Reviews from tourists: is it possible to swim in the sea in Israel in January. Israel. Weather by month, water temperature. Dead, Red, Mediterranean Sea, Elite, Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Netanya Ski resorts in Israel

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Reviews from tourists: is it possible to swim in the sea in Israel in January

The first month of the year in Russia is snow and frost, cloudy weather and winds. And I really want warmth and the sea... where should I go? Many tourists go to Israel to spend the New Year holidays there and enjoy the sun and warmth. But before you fly to the sacred land, it’s worth finding out whether it’s possible to swim in the sea in Israel in January? To do this, you should study the weather in the region and only then make a decision about travel. Let's start with the fact that January is the wettest month in Israel. It is also the coldest month of the year. So you should think twice about it if you are planning to sunbathe on the beach and swim in the sea.

And so, when going to Israel in January, you should remember that there is a lot of rain here. Of course, there are not as many of them here as in the tropics during the rainy season, but they are there.
Eilat is the country's main beach resort. In January there is not as much rain here as in other cities of the country, but swimming is still almost impossible. The daytime temperature almost does not exceed +20 degrees and only a couple of days a month can be around +28 degrees. The nights here are completely cold, and in the morning the temperature drops to +4 +6 degrees. There are almost no people who want to watch the sunrise, as well as people who want to watch the sunset.

Tel Aviv is a city that is visited both for a beach holiday and for sightseeing. And if you don’t have any problems with the second one, then you won’t be able to swim in the sea in the middle of winter. Firstly, it often rains here. If there are about 4-5 completely rainy days, then in total it can rain more than twenty times a month. Secondly, the weather during the day is clearly not conducive to swimming. The temperature rises to only +17 degrees. Thirdly, this month the cloudiness here is very high. More than 25% of the total daytime time in the month is clouds and clouds in the sky.

The warmest sea in January in Israel is in Jerusalem. The water in it is heated to +22 degrees. Of course, you can go into the water and swim, but getting out of it will not be very easy. During the day, the thermometer almost never rises above +15 degrees. Therefore, you will be warm and comfortable in the water, but it will be difficult to get out of the sea: you will immediately freeze and you will be very uncomfortable.

Advantages: warm, cheap, beautiful sea, subtropics, coral reefs, attractions, spa treatments

Disadvantages: no

Do you want an unforgettable winter holiday? Then feel free to go to Israel in January for new experiences. And in no case should you be upset that the winter holidays will be in the Holy Land. The Holy Land has prepared many surprises for tourists, including in January.

Many tourists choose Israel in winter, claiming that it is one of the most attractive places on the planet.

January in Israel is the coldest month of the year, but this is only according to the locals, who are spoiled by warm weather all year round. Whereas for Russian tourists, the weather and air temperature in January are close to September in Russia.

Therefore, the air temperature, for example, in Eilat, in the southern city of the country in January reaches +21 degrees. Therefore, you must agree, it’s always nice to return to the velvet season during the severe Epiphany frosts and forget for a while about snowfall and dreams of hot tea and a warm blanket.

The most successful coastal resort, Eilat, is ideal for waiting out the winter. There is always very little precipitation here, 4 mm. This is 2 days. But the water temperature is on average +22 degrees. An excellent indicator.

There is a subtropical climate and the air temperature in January is +18.

Jerusalem. The capital of Israel is inferior to Eilat and Tel Aviv; here the air temperature during the day reaches +12 degrees.

Haifa +16 degrees during the day in January. Agree, not bad.

Jerusalem has the highest humidity in January.

January is ideal for those vacationers who want to take a break from the crowded atmosphere and constant queues at historical and religious places, as well as for those who do not tolerate hot summer days and constant dust storms during the day. The holidays are behind us, which means you can relax in a relaxed atmosphere and take your time.

If you are vacationing in Jerusalem in January, then be prepared for rain, including torrential rain. But they will not spoil your holiday, because soon everything will turn green like spring.

And although in January there is very little sun and strong winds blow, there will always be that tourist who desperately wants to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. The water cools to +18 degrees on average. In addition, large waves are frequent. The exception is the Dead Sea. It is several degrees warmer, the average temperature is +20 degrees.

