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Home/Destinations/Middle East/Israel/Culture & Traditions
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Culture & Traditions

Experience Israel's diverse culture, from informal customs to sacred traditions.

Israelis tend to be quite informal. This is expressed in the dress code of the country which is very casual. The exception is when visiting religious sites. In these instances, modest attire is required. More upscale restaurants and nightclubs may require smarter dress. When visiting a home, normal courtesies should be observed. The expression shalom (peace) is often used for hello and goodbye interchangeably.

The Shabbat (Saturday) forbids smoking in certain restaurants and many hotels. This is always very well-marked and indicated, therefore, to ignore this would be considered very rude to Orthodox Jews.

Hebrew is the official language in Israel while Arabic is used officially for the Arab population. English is the most widely spoken foreign language due to the fact that it is a compulsory school subject.

The majority of the people in Israel are Jewish making up approximately 80% of the population. A further 18% of the population is Muslim, while the remaining population belongs to Christian and Druze minorities.

 

Featured Israel Trip Ideas

Israel Travel Packages
Luxor
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Ancient Treasures of Israel, Egypt & Jordan

Cairo, Pyramids of Giza, Nile River, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Wadi Rum, Petra, Dead Sea, Amman, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv
Journey through the heart of the Middle East, where ancient history meets modern life. Marvel at the pyramids, cruise the Nile, and explore Petra's stunning cliffs.
22 days
From US$5,136/p.p.
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Escorted Tours

The Western Wall and Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem
+1

Experience Israel: Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem

Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
Step into a tapestry of faith and history woven through Israel’s landscapes. From ancient ruins to Tel Aviv, each moment invites reflection and wonder.
8 days
From US$2,744/p.p.
Request a Quote
The Tower of David, Jerusalem
+1

Signature Jerusalem & Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Venture into the heart of Israel, where Jerusalem’s ancient stones whisper tales of faith and history. This enriching trip melds sacred sites with Tel Aviv.
6 days
From US$4,629/p.p.
Request a Quote

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Bijal and Martin (tour guide in Kenya) made this the trip of a lifetime. I felt safe every minute of the trip. I did not care for the travel from the Serengeti to Ngorogoro Crater. I felt the last hotel was too far from the crater i was exhausted not wanted to travel to the crater. The travel was absolutely brutal for 6 hoursKathie Becker
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