Israel. Weather by month, water temperature. Dead, Red, Mediterranean Sea, Elite, Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Netanya. Review: Israel in January reviews from tourists (Israel, Jerusalem) Is the Dead Sea in January worth going?

There are a considerable number of tourists in the world who believe that 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” in to a greater extent closer local residents than 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, return to your the Velvet season in the middle of a fierce snowy winter - 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 in cities located on the coast Mediterranean Sea, it might be a little chilly. During the day in Netanya and Tel Aviv, about +18 °C is recorded, and after sunset 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 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’s 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 most heavy showers, 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 not indifferent to the “kingdom of Neptune” will encounter kilometers of the most beautiful things in the world coral reef, home to many species sea ​​creatures, landscapes rugged by 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 difficult) in terms of caring for 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 an important holiday for all their people “ New Year Trees" ("Tu Bishvat"), which falls annually on the 15th of the month of Shevat. 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.

In January, Israel is quite cool and rainy. The country is located in the subtropical zone, so the winters here are mild. However, relaxing on the beach is unlikely to be comfortable - on the North Sea coast (Tel Aviv, Netanya, Haifa) the air warms up to an average of 17°C, and at night the air temperature is usually about 10°C.

It’s a little warmer near the Red Sea; in Eilat, thermometers show 21°C during the day, but by night the temperature here drops to 10°C, and sometimes even to 0°C. This difference is explained by the fact that Eilat is surrounded on all sides by desert. So you need to take both light and warm things with you.

The water temperature in the Red Sea is about 22°C, in the Mediterranean Sea it is cooler - around 17°C. Since swimming in such water is not always comfortable, it is better to choose a hotel that has a heated pool.

January is the height of the rainy season in Israel. The rains are not torrential, but they come often, which can somewhat dampen the mood. When traveling, be sure to take a jacket, umbrella and waterproof shoes. The relative humidity value varies depending on the region, for example in Eilat it is 50%, and in Jerusalem it is 72%.

At the beginning of the year, the country is usually visited not for a beach holiday, but for wellness treatments. The coast is perfect for these purposes. Dead Sea. There the air temperature is approximately 22°C, and the water temperature is 21°C, and sometimes higher values ​​occur. Water is usually even warmer than air, and all because it contains many minerals. The weather in resort towns on the Dead Sea coast is somewhat different from the weather in other regions of Israel - in winter there is less rainfall, rain is short-lived, and air humidity is only about 40%.

The Ein Bokek resort is very popular - it is a whole chain of hotels that have their own SPA centers and health complexes with indoor heated swimming pools with sea ​​water. But before you go on vacation, it is better to clarify the full list of services provided by the hotel. There are also medical centers at the resort, but they only accept those who come with their own medical card, which contains a medical history.

January is a good time to make a pilgrimage to the holy places of Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, the weather only contributes to this. In the middle of winter you can visit biblical places, where key events history of Christianity. On January 6, pilgrims arrive in Bethlehem to participate in the liturgy in the Church of the Nativity, and on the night of the 19th they make their way to the Jordan River, in whose waters they perform ablutions. A place that must be visited during a pilgrimage tour to Israel is the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

The Dead Sea is perhaps one of the most amazing places on a planet where many people dream of visiting. In addition to the fact that there are a lot of interesting and remarkable places, local waters can offer vacationers their own healing properties. Representatives of the tourism business will also complement the overall picture, as they are also trying to create the maximum comfortable conditions for their guests, and to their credit, they do it very well.

It is impossible not to say a few words about the weather at the Dead Sea at this time of year. The rainy season is in full swing here, so precipitation will be quite common, which, of course, will affect the overall popularity of the resort at this time of year. But it probably won't be hot here. The air temperature during daylight hours will rarely rise above +20 degrees. The water in the Dead Sea will be approximately the same warm. But at night it will be noticeably cooler, the air temperature can drop to ten degrees. But, thanks to the good heating system in the hotel, this will not create any problems for vacationers.

It is also impossible not to mention the local prices for holidays in January. As noted above, winter in Palestine is the rainy season, which, in turn, affects prices. On average, they are reduced by 30 percent. For example, if high season the cost of a trip for two, which includes everything, can reach $ 1,600–2,000, then in January married couple will be able to afford a week-long vacation to the Dead Sea for about $1,200.

