Things to Do in Israel in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Israel
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring wildflowers transform the Negev and northern valleys into carpets of red anemones and yellow chrysanthemums - late February through March is the only window for this, and locals literally plan weekend hikes around the bloom reports
- Temperatures sit in that perfect sweet spot where you can hike Masada at noon without risking heatstroke, and the Mediterranean is warming up to 18-19°C (64-66°F) for those brave enough to swim - Tel Aviv beaches are genuinely pleasant without the summer crowds
- Purim typically falls in March (March 14, 2026), which means costume parties spill into the streets, bakeries overflow with hamantaschen pastries, and the entire country has this carnival energy that tourists rarely see - think Halloween meets Mardi Gras but uniquely Israeli
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in after the February school break ends - you'll find hotels in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv running 25-35% cheaper than they will in April when Passover hits, and you can actually get dinner reservations at Machane Yehuda Market restaurants without booking weeks ahead
Considerations
- March is genuinely unpredictable - you might get five consecutive days of 25°C (77°F) sunshine, then wake up to a cold front that drops temps to 12°C (54°F) with sideways rain. Pack layers because you'll use them all
- Those 10 rainy days are scattered randomly throughout the month, and when it rains in Israel, it actually rains - not the gentle drizzle you might expect, but proper downpours that flood Jerusalem's Old City steps and turn archaeological sites into muddy messes for a day or two
- If Purim and the Jerusalem Marathon both fall during your visit (marathon is typically early March), expect Jerusalem accommodations to be completely booked and prices to spike 40-60% for those specific weekends - this is one of the few times March gets genuinely crowded
Best Activities in March
Negev Desert Wildflower Hiking
March is literally the only month worth visiting the Negev for wildflowers - the 'darom adom' phenomenon when red anemones bloom happens late February through March depending on winter rainfall. Temperatures in the desert sit around 20-24°C (68-75°F), perfect for the 3-5 hour hikes through Anemone Valley or around Mitzpe Ramon Crater. Locals check bloom forecasts obsessively and plan weekend trips around peak color. The flowers are gone by April when temperatures spike.
Dead Sea Floating and Spa Treatments
March weather at the Dead Sea is genuinely ideal - 24-27°C (75-81°F) air temperature, calm winds, and the sun is strong enough (UV 8) to feel therapeutic without the brutal 40°C (104°F) summer heat that makes you feel like you're melting. The mineral-rich mud is at perfect application temperature. Locals from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv escape here on weekends specifically in March and April before it gets unbearable.
Jerusalem Old City Walking Tours
March gives you walkable weather for the Old City's stone streets and alleys - not too hot for the steep climbs to the ramparts, not so cold that standing still for explanations gets uncomfortable. The variable weather actually works in your favor because rain clears the crowds from the Western Wall plaza and Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The light in March is spectacular for photography, especially late afternoon when it hits the golden Jerusalem stone.
Tel Aviv Food Market Tours
March brings spring produce to the markets - fresh strawberries from the Sharon Plain, the last of the citrus season, and new season vegetables. Carmel Market and Levinsky Spice Market are at their most vibrant mid-morning when vendors are restocked but not yet depleted. The 70% humidity makes outdoor market walking slightly sticky, but morning temperatures around 18-20°C (64-68°F) are genuinely pleasant. Locals shop Tuesday-Thursday for best selection.
Galilee and Golan Heights Wine Tasting
March is harvest-prep season in the northern wine regions, and the Galilee hills are green and wildflower-covered from winter rains. Temperatures in the Golan sit around 16-20°C (61-68°F), perfect for touring outdoor vineyards without sweating through your shirt. The wineries are less crowded than summer, and many offer special March tastings featuring the previous year's releases. The drive through blooming almond orchards alone is worth it.
Masada Sunrise Hike
March might be the single best month for the Snake Path hike up Masada - you start in darkness around 5am when it is cool (12-15°C / 54-59°F), reach the summit for sunrise around 6:15am, and descend before midday heat kicks in. Summer makes this hike genuinely dangerous due to heat, winter can be icy at the top. March gives you that Goldilocks window. The sunrise over the Dead Sea and Jordanian mountains is legitimately breathtaking, and you will understand why this is on every Israeli's bucket list.
March Events & Festivals
Purim
Falls on March 14, 2026 (dates shift yearly based on Hebrew calendar). This is Israel's most fun holiday - adults and kids dress in costumes, neighborhoods throw street parties, bakeries sell hamantaschen (triangular pastries), and there is a carnival atmosphere especially in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The Adloyada parade in Holon is massive. Bars and restaurants in Tel Aviv get absolutely packed. It is like the entire country decided to throw a costume party simultaneously.
Jerusalem Marathon
Typically runs first Friday of March (March 6, 2026 likely). Over 30,000 runners from 80+ countries, and the course runs through the Old City, which is otherwise closed to vehicles. Even if you are not running, watching the marathon wind through 3,000-year-old streets is surreal. The city has a festive energy all weekend. Book Jerusalem hotels months ahead if this coincides with your visit - prices spike 50-70% and availability disappears.
Tel Aviv Fashion Week
Usually mid-March, this brings international designers and models to the city. Runway shows happen at various venues, but the real action is the street style around Rothschild Boulevard and the Port area - locals dress up, pop-up events happen nightly, and the fashion-forward crowd takes over certain neighborhoods. Not a tourist attraction per se, but if you are into fashion, the energy is palpable.