The Best Time to Visit Israel and the Holy Land

The best times to visit the Holy Land are spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November. In these seasons the weather is warm and settled, the days are long, and the walking is comfortable at every site.

What is the weather like in each season?

Spring brings warm days, green hills, and wildflowers across the land. It is one of the most beautiful times to come, with only the chance of a little early rain.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and dry, especially inland and around the Dead Sea and Galilee. It is very manageable with a hat, water, and early starts, and Jerusalem stays cooler in the evenings because it sits high in the hills.

Autumn is warm, clear, and settled, with long golden days. Many pilgrims call it the perfect season.

Winter, from December to February, is cool and green, with some rain and the occasional cold spell in Jerusalem. It is quieter, and Bethlehem at Christmas is unforgettable.

Where is it hottest and coolest?

The Dead Sea, Jericho, and Tiberias are the warmest places in summer, and can feel very hot at midday. Jerusalem is cooler all year because of its elevation, and can even see a rare dusting of snow in winter.

What about the great feasts?

Some pilgrims choose their dates around the holy days themselves. Christmas in Bethlehem, Holy Week and Easter in Jerusalem, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Fasika are each a profound time to be here. If a feast matters to you, come for the season itself.

So when should you go?

For the most comfortable weather, choose spring or autumn. For a particular feast, come for that season and accept a little more heat or cold as part of the gift. AJET operates year round, and your guide always reads the conditions and shapes each day around them.