The 9 Best Israel Tour Companies of 2023

The Rundown

Best Overall: Bein Harim

"Bein Harim run tours not only throughout Israel but Jordan as well, if guests are looking for a more varied tour of the region."

Best Budget: Kenes Tours

"Kenes Tours provides full trip planning via the help of an on-the-ground planner, so it is ensured that tours run smoothly."

Best for Seniors: Vered Hasharon

"Vared Hasharon has the ability to truly understand each guest, recognizing that sometimes guests can be pilgrims, rather than tourists."

Best for Families: Guided Tours Israel

"The company transfers their passion for Israel and its unique culture, partly because they are committed to offering small, intimate tours."

Best for Singles: Egged Tours

"After being picked up from their hotel, guests are able to meet and mingle with other like-minded travelers along the way."

Best for Couples: Tourist Israel

"Travel Israel’s “Masada Sunrise Yoga Tour” is a popular choice for young couples, as guests can practice yoga during sunrise, and bask in nature."

Best for Young Adults: Abraham Tours

"Unconventional options include a Tel Aviv pub crawl tour, a graffiti tour and even longer hiking tours."

Most Unique: Green Olive Tours

"Offering a variety of different multi-day, cycling and hiking tours, one of the company’s most unique tours is a three-day hike through the desert."

Best for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs: Israel Discovery Tours

"The perfect itineraries create seamless tours with well-balanced days to accommodate adults and children alike."

Best Overall: Bein Harim

Since 1993, Bein Harim has cemented its reputation as the leading tour company in Israel, thanks to its various benefits including competitive prices, guaranteed departures, and its excellent reviews.

With such an abundance of choice, Bein Harim has become one of the most utilized and popular tour operators in the Middle East. Bein Harim run tours not only throughout Israel but Jordan as well, if guests are looking for a more varied tour of the region.

One of the most popular aspects of Bein Harim is their ability to coordinate with visiting cruise ships and conduct tours day or multi-day tours for disembarking passengers, making transitions easy for travelers.

The one-day ‘“Jerusalem and Dead Sea Private Tour” is one of the more popular tours offered by the company, providing a combination of ancient historical, cultural and architectural interests. Beginning in Jerusalem’s Old City, home to some of the most famous sites in the whole country, the tour travels to Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, before heading to the Jewish Quarter and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christ was crucified. It ends with a trip down to the Dead Sea, where guests can relax in the sun and sand. Food and drink are not included, but trekkers can expect state-of-the-art, air-conditioned vans, and hotel pick-up and drop-off for convenience and comfort. Finally, for those who return to Bein Harim, their members-only savings offer fantastic special offers on further tours and activities.

Best Budget: Kenes Tours

One of the longest-running tour companies in Israel, Kenes Tours has been operating since 1965. Their award-winning, tech-savvy staff are always quick to help out, whether that be before, during or after guests’ holiday, thanks to their 24-hour helpline and impeccable customer service. Kenes Tours also provides full trip planning via the help of an on-the-ground planner, so it is ensured that tours run smoothly.

Kenes offers unique archaeological tours of prehistoric sites such as Masada, an ancient Roman mountaintop fortification built by Herod the Great, which is not often visited by other tour competitors. With the guidance of qualified archaeologists, guests will get an in-depth tour of the history of the site, and learn all about how it was excavated and discovered.

Best for Seniors: Vered Hasharon

Established in 1965, Vered Hasharon caters to guests looking for either individual, specialized, or group tours in Israel. Since its start, the company has prided itself on its dedication to the Israeli experience and has expanded to Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Focused on predominantly faith-based tours, Vered Hasharon has seen a wealth of returning customers who have praised the tour operators for their ethics, consideration, and integrity. As they have passionately studied different cultures of the Israeli region over the last 50 years, Vared Hasharon has the ability to truly understand each guest and their wants and needs, recognizing that sometimes guests can be pilgrims, rather than tourists.

The staff can plan and provide very personalized services to either large groups or smaller private requirements. The company has been known to offer large tours to over 100 people, including religious groups and entire congregations.

No detail is too small, from the program itself, guides, hotels, transportation and meals, every aspect is meticulously planned by Vered Hasharon. But with all that preparation, the company still offers competitive rates for those looking to find affordable and accessible trips and tours.

The 13-day, “Biblical Journey” tour is one of the company’s most popular tours. It begins in Jaffa and finishes in Jerusalem. Stops include various important locations that played a part in the Bible, such as Bethlehem, Jericho, Nazareth and the Mount of Olives. Each visit is conducted with an excellent guide and luxurious vehicles, so everyone will be comfortable in between stops. In turn, each hotel accommodation is chosen for the utmost comfort and relaxation.

Best for Families: Guided Tours Israel

Operating since 2007, Guided Tours Israel has earned a sterling reputation as a family-friendly travel company. The only travel company in Israel to offer a money-back guarantee, Guided Tours Israel is confident that they can transfer their passion for Israel and its unique culture, partly because they are committed to offering small, intimate tours. In Israel, larger tour groups are often turned away from museums or secluded areas, so a smaller group size is especially important if guests want to see some of the more exclusive sites.

Each tour can be personalized to cater to each and everyone’s interests. The company’s online site even has a brilliant trip planner option to tailor the visitor's itineraries. Guests have the option to choose the areas they want to visit, what type of trip they are interested in and finally how much they’re willing to spend. Whether the group wishes to be picked up from the airport, hotel or cruise terminal, Guided Tours Israel guarantees first-class service.

