Ramla and Lod

Ramla and Lod are neighbouring historic towns about 20 km south-east of Tel Aviv, forming the shortest day trip in this guide. Israel Railways trains from Tel Aviv Savidor Center reach Lod station in about 20 minutes, costing around 10 ILS, and bus 22 or a taxi continues to Ramla for roughly 6 ILS by bus. A taxi or Gett for the whole route costs about 100-140 ILS. Trains do not run on Shabbat, and many sites close on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ramla was founded in the early eighth century as the capital of the Umayyad province of Filastin and is one of the few cities in Israel built by Muslim rulers. Its key sights include the Pool of the Arches, an underground cistern from the Abbasid period that visitors can tour by boat, and the White Mosque with its tall minaret, known as the White Tower, which offers views over the town. The old market is still active, selling produce, spices and sweets. Lod, adjacent to Ramla, is known for the Lod Mosaic Museum, which displays a large Roman-period mosaic floor discovered in 1996, and for the Church of St George, associated with the saint's tomb.

A practical one-day plan arrives in the morning at Lod, visits the Lod Mosaic Museum and St George's Church, then moves to Ramla by bus 22 or taxi. The Pool of the Arches and the White Tower come next, followed by lunch in the old market area, where small hummus restaurants serve fresh hummus, falafel and salads. The afternoon can be left for browsing stalls before returning to Tel Aviv by train from Lod. The whole circuit requires only about four to five hours, so it can be combined with Neot Kedumim.

The best months are October to April, avoiding summer midday heat. Admission to the Pool of the Arches is about 25 ILS, and opening hours should be confirmed before travel since they vary and some sites close on Fridays and Saturdays.