This travel guide is filled with tips on how to explore Tel Aviv, the White City. This place is most famous for 24-hour lifestyle and rightly reserves the title of the ‘city that never sleeps’. It’s one of the most liberal spots in Israel, where people come to enjoy the nightlife, try the cosmopolitan flair and spend time on the beach. Tel Aviv is where you sit on the shore of sand which borders with the towering glassy buildings as if they were reflecting on the sea surface below. This places is so different from the rest of the country and one of the most gay friendly out there.
Table of Contents
What to Visit in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel, right after Jerusalem. Located in the Middle East, it lies on the Mediterranean coast in central part of the country. It’s roughly 70 km away from Jerusalem and 100 km from the lowest place in the world, the Dead Sea (Kalia Beach). In terms of the land, Tel Aviv covers 1,516 square km with the population of over 4 million inhabitants.
The city was founded in 1909 by the Yishuv (Jewish resident) on the outskirts of the ancient city of Jaffa, which is believed to be the oldest port in the world. He started the settlement there, of which present Tel Aviv grew. In 1910 the name of this neighbourhood was changed to Tel Aviv (‘Spring Hill’). These days the official name of the city is Tel Aviv-Yafo, stating the old port city of Yafo (Jaffa) is the part of it. Although the claimed capital of Israel is Jerusalem, most of the foreign embassies are based in Tel Aviv. It’s because the UN and the western countries never approved when Israel seized Jerusalem during the Six Day War in 1967 between Israel and the Arab countries. What they did is still considered illegal.
Tel Aviv is known to be the most liberal city in Israel and one of the most gay friendly in the world. It’s often called ‘the Miami of the Middle East’ due to its beaches stretching over 14 kilometres along the Mediterranean coast. The city lies on land that used to be sand dunes and now it’s famous for the most vibrant nightlife. On one side it borders with the Mediterranean Sea with long sandy beaches, and on the other with glass towers housing hi-tech companies.
Don’t leave Tel Aviv without seeing:
- Jaffa’s Old City and Port
- Jaffa’s Railway Station
- Carmel Market
- Rabin Square
- HaBima Square
- Azriely Lookout
- Yemenite Quarter
- Tel Aviv Port
- Great Synagogue (Allenby Street)
- Dizengoff Centre
- Rothschild Boulevard
- Neve Tzedek Quarter
- Florentin
- Tel Aviv University
- Beach Promenade
- Gordon Beach
- Frishman Beach
- Banana Beach
- Gan Meir Park
- Joshua Gardens
- Park Hahurshot and the Russian Orthodox church
- Park Hayarkon
- Tel Aviv Museum
- Eretz Israel Museum
- ANU Museum of the Jewish People
- Helena Rubinstein Pavilion
- Bauhaus Centre
- White City, Bauhaus
- Bialik House
- Beit Hair Museum
- Nahum Gutman Museum of Art
- Independence Hall
- Park Hahurshot and the Russian Orthodox church
- Netanya Seaside Resort
- Lod
Daily Excursions from Tel Aviv
- Haifa
- Jerusalem, Bethlehem
- Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea
- Nazareth, Tiberias, and the Sea of Galilee
- Jericho and Judean Desert
- Zichron Ya’akov
- Yardenit
- Capernaum
- Akko and Rosh HaNikra
- Golan Heights
- Caesarea
- Petra
- Netanya Seaside Resort
- Lod
Hiking in Tel Aviv
Because Tel Aviv is rather flat, there aren’t many places you could climb. You should take the long walks instead and explore the most charming spots and scenery. In the nearby old city port of Jaffa, you’ll be amazed by the architecture and flee markets. From there you can continue walking along the beach all the way up to the northern Tel Aviv. The beaches are definitely the best part of the city.
For the most relaxing hiking, head to the Hayarkon Park, which surrounds the river and has many botanical gardens to visit. Tel Aviv is often called the ‘White City’ because that’s where you find the white buildings with characteristic round corners. It’s worth taking the time to see the designs in the spirit of the 1930s Bauhaus style, part of the UNESCO Heritage.
If you love seeing elegant galleries, you should go on the Gordon and Ben Yehuda Street or tour the southern part of the city. And, the neighbourhoods of Florentin and Levontin is full of the street art and beautiful murals you can admire while walking.
