Israel

Israelis in general are inhospitable and distant, Palestinians are curious and hospitable. The latter sometimes accost cyclists. Most Israelis never enter Palestinian territories. They advise against going there: it would be dangerous. Israelis distrust the Palestinians. Otherwise it is less.

Martin van Doornik (2007): "I cycled through Israel and Jordan for three weeks. The Jewish population has been very nice and very friendly to me. Only in the Arab areas, on the other hand, not: many children wanted me and my touch the bike. The police had to come in to send those rascals away."

Note from Cycle Planet: The above information speaks against each other. If you have more up to date information, please change the above text.

The Israelis speak Hebrew, the Palestinians Arabic. You can speak English with both ethnic groups.

Some nationalities can enter Israel without a visa, others need to obtain a visa.

Israel

Countries with visa-free access to Israel

Visa required for entry to Israel

Confirmation from Israeli Foreign Ministry is required

Source: Wikipedia.

The political situation can change from day to day, although the tension will not be the same everywhere. As a foreigner on a bicycle you are relatively safe. Both Israelis and Palestinians want to be your friend. The checkpoints around the Palestinian self-government areas are, of course, a source of conflict. You feel that when you cycle past it.

Restaurants

You can find good food everywhere, especially in Jerusalem and Eilat. There are also many shawarma restaurants.

Paul and Hennie: "Palestinian food was well recognizable to us because of the shawarma-like, if we may express ourselves that way. We found Jewish food more adventurous because we didn't actually know it. Vegetarian too!"

Drinkable water

The tap water is drinkable. Bottled drinking water is widely available.

Best time to cycle

Spring and autumn are the best periods. In summer it is quickly too hot, especially around the Dead Sea. Jerusalem is at 800 m, Dead Sea at minus 400. That gives considerable temperature differences.

Spare parts

28 inch tires are available. There are no serious bike shops.

Nice routes

• Paul and Hennie cycled the following route: Jericho - Bethlehem - Jerusalem - Ramalla - Lod - Tel Aviv.
• Martin: "I cycled in Israel and Jordan for three weeks. Both are very tough cycling countries: despite my derailleur gears, altitude differences of 1200 meters occur in one day. Temperature of 28 to 41 degrees. I weighed 13 kilos less when I got home."
• Martin: "I sailed to Haifa via Cyprus on a passenger boat. According to the official rules this is not allowed. After insisting it turns out to be possible."