May marks the beginning of the summer months in Israel. You can expect it to be warm and dry. There is practically no chance of it raining and there will be plenty of sunshine to accompany you during your adventures in the Holy Land during the month.
May lies in between the off-season and the high-season insofar as tourism is concerned. It is definitely busier and more crowded than it is during the months preceding May, but it's still not as busy as it will be in the months that follow. That being said, you can expect it to get particularly busy during the two festive periods of Shavuot and Independence Day, holidays that occasionally fall in May.
As far as your packing essentials for May are concerned, you can keep it simple. Loose-fitting summer clothing, comfortable walking shoes, long shirts and hats to protect you from the sun, sunscreen, bathing suits, and a skirt if you plan on visiting the Western Wall, all make the list of things to carry when visiting Israel in May. There is absolutely no need to pack any winter clothing.
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Israel Weather in May Overview
- Average temperature range: 19°C-29°C (67°F-85°F)
- Season: Warm and dry
- Rainfall: 0 mm (0 inches) throughout the country
- Rainy days: 1 in Jerusalem and 2 in Tel Aviv
May Weather by Region in Israel
Israel is divided into four separate climate regions. Check out the information below to better understand the weather conditions in each during the month of May.
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Northern Hills and Tiberias: 19°C-33°C (66°F-91°F)
Tiberias and the Northern Hills of Israel stay warm and dry during May. The average maximum daytime temperatures hover around the 31°C (88°F) mark and the minimum nighttime temperatures hover around the 20°C (68°F) mark.
It's not just dry in Tiberias during May, but also extremely sunny. No rainfall is expected in the region during the month.
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Tel Aviv and Haifa: 17°C-25°C (63°F-77°F)
The urban centers of Tel Aviv and Haifa, just like most of Israel during this time, remain warm and dry. The average maximum temperature is around 24°C (75°F) and the average minimum temperature is around 17°C (63°C).
Although very sunny and dry, it can also be a slightly muggy in both Tel Aviv and Haifa during the month of May. About 2 rainy days can be expected for the entirety of the month.
Jerusalem and Central Israel: 16°C-25°C (61°F-77°F)
Jerusalem, compared to most other cities in Israel, is relatively cooler during the month of May. The average maximum temperature (recorded during daytime) is 25°C (77°F) while the average minimum temperature (usually recorded at nighttime) is 16°C (61°F).
You can expect it to be dry and sunny in Jerusalem during May, as it's not really known to rain in the capital during this month.
The Southern Desert and the Dead Sea: 25°C-34°C (77°F-93°F)
It is hot and dry in the Southern Desert and the Dead Sea regions of Israel during May. The average maximum temperature is around 34°C (93°F) and the average minimum temperature is around 25°C (77°F).
It doesn't rain in the Dead Sea during May, and you can expect it to be extremely sunny in these parts during this month.
Best Places to See in Israel in May
1. Jerusalem
The important Jewish pilgrimage festival of Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks, is celebrated with much fanfare in the capital city of Jerusalem. Families stay up late studying in synagogues before visiting the Western Wall in the early hours of the morning, and the city organizes a number of fun events and celebrations throughout the day on this very meaningful holiday. Apart from the countryside, Shavuot is best observed in Jerusalem. The day of Shavuot itself will lead to a pause in usual business hours and the city will become more crowded with tourists during the holiday but for the rest of the month, it is not so busy and importantly enough, not as warm as other Israeli cities.
2. Haifa
Although warm and dry in Haifa, the city is not as warm as most other cities in Israel during the month of May. This means you can spend hours on one of the city's many pristine beaches without getting sunburnt, provided you've taken the precaution to apply some sunscreen before. Haifa is also not very busy during May, meaning you can visit the Bahai Hanging Garden and Mount Carmel in relative easy and comfort.
3. Sea of Galilee
Although a little warm during the afternoons, the mornings and evenings can be quite enjoyable if you visit the Galilee in May. It is not busy during this time and trips to Yardeint, the baptismal site of the Jordan River, and the Monastery of Beatitude, the site where Jesus gave lessons to his followers, can both be completed without having to worry about having too many people around.
May Crowds and Costs
May falls right in between the end of what is considered the 'off-season' and the beginning of the 'high season' in Israel. Crowds of tourists – both local and foreign – can be seen flocking the streets of most major cities but it's still not quite as busy as it will be during the summer months that succeed May. If you intend on leaving the hustle and bustle of the cities to spend some time in the countryside, you will certainly be greeted with plenty of quiet and peace.
Still, the relative increase in the number of tourists coming to Israel during May results in a gradual increase in prices. This is especially true during the two festive periods of Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, and Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks.
What to Wear in Israel in May
The sun is most intense during the summer months and days in May are characterized by long hours of sunshine. As such, it is recommended you bring at least a few skirts, long-sleeved shirts, your most trusted hat, and an effective sunscreen, to keep you protected from long hours of exposure to sunshine, in addition to light weight and loose-fitting summer clothing.
Besides, your skirts will also come in handy if you plan on visiting the Western Wall, as it mandatory you cover your knees when visiting the holy site.
May Events in Israel
Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Independence Day): Yom Ha'Atzmaut is an official holiday in Israel, commemorating the country's Declaration of Independence in 1948. All businesses and shops will remain closed on this day, but you will be treated to brilliant displays of fireworks and parties throughout the country. Speeches by the official heads of the country, traditional performances, and cultural ceremonies remain important fixtures to be carried out during this very important holiday in Israeli history and culture.
Shavuot (Feast of Weeks): Shavuot is a major Jewish festival that usually takes place in either May or June, depending on its day of observance in the Hebrew lunisolar calendar. It is also one of the three major Jewish pilgrimage festivals and as such, all businesses are closed on this day. The best religious celebrations during Shavuot take place in the capital city of Jerusalem. If you can visit a Kibbutz (voluntary work community) during Shavuot, though, there is nothing like that experience: you will get to see cowboys, families dressed in traditional clothing and crowns of flowers, and dancing in the fields.
Monthly Weather in Israel
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