Tourist guide: what to do and see in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv - History and Progressivism
If you’ve never been in Tel Aviv, now’s the time to visit Israel’s cultural and economic capital, with impressive history, culture, architecture, museums, and outdoor life that will captivate you from the get-go. And besides a bevy of fascinating “tourist attractions,” it’s just a cool place to hang out and get lost, day or night. Come for a visit and you’ll discover that nowadays, Tel Aviv, too, is a city that never sleeps!
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- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
Meir Garden
For a quiet garden break amid a day of touring, this is the spot.
A spot to get away from the everyday hurlyburly.
Tel Aviv can be a hectic city, and that's why both locals and touring visitors appreciate an oasis from it all right in the middle of downtown where they can escape and take a rest. These three hectares (7 1/2 acres) at King George and Tchemichovsky Streets have become a local favourite, and nowadays they also house the gay and lesbian centre of a city that has become one of the world's (and without question the Middle East's) most progressive when it comes to this issue; the center has become something of a cultural landmark in recent years.
Hilton Beach
Surfing, sun-worshipping, or strolling with your pet - Tel Aviv has an option for every preference.
You choose which beach to visit.
The Hilton beaches offer the city's most varied stretch of coastline. You get here by heading way north, up to Independence Garden. From here there are three beach areas divided by rock outcroppings. To the north is a little corner famous for being the only beach where you can go with unleashed dogs (you'll recognise it immediately, of course!). Walking a few steps toward Independence Garden you'll find Tel Aviv's top gay beach, quiet and relaxed. To the south of this, crossing the last outcropping, the rougher surf will tell you you're at Tel Aviv's top surf spot - and indeed, a surfing destination of some reknown in the world.
Frishman Beach
Busier than most other local beaches, Frishman's a great option for a day of sun and fun.
A beach with plenty of company.
One thing's for sure - here you'll never be alone. The beach at Tel Aviv's most upscale hotel zone attracts a fun mix of funloving locals and tourists for swimming, splashing, sunning, or just eating and drinking in the sunshine at the beachfront cafés and restaurants. It's a great spot to learn about matkot, the Israeli beach paddleball game you'll see people playing all over here. After sunset, folks move camp from the sand to the promenade, change clothes, and continue the fun in the bars, cafés, and restaurants. You can also opt to walk a few minutes north to the port - highly recommendable around sunset, and a wonderful stroll at any time of day.
Banana Beach
Not just for a day at the beach, but an unforgettable sunset.
The city's beach.
This is the locals' beach of choice. Yet upon arrival, you'll notice that it's less crowded and more laid back than most of the other more touristic beaches. Its location is just as prime, though, at the southernmost end of the hotel zone near the Charles Clore Gardens. Three things in particular will make you fall in love with this beach: its boho vibe, its beach cafés, and its nightlife. During the day, it's easy to combine some time on the sand with a visit downtown, a short distance away. But if you can, we'd also recommend you come for a dip on a Friday afternoon, then climb up on the rocks to take in some of the drumming and dance shows. After dark, the beach cafés provide a light yet mellow soirée.
Jaffa Gardens
A spot where it's worth focussing on its many nooks, crannies, and details.
The old town park.
The old quarter's gardens are a must-visit stop in the midst of a must-visit part of town. The perfect departure point is HaPisga Garden, aka Summit Garden. From here you can take in a marvelous view of the port and the walls encircling the old town, then visit the rest of the park's gardens or pay a visit to the archaeological museum. Walking farther toward the coast, you can head up toward HaMidron Garden behind the Clock Tower to take in another impressive city view, encountering along the way as many locals out for a stroll as tourists. One of the reasons this park is so beloved is because of the historic zone it's located in, and so after enjoying yourself here you still have the galleries, sites, eateries, and lanes of old Jaffa to look forward to.
Old Jaffa
You should definitely visit the city's old quarter and get lost in its streets.
A mix of hullaballoo and cultures.
Jaffa (Yafo in Hebrew) is a real trip back in time. Making your way through these streets in the south of the city, you'll note a blend of the ancient and the modern, with Jews coexisting comfortably with Muslims and Christians, all in an atmosphere where art and architecture predominate. The best way to enjoy it all is to simply lose yourself in the labyrinth for several hours, from Haganah or Kedumim squares to the Mamudiyah Mosque or St. Peter's Church. Along the way, you can stop at the flea market or for a drink, nibble, or cup of coffee at various cafés and bars. And a word to the wise: Before leaving on your walk, it might be worth a little planning ahead and history homework!
Jaffa Marina
Both for strolling as well as for dining and drinking, well worth a sunset or evening visit.
The sea entrance to Tel Aviv.
