Run the streets. Ride through the desert. Ski the mountain. Dive into the Red Sea. Soar above the landscape.
For India’s increasingly adventurous travellers, Israel offers a holiday where the journey itself becomes the adventure.
The new generation of Indian outbound travellers is looking beyond sightseeing. A holiday can now mean running a marathon in a new city, cycling through unfamiliar terrain, hiking beneath a desert sky or discovering a coastline from the water. Fitness, adventure and travel are increasingly coming together—and Israel is a destination where all three can easily share the same itinerary.
From the Mediterranean coast and vibrant cities to the Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, Negev Desert and Eilat, Israel packs remarkable geographical diversity into a compact destination. That means a race can be just the beginning: finish your event, then extend the journey with cycling, hiking, skiing, water sports, wellness, gastronomy and cultural discovery.
WHEN SPORT BECOMES THE JOURNEY
Sports tourism is no longer simply about watching a competition. Marathons, cycling events, triathlons, surfing, skiing and adventure experiences are increasingly becoming reasons to travel.
The UN Tourism World Sports Tourism Congress valued the global sports-tourism market at approximately US$609 billion in 2023, with the market projected to grow at around 16% annually between 2024 and 2030. The World Economic Forum’s Sports for People and Planet 2026 report also noted that sports tourism accounted for around 10% of global travel expenditure in 2025.
For Indian travellers—from established metropolitan fitness communities to the growing number of active travellers in smaller cities—this creates an exciting proposition: travel somewhere not just to see it, but to experience it in motion.
LAND
Where Every Mile Tells a Story
🏃 RUN A RACE, THEN EXPLORE THE CITY
Israel’s 2027 sporting calendar gives runners plenty of reasons to lace up.
Challenge Israman, Eilat | January 27–30, 2027
For serious endurance enthusiasts, Challenge ISRAMAN combines swimming, cycling and running against the dramatic landscapes surrounding Eilat and the Red Sea. The 2027 event weekend takes place from 27–30 January, with the main race scheduled for 29 January. Participants can take on the Challenge ISRAMAN 226 or 113, alongside Relay options, offering different ways to experience this spectacular endurance challenge.
Dead Sea Marathon | February 5, 2027
Race at the lowest point on Earth, with 5K, 10K, half-marathon, marathon and ultra-marathon distances set against the extraordinary Dead Sea and desert landscape.
Tel Aviv Marathon | February 26, 2027
Run through one of Israel’s most energetic cities, with full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and 42K hand-cycle options. The route brings together city streets, the Mediterranean shoreline, boardwalk and ancient port of Jaffa.
Jerusalem Marathon | March 19, 2027
The 16th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon offers marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, Family and Community races. Here, running becomes a journey through the story of one of the world’s most remarkable cities, blending ancient landmarks with modern Jerusalem.
🌊 RUN BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SEA
International Haifa Marathon brings together the Mediterranean and the Carmel Mountains in a striking coastal running experience. With full marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K and family-friendly distances, it welcomes everyone from dedicated runners to families looking to experience Haifa on the move.
⭐ RUN FOR FITNESS. RUN FOR CONNECTION.
Tapuzina Singles Run adds a completely different flavour to running. Designed as a vibrant social sporting event for singles, it combines fitness, city energy and the opportunity to meet like-minded people. In Tel Aviv, the run becomes as much about connection and celebration as it is about kilometres.
Tel Aviv Night Run, usually held in October or November, offers another way to experience the city. The 10K route begins at Hayarkon Park, with traffic-free streets transforming Tel Aviv after dark into a lively sporting arena.
🚴 RIDE INTO THE LANDSCAPE
Israel’s diverse terrain makes cycling an exhilarating way to explore.
The Eilat Gran Fondo takes riders through the sweeping Arava landscapes towards Neot Semadar and the dramatic Eilat Mountains before descending towards the Red Sea.
Around the Sea of Galilee, Sovev Kinneret lets cyclists circle the lake against a panorama of water, hills and historic landscapes, with different distances suited to competitive riders, recreational cyclists and families.
For mountain-bike enthusiasts, Ben Shemen Forest offers a spectacular 32-kilometre single-track trail—one of Israel’s longest—through woodland, Modi’in Forest, archaeological treasures and historic landmarks.
Further south, the Negev opens up dramatic desert trails for riders of different abilities, while hundreds of cycling routes across the country create opportunities ranging from gentle excursions to demanding multi-day adventures.
❄️ SKI ISRAEL
Yes, Israel has skiing.
During winter, Mount Hermon, rising to 2,236 meters above sea level in the Golan Heights, can transform into a snowy playground. When winter conditions are favorable, Mount Hermon becomes a destination for skiing and snowboarding, welcoming both beginners and experienced skiers.
It is one of those experiences that can redefine expectations of an Israeli holiday: morning on the slopes, Mediterranean adventures another day.
🥾 WALK INTO THE WILD
The Golan Hiking Trail stretches approximately 125 kilometers from Mount Hermon to the Sea of Galilee, crossing rugged hills, green valleys and expansive viewpoints.
For the ultimate long-distance experience, the Israel National Trail stretches around 1,100 kilometres from Upper Galilee to Eilat, crossing forests, hills and desert landscapes. Travellers can tackle sections according to their time and ability, experiencing a changing Israel one day—and one landscape—at a time.
Adventure can continue through mountain biking, ATV, jeep and horseback excursions across Israel’s varied terrain.
🚐 EXPLORE ISRAEL AT YOUR OWN PACE
Caravan Adventures Across Israel
For travellers who prefer the freedom of the open road, a caravan adventure offers an intimate way to discover Israel beyond the usual routes. Travel from the Mediterranean coast towards the rugged Negev, stopping wherever the landscape inspires. With the flexibility to explore at your own pace, the journey reveals charming villages, hidden corners and spectacular natural scenery—turning the road itself into part of the adventure.
WATER
From the Mediterranean to the Red Sea
Israel’s three major bodies of water—the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and Sea of Galilee—open the door to an entirely different side of the destination.
Surf the Mediterranean, kayak along scenic waterways, windsurf or kitesurf, or head to Eilat for diving and spectacular underwater experiences in the Red Sea.
For travellers who prefer combining activity with relaxation, the coastline and waters can easily be woven into a longer holiday alongside wellness, gastronomy and cultural exploration.
AIR
See Israel From Above
Want to take the adventure higher?
Paragliding offers year-round opportunities to soar above the Galilee, Mediterranean coastline and Golan Heights, revealing Israel’s landscapes from an entirely new perspective.
For something gentler, a hot-air balloon ride can carry travellers above the Galilee, Jezreel Valley or Negev Desert. As dawn illuminates the valleys and desert horizons, the experience becomes less about adrenaline and more about simply absorbing the view.
BEYOND THE FINISH LINE
The beauty of sports tourism in Israel is that the sporting challenge never has to be the entire holiday.
In Israel, a marathon can become the beginning of a journey, a cycling route can lead into the desert, and a day on the slopes can be followed by the flavours, culture and energy of a vibrant city. Here, sport is not simply an activity—it can be the thread that connects an entire holiday.
A race can become the opening chapter of a seven-day escape. A cycling event can lead to a desert adventure. A ski trip can be combined with cities, cuisine and culture, while a day of exploration can make time for yoga and wellness. A morning in the water can end with an evening beside the Mediterranean.
For young adventurers, families, seasoned athletes and active seniors, Israel offers countless ways to run farther, ride longer, climb higher, dive deeper—and then slow down and savour the destination.
Come for the challenge. Stay for the journey. Discover Israel in motion.