Israel rewards unhurried travel. In a single week you can trace three millennia of history in Jerusalem’s Old City, sip cardamom coffee in shaded courtyards, and unwind by Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean beaches. This itinerary leans into a calming rhythm: morning strolls, market grazing, restorative spa time, and golden-hour views.

Jerusalem’s layers reveal themselves block by block—from the Western Wall to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the souqs that bind the quarters together. Tel Aviv offers a complementary cadence: Bauhaus boulevards, gallery-lined alleys in Jaffa, and an energetic food scene shaped by Jewish, Arab, and Mediterranean influences. Shopping ranges from ancient lanes to modern design studios.

Practical notes: Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) sits between the two cities with direct rail to both. Many businesses slow or close from Friday sunset to Saturday night for Shabbat; plan key shopping/restaurant stops accordingly. Dress modestly for sacred sites. Always check current advisories and site hours close to travel dates.

Jerusalem

Few cities are as storied—or as walkable—as Jerusalem. Start at the Mount of Olives for a skyline of domes and stone, then thread the Old City’s Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Quarters via the bazaars, the Byzantine Cardo, and lively spice stalls.

• Top sights: Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Via Dolorosa, Temple Mount/Haram al‑Sharif (check access times), Tower of David Museum, Mahane Yehuda Market.
• Shopping: Old City suqs for ceramics, olive-wood carvings, and textiles; Mamilla Avenue for Israeli design; Mahane Yehuda for spices, halva, and boutique wines.
• Cafés & eats: Kadosh Bakery (iconic pastries), Azura (Iraqi–Kurdish slow-cooked stews), Hummus Lina or Abu Shukri (Old City hummus), The Eucalyptus (biblical herb cuisine), Machneyuda (market-sourced plates; book ahead).
• Relaxation: Akasha Spa (Mamilla Hotel) and Waldorf Astoria’s Guerlain treatments are favorites for post-walk revival.

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Jerusalem or compare hotels on Hotels.com Jerusalem. For a relaxing base, look near Mamilla, German Colony, or Rehavia.

Getting in: For flights into TLV, search Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From TLV to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon Station, the express train takes ~24–35 minutes (about $6–8); see Trip.com trains.

Curated tours: For a low-effort deep dive or a restful Dead Sea float, consider:

• Jerusalem Full Day Tour — panoramic views, Old City quarters, and key holy sites.

  

• Dead Sea 1/2 Day Mini Group From Jerusalem — float, mud treatments, and mineral-rich R&R.

  

Day 1 — Arrival in Jerusalem

Morning: In transit. Book flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: From TLV, ride the express train to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon (~24–35 minutes). Check into your hotel/apartment near Mamilla or Rehavia via Hotels.com or VRBO. Decompress with a gentle walk along Mamilla Avenue for window-shopping and People’s Coffee for a cappuccino.

Evening: Early dinner at Azura (signature sofrito, kubeh soup) or The Eucalyptus (herb-forward tasting menu inspired by biblical plants). If you still have energy, an easy stroll on the Old City ramparts at dusk frames the stones in soft light.

Day 2 — Old City Highlights, Leisurely Pace

Morning: Breakfast at Kadosh Bakery (order the pistachio cream-filled croissant), then enter through Jaffa Gate. Visit the Tower of David courtyard, meander the Armenian Quarter’s calm lanes, and continue to the Jewish Quarter to see the excavated Cardo.

Afternoon: Old City lunch at Hummus Lina (warm chickpeas, fluffy pita), then the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Browse ceramics and metalwork in the Christian and Muslim Quarter souqs—bargaining is expected, but do it with a smile.

Evening: Spa wind-down at Akasha (steam, pool, quiet room). Dinner near the market at Machneyuda (vibrant open kitchen; book ahead) or its simpler sibling, Yudale, for a more budget-friendly feast.

Prefer a guided deep dive? Swap today’s self-guided plan for the Jerusalem Full Day Tour:

Day 3 — Dead Sea Relaxation + Market Evening

Morning–Afternoon (Tour): Float day. Join the Dead Sea 1/2 Day Mini Group From Jerusalem for mineral mud, beach chairs, and zero-effort logistics. Expect a gentle schedule and back in Jerusalem by mid-afternoon.

Evening: Explore Mahane Yehuda Market as it shifts into evening—taste halva at Halva Kingdom, grab a sabich pita at Aricha Sabich, then sit down at Hachapuria for Georgian cheese bread or M25 (excellent meats) if you’re hungry again. Nightcap: wine bar at Basher Fromagerie.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is Israel’s beachside creative engine: Bauhaus buildings, indie boutiques, café culture, and sunset joggers along the tayelet (seaside promenade). The ancient port of Jaffa anchors the south; contemporary galleries and chefs animate the center.