There are plenty of good reasons for a visit to this area. Perhaps you're a lover of the sea, of history, or of the outdoor life of this city. The old port of Jaffa is a great place to start on all three counts. Located on a southerly stretch of coast, it's not only Israel's primary point of arrivals and departures for sea voyages throughout the Mediterranean and beyond, but also a centre of the country's fishing fleet; from here, too, Tel Aviv's historic old town opens up. It's also the perfect point of departure for strolling the gardens along the coast and exploring seaside restaurants and cafés. (It's at this port, by the way, where the biblical Jonah set sail on the voyage that led to his legendary encounter with the whale.) If you can, get up to the lookout to watch the sun set over the city.
HaYarkon Park
With different recreation areas and trails, this large park makes for a peaceful, relaxing day.
The city's "green lung."
To get here, walk north from downtown, and come for a relaxing time-out or a whole day - more than 350 hectares (865 acres) makes this park one of the world's largest, with countless strolling and activity options. Walking through its half-dozen gardens is a good way to familiarise yourself with the country's flora and geology. Other features of the park include the old Ottoman Tel Afek fortress, the Yarkon River, and a tropical garden with a small lake amid palm trees, wonderful for getting lost in one of the city's favourite places.
Kerem HaTeimanin
A neighbourhood worth visiting to get a flavour of the real local Tel Aviv.
A stroll through an authentic neighbourhood.
Bounded by Allenby Street, HaKovshim Garden and Ge'Ula Beach, this key Tel Aviv neighbourhood is the place to go for a pleasant respite from the hurly-burly. These streets are home to the world's largest concentration of Yemeni Jews, and many of the locals you'll come across are descendants of the original founders, of the early 19th century. Today Kerem HaTeimanin is a unique district to appreciate this ethnic flavour socially, architecturally, and culinarily, with little side lanes perfect for seeking out some of the city's most authentic restaurants. For example, many locals consider this the only part of Tel Aviv where you can find truly authentic hummus.
Independence Garden
A lovely stroll with amazing views and the sea at your feet.
A charming seaside landscape.
Once you've visited Gan HaAtsma'ut, you'll want to return. Up near Hilton Beach, if you walk toward the sea along Jabotinsky or Arlozorov Streets you'll come across this lovely cliffside park and will understand why it's a favorite getaway in this hectic city: it combines perfect strolling and scenic possibilities with a chance to take a dip in the Mediterranean below and then continue strolling along Tel Aviv's waterfront promenade. If you're tempted, we say, go for it. Especially around sunset, a visit here can be truly unforgettable. And once you're finished your stroll, you can take one of the area's main avenues back downtown.
Mann Auditorium
Well worth a visit not just for its performances but for its architecture and design.
A most impressive stage indeed.
The Mann Auditorium was a project designed to promote pride among the Israeli people, and with the passage of time it has become one of the most important stops on the international cultural circuit. This building mixes an expansive, impressive exterior which by itself is worth a look-see, with top-notch interior acoustics. There's also a wry anecdote connected with the centre. Visiting mayor of Berlin (and later chancellor of Germany) Willy Brandt was moved by the mistaken belief that the auditorium was named for German writer Thomas Mann. Informed that the Mann in question was in fact Frederic Mann, Brandt asked, "What did he write?" The reply? "A check." Be that as it may, today this stage is one of the most highly desired by artists the world over.
Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center
Another sterling example of this country's modernity and cultural advancement.
A night at the opera.
Usually better known as "the Opera House," the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center is one of the city's best-known pieces of architecture. Whether because of its various cultural vicissitudes over the years or just its societal evolution, Tel Aviv seems to have felt the need to demonstrate its sophistication and cosmopolitanism over the course of its history, and this cultural center dedicated to the performance of opera and music both national and international is an impressive example of just that. This singular building features an enormous central vault opening onto a palm grove along downtown's Leonardo da Vinci Street. Here local music lovers come to see top national and international artists every week, and often you can find significant same-day box-office discounts. Take advantage of them!
Habimah Square
A nice place to visit, but we'd recommend you go late to avoid the height of the Tel Aviv heat.
A plaza that's very welcoming to visitors.
One of Rothschild Boulevard's magical lesser-known spots is the plaza in front of the Habima Theatre, an enormous open tiled space that's different from the rest of the city's parks, with a curious fountain at its centre making it a pleasant, pretty place to hang out. Nonetheless, because of the materials used in its construction, when the sun beats down with full force, this can be the hottest place in town temperature-wise (that was largely the reason for local opposition to this park). But after an afternoon stroll along Rothschild Boulevard, as the day cools off this square is a wonderful place to end up and rest a while.
Rozin Auditorium
If you like basketball, come watch a game at the city arena and cheer on the local team.
Time for a little sports action.
Welcome to Tel Aviv's sports arena! The Rozin Auditorium at the corner of Drezner Street and Ramant Aviv Gimel runs a full schedule of basketball and other team sports with a great atmosphere (they put on a great, practically NBA-quality show) and reasonable entry fees. Also, local fans are known for being very friendly and welcoming, especially if they see you cheering on their local teams. It's an interesting mixture of cultures and sports traditions on the same court.
