Things to Do in Israel in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Israel
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Winter rainfall transforms the Negev Desert into a wildflower spectacle - the desert actually blooms between January and March, creating hiking conditions you won't find any other time of year. Temperatures in the desert sit around 15-20°C (59-68°F) during the day, perfect for multi-hour treks without the brutal summer heat.
- Jerusalem and the Dead Sea are genuinely comfortable in January - you'll get 16-18°C (61-64°F) days in Jerusalem, cool enough for walking the Old City without overheating but warm enough that you're not freezing. The Dead Sea stays mild at 20-23°C (68-73°F), and the water temperature holds around 19°C (66°F), which is actually warmer than the Mediterranean this time of year.
- Tourist crowds drop significantly after the Christmas-New Year rush ends around January 5-7. You'll find shorter lines at major sites like Yad Vashem and the Western Wall tunnels, and hotel prices in Tel Aviv can drop 30-40% compared to December. Booking 4-6 weeks ahead usually locks in decent rates rather than the 8-12 weeks you'd need in spring or fall.
- Citrus season peaks in January - the entire country smells like oranges and you'll find fresh-squeezed juice stands everywhere for 10-15 NIS (roughly 3-4 USD). Markets like Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem and Carmel Market in Tel Aviv overflow with blood oranges, pomelos, and clementines that locals actually eat seasonally rather than year-round.
Considerations
- Rain happens unpredictably and can genuinely disrupt plans - those 10 rainy days aren't spread evenly. You might get three consecutive days of steady rain that make outdoor archaeological sites muddy and miserable, then a week of clear weather. The northern regions around the Galilee and Golan Heights get considerably more rain than the weather averages suggest, sometimes 100+ mm (4+ inches) for the month.
- Evenings get surprisingly cold, especially in Jerusalem and anywhere with elevation. Once the sun drops around 5:30pm, temperatures can plummet to 6-8°C (43-46°F) in Jerusalem, and the stone buildings hold that cold. Hotels in older buildings often have inadequate heating - this catches tourists off guard who packed for Mediterranean weather.
- The Mediterranean Sea is genuinely cold for swimming - 17-18°C (63-64°F) water temperature means most tourists won't enjoy beach time in Tel Aviv or Haifa. Locals with wetsuits might surf, but if you're planning a beach vacation, January is objectively the wrong month. The beaches are often windy and grey, nothing like the summer beach culture Israel is known for.
Best Activities in January
Dead Sea Floating and Spa Experiences
January is actually ideal for the Dead Sea - the 20-23°C (68-73°F) air temperature means you won't roast on the salty beaches like you would in summer, and the water stays a comfortable 19°C (66°F). The lower UV intensity (though still index 8, so sunscreen matters) means you can stay out longer without burning. The mineral-rich mud treatments feel especially good in the cooler weather. Most visitors spend 2-3 hours at the beaches, and the experience is genuinely unique - the 430 m (1,410 ft) below sea level elevation creates noticeably thicker air.
Jerusalem Old City Walking Tours
The cooler January temperatures make walking Jerusalem's hilly terrain actually pleasant - you'll cover 5-8 km (3-5 miles) exploring the Old City quarters without the oppressive heat. The stone streets can get slippery after rain, but between storms, the 16-18°C (61-64°F) weather is perfect for spending 4-5 hours wandering through 3,000 years of history. The Western Wall tunnels stay a constant 18°C (64°F) year-round. Sunset happens early around 5:00-5:30pm, so plan accordingly - the golden light on the Dome of the Rock between 4-5pm is genuinely spectacular in winter.
Negev Desert Hiking and Crater Exploration
January transforms the Negev - this is genuinely the best month for desert hiking. Daytime temperatures sit at 15-20°C (59-68°F), perfect for tackling trails in Makhtesh Ramon or Ein Avdat without heat exhaustion risk. If you time it right (usually mid-to-late January after rains), you'll catch the desert bloom - red anemones, white crocuses, and yellow desert marigolds covering areas that look barren the rest of the year. The Makhtesh Ramon crater spans 40 km (25 miles) long and drops 500 m (1,640 ft) deep, and winter is the only season where hiking the crater floor is comfortable. Most serious hikes take 3-6 hours.
Galilee and Golan Heights Wine Tasting Routes
January is harvest aftermath in the Galilee wine region - the vines are dormant, but the wineries are actually less crowded and more focused on visitors than during busy harvest season. The rolling hills are green from winter rains (this is the wet season up north), and temperatures hover around 14-17°C (57-63°F), perfect for spending a day driving between wineries. The Golan Heights wineries sit at 400-1,200 m (1,310-3,940 ft) elevation with views over the Sea of Galilee. Most tastings run 40-80 NIS (11-22 USD) per person for 4-5 wines. Plan for 4-6 hours to visit 3-4 wineries comfortably.
Tel Aviv Food Market Tours and Culinary Experiences
Tel Aviv's food markets peak with winter produce in January - Carmel Market and Sarona Market overflow with seasonal citrus, pomegranates, and root vegetables. The 18-20°C (64-68°F) weather makes wandering the outdoor Carmel Market comfortable, and the food scene is genuinely excellent year-round but especially vibrant when seasonal produce hits. Food tours typically cover 8-12 tastings over 3-4 hours, walking 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) through different neighborhoods. The Yemenite Quarter near Carmel Market has kubbeh soup spots that locals flock to in winter - the warm, spiced broth makes sense in cooler weather.
Masada Sunrise Hikes
January sunrise at Masada means starting the Snake Path hike around 5:30-6:00am in near-freezing temperatures at the base, but you'll warm up quickly on the 45-60 minute climb up 350 m (1,150 ft). The cooler morning air makes this climb actually manageable - attempting this in summer heat is genuinely dangerous. Sunrise happens around 6:30-6:45am in January, and watching light spread across the Dead Sea and Judean Desert from the ancient fortress plateau is worth the early wake-up. The site opens at 5:00am specifically for sunrise hikers. Most people spend 2-3 hours total including the hike and exploring the ruins.
January Events & Festivals
Tu BiShvat (New Year for Trees)
Tu BiShvat typically falls in late January or early February (January 22 in 2026) and celebrates the tree planting season when winter rains have prepared the ground. You'll find tree-planting ceremonies throughout the country, especially organized by environmental groups and kibbutzim. Markets sell dried fruits and nuts - traditionally seven species mentioned in the Torah including figs, dates, pomegranates, olives, and grapes. It's not a major tourist event but provides insight into Israel's environmental consciousness and agricultural traditions. Many farms and nature reserves offer special tours this week.