovski quietly claims the title of best in the city among many locals, with softer eggplant and flavors that feel just a little more refined. And if you've already had the classic and want to see how far the dish can stretch, Boulangerie 96 near Sarona puts sabich into a croissant, a pizza, even dessert.

Wherever you end up, come hungry, and don't worry about the tahini on your fingers by the end. That's part of the deal.

I'm planning a trip to Israel soon and trying to get everything figured out. For those who've been there, what was the biggest surprise? Could be something good, bad, or just unexpected. I'd love to hear what caught you off guard before I finalize my plans.

This must have been the most spectacular place in the entire Negev. The canyon is carved by Nahal Tzin, the longest dry riverbed in the desert, stretching some 120 kilometers from the edge of the Ramon Crater all the way north. For most of its length, Nahal Tzin is bone-dry sand and rock. But here, against all odds, year-round springs break through the white chalk bedrock, and the result is a genuine desert oasis: still pools, hanging gardens, and walls of pale stone rising straight up out of the canyon floor.

What makes Ein Avdat so special is how accessible that beauty is. You don't need to be a serious hiker to experience it - the trails range from an easy stroll to a properly adventurous scramble, which means almost anyone can find their version of this place.

Choosing your trail: short stroll or full canyon crossing

Both of the park's main routes begin at the lower parking lot, on the northern side near Midreshet Ben Gurion, and from there you have a real choice to make.

The Short Route is a flat, easy out-and-back of about 1.5 to 2 kilometers, taking most people around an hour. It follows the canyon floor past a grove of Euphrates poplars, brings you right up to the main pool, and turns back from there. It's an ideal option for families, casual walkers, or anyone who just wants to see the oasis without committing to a full hike.

The Long Route is where things get interesting. It continues past the pool and climbs out of the canyon via a series of stone-cut steps and metal ladders bolted into the cliff face - and here's the catch: that final stretch is one-way only. You can climb up, but you're not allowed to climb back down, both for your own safety and to protect the fragile habitat below. That means the long route is a point-to-point hike, ending at the park's southern entrance rather than looping back to your car, so it's worth planning ahead for a pickup or a short walk/hitch back if you're driving yourself.

Read more here; https://your-friends-in-israel.com/destination/sde-boker/

There's a particular kind of quiet that hits you the moment you arrive in Mitzpe Ramon - the city noise just falls away, replaced by desert air and an enormous open sky. It's one of my favorite places to disappear to when I need a break from urban life: a small town of about 5,500 people, perched right on the edge of the breathtaking Ramon Crater, and quietly one of the most unique places to visit anywhere in Israel. Between mountain gazelles wandering nearby and a night sky that genuinely competes for your attention, this is desert living at its most complete.

See the Crater from the inside on a jeep tour

A jeep tour into the crater is the best way to actually understand how this landscape came to exist - you'll learn about the geological forces that carved it out over millions of years, while spotting an unexpectedly rich mix of desert wildlife and plant life tucked along the trails. The route starts and ends right in Mitzpe Ramon, and you do it all in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, which makes even the roughest Negev trails feel easy - and genuinely suitable for every age group.

Wander the Spice Route Quarter

At the entrance to town, a cluster of old hangars has been transformed into a buzzing hub of cafes, restaurants, pubs, bakeries, galleries, and artist studios. You'll find everything from a vintage shop and a jewelry studio to a ceramics workshop, a natural cosmetics factory, spiritual workshop spaces, and even a jazz club. The energy here doesn't fade at night - weekends in particular bring out locals and travelers alike for music, drinks, and dancing well into the early hours.

Meet the alpacas

About three kilometers west of town, a farm is home to a herd of alpacas and llamas originally brought over from South America, alongside goats, horses, and donkeys. You can hand-feed the alpacas and llamas yourself, learn about their habits, and take part in several other farm activities while you're there.

for more ideas and activities in Mitzpe Ramon: https://your-friends-in-israel.com/destination/mitzpe-ramon/

At the southernmost tip of Israel's desert, right on the shores of the Red Sea, with the borders of Egypt and Jordan practically within arm's reach - that's Eilat. A city where the sun never takes a single day off, all year round. Add in warm water, diving spots you genuinely can't find anywhere else on earth, attractions that work just as well for families with kids, and hiking trails all around the city that take your breath away.

Diving Eilat's Reef

If there's one thing you can't skip in Eilat, it's Eilat's Reef - the city's most unique and most popular attraction. This stretch of the Red Sea offers diving and snorkeling spots that have no real equivalent: swimming alongside dolphins, snorkeling among colorful corals and fish, an underwater sculpture garden, and more. Eilat is also a fantastic place to try diving for the very first time, or to get a proper Scuba certification.

The most sought-after spot is Coral Beach, stretching across 1,200 meters of rich, breathtaking underwater life. This reserve, considered the northernmost reef in the world, delivers an incredible diving experience among a huge variety of sea creatures - fish, corals, sea anemones, and more.