Givatayim Observatory and Garden
On the outskirts of Tel Aviv, this park is the best spot locally to gaze at the stars.
For a faulous nighttime visit.
Now here's something pretty different, and a double treat, at that. Not only are these hilltop gardens on the outskirts of Tel Aviv (at Golomb and Gan Haaliya Hashnia Hamery Streets) something of an edenic escape where one can truly disconnect and enjoy peace and quiet. But this park is also known as the best local vantage point from which to gaze at the stars and constellations of the night sky, and various sections of the park are set up to help you do just that. There's also an observatory up here that opens to the public once or twice a week.
Bograshov and Jerusalem Beaches
Great strands with beach bars and hammocks for a day of sun and fun.
A day at the beach.
Tel Aviv is blessed with an impressive coastline and beaches, nearly 20 paradisiacal kilometres (12 miles) worth to choose from. So here are some recommendations to help you make that choice, starting with Bograshov Beach, one of the most popular around. This enormous sandy stretch offers the Mediterranean on one side and beach bars on the other, with hammocks, food, drink, and a fun scene for a great day under the sun. Another great option is the very central (and more crowded, while still comfy and attractive) Jerusalem Beach, especially popular with locals, and especially on a Shabbat Saturday.
Gay Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv shows its open, inclusive character with a variety of gay-oriented neighbourhoods.
LGBT offerings for all tastes.
It might surprise some to learn that Tel Aviv has become one of the world's most openly and excitingly gay cities. Two standouts are worth mentioning. Downtown's Shenkin Street, by day one of the city's principal shopping thoroughfares, after dark transforms into one of its premier gay nightlife hubs, with various bars, pubs, and discos all up and down its length. Another hub can be found in the north of the city at Hilton Beach (near the eponymous hotel, as well as, ironically enough, one of the city's most traditional Orthodox neighbourhoods). The atmosphere up here is almost Ibiza-like, adding up to a cultural mix perhaps possible only in a place like Tel Aviv.
Tayelet
Fixed up not long ago, it's great for strolling, working out, or taking in the sea views.
Tel Aviv's waterfront boulevard.
This waterfront promenade and boardwalk out near Tel Aviv's beaches offers one of the city's prettiest walks. Originally built in the 1930s, it was restored several years ago as part of the new port project and is now a lovely spot to take in the beaches on one side and old Jaffa on the other. In the mornings you'll find an appealing mix of locals, tourists, and athletes all over, as well as Bohemian types as the day grows long. After the sun goes down, this whole area becomes a nightlife hotspot, a magnet for young people to the throb of an electronic beat. Whichever scene you prefer, there's always something going on.
Charles Clore Garden
well-deserved rest with unbeatable views, what better way to relax?
An oasis facing the sea.
The gardens of Charles Clore Garden appear at the end of the old Jaffa neighborhood, the origin of the city, in the southern part of this old part of Tel Aviv. They appear as a haven of peace and as a green lung in such a busy neighborhood. It is delicious to finish the route through the redoubts of Jaffa in these gardens because, after walking through the convoluted stone streets of the old center, suddenly, the horizon opens before your eyes to let you contemplate the enormous Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Tel Aviv city behind your shoulders. In this area you can breathe tranquility. So quiet that it is usually the place chosen by the families of the city to pray in a group before starting the Sabbath. Among the fountains they gather as a group at sunset. Watching the sunset from this place will allow you to see a typically Israeli scene, impossible to find anywhere else.
Nightlife
There are various areas of Tel Aviv where locals go to hang out and have a drink after dark. Here are several top choices.
Tel Aviv after dark.
Tel Aviv has been developing one of the world's more exciting nightlife scenes in recent years. The Florentin neighbourhood in the city's south has become a nightlife epicentre, a mix of eateries, sidewalk cafés, pubs, and dance clubs open well into the wee hours of the morning. Another key nightlife district, since its restoration, is the seaport area, and it's here that you'll find many of the city's top discos. Many of these clubs tend to have a young clientele, an electronic-music vibe, and guest DJ's from all over the planet. A third great option for after-dark action can be found along Rothschild Boulevard. Party on!
Dizengoff Street
With a pedestrian mall nearby this shopping centre has it all.
Tel Aviv's top boulevard, for strolling and shopping
Located on Tel Aviv's main downtown thoroughfare, Dizengoff Street, this giant shopping complex is typical of the kind of construction that has grown up over the past 20 years, not overwhelming traditional architecture but adapting to it. All the surrounding streets have been closed to cars and trucks, making for a pleasant, cheerful downtown strolling experience. All the well-known international brands are here, and every Friday locals flock to to the ground-floor Dizengoff flea market. After dark, the area becomes one of the city's nightlife hotspots.
Dead Sea cosmetics
Its benefits for skin and body by now well known, the Dead Sea can now be yours for the taking home (a little piece of it, anyway).
The Dead Sea at (and on) your fingertips.
