You can’t travel to Israel and not visit Tel Aviv. This is one of the most well known destinations in the country and also a vibrant youthful cultural hub with lots going on. The beaches are beautiful whilst you will be captivated by the architecture and green spaces. View my top tips for visiting Tel Aviv, including how to save money and the best things to do.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
Tel Aviv benefits from a warm climate, with average temperatures never dropping below ten degrees C, even in December and January. July and August are the hottest months, but throughout September, October and November, the mercury stays up around 20 degrees.
Getting to Tel Aviv
From Overseas
Airlines like El Al Israel Airlines, Air Transat, Turkish Airlines, Air Canada, SWISS, Finnair and KLM all offer flights to Tel Aviv from international destinations. Search cheap flights to Tel Aviv on Skyscanner.
From Other Locations in Israel
The cheapest way is to travel to Tel Aviv from other destinations in Israel is by taking the Egged bus which runs every 20 minutes.
From Ben Gurion Airport to City Centre
Tel Aviv-Jaffa – Ben Gurion International Airport is located about 12 miles east of Tel Aviv. Bus and taxicab services are available.
The cheapest way to travel is on an Egged bus which from Ben Gurion and it stops everywhere and it takes 45 minutes to get into town or vice versa. Take this into account if you need to catch a flight. It stops at the central busstation and costs 9.20 NIS. This bus doesn’t drive on Sabbath.
A better option is to take an STP Air Bus (line 222). This bus runs once every hour from 4 am till 11pm. It costs 15 NIS and takes about 30 minutes to go from Ben Gurion to Dan Panorama. It passes the main tourism/hotel area on the way. This bus also goes on Sabbath !! Don’t believe the taxi drivers hanging around on Sabbath saying there’s no bus!
United Tours bus service available between the airport and downtown. The trip takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
The most expensive option is to take a taxi. Count on 175 NIS (around 40-50 pounds/euros), although be aware of taxi’s ripping tourists off with much more expensive prices.
Where to Stay
You can stay 5-star hotels and also budget backpackers in Tel Aviv. This city isn’t cheap, but there are lots of options for places to stay. The Dan Panorama which is part of the Dan Chain is popular with prices around 150 US$ for a double. The location is away from the center of Tel Aviv, on the other hand it’s close to Jaffa which is good for dinners. Find the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Food and Eating Out
I preferred going to Jaffa for dinner. It’s a lovely place for an evening stroll, offering a lot of restaurants which are (I admit) catering mostly for tourists. Alladdin restaurant was very popular, but not very cheap. It had good trout for 60 NIS.
Try Joz Veloz on Yehuda Halevy Street, where the menu changes each day depending on the ingredients procured fresh from the market. Manta Ray occupies an enviable position right on Alma Beach, making it the perfect setting for seafood.
There are other restaurants in the same neighborhood which I didn’t try. Tandoori at Zamenhoff 2 is a good Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv (near Dizengoff Sq.). A bit more expensive, count on 100 NIS pp. In town, especially around Carmel Market, there are plenty of cheap falafel restaurants.
Beaches
Tel Aviv is a city with fine stretches of sand right on its doorstep. The west of Tel Aviv is on the Mediterranean, with 14 kilometres of coast and no fewer than 16 beaches to choose from. Each one has its own personality, but as a general rule, they are well-equipped with everything from sun loungers and showers available.
Extending from the old port town of Jaffa in the south, right up to Tel Baruch in the north, Tel Aviv’s beaches are connected by a wide promenade. It acts as a real hub for life in this vibrant city and as well as the skateboarding and walking that goes on here, you will often find impromptu drum sessions or folk dancing.
For those who can’t sit still for too long, there is the opportunity to get involved in matkot – a bat and ball game that is something of a local obsession. You’ll see people playing it all over the place and if you show an interest, will often be invited to join in. Otherwise pick up everything you need to start your own game locally.
We spent a lot of time walking along the seafront and just enjoyed the scenery. Refuel at one of the cafes and bars on the central section of the promenade near Herbert Samuel Street and grab yourself a great spot to watch the sun go down.
Sightseeing Tours
To learn more about the places you visit or to do fun things and see some of the popular local attractions consider booking tours. You can find sightseeing tours and attraction tickets on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Nightlife
Tel Aviv’s nightlife is legendary and for good reason, as this effortlessly cool city knows how to party all night and quite often does so. Don’t expect to get a taste of the true Tel Aviv scene before 1am, as anything prior to this time is just the warm up!
Queues to get into clubs are the norm and most will charge an entry fee, but it’s worth it once you get inside. While the price of drinks may initially seem quite expensive, bartenders usually pour very liberally in Israel, so you will get your money’s worth.
Starting the evening right next to the Great Synagogue may not be what you expected, but you cannot deny that the views from the Port Said bar are pretty much unbeatable. It is a great place to have a few drinks and some food to ease you into an evening of partying.
After drinks in these two establishments you will be ready to head onto Deli Bar or The Block – two of Tel Aviv’s most intriguing clubs. The former is hidden away behind a sandwich shop on Allenby Street, with its secret nature making it all the more charming.
As well as hip hop and electronic beats being played by the DJ, the cocktails and imported beer also make it worth a visit. Just as unexpected is The Block, with its location in the Central Bus Station. It features a great sound system and attracts some brilliant DJs.
Places to Visit Near Tel Aviv
Some of the most popular locations to see within easy reach of Tel Aviv include Masada, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Caesarea, Haifa and Rosh Hanikra. If you are open to travelling a little further you might want to consider travelling to see the world famous site of Petra in Jordan – lots of tours and organised trips can be booked.
The Ancient Ruins of Caesarea
Caesarea is a great destination if you are interested in history and ruins and one of my top picks for a day trip from Tel Aviv. Caesarea can be easily reached by car or bus in about 30-40 minutes from Tel Aviv city centre. It’s well signposted on the highway. The cheapest way to get here is by going first to Hadera and taking a local bus from here.
There are actually 3 main locations in Caesarea:
• First there’s the theatre which has been heavily restored.
• The second part is the crusader city. Apart from the walls there’s not much left anymore.
• The third part is the aqueduct which is quite nice, but a long way from the 2 other parts and only accessible if you have your own transport.
Entrance fee is 39 NIS (USD$12) per adult and this includes entrance to the first 2 parts, the aqueduct is for free.
Getting to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv
There’s an Egged bus going directly to Jerusalem every 30 to 40 minutes, not on Sabbath, price is 16.80 NIS (around USD$5). Otherwise there are taxis, also on Sabbath. A private taxi costs around 300 NIS (70-80 Pounds/Euros) They leave when full. View my tips for visiting Jerusalem for ideas what to do here.