Tel Aviv Viewpoints
For the best views of Tel Aviv, you must go to the HaMidron Garden. It’s the huge park spreading from Jaffa to Bat Yam. Because it’s located on the slopes of the old city of Jaffa, it provides the most amazing views of the sea, beach and the towering buildings nearby. Another place to try is the Azriely Lookout, located by Tel Aviv Hashalom train station. That’s where you can watch the entire city panorama from 200 meters high. If you want to sleep, dine or have a drink with the view of Tel Aviv, you should also try the following rooftop bars and restaurants:
- Suramare Bar
- 2C Restaurant
- The Price
- The Shrink Bar
- Rooftop at the Brown TLV Hotel
- Dan Panorama Tel -Aviv Hotel
- Abraham Hostel Rooftop
Beaches in Tel Aviv
Being right on the Mediterranean Sea, Tel Aviv has a coastline of 14 kilometres with 13 sandy beaches. There’s a long promenade running along the shore which is used for walking, jogging and biking. Every beach in Tel Aviv has lifeguard stations, restaurants, children’s playgrounds, outdoors gyms and lounge chairs, When you come to Tel Aviv one places you need to visit is the Gordon Beach. It’s the really beautiful and most touristy one. The other ones you might want to visit:
- Gordon Beach (most touristy)
- Frishman Beach (urban vibe)
- Hilton Beach (gay beach)
- Mezizim Beach (laidback with chairs)
- Jerusalem Beach (kite surfing)
- North Zuk Beach (beach chair rental)
- South Zuk Beach (best for sunsets)
- Tel Baruch Beach (secluded, families)
- Religious Beach (men and women swim separately)
- Bograshov Beach (workout equipment)
- Charles Clore Beach (big waves for surfing)
- Aviv Beach (cafe, workout equipment)
- Givat Aliyah Beach (secluded beach in Jaffa)
Where to Stay in Tel Aviv
Most visitors choose the central part of Tel Aviv to stay in. There are trendy neighbourhoods, office skyscrapers, tourist attractions and the beachfront hotels. Without any doubt, the best area to stay for the beach is Tayelet. After a long day it’s good to dine at the restaurants and bars around the Yemenite Quarter (Kerem Ha’Temanim). If you look to find serenity, peace and quite, head to Neve Tzedek. Florentin is where you admire the local street art and the White City is ideal for long strolls. If you want to delve into history, stay in Jaffa. The advice for the families is to book somewhere around Namal area.
Tel Aviv is a huge city with over 50 neighbourhoods spread out in the northern, central, south-eastern and Jaffa regions. The north of the city is home to the wealthiest residents, whereas the south and east is much poorer. That’s where many foreign workers and illegal immigrants from Asia and Africa reside. Jaffa is the oldest part of city with with the port, the Old City and the flea market. It’s also where the city was founded initially and now is full of Christians and Muslims.
What to Eat in Tel Aviv
The cuisine in Tel Aviv is highly influenced by the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. It’s a delicious melting pot of cultures making the most out of local flavours. Being the mixture of modern trends and traditional way of cooking, there’s something to suit everyone. If you want to taste the best dishes found in the city, try hanging around the Yemenite Quarter anytime of the day or night. Don’t leave Tel Aviv without having:
- Falafel – fried chickpea balls with a soft pita or rice
- Challah bread – traditional Jewish bread loaf served for Sabbath
- Burekas – cheese, potato, and mushroom filled filo dough pastries
- Shakshuka – poached eggs nestled in a spiced tomato stew
- Shawarma – grilled meat served in the pita bread with spices, hummus and vegetables
- Sabich – pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, hummus, tahini, vegetable salad, and sometimes boiled potatoes, as well as greens, pickles, and sauces
- Schnitzel – fried chicken cutlet adopted from Austria
- Krembo – fluffy domes of marshmallow cream with a biscuit base in chocolate shell
- Limonana – lemonade with mint, often served at the beach
How to Get Around Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is quite a big city and there are plenty of ways you can explore it. Overall, the central part, where most tourist attractions and beaches are located, is best visited on foot. You can say the city is built for walking along the beach and long strolls from Jaffa old city in the south towards the northern parts are highly recommended. That’s how you get to see the Neve Tzedek Quarter, Florentin, Kerem Ha’Temanim (the Yemenite Vineyard) and Bauhaus District.