The Dead Sea has been called the world's biggest spa - a unique spot thanks to its conditions and the composition of its waters and mud. Besides being tremendously relaxing, these waters are greatly beneficial, so they say, for the human body, benefiting circulation, skin, and hair, among other systems. For years, companies have commercialised all kinds of cremes, soaps, shampoos, and essences based on theses waters and muds, and here in Israel they are not difficult to find; any shop or stall downtown or in Shenkin Street will carry these products. One retailer which specialises in almost every available line of such products is Super Pharm at 10 Bialik Street.
The Neve Tzedek Neighbourhood
For a look at an alternate face of Tel Aviv, here's another itinerary to try.
A lesser-known side of the city.
A bit more off the beaten path away from the urban downtown, 19th-century Neve Tzedek centres around a handful of lanes and avenues and some lovely, unusual architecture. Once a district of bohemians and intellectuals, these days, after a period of neglect and decay, it has been resurrected as a shopping and dining destination, with restaurants/cafés, galleries, and shops selling everying from old books and records to local clothing designers and all manner of artwork. Definitely a fascinating alternative side of Tel Aviv.
Challah, matzah or other textiles
Typical Israeli souvenirs for yourself or your family.
Classic Israeli souvenirs with heirloom potential
Tel Aviv offers much in the way of fine-quality souvenir candidates. Some of the most popular are challah or matzah, fabrics used to cover tables for Shabbat or other Jewish celebrations. Other religiously-oriented Judaica which are amply available include menorahs, mezuzahs, or kiddush cups (these last particularly from the village of Cesarea, famed for the quality and tradition of its ceramics). And of course many visitors return home with Israeli jewelry such as multicoloured watches made from malachite from Eilat, on the Dead Sea. Many of the aforementioned products can be found in a variety of shops, but if you're interested in bargaining on price, you'll be able to do so at street stands rather than in shops.
HaTachana, Tel Aviv's Railway Station
A historic rail station converted into a retail/entertainment complex.
History meets modernity
Built in 1892, the Ottoman-era HaTachana train station has its historic side, recounting the arrival thousands of Jewish immigrants before and after the proclamation of the state of Israel. But now, after falling derelict for years, it has become one of Tel Aviv's coolest destinations, a collection of shops, cafés, and restaurants that's something of a hotspot, and where you can find some of the most upscale brands in town. In the 21st century, history and shopping go hand in hand.
Adeina Plastelina
Pieces from this distinctively designed and hued jewelry line could turn out to be the most treasured mementos of your trip.
Unique and original pieces.
Strolling through Old Town Jaffa, at 23 Netive Hamazalot Street you'll come across one of the district's more curious and popular shops, Adina Plastelina. This jewelry shop specialises in colourful and original watches, rings, earrings, pendants, keychains, and countless other baubles. The shop's owners and craftspeople make a point of incorporating into their work the country's history and materials (for example, minerals from the Dead Sea). There's also a selection of jewelry for kids. Especially if you're a fan of bling, the perfect Tel Aviv souvenir may await right here.
Azrieli Center
Israel's leading icon of modernity is home to shopping, dining, hotels, and an observatory.
The city's highrise district.
Tel Aviv is a mix of traditional and contemporary, but the Azrieli shopping complex gives Tel Aviv its most modern touch. It's formed by three towering skyscrapers (dubbed "the roof of Tel Aviv") which contain hotels, restaurants, and a rooftop observatory (highly recommended), as well as offices of some of the top national and international firms in the country. The three lowest floors are occupied by a shopping center with a wide variety of fashion and food retailers including some of the country's most exclusive brands, as well as more than 30 eateries (making it a great refueling and/or entertainment stop during or after a day of shopping).
Nachlat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Market
For souvenirs shopping or entertaining browsing, this is a must on your visit.
Typical products and more.
Here on Nachlat Binyamin you're on one of Tel Aviv's top shopping streets, a pedestrian mall that's one of the city's most prestigious commercial thoroughfares. Its shops and stands offer a wide variety of merchandise including Israel's own best known products, from the famous Cesarea crystal to cosmetics created from plants and minerals from the Dead Sea, quite popular the world over. Moreover, each Tuesday and Friday from morning onward an arts and crafts market converts the street into a fun free-for-all that really lets you get up close and personal with both the locals and their cuisine.
The Yemeni Neighbourhood
A different kind of shopping itinerary to rub shoulders with real locals as they go about their hectic lives.
Hullaballoo and shopping - lots of shopping.
Do something a little different and venture off the beaten path into Tel Aviv's Yemeni neighborhood along Nahalat Binyamin Street. It's lined with shops on either side as well as street carts, and you can find almost any item you can think of - many items for locals, of course, such as clothing and accessories, but also local foods, jewelry, and crafts. Just keep in mind that it will require a bit of attitude adjustment - no casual sauntering and leisurely window shopping here, but rather mixing in with the hectic jostle and flow of the locals. The end of the market blends in with the Carmel Market, the city's most popular area for food shopping, as well as into the surrounding streets.
