Winter 101: The Traveler’s Guide to Surviving the Israeli Winter

January 18th 2017

Despite the fact that the Israel is a desert and generally doesn’t have temperatures much below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the Israeli winter can be a brutal shock to the average tourist no matter where you’re coming from. Fortunately, we’ve got the Traveler’s Guide to Surviving Winter in Israel.

Tip #1: Dressing for Success

What to do: Wear layers, and protect your extremities with gloves, scarves, an extra pair of socks, and a hat.

Where to go: If you’re in Jerusalem, take a walk down Jaffa St. There you will find Mahane Yehuda, the Jerusalem Night Market, and a whole slew of novelty shops that sell fun, funky, and oh so fuzzy winter gear that is sure to delight your senses (especially the sense of touch)! Tel Aviv has the Carmel Marketplace as well as the Jaffa Port, both of which have equally sensational shops and apparel to enjoy.

Tip #2: Warm From the Inside Out

What to do: Stay warm and hydrated at the same time by drinking some of the delicious hot beverages Israel is famous for.

Where to go: Visit Aroma cafe in any city in Israel for some really exciting hot cups. If you’re a hot cocoa fan, this is the place to be with their secret hot cocoa recipe (SPOILER ALERT: it’s a piece of rich milk chocolate at the bottom of every cup!) You can also enjoy their Dutch hot chocolate with delicious whipped cream topping, or a marshmallow-infused hot cocoa! Aroma also has spunky teas like ginger, turmeric, and honey that’ll really spark your taste buds. And we won’t even go into the array of coffee treats you can indulge in at Aroma cafe.

Also, there are plenty of other cafes and restaurants like Greg’s, Cafe Cafe, and Tmol Shilshom that’ll serve up some heavenly hot drinks that really hit the spot.

Tip #3: Enjoy Indoors

What to do: Know when it’s time to call it quits, and just stay inside.

Where to go: If the rain or cold just gets to be too much, don’t feel defeated. Hit up some of the amazing indoor attractions Israel has to offer. If you like museums, check out the Israel Museum, Science Museum, Diaspora Museum, Tower of David, Rockefeller, Holon Design Museum, Maritime Museum, and so many more.

There’s also the theater, concerts, indoor sporting events and games, and loads of other exciting indoor activities.

And before you even book your tickets, make sure to get a hotel with indoor pools! Don’t let the chill rain on your parade. Have a blast this winter when you travel Israel the smart way!