Israel Weather in September: Hot and Dry; Places to Go

September sees the end of the summer in Israel, with warm/hot, rainless weather. Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Israel's beaches come recommended for a trip at this time of the year. Read on for more about travel and weather, including average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and travel tips for the month of September.

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Israel Weather in September: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 23–33°C (74–93°F)
• Rainfall: 0 cm (0 inches)
• Rainy days: 0
• Sunshine hours/day: 11
• Sea temperature: 29°C (85°F)
• Humidity: 31-60% (comfortable throughout)

From a visit to Israel in September, you can expect warm-to-hot temperatures throughout the country. Temperatures are particularly high in Tiberias and the Dead Sea, and warm to hot in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Israel sees no rainfall in September, and still has 11 hours of sunshine per day meaning it is a great time of year to go for a beach holiday combined with sightseeing. The humidity levels also start to drop in Tel Aviv in September, as compared to July and August, making it a good time of year to visit.

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Weather of Israel's Major Cities in September

The Best Places to Visit in Israel in September

Following on from the very hot months of July and August, September is when Israel starts to see a slight decrease in temperatures, although certain areas are still very hot (particularly around the Dead Sea).

As a result, for a trip to Israel in September, we would recommend visiting Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and nearby its beaches, as well as venturing to Haifa. If you're not too concerned about the heat, September is when there are fewer crowds around Tiberias, where you can also visit the important religious spots of Nazareth and Cana.

For more information about these destinations and what we recommend for your time in Israel, read on.

1. Explore Historic Jerusalem

Jerusalem is one of the most important religious centers in the world, and a great place to visit in Israel. For more information about where in Jerusalem to go in September, see our recommendations for Jerusalem in August.

It is recommended to combine a visit to Jerusalem with Tel Aviv, such as in this popular itinerary: Explore the Country of Faiths — 5-Day Israel Tour: Tel-Aviv – Mount Carmel – Jerusalem – Bethlehem – Tel-Aviv

2. Explore the Buzzing City of Tel Aviv and its Beaches

Tel Aviv is one of Israel's most energetic cities, and the perfect place to experience Israeli dining, nightlife, and visit some of the most beautiful museums in the country. It's also got an increasingly exciting art scene that is worth exploring further during your time in Israel.

Cap off your sightseeing with some beautiful days along Tel Aviv's beaches, where you'll be able to enjoy guaranteed sunshine, sea, and sand. Visit Alma beach for a more peaceful beach, or Banana Beach and Jerusalem Beach for busier beaches with water sports, food and drink offerings, and plenty of sunbeds.

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3. Learn about the Port City of Haifa, and Go for a Hike

Haifa is located along Israel's stunning Mediterranean Sea, and due to its historical location has numerous sites to explore. Whether you'd like to go for a stroll in the Bahai Garden, or take some time indoors to learn more at the Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum or the Haifa Museum of Art there is something to do for everyone.

Nearby Mount Carmel's national park has some great hiking spots for the more active traveler too, with a range of different levels of hikes.

4. See the Religious Sites around Tiberias

While still warm in September, Tiberias has some significant nearby religious sites to explore, and September is a great time to do this as there are fewer crowds at this time of the year. For a trip in September, we recommend sightseeing in the early mornings or waiting until the midday sun has somewhat passed.

The nearby Cana, for example, is the famous site at which Jesus turned water into wine, and the nearby Sea of Galilee and Jordan Rift Valley make for some incredible natural landscapes around the city.

Tiberias also played an important role in Jewish history, being the most important Jewish center in the Holy Land after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. You'll be able to find many incredible archaeological sites in the area.

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End of High Season: Some Crowds and Higher Costs in Some Areas

September is the end of the high season, and while you can expect some crowds on the beaches, near the Red Sea diving spots, and in the cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, there are generally fewer crowds in September than July and August. Book ahead to ensure that you don't get hit by higher accommodation costs, and it is recommended to travel towards the end of the month if possible.

Every Friday evening into Saturday is the Sabbath in Israel. This is an important day of religious observance and abstinence from work. As a result, businesses are closed on Saturdays.

Israel Festivals in September

September is when people in Israel celebrate Rosh Ha'Shanah (October 2 to October 4  in 2024, with businesses closing on September 16 and 17). This is the Jewish New Year, and during these few days it is common for families to visit each other and spend time together.

While it is interesting to witness the celebration, you might find the cities quieter than usual with businesses shut. In 2025, Rosh Ha'Shanah falls from September 23 to 24.

Yom Kippur is also celebrated in September in 2024, between October 11  and 12, with October 12 being a public holiday. This is the Day of Atonement, and is considered the most solemn of Jewish religious holidays when Jews seek to expiate their sins. The day is marked by an abstinence from food, drink, and work. 

All businesses will close on Yom Kippur so either avoiding Israel on this day, or making sure you've planned to spend it somewhere where you won't be impacted by it, e.g. the beach, is a good idea.

What to Wear in September

For visitors to Israel in September, we recommend dressing to stay cool. This means bringing clothing in lighter colors and made of natural fabrics where this is possible. Linens and cottons are a good idea.

We also recommend bringing plenty of sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, to keep your face out of the sun where possible. Good shoes also come recommended, especially if you are hoping to visit some of the more off-the-beaten-track sights or looking at fitting in a hike during your time in Israel. Regardless, you'll definitely get lots of steps in while you're in Israel.

If you are planning to visit religious sites like mosques, churches, and synagogues, we recommend bringing a headscarf to cover your head for modesty.

Monthly Weather in Israel

Recommended Tours for Israel in September

Global Highlights has a few popular itineraries that include Israel, whether you're looking to visit just Israel, or also hoping to visit nearby Egypt and/or Jordan. To take a look at these, click on one of the links below:

Explore the Country of Faiths — 5-Day Israel Tour: Tel-Aviv – Mount Carmel – Jerusalem – Bethlehem – Tel-Aviv

Epic Middle East — 18-Day Egypt, Israel, and Jordan Tour

Israel Insights — 10-Day Israel In-Depth Tour: Tel-Aviv – The Dead Sea – Bethlehem – Jerusalem – Sea of Galilee – Golan Heights – Nazareth – Tel-Aviv

We can of course also tailor an itinerary to fit your wishes, depending on how long you're staying Israel and what you would like to see. Just let us know, and one of our experts will work on putting together your ideal Israel trip of a lifetime! Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.