Travel Guide Israel - Discovering the Holy Land

A country of stark contrasts and many natural wonders, Israel is as much a land of the ancient past as it is the 21st century. Frequented by large numbers of pilgrims traversing from afar, it has a history more fascinating than most other places in the world, the essence of which continues to unfold today. Conveniently located at the intersection of Africa, Asia and Europe, Israel holds some of the most stunning scenery in the whole of the Middle East, plus it is a top choice for travellers interested in biblical archaeology. With a cheap car hire in Israel you can drive through vast awe-inspiring landscapes or relax on long, sandy Mediterranean beaches before visiting some of the world's most famous shrines.

For thousands of years, followers of Judaism, Christiantiy and Islam have revered Jerusalem and the city today retains much of its original charm, particularly in the narrow streets of its historic centre where the sound of music and prayer still blends harmoniously with the exotic aromas of incense and spices. Situated on Israel's sun-drenched Mediterranean shoreline, Tel Aviv is equally appealing for its modernity and 21st-century dynamism. Famous for its UNESCO-protected Bauhaus architecture, the city boasts some wonderful beaches close to the centre, as well as an abundance of stylish bistros, atmospheric cafés and award-winning dining establishments.

With the help of our Travel Guide Israel you can plan an extended visit to all these amazing places whilst appreciating spectacular scenery all over the country. From the Sea of Galilee in the north to the vast Negev Desert in the south, there are countless options for a fun-filled motoring holiday in one of the world's exciting destinations, where must-see sites and attractions exist around every corner. As one of the industry's longest-established car hire companies, Auto Europe has been offering the best deals on car rental in Israel for almost seventy years. By making a quick search in our state-of-the-art booking engine, you can easily find the cheapest rates and widest choice of vehicles in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with pick-up points available at the airports or in the heart of the city centres. No other company offers such a great choice of car hire in Israel at the lowest rates.

If you have any questions about how to rent a cheap car in Israel with Auto Europe, please do not hesitate to feel free to reach out to our rental specialists and they will happily assist you with your booking and find you the best deal available on the market. For added peace of mind, please take a look at the user ratings and comments posted by previous Auto Europe customers in the country on our Israel car hire reviews page.

Look over Israel Travel Guide topics listed below and take a look at each page for information on a specific aspect of travelling in Israel.

• Israel Car Hire Guide - This guide offers you a full overview of everything you need to know about hiring a car in Israel.
• Israel Driving Information - Learn helpful information about driving in Germany. From tips and driving laws to speed limits, parking and more.
• Israel Fleet Guide Options - Information about our car hire options for your trip to Israel.

Road trips with my car hire in Israel

Despite its relatively small size, Israel is packed with road-trip options, including the chance to drive across the mighty Negev Desert in the south of the country. Due to the diversity of its landscapes, visitors can enjoy a rich mix of motoring experiences with excursions to Ramat Gan and Bnei Brak, with the added options of floating effortlessly in the Dead Sea or snorkelling above coral reefs in the Red Sea. For extra freedom and flexibility, why not take advantage of Auto Europe's popular Free Additional Driver offers to share the driving with a friend or family member, as well as our one-way car hire deals which give travellers the chance to pick up their vehicle in one place and drop it off somewhere elese.

North-eastern Israel: Taking Road 98 (the country's main longitudinal motorway) carries you through parts of the Golan Heights, a rocky plateau where many small towns and villages exist. The region also encompasses the Sea of Galilee, a region of immense biblical signifcance where visitors can enjoy a spectacular driving experience through the north-eastern corner of the country. The famed Sea of Galilee is in fact a lake surrounded by a ring of mountains in the north-eastern reaches of the country. The whole area is renowned for its world-class wineries and large number of important religious, historical and archaeological sites. It is a very pleasant drive, particularly in late winter and spring when the landscape is ablaze with the bloom of wildflowers. The recommended direction is from south to north, having the snow-capped Hermon summit dominating the view in front of you. An added option is Nazareth, a typical Arabian city that is home to the site of the Annunciation where the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary.

Central Israel: The highlight for many visitors to the centre of the country is the chance to visit and even swim in the Dead Sea, which at 405 metres (1,300 feet) below sea level is the lowest accessible place on the planet. Its salt content is so excessive that it enables bathers to float and famously read newspapers and magazines without moving a muscle. The unique mineral content of the water, land and air in the local area is known for its therapeutic qualities and evidence suggests that the Dead Sea has been a health tourism destination for thousands of years. Other highlights for road-trippers include the Ein Gedi Natural Reserve (a large desert oasis nestling between the Dead Sea and the Judaean Desert) and the slopes of Mount Sodom which are located in the south-eastern corner of the Dead Sea and feature salt formations that look like pillars.

