Things to Do in Israel in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Israel
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect hiking weather with daytime temperatures around 20-24°C (68-75°F) - cool enough for the Negev desert trails and Ein Gedi without the summer brutality, yet warm enough you won't freeze at sunrise viewpoints. The Dead Sea is actually pleasant at 24°C (75°F) instead of the 40°C (104°F) furnace it becomes in summer.
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in after the October holidays - you'll typically save 25-35% on accommodations compared to September, and flight prices from Europe drop significantly after the Sukkot rush. Tel Aviv beach hotels that cost $400+ in summer run $180-250 in November.
- Rainfall starts but stays manageable - those 10 rainy days usually mean brief afternoon or evening showers rather than all-day washouts. The desert landscape starts turning green after the first rains, which is genuinely stunning if you've only seen photos of the brown Negev. Wadis in the south become temporarily active with flowing water.
- Crowds thin out dramatically after the Jewish holiday season ends in late October. Major sites like Masada, the Western Wall, and Yad Vashem are significantly less packed. You can actually walk through Jerusalem's Old City markets without being shoulder-to-shoulder, and beach access in Tel Aviv doesn't require arriving at 7am to claim space.
Considerations
- November marks the beginning of Israel's rainy season, and while it's not monsoon-level, those 10 rainy days are unpredictable. You might get three consecutive sunny days or wake up to an unexpected downpour that lasts until noon. Outdoor plans need flexibility built in, and desert hiking can be genuinely dangerous during flash flood warnings.
- Daylight hours shrink to about 10.5 hours by late November - sunset hits around 4:45pm by month's end. This compresses your sightseeing day, especially problematic in Jerusalem where many sites close early on Fridays for Shabbat. You'll find yourself rushing through afternoon activities more than you'd like.
- Mediterranean humidity stays elevated at 70% even as temperatures drop, creating that clammy feeling where you're simultaneously chilly in shade and sweaty in sun. Coastal cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa feel muggier than the temperature suggests, and your clothes take forever to dry if caught in rain.
Best Activities in November
Dead Sea Floating and Mineral Spa Experiences
November is legitimately one of the two best months for the Dead Sea - water temperature sits around 24°C (75°F), air temperature ranges 20-26°C (68-78°F), and you avoid the oppressive 40°C (104°F) summer heat that makes the walk from changing rooms to water feel like punishment. The lower UV intensity means you can stay in longer without burning, though SPF 50+ is still mandatory. Early morning visits around 8-9am offer the calmest water and best light for photos. The mineral-rich mud treatments feel better in moderate temperatures when you're not already overheated.
Jerusalem Old City Walking Tours and Archaeological Sites
The cooler November temperatures make Jerusalem's stone streets and exposed archaeological sites actually enjoyable to explore - summer heat radiating off ancient stones is brutal. Morning temperatures around 15-18°C (59-64°F) are perfect for the 2-3 hour walks through the Old City's four quarters. The Western Wall tunnels stay naturally cool year-round, and the City of David water tunnel wade is refreshing rather than freezing. Rain typically holds off until late afternoon, giving you clear morning exploration windows. Crowds drop significantly after the October holiday rush, meaning you can actually photograph the Dome of the Rock without 50 people in frame.
Negev Desert Hiking and Crater Exploration
November transforms the Negev from hostile wasteland to genuinely pleasant hiking terrain. Daytime temperatures peak around 20-24°C (68-75°F) instead of the 35-40°C (95-104°F) summer scorchers. The first rains of the season bring temporary waterfalls in wadis and the desert actually greens up with winter wildflowers by late November. Makhtesh Ramon crater hikes, Ein Avdat canyon, and the Nabatean Spice Route trails are all at their best. Sunrise hikes don't require waking at 4am since sunrise is around 6:15am. That said, flash flood warnings are real after heavy rains - check forecasts obsessively and never enter narrow canyons if rain is predicted.
Tel Aviv Food Market Tours and Culinary Experiences
November brings the first winter produce to Israeli markets - pomegranates peak, citrus season starts, and the sabra cactus fruit appears. Carmel Market and Levinsky Market are less sweltering than summer months, making the 2-3 hour walking food tours actually pleasant rather than endurance tests. The humidity is still present at 70%, but morning tours starting 9-10am catch cooler temperatures around 18-20°C (64-68°F). Street food stays fresh longer in moderate temperatures, and outdoor seating at Sarona Market or Port area restaurants becomes viable again. The revived Jaffa Flea Market area has exploded with food stalls and is genuinely worth exploring beyond the tourist tchotchkes.
Galilee Region Hiking and Historical Site Exploration
The Galilee gets November's rainfall first, turning the hills genuinely green after the brown summer months. Hiking around the Sea of Galilee, Mount Arbel, and the Golan Heights becomes spectacular with moderate 18-22°C (64-72°F) temperatures and emerging wildflowers. The Jesus Trail and Gospel Trail are muddy after rains but dramatically less crowded than spring pilgrimage season. Waterfalls at Banias Nature Reserve actually flow with water instead of being dry trickles. The Golan Heights wineries start their harvest season, making November ideal for wine tours when you can see actual production happening. Bring proper hiking boots - trails get slippery with the first rains.
Eilat Red Sea Snorkeling and Diving
Eilat's Red Sea stays warm at 24-25°C (75-77°F) in November while air temperatures drop to pleasant 20-26°C (68-78°F) - perfect conditions without summer's 35°C (95°F) beach heat. Underwater visibility peaks at 20-30 meters (65-100 feet) as summer plankton blooms settle. The Coral Beach Nature Reserve offers easy shore access to pristine reefs, and dolphin reef encounters remain active. November sits in shoulder season so dive operators offer better rates than peak winter months. The combination of warm water and cooler air means you're comfortable in 3mm wetsuits rather than needing 5mm winter gear. That said, occasional strong winds can cancel boat trips, so build flexibility into plans.
November Events & Festivals
Jerusalem International Oud Festival
This annual celebration of Middle Eastern music typically runs in early November, featuring oud performances, workshops, and collaborations between Israeli, Palestinian, and international musicians. Venues include the Jerusalem Theatre, Confederation House, and smaller intimate spaces in the Old City. It's a genuinely unique cultural experience showcasing the instrument central to Arabic and Jewish musical traditions. Tickets typically sell out 2-3 weeks ahead for headline performances.
Tel Aviv Marathon
Usually scheduled for late November, this major running event takes over Tel Aviv's streets with full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K options. Even if you're not running, the city atmosphere becomes festive with street closures, music stages, and beach parties. Worth noting that hotels near the route book up months ahead and prices spike 30-40% that weekend. The race typically starts at 7am to avoid midday heat, though November temperatures make this one of the more comfortable marathon months.