September is the last of the summer months in Israel, which brings along bright and warm days, with much less humidity than July and August. As a transition period between the summer holidays and the Jewish holidays of the fall, it’s one of the best times to visit Israel, with smaller crowds, lower prices, and relatively good weather. Here’s everything you should know before your September Israel journey.
Weather in Israel in September
The September weather in Israel is similar to June In a lot of ways, as it is a bit drier and less hot than the months of July and August. The average temperature in September on the coastline is around 29 Celsius/84 Fahrenheit, and 23 Celsius/73 Fahrenheit in the mountain areas. In the evening and nighttime, it gets much cooler and more pleasant outside. In addition, it tends to get a bit cooler throughout the month, and by the last week of September, you can already sense the arrival of autumn.
Best places to visit in September
Valley of Springs
September is one of the best times to visit Beit Shean Valley, also known as the Valley of Springs. At this time of the year, after the dry summer months, this region has a desert-like appearance, with yellow mountains and fields, and the impressive Gilead Mountains of Jordan in the background.
But unlike the desert, the Valley of Springs features a multitude of oases, in the form of springs, rivers, and ponds. Those make it an ideal destination for hot summer days, when you can enjoy the beautiful views of the valley, and spend the hot times of the day bathing in numerous charming springs and pools.
There are several great places to visit in the Valley of Springs, including the Green Beach in the Asi Stream, Park Hama’ayanot, the Beit Shean National Park, and more.
Galilee Panhandle
The Galilee Panhandle, stretching from Rosh Pina to Metula, is the northernmost part of the Galilee. This region features great mountainous views, plenty of rivers, and charming picturesque towns. While you can certainly have a great experience here at any time of the year, September is an especially good time to visit, as it will enable you to enjoy the region’s various water activities in perfect weather.
With activities like rafting and kayaking, alongside numerous pools and rivers to bathe in, the Galilee Panhandle is the ideal place to enjoy the nature of Northern Israel on hot summer days. Some of the best places to visit here include Kfar Blum, Nahal Snir Nature Preserve, and sites around the Northern Jordan River.
Dor-Habonim Beach
Located not far from Haifa, Dor-Habonim Beach is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Israel, with beautiful rock formations, small bays, and charming natural pools by the beach. The short hike on this coastline is one of the best summer activities you can do in Israel, as during your visit here, you will get to enjoy the sea breeze, watch the beautiful summer sunset on the beach, and cool down in the water of the Mediterranean Sea.
Hakshatot beach in Herzliya
HaKshatot Beach (Arches Beach), also known as HaSharon Beach, quickly became one of our favorite spots in Herzliya. We loved strolling down the wide paved walkway, enjoying the green lawns and vibrant atmosphere along the promenade. The beach provided everything we needed for a relaxing day: lifeguards, showers, clean restrooms, and even free parking, which was a huge plus. We rented sunbeds and umbrellas, but there were also shaded spots and outdoor fitness equipment available. When we got hungry, we had a fantastic meal at “Al HaMayim,” followed by refreshing drinks at the lively “Beach Bar,” both featuring delicious food and unbeatable views of the sea.
Holidays and festivals in September
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is Jewish New Year’s Eve, a day that comes with many interesting traditions, and the first of the several Jewish holidays in autumn. Rosh Hashana represents the end of the agricultural year, and is believed to be the day when God judges all people of the world for their actions last year, and then determines their fate for the next year.
During Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to hold a big family dinner, sing traditional holiday songs, and eat the holiday’s traditional foods: An apple dipped in honey, a fish head, and a pomegranate. In addition, it is customary to blow a shofar, an ancient musical horn, in synagogues throughout the country.
One of the most popular Rosh Hashanah traditions is called Tashlich. During this ceremony, all participants write down their sins from the past year on small notes near a lake or a river, and then throw stones or pieces of bread into the water, symbolizing the casting off of the sins.
Rosh Hashanah is one of the most unique and happy times to be in Israel, as everyone who goes outside greets their surroundings by saying “Shanah Tova” – happy new year. However, the holiday also comes with some restrictions, as it is a two-day holiday, during which most stores are closed and public transportation doesn’t operate.
Coffee Fest TLV
Israel is one of the countries with the most developed coffee cultures in the world, with one of the highest coffee consumption in the world per capita. Many locals are very proud of owning luxury coffee machines in their homes, and many cafes in Israel, especially in big cities, offer some of the best coffee you can ever find. All of that gets to its peak in the Coffee Festival in Tel Aviv, a 3-day celebration of coffee, which takes place in Park Hatachana, in mid-September.
Although you have to pay for entrance tickets to the Coffee festival, once inside, you can have a free taste of a variety of different kinds of coffee from all around the world, including local brands alongside some of the world’s finest coffee makers. In addition, you can get a chance to participate in numerous coffee-related activities, workshops, and lectures, and take a look at some of the world’s best and most unique coffee machines, which are sold at a discount at the festival.
In addition to the celebration of coffee, the festival features live shows, as well as numerous stalls and food trucks offering high-quality pastries to go along with the coffee, coffee-based drinks, and Italian food. So make sure to come here early, or otherwise, you’ll be up all night from your caffeine rush.
Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival
The Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival takes place every year at the beginning of September, at YMCA in Jerusalem. The festival is a series of concerts by leading Israeli and international artists, and ensembles and is an amazing experience for lovers of this unique genre. In addition, the festival holds lectures and workshops with some of the performers in the Jerusalem Music Center, usually at very affordable prices.
September in Apollonia
We love Apollonia National Park, perched atop an impressive sandstone cliff in Herzliya, We always feel as if we’d stepped back in time. You can find there ancient city ruins, explore the impressive city moat, toured the Roman villa, and marvel the magnificent Crusader fortress. September is the perfect time to visit Apollonia—the weather is much more comfortable, less hot and humid than July and August, and you can already sense the approaching autumn in the air. Plus, the park is less crowded, allowing you to explore at your own relaxed pace.
