Your Summer Guide in Israel
Ready to enjoy the summer in Israel? First get ready to sweat. Then, slather on your sunscreen, grab your two massive water bottles, and experience the summer like a local. Here’s your guide to enjoying the summer in Israel.
Become a regular at the beach
Best way to survive the heat? Pack your tote and escape to the beach. Go for a dip, ride the waves, or park your plastic chair right on the shore. Once you’ve had your fill, take a break by building your muscles at Frishman Beach’s outdoor gym, covering yourself with mud at the Dead Sea, or collecting rocks at the Red Sea. Just watch out for those matcot (paddleball) players! When you’re ready to head home, spend a few minutes rinsing off your feet and shaking out your towels. But no matter how hard you try to rid yourself of every little grain, you won’t. Embrace the sand. If you’re lucky enough to be at the beach more than once this summer, it will be your constant companion.
Cool down with a cold drink
Israel might be all about the cafe culture, but when summer hits, get ready to replace your hot espresso or cafe hafuch with an ice cafe. Just keep in mind: ice cafes are those slushy, sugary drinks with a hint of coffee flavor. Did you mean to order an American ice coffee? That’s what we call a cafe kar! Not a big coffee drinker? Unwrap a frozen Krembo. Whether you eat the cookie or cream part first, it will be sure to cool you off. And of course, don’t forget to try Israel’s many innovative ice cream flavors, from watermelon and feta to hummus. Or just order a chocolate gelato. You can’t go wrong with that.
Go on a water hike
Start breaking in your Tevas now–unless you do everything in your Crocs. Head to the Galilee for tiyulim that combine both Israel’s natural beauty and its glorious water. At Nahal Kziv, you’ll pass a Crusader fortress and admire the stunning green hills. Then, just when you’re starting to feel a little faint, you’ll find yourself approaching a refreshing stream. Go on, get your feet wet. Looking for a bit more water? Head to Ein Gedi, where you’ll stand under the waterfalls and feel the crisp water pummel your back, or to the Jordan River Valley, for some intense rafting. Just be sure to hold on tight!
Celebrate at a summer festival
With no rain on the horizon, summers are the time when art, music and dance festivals pop up throughout Israel. In Jerusalem, Hutzot Hayotzer Festival takes place in the Sultan’s Pool–a historic valley just a stone’s throw from the Old City–and brings together dozens of artists to showcase their crafts. Nightly concerts feature some of Israel’s greatest musicians, their beautiful tunes resounding off of the Old City’s walls. Another great Jerusalem festival that’s perfect for kids is the Israel Museum’s Kite Flying Festival. Grab your kite and don’t be afraid to show off your skills. When the wind dies down, stay for the musical parade of puppets! Looking to escape the city? Check out the Karmiel Dance Festival, where 5,000 Israeli and international dancers will take part in 120 performances, or the Masada Opera Festival, which will feature the dramatic Tosca this June.
Splash around in a water park or pool
The best way to deal with the summer heat is to spend the season getting soaked. Head to Kibbutz Shefayim’s water park, with 22 slides, including the fast-paced Kamikaze and Storm slides, as well as Caribbean World, which features fountains, life-like figurines, and shallow water pools that are perfect for toddlers. Or spend your day at Tel Aviv’s Gordon Pool, competing with talented swimmers doing the butterfly stroke across the Olympic-sized pool. If you’re not tired out by the time you leave, join the Israeli dancing right next to Gordon Beach. But brush up your skills before you go. This is not the place for amateurs!
Escape the heat
When you’ve had enough of the sun, find a place that has the air conditioning on high. One great venue that more than fits in the bill is ISkate, Tel Aviv’s ice skating rink. Be sure to pack your gloves and sweaters. You’ll be chilly in no time. If you’re looking to spend your day doing something meaningful, sign up to volunteer. Serve food at a soup kitchen or assemble packages for Israeli soldiers.
Take your kids to work
Most Israeli children don’t attend summer-long sleepaway camps. Instead, they fill their summers with different sports and arts and craft chugim or one-week kaytanot (mini camps). If you’re in a crunch finding something for your kids to do in between activities, don’t worry. Many Israeli companies are very family-oriented and won’t mind if your kids come to work with you every now and then. Some startups even run their own camps for employees’ kids!
