Working and Networking
- Networking Events
- Kabbalah Centers meetups, Tech-Talks at the Ziv Medical Center research wing
- Social Events for Expats
- Ascent of Safed weekend retreats, Friday Night Live at the Old City
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hub Safed (approx. 60 ILS/day, 800 ILS/month)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Elements Cafe (Gluten-free, quiet upstairs seating)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Gett (Global) or Yango
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Difficult due to hills; local private rentals via Facebook groups
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ginosar Beach, Sea of Galilee (25 mins away)
- Top Regional Airline
- Arkia (Flights from Rosh Pina nearby to Eilat/Tel Aviv)
- Top International Airline
- EL AL (via Ben Gurion Airport, 2 hours away)
- Highway Access
- Route 89 connecting to Highway 6 (Trans-Israel Highway)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Karmiel Railway Station (30 mins by bus #361)
- Public Transport Passes
- Rav-Kav Card (Integrated bus/train system)
- Regional Travel
- Bus 361 to Haifa, Bus 982 to Jerusalem (approx. 45 ILS)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Ziv Medical Center (Rambam St.)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Tzfat Spiritual Center (HaAri St.)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Safed Country Club (includes pool and sauna)
- Laundry Services
- Automatic Laundry Safed (Jerusalem St., approx. 40 ILS/load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Wolt (limited), Ten Bis
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Lachuch (Yemenite pancake) at Ronen's Yemenite Falafel
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Elements (Vegan friendly), Tree of Life Boutique Cafe
- Best Dessert Spots
- Ha'arba'a Bakery (Traditional Jewish pastries)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Rami Levy Supermarket (South Industrial Zone)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- KSP.co.il (Tech), Amazon Israel
- Grocery Delivery
- Shufersal Online
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Very limited (Religious city); some bars in nearby Rosh Pina
- Local Brewery
- Biratenu (Nearby in Jerusalem, but sold in local delis)
- Wine Bars
- Abouhav Winery (tasting room in Old City)
- Street Food Stalls
- Old City Yemenite Quarter stalls
- Popular International Cuisine
- Bagel Khan (American style deli)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Abuhav Synagogue, Citadel Park (Mezuda)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Frenkel Frenel Museum, General Exhibition
- Historical Sites
- Ancient Cemetery of Safed, Crusader Fortress ruins
- Religious Sites
- HaAri Ashkenazi Synagogue, Caro Synagogue
- Annual Events
- Klezmer Festival (August), Safed Jazz Festival
- Cultural Districts
- Artists' Colony (Kiryat HaOmanim)
- Theater Venues
- The Saraya Center
- Local Markets
- Friday Market (Shuk) near the bus station
- Music Scene
- Live Klezmer in the streets of the Old City
- Street Art
- Hand-painted tile murals in the Synagogue Quarter
- Cooking Classes
- Tzfat Cookery (Kosher Galillean cooking)
- Art Galleries
- Olive Tree Fine Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- The Mameluke Mausoleum
- Local Heritage
- Center for Kabbalah & Jewish Mysticism
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Birya Forest (Israel's largest planted forest)
- National Parks Nearby
- Amud Stream Nature Reserve (Nahal Amud)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Israel National Trail (passes near the city)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Citadel Park (360-degree view of Galilee and Golan)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Hula Valley (25 mins drive)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated pits in Birya Forest campsites
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Israel Post (Jerusalem St.), UPS Point Rosh Pina
- Tech Repair Services
- Mister Phone (Center Ha'ir)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Safed Community Center
- Language Classes
- Ulpan Safed (Hebrew immersion)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Safed Municipal Library
- Community Centers
- Matnas Safed
- Gaming Lounges
- N/A - nearest in Haifa
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Illegal in Israel)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 18,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 720,000 ILS)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 14,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 560,000 ILS)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 17,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,020,000 ILS)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 13,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 780,000 ILS)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 16,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,280,000 ILS)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 12,500 ILS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,000,000 ILS)
- Corporate Tax
- 23%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 25% - 30%
- Tax System
- Personal income tax based on residency (worldwide income)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 50% (including 3% surtax on high earners)
- VAT
- 17%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to Israeli residents
- Property Tax
- Arnona (Local municipal tax based on size/usage)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Purchase Tax (Mas Rechisha) - progressive from 0% to 10% for residents
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 10-year tax holiday on foreign income for new immigrants (Olim Hadashim)
Essentials
- City
- Safed (Tzfat), Northern District, Israel
- Population
- 38,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 100 Mbps (Fiber available via Bezeq/Partner)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 ILS ≈ 0.27 USD, 1 USD ≈ 3.65 ILS (Israeli New Shekel)
- Tap Water
- Drinkable
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/H sockets
- SIM Card
- Partner, Cellcom, Hot Mobile (approx. 50 ILS for 100GB)
- Banking for Expats
- Bank Leumi, Bank Hapoalim, Revolut (widely accepted)
- Accommodation
- Boutique Stone Houses, Artists' Colony Airbnbs, Way Inn
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards/Apple Pay accepted almost everywhere except small market stalls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com (approx. 4,500 - 7,000 ILS per month)
- Budget Accommodation
- Ascent of Safed (approx. 150 ILS/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old City (Artist Quarter and Synagogue Quarter)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Artists' Colony (Kiryat HaOmanim) or Southern Safed for quieter residential vibes