Shenkin Street
Whether it's street stalls or luxury shops, this high street has it all.
The city's top shopping street.
Shenkin Street is Tel Aviv's shopping "golden mile," an expansive avenue branching out from Rothschild Boulevard and continuing practically to the sea. It's a mix of products - clothing, shoes, perfumes, household goods - as well as luxury brand names with neighbourhood mom-and-pops, all without apparent rhyme or reason. So, too, the mix of people - young and old, tourists and locals, roaming the avenues or chatting on benches, all in delighful cacophony. They say hereabouts that Tel Aviv is half tradition, half innovation, and Shenkin Street seems ample proof of that.
Chraime
Finely spiced and exquisitely flavourful, this is how fish is prepared at water's edge.
Flavourful fish on the seashore.
The fact that Tel Aviv is located right on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea means that visitors have access to some marvelous fresh local seafood. The city's star fish dish is called chraime, North African in origin and traditionally prepared for Shabat by Sephardic Jews. Spices such as paprika are added to whitefish (usually sole, halibut, or cod), followed by tomatoes and olive oil. Oftentimes it will be accompanied by a sauce called pipelchuma, also from North Africa. Now all you need to do is find a nice outdoor spot in Tel Aviv's port to enjoy it while gazing out over the sea.
Mujaddara
An authentically traditional Israeli dish which you should definitely try on a Thursday or Sunday.
The power of traditional cuisine.
Allow us to introduce you to another typical Israeli dish - although it must be said mujaddara is also considered historically Palestinian and is popular throughout neighbouring countries as well. It's a kind of stew based on lentils, rice, and bulgur wheat, and according to tradition popular over the centuries with the poor. It has also become a common part of the Israeli diet, and is prepared in various ways - often mixed with olives and fried onions. And here's an interesting fact: many folks here in Israel eat this just twice a week - hot on Thursdays and cold on Sundays!
Red Sea Star
Can you picture yourself dining while gazing out over the bottom of the Red Sea? That's exactly the ticket here.
Dinner under the sea.
Many visitors to Tel Aviv take a side trip to the exotic nearby Red Sea. Out in the resort city of Eilat, five hours from Tel Aviv, we highly recommend one of your activities be dinner at a restaurant called the Red Sea Star. Not on the sea - under it! Five metres (16 feet) down, to be precise. Getting here via the 70-metre bridge is remarkable enough in itself, but fine local dining while gazing out upon the flora and fauna of the marine depths is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Welcome to the Red Sea!
A sweet dairy star.
Don't leave the country without sampling everyone's favourite snack.
A sweet treat with a surprising flavour.
One of the most prominent dietary restrictions of kosher cooking set forth by the Talmud prohibits mixing meat and dairy, so you'll find an especially large variety of dairy dishes to choose from - most prominently halva as well as labneh, a sweet cheese that resembles yogurt. It's made from the milk of either the cow or sheep, and while it comes in many varieties, most often it tends to be made with herbs and spices such as thyme. While halva is generally favoured for dessert, labneh is preferred for breakfast or as a snack. Absolutely delicious - and probably different than anything you've ever tried before.
An introduction to Israeli cuisine
A blend of cultures and flavours, whose every dish is sure to wow you.
In Israel, what to make of the food on your plate.
As you go sampling the city's edibles, Israeli cookery brings together influences from across the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. For starters, this land alone is a treasury of recipes of the civilisations which have occupied it over the millennia. For example, Turkish influence can be seen in the ubiquitous pita bread, falafel, shawarma, and hummus. Meanwhile, a strand of Iraqi (or, if you will, Mesopotamian) culinary DNA can be seen in the spicy mango chutney amba, as well as the sabich, a pita sandwich of fried eggplant and hard-boiled egg with hummus or tahini. And just about any local restaurant will serve up a fine-quality, mouthwatering mouthful of history!
Halva for dessert
After a good meal, leave room for the country's most traditional dessert.
And for dessert…
Israeli cuisine brings together a great mixture of cultures and influences, all under the guidance of Judaism's primary holy book the Talmud, which establishes dietary guidelines for the religion's followers. This tradition has given rise to tasty dishes like the country's most popular dessert, halva. Most often based on sesame paste, it can be prepared in a large variety of ways (in fact, it's common not only in Israel but elsewhere in the Middle East and even in places farther afield like India, Pakistan and other countries). Here in Tel Aviv you'll most typically find it filled with nuts such as pistachios or even vegetables or beans. As crafted by hand in Tel Aviv's quality kosher restaurants, halva is a must-try!
Kosher cuisine
What better way to the heart of a country than through its stomach? How about it?
Besides experiencing the culture, sample the food.
