Overview

Tel Aviv is said to be the ‘Nonstop City’ an attractive city that sits on Israel’s Mediterranean coastline. This alluring city possesses incredible world-class beaches, impressive museums, tasty local and international cuisine, and the leading premier nightlife in the country. This spiritual city has deep Jewish roots, is home to Jaffa one of the oldest ports in the world, and is recognized for its striking 'White City', filled with 1930s Bauhaus international-style buildings. 

The vibrant city is often titled the ‘Mediterranean Capital of Cool’ and has a thriving arts scene and its culture shines through in the residents. A youthful modern-day Mediterranean metropolis drawing visitors in with its attractive ‘White City’ UNESCO-designated architecture, trendy shopping hubs, copious museums, and a buzzing cultural scene, with innovative creativity and an international outlook. 

Things to see and do

Explore the delightful Dizengoff Square, named after the city’s first Major, it sits at the southern end of Dizengoff Street. This lively area is filled with many sights and attractions like the famous ‘Fire and Water’ fountain a landmark in the city. 

Also known as the Dizengoff Fountain, this kinetic sculpture consists of illusory and a movement dimension, the fountain is composed of several colored geometric shapes that are perceived as different images from different angles. It is automatically activated at different times of the day and night injects water upwards, and spits fire while playing music! An extraordinary sight. 

Check out the breathtaking ‘White City’, a unique neighborhood decorated with over 4,000 White International style Bauhaus buildings. This charming area is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage and features the largest number of Bauhaus buildings in the entire world. Its iconic buildings with their flat roofs, are embellished with white and pastel colored façades, and signature balconies decorated with vibrant flowers.

Stroll along the `Tayelet` or promenade spanning the Mediterranean Seashore to Jaffa. There are some fantastic waterfront restaurants found along the promenade and there are vibrant nightlife offerings with beachfront bars and some of the best clubs in the city located here. 

Visit Jaffa, a spectacular historic neighborhood set on top of a hill, it is the oldest port town in the world with stories from the Old Testament where Jonah departed and was later swallowed by a whale. Explore the enchanting vibrant streets, the ancient clock tower, charming winding narrow alleyways filled with unique boutiques, quaint cafes, and bars. Check out the famous Jaffa Flea Market offering a treasure trove of antiques, crafts, and secondhand items. 

Spend a day at the beach, Tel Aviv lies on the coast fringed by the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The beaches here provide the perfect setting for a day of lounging in the sunshine, walking along the soft white sand, or cooling off in the refreshing waters. 

Gordon-Frishman Beach is a popular stretch of sand featuring the legendary Gordon`s outdoor swimming pool. The Olympic-sized swimming pool is located on the boardwalk by the marina, a great place for some serious swimming. The legendary pool dates back to 1956 and has since undergone renovations to also include kiddy pools and a modern wooden deck with sun beds and large parasols. 

Take a trip to the popular Carmel Market, the largest and most famous outdoor market in the city. Grab some freshly baked French pastries and a cup of locally roasted coffee and stroll through this vibrant bustling marketplace, taking in the sights and mouthwatering smells. Shop for spices and souvenirs and enjoy the fascinating atmosphere this market has to offer. 

Spend some time at one of the many interesting museums. Tel Aviv boasts more museums per capita than any other city in the world. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is the largest Art museum in the country and showcases a large collection of contemporary and classical art dating back to the 16th century. See some of the great works of art by famous artists such as Dali, Monet, Cezanne, and Picasso.

Visit Yarkon Park, Tel Aviv`s version of Central Park covering a whopping 3,250 acres and named after the Yarkon Riverthat runs through it. Visit the visually stunning botanical gardens located inside the park or the aviary, and check out the largest rock garden in the world. You can hire a bicycle and cycle around the park to explore the grounds, and you can also hire paddle boats and see the park from the lake.

Another fascinating museum is the Beth Hatefutsoth, a museum, and center for Jewish communities in Israel and around the world. A beautiful facility tracing the history of Jewish people, spotlighting the constant evolution of the faith and culture. Check out the educational, engaging exhibits that include ancient artifacts, dioramas, and murals, or trace your own origins if you are Jewish. 

Also be sure to visit the Eretz Israel Museum showcasing the historical artifacts discovered in the city, as well as a planetarium. The museum is made up of several pavilions that house different categories of findings including glasswork, ceramics, fabrics, and coinage. 

The planetarium is literally “out of this world” a magical place to visit to get a sneak peek at the stars!! Visitors of all ages can watch the riveting presentation on the mysterious galaxies that exist all while they spin in revolving seats, and view real-time pictures of outer space provided by NASA. 