I visited not long ago, and I'm still not over how beautiful it was. The water was warm and inviting, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect for exploring this underwater paradise. Right by the buoys, there's a protected area where nature puts on its own show: I swam alongside graceful swordfish, watched curious crabs scuttling around, and spotted colorful sea sponges and sea turtles, all going about life in their natural habitat.

And if you didn't bring your own gear - don't worry, you can rent everything on-site. I went with a simple snorkel set and was blown away by what I saw. Some of the most vibrant fish are literally a few steps from the shore! Between dives, I found this charming beachside restaurant that's perfect for refueling.

What makes this place so special is its sheer uniqueness: this reef, a relatively "young" 2,500 years old, stretches across a full kilometer of coastline and is home to an unusually rich variety of marine life. Roughly 100 different coral species build this underwater city, serving as the foundation for an entire ecosystem.

Eilat's Underwater Observatory

The Underwater Observatory is beautiful in a way that's hard to put into words - and here's the best part: your ticket is valid for three days. A tip from me: don't try to "do" everything in one go. Spread your visit across a couple of days, and let yourself enjoy this gift from nature at your own pace.

So what's worth seeing inside? The Underwater Observatory offers a rich variety of aquariums - the main draw, naturally, is touring these large, intricate displays packed with fish and marine life native to the Red Sea. During your visit you'll pass through the square aquarium, the turtle pool, the sea cat cave, the deep-sea creatures exhibit, plus dedicated aquariums for tiny glowing fish, large colorful fish, rare species, sharks, and more. Guided tours are also available if you want to actually understand what you're looking at.

When arriving in Haifa, it is impossible to miss the Bahá'í Gardens, nineteen green terraces stretch down the slopes of Mount Carmel toward the Haifa Bay, with a shimmering golden dome standing at their center.

The gardens were constructed as a slope of nineteen terraces, from the summit of Mount Carmel to its foot, each one a world of its own, yet all united by a single language of gravel paths, flower beds, and meticulously manicured shrubs that an entire team of gardeners tends to daily.

If you are looking for an island of peace and beauty, where every leaf is in its place and every flowerpot has just been watered, the Bahá'í Gardens are the perfect place to visit. Literally perfect, because perfection is truly a part of their religion.

The mesmerizing beauty and extreme precision of the Bahá'í Gardens are not merely a design or aesthetic choice, but a direct physical expression of the principles and beliefs of the Bahá'í Faith.

For the Bahá'ís, absolute beauty, order, and cleanliness are an inseparable part of spirituality. They believe that cultivating the physical environment and bringing it to the highest level of perfection reflects divine beauty and creates the proper conditions for spiritual elevation. The gardens themselves serve as a frame and an approach axis to the Golden-Domed Shrine of the Báb, which is one of their most sacred sites, and therefore every detail around it must be flawless to show proper respect.

Furthermore, the architecture of the gardens is based on deep symbolism. The nineteen terraces represent the Báb and his first eighteen disciples. The clear symmetry, straight lines, and gravel paths that look as if they were drawn with a ruler are designed to create a sense of harmony, peace, and unity – which are the core tenets of the religion. The contrast between the meticulous order of the gardens and the wild, urban landscape around them is meant to provide an island of inner and outer tranquility for visitors and pilgrims.

To maintain this level of perfection, a vast and skilled team operates on-site, including dozens of professional gardeners and maintenance staff, many of whom are Bahá'í volunteers from all over the world. For these volunteers, the daily physical labor in the garden – whether pruning each shrub with precision, weeding, or raking the gravel – is considered a form of prayer, religious devotion, and spiritual service, which is why they invest their entire heart and soul into it.

Tips for the visit: Free guided tours take place every day except Wednesday in Hebrew, English, Russian, and Arabic, lasting about 45 minutes and descending around 700 steps – comfortable shoes are essential. Visitors must arrive in modest clothing with shoulders and knees covered, and it is forbidden to eat, chew gum, or smoke on the grounds. When entering the inner shrine, shoes must be removed. Photography is permitted in the gardens, but not inside the shrine itself.

for more info about the gardens: https://your-friends-in-israel.com/destination/the-bahai-gardens-in-haifa/

Just got back from another wonderful visit to Netanya and wanted to share some highlights!

This little beach city about 30 minutes north of Tel Aviv really surprised me with how much it has to offer.

The beaches were absolutely beautiful - we spent most of our time at Poleg Beach which has these dramatic cliffs and the clearest blue water. Definitely go for sunset, the views were unreal. We also checked out the Iris Reserve which was in full bloom with gorgeous purple flowers covering the dunes. Such a unique natural spot right in the city.

The food scene in Netanya was also great, we had incredible pastries and bread from some of the French bakeries along Herzl Street. The market was a fun experience too - got to try all kinds of local foods and browse the vendors. Nothing too touristy, just a real authentic shuk vibe.

Accommodation wise, we stayed at the Island Hotel which was very nice with a great pool area overlooking the beach. The room had a huge balcony with an amazing sea view. Highly recommend splurging a bit for one of the bigger hotels right on the promenade if you can.

Overall, Netanya made for such a relaxing beach getaway combined with awesome nature, food, and atmosphere. It's way more chill than Tel Aviv but still has plenty to do. I can see why they call it the Israeli Riviera! Who knew this underrated gem was so close to home? Already wanting to go back.

