Summer in Israel: Best Things to do 2012

The summer is a great time to be in Israel – the weather’s great, the kids are out of school, and thousands of tourists join Israelis in traveling about and enjoying the country. The result is that the summer in Israel is a time when there is loads going on – whether it be concerts or events, tours or activities, or family or other activities. We made this list to give you some of the best options for things to do in Israel this summer!

Events

Ron Arad’s exhibition 720 degrees which will be featured at the Jerusalem Season of Culture

Here are some of the best events happening this summer in Israel (see our calendar and listings for all events in Israel.)

• Jerusalem Season of Culture (mid July to September). Running from July through until September, this years season features an inspirational range of events taking place across Jerusalem.
• Groundation in Tel Aviv (July 14). Real summer reggae beats at this concert on July 14 by Groundation, the leading US rappers who fly in for one night only.
• Free Opera in the Yarkon Park (July 19). Annual free outdoor opera in Tel Aviv in this annual event.
• Chris Cornell in Israel. (July 16-17). Two concerts in Binyamina and Tel Aviv by this leading rocker.
• Idan Raichel in the Golan and Negev (August 2-3). One of the leading sounds in Israeli music will give two concerts in the periphery – in the Golan Amphitheater and in the Negev Desert
• Cirque du Soleil in Tel Aviv. (Throughout August). For the first time ever, Cirque du Soleil is coming to Tel Aviv
• Jerusalem Woodstock Revival (August 2)

For Families and Kids

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  A jeep tour in the Judean Desert or Negev Desert is unforgettable!

  Age of the Dinosaurs in Tel Aviv. This global exhibition is coming to Tel Aviv between July 26 and the end of August. It’s going to be amazing.

• Cirque du Soleil in Tel Aviv. For the first time ever, the cirque will be in Tel Aviv for the whole of August.
• Jerusalem Scavenger Hunts. Great ways for families and kids to explore Jerusalem – these fun educational hunts are running throughout the summer and are ever-popular among families
• A jeep tour in Israel – the desert offers the ultimate terrain for you to head off road with an experienced jeep guide-driver and explore the magical wonders that lie within. Tours take place across the country – in the Judean Desert, Negev Desert, and Galilee.
• Explore on horseback – go horseback riding in Israel – along the beach, or in the hills!
• Go kayaking on the River Jordan in the far north – an amazing way to cool down from the immense summer heat.

Best Tours for the Summer in Israel (including some unusual ones!)

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  Sunrise at Masada – not to be missed

  Masada at Sunrise Tour – either in a group or privately you can head to Masada, hike and watch the sunrise over the Dead Sea from atop the fortress, before continuing to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, and relaxing at the Dead Sea. If sunrise isn’t your thing, you can always go later!

• Tour a Kibbutz – and follow it with hummus in Abu Gosh, Israel’s hummus capital. It’s a new tour leaving from Jerusalem every week, and offers a fascinating insight into Israeli culture
• A jeep tour in Israel - the desert offers the ultimate terrain for you to head off road with an experienced jeep guide-driver and explore the magical wonders that lie within. Tours take place across the country – in the Judean Desert, Negev Desert, and Galilee.
• Tel Aviv Architecture and history tour – take a stroll around Tel Aviv with an expert and learn the history behind this city
• Jerusalem City Tour – with so much to see, you can really never see it all in Jerusalem. A guided tour undoubtedly makes the experience even greater though!
• Head north and explore the Galilee with a one day Galilee tour.

Best Adventures

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  Surf on the Mediterranean’s sandy beaches

  A jeep tour in Israel - the desert offers the ultimate terrain for you to head off road with an experienced jeep guide-driver and explore the magical wonders that lie within. Tours take place across the country – in the Judean Desert, Negev Desert, and Galilee.

• Dead Sea Caving Adventure – some of the longest caves in the world are found near the Dead Sea. Now you can join a group tour (or take a private tour) and explore these for yourself! Even in the summer in Israel – the caves are cool and inviting.
• Surf, windsurf, or kitesurf in the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean!

• Hike or bike! There are thousands of kilometers of great marked trails, and great support services.
• See Israel from above with a hot air balloon ride above the Galilee – you’ll never forget it!

Tasty and thirst-quenching!

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  Don’t miss the Tel Aviv nightlife

  Explore Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market or Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda Market with a cooking tour, followed by a workshop!

• Head to some of the best bars in Tel Aviv or take a (very affordable) Tel Aviv bar tour to see those places that are usually far from the tourist trail
• Don’t forget the Jerusalem night life either, and explore some of the best bars in Jerusalem.
• Head to one (or more) of Israel’s growing number of micro-breweries.

 For the trendy

• Don’t forget the beach – summer in Israel is nothing without it! Choose wisely using our guide to the best beaches in Israel and best beaches in Tel Aviv
• Go out with a fashion expert on a Tel Aviv Fashion and Style Tour. Meet the people behind the city’s booming design industry, and learn a little more about what makes this city tick.

Don’t Forget

The Alexander River at its estuary at Beit Yannai Beach. Image credit: Tourist Israel

• We have tens of different activities and tours listed in our Israel tours section – there’s something there for you
• We have hundreds of hand-picked hotels, guesthouses, hostels, and zimmers listed in our Israel hotel section
• We are here, if you have any questions – just send us a message and we’ll help make your summer in Israel whatever you want it to be!