6 Tips to Make Your Stay in Tel Aviv Unforgettable

A city with more bars than synagogues or churches, a high-fashion cachet, and the hottest art and film scene in the Middle East, cosmopolitan Tel Aviv is a favorite stop for many international travelers. This Mediterranean hub might not be for everyone – tourists who come to Israel primarily for a spiritual pilgrimage or to explore ancient sites may find Tel Aviv a bit lacking. But almost everyone will get a kick out of this unique city by the sea.
If you’re a prospective visitor, we’d like to get you started on the path to the urban adventure of a lifetime. Follow these 6 tips, and you’ll get the most out of your unforgettable stay in worldly and beautiful Tel Aviv.
Soak Up the Culture
Tel Aviv is filled with elegant museums, housing everything from contemporary displays to historical artifacts. One of the best museums we’ve found is the Museum of the History of Tel Aviv Jaffa. You’ll learn everything you could ever want to know about the history of this unique Israeli city. The museum is housed in a striking Modernist building. Constructed in 1927, it served as Tel Aviv’s first city hall. Don’t miss its photography exhibition by local residents.
Get Out and Walk
Tel Aviv is home to a remarkable number of Bauhaus buildings. The 4,000 or more buildings are known as the White City and designated by UNESCO and a World Heritage site. Put on some comfortable shoes and see it for yourself. The Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv provides a two-hour walking tour. Other sites to stroll in the city: Rothschild Boulevard, Sheinkin Street, and Bialik Street. Hayarkon Park is a green spot in the middle of the city, offering many walking and bike paths (along with paddle boat rides down the Yarkon River).
Hit the Beach
Tel Aviv offers some of the best beaches in Israel. Its location on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea gives the city a Miami-style urbanity. You’ll find eight primary beach areas in town, each with its own specific feel. Gordon Beach, across from the Sheraton, is the city’s most popular with tourists, but check out the area between Jerusalem Beach and the nearby Dolphinarium to see a more offbeat group of beach lovers. National Geographic named Tel Aviv the 9th best beach city in the world, and one visit will show you why.
Go Shopping
Internationally known as a shopper’s paradise, Tel Aviv offers a variety of shopping experiences ranging from the world of high fashion to local ethnic markets – and everything in between. Tel Aviv’s largest market is Carmel Market, offering a huge selection of produce, spices, specialty cheeses, trinkets, and souvenirs. World-renowned fashion designers also offer their latest in boutiques throughout the city. The Ramat Aviv Shopping Mall, located in one of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods, features many high-fashion boutiques. Don’t expect bargains here, however!
Enjoy the Nightlife
Tel Aviv is called “the city that never stops,” and that means you can expect lots of partying after dark. For visitors who enjoy music and clubbing, the city offers venues for either mainstream or hipster tastes. The port area is more mainstream, while “cooler” folks head to the southern area of Florentin, filled with small, hip bars. Head to the Levinsky Market area, however, to see where most of the locals go, and soak up the culture of Tel Aviv nightlife. Most cafes and restaurants are also open until midnight or later. Summertime brings bars out on the sand at Frishman, Jerusalem, and Banana Beaches, so you can listen to the surf as well as the music.
Sample the Cuisine
Tel Aviv offers some of the most high-end, sophisticated restaurants in Israel – and the world. Trendy restaurants open monthly, so there’s always something new to check out. As a global city, Tel Aviv reflects its pedigree in its cuisine. Look for lots of fusion menus and artisanal food preparation. One warning: Tel Aviv is not known for its abundance of kosher restaurants, but there are a handful of traditional restaurants serving excellent kosher cuisine.
Meet the Locals
Tel Aviv is not the tourist spot that locales such as Jerusalem are. If you want to escape hordes of tourists and soak up local color with the natives, the city will provide you with ample opportunities to do so. Whether dining, clubbing, beachcombing, or shopping, seek out the spots that Tel Aviv residents are likely to frequent. Remember that Tel Aviv is a casual community. Even for business, most individuals don’t wear suits—or even own one. Enjoy the slow-paced holiday spirit of the locals, who enjoy taking their daily walks along the beach, dawdling at neighborhood coffee shops, and soaking up the year-round sunshine. At least until night comes – and then the energy level rises. Adjust your rhythms and sleep schedule, and you’ll feel like a native in no time.
We hope to have convinced you that Tel Aviv is worth a stay on a visit to Israel. Whether you combine it with a tour of the entire country or opt for a few weeks of languid days by the sea and evenings of energetic club-hopping, Tel Aviv will provide you with a truly unforgettable vacation.