Neve Tzedek is one of Tel Aviv’s original settlements made up of attractive restored houses, unique boutique shops, thriving outdoor cafes, and trendy art galleries. This is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city with a SoHo vibe and an array of offerings including the Rokach House Museum, the Suzanne Dellal Center, and the vibrant murals that adorn the Neve Tzedek’s walls. 

The Suzanne Dellal Center is the location in the city for Israeli and international dance performances and is home to the Batsheva Dance Company since 1989. Take in a performance at the center and dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants for the perfect night out. 

Check out the observation deck located on the 49th floor of the Azrieli Center’s circular tower, and visit the high-end restaurant on the same floor. The Azrieli Center is a set of skyscrapers, one circular, one triangular, and one square-shaped where the Azrieli Center Mall can be found along with 30 different eateries.

Shopping

Tel Aviv is developing into one of the hottest shopping destinations, it has become an international center for fashion in recent years. The city is proud of breakthrough Israeli designers like Gottex swimwear and was the host of Fashion Week in 2011 for the first time since the 80s. Visit some of the main shopping streets in the heart of the city, on streets like Dizengoff where shoppers will find the Dizengoff Center Mall along with designer shops, upscale boutiques, and eateries. It is considered the ‘Champs-Elysees of Tel Aviv’.

The Markets in Tel Aviv offer shoppers everything from food to spices, jewelry, and crafts and a fun authentic, vibrant atmosphere. Venture to the famous Carmel Market, the city`s largest and busiest market filled with vibrant delicious fresh produce, fresh fish, and clothing.

Cuisine

Tel Aviv is a world-class food destination for dining opportunities, bursting with fantastic restaurants that offer food lovers an amazing variety of cuisine to choose from. Diners can enjoy traditional Israeli dishes, along with Moroccan, Spanish, Tunisian, and Yemenite cuisine in the Metropolitan city. There are over 100 sushi restaurants spread throughout the capital city. Tel Aviv is brimming with a variety of dining options from upscale restaurants to celebrity chefs, hole-in-the-wall local restaurants, street food markets, and waterfront dining along the Mediterranean Sea. Coffee shops and quaint outdoor cafes are a big part of the lifestyle and culture of Tel Aviv, where the locals like to hang out, you can find them around every corner. A traditional Israeli breakfast of `shakshuka` is poached eggs in a tomato, chili pepper, and onion sauce, seasoned with cumin served in many of the restaurants and cafes around the city. Some of the popular local delicacies in Tel Aviv include hummus, falafel, Tahini, Kanafeh, Shakshuka, and baba ganoush.

Beaches

One of Tel Aviv’s trademarks is its miles of glorious coastline and breathtaking beaches, it is considered to be the top destination in the country for a beach holiday. The stretch of sand runs from Tel Aviv in the north down to the ancient port of Jaffa in the south, spend a day soaking up the sunshine, strolling along the sand, or basking in the refreshing waters of the beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy some fun in the sun at any of the following beaches in Tel Aviv.  

The Gordon-Frishman Beaches are named after the central Tel Aviv streets leading to these two beaches. Gordon Beach is a delightful stretch of sand lapped by the blue waters of the Mediterranean. It is home to the famed Gordon’s swimming pool, a lovely saltwater pool surrounded by verdant lawns to lounge on. This beach is also popular for volleyball with volleyball courts available for a fun game in the sand. A myriad of waterfront restaurants, cafes, bars, and beach shops are found along the boardwalk. 

Frishman Beach is a wide stretch of sand with shallow entry to the sea which makes it the perfect beach for families with children. A multifaceted location with its central location, it is great for the fitness enthusiast with a fitness trail, beach volleyball courts, and outdoor workout equipment. Its convenient location puts on the Tel Aviv promenade allows easy access to many restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels in the popular tourist area. 

Hilton Beach is full of energy, the central section of the beach has been deemed the official gay beach of Tel Aviv. It is also the hub for all things watersports with the Sea Center Club offering windsurfing and kayaking lessons, as well as great surfing on the southern end of the beach, and the north end features a dog beach. This area boasts a wildly popular nightlife scene for the LGBTQ+ community. 

Bograshov Beach offers beachgoers a vibrant, bustling atmosphere, it's one of the most popular beaches with a prime spot right in the center of the city. There are countless dining and drinking options just steps away from the sand. There are endless activities held here such as stand-up paddleboard yoga classes, Kabbalat Shabbat services on Fridays, and large crowds any day of the week. 

Banana Beach sits right next to ancient Jaffa, this beach draws in both locals and tourists alike. There is some great surf to ride here as well as a surf school for lessons. It is a relaxed beach atmosphere with chairs and umbrellas available, a great spot for those looking to partake in a game of Matkot, the unofficial sport of Israel. Relaxing with a cocktail to enjoy a spectacular sunset is another draw at this beach with great views over the Jaffa and Tel Aviv skyline.

Nightlife