Things to Do in Israel in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
March Weather in Israel
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
73°F (23°C)
High Temp
68°F (20°C)
Low Temp
2.0 inches (51 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March in Israel hits that sweet spot, 73°F (23°C) days warm enough for sun-seekers, yet cool enough that a dawn climb up Masada won't have you dripping sweat before the first rays hit the ramparts.
- + The wildflower super-bloom turns the Negev and Galilee into living carpets of red anemones and purple lupines, something you simply won't witness in July's desert furnace or January's winter downpours.
- + Hotel prices fall 30-40% from Easter week highs, and you can walk into Machneyuda in Jerusalem without performing the three-month reservation shuffle.
- + Purim hijacks the streets of Tel Aviv with costume parades and spur-of-the-moment block parties, hit mid-March and you'll catch the country at its most gloriously unhinged.
Considerations
- − March still keeps winter's mood swings, those 2.0 inches (51 mm) of rain often crash down in savage 20-minute bursts that turn Jerusalem's limestone streets into instant rivers and leave your shoes squelching.
- − The UV index climbs to 8 by mid-March, so sunburn strikes faster than you'd guess, when the Dead Sea's salt crust starts throwing light around like a mirror.
- − European spring-breakers begin trickling in during the final two weeks, so that empty sunrise at the Western Wall you pictured might now come with 200 French teenagers on a class trip.
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
March in Israel balances soft spring air with a strengthening sun. The landscape responds. Almond trees blossom white in the north. Meanwhile, the Negev desert floor undergoes its most dramatic change. The annual wildflower bloom begins a southward march. It is a fleeting spectacle of red anemones and purple lupines. Israelis take weekend drives, parking on dusty roads for family photos among the blossoms. This natural rhythm gets a human punctuation mid-month. The holiday of Purim erupts. City centers become chaotic, joyful carnivals. In Tel Aviv, you will hear the pop of confetti guns and see elaborate costumes spill from bars. In Jerusalem, the ancient stones of the religious quarters echo with rhythmic groggers. These noisemakers drown out a villain's name during scripture readings. The month feels like a collective exhalation. It is an embrace of outdoor life before the intense summer heat solidifies. Visiting now means navigating a dual reality. Plan around Purim. Public transportation ceases at sundown on the holiday eve. The next day sees widespread closures. The weather is good for the extensive walking Israel demands. Walk cobbled alleys in ancient cities or trails in national parks. This is the last comfortable window for desert hiking before temperatures become prohibitive. The best time to visit Israel often hinges on avoiding extremes. March consistently delivers a balance of warmth and accessibility. Mediterranean beaches may still be too cool for most swimmers. Yet coastal promenades are alive with joggers and café crowds enjoying mild afternoons. It is a month for locals picnicking in the Galilee and travelers contemplating millennia of history. All share the same clear, bright sky.
Best seller! Jerusalem old city four quarters tour
guided_experienceThis guided experience carves a path through dense human and architectural history. You will see sunlight filter through the vaulted stone of the Arab souk, smell incense from an Armenian chapel, feel the cool, worn marble of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre underfoot, and hear murmured prayers at the Western Wall. It distills the city's profound layers into a single, comprehensible narrative.
It is the most efficient way to grasp the physical and spiritual geography of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam within the ancient walls.
Insider tip: Start early. Experience the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with some quiet before pilgrim groups arrive.
JERUSALEM private tour with ELAD VAZANA - Life in Israel & Palestine Then & Now
private_tourThis tour moves beyond monuments and enters the lived reality of divided neighborhoods. You will hear personal accounts from both sides of the separation barrier, see the stark visual politics of street art in Sheikh Jarrah, and feel the tension and hope defining everyday life here.
This tour has a subtle, human-scale perspective on the political conflict. No museum exhibit can replicate it.
Insider tip: Come with questions. The guide's value is in his deep personal connections and willingness to engage in complex dialogue.
