Things to Do in Israel in November

November Weather in Israel

26°C (79°F) High Temp

15°C (59°F) Low Temp

51mm (2.0 inches) Rainfall

65% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect hiking weather with daytime temperatures of 20-26°C (68-79°F) and low humidity - ideal for exploring the Judean Desert, Negev trails, and Jerusalem's Old City without summer's brutal heat
Significantly fewer crowds at major sites like the Western Wall, Masada, and Tel Aviv beaches - you'll actually get decent photos without tour groups blocking every angle
Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to peak season (September-October and March-May) - luxury Dead Sea resorts that cost ₪800+ in spring go for ₪450-550 in November
Rainy season hasn't fully started yet - only 10 rainy days total with brief afternoon showers, leaving most days perfect for outdoor activities and archaeological site visits

Considerations

Daylight hours shrink to just 10 hours (sunrise 6:30am, sunset 4:45pm) - you'll lose precious sightseeing time and need to plan activities earlier in the day
Mediterranean Sea temperature drops to 23°C (73°F) - still swimmable but definitely brisk, especially for extended beach days in Tel Aviv or Eilat
Some desert tours and Negev camping experiences may be cancelled on the 2-3 days per week when temperatures drop below 10°C (50°F) at night

Best Activities in November

Masada and Dead Sea Float Tours

November is absolutely perfect for Masada - daytime temperatures of 24°C (75°F) make the cable car ride comfortable and hiking the Snake Path actually pleasant instead of dangerous. The Dead Sea maintains its therapeutic 25°C (77°F) temperature while air temperatures are cool enough that you won't overheat between floating sessions. Crowds are minimal compared to the spring tour bus invasion.

Booking Tip: Book combination Masada-Dead Sea tours 7-10 days ahead for best selection. Full-day tours typically cost ₪180-280 per person. Choose early morning departures (7:30-8:30am) to maximize daylight hours and avoid afternoon winds at the Dead Sea. Look for tours that include Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.

Jerusalem Old City Walking Tours

The 15-20°C (59-68°F) November temperatures make walking the stone streets comfortable all day long. Summer heat makes afternoon Old City exploration miserable, while November lets you properly explore the Via Dolorosa, Western Wall tunnels, and Temple Mount without sweating through your clothes. Golden hour lighting at 4:30pm is perfect for photography.

Booking Tip: Free walking tours run daily and are excellent quality - tip ₪40-60 per person. Private guided tours cost ₪400-600 for half-day. Book Western Wall tunnel tours directly through their website 2 weeks ahead (₪35 per person). Friday afternoon tours end early for Shabbat.

Negev Desert Hiking and Stargazing

November offers the perfect window for Negev exploration - daytime hiking temperatures of 20-25°C (68-77°F) without the crushing summer heat that makes desert trekking dangerous. Clear skies 80% of nights provide incredible stargazing opportunities. Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon) is particularly stunning with comfortable temperatures for the 4km (2.5 mile) rim walk.

Booking Tip: Desert camping tours typically cost ₪220-350 per person including meals and transport from Tel Aviv/Jerusalem. Book 5-7 days ahead through licensed desert guides. Bring warm layers - temperatures drop to 5-10°C (41-50°F) at night. Weekend tours fill up fastest.

Tel Aviv Food Market Tours

November weather is perfect for outdoor market exploration without summer's oppressive humidity. Carmel Market vendors are more relaxed and willing to offer samples when they're not dealing with sweltering heat and massive crowds. Levinsky Spice Market tours are particularly pleasant - you can actually smell the spices instead of just your own sweat.

Booking Tip: Self-guided market exploration is free - just bring cash for purchases. Guided food tours cost ₪120-180 per person for 3-4 hours including tastings. Tuesday-Thursday mornings (9am-12pm) offer the best vendor selection and freshest products. Friday tours are shorter due to Shabbat prep.

Galilee Region Wine Tasting Tours

November is harvest celebration season in Israeli wineries - the grape harvest typically finishes in early November, and many Golan Heights and Galilee wineries offer special tastings of fresh wines. The 18-22°C (64-72°F) temperatures are perfect for vineyard walking tours and outdoor tastings that would be uncomfortable in summer heat.