If, however, you want to go somewhere more remote, it’s best to use the buses or taxis. The single bus fare (90 min unlimited travels) is 5.90 Shekels (£1.29) and the daily bus pass costs 13.50 Shekels (£2.90). In comparison, the local taxi ride around central parts shouldn’t be more than 20-30 Shekels (£4.40-£6.60) and travelling to the suburbs up to 60 Shekels (£13).
If you want to fly to Tel Aviv, you're most likely to use the Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). It's the closest one located in the town of Lod, roughly 24 km away from Tel Aviv. Within the airport, there are Terminals 2 and 3, which are used for international flights and the Terminal 1 for the domestic flights to places such as Eilat (ETH) and Rosh Pina (Galilee) (RPN).
How to get from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv?
- Shuttle Bus - Kavim Bus Line 445 from BGA Terminal 2 or 3 to Central Tel Aviv (Kerem Hateymanim district) and Beach District (Ben Yehuda Street). It runs 24/6 (Sunday to Thursday), every hour on the hour, duration - 30 min, cost - 13 Shekels (£2.80), Rav-Kav payments available.
- Public Bus - Egged Bus 5 or Kavim Bus 13 or Veolia Bus 239 from Ben Gurion Airport Terminal 3 to 'Tzomet El Al' (El Al Junction), then Egged Bus to Central Tel Aviv (egged.co.il or bus.co.il). Buses run 24/6 (Sunday to Thursday).
- Train - Ben Gurion Arport to all four Tel Aviv train stations (Tel Aviv HaHagana - 8 min, Tel Aviv HaShalom - 13 min, Tel Aviv Merkaz/Savidor - 18 min and Tel Aviv University - 25 min). Live updates on the Israeli rail website (rail.co.il/en). HaShalom and Merkaz/Savidor are closest to Central Tel Aviv, night trains only stop at HaHagana and Savidor. Trains run 24/6 (Sunday to Thursday), 3 times per hour (day) and one per hour (night), cost - 13.50 Shekels (£2.90) one way, Rav-Kav payment available. Tickets can be bought at the station (self machine or kiosk) or via Rav-Kav mobile app.
- Airport Taxi - Gett App, duration - 20 min, cost 140 - 180 Shekels (£30 - £40), cheap company Daka 99 (taxi999.co.il) or Hadar (03-9711103).
How to get from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?
- Bus - Egged Bus 405 from Tel Aviv HaHagana Station to Jerusalem CBS, duration - one hour, cost - 15.50 Shekels (£3.40).
- Fast Train - Tel Aviv (HaHagana station), stopping at Ben Gurion airport, to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon station, (rail.co.il/en), every 30 min, duration - 32 min, cost - 23.50 Shekels (£5.20).
- Slow Train - Tel Aviv (HaHagana Station) to Jerusalem Malha, historic Jaffa-Jerusalem Railway of 1892 route, slow but scenic 82 km of journey through the Judean Hills. Only one change at Bet Shemesh station (usually just across the width of the same platform). Takes 1,5 hours.
- Taxi - Gett App, duration - one hour (67 km), cost 250 - 300 Shekels (£55 - £65).
- Sherut Taxi - Nesher minibus, duration - one hour, cost - 70 Shekels (£15) per person.
How to get from Tel Aviv to Bethlehem?
- Go to Jerusalem first, then take 231 (Arab Bus) to Bethlehem (Bab El-Zakak/Beit Jala Road bus stop), 40 min, 7 Shekels (£1.50). Alternatively take the Israeli Bus 234 from Jerusalem CBS to Rachel’s Tomb Crossing (Gilo 300 Crossing) only, (20 min, 5 ISL, £1). Cross the Israeli Palestinian border on foot and either walk or take the taxi to Bethlehem city centre (3 km).
How to get from Tel Aviv to Dead Sea (Ein Bokek)?
- Go to Jerusalem first, then take Egged Bus 444 or 486, 2 hours (110 km), 36.50 Shekels (£8).
The public transport in Tel Aviv relies on the buses. The bus network is provided by Egged (egged.co.il), Dan (dan.co.il), Kavim (kavim-t.co.il) and some smaller companies.