And in Eilat, thanks to warm deep-sea currents, the water temperature here is +22 degrees.
Therefore, you can swim off the coast in January in Eilat. There are practically no strong winds here, so you can not only swim in the sea, but also go scuba diving.

If you go scuba diving, your delight will know no bounds from what you see. You will see the most beautiful coral reef in the world, which is home to a variety of marine life. Rugged landscapes, gorges and colorful fish.

If the weather permits, be sure to go to the Negev Desert and see with your own eyes the place where Jews lived several centuries ago.

This is a very popular tourist site. It is the capital of the desert, Be'er Sheva.

If you are a shopaholic, then you will definitely need to visit the Diamond Exchange. This place is notable for the fact that multi-million dollar transactions take place here every day. Gather all your willpower and come here. You risk spending all your money here, so if possible, don’t take all your money, since you can spend 5000-10000 dollars here on a small ring, if, of course, you have that kind of money.

In mid-winter, the cost of spa treatments is significantly lower than during the swimming season. Therefore, for health and positive emotions, go to the Dead Sea.

Video review

Eilat is the southernmost city in Israel, which is why we chose to spend the longest stay here during our New Year holidays. Out of 7 days in Eilat, only 2 days were cool and windy, the remaining 5 we enjoyed the weather of +24-+25 degrees and a beach holiday.

The water temperature in the Red Sea is from +20 to +22 degrees Celsius. It’s very invigorating, so if you like to swim longer, it’s better to go to warmer countries in January.

In general, the weather is not stable and you will have to rest according to the principle of “as you’re lucky.” Even if you sunbathe and swim during the day, take a light autumn jacket for the evening. After sunset (approximately 17:00), the air temperature drops sharply and the wind increases.

Eilat borders Egypt and Jordan.

Crossing the border here and traveling even further is a great option. You can get to the Border with Egypt in less than an hour, for example, by regular city bus 15.

Eilat is a duty free zone. That’s why even locals shop here, not to mention tourists. But you won’t be able to get Tax Free. There are good sales and discounts in January. This is where we bought Israeli cosmetics. In all stores the prices are approximately the same, but still, before you decide to buy (if there is a large volume, you can get a discount), walk through all the stores and ask the price.

The city of Eilat is very small, in the center, almost immediately by the sea, there is an Airport. Taxi is cheap 25-30 shekels for a trip around the city. But there may be a surcharge if there are more than 2 people and you have a lot of luggage. The difference is not significant and, to be honest, it is not worth going into it too much.

Also, just two and a half hours drive from Eilat is the Dead Sea and you can easily take an excursion or go there on your own by bus ( you can find out about my vacation at the Dead Sea here .)

What is interesting about a holiday in Eilat?

I was on holiday in Eilat in January 2016 with my parents. We flew to Tel Aviv Airport and first drove to Jerusalem, and then, on bus 444, which runs to Eilat several times a day, we reached the southernmost city of Israel. (You can find out more about our journey from Tel Aviv to Eilat here...)

When choosing housing, the entire city can be conditionally divided into 2 parts: the one by the sea, and the rest, located a little higher on the hill. Therefore, when choosing an accommodation facility on the map, take this factor into account. We had the opportunity to live both there and there.

The first Rich Luxury Suites were located on Mt. Accordingly, among the advantages we received: a low price and an inexpensive supermarket around the corner.

The more expensive apartments of the same chain, Rich Royal Suites Eilat, are located closer to the sea and very original, right opposite the airport.

We were pleased with our stay in both apartments.

The city of Eilat did not leave any strong impressions on me personally. The most interesting thing is probably the planes flying overhead right above the beach.

A pleasant promenade is only on the coastline near expensive hotels.

These are probably the best views.

I really liked the tangerine trees growing on the balconies.

In Eilat we had mainly a beach holiday. Comfortable temperature for sunbathing and swimming is from approximately 10:00-11:00 in the morning until 17:00 in the evening. Sun loungers and umbrellas, changing cabins, are everywhere along the entire beach strip. The cost of a sunbed is 12 shekels. The sea in Eilat is clean, you can swim without special shoes, there are almost no fish or corals.

To look at them, we went on the above bus 15 to the coral beach. The fare is 6.90 shekels. We got off at the next stop after Dolphin Reef, under the sign of Coral Beach Club.