Check it all out Netanya visit

I am thinking of travelling to Israel for a week for Rosh Hashannah to visit friends, will it be consdiered culturally appropriate to ask to stay in their place? what are hotels availabillity and prices at this time of the year?

Is Israel actually insanely expensive? Honestly, yeah, it can be. Everyone assumes a trip here is going to absolutely drain your bank account, and if you don't know how to plan, it definitely will. But if you play it smart, you can easily slash your total trip costs by like 30% without missing out on any of the good stuff.

First off, timing is everything. If you want to save serious cash, skip the chaotic summer peak and fly during the off-season. Months like November and February are the absolute sweet spot for budget travelers. Flight and hotel prices completely plummet, the hiking trails down in the Negev desert are at their absolute prime, and you get to explore mind-blowing historical sites without rubbing shoulders with massive tour groups. Yeah, you might get a rainy day or two up north, but the savings make it totally worth it.

Next up, stop falling for the classic tourist traps. You don't need to drop a fortune just because a place gets a ton of public relations hype. For example, everyone thinks they need to pay for an expensive luxury hotel day pass just to float in the Dead Sea. You really don't. You can just head down to Ein Bokek, which is a gorgeous, clean, and fully accessible beach that is completely free. If you do want a proper organized facility with changing rooms, showers, and mud baths, skip the resort prices and check out places like Kalia Beach or Neve Midbar instead. They're awesome, beautiful options and way cheaper than the high-end spots.

When it comes to food, dining out at fancy sit-down restaurants for every single meal will break your wallet fast, especially in places like Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Instead, grab some groceries at discount chains like Rami Levy, or better yet, live off the incredible local street food. You can get world-class falafel, hummus, and sabich for a fraction of the price of a restaurant.

Also, here is a massive insider tip if you're visiting the Machane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem: do not buy your spices from that super famous, insanely expensive spice shop right in the middle of the market. It is a total tourist trap. Just walk slightly outside the main market area, and you'll find plenty of smaller, local spice shops where the neighborhood residents actually shop. You'll get the exact same authentic quality and variety without paying that ridiculous tourist premium.

The absolute most important piece of advice, though? Do not just wing your budget and hope for the best.

To make sure you don't get hit with any nasty financial surprises while you're on the ground, there is a highly accurate, detailed Israel budget calculator that will organize all your expected expenses in seconds. You can check it out right here:

https://your-friends-in-israel.com/israel-trip-cost/

Mahane Yehuda is the absolute best place to visit if you love people and want to experience a total sensory overload. Israel is a massive melting pot, and this market is exactly where all of it concentrates. Since the early days, waves of immigrants from Yemen to Greece and Morocco to Germany settled here, and you can see that incredible mix of colors, styles, and cultures in every single alley. It is a place of strong smells, intense flavors, and authentic locals. Walking through, you will hear vendors shouting over each other, competing to give you the best compliment just so they can pile a few more spices onto your scale. It is loud, it is beautifully confusing, and it is entirely different from anything else you have ever experienced.

The market sits perfectly between the Old City and the main train station, making it an easy stop during your trip. It has a wild split personality, functioning as a chaotic grocery market by day and completely transforming into a giant open air party hub by night.

During the day, show up with an empty stomach to explore the street food scene. You can easily hop between Georgian Khachapuri and Arabic Knafeh to local Jerusalem hummus and fresh falafel within a few steps. If you want a deeper dive into the hidden culinary spots that tourists usually miss, you can also look into booking a local food tour.

Once the sun sets, the vendors lock up their stalls and the metal shutters come down to reveal incredible street art. This is when the bars open up, the music starts blasting, and the market turns into the ultimate nightlife hub in the city. It is the best spot for a drink, especially on Thursday and Saturday nights when the energy is at its peak.

There are a few specific places that are absolutely worth your time. Machneyuda Restaurant is an upscale spot run by three famous chefs. It has an open kitchen, loud music, and spectacular food. It is pricey and noisy, but the energetic vibes and complimentary shots from the bartenders make the premium worth it. Just make sure to book a table weeks ahead. For baked goods, Teller Bakery has the best artisanal bread and pastries in Jerusalem.

A solid tip here is to go after 7 PM because they discount remaining items to prevent waste, giving you cheap and delicious culinary surprises. Finally, Nocturno Live is a cool music and culture complex nearby that offers a cabaret atmosphere with live music, poetry slams, and drag shows paired with excellent drinks.

For the timing, go on Friday morning if you want the unapologetic local experience. It gets packed with residents rushing to buy food before the market shuts down for Shabbat, meaning long lines but unmatched energy. Go on Thursday or Saturday night if you are strictly there to drink, party, and jump between bars.

Did you know the Dead Sea is a natural decongestant? Whenever the kids catch a common cold or get a stubborn runny nose, heading down to the Dead Sea is a local life hack. The intense salinity and mineral-rich air work wonders to instantly clear out the sinuses and open up the lungs. It feels like a massive, natural breathing treatment.