Essentials
- City
- Nazareth, Northern District, Israel
- Population
- Approximately 78,000 (Largest Arab city in Israel)
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-200 Mbps via fiber optic (Bezeq/Partner)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 ILS ≈ 0.27 USD; Israeli New Shekel (NIS)
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, though many locals use filtered water like Tami4
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/H/M sockets
- SIM Card
- Partner, Cellcom, Hot Mobile (approx. 50 NIS for 100GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Bank Leumi, Bank Hapoalim; Revolut/Wise highly recommended
- Accommodation
- Boutique guesthouses and Airbnb (Average $80-$120/night)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Sublet Israel FB groups (~4,500 NIS/month for a studio)
- Budget Accommodation
- Fauzi Azar by Abraham Hostels (Dorms from 110 NIS)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old City (near the Basilica of the Annunciation)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- New City/Salesian Hill for quieter vibe and better parking
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Jump Nazareth (High-tech hub in the industrial zone)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe Abu Salem (Historic vibe) or Coffee n' Cream (Modern, fast WiFi)
- Networking Events
- Nazareth Business Center (NBC) monthly tech meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Abraham Hostel 'Language Exchange' and 'Hummus Workshops'
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Gett (Uber is limited to taxis in Israel)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local private shops in New City; no city-wide sharing app yet
- Best Beach Nearby
- Hof HaCarmel, Haifa (approx. 35-40 mins drive)
- Top Regional Airline
- Arkia (Flying from Haifa or Ben Gurion)
- Top International Airline
- EL AL, United, Lufthansa (via Ben Gurion Airport)
- Highway Access
- Route 60 (North-South) and Highway 75
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- HaMifratz Central Station (Haifa), connected via 331/332 bus
- Public Transport Passes
- Rav-Kav card or Moovit/Pango apps for all bus/train travel
- Regional Travel
- Buses to Tel Aviv (1 hour 45 mins) and Jerusalem (2 hours)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mount Tabor (15 mins drive) for hiking and paragliding
- National Parks Nearby
- Zippori National Park (Roman mosaics, 10 mins drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Jesus Trail (starts in Nazareth, goes to Sea of Galilee)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Salesian Church of Jesus the Adolescent (Best city panorama)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Hula Valley (45 mins drive north)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Kibbutz Gvat forests nearby (permits often required)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Israel Post (Doar Israel), DHL Nazareth branch
- Tech Repair Services
- iStore Nazareth (Apple authorized)
- Table Tennis Spots
- YMCA Nazareth Sports Center
- Language Classes
- Liwan Cultural Center (Arabic and Hebrew intensives)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Abu Salma Public Library
- Community Centers
- The French Cultural Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Checkmate Gaming Center (New City)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Legal gambling is prohibited in Israel; social card clubs exist
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 18,000 NIS per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 720,000 NIS)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 14,000 NIS per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 560,000 NIS)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 17,000 NIS per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,020,000 NIS)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 13,000 NIS per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 780,000 NIS)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 16,000 NIS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,280,000 NIS)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 12,000 NIS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 960,000 NIS)
- Corporate Tax
- 23% standard rate
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 25% to 30%
- Tax System
- Personal personal residency (over 183 days) determines tax liability
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 50% (including 3% surtax on high earners)
- VAT
- 17% (VAT is generally included in displayed prices)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict rules to prevent tax deferral
- Property Tax
- Arnona (Municipal tax), paid bimonthly based on size/location
- Property Transaction Tax
- Purchase tax ranges from 0% to 10% based on value and residency
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; 10-year tax holiday for 'Returning Residents/Olim' only
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Nazareth Hospital (EMMS) - The 'English' Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Ananda Yoga Studio (New City area)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Profit Nazareth (Modern equipment, flexible memberships)
- Laundry Services
- Quick Clean Laundry on Paul VI Street
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt (Very popular in Nazareth)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Nazareth-style Siniya (Meat with tahini) at Al-Reda
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Liwan Culture & Cafe (Great vegan mezze options)
- Best Dessert Spots
- El-Mokhtar Sweets (Famous for Knafeh - 25 NIS)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Old City Souq (Market) for spices and produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- KSP (Electronics), Terminal X (Fashion), Amazon (Free shipping >$49)
- Grocery Delivery
- Shufersal Online or Wolt Market
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Iksal Street (New City) for upscale bars
- Local Brewery
- Biratenu (Available in local bars like Sudfeh)
- Wine Bars
- Sudfeh (Beautiful courtyard, excellent local Galilee wines)
- Street Food Stalls
- Abu Ashraf (Famous for Katayef and stuffed vine leaves)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Luna Bistro (Modern Palestinian-Fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary's Well
- Museums & Art Venues
- Nazareth Village (Living history museum)
- Historical Sites
- The Ancient Bath House (near the Greek Orthodox Church)
- Religious Sites
- White Mosque (Oldest in Nazareth), St. Gabriel's Church
- Annual Events
- The Christmas Market and Parade (December)
- Cultural Districts
- The Old City Souq district
- Theater Venues
- Al-Midan Theatre (Arabic language productions)
- Local Markets
- The Saturday Market (near the city center)
- Music Scene
- Live jazz and Arabic music at Tishreen
- Street Art
- Old City alleys featuring mural works by local Arab artists
- Cooking Classes
- Galilee Culinary Institute (GCI) regional workshops
- Art Galleries
- The Galilee Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- The Saraya (Ottoman government building)
- Local Heritage
- Embroidered Tatreez textiles and olive wood carving