Best for Singles: Egged Tours

Egged Tours was established as a subsidiary of the famous Israeli bus cooperative of the same name and offers numerous tours in Israel, both private and with groups, to the country’s most popular destinations. The guides are known for their comprehensive knowledge of the country, thanks to their years of experience giving tours in and around the region.

Embarking on a well-planned guided tour of Israel with Egged Tours eliminates the need for car rentals and laborious planning. After being picked up from their hotel, guests are able to meet and mingle with other like-minded travelers along the way.

One of their most popular tours is the “Christmas Eve in Jerusalem and Midnight Mass in Bethlehem Tour.” It’s a10-hour journey that brings visitors closer to Christianity as they visit the Church of Nativity and Mount of Evil Counsel to enjoy breathtaking views of Bethlehem.

Best for Couples: Tourist Israel

Founded with strong values and a desire to provide great service, Tourist Israel has evolved rapidly from humble beginnings into one of the country’s most famous tourism companies. With a team of 150 travel professionals, the company has a unique platform, combining technology with intricate operational abilities, using state of the art vehicles and tools like tablets to convey information and coordinate groups. This mix of innovation and experience has allowed the company to offer one-of-a-kind experiences for a myriad of travelers of different nationalities and backgrounds.

Travel Israel’s “Masada Sunrise Yoga Tour” is an immensely popular choice for young couples, especially those on their honeymoon. Departing from either Tel Aviv or Jerusalem in the early morning, participants will venture through the Judean Desert to the summit of Mt. Masada where they can marvel at the views across the Dead Sea and Moab Mountains during a yoga session. Finally, guests can bathe in the pools and waterfalls of the Ein Gedi Nature reserve before departing for home.

Best for Young Adults: Abraham Tours

Abraham Tours operates throughout Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, offering its clientele the best possible experience in each of these countries. The company is particularly appealing to young adults due to its variety of activities and tour choices. Unconventional options include a Tel Aviv pub crawl tour, a graffiti tour and even longer hiking tours. The ability to cater to young adults is unique in a country that can be, at times, somewhat strict.

Abraham Tours has pledged to make their tours socially responsible, and they take the issues in Israel very seriously: Economic, environmental, and social justice are at the forefront of each tour or activity. One of the sustainable policies adopted by the company is its partnership with a number of hostels in cities across Israel to create competitive prices that are affordable for younger travelers.

The Tel Aviv Pub Crawl begins at the Tel Aviv Abraham Hostel Bar, where the guide will lead guests through the nightlife of the eclectic city, meeting new people and enjoying free drinks in a number of bars along the route. VIP entrance to all watering holes is included as well, so partiers spend their time dancing instead of waiting in line.

Most Unique: Green Olive Tours

Green Olive Tours

Established in 2007, Green Olive Tours was created by a cooperative of Israelis and Palestinians focusing on the culture and the history of this beautiful yet politically troubled area. Originally offering single-day tours of Jerusalem, the company has expanded to the infamous West Bank.

The company’s guides are some of, if not, the most experienced in the area, speaking fluent English and having countless fascinating anecdotes and facts of the area. According to the company’s founder, it is imperative to see both Israel and Palestinian territories to get a proper understanding of the two opposing parties who have been at odds for so many years.

One of the benefits of Green Olive Tours is the fact that the local population is hired, trained, and totally involved in giving visitors an immersive and revealing tour. Clients will stay with families or in small guesthouses and are encouraged to shop or eat directly from the local producers and fair trade outlets, and not the large corporations.

Offering a variety of different multi-day, cycling and hiking tours, one of the company’s most unique tours is the “Desert Hike Adventure.” Guests will have the chance to trek the expansive desert that surrounds the Dead Sea while visiting important historical attractions like the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, the Mar Saba Monastery, and the Palestinian city of Jericho. This three-day tour combines the unique climate and landscape of the Israeli region with the urban and cultural outcroppings that dot the desert. The excursion informs guests about how historical inhabitants of the region and the famed biblical figures lived in the area, by hiking the desert or riding on camelback.

Best for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs: Israel Discovery Tours

Family-owned and operated since 1991, Israel Discovery Tours has welcomed thousands of visitors to Israel.

With an unmatched reputation for excellence all over the country, one can only be impressed with the company’s attention to detail, superb quality, well-located hotels, and incredible guides. The perfect itineraries create seamless tours with well-balanced days to accommodate adults and children alike. Most tours will discover Israel in its entirety.

For many visitors to the Holy Land they are here for one reason: a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Guided Discovery Tours, the proud recipient of the State of Israel Fiftieth Anniversary Travel and Tourism Award, are well-known for their tours that highlight this special celebration.

The company offers a 12-day tour that includes a tour of Jerusalem’s Old City and Western Wall, an actual archaeological dig, a boat tour on the sea of Galilee, and a visit with the desert Bedouins, to mention a few highlights. In all of these destinations, guests will see Israel's most sacred places. On top of that, there is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah service that takes place on the ethereal Masada, 1,300 feet above the Dead Sea. The early morning initiation will be followed by a banquet and the singing of “Hatikvah,” providing visitors with an authentic and unforgettable experience.