Travel advisory · IsraelSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Israel.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Area within 10 km of the Gaza Strip · avoid all travel · Canada, US
- Gaza envelope (area around the Gaza Strip) · avoid all travel · Germany, France, Ireland, Italy
- Gaza Strip · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand, UK, US
- Golan Heights · avoid all travel · France, Ireland, New Zealand
- Lebanon border within 5 km · avoid all travel · Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand
- Northern Golan Heights · avoid all travel · Italy, UK
- Northern Israel north of Route 85 · avoid all travel · Germany, UK, US
- West Bank · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, New Zealand, US
- Jerusalem · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France
Also named by one government: Gaza border strip within 500 m (UK), Ghajja (UK), Golan Heights east of Highway 98 bordering Syria (Canada), Golan Heights within 500 m of the Alpha line (UK), Israel-Egypt border within 2.4 km (US), Jenin Governorate (UK), Occupied Palestinian Territories (New Zealand), Sheba'a Farms (UK), Tubas Governorate (except Route 90) (UK), Tulkarm Governorate (UK), Border with the Occupied Palestinian Territories within 5 km (New Zealand), Desert areas bordering Sinai (Italy), Route 12 (Italy), West Bank (rest, with exceptions) (UK)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider Travel | Oct 23, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel to Israel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Von Reisen wird abgeraten (regional advisories) | Oct 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | déconseillé sauf raison impérative | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Nazareth
Nazareth is worth a visit for the churches linked to the Annunciation and for the Old City market and its walkable lanes.
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Nazareth is a city in northern Israel, in the Lower Galilee, on hills above the Jezreel Valley. It is the largest Arab city in Israel and the town the Gospels describe as Jesus's childhood home, so most visitors come for the religious sites. The Basilica of the Annunciation, a large Catholic church, is the best known. Nearby, the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel sits over a spring called Mary's Well.
Beyond the churches, the Old City has a market with shops and places to eat, and Nazareth Village rebuilds a first-century farming village. Nazareth suits a day trip or a short stay, with a base for the Sea of Galilee and Mount Tabor. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, when days are warm without being hot. Plan one full day in town, and add a second for the lake.
Nazareth in five
- Get an ETA-IL before you flyMany visitors need an ETA-IL, applied for online before boarding, and some passports need a full visa. Check your passport on the official gov.il page before you book.Visas and entry
- Plan Friday and Saturday around ShabbatFrom Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, public buses do not run. Arrive by Thursday or book a taxi for those days.
- Cover shoulders and knees at the churchesThe Basilica of the Annunciation and the other churches in the Old City ask for modest dress. Carry a light scarf so you can cover up quickly.
- Set up data before you walk the Old CityThe Old City's lanes are narrow, so offline maps help you find your way. Buy an eSIM or a local SIM before you arrive, so you can save offline maps and check bus times.Phones and eSIM
- Carry shekels for the soukCards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but many market stalls and small shops take cash only. Get shekels at an ATM in the city center or at the airport before you walk the souk.Money and costs
Need to know
- Currency
- Israeli new shekel (ILS)
- Entry
- Many visa-exempt visitors need an ETA-IL; check the list for your passport Read more
- Emergency
- 100 police, 101 ambulance, 102 fire
- Tipping
- 10 to 15 percent at restaurants is usual; check for a service charge
- Time
- UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer with daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCold, rainy
- FebruaryRainy, cool
- MarchMild, green
- AprilMild, Easter busy
- MayWarm, clear
- JuneHot, dry
- JulyHot, dry
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberWarm, clear
- OctoberMild, clear
- NovemberCool, rain returns
- DecemberCool, Christmas
Right now in Nazareth
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 47%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Nazareth
11:57 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°17°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue26°18°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed24°17°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu21°16°23%Thursday: Rain. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Fri19°15°78%Friday: Rain. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Sat18°14°71%Saturday: Rain. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sun21°12°54%Sunday: Fog. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 54%.
Updated 10:01 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3.14 ILS
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Sepphoris (Zippori)about 15 min by carA Roman-era city with mosaic floors, a short drive from Nazareth.
- Cana (Kafr Kanna)about 20 min by carThe village tied to the wedding at Cana, with churches and a small center.
- Mount Taborabout 30 min by carA hilltop with a church on the summit and wide views over the Jezreel Valley.
- Tiberiasabout 45 min by carA lakeside town on the Sea of Galilee, with boat trips and waterfront walks.
Before you go to Nazareth
Rules for Nazareth, checked
- Many visitors need an ETA-IL before flying to Israel. Check eligibility and the application form on gov.il before you buy a ticket.Source
- Public buses do not run from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening for Shabbat. Check your onward transport before you plan a weekend day.
- Dress modestly at churches and mosques, and follow posted rules on photography inside holy sites.
- Check the current customs allowances and cash declaration rules with Israel Customs before you travel.
- Check your government's travel advisory for Israel and the region before booking, since conditions can change quickly.
Plan around Nazareth
Entry, regions and the rules that apply across the whole country
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs an ETA-IL or visa, and how to apply
Read the guideGetting aroundLocal buses, taxis and how Shabbat affects travel
Read the guideMoney and costsShekels, cards, tipping and typical daily prices
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in the Old City and the hills above the town
Read the guideDay trips from NazarethTours and tickets for the Galilee sites nearby
Read the guideNazareth FAQ
How many days do you need in Nazareth?
One full day covers the Old City, the Basilica of the Annunciation and Nazareth Village. A second day works for the Galilee sites nearby, such as Sepphoris and Mount Tabor.
Is Nazareth worth visiting as a day trip from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?
Yes, if you want the Christian sites and the Galilee. Both cities are about two hours away by road, which leaves little time in the Old City, so an overnight stay works better.
When is the best time to visit Nazareth?
Spring and autumn suit walking the Old City and the hills. Summer is hot and dry, and Easter and Christmas bring heavy pilgrim traffic and busy hotels.
Do you need a car in Nazareth?
Not for the Old City, which is walkable, and buses and taxis cover the town. A car helps if you want to reach the smaller Galilee villages on your own schedule.
Is Nazareth safe for tourists?
Visitors usually stay in the Old City and the church areas. Stay alert at night, as in any city, and keep valuables out of parked cars.
What is the main sight in Nazareth?
The Basilica of the Annunciation is the best-known church in the town and the usual first stop. Mary's Well is nearby in the Old City, so you can see both on foot.