Israel Five days cover the full Tel Aviv core plus Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. Days 1-3 the city core; Day 4 Jerusalem by high-speed train and the UNESCO Old City; Day 5 the Dead Sea + Masada + departure.
Five days hits the sweet spot for Tel Aviv — three days for the major districts, plus two days for nearby destinations that show a different side of the country. The pace stays relaxed, you get more variety in your photo album, and the day trips break up the urban intensity nicely.
5-Day Total Budget at a Glance
Budget
$593
Per person, flights excl.
Mid-Range
$1,481
Per person, flights excl.
Luxury
$3,185
Per person, flights excl.
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Day-by-Day Detailed Schedule
Arrive + Bauhaus + Carmel Market + M25
ArrivalActivities
- 13:00 Bauhaus + Carmel Market + Falafel HaKosem + dinner at M25 10h
The city-core essentials in one afternoon and evening.
Cost: ₪400-800 TIP: An easy first day.
Meal Recommendations
Dinner
M25 (Michelin-level)
Carmel Market · ₪300-600
A celebration-worthy table.
Train + walking.
DAY 1 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Jaffa + Abu Hassan + The Setai
JaffaActivities
- 08:00 Abu Hassan (since 1959) + Jaffa Old City + Dr. Shakshuka 8h
Hummus, the old port, and shakshuka.
Cost: ₪200-400 TIP: Go early to beat the queues. - 20:30 Dinner at The Setai Tel Aviv (honeymoon favorite) 2.5h
World-class dining facing Jaffa.
Cost: ₪500-1,000 TIP: Reserve ahead.
Meal Recommendations
Breakfast
Abu Hassan
Jaffa · ₪25-50
The city's best hummus.
Lunch
Dr. Shakshuka
Jaffa · ₪50-80
A top shakshuka.
Dinner
The Setai
Jaffa · ₪500-1,000
A honeymoon table.
Walking + Uber.
DAY 2 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Sarona + OCD (Michelin-level)
Michelin-levelActivities
- 09:00 Sarona + Park HaYarkon + the beach 10h
A relaxed central day.
Cost: ₪200-500 TIP: Easy pacing. - 20:00 OCD (Michelin-level) 3h
Chef Raz Rahav's nine-course tasting menu.
Cost: ₪800-1,200 TIP: Reserve a month+ ahead.
Meal Recommendations
Lunch
Miznon by Eyal Shani
King George · ₪40-80
Pita and roasted cauliflower.
Dinner
OCD (Michelin-level)
Allenby · ₪800-1,200
The top special-occasion table.
Walking.
DAY 3 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Jerusalem by high-speed train (30 min) + the UNESCO Old City
JerusalemActivities
- 07:00 Tel Aviv → Jerusalem high-speed train, 30 min, ₪22 (opened 2018) 30 min
The fastest way to Jerusalem.
Cost: ₪22 ($6) TIP: The high-speed train is fastest. - 09:00 The UNESCO Old City + the Western Wall + the Church of the Holy Sepulchre + the Dome of the Rock 5h
Jerusalem's Old City — the ancient and religious heart, hugely photogenic.
Cost: ₪50-150 (guide recommended) TIP: Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their heads. - 15:00 Yad Vashem (the Holocaust museum) + the Mahane Yehuda Market 4h
Yad Vashem and the lively Mahane Yehuda Market.
Cost: Free (Yad Vashem) + ₪80 TIP: Allow plenty of time at Yad Vashem. - 20:00 Mamilla Mall + the King David Hotel (since 1931, heritage) 2h
The King David Hotel, opened 1931 — a heritage landmark.
Cost: ₪200-500 TIP: Worth a look even for a drink. - 22:30 Jerusalem → Tel Aviv high-speed train, 30 min 30 min
Back to the coast.
Cost: ₪22 TIP: The high-speed train.
Meal Recommendations
Breakfast
Early at the hotel or on the train
En route · ₪50-100
An early start.
Lunch
Mahane Yehuda Market or the Old City
Jerusalem · ₪80-200
Lively and authentic.
Dinner
Mamilla or the King David Hotel
Jerusalem · ₪200-500
A heritage setting.
High-speed train + walking.
DAY 4 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Dead Sea + Masada at sunrise + departure
Dead Sea + departureActivities
- 04:00 Tel Aviv → Masada (2 hours by car) — sunrise climb, UNESCO, about ₪75 5h
Masada (UNESCO) at sunrise — hugely photogenic.
Cost: ₪75 + car ₪400 ($128) TIP: A guided day tour is easiest. - 10:00 Dead Sea floating + mud — sea level -430m, about ₪50-150 4h
The Dead Sea, sea level -430m — a honeymoon favorite, hugely photogenic.
Cost: ₪50-150 ($14-41) TIP: Swimsuit + mud + strong sun protection. - 16:00 Back to Tel Aviv + last shopping + Sarona Market 3h
Return and final souvenirs.
Cost: ₪100-300 TIP: Pick up gifts. - 21:00 TLV → departure (14-18 hours from East Asia) 14-18h
Departure.
Cost: Included TIP: Connections via Istanbul, Dubai, or Doha.
Meal Recommendations
Breakfast
Packed for Masada
Masada · ₪50-100
An early start.
Lunch
Dead Sea hotel or local
Dead Sea · ₪100-300
Refuel after floating.
Dinner
In-flight
En route · Included
Departure.
Car + flight.
DAY 5 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Book Tel Aviv Tours & Tickets
Packing Checklist
- ✓ Five days: the city core + Jerusalem + the Dead Sea + Masada
- ✓ Mar-May and Sep-Nov: short sleeves + a jacket; an early start for Masada
- ✓ Passport (visa-free 90 days for many passports)
- ✓ Cash ₪1,000-2,500
- ✓ Type C / H 230V outlets
- ✓ Travel insurance — essential for Masada and the Dead Sea
- ✓ Cover shoulders/knees at the Western Wall; trekking gear for Masada; free dress at the beach
- ✓ Swimsuit + trekking shoes + sunscreen
Tel Aviv 5-Day Itinerary FAQ
Tel Aviv + Jerusalem + Dead Sea in five days? ▼
Is Jerusalem's Old City worth it? ▼
Masada sunrise + the Dead Sea? ▼
The King David Hotel (since 1931)? ▼
Is Yad Vashem worth it? ▼
Can I add Petra? ▼
What's Shabbat? ▼
Insurance and safety? ▼
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Why you can trust 5-day itinerary
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.