Buses
Because all buses are cashless, you should get the Rav-Kav card (5 Shekels, £1.10) to pay for your travels around the city. It's a physical card, which should be topped up before the journey with the debit or credit card (via Rav-Kav online app).There are two types of the Rav-Kav cards, the personalised ones (name and photo on the card) used by the locals and the anonymous ones frequently bought by the travellers. Once you load the money onto the Rav-Kav card (fixed price of 5.90 Shekels), you can make unlimited travels and transfers between the buses for 90 min since validating the card at the first station. If you need help with planning your bus routes and checking the real time bus info, use the EfoBus or Movit Apps.
Tel Aviv Rav-Kav Ticket Fares:
- Single Trip (Central, 90 min) - 5.90 Shekels (£1.29)
- Single Trip (Suburbs, 90 min) - 9.30 Shekels (£2)
- Daily Pass (Central) - 13.50 Shekels (£2.90)
- Daily Pass (South) - 26.50 Shekels (£5.80)
- Daily Pass (North) - 26.50 Shekels (£5.80)
- Weekly Pass - 64 Shekels (£14)
- Monthly Pass - 213 Shekels (£47)
In Tel Aviv there's also an option to use the shared taxi (sherut or servees). They are private minibuses with up to 14 seats, which run fixed routes just like a bus. The Rav-Kav isn't available on them either.
Trains
There are 4 main train stations in Tel Aviv: Tel Aviv HaHagana (south) , Tel Aviv HaShalom (central), Tel Aviv Merkaz/Savidor (central) and Tel Aviv University (north). They are all directly connected with the Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). Train route planner and live updates are available on the Israeli Rail website (rail.co.il/en). Rav-Kav cards are used to pay for the rides.
Metro
There is no metro (tube) in Tel Aviv but it's expected to open in 2021.
Renting a car in Tel Aviv is not recommended because it's hard to find the parking spaces. If, however you wish to use it around the town, you can take advantage of the schemes called AutoTel (autotel.co.il/en/) or Car2Go (car2go.co.il/en). They allow you to rent a car by the minute, one way (meaning pick up and return are different locations) and park for free in dedicated street parking anywhere in the city. You should register (via AutoTel app or Car2Go website) with no subscription fee for the first month. This service is way much cheaper than using the taxi.
Car Rental in Tel Aviv
If you need to rent a car in Tel Aviv to travel to the more remote places, the typical price starts from £40 per day. The most recommended car rental companies are Europcar, Hertz, Sixt and Eldan.
Street Parking in Tel Aviv
Most streets in Tel Aviv have stripes painted on the curbs, indicating whether you can park there or not. If you see red and white stripes, it means that parking is forbidden. The blue and white stripes indicate that paid parking is permitted on weekdays (Sunday to Thursday) between 9 am and 5 pm and 9 am to 1 pm Friday and holidays, paid by the hour and prohibited all other hours. No strips (grey colour) means you can park for free.
Currently, the cost of parking is 20-30 NIS (£4.40-£6.50) per hour. There are usually no parking meters, meaning you need to use payment apps like Cellopark (site.cellopark.co.il) or Pango (pango.co.il). Alternatively, you can buy the parking card in advance from the kiosks or machines (if there're any), and display them on the car window.
Tel Aviv Parking Lots
- Reading Lot at 7 Rokach Boulevard (free)
- Tel Aviv University at Shevet Binyamin 1
- Lot at Gruzenberg 16
- Millenium Lot at Harba’a 17
Because Tel Aviv is rather flat, you can use the bicycle to travel around the city. There's the bike-share program called Tel-O-Fun (tel-o-fun.co.il/en/). It allows free rides for the trips up to 30 min with 10 min breaks between the rentals (if you want to continue cycling for free). Otherwise, one hour cycling costs 6 Shekels (£1.30) and daily pass is 17 Shekels (£3.70).
There's also the Chinese bicycle rental company called Mobike you can try. The electric scooters can be rented from Lime, Wind, and Bird all around Tel Aviv.
Gett App Taxi in Tel Aviv
The best option to book a cab in Tel Aviv is using the Gett or Yango Apps. This way you get the fixed price, which is always guaranteed.
Street Taxi in Tel Aviv
If you want to hail a cab in Tel Aviv, you can also do it anywhere in the street. To avoid being scammed, insist the drivers uses the meter at all times.
