10 amazing things to do in Tel Aviv: What not to miss!

Israel’s party capital is a popular travel destination. Apart from sightseeing, good food and a lively club scene, you can relax at long beaches, including beautiful sunshine. In this article, I will share my highlights with you: The best locations, tips and places to see in Tel Aviv!

#1 Tel Aviv’s beaches from Alam Beach to Gordon Beach

I was blown away by the beaches in Tel Aviv: I never expected such beautiful white sand beaches! Even in spring the temperatures were perfect for swimming or at least sunbathing. And the beach life is unique in Tel Aviv. As if the whole life of the Tel-Avivis takes place on the beaches of the city. Beautiful people everywhere, active, sporty, cheerful – it makes you feel like you’re in Miami Beach. Every single one of the beaches attracts its own audience, from families to LGBT and water sports enthusiasts.

Gordon Beach

At the Gordon Beach, there is even a 50m saltwater pool beside the beach in which you can take a swim if the sea is too wild for you. (Entrance fee.)

Tel Aviv Gordon Beach Boardwalk
From Gordon Beach to the south

Frishman Beach & Bograshov Beach

The central beaches are Frishman Beach (the one with the colourful lifeguard bungalow) and Bograshov Beach: you’ll find people here from morning till late at night.

Tel Aviv Things to see Frishman Beach Beach Promenade
Beautiful people, lots of sun: Frishman Beach in the centre of Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv places of interest beach Frishman Beach lifeguard
The colorfully painted lifeguard station is the landmark of Frishman Beach.
Tel Aviv Beach Frishman Beach Volleyball at sunset
Beach volleyball at sunset

At each beach there are always great beachside bars where you can spend hours just enjoying the beach life while having a cocktail. Or you come in the evening and watch the sun slowly going down in the sea.

My tips for the best beach bars in Tel Aviv

Goldman (Alma Beach) – Perfect for sunset! The best thing is to reserve one of the chairs at the balustrade to the promenade: there is no better view at sunset!

Gazoz – Once you’ve sat in the sand in the comfortable deck chairs and had your first drink in your hand, you won’t be able to get away from here so easily! Better to stop here at the end of the day!

Tel Aviv Cocktail Bar at Alma Beach
At Goldman on Alma Beach you can enjoy the panoramic view with the best drinks.

2. Jaffa: The ancient part of Tel Aviv

South of Tel Aviv is Jaffa (Hebrew Yafo), a coastal town that is over 4000 years old. For Jaffa you should plan at least half a day! Here you will find the small stone-lined alleyways and not to forget the famous flea market. In the small boutiques in Jaffa you can find a lot of nice souvenirs, while a warm sea breeze blows through the streets. The atmosphere here is much more relaxed than in busy Tel Aviv. While Tel Aviv is a bit Miami, Jaffa reminded me of hippie-style Ibiza!

Tel Aviv places of interest Jaffa Old Town alley
Alley in the old town of Jaffa.
Tel Aviv Sightseeing Panoramic View Jaffa
From Jaffa you will have a fantastic view of the beaches of Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv things to see Jaffa flea market stand with antiques
At the famous flea market of Jaffa you can find all kinds of treasures.
Tel Aviv tourist attractions Jaffa Graffitti Street Art Mural
Graffiti in the streets of Jaffa
What to see in Tel Aviv View from Jaffa
Tel Aviv Attractions Food Guide Abouelafia Salads
Popular in Israel: Small plates with salads and sauces that are served with every dish.
Tel Aviv Places of interest Old Jaffa St Peter church clock tower
The clock tower of the St.Peter church in Jaffa
Tel Aviv landmarks ships paper boats art installation sculpture Jaffa harbour
Paper boats at the Old Harbour in Jaffa

Walking tour through Old Jaffa

The best way is to start your tour at the Jaffa flea market and then walk towards St. Peter’s Church. On the way you will have the best view of Tel Aviv and its endless beaches from the hill! Not to be missed!

Then walk from Kikar Kedumin Square through the narrow streets of the old town down to Jaffa Port, Jaffa’s old harbour. There are many restaurants and cafes along the promenade, perfect for a little stopover.

Tip: The archaeological excavation in the middle of a shop in the old town of Jaffa at Adina Plastelina, lunch at Aboulafia (grill restaurant, but also bakery) or the hyped Dr. Shakshuka

3. Carmel Market

Markets are always a good tip in foreign cities, especially for trying out culinary delights. Especially in Tel Aviv, where there is a lot to discover because of the different culinary influences! At the Carmel Market you will find everything from underpants to fruits and the hottest coffee shops. And the hustle and bustle is as busy and vibrant as usual in Israel! Here you can try dishes from all over the world at a reasonable price at one of the many streetfood stalls – or just have a few falafels and hummus.

Photo-op for Insta: Don’t miss the colourful umbrellas at the entrance of the Carmel Market at Magen David Square!

