Tel Aviv, Israel
It’s a mid-May Saturday in Tel Aviv, a perfect temperature of 26 degrees with a little breeze. The streets are quieter than usual; there is less traffic and fewer people out and about. You may think, where is everybody? At the beach! This is what a typical Saturday noon looks like in Tel Aviv: beaches packed with sunbathers, scooters parked all along the tayelet, and happy surfers everywhere.
Whether or not you’ve got the beach on your mind, too, you could spend month after month in Tel Aviv and never get bored. Lively, historic, layered, and artistic, this city can enchant as easily as it can surprise you. from its burgeoning foodie scene to hidden tropical pockets amid the bustle of urban life, if you haven’t fallen in love with Tel Aviv yet, it’s only a matter of time.
Know Before You Go
Welcome to Tel Aviv
Nothing says “welcome to Tel Aviv” more than this giant air balloon. It's an attraction in the very north of Tel Aviv, inside the Yarkon Park and from here you have a view stretching the entire city.
History ‘Hood
Tel Aviv was wounded as a neighborhood of 4,000-year-old Yafo on the southern border. This means a simple walk from Tel Aviv’s main port to Yafo is a journey through time, the farther south you venture, the greater the history of the neighborhood.
Vegans Rejoice
Tel Aviv is perhaps one of the vegan-most cities in the world, with about 20 percent of the population eating plant-based diets.
Apartheid State?
While Tel Aviv offers historic sights mixed with modern high-tech, Black and Muslim travelers have reported some experiences including being racially profiled, much akin to what is far too customary in the U.S. and South Africa. The city’s beauty may not shine through for all visitors.
Al Fresco Everything
No matter the season, expect to spend the bulk of your time in Tel Aviv outdoors, from the city’s 13(!) beaches to its prevalence of bike paths and the multitude of day-trip destinations like Gan Ha'sloshah, a tropical oasis overlooked by tourists but a mere hour from the city.
High-Rise Hideout
A local hotspot often overlooked by tourists is Sarona, in the east of Tel Aviv. It's right in the middle of many skyscrapers, the country's high-tech center. Contrasting with the skyscrapers, Sarona is a re-built German colony, an old village where new immigrants in the early 20th century settled in Eretz Israel.
Can’t-Miss Neighborhoods
Neve Tsedek
Neve Tsedek is the Soho of Tel Aviv, an upscale bohemian neighborhood with some of Tel Aviv’s most beautiful streets, making it the most photogenic part of town. Shabazi is the main street in Neve Tsedek, named after a famous poet, with lots of local boutique shops where you can find great designer items that don’t break the bank! Shlomit Ofir, one of the locals’ favorite jewelry designers, has a store here too. When you’re on Shabazi, don’t miss out on Anita’s ice cream – it’s the best in town! For dance lovers, you can find the Suzanne Dallal Center here, Israel’s main dance center with lots of dance shows weekly.
Kerem Hateimanim
This neighborhood is the place to go for foodies, home to the famous Carmel Market with countless restaurants and eateries. On Fridays it’s very crowded here, since locals like to come here to eat hummus and have a beer with friends. Café Yom Tov is the perfect hangout in the shuk, with delicious food and a laid-back vibe. Have you ever tried yachnun, the famous Yemenite dish? You can get it everywhere in the Yemenite quarter – trust me, you won’t regret it!
Florentin
Bordering Yafo, this neighborhood is the hipster hub of the city. It used to be one of Tel Aviv’s lesser neighborhoods, but now it’s actually where most tourists decide to stay when visiting Tel Aviv. Make sure to take a graffiti tour here; Florentin is home to some of the world’s best graffiti artists! Beit Romano is an amazing creative space during the day where you can buy bargains from local designers and by night it’s one of the locals’ favorite hangouts with the best food and free concerts. Don’t miss the Levinski shuk, it’s one of Tel Aviv’s oldest markets where they serve the best burekas you will ever eat!
When To Go
Generally speaking, May through October or November is the best season to plan a trip to Israel, but take a tip from the locals and head there in May. The country is still mostly green and full with flowers – summer is a scorcher – and late spring is the perfect time to go hiking or exploring the city. Because there is less rain in May than earlier in spring, it’s also much safer to explore the desert! If that weren’t reason enough, temperatures are perfect for beach days all around the country. Oh, and since May falls right after the high holiday of Passover, you can expect relatively few tourists.
Featured Local: Miriam Van Laar
Hi! I'm Miriam, a content creative from Amsterdam happily living in Tel Aviv. I have a master's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy and worked as a researcher and academic book editor – until I decided to follow my dreams and start a blog about my life and travels in Israel. The blog has been growing continuously and I've collaborated with many brands over the past two years, like Isrotel, Yanga fashion, Time Out, and Sabon. Apart from the blog and Instagram workshops, I also work as a professional photographer for various brands and host photography tours in Tel Aviv, showing off the most photogenic places in the city.
Miriam’s Must-Dos
Port Sa’id
If you want to start your weekend like a Tel Avivian, head to Port Sa’id on Thursday night. It is the ultimate, typically Tel Avivian hotspot with locals getting out of the surrounding high-tech offices to drink a beer with friends on shared tables. Port Sa’id is a restaurant/bar owned by famous chef Eyal Shani, who serves Middle Eastern street food with a little twist. Try the pita with cauliflower and lima bean spread, it’s delicious!
Frishman Beach
Saturday, or Shabbat in Hebrew, is the most relaxing day of the week for Tel Avivians. Since Tel Aviv has kilometres of amazing beaches and an almost year-round beach season, this is where locals love to go on weekends. Of all the beaches, Frishman Beach is the most interesting – with great facilities and an overall good vibe. Feel free to join locals playing volleyball or footvolley! Frishman beach is easily recognizable by its colorful lifeguard stand that was a pop-up boutique hotel once.
Miriam’s Recs
The Old Man and the Sea
For the best fish and to experience some typically Middle Eastern hospitality, head to The Old Man and the Sea in Jaffa. It’s located in the old port of Jaffa, which is one of the oldest ports in the world and definitely a must-visit. As soon as you sit down at your table, waiters will bring countless little salads and freshly baked pita (that alone is worth the visit, trust me) – but make sure to keep some room for the delicious grilled fish they serve!
Stolero
Stolero is a newly opened gem in Tel Aviv, right on the sea at the famous Gordon Marina. Their breakfast is exactly what you expect from an Israeli breakfast: delicious breads, eggs how you like them, salad and a variety of spreads. The stunning views on the Mediterranean straight from your table make this a perfect breakfast spot, not to mention the stunning Tulum-style décor! Tel Avivians are also discovering Stolero, so make sure to book ahead in weekends.
Carmel Market
A weekend in Tel Aviv is not complete without spending some time at the local ‘shuk’ – the Carmel Market right in the middle of town. Since we’re in the Middle East, the shuk is an important part of daily life. At the Carmel Market you can buy your fruits and veggies for the weekend, but don’t forget to check out the little food stalls! This is where locals flock to on Friday around noon to eat Israeli street food (have you ever tried falafel?) and meet up with friends for a beer or coffee.