Full-Day Private and Guided Tour of the Jerusalem's Old City
day_tripThis tour allows for a deep, unrushed visit. Trace the Via Dolorosa without jostling crowds, examine the intricate tilework of the Dome of the Rock's platform in detail, taste Arabic coffee from a stall in the Muslim Quarter, and later feel the embossed leather of ancient Torah scrolls in a Jewish Quarter yeshiva.
The luxury of time and a dedicated guide transforms sightseeing into a scholarly exploration.
Insider tip: Use the private nature to request a deeper focus on a specific quarter or religious tradition.
Private Tour Jerusalem Old City
private_tourThis tour provides a customizable framework that suits those who know their interests. You might trace archaeological strata or understand the city's role in three faiths. You will hear explanations of Crusader-era inscriptions, see the hidden arches of Hadrian's plaza, and feel the difference between the limestone of Herod's expansion and the bedrock of the original city.
It combines a personal guide with the flexibility to linger at sites that resonate with you.
Insider tip: If religious sites are a priority, confirm your guide can arrange interior access to locations like the Temple Mount in advance.
Memorable Walking Tour in Old City of Jerusalem
walking_tourThis tour focuses on atmosphere and anecdote, revealing minor miracles of daily life within the ancient walls. You might see a shopkeeper feeding the local cat colony, hear the evening bells of multiple denominations ringing out of sync, and smell the za'atar and freshly baked pita from a family-run oven hidden down a stairway.
It uncovers the intimate, often overlooked moments that give the Old City its lasting soul.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, flat shoes. The magic lies in uneven, sloping alleyways less frequented by large tours.
This month: Pleasant March temperatures make this extended walking tour comfortable compared to the summer heat.
Explore Jerusalem's Old City
otherThis tour is a complete introduction that orients first-time visitors with confidence. You will see the major landmarks, including the glittering Dome of the Rock and the crowded prayer notes in the Western Wall, hear the call to prayer echo against Roman-era stones, and feel the sudden shift in ambiance crossing from one quarter to the next.
It ensures you leave with a solid foundational understanding of the Old City's layout and its most significant sites.
Insider tip: After the tour, return on your own to the Armenian Quarter. It is the smallest and quietest, offering a peaceful counterpoint to the bustle.
Where to Stay in Israel in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid March
Purim Celebrations
Purim flips Israel into one large costume bash, Tel Aviv's pavements become runways of DIY outfits, from biting political satire to full Disney drag. In Jerusalem, religious quarters host megillah readings that sound closer to Broadway than synagogue. The payoff comes in spontaneous street parties where strangers hand you homemade hamentaschen shaped like Haman's ears.
Early to late March
Negev Wildflower Festival
This isn't one festival but a rolling bloom calendar, northern Negev peaks early March, Eilat's desert gardens erupt late March. Bedouin guides pour tea among the anemones and explain how these flowers steered desert navigation for centuries.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Israel Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Book your stay in Jerusalem's German Colony or Mamilla. Both put you within walking distance of the Old City for those quiet dawn visits. Yet far enough from the tour-bus hotels.
Install the Rav-Kav app before you land. Israel's transit card now lives on your phone, and drivers prefer a quick scan to counting coins at 6 AM.
Shabbat shuts the country down from Friday afternoon. Do your grocery run on Thursday or resign yourself to hotel menus until Saturday night.
Tel Aviv's best bites surface at 1 AM in the Yemenite Quarter. Tiny kitchens roll out jachnun, dough baked overnight, for night-shift workers and wide-awake locals.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't try to squeeze Masada sunrise, a Dead Sea float, and the Old City into one March day. Early sunrise means a 4 AM alarm, and you'll be wiped by 3 PM.
Shoulder season does not equal empty churches. March still draws Christian pilgrims, around Easter week, so expect queues at holy sites.
Leave the all-summer wardrobe at home. Jerusalem dawns can dip to 59°F (15°C), and desert nights turn sharp once the sun drops.
Explore More Activities in Israel
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Israel.
See All Israel Tours on Viator