Since Judaism is Israel's majority religion, its precepts inform much of the country's culture, including its cookery. Much of said cookery will be "kashér" (more commonly rendered in English as kosher), from the Hebrew for "fit," as in stipulated fit for consumption by religious texts. The best-known such stipulation is the prohibition against mixing meat and dairy (you might notice this especially at breakfast, where you'll see plenty of milk-derived products but no bacon, sausages, and the like). So do stop into a kosher restaurant or two during your stay - for example, any one of those located on downtown's Shenkin Street. It's an especially yummy way of getting to know yet another facet of this country!
Carmel Market
Plunge into the crowds and the burly-burly and enjoy!
A typical market, great for getting lost in.
Though Tel Aviv was founded only in 1909, visiting the Carmel Market is sure to evoke the Middle East of centuries past. This is probably the city's most diverse and colourful spot, a riot of hues, cacophony of shouting merchants and customers, and above all an olfactory symphony of aromas characteristic of Israeli cookery, for which this is reputedly the best source of ingredients around. It centres around Magen David Square in the heart of the city and continues down toward the seashore. Take your time and let yourself go with the ebb and flow of the locals, living an experience that's pure, delightful urban Israel.
Catit Restaurant
Traditional ingredients with nouvelle touches - an unbeatable combination!
A mix of styles and flavours.
It's often said that Tel Aviv is the flip side of Jerusalem; Israel's capital is the keeper of tradition and religion, while newer, more modern Tel Aviv grew up in a very different context. This city is a more modern metropolis which tends to look more toward the future than the past. Perhaps that's why you're more likely to find spots here like El Catit, blending tradition in regional recipes, spices, and ingredients with haute culinary innovation. Yes, you can find traditional kosher cuisine here, but orthodox - not so much. You'll find dishes decorated in impossible ways with delicious recipes. A highly recommendable experience, at 57 Nahlat Binyamin Street.
Jaffa Port Market
The opposite of disorder and hustle and bustle you will find in this market.
An unusual market.
The new market in the port of Jaffa is the opposite example to the rest of the markets in the city of Tel Aviv. Accustomed to traditional markets with temporary stalls at street level and street vendors, the new port wanted a different image. Throughout this area you can breathe a new air, a cosmopolitan air. This is how this market was born where you can find all kinds of typical but high quality food. Tasting stands and delicatessens abound. We recommend that you waste some time browsing through all of them. You will be surprised at how naturally Israeli gastronomy and the region's kosher cuisine have adapted to the rules of haute cuisine. Here you will discover the most refined cuisine. By the way, if you were thinking of taking a gastronomic souvenir with you, this is the right place to do it.
Palmach Museum
A stroll through the civilisation and darkest moments of the history of the country.
Home to the Star of David.
In the northern part of the city, this dramatic, compelling museum built in the shape of a Star of David documents the history of the pre-Israel Jewish defence force known as the Palmach, which at various times in the 1940s supported the occupying British forces against the encroaching Germans, fought against the British, and countered attacks by Arabs before being absorbed into the Israeli army. It's highly experiential and visits must be arranged in advance.
Azrieli Center
Impressive modernity and impressive views.
Tel Aviv's most cosmopolitan corner.
The Azrieli trio of skyscrapers is proof that Tel Aviv is certainly no backward-looking city, and makes clear that it's possible to both be one of the world's most historic cities and evolve toward the future. United by an enormous shopping complex at their base, these three towers are the city's tallest, and home to "the roof of Tel Aviv," the Azrieli Observatory, affording some truly unique panoramic vistas of all corners of the city (in fact, we'd highly recommend a meal up here - it's an unforgettable experience).
Beth Hatefutsoth, the Diaspora Museum
An inspiring look at world Jewry through the millennia.
A history of Jews throughout the world
Located on the campus of Tel Aviv University, this museum was established in 1978 to try to capture the long and convoluted story of a people and a culture from the time of the Jews' expulsion from the land of Israel more than 2,500 years ago until the present day. Its creator, Dr. Nahum Goldman, aimed to create a thread that would pass beyond geographical boundaries that would unify and dignify Jewish religion and culture during the long generations of exile. In fact, the museum has a permanent multimedia exhibition on the history of the Jewish people called "A history of thousands of years - always new." Another excellent means of getting to the heart of Jewish - and Israeli - identity.
Tel Aviv Art Museum
Explore the country's cultural cutting edge and what's next.
A voyage to the cultural future.
The Tel Aviv Art Museum is the city's most important cultural centre, a mix of some of the 20th century's most influential artists (Pollock, Chagall, Modigliani, Picasso, Miró, Lichtenstein) and the top Israeli artists of the present and future, in painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, and various other art forms. Don't miss Lichtenstein's enormous mural at the entrance, created especially for the museum. Open daily, highly recommended.
Jabotinsky Institute
A look at some key historic events which influenced the direction of Israel, as embodied by this influential figure.
Homage to a seminal figure of Zionism.