Tel Aviv tourist attractions Carmel market entrance with colorful umbrellas
Instagramable: The entrance to the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv Sights Carmel Market Street Food
Tip for budget travelers: At the Carmel Market there are many stalls with cheap and tasty street food!

You can also find further tips for Israel on my blog: Click here to read more!

4. Walking on Rothschild Boulevard

Rothschild Boulevard is a grand boulevard with space for pedestrians, cyclists and scooters. There are always small stalls here, which once sold Gazoz (soda water with taste) and now house mostly hip little cafés.

Tel Aviv Attractions Gazoz Stalls Kiosk Cafés Rothschild Boulevard
Refreshment on hot days: The stands on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv.
Things to do in Tel Aviv Rothschild Boulevard
Things to do in Tel Aviv Rothschild Boulevard

5. Dizengoff Square

One of the best locations to experience Bauhaus architecture in Tel Aviv is Dizengoff Square. When the glaring sunlight, typical for Tel Aviv, falls on the snow-white facades, it is quite impressive. The Dizengoff Square with its roundabout is one of the central points of the city. Along Dizengoff Street is Tel Aviv’s first shopping centre. On the rest of the street you will find small boutiques and inviting cafés.

Tips around Dizengoff Square: Yashka (stylish snack bar, try the shawarma! Caution: huge portions!), Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion House

Tel Aviv Places of interest Dizengoff Square Bauhaus
The Bauhaus buildings at Dizengoff Square
Tel Aviv Things to see Dizengoff Square Fountain
Tel Aviv Dizengoff Square Falafel at Yashka
Yashka offers falafel and shawarma: tasty Israeli street food.
Tel Aviv Sightseeing Gay Pride
Even the dogs wear rainbows to Gay Pride: Tel Aviv is one of the most popular cities of the LGBT community.
Tel Aviv Shopping Dizengoff Street

6. Ben Gurion House

Not far away is also the house of Israel’s first prime minister David Ben-Gurion. He proclaimed Israel’s independence in 1948 and is still well-respected in the country today. His house near Dizengoff Street can be visited. The remarkably modest interior is still in its original state. Very educational if you want to learn a little about the history of Israel. And: The entrance is free!

Tel Aviv Places of interest Ben Gurion House
Modest living conditions: The kitchen in the home of Israel’s first prime minister, Ben Gurion.

7. Tel Aviv, Bauhaus and the White City

Tel Aviv has the highest density of Bauhaus buildings in the world. Since many of these buildings are white, this group of buildings is also called the White City. You can get an overview of Bauhaus in Tel Aviv at the Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv. Unfortunately, many buildings are not as well preserved, but at certain corners, such as the impressive Dizengoff Square in downtown Tel Aviv, the Bauhaus influences are quite visible.

Why are there so many Bauhaus buildings in Tel Aviv?

Tel Aviv is actually a very young city. At the beginning of the 20th century Tel Aviv was just a tiny suburb of the historic Jaffa. Fun fact: Today it is exactly the other way around! After the persecution by the German Nazis, many Jews of German origin came to Tel Aviv in the 1930s and 1940s bringing with them the latest architectural trend of the era.

Tel Aviv Places of interest Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv White City
At the Bauhaus Center you can learn all about Bauhaus and the White City in Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv Things to do and see Dizengoff Square

8. Sarona Market: A Foodie’s Heaven

Completely different, but still worth seeing is the Sarona market. Located a little bit aside, Sarona Market is the sophisticated alternative to Carmel Market. As a newly opened indoor market, it misses a bit of the patina and the bustling market life, but you will find all kinds of culinary delights! They don’t even hesitate to offer more unusual delicacies: There is even a stand with Bavarian streetfood! (Not very authentic though, because hot dogs aren’t typically Bavarian, but still interesting!)

Tip: Shahshuka at Benedict! (Benedict is a small chain of breakfast locations), some of which are open 24/7 and serve breakfast throughout the entire day.

Tel Aviv Points of Interest Sarona Market
The Sarona Market is located amidst skyscrapers in Tel Aviv.
What to do in Tel Aviv Israel Sarona Market
The Sarona market is inspired by a traditional market: Many small stalls with delicacies from all over the world.
Tel Aviv locations Sarona market Bavarian cuisine
Bavarian cuisine at the Sarona Market
Tel Aviv Food Shakshuka at Benedict's
Shakshuka is an oven dish made from poached eggs in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce.

9. Florentin: The alternative scene of Tel Aviv

While many parts of Tel Aviv are already modern and hip, Florentin beats them all. This district is probably the most alternative in Tel Aviv. Colourful street art can be seen on the walls, the cafés are full of digital workers sitting behind their laptops. Florentin seems like an island of freedom in the already liberal Tel Aviv.

