31 August, 2017
17 September

Things To Do in Tel Aviv

Getting Around
  • Taxi

    Taxi drivers are required by law to use the meter on all trips. If you know the expected rates, you may try to set a price beforehand – otherwise, we recommend using the meter. For long inter-city trips, the driver must charge passengers according to the Ministry of Transport price list posted in all taxis.  A 25% surcharge for night trips is in effect from 9:01pm until 5:29am (from 4pm on Fridays and holiday eves). Trips with more than 2 passengers are charged an additional NIS 4.90. Trips out of Ben-Gurion Airport are charged an additional NIS 5.00, and passengers pay approximately NIS 3.00 for each suitcase. 

    Bus

    Tel Aviv Central Bus Station is the biggest bus terminal in Israel, 400 metres from the old central bus station. The main bus network in Tel Aviv is operated by Dan Bus Company, with some metropolitan lines operated by Egged and Kavim. Egged provides most intercity transportation.

    Cycling

    If you fancy a change of pace and time to get away from the beach then Tel Aviv is absolutely perfect for cycling. It is flat and has miles and miles of bike paths and recreation routes, allowing you to see some of the best parts of the city.

    There are several routes that you can choose from, and you can connect them together if you fancy a longer or more demanding day out. 

    For cycle hire, click here.

    Walking

    Walking is also a great way to the city, with a variety of walking tours on offer.

     

  • Beaches 

    Tel Aviv-Yafo boasts a stunning promenade which runs alongside the seashore that makes up its western edge. People walk or jog, cycle, sit leisurely on benches and fill their lungs with fresh air, while surrounded by the blue horizons. Dozens of restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlours are busy all day long, while pubs, discos and jazz clubs blossom after dark. 

    Regardless of the hour, human attractions are abound – clowns, caricaturists, tattoo artists, hair-braiders, magicians and of course, the ever-changing parade of people strolling by. Right off the promenade you’ll find clean sand, lounge chairs, ice-cream vendors and die-hard beach-lovers. Each beach enjoys unique characteristics and offers a variety of services, including lifeguard stations, kiosks, restaurants, children’s play grounds, outdoors gyms, and more.

    Old Jaffa

    Thousands of years of history come together in Jaffa, one of the world's oldest cities and the birthplace of Tel Aviv. Old Jaffa, with its Old Port, markets, restaurants and unique atmosphere, is a top destination for visitors of the city. Enjoy shopping at the flea market, tasting legendary humus, or browsing through galleries and museums.  

    Jaffa is mentioned in the Old Testament as the port from which the prophet Jonah embarked on a ship before being swallowed by a fish. In modern times, the port served as the main export and import hub of the region, including for the famous Jaffa oranges. Today, local fisherman still use the harbour and the main hangars of the port have been restored and include art galleries, cafés, restaurants, various shops, and the "NaLaga'at Center" – a unique artistic complex operated by the deaf and blind community.

    The Tel Aviv Port

    The Port in northwest Tel Aviv was originally built in 1938. It is home to some of the city's trendiest bars, night clubs, restaurants and coffee shops. The port is spread along 14,000 square metres of a wooden deck, which was inspired by Tel Aviv's sand dunes. The wide wooden promenade attracts thousands of people seeking to combine food, shopping and entertainment with beautiful sunsets and salty sea breezes. When the sun goes down, the bustle only increases as the port transforms into one of the liveliest and busiest areas of nightlife in the city.

    The New Tel Aviv Museum of Art

    The new Tel Aviv Museum of Art was opened in 2011. The Herta and Paul Amir Building, which was designed by architect Preston Scott Cohen and local Israeli Architect Amit Nemelich, is a dynamic structure made of 430 polished cement panels. The building hosts visiting exhibitions, in addition to a permanent collection of highlights spanning 100 years of Israeli art.

    The Tel Aviv Museum is part of the city's main cultural complex, and neighbors the Cameri Municipal Theatre, the Israel Opera, and the Beit Ariela Public Library.

