Summary
- Free Tours in Israel: Explore thousands of free guided tours available across Israel.
- COVID-19 Guidelines: Updated travel requirements for international tourists.
- Accessibility Initiatives: Improvements being made for visitors with disabilities in Jerusalem.
Israel is offering thousands of free tours throughout the country, extending rich experiences for visitors without breaking the bank. More than 1,800 free tours will be offered every day of the week in both cities and throughout Israel’s national parks, according to the ministry. Tours can be booked on the country’s Nature and Parks Authority website.
“With the country recently reopening to international travelers, we’re happy to welcome visitors back to Israel and provide them with the best experience possible,” Eyal Carlin, the tourism commissioner for North America, said in a statement. “The guided tours are a fun, educational—and free—way to explore our beautiful country.”
The tours were originally created by the government during the pandemic as a way to assist out-of-work tour guides but were mainly available in Hebrew. Consequently, the government will soon open up the program to provide tours in English, Russian, French, and Arabic.
Travelers will be able to embark on tours of Caesarea National Park to learn about King Herod, for example, or explore Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Boulevard, where they can discover significant milestones in Israel’s history.
How Jerusalem Is Becoming More Accessible to Visitors With Disabilities
Israel started welcoming tourists back to the country in January after temporarily closing its border due to the emergence of the omicron variant.
Vaccinated international tourists must show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours or a negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours before their flight. They will also be required to undergo another PCR test upon arrival, according to the Ministry of Health. Alternatively, travelers who contracted COVID-19 and recovered within three months can present proof of that instead of a PCR test.
Israel mandates that travelers have received a booster shot if 180 days have passed since their initial vaccine series. Additionally, travelers must complete an entry statement form within 48 hours of their departure.
Regarding domestic travel, Israel has also dropped the need to show its “green pass” (digital proof of vaccination) to enter places such as restaurants and tourist attractions. Now, the pass will only be required for venues where the risk of infection is increased, like event halls and clubs.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies Israel as a “Level 4” country, warning Americans to “avoid” traveling there due to “very high” levels of COVID-19 transmission.
Alison Fox is a contributing writer for iBestTravel. When she’s not in New York City, she enjoys spending her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
