Israel Coast, Galilee, and Dead Sea Loop
Head north along the coast from Tel Aviv, pass through the Sea of Galilee, head south to the Dead Sea, and finish in Jerusalem.
The most common clockwise loop for first-time visitors, covering cities, coasts, lakes, deserts, and the Holy City, with stays of two or more nights at three main bases. Road tripping is easiest for the middle section, though transit days can be long, and Masada requires an early morning climb. To avoid risks near the Lebanese border, Rosh HaNikra, Safed, and the Golan Heights are omitted, with the northern route ending at Acre.
The Dead Sea and Jerusalem are very hot from June to September; the Snake Path may close due to high temperatures.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Tel Aviv, Explore Jaffa in the Evening
Tel Aviv-Yafo（Old Jaffa、Jaffa Port）
Take a train from the airport to the city center (approx. 30 mins); walk or take a taxi to Jaffa in the afternoon.
Stay: Rothschild Boulevard & City Centre
Day 2 · White City Architecture and Beach Promenade
Tel Aviv-Yafo（White City (Bauhaus)、Rothschild Boulevard、Carmel Market、Tel Aviv Promenade (Tayelet)）
Mainly walking; the White City, markets, and the beach are all within 2 to 3 km.
Carmel Market closes early on Friday afternoon and is closed on Saturday.
Stay: Rothschild Boulevard & City Centre
Day 3 · Caesarea to Haifa
Haifa（Caesarea National Park、Bahá'í Gardens & Shrine of the Báb、German Colony）
Pick up your car and head north on Highway 2; about 1 hour to Caesarea, and another hour to Haifa.
Guided tours of the Bahá'í Gardens require reservations and close on holy days; check the official website before departing.
Stay: German Colony
Day 4 · Acre Old City to Nazareth
Haifa（Old City of Acre、Knights' Halls (Hospitaller Fortress)） → Nazareth & Galilee（Basilica of the Annunciation、Nazareth Old City Market）
About 30 mins from Haifa to Acre, 1 hour to Nazareth, and 40 mins to Tiberias.
Areas north of Acre are close to the Lebanese border; do not continue further north.
Stay: Tiberias
Day 5 · Sea of Galilee Northwest Shore
Nazareth & Galilee（Mount of Beatitudes、Tabgha (Church of the Multiplication & Primacy of St. Peter)、Capernaum、Sea of Galilee Boat Ride & Ancient Galilee Boat (Ginosar)、Magdala）
Based in Tiberias, drive along the west shore of the lake; approx. 25 km one way.
Capernaum is close to travel warning zones; do not continue northeast along Highway 87.
Stay: Tiberias
Day 6 · Beit She'an Old City South to the Dead Sea
Nazareth & Galilee（Beit She'an National Park） → Dead Sea (Israel) & Masada（Ein Bokek Beach）
Head south along Highway 90, approx. 250 km in total, about 3.5 hours net driving time.
Parts of Highway 90 pass through the West Bank; stick to the main road and do not enter Palestinian towns.
Stay: Ein Bokek
Day 7 · Masada Sunrise and Ein Gedi
Dead Sea (Israel) & Masada（Masada National Park、Ein Gedi Nature Reserve）
About 20 mins from Ein Bokek to Masada, 20 mins to Ein Gedi, and 1.5 hours to Jerusalem.
Reservations are required for both Masada and Ein Gedi; Ein Gedi stops admitting visitors early in the morning. Return your rental car upon arrival in the city.
Stay: Old City
Day 8 · Full Day in Jerusalem Old City
Jerusalem（Jaffa Gate & Ramparts Walk、Western Wall、Jewish Quarter & Cardo、Via Dolorosa、Church of the Holy Sepulchre）
Entirely on foot within the Old City; the cobblestone streets have many slopes, so slip-resistant shoes are recommended.
Modest dress (covering shoulders and knees) is required at religious sites; the Old City may face temporary restrictions during times of tension.
Stay: Old City
Day 9 · Mount of Olives, New City, and Departure
Jerusalem（Mount of Olives、Gethsemane & Church of All Nations、Yad Vashem）
Take a taxi to the Mount of Olives and Yad Vashem; take the high-speed train to the airport in the afternoon (approx. 30 mins).
Yad Vashem is closed on Saturdays and closes early on Fridays; the high-speed train stops running on Friday afternoons.