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Best time to visit Israel: month by month
Short answer
March to May and October to November are the best months, with coastal highs of 19-28°C and almost no rain from April. Summer (June to September) is hot at 29-32°C on the coast and above 40°C at the Dead Sea, while winter (December to February) is mild but rainy, at about 18-21°C on the coast.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°C | 10°C | 12 | low |
| Feb | 18°C | 9°C | 7 | low |
| Mar | 19°C | 11°C | 9 | medium |
| Apr | 23°C | 13°C | 2 | very high |
| May | 27°C | 17°C | 1 | high |
| Jun | 29°C | 20°C | 1 | medium |
| Jul | 31°C | 23°C | 1 | high |
| Aug | 32°C | 24°C | 0 | high |
| Sep | 31°C | 22°C | 1 | high |
| Oct | 28°C | 20°C | 4 | high |
| Nov | 25°C | 16°C | 6 | medium |
| Dec | 21°C | 12°C | 10 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Pleasant, with highs of 19-27°C and rain fading from 9 days in March to 1-2 in April-May; wildflowers in the Galilee.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and humid on the coast at 29-32°C, with virtually no rain; very hot in the Dead Sea and Galilee basin.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Still warm at 25-31°C, cooling by November; rain starts again in October-November (4-6 days).
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild on the coast at 18-21°C with 7-12 rainy days; cold in Jerusalem (about 8-12°C), with occasional snow.
Events worth planning around
- Passover, March-April (busy, with some businesses closed)
- Tel Aviv Pride, June (check if held)
- Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, September-October
- Christmas in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, December (check security advice)
- Hanukkah, December
When to avoid
Yom Kippur brings the whole country to a halt, with no traffic or open businesses. July and August are very hot inland, and Passover and Sukkot mean high prices and full hotels.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Israel?
March to May and October to November, with warm, dry days and comfortable sightseeing.
Is Israel too hot in summer?
The coast reaches 29-32°C with high humidity, and the Dead Sea passes 40°C. Plan outdoor sites before 11:00.
Does it rain in Israel?
Mostly in winter: December to February sees about 7-12 rainy days a month on the coast, while summer is virtually dry.