16 Family-Friendly Spring Time Adventures in Israel

Want to feel like Aladd in for a day? go camel-riding through the anc ient, story-book Negev desert

The Negev camel ranch is equipped with various tours, ranging from a one-hour voyage to a four-hour adventure, ending with an exquisite sunset. All you need to pack is your imagination. They also provide discounts for children between the ages of 3-8.

A former seaman’s self-declared micr onation within Israel’s bord ers attracts hippies and anarc hists.

The eccentric former seaman first became smitten with this beautiful stretch of beach at the northern edge of Israel in 1952. Convinced this was the spot for him, he soon built himself a home there. In 1970, after a string of mishaps with the government (one of which involved a bulldozer), Avivi, a born renegade, declared his 2.5 acres of land and its populace, "Achzivland." Not surprisingly, the spot is known to draw a crowd of young, hippie-inclined internationals and Israelis, making late night parties, concerts and drum circles a part of Achzivland's cultural heritage.

Experience Israel fr om on high in a hot air balloon followed by a sumptuous breakfast.

Those looking for a unique and colorful way to start the day and get acquainted with Israel’s vast landscapes can hover over the country in a hot air balloon. Israeli company Rize is the largest hot air balloon company in the country, widely experienced with flights in Israel and around the world. Expeditions can be arranged for sunrise and within two hours of sunset, accommodating one to ten passengers. Help inflate the balloon with the pilot and crew, then get comfortable for a 90-minute adventure. 

One of Israel’s biggest attractions, the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo is like none other in the world.

A 62-acre zoo with a lake at its center, the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo encompasses two levels, interconnecting pools and waterfalls. The zoo is surrounded by green hills and has grassy lawns with plenty of shade inside, and includes multiple research laboratories dedicated to wildlife conservation. Kids love the Noah’s Ark visitor center, a boat-shaped wooden structure with information and games pertaining to all the animals mentioned in the Bible.

Stretch your sea legs and let the wind blow through your hair in style on one of Via Maris’ luxury yachts.

Via Maris Sailing School, situated in the Herzylia Marina, is now offering a full-fledged skipper course, teaching students everything they need to know to get their skippers’ licenses – all in English. The course combines practical sailing instruction with theory lessons. For those who don’t have the time to take a full course, you can try it for a day. Via Maris offers three hours sailing on a yacht for up to four participants with an instructor who will teach beginners the ropes. You can also rent yachts for birthdays and other special occasions and there’s even a luxury yacht with a bedroom suite for overnight rental. 

The Israel National Trail is known the world over in hiking communities for its diverse land scapes and various routes.

Israel in general is famed for its many hiking trails winding their way over breathtaking heights in the north and lunar-like lows in the south. The routes are a fantastic way to see the country's beautiful landscape, and they all link up to form one giant hiking path that traverses the entire country, known as the Israel National Trail. Its northern end is at Dan, near the Lebanese border, and it extends to Eilat at the country's southernmost tip on the Red Sea. The trail is marked with three stripes (white, blue and orange) and has been named by National Geographic as one of the world’s best hikes. 

Labeled as 'Africa in the heart of Israel,' this park in Ramat Gan inv ites you on a journ ey to the largest safari in the Midd le East.

Children will squeal with delight in the ‘African savannah,’ while exploring the 1,600 varied species that inhabit this park. They’ll also get a close-up view of rhinos, giraffes, zebras, lions, and more. This is a truly fun day out, and a mere 15-minute drive from Tel Aviv.

The fountain at Tedd y Park has become an instant hit in Jerusalem, leading to Tedd y Park being dubbed the beach of the Holy City.

Teddy Park tells the story of Jerusalem’s development during Teddy Kollek’s tenure as Mayor of Jerusalem. The special featured attraction, the Hassenfeld Family Fountain, has computerized water performances set to light and specially composed music. The fountain’s performances integrate 256 water hoses, 1,500 light bulbs and original music created by the New Jerusalem Orchestra. 

Seventeen distinct hot springs erupt from more than 600 feet below sea level at Tiberias Hot Springs.

Known in the Talmud for their curative powers, these mineral-rich waters are now paired with modern accoutrements, including indoor/outdoor thermal pools, a lap pool (heated in winter), free beach access, gym, dry and wet sauna, mud wraps, massage and more. 

Something is always in bloom in the Botanical Garden’s six geographical sections.

Here, you can travel from Europe to North America and from Asia to the Mediterranean without stepping on a single plane. Climb aboard the flower train or wander along enchanting, leafy paths, enjoying the garden's bloom. 

A treasure in Acre, built in the 1200's.

The north of Israel houses many archaeological treasures. One of these is the crusader fortress in Acre, built and inhabited by the Knights Templar at the turn of the 12th century. At the time it was built, the city was one of the main ports of Israel, and as such was much bigger. If you follow the ancient city’s walls, the crusader fortress was built directly in the center to ensure the vital supplies coming to and from Europe. Within the fortress there are rooms for all different uses, from hospitals, to dining rooms, public bathrooms, and most impressively, huge halls used for varying purposes. The crypt that lies underground contains crusader tombstones and the tunnel which leads there is as small today as it once was, so try and keep it single file. The fortress is an impressive structure, not just because of its huge size but because of the brilliant preservation that has taken place since its re-discovery. Even now it is used in the annual Acre festival and will always remain a place of significant history in all of Israel.

Ranked one of the world’s most beautiful rose gardens.

Opposite the Knesset lies a magical garden with over 400 varieties of roses. In addition to some 15,000 rose bushes, the park features expansive lawns and an ornamental pond with aquatic plants. It’s a celebration of colors and smells and the perfect backdrop for selfie-lovers!

Tel Gador, an arc heological, prehistoric treasure only half hour fr om Tel Av iv, is best experienc ed on horseback. 

The Cactus Ranch is situated in the Tel Gador Nature Reserve, only 30 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Tel Aviv. Horseback riding is a perfect way to explore the reserve, the beaches and the wild cliffs of Michmoret. Rides can last between one to four hours with options to include a delicious Israeli country style meal. Special events for larger groups and riding lessons also available.

Carved into the cliffs of Herzliya’s serene Sidn a Ali Beach is a fantastic residenc e that is both decrepit and beautiful.

Called the Hermit House, this real-life sandcastle is what happens when you mix a fairytale wonderland with a junkyard. The owner, Nissim Cachlon, has been tunneling deep into the dunes and cliffs surrounding the area since the 70s in order to construct this intriguing and frankly, bizarre home. In addition to creating chambers and passageways through the rock, Cachlon has used recycled materials like tires, bottles, toys and glass in order to add an undeniably quirky aesthetic to his abode. 

With astonishing prehistoric discoveries, this beautiful nature reserve is a must-visit for arc heology buffs.

Ninety years of archaeological research in the area has uncovered an astounding archive of early human life, including cultural deposits representing at least 500,000 years of human evolution, attesting to the unique existence of Neanderthals and evidence from numerous Natufian burials and early stone architecture. These represent the transition from a hunter-gathering lifestyle to agriculture and animal husbandry. Not to mention the breathtaking beauty of the Carmel Range. The nature reserve is well worth a day’s hike.  

Explore the beautiful scenery of the Galilee with a horseback trek.

Why not head up north and explore Ramot Ranch, the largest riding establishment in the north of Israel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee? You should. For a true cowboy adventure, the Ranch offers a variety of tailor made horseback riding treks from a few hours to even a number of days in the Golan Heights & the Galilee.