Raised in Russia, Ze'ev Vladimir Jabotinsky became one of the most influential activists in the world Zionist movement founded in the late 19th century, based on the cultural and pseudo-religious precepts that Jews of the diaspora should return to Palestine. Until his 1940 death in the United States, Jabotinsky was one of the main advocates whose campaign did eventually result in the establishment of the state of Israel 8 years later. This museum is an homage to that life's work. Although world opinion certainly remains divided on the matter, this is without a doubt a critical part of the history of Israel, and as such highly recommended if you want to understand the country and its culture. Located at 38 King George Street.
Independence Hall
Site of a unique moment in history, it allows visitors to get a sense of what it was like to be a people united.
The nation's pride.
Broad, leafy Rothschild Boulevard is one of Tel Aviv's most singular thoroughfares,encircling part of the city with some of its most exlusive manses. And at No. 16 on this luxurious avenue is Independence Hall, perhaps the city's most iconic building, as it was from here that on May 14, 1948 David Ben-Gurion read the manifesto that proclaimed the state of Israel. Now it's a museum which focuses on the events surrounding Israel's founding as well as other aspects of the country's history.
Tel Aviv-Yafo Museum of Antiquities
A different kind of journey through the country's history and culture.
A multimedia museum.
This singular museum's purpose is to explain the history and key points of Hebraic culture, starting with an examination of Jewish faith and settlement in this region reaching back more than 2,500 years. Including almost every imaginable form of artistic expression in various visual, aural, and written media, it delves into the idiosyncrasies of the religion, culture (including a section devoted to music), and Israeli identity. A must for visitors who wish to gain a deeper understanding of this complex society.
Eretz Israel Museum
To know this country, as they say, is to love it, and there's no better place to do so than this museum.
A look back at the earliest origins of this country.
This museum was built on the spot where one of its foremost treasures was found - ancient votive mosaics, specifically the floors of a Samaritan prayer house. Its various levels and rooms illustrate the important highlights of the history of Tel Aviv, the state of Israel, and the region prior to their establishment, through objects and text, including archaeological testimonials and relics dating back to Napoleonic battles or the arrival of the Ottoman Turks in the region. There's also a permanent exhibition of Israeli pottery/ceramics, coinage, and folk art which will help you better understand the personality of this diverse country and its powerful cultural currents. The museum is located on Haim Levanon Street.
House of Simon the Tanner
The birthplace of one of Judaism's most classic precepts—keeping kosher—is visible from almost anywhere in the city.
A legendary rooftop.
The House of Simon the Tanner has Tel Aviv's most famous rooftop, thanks to, as per the Bible, St. Paul's vision of pure and impure animals. This gave rise to one of Judaism's more important precepts, the kosher diet. It's interesting and a historic fact that in this connection the holy books speak not of invented spots but in detail of specific places such as this. In addition, this rooftop is recognisable by an important lighthouse which guided ships in during the late 19th century. The site was at one time also a mosque. Now it's very easy to find; just get to Jaffa and look for the red-and-white building.
Ben Gurion Huse
To understand Israel do not miss a visit to the house of its single most important founder.
Learn how this great historical figure lived.
David Ben Gurion is the state of Israel's single most important historical figure. A Pole who couldn't attend university due to the outbreak of World War I, in the 1940s he became the greatest ideologue and proponent of the Zionist movement, yet also became the first to address the Palestinian-Israeli problem and defended the unity of both peoples over territorial conquest. Beyond that, he proclaimed the independence of the state of Israel from here in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948. He practiced Judaism's principles of humility and lived quite modestly. Now a museum, his house at number 17 Boulevard Ben Gurion can now be visited, and it still serves as an inspiration to those who follow and are inspired by his memory.
Fire and Water Fountain
Leave this fountain for late in the day and be dazzled by its spectacle of water and fire.
A nighttime must-visit.
When you're in the Dizengoff neigbourhood, stop by here at night. Behind the famous mall you'll find a square with a structure known by all Tel Aviv residents as the fountain of water and fire. Created by artist Yaacom Agam in the 1980s, it consists of a group of five concentric rings which create optical illusions based on the light, their movements, streams of water and fire, all in motion from 11 in the morning till 10 at night. But we recommend you visit after dark, have a seat in any part of the plaza, and take it all in.
The Old Cemetery
Here lie the remains of the city's (and some of the country's) most important figures - cultural and well as historical.
A place with much history.
Within its walls, this old cemetery on Trumpeldor Street is a memento mori to much of Tel Aviv's history. Here you'll find the mortal remains and tombs of the city's founders; many of the fallen in Israel's wars; and various public figures who helped define what it means to be Israeli. After years without a country, many have fought to be buried here, and as a visitor if you get to witness a Jewish funeral rite in this cemetery, it's a priceless experience. A visit to this hallowed ground allows us to better comprehend Tel Aviv's religious, cultural, and intellectual diversity.
Hassan Bek Mosque
Though non-Muslims may not enter, it's well worth taking the time to check out its exterior architecture and colours.
The white mosque.
