Italy Becomes Top European Travel Destination for Israelis

Italy is rapidly emerging as a favorite international travel destination for Israelis, with direct flights now available to 11 Italian cities from Ben Gurion Airport. These destinations include Rome, Milan, Bergamo, Venice, Verona, Bologna, Naples, Bari, Catania, Palermo, and Cagliari in Sardinia, according to Globes, citing the Gulliver travel agency.

Several airlines are expanding their offerings to Italy. Bluebird Airways, an Israeli-owned carrier based in Greece, has launched a route to Bologna with three weekly flights starting at $128 one-way. The airline will add Rome and Naples starting September 17, with Bergamo and Milan already accessible. Wizz Air is also increasing its flights, resuming service to Catania four times weekly and Venice three times weekly. Additionally, Wizz Air will operate 14 weekly flights to Rome and Milan each, and up to seven weekly flights to Naples.

El Al, Arkia, and Israir, along with smaller carriers, also serve the Italian market. The growing demand is reflected in passenger statistics: approximately 180,000 passengers traveled from Israel to Italy in July, making it the third most popular destination after Cyprus and Greece. Italian routes accounted for 7.8% of Ben Gurion Airport's total passenger traffic in July, up from 5.84% the previous year. From January to July 2026, about 640,000 passengers flew between Israel and Italy, representing 7.5% of the airport's total traffic, a slight increase from 7.4% during the same period in 2025.

Rome and Milan are the most sought-after destinations by Israelis, followed by Catania, Verona, and Naples, according to lastminute.co.il. The average round-trip direct flight price is around $350, with prices decreasing towards the end of the month. However, significant price variations exist between cities and airlines. Flights to Rome, Milan, and Naples can be up to 160% more expensive than the cheapest options, while the difference for Catania is about 17% and for Verona, 13%. Passengers often prefer major Israeli airlines, willing to pay more for their perceived stability against geopolitical issues and flexible cancellation policies. Flight prices are dynamic, influenced by departure dates and seat availability.