This beach is less suitable for the average tourist, due to the inconvenient entrance; it is best to take swimming slippers with you. There are umbrellas and sun loungers for rent, but there are almost no hotels nearby.

But many dive clubs will delight lovers of the underwater world.

Moreover, for these services, even with the price for a Russian tourist almost doubling, it seemed to me quite adequate.

There is information in Russian.

Near the shore there are a little more living creatures and corals than on the city beach, but there is nothing special to see there. Pay attention to places like:

Neptune's Tables, Dolphin Reef, Satil Wreck, Paradise Reef, Yatush, Eel Garden, Coral Beach Nature Reserve, Japanese Gardens , Lighthouse Reef, The Caves In general, the price list suggests going to some of them.

But I postponed diving until a warmer season.

From the beach we walked along the highway to the Dolphin Reef stop. We came to check out the information.

Just relax on this beautiful artificially created beach with palm trees -67 shekels. You pay for the SPA -339 shekels (time spent in the SPA is 2 hours) and spend the rest of the time on the beach for free, if you arrive in the morning, you have free breakfast, including, as I understand, champagne and wine, which is also included in the price.

The SPA has 3 swimming pools: warm with sea water, with music and a regular fresh one, as well as baths. You can pay extra for an instructor who will teach you how to properly relax in the pool with music.

The same thing, if you decide to swim with dolphins for 290 shekels, you get the rest of the day at the beach for free.

I’m not a fan of such entertainment with animals, but there is information about this dolphinarium that dolphins live in natural conditions in the bay and if they don’t want to swim with you, then excuse me, they won’t force you.

Again, due to the temperature conditions, we decided to postpone this attraction until a better time and headed back to the city center. Please note that bus number 15 goes back with number 16.

There is also an underwater observatory in Eilat, for those who want to do without extreme diving and admire the local inhabitants of the underwater world.

Perhaps we missed something else while vacationing in Eilat, but this is just a reason to return there again.

The visit to Israel was planned for a purposeful purpose. Religious tour guide. I didn’t plan a beach resort vacation; I went in January.

What weather to expect in January

Israel was greeted by the morning cool. I knew it was winter on the calendar, but I was expecting warmer weather. My ears were frozen in my baseball cap. During the day the sun warmed up and it became more fun. I didn't have to take out my winter hat. The next week showed: I grabbed the sunglasses correctly. The thermometer showed 18 degrees, the sun was peeking through the clouds. If you fly in January, take clothes from Russian September.

Jerusalem tourist

For any believer, a trip to Jerusalem is special.

Enough has been said about spiritual values ​​and details of the most important excursion of the Christian world. I want to tell you what bothered me. Before leaving for Israel, I was mentally attuned to an introverted, serious wave. It was not possible to concentrate on religious values. The Path of Christ became its apogee. A narrow street, bounded on both sides by walls. A huge number of excursion groups, mostly Japanese (what are they doing here en masse?!), tried to get between us with loud shouts, emotional explanations, and running up in crowds to photograph any significant inscription. The main dissonant impression is the market. Merchants stand along the Path, narrowing the small passage. They sell everything. I especially remember tomatoes and strawberries; the illicit fruits were lying right under my feet, I was afraid of stepping or slipping. Sacred thoughts gradually disappeared.

When planning a trip like this, don’t be surprised:

• market on the Way;
• chaotic excursion groups;
• flash photography where prohibited;
• just dirt (I remember the clean postcard Vatican).

The place is holy, great. Not a landmark, much more significant, more important. I would like more respect for the shrine.

There are a considerable number of tourists in the world who believe that a January holiday in Israel, despite the rains, is incomparable. They book a hotel, buy plane tickets and spend their winter holidays in this country with great interest. Tour-Calendar will try to figure out what a trip to the Holy Land in the dead of winter might promise.