Tip: Levinsky spice market (a neighbourhood market with many small stands)

10. The Tel Aviv way of life: Eating, drinking and partying

It is hard to escape the dynamics of Tel Aviv. Due to the mild climate, a lot happens outside – and Israelis are sociable anyway. It goes without saying that I was invited to private Shabbat dinners, yacht parties or other events – without any big ado. Israelis appreciate the company, and it’s easy to make friends. As a visitor, you are always welcome in Israel. Perhaps because many Israelis originally come from other countries. Tel Aviv attracts young people from all over the world, and if you can prove your Jewish faith, the road to Israeli citizenship is short. I was warmly welcomed everywhere, a circumstance that made up for the lack of service culture in many places, and it touched me deeply more than once.

Tel Aviv has an almost infinite range of gastronomic delights to offer. Bicicletta, for example, is a club/café/restaurant/plant shop in the Nachalat Benjamin district.

Tip: Have a good dinner in the evening, go to Kuli Alma, an alternative club, turn the night into day, and hang out on the beach the next morning: Enjoy life in Tel Aviv to the fullest!

Practical tips for Tel Aviv

Money & Currency

In Israel you pay in Israeli shekels. But you can also pay by credit card in many places, which is rarely a problem in technologically advanced Israel. But: Tel Aviv, like all of Israel, is very, very expensive! The cost of living is also very high for Israelis, with low wages. How the mostly young population copes with that – no idea. As a visitor you just have to deal with it. Especially with food you can spend a lot of money. Which is a pity, because there is a lot to discover in Tel Aviv!

Arrival & Visa

With a German passport you do not need a visa for Israel. From many German airports there are direct flights to Tel Aviv, e.g. Easyjet and El Al fly directly from Berlin-Schönefeld. However, even the journey can be adventurous, depending on which airline you choose. El Al, for example, has very strict safety regulations. Unfortunately I haven’t had such good experiences and could write a novel about my journey.

Where to stay in Tel Aviv

Budget hotels and hostels in Tel Aviv

Popular with budget travellers are hostels such as the Abraham Hostel or The Spot Hostel. The Abraham Hostel also has a popular rooftop bar and offers many tours through Tel Aviv and Israel. However, I didn’t like the location very much.

Design and boutique hotels in Tel Aviv

If you have a higher budget, you can hardly escape from design accommodations in Tel Aviv. The houses of the Brown Hotels, nine of which are spread all over the city, are particularly individually furnished: Brown TLV, Brown Beach House, Dave Gordon, Dave Levinsky, Poli House, Lighthouse, Theodor, Town House and Hôtel Bobo.

My recommendation for Tel Aviv

I finally ended up at Jojo TLV, a small boutique accommodation in an old factory floor. Absolutely unimpressive from the outside, the owners have created an inspiring place here from scratch. Due to its small size (there are only a few rooms), the Jojo TLV is also more of a stylish shared flat than a hotel. In the common lounge/kitchen you can enjoy the best coffee and nice conversations. Very sociable – and I liked the close location to Jaffa and the beach.

Check availability for Jojo TLV

Safety in Tel Aviv

The military/police presence in Tel Aviv is quite high, but not as massive as in Jerusalem, where I have been before. Nevertheless, soldiers in full uniform with machine guns are part of the daily routine. Irritating, but overall I thought the atmosphere in Tel Aviv was more relaxed than in Jerusalem. I never felt unsafe, even when I was out alone in the evening. Due to the constantly changing political situation, I recommend that you take a look at your Foreign Office’s information page on Israel, before you leave.

Public Transportation

The actual centre of Tel Aviv is not as large as you might think: You can get to a lot of places walking. For example, I always wanted to rent one of the many bikes (there are several providers in Tel Aviv), but I ended up mainly walking. Scooters are also very popular in Tel Aviv (and very fast – watch out!). Otherwise there is a good bus network and a new tram line. But I didn’t really test it all, as I was in Tel Aviv at one of the highest Jewish holidays (Shavuot), and there wasn’t a single public transport system running! By the way, this also applies to every Shabbat/Saturday! Taxis also drive less on these days. Instead of Uber, Gett is used in Tel Aviv, unfortunately the app is mostly in Hebrew and you can’ t always pay per app. I had to pay the driver at the end of a ride, who promptly demanded the double.

Excursions from Tel Aviv and onward travel

Israel is a small country, and Tel Aviv is right in the middle. From Tel Aviv you can book day trips or tours of several days, or continue on your own. The state bus company Egged will take you to any corner of the country for little money with its long-distance buses, including Jerusalem. I really recommend a short trip to Jerusalem! It’s a completely different world than Tel Aviv and hard to digest at times, but if you are already in Israel, you shouldn’t miss this city!

Book a day trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem!

Read more about Jerusalem in my blog:

Jerusalem: Alle wichtigsten Sehenswürdigkeiten & großer Travel Guide!
City of David: Eine archäologische Ausgrabung mit Tiefgang
Jerusalem: Gedanken über eine schwierige Stadt

Masada & Sunrise over the Dead Sea

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Tatiana
Tatiana

Hey there! I created The Happy Jetlagger in 2015 to gather all those lovely places I got to know during my trips. I love to inspire others on their travels and to discover unique destinations! Working many years as a flight attendant, I finally found a way to share my travel experience. Hope you enjoy it!

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