Israel Weather in December 2024: Cool to Mild; Places to Go

December marks winter's beginning in Israel, but given that there are still some nice days, we do recommend visiting to see the sights in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and to go for hikes around Tiberias.

Read on to find out more about Israel travel and weather, including average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and travel tips for December.

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Israel Weather in December: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 11–19°C (52–66°F)
• Rainfall: 9 cm (3 inches)
• Rainy days: 9
• Sunshine hours/day: 6.5
• Sea temperature: 16°C (61°F)
• Humidity: 41-78% (comfortable at the Dead Sea and in Jerusalem, and more humid in Tel Aviv)

Israel's weather in December ranges from cool to mild and warm in some areas, making it a great place to visit in December to escape the winter temperatures for those living in Europe and North America. With an average of 6.5 hours of sunshine per day and just 9 cm (3 inches) of rain across Israel, December is still a great time of year to visit.

Humidity levels hover around the 40-70%, with the Dead Sea and Jerusalem being comfortable and on the drier side, while Tel Aviv is a little more humid at this time of year.

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The Best Places to Visit in Israel in December

December is one of the coolest months in Israel, but thankfully it is still warm enough to be very pleasant to visit. In fact, lower temperatures might mean that it is more pleasant to do the more active activities in Israel in December.

While in Israel, we also recommend heading on over to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. While it is possible that you might come across the occasional shower, there is still enough sunshine to make it a great time of year to visit. Lower temperatures also mean that a hike is more comfortable.

Read more below to find out more about visiting Israel in December.

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1. Do a Walking Tour of Jerusalem

December is a great time of the year to visit Jerusalem, with lower temperatures making it more pleasant to spend your time doing a lot of walking. To find out more about what to do in Jerusalem, check out our piece about visiting Israel in November.

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2. Explore Tel Aviv's Museums and Restaurant Scene

Tel Aviv is probably most people's starting point in Israel, as this is where the biggest airport is. And it's well worth spending a few days in Tel Aviv, as there is plenty to see and do around the city.

On the occasional rainy day, we recommend visiting one of Tel Aviv's museums, such as the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the ANU Museum of the Jewish People, or the Eretz Israel Museum. For a sunny day, we recommend talking a walk along one of Tel Aviv's many beautiful beaches, and visiting some of the well-known restaurants to learn more about Israeli food.

There is also something for nightlife lovers, as Tel Aviv is a buzzing city with plenty of bars that open late into the evening.

3. Hike around the Mountains at the Sea of Galilee

Israel's well-known Sea of Galilee offers many hiking and biking trails for those that want to get out into nature, and December's (relatively) lower temperatures mean this is a good time of year to do it.

Why not climb up Nahal Amud, to see the beautiful Amud Stream, or venture to Mount Arbel, the most iconic viewpoint over the Sea of Galilee? Here you will also find an ancient synagogue and a fortress. Whether you'd like to go on a hike of a few hours, or spend a week trekking, the Galil Mountains are the perfect unique backdrop to any kind of active holiday.

And while you are in the area, there is also plenty of sightseeing to be done.

4. Float in the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is one of Israel's highlights, and the water is still warm there in December, meaning it's more pleasant to visit in December than the extremely hot summer months.

Tourists can travel down to one of the official places to get into the Dead Sea, for example at Sin Gedi Beach or the Ein Bokek Resort, and submerge themselves into the salty waters. High salt concentrations mean you are floating more than swimming, making for a fun and different experience.

Due to the high salt concentrations, we recommend taking off any jewelry, not wearing your favorite swimsuit, and being prepared for a little sting if you've got a small cut anywhere.

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Low Season: Less Crowding and Lower Costs

December is low season when it comes to tourism (the high season runs between June and September), with the exception of the week or two of Christmas into New Year, due to school holidays and festive travelers. This means that for early to mid- December, accommodation and flights are generally cheaper, and there are fewer crowds at the main tourist attractions.

For visitors to Israel in December, as with any month, it is important to remember that every Friday evening until Saturday evening is the Sabbath, a day of religious observance and abstinence from work. Because of this, businesses close on Saturdays.

What to Wear in December

For visitors to Israel in December, we recommend bringing a few different layers so that you can dress accordingly depending on your activity and where in Israel you'll be. In the evenings in Jerusalem, you'll likely want to wear a jumper as well as a light coat, while the day-time temperatures sometimes mean you'll be okay in a t-shirt around Tiberias or the Dead Sea.

We also recommend bringing a rain jacket or an umbrella, just in case it does rain a bit while you are there, and sturdy footwear to support you during your walks and travels.

For visitors looking to go on hikes, we recommend bringing all your hiking gear, and for those heading to the Dead Sea, it's important to bring swimwear (not your favorite, as the salt might ruin it).

Women should also bring a headscarf or a shawl if planning on visiting the religious sites, although it is usually also possible to borrow or rent one for respectful purposes.

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Recommended Tours for Israel in December

There is so much to see and do in Israel that it can be overwhelming to put together your ideal itinerary. Let Global Highlights take the stress out of planning, with our expert recommendations. These are some of our most popular tours to Israel (or Israel with Egypt and Jordan):

• Explore the Country of Faiths — 5-Day Israel Tour: Tel-Aviv – Mount Carmel – Jerusalem – Bethlehem – Tel-Aviv
• Israel Insights — 10-Day Israel In-Depth Tour: Tel-Aviv – The Dead Sea – Bethlehem – Jerusalem – Sea of Galilee – Golan Heights – Nazareth – Tel-Aviv

You can also ask for our help in putting together your ideal itinerary. Just reach out to let us know what you'd like to see, how long you're looking to visit Israel for, and what your requirements are, and our experts will put together a bespoke trip just for you. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.