March is the official beginning of the spring months in Israel. Although the Israeli spring is quite short, it is almost everyone’s favorite time of the year, as the skies get brighter, the temperatures go up, and the flowers begin to bloom, making March a great candidate for the best time to visit Israel, especially for lovers of the outdoors. Here’s your Israel in March travel guide.
Weather in Israel in March
The average temperature in March reaches a maximum of 20 Celsius/68 Fahrenheit in the coastal and inland areas and 10 Celsius/50 Fahrenheit degrees in the mountain areas. At night, the minimum temperature ranges between 10 Celsius/50 Fahrenheit in the coastal areas, around 7 Celsius/45 Fahrenheit inland, and in the mountain areas, it still gets pretty cold, with an average temperature of 5 Celsius/41 Fahrenheit in the high mountain areas like Jerusalem or the Golan Heights.
There are on average 11 days of rain in the mountains and about 7 days of rain in the coastal areas. Anyhow, it’s important to know that the spring weather tends to be unpredictable in Israel, sometimes delivering 4 seasons in 4 days. So plan accordingly and check the forecast often.
Things to do in Israel in March
As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, March is the perfect time to go hiking. It is one of the rare times when it is nice to be outside in every part of Israel, so if you’re here in March, we would highly recommend you to go hiking in the Galilee, which is in full bloom at this time of the year.
In addition, the climate in the southern parts of Israel is still pleasant in March, making it an ideal time to visit the craters of the south. Generally, it’s hard to find a place that is not ideal to visit in March, so just take advantage of the weather as much as you can, and go outside at every chance you get.
Holidays and Festivals in March
Purim Holiday
Usually celebrated towards the end of March, Purim is one of the happiest holidays in Israel, characterized by colorful costumes, big street parties, and parades. In Judaism, Purim is set as a day of thanksgiving to God, because according to Jewish tradition, on this day the Jews in the Persian Empire were saved from a genocide planned to be carried out on them by Haman, the viceroy of Ahasuerus, in the fifth century BC.
The traditions of Purim include giving gifts to orphans and people in need, delivering food baskets to friends and relatives, and holding a Purim feast, where it is customary to drink plenty of alcohol in celebration. Purim is also famous for the Ozen Haman, a sweet pastry filled with chocolate that is traditionally eaten during the holiday. The pastry is made in the shape of an ear, because according to tradition, Haman was hung from his year as punishment for his conspiracy.
The best way to experience Purim is to spend the holiday in one of the big cities of Israel, as every city holds a big Purim Parade, with plenty of costumes, music, and joy all around. It’s important to note that Purim is always held one later in Jerusalem, so if you had a great Purim party in Tel Aviv, you can just go to Jerusalem and do it all again the next day!
Mateh Yehuda Food Festival
A unique local festival in the Judean Foothills, that has become a tradition that brings together chefs who create a variety of unique, local multicultural cuisine, based on flavors from all over the world, representing the diverse cultures of the people of the region.
The food festival is a great chance to get to know the Judean Foothills region up close. During your visit here, you can learn about the Yehuda wine region, stay in unique homestays with locals, and enjoy the green landscapes and unique natural treasures of this area, which are most beautiful in February and March.
The Mateh Yehuda Food Festival, held during the entire month of March, offers a rich cultural experience of tastes, colors, and smells, alongside stories from a variety of cultures and communities in Mate Yehuda.
Jerusalem Marathon
The Jerusalem Marathon is widely described as one of the most challenging yet emotionally powerful city marathons in the world. Runners consistently emphasize that this is not a race for personal records, but rather a race for experience, meaning, and atmosphere.
The course is famous for its constant hills, with very few flat sections, Many runners recommend hill-focused training and adjusting expectations about pace.
The Jerusalem Marathon route stretches in the heart of Jerusalem, from the Old City in the east to Givat Ram in the west. The start and end of the marathon are near the Knesset building and the runners pass through the main streets of the city and near its main sites, including the Israel Museum, the Supreme Court, the Presidential Residence of Israel, the walls of the Old City and the Armenian Quarter, the two campuses of the Hebrew University, and various cultural institutions such as the Jerusalem Theater, the Khan Theater, and more.
The marathon course is relatively difficult because of the mountainous and many gradients of Jerusalem, making it much harder than the Tel Aviv Marathon. However, running here is a great experience for running lovers, who can join several shorter races as well.
The Green Desert festival
A popular blossom festival in the Jordan Rift Valley, held throughout March, which invites you to experience the valley at its best time of the year, and enjoy the unique blossoms spread throughout the area. During the days of the festival, you will find a variety of guided tours and workshops at a minimal cost, which are perfect for kids. “Workshops are taking place all across the region, ranging from medicinal plants to yoga sessions. Adventure seekers can enjoy off-road jeep tours and cycling trails, while those looking to relax can join the refreshing dips and parties at the various springs.
During the festival it is recommended to visit:
Nahal Yitav (The Unga): the undisputed king of the area.
Ein Sukot: like a classic vision of a desert oasis, Ein Sukot waits among tall reeds.
Einuot Patz’al (Einot Patzal): . Springs spilling from the foothills offer a wet, pleasant hiking route.
Ein Sidk: a water pool tucked near the entrances to Jericho.
Ma’ayan HaDekel (Mishkiah) and Ein Rina: little charms inviting a brief pause for coffee, a foot dip, and a gaze at the endlessly unfolding eastern landscape.