In Tel Aviv the typical taxi (monit) fare starts from 12.20 Shekels (£2.70) plus 4.80 Shekels (£1.05) for each kilometre of your journey.
Shared Taxi (Sherut) in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is also popular with the shared taxis (sherut or servees). They are private minibuses with 6-14 seats, which run fixed routes just like a bus. The sherut fare depends on where you want to go.
Tel Aviv Travel Guide – Cost and Budget
Without any doubt, Tel Aviv is one of the most expensive cities to visit. Although most tourist attractions are free to visit (except for the museums), the hotel prices are skyrocketing. If you want to travel to Tel Aviv on the low budget, you’re most likely to spend around £66 daily. That’s assuming you stay in the hostel (Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv is recommended), eat street food and walk around the city.
Typical day in Tel Aviv for anyone with the mid – range budget is around £203. This should cover staying in the hotel within the Tayelet district, dining in the Yemenite Quarter, using buses and visiting paid museums. If you want luxury in Tel Aviv, you must pay £300 and more. This budget allows you to book the beachfront hotel, admire the best views of the sea and travel by taxi a lot.
| | Accommodation | Food | Transport | Attractions | Avg Daily Cost |
| Backpacker | £40 (£20) | £25 | £1 | £0 | £66 |
| Mid-range | £150 (£75) | £40 | £3 | £10 | £203 |
| Luxury | £300 (£150) | £100 | £10 | £15 | £425 |
Tel Aviv Travel Guide – Best Time to Visit
Generally, the best time to visit Tel Aviv is from late April to September during the dry season. If you visit late spring or in summer, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the best weather for hitting the beach. And that’s the reason why most people come to Tel Aviv. Because the city experiences the Mediterranean climate, the summers are hot and dry and winters cold and rainy. One thing to remember is Sabbat, the time when everything shuts down. It starts before the sunset on Friday and lasts all day on Saturday.
If you travel to Tel Aviv in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November), you enjoy the pleasant temperatures between 20°C and 28°C. It’s recommended to travel late spring (May) or early autumn (September) to avoid getting caught up in the rain. The average sea temperature of 20°C in spring is still cold to swim in the Mediterranean but autumn is definitely more enticing with up to 28°C. The Jews celebrate Purim in March, Independence Day in April and High Holy Days in either September or October.
In short, summer (June to August) is the peak season in Tel Aviv. It’s the most popular time for tourists to enjoy the beach with air temperatures around 31°C and the sea is a warm as 29°C. If you come in summer, expect the hotels to be the most expensive. June is also when Tel Aviv Pride (LGBT Parade) and TLVFest take place around town.
If you visit Tel Aviv in winter (December to February), there’s a good chance it will rain a lot. The wet season starts late November and lasts until March. The daily temperatures are still mild staying around 18°C but it’s definitely too cold to swim in the sea.
High Season (Jun – Aug)
- Hot and dry summer
- Temps up to 31°C
- Best time for the beach
Mid (Mar-May, Sep-Nov)
- Mild spring and autumn
- Temps 20°C to 28°C
- Passover, Easter, Sukkot
Low Season (Dec – Feb)
- Warm winters
- Temps up to 18°C
- Rainy season
Tel Aviv Travel Guide – Average Monthly Temperatures
Basically, Tel Aviv is warm throughout the year, although it’s the hottest in summer, from June to September. Those months bring the highest temperatures between 29°C and 31°C, with August being the hottest. In contrast, Tel Aviv is the coldest in winter, from December to February. That’s when the temperatures are still mild ranging between 17°C and 18°C, with January being the coolest.
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| High Temp (°C) | 17 | 18 | 20 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 18 |
| Low Temp (°C) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 11 |
| Sea Temp (°C) | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 21 |
Tel Aviv Travel Guide – Average Monthly Precipitation
Generally, Tel Aviv is the wettest in winter, between October and March. In fact, January is the month when it rains the most with up to 147 mm and 15 days of showers. In contrast, Tel Aviv is the driest between June and September with no rain whatsoever.
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Rainfall (mm) | 147 | 111 | 62 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 81 | 127 |
| Rainfall (days) | 15 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.2 | 6 | 9 | 12 |