Weather in Israel in January

January in Israel is considered the coldest and rainiest month of the year. However, the definition of “cold” is closer to locals than to tourists. For Russians, the weather prevailing during this period of time is akin to that in the central regions of Russia in mid-September. Agree, returning to your velvet season in the middle of a fierce snowy winter is a great luxury, and also affordable (which will be discussed at the very end of the article). The warmest place, as always, is in Eilat, located in the south of the country. It may still be chilly in the morning, but by lunchtime the air usually warms up to +21 °C. However, at night, due to the wide range of temperatures inherent in the city, it becomes very cold - on average +10 °C. Nevertheless, this is the most favorable coastal resort for recreation, because the amount of precipitation in January does not exceed 4 mm, which is the equivalent of about 2 stormy days. Despite the mild subtropical climate, cities located on the Mediterranean Sea can be a little chilly. During the day in Netanya and Tel Aviv it is recorded around +18 °C, and after sunset the environment cools down to +10 °C. In the northern resort of Haifa, daily fluctuations in the thermometer range from + 11 °C to +16 °C.

Jerusalem Tel Aviv Haifa Eilat

However, the point is not only in temperature indicators, but also in the amount of precipitation, which reaches its maximum in January, and in the level of air humidity (usually increasing in the evening), which affects the general perception of weather conditions. The northern and central parts of Israel are the rainiest. For example, in Eilat at least 15 days are expected, marked by precipitation, in Tel Aviv this period is reduced to 11 days, Jerusalem is limited to 10 days (in the evening the air here cools to +6 °C), and in the Dead Sea resorts there are only 8 of them However, it should be understood that the nature of the January weather is quite changeable and no one can give a guarantee that there will be as many rainy days as indicated. Sometimes in the north the rains turn into daily or prolonged downpours that cover almost the entire month. It’s as if the heavens are being torn apart, and no one can patch up this “hole.” In the south, on the contrary, the weather tends to present surprises in the form of windless sunny days, when it is quite possible to put on a swimsuit and go to the beach.

What to do in Israel in January?

Israel is good at any time of the year. In particular, in January, a holiday here will be appreciated by those who cannot tolerate two things: days exhausted by hot weather and dust storms, as well as the general tourist rush, manifested in huge queues to religious and historical monuments. The holiday bustle is already behind us, which means you can enjoy a calm and measured holiday. And the joy received from this cannot be overshadowed even by the heaviest downpours, which nature is very happy about: the soil, abundantly absorbing moisture, responds with a riot of lush greenery. So sightseeing can be combined with pleasant contemplation of out-of-season spring landscapes.

Beach holiday

In order to go swimming in the Mediterranean Sea of ​​Israel in January, you need to be either a strong original or a real Siberian who doesn’t care about anything, given the fact that in January there is already very little sun, and most of the days are marked by windy, cloudy weather.

In addition, the water cools to an average of +18 °C (the only exception is the northern resort of Haifa with +17 °C), and large waves often arise. The Dead Sea in January is somewhat warmer, however, the water is very invigorating - no more than +20 °C. Of course, Eilat remains the leader among resort destinations in January with +22 °C. The water off the coast does not cool below this level due to the deep-sea warm current.

There are no strong winds in the Gulf of Eilat, so the most popular activity here is not swimming, but scuba diving. Those who are partial to the “kingdom of Neptune” will encounter kilometers of the most beautiful coral reef in the world, which is home to many species of marine life, landscapes rugged with grottoes and gorges, and, if desired, underwater photography with colorful fish.

Entertainment and excursions

If the weather permits, be sure to go to the Negev Desert, which clearly demonstrates where Jews lived several centuries ago and what was on the site of modern Israel. Do not hesitate to visit the nearby authentic cities of Ashkelon and Ofakim, and then stop by the capital of the desert, Beer Sheva, where the popular tourist site is located - the Well of Abraham. For those who fuel their energy by shopping, Israel will be able to experience what shopping on a grand scale is all about. To do this, you need to take your willpower and come to the world's largest Diamond Exchange, where multi-million dollar transactions are concluded every day.

“What does will have to do with it?” - you ask. And despite the fact that the temptation to spend $5,000-$10,000 (if you have that amount of money) on some nice little ring is very great. January is also good (read: not expensive) in terms of taking care of your own health, since the cost of treatments in Dead Sea SPA centers in the middle of winter decreases.

Holidays and festivals

According to the Jewish calendar, in January 2013, Israelis celebrate the holiday “New Year of the Trees” (“Tu Bishvat”), which falls annually on the 15th day of the month “Shevat,” which is important for all their people. This event symbolizes the end of the rainy season and the beginning of a new growing season (deeper meaning: the rebirth of nature to a new life). On this day it is customary to plant trees.