Of course, it is important to pay attention to the reviews about holidays in January left by tourists who have visited the Dead Sea. It's safe to say that most of the reviews are very positive. Travelers talk with great pleasure about the magical time they spent on the world famous coastline. Excellent hotel service, rich tourist programs, lack of heat: all this and much more, of course, cannot leave anyone indifferent. Dissatisfaction and complaints in reviews are an extremely rare exception. And even then the only thing left to complain about is the rains, which periodically remind us of themselves.

January is one of those months when there are enough days off to go somewhere to relax and unwind. If you are tired of the usual winter resorts, we recommend going to Israel in January. We promise that the trip will be unforgettable, since this month is distinguished by its abundance church holidays, which attract tens of thousands of pilgrims to the country.

So, what to see in Israel in winter, what weather awaits travelers and what resorts can you relax at? We will talk about this further.

January weather in Israel

The weather in Israel in January is rainy. Despite the general mildness of the local subtropical climate, this is generally a rather cool month. In the Mediterranean Sea, for example, you cannot swim in January, unless, of course, you are a fan of extreme swimming.

Temperature in Israel in January

The Mediterranean coast - Haifa, Netanya, Tel Aviv - usually has a temperature of about 17 degrees this month. At the same time, at night it drops to 10. The temperature in Israel in January is generally not very conducive to beach holiday. It’s a little warmer near the Red Sea - up to 21 degrees during the day, at night here the same as near the Mediterranean - about 10. The approximate water temperature is up to 17 degrees in the Mediterranean Sea, up to 22 in the Red Sea. If you can’t live without swimming, it’s better to limit yourself to heated pools in hotels.

There is also a desert nearby, where the night air temperature drops to zero. Those wishing to travel to Israel are advised to stock up warm clothes for evening walks and light ones for daytime walks. Otherwise, you risk getting sick, and then your vacation won’t be so colorful and memorable.

January is a rainy month

What is the weather like in Israel in January? That's enough for Israel rainy month, When relative humidity can vary from 50 to 72%, depending on the remoteness of the desert and the proximity of the sea. Known subtropical rainy season, lasting from November to April, reaches its peak in January. This is, of course, not the tropics with constant incessant downpours, but without an umbrella and a jacket it will be difficult here at this time of year. Constant rains are another reason why you should forget about the sea for a while, since they are not at all conducive to comfortable swimming.

Health resorts in Israel in winter

If you don’t pay much attention to beach holidays when traveling to Israel in January, you can safely go for treatment. The Dead Sea coast, famous for its health resorts, is best suited for these purposes. average temperature here it is between 20-22 degrees, the water temperature will be a couple of degrees lower.

Since the water is not simple, and it contains a huge amount of different minerals, it seems warmer at any time of the year, including in winter. Beneficial features water also does not disappear anywhere all year round, so January in Israel can be used at least to take your health seriously. On the Dead Sea coast it rains less often, the humidity on average is around 40. Unlike other places in the country, here they will not interfere with your vacation.

Ein Bokek Resort

The most popular resort that can provide a wonderful holiday in Israel in January is Ein Bokek. This is a whole chain of hotels on the shores of the Dead Sea. At your disposal are many modern spa centers, health complexes, indoor pools with heated sea water. There are also medical centers and clinics here, which, however, you will only get to if you have medical records with a description of the medical history.

In general, Ein Bokek is one of the most popular resorts in the country, so you should check availability in advance.

Where to go in Israel in January?

Wellness and resorts are a good thing, but sometimes you want some more vivid impressions from your vacation. If your health and mood allow it, it’s worth going to Israel in January, if only because several of the most important events take place here. Christian holidays- Christmas and Epiphany, which attract pilgrims from all over the world. And this is a great opportunity for you to take part in this event.

So, among the main places of pilgrimage in Israel it is worth noting Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem. Cool weather, without the usual southern country The sweltering heat only encourages a trip to Christian shrines. It is worth seeing with your own eyes those places that are described in the sacred book called the Bible and were the scene for the most important events of Christian history. Visiting them will give you an experience that you will not forget for the rest of your days. On January 6, Christmas Day, hundreds (if not thousands) of tourists try to get to the festive liturgy at the Church of the Nativity, which is located in Bethlehem.

The night of January 19 is the time of another most important holiday in Christianity, Epiphany. This time you can go for ablution to where, according to Christian tradition, two thousand years ago Jesus Christ himself was baptized. Don't forget to visit the most important shrine Christian religion in Jerusalem - the Holy Sepulcher.

Although the grueling journey across the country may wear you down, believe me, it's worth it. In addition, you have a wonderful opportunity to combine a vacation at the Dead Sea resorts with a pilgrimage if you go to the country for the whole month. In any case, come and see for yourself.