Southern Israel: A road-trip through southern Israel means driving through the Negev Desert, a vast wilderness notable for its unique geological formation and interesting historical sites. The best route is along Road 40 which runs for about 300 kilometres beginning north of Eilat and ending near the city of Tel Aviv. This authentic desert road-trip offers travellers some truly dramatic scenery en route, along with plenty of tourist attractions. Take time to visit the Red Sea, which is teeming with marine life and has some wonderful beaches. Don't miss the Coral World Underwater Observatory, a park, conservation centre and public aquarium, the largest in Israel with over 800 different species.

What to do in Israel

Diverse and deeply historic, Israel overflows with tourist appeal, particularly for those interested in the life and work of Jesus Christ. This small country running parallel to the Mediterranean's easternmost coastline has many important places to visit, as well as some wonderful spots to unwind and recharge after a few days' busy sightseeing, such as the shores of the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee.

• Jerusalem: Much more than just a city of sacred sites and religious monuments, the Israeli capital is the jewel in the crown for most visitors and major a hub of Middle Eastern history and culture. Generally considered to be both the spiritual and cultural centre of the Jewish people and the Jewish state, it has many unique and very famous sights and attractions, such as the Western Wall (the holiest place in Judaism) and the iconic Church of the Holy Sepulchre which marks the spot where Jesus was crucified and interred.


• Haifa: This vibrant seaside town boasts a beautiful setting on one of Israel's lesser-known Mediterranean shorelines a short drive south of the Lebanese border. A major attraction are the magnificent Baha'i Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) which are crowned by the golden dome of the Baha'i Shrine, arguably the city's most iconic landmark. Other must-see attractions in Haifa include the Hecht Museum (home to extensive collection with artifacts ranging from the Chalcolithic era to the Byzantine period), Madatech (an interactive science museum) and Elijah's Cave, an important pilgrimage site for Jews, Muslims and Christians alike.


• Tel Aviv: Stylish, modern and very cosmopolitan, Tel Aviv offers visitors a world-class travel experience in a prime location midway down Israel's long sandy coastline. Popular for its innovative dining scene and vibrant café culture, it is a thriving, multicultural city that's home to many of the country's most renowned museums and galleries, not to mention some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. Many first-time visitors are drawn to the city's famous Bauhaus buildings which have been preserved and are still standing tall as a tribute to the city's wide-ranging architectural legacy.


• Nazareth: With its long-lasting links to Jesus Christ, Nazareth is a magnet for both pilgrims and travellers with a keen interest in his life and teachings. Its holy monuments rank amongst the world's most important for people of the Christian faith, chiefly the Church of the Annunciation which stands on the spot where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary whilst she was drawing water from a local spring and announced that she would give birth to Jesus. St Joseph's Church next door was built to mark the site where Jesus' father had his carpentry workshop. Cana a short drive to the north-east of Nazareth is where Jesus performed his first miracle (the changing of water into wine).

A bit of history

Although the state of Israel is the world's youngest, its history is long and controversial. For around two millennia the country was ruled by five different empires, namely the Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Ottomans and the British, during which time Alexander the Great conquered the land before it was captured by the Romans. King Herod ruled the Land of Israel but during this period the Jews revolted against the Romans. The modern State of Israel was born on the 14th of May 1948, just one day before the British Mandate expired. The War of Independence lasted until July 1949 when Israel signed armistice agreements with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt, although Jerusalem remained divided until the Six Day War in 1967. Israel has retained its independence to this day but remains a country of some conflict and neighbouring hostilities.

Frequently Asked Questions about travelling in Israel

Here follows a list of the most commonly-asked questions which we hope will help you plan your next car rental in Israel, such as what kind of travel adaptor you will require in order to be able to use your electrical appliances, as well as lots of useful travel tips for your motoring holiday in the Holy Land. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for in this section, please feel free to get in touch with our reservation specialists for assistance and they will happily to assist you with your booking and help you select the right vehicle for your next trip to Israel.

Useful Links

Israel Airport Information

Official Tourism Website of Israel

Gov.uk Israel Travel Advice