When To Go

There's really no bad time to visit this region. Spring (April and May) and fall (October and November) are balmy and crisp, making them the most pleasant seasons for travelers. Summer (June to September) is hot, but humidity remains low, and soft sea and mountain breezes cool things down. Winter (December to March) brings cold weather (sun interspersed with rain) and chilly sea winds.

As in the rest of Israel, hotels are often booked solid on weekends. On Saturday and national holidays, Israelis hit the road, so north–south traffic out of Tel Aviv can be heavy. If you're taking a few days to explore the region, traveling Sunday to Thursday guarantees you plenty of peace and quiet. If you can only go on Friday and Saturday, make reservations well in advance, and be prepared for crowds at the beaches and tourist sights.