Not like everyone else: the colorful destination is a two-hour flight away

Looking for a vacation abroad but not sure how long you’re willing to sit on a plane? We’ve put together seven destinations ranked by flight time from Israel—from a one-hour hop to Cyprus to a six-hour African journey to Tanzania—with everything you need to know: the airlines, the landing field, what to do at the destination, and how long it will take you to get from the field to the attractions Recommended.

Time of flight: About 45-60 minutes, the shortest international flight from Israel.
Landing
: Larnaca International Airport (LCA).

Airlines
: Direct flights from Ben-Gurion with El Al, Arkia, Israir, Wise Air, Cyprus Airways and TUS Airways. There are also direct flights from Haifa with Air Haifa.

Travel time from the airport: Approximately 1.5-2 hours by rental car from Larnaca to the heart of the Troodos Mountains.

What to do at the destination

Beyond the beaches and the old city of Larnaca, this is an excellent destination For a day trip to the Troodos Mountains – a green mountain chain that offers picturesque mountain villages, ancient Byzantine monasteries and a lot of authentic Cypriot nature and culture. You can coordinate a guided tour day, or rent a car and travel independently.

• Kikos Monastery — one of the most beautiful monasteries in Cyprus, with magnificent mosaics.
• Kfar Omodos — a small and picturesque wine village with local wineries and taverns. If you want to sleep overnight in the area, this is a good location.
• Milomaris waterfall — an easy walking trail to a spectacular waterfall in the heart of the forest.

Time of flight: About 2 hours and 15-30 minutes.
Landing: Macedonia International Airport (SKG), about 13 km from the city center.

Airlines: El Al, Israir (seasonal-increased), Aegean Airlines operate direct flights, with a frequency that varies according to the season.

Travel time from the airport: About 1.5 hours drive from Thessaloniki to Litochoro and the Olympus springs area.

What to do at the destination

Thessaloniki is a lively port city With a rich Byzantine history – the iconic White Tower, the ancient Rotunda, the Galerius Arch and happy taverns. From Thessaloniki, you can go on a day trip or two to the Olympus springs and the surrounding area.

• Litochoro — a village at the foot of Mount Olympus, the starting point for the climbing trails. It is very important to climb only with a guide, or someone who is knowledgeable.
• Orlias springs – orlias at the foot of Olympus, near the town of Dion. A walk suitable for everyone among green vegetation along the stream. There are some fun natural pools of cool water.
• The “Red Rock” waterfall – An impressive waterfall on the walking route. In some places you can combine an extreme experience of canyoning.

What to do at the destination

Baku is a fascinating combination of East and West – an ancient walled city that is a site A UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside modern and new urban beauty.

• The old city of Icheri Shahr — stone alleys, the 12th century Virgin Tower and the Shirvansha Palace.
• The Flame Towers (Flame Towers) — the symbol of the modern city, especially spectacular in the night lighting.
• Hayam Promenade (Baku Boulevard) — a long promenade along the Caspian Sea, with amusement parks and parks.
• Taza Bazaar market — an active market from the 15th century, excellent for getting to know the local cuisine.

Flight time: About 3.5–3.75 hours, direct.
Landing
: John Paul II Krakow International Airport (KRK), about 11 km west of the old city.

Airlines
: El Al, Wise Air, the Polish Lot operate direct flights from Israel.

Travel time from the airport: About 20-30 minutes by bus or train to the center of Krakow.

What to do at the destination

• Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) —one of the largest medieval squares in Europe.
• Wabble Castle — a royal castle with a panoramic view of the Vistula River.
• Kazimize — the former Jewish quarter, now a vibrant cultural center with cafes and historic synagogues.
• Auschwitz-Birkenau — a museum and memorial site, about an hour and a half drive from the city.

Flight time: About 4.5-5 hours, direct

Landing: Mainly Heathrow Airport (LHR); Some flights land at Gatwick or Luton.

Airlines: El Al operates regular direct flights throughout the year. Arkia and Israel also offer direct flights.

Travel time from London to Cotswold: About 1.5-2 hours by car, or about two hours by train to Moreton-in-Marsh/Cheltenham and from there continue by public transport.

What to do at the destination

Of course there is no shortage of things to do in London, but this time the recommendation is to go on a day trip on an organized tour if you are afraid of driving on the left, or rent a car and go to rural England – the Cotswold Cotswold.

• Bourton-on-the-Water – England’s little Venice, with small stone bridges over a stream.
• Bibury A picturesque village, perhaps the most famous of this cluster of villages, with its historic row of houses, Arlington Row recommends arriving early or towards dusk for less congestion. You can see landscapes straight out of a fairy tale.
• Castle Combe Village is also beautiful, preserved and special.

Flight time: Around 6 hours direct flight, there is not always a direct flight – check carefully.
Landing: Castrop Airport (CPH), about 8 km south of the city center

Airlines: As of today, Sun Dor (El Al) has a direct flight.

Travel time from the airport: Only about 15 minutes to the city center.

What to do at the destination

Copenhagen is a calm and peaceful capital city, which combines bicycle culture, picturesque canals and design Scandinavian in every corner.

• Nyhavn The iconic colorful canal with the historic houses and restaurants along the quay.
• Tivoli Gardens A historic amusement park from 1843, one of the oldest in the world and still operating in all its glory.
• Emlinburg Palace — seat of the Danish royal family.
• The Little Mermaid — the famous sculpture on the water’s edge, inspired by Andersen’s fairy tale.
• You can also coordinate a tour in Hebrew in the city, Maya lives in Copenhagen and has a selection of tours and you can consult her.

Flight time: Depends on the landing destination — a direct flight to Zanzibar takes about 6 hours; Flights to Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam, usually with a stopover, can take 7-11 hours. In some seasons there are also direct flights to Kilimanjaro.
Landing: Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) for the tropical coast, or Kilimanjaro Field (JRO) for the mainland north – gateway to safari and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Airlines: Israel and Arkia operate seasonal direct flights to Zanzibar; Ethiopian Airlines, Fly-Dubai and Emirates offer flights with a stopover.

Travel time from the airport: From Zanzibar to Stone Town about 15-20 minutes (about 7 km); from Kilimanjaro to Arusha, the starting point for the safari, about an hour’s drive.

What to do at the destination

Tanzania offers a special charm, also a powerful safari in the large nature reserves, watching the animals in the open areas is a crazy experience, you can also combine climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and of course ending your vacation with pampering on the picturesque and special beaches of Zanzibar.

• The Serengeti Reserve — the world famous animal migration, an unforgettable safari. It depends on how long you arrive and whether it is during the migration season or not. All this can be checked before arrival.
• Ngorongoro Crater — a huge caldera with a particularly dense concentration of wildlife. We managed to see all the Big 5 in one day.
• Stone Town, Zanzibar —an ancient city with Arab, Persian and Indian influences, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I highly recommend taking a local guide and doing a tour with him, there is a lot to learn about the culture, the food, customs and more.