• Top sights: Jaffa Old City and Port, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Bauhaus on Rothschild, beach boardwalk from Jaffa to Tel Baruch, Sarona Market.
• Shopping: Nahalat Binyamin Arts & Crafts Fair (Tue/Fri), Sheinkin Street boutiques, Dizengoff Center indie designers, Jaffa Flea Market (Shuk Hapishpeshim) for antiques and décor.
• Cafés & eats: Cafe Xoho (brunch and “everything” bagel), Port Said (lively Israeli plates), Ha’achim (grilled meats & salads), Shlomo & Doron (inventive hummus), M25 (steakhouse at the market), Anita (gelato).
• Relaxation: Beach day with shaded loungers; Yullia Spa or Sheva Thai Spa for treatments; Gordon Pool for a sea-water swim with skyline views.

Stay: For easy beach-and-market days, sleep near Rothschild, Dizengoff, or the Neve Tzedek/Jaffa edge. Browse VRBO Tel Aviv or compare hotels on Hotels.com Tel Aviv.

Getting there from Jerusalem: Morning high-speed train from Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon to Tel Aviv Hashalom/Savidor: ~35–50 minutes, roughly $6–8, departures every ~15–30 minutes; check Trip.com trains.

Curated tours:

• Carmel Market Food Tasting Tour — graze your way through Israel’s biggest open-air market.

  

• Exclusive Private Tour in The Israel Diamond Exchange — a fascinating look at Israel’s famed cutting and trade hub.

  

Day 4 — Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, Jaffa Sunset

Morning: Depart Jerusalem on the high-speed train to Tel Aviv Hashalom (~35–50 minutes). Drop bags at your hotel/apartment near the beach or Neve Tzedek (search Hotels.com / VRBO).

Afternoon: Wander Jaffa: stone alleys, artist studios, and the hilltop view by St. Peter’s. Browse the Jaffa Flea Market for carpets, brass, and contemporary design. Coffee at Puaa (vintage furniture, mellow vibe).

Evening: Dinner at Onza (modern meze) or Ramesses (open-air Levantine plates). Walk the seaside promenade north as the city lights flicker to life.

Day 5 — Markets, Tastings, and a Spa

Morning: Brunch at Cafe Xoho (house-cured salmon, baked goods). Head to Carmel Market and join the Carmel Market Food Tasting Tour to sample Yemenite malawach, Druze labneh, and Iraqi sabich—all guided and easy on planning.

Afternoon: Shop the Nahalat Binyamin Arts & Crafts Fair (Tue/Fri) for handmade jewelry, prints, and ceramics; on other days, browse Sheinkin’s indie boutiques. Spa time at Yullia (classic facials, massages) or Sheva Thai Spa (Thai-inspired treatments) to recharge.

Evening: Casual dinner near the market: M25 (perfectly grilled meats), Panda Pita (creative fillings), or Shlomo & Doron (hummus with seasonal toppings). Gelato at Anita in Neve Tzedek.

Day 6 — Beach Day, Art, and Diamonds (Optional)

Morning: Slow seaside start: lounger rental at Gordon or Frishman Beach; swim the saltwater Gordon Pool if you prefer lanes. Coffee at Nahat on Dizengoff (roastery beans, outdoor tables).

Afternoon: Tel Aviv Museum of Art (notable architecture and Israeli collections) or a gallery stroll in Florentin. Shoppers with a curiosity for big sparkle can book the Exclusive Private Tour in The Israel Diamond Exchange to see cutting rooms and the trading floor.

Evening: Dinner at Ha’achim (shared salads, house kebabs) or Port Said (lively vinyl soundtrack and seasonal plates). Sunset walk or bike north along the boardwalk to the Tel Baruch sands for quieter shoreline.

Day 7 — Sarona Stroll and Departure

Morning: Coffee and a final browse at Sarona Market (artisan cheeses, halva, pastries) and the surrounding Templar Colony lanes. Pick up spices or Israeli olive oil for home.

Afternoon: Head to TLV for your flight. If you prefer a car over rail, consider booking a private transfer (e.g., Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer). For trains, see schedules on Trip.com trains (Tel Aviv stations to TLV ~15–25 minutes).

Evening: Flight home via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Bon voyage.

Budget tips (50/100 comfort level): Expect $6–10 for market meals, $15–25 for casual sit-downs, and $35–45 for nicer dinner mains. Trains between cities run ~$6–8; taxis inside cities ~$7–15 for short hops. Spas range widely—plan $70–150 for solid midrange treatments.

Seasonal & cultural notes: Shabbat begins Friday at sunset; markets and many restaurants taper Friday afternoon and resume Saturday night. Book key dinners for Sunday–Thursday to avoid closures. Always bring modest dress layers for sacred sites.

Optional day trips if you want to swap a Tel Aviv day: Coastal classics to Caesarea, Haifa, and Akko with dramatic grottoes and crusader walls — see the Caesarea, Rosh Hanikra and Acre Day Trip from Tel Aviv.

In a week you’ll have floated in the Dead Sea, bartered for ceramics in millennia-old lanes, and watched the sun set over the Mediterranean. This itinerary keeps the pace gentle so the history, flavors, and sea air can do their work—leaving you refreshed and eager to return.