    The Rabin Memorial

    On November 4, 1995, after a huge rally in support of his government's peace policy in Tel Aviv's main plaza, Yitzhak Rabin was murdered in front of City Hall. A year later, the monument to Rabin was built at the spot where he was killed. Created by the sculptor Yael Ben-Artzi, the memorial is made of 16 basalt stones from the Golan Heights that are sunken into the earth to symbolize Rabin's roots and his deep connection to the land. 

    The stones are set at varying heights and lit from below by a red light, suggesting the everlasting light. The viewer feels as if an earthquake took place here – indeed, a political and social earthquake occurred right at this spot. Graffiti that was inscribed on the surrounding walls after the murder have been preserved, and passers-by often stop at the monument to pay their respects to Rabin. Thousands attend the memorial service held at Rabin Square every year on the anniversary of his death.

    Culture Square

    At the end of Rothschild Boulevard are three of the city's most important cultural institutions: The Habima National Theatre, recently renovated and expanded; the historic Mann Auditorium, home of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra; and the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion, which houses contemporary art exhibitions and is open for free to the public. Connecting all three is the new Culture Square, designed by artist Dani Karavan.

    The Carmel Market ("Shuk HaCarmel") 

    The Carmel Market ("Shuk HaCarmel") is the city's biggest marketplace and a fascinating place to visit. It is essentially a long and narrow alley with colourful stalls lining its sides, from where vendors proudly present their goods. 

    Here you can find almost anything imaginable for the lowest prices in the city, from different kinds of bread and pastries, to tasty olives, dried fruits, exotic spices, and fresh produce. Shuk HaCarmel stretches between the corner of King George and Allenby streets and the Carmelit Bus Station.

    Nachlat Binyamin - The Artists Market

    Every Tuesday and Friday, vendors display their merchandise on small tables along the paved part of Nachalat Binyamin street. Here you can find jewelry, ceramics, special toys, lampshades, and Judiaca among a vast and varied selection of handmade goods.Besides the shopping, performance artists, fortune-tellers and clowns wander around the market providing entertainment.

    The market is generally open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:00 am until sundown. It is a wonderful place to purchase unique arts and crafts and special gifts from Israel.

    Neve Tzedek and the Tachana

    Several decades before the founding of Tel Aviv, Neve Tzedek was built as one of the first neighbourhoods outside of Jaffa.  Its beautifully restored houses and streets preserve the romance of the late 19th century.  A walking tour of Neve Tzedek is a must for romantics, history lovers and fans of small, winding alleys.

    On the southern edge of Neve Tzedek is the Tachana - the historic Jaffa train station. Built in 1892, the station connected Jaffa Port and Jerusalem, enabling pilgrims a short (six-hour) journey to the Holy City. Today, following extensive preservation and restoration, the Tachana's beautiful compound has been converted to a cultural and shopping center open seven days a week. One of the historic train cars has been converted to include a special 3D show that unveils the history of rail travel in the region.

    Also in Neve Tzedek is The Nahum Gutman Museum on 21 Rokach Street. The museum is dedicated to the painter and illustrator who immortalised the early Tel Aviv and Jaffa landscapes in his colourful paintings.

    Neve Tzedek is also home to the Suzanne Dellal Centre, a bustling dance and theatre complex that features one of the city's most beautiful piazzas.

    Bauhaus Architecture

    In 2003, the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) proclaimed the historic zone of Tel Aviv, also known as the White City, as a World Cultural Heritage site.

    The White City maintains the world's largest grouping of buildings (about 4,000) in the International Style, also known as Bauhaus. The buildings were designed by Jewish architects who had studied at the Bauhaus School in Germany and escaped Europe following the rise of the Nazi regime. They created a new architectural language characterised by its functionality and simplicity. 

    At first look houses in this style seem like simple cubic structures. Yet a close observation of the fine details reveals its characteristics: white walls, flat roofs, facades with air ways and shading ledges. The International Style can be best seen on and round Rothschild Boulevard.