Booking Tip: Golan Heights winery tours cost ₪80-150 per person including 4-6 tastings. Book weekend tours 10-14 days ahead as they fill quickly. Weekday tours often include winery production tours. Designated driver services available from Tiberias for ₪40-60 per person.

Red Sea Diving and Snorkeling in Eilat

Eilat's Red Sea maintains 24°C (75°F) water temperature while air temperatures drop to a comfortable 25°C (77°F) - perfect conditions without the 40°C+ (104°F+) summer heat that makes surface intervals miserable. Visibility is excellent in November with calmer seas before winter storms arrive. Coral Beach Nature Reserve offers world-class snorkeling just steps from shore.

Booking Tip: Two-tank diving trips cost ₪180-250 for certified divers, certification courses ₪800-1,200 over 3-4 days. Snorkeling gear rental ₪40-60 per day. Book diving trips 3-5 days ahead. Early morning dives (8am) offer best visibility and marine life activity.

November Events & Festivals

Early to Mid November

Olive Harvest Season

Traditional olive picking experiences throughout Galilee and West Bank villages. Many kibbutzim and moshavim offer hands-on harvesting followed by fresh olive oil tastings. This is real agricultural tourism, not staged tourist activities.

Mid November

Jerusalem International Film Festival

One of the Middle East's most prestigious film festivals, typically running for 10 days with screenings throughout Jerusalem including outdoor venues. Features international premieres and Israeli cinema showcases.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layering system essential - start with t-shirt for 26°C (79°F) days, add fleece for 15°C (59°F) evenings. Temperature swings of 10°C+ (18°F+) happen daily

Waterproof day pack cover - November's 10 rainy days bring sudden 15-20 minute downpours that can soak unprotected electronics and documents

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - Jerusalem's ancient stone streets become slippery when wet, and you'll walk 8-12km (5-7.5 miles) daily sightseeing

SPF 30+ sunscreen still necessary - UV index of 5 combined with high altitude locations like Jerusalem (760m/2,493ft elevation) can cause burns

Light rain jacket or packable poncho - much more useful than umbrella for archaeological sites and outdoor markets where you need hands free

Warm hat and gloves for desert/mountain areas - Negev and Judean Desert temperatures can drop to 5°C (41°F) at night during camping or stargazing

Quick-dry pants/shorts - essential for Dead Sea floating where you'll get salt-crusted, then want to rinse and continue sightseeing

Modest clothing for religious sites - long pants and sleeves required for Western Wall, Temple Mount, and many churches. Carry lightweight scarf for head covering

Insulated water bottle - staying hydrated is crucial even in cooler weather, especially at low-altitude Dead Sea (430m/1,411ft below sea level)

Portable phone charger - shorter daylight hours mean more reliance on phone flashlights and GPS navigation in Old City narrow streets

Insider Knowledge

Israelis take advantage of November weather for hiking - trails that are empty in summer are suddenly crowded on weekends. Hike weekdays or start very early (6:30am) for solitude at places like Ein Gedi and Masada.

Hotel rates fluctuate wildly in November based on Israeli school holidays and religious observances - you can save ₪200+ per night by avoiding Rosh Chodesh and school vacation weeks. Check Hebrew calendar dates when booking.

Public transportation reduces frequency after 4:45pm sunset - plan return journeys from distant sites like Masada or Eilat carefully. Last buses from remote locations often depart by 5:30pm, not the summer 7:30pm schedule.

Many outdoor restaurants in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv fire up their patio heaters in November - suddenly terrace dining becomes popular again after the summer hiatus. Make dinner reservations for outdoor seating.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how early it gets dark - tourists consistently get caught at distant sites like Masada or Qumran at sunset, then face expensive taxi rides back to Jerusalem (₪250-400) when buses stop running

Packing only summer clothes because 'it's still warm' - November evenings drop 10-11°C (18-20°F) below daytime highs, leaving tourists shivering at outdoor dinners and evening walks

Assuming all accommodation has heating - many budget hostels and apartments don't heat rooms until December, making November nights uncomfortable. Confirm heating availability when booking.