One of Tel Aviv's - and specifically Jaffa's - most iconic buildings, it was constructed in 1916 during Ottoman rule, using not the more common reddish local stone but rather white limestone, punctuated by colourfully-tinted windows and dominated by a tall minaret reaching for the sky. Over the years it has had a checkered history according to the ebb and flow of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but continues to be a working house of worship, and as such its interior is closed to non-Muslims.
The White City
This must-see white neighbourhood is considered an open-air monument to the Bauhaus style.
The light of the city.
The so-called "White City" is a moniker that applies especially to a Tel Aviv neighbourhood built between the 1920s and 1940s, when the city was in full boom and prosperity mode. The result was the world's largest group of buildings - some 4,000 - constructed in the innovative Bauhaus style characterised above all by white walls and rounded corners (adapted as needed to Mediterranean conditions from their central European origins, of course). Many subsequently fell into disrepair but have been and continue to be restored and refurbished. In 2003 they were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You may find many of these building on streets such as Rothschild, Bialik, and Dizengoff.
Old Town Jaffa
Strolling these ancient streets is a fascinating and necessary step toward understanding this country's turbulent history.
Here's where it all began.
Tel Aviv has its origins in the streets of the old Jaffa quarter, in the south of the city, where the first settlement grew up more than 3,000 years ago around a seaport-one of the oldest known ports in the world. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, this citadel has changed over the course of its history repeatedly between Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and so strolling its lanes and byways makes for a fascinating tour of international history and civilisations. Landmarks include the Ottoman-era clock tower, Mahmoudiya Mosque, and 19th-century St. Peter's Church. Another Old Town highlight is Gan HaPisga, an enormous park where you'll find several archaeological sites and a brilliant view over the city and coast.
The Clock Tower
With more than a century of history, the walls of this emblematic building will show you the history of the city.
Symbol of the history of the city.
The Jaffa district, in the south of Tel Aviv, is Israel's port, as well as this city's historic core, where 3,000 years ago the area's first inhabitants settled. In the southern part of this district, as if offering a greeting amid endless palms, is the Jaffa Clock Tower. It was built in 1906 during Ottoman Turkish rule to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, and has become one of Jaffa's symbols. The walls and windows of this building tell the story of the city's mixed and tumultuous past with its mix of three religions.
Rabin Square
One of the city's most important public spaces, and a showcase for its modernity.
Downtown and its hullaballoo.
Once known as Kings of Israel Square, this iconic plaza at the heart of Tel Aviv is one of the city's most important, and always abuzz with the to-and-fro of locals and tourists alike. But this space has long loomed large in the turbulent history of the city, especially when it comes to political demostrations and rallies. In fact, it was here that on November 4, 1995 Israel's then-president Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated, and for that tragic reason the square was renamed in his honour. On one side of the square is the city hall, with the other three sides formed by Boulevard Hen as well as Ibn Gabirol and Frischmann Streets.
Cymbalista Synagogue
Easily recognisable by its architecture, this is a spot you must not miss in order to understand this country.
A melding of cultures before your eyes.
One of Tel Aviv's most salient characteristics is its cultural and religious diversity. This has led to a good deal of conflict over its history, but it has also turned it into one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world today. And when it comes to religion, while there are significant Muslim and Catholic populations, the majority faith is of course Jewish. So visitors should not miss a visit to the Cymbalista Synagogue - not because it is historic (it was built in 1998), but because besides being a place of prayer it serves as a premier centre of Jewish history. Located at the University of Tel Aviv, this curious parallel-cylyndrical structure makes it hard to miss and hard to forget. Spots not to miss inside include the Bet Midrash, a hall oriented toward the west, and the prayer room oriented toward the east.
Rothschild Boulevard
A street with a long history, for strolling and enjoying the views.
The city's main thoroughfare
Rothschild Boulevard is Tel Aviv's spine, running from the Neve Tzedek district up to Habimah Theatre in the north. It's also one of the city's most important thoroughfares, not just because of the views it offers but because of its history. The residences of this the city's most exclusive neighbourhood are for the most part from the Bauhaus era between the 1920s and 1940s, architecture which has helped earn Tel Aviv the moniker of "White City." At number 16 you'll find Independence Hall, where on April 14, 1948 the state of Israel was officially proclaimed. And in point of fact, the first name of this boulevard was "the Street of the People."
Church of St. Peter
With its ruddy colours and mix of styles, this church will grab your attention.
Arrival in the Holy Land
Sailors and pilgrims alike took the sight of the unique red brick that crowns this building as a sign that the Holy Land was near. Built around the 17th century, this church subsequently used by Franciscans was the highest man-made structure in the port of Jaffa. Apart from being the oldest port in the world with more than 3,000 years of maritime activity, Jaffa has also been for many centuries the front door to Jerusalem. Focusing on the building, its walls were raised by the Spanish crown circa 1884 over the crumbled foundations of the original French structure. This unusual building with its mix of styles also served primarily as a fortress, and has been the scene of many important historical events. In fact, it is said that it was used upon his arrival in the city in 1799 by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte.
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