Jewish Vacation Destinations to Visit Now

When it comes to traveling, especially with Jewish heritage tours, Jews have a unique set of considerations. From kosher food to Shabbat-friendly hotels, planning a trip can be a bit more complicated than it is for non-Jews. But don't let that stop you from taking a vacation! The world is your oyster when it comes to Jewish travel destinations and experiences.

With so many Jewish vacation destinations to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your options. Here are some suggestions for places to visit that are both fun and meaningful.

The Negev Desert

The Negev Desert is a large desert in Israel that covers more than half of the country. It's home to the Bedouin people and provides many tourists with incredible opportunities for hiking and other outdoor activities.

The desert is very dry, but it does receive some rainfall during the winter months. This makes it one of Israel's most beautiful destinations when it comes to scenery.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and the holiest city in the world. It's a city of peace, where people of all religions live together; it's also a city of contrasts, where ultra-religious Jews live next to secular Israeli teenagers on their way home from school.

The Old City (the part that was built before 1450) is full of narrow cobblestone streets and winding alleyways, with historic sites such as Masada and The Wailing Wall. There are also plenty of souls selling spices and beautiful handcrafted jewelry.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is the second-largest city in Israel and boasts a Mediterranean climate. It's also known for its vibrant theater scene, with several notable theaters located throughout the city. The Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center is particularly noteworthy for its architecture—the structure was designed by Frank Gehry and opened in 1993 as part of the newly renovated Habima Square complex.

If you're looking to dine out while in Tel Aviv, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many vegan, vegetarian and raw food options are available to you!

Ein Gedi

Ein Gedi is a small oasis with waterfalls and natural caves. It's a great place to visit on a day trip from Jerusalem. There are many beautiful hiking trails, swimming spots, and picnic areas throughout the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. The town sits at the base of Mount Masada and is also home to an ancient Jewish community that dates back thousands of years.

Masada

Masada is one of Israel’s most popular tourist destinations. It’s the site of a famous Jewish rebellion against the Romans, who ruled Israel at that time. The fortress was built on top of an isolated mountain in the Judean Desert and was home to King Herod's palace and gardens as well as his family tomb.

Since it is not accessible by public transportation, visiting Masada requires either self-driving or taking an organized tour guided by Israeli guides who are trained in archaeology and history.

Safed

Safed, also called Tzfat in Hebrew, is a city in the Lower Galilee region of Israel with a long history of Jewish mysticism. It is home to both religious and secular Jews alike—and has been listed by UNESCO as one of the most important sites for Jewish culture in Israel. The city is known for its art and architecture; residents are said to still speak Ladino (a Spanish-Hebrew blend) as well as many other languages.

Tzfat (or Safed)

Tzfat (or Safed) is one of the most beautiful and distinctive cities in Israel. Tzfat's history dates back to Talmudic times, when it was known as "Shefaram" or "Shafran," but the city has been primarily Jewish since at least the 13th century CE.

The city is famous for its kabbalistic heritage, as well as its artists and art galleries; even if you aren't particularly interested in either of these things, there are many other reasons to visit Tzfat. The city is famous for its stunning views; it overlooks the upper Galilee region and Mount Meron from above. It also has some beautiful architecture and an atmosphere that's unlike any other place in Israel—or possibly anywhere else on Earth!

Haifa

Haifa is a city in northern Israel, located on the country's Mediterranean coastline. Haifa is Israel's third largest city with a population of over 279,000 inhabitants and is home to some of the country's most beautiful beaches.

Haifa has long been one of the most tolerant cities in Israel, welcoming people of all religious backgrounds to live there. In fact, it was Haifa that first established a community for Jews who had converted to Christianity during their time in Europe (known as Marranos).

Today, you can visit many different houses of worship throughout this seaside city including synagogues from around the world, Jewish tours and churches from different Christian denominations such as the Armenian Apostolic Church.