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 Tel Aviv, alongside Jerusalem, is one of the two most popular tourist destinations in Israel, as well as the economic and cultural centre of the country. The seaside location makes Tel Aviv an appealing summertime destination, and its reputation for lively nightlife and a burgeoning cultural scene explains it being dubbed the 'city that never stops'.

currency

Israeli new shekel (NIS), 1 shekel = 100 agorot

phone

Police: 100
Emergency Medical Services: 101
Fire and Rescue: 102

newspaper

Israel HaYom (Israel Today) – free national newspaper in Hebrew and English – www.israelhayom.com
Yedioth Ahronoth (Latest News) – www.yediot.co.il
Haaretz (The Land) – www.haaretz.com

hours

Shops: Sunday to Thursday 9 am to 7 pm
Markets: Sunday to Thursday 6:30 am to 7 pm

Most shops close around 2 pm on Friday

population

467,875 (2021)

info

Tourist Information Centers

Jaffa – 2 Marzuk and Azar St. Open 9am–6pm.
Boardwalk – 46 Herbert Samuel St. Open 9am–6pm.
Independence Trail – 11 Rothschild Blvd. Open 9am–9pm.
Sarona – 11 Aluf Mandler St. Open 9am–6pm.
Frishman Beach – Tel Aviv Promenade Open 11am–5pm.

website

visit.tel-aviv.gov.il

View of Tel-Aviv city from roof cafe (Israel) Protasov AN / Shutterstock.com

The City

In dramatic contrast to the nation's capital, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv isn't a city steeped in its historic past. Instead, it is a living, breathing urban centre, one that boasts burgeoning cultural, culinary, and nightlife scenes.

Made up of several starkly different neighbourhoods, Tel Aviv has something to offer for the history-lover and the hip young traveller curious about modern Israeli culture.

One of the city's oldest areas — the Ottoman-era Jaffa — is now as old as three millennia, and entices visitors with ancient buildings, biblical artefacts, and a still operational, charming fishing port.

Another neighbourhood to be written into any visitor's route is the Neve Tzedek. Stroll around the charming streets of one of Tel Aviv's oldest parts (the first Jewish neighbourhood to appear outside the city walls), and sit down for a slow meal at one of the many restaurants and cafes.

The famous Bauhaus buildings, Tel Aviv's so-called 'White City', do not occupy an area of their own, but are scattered throughout the entire town. Tel Aviv also enjoys a breezy coastal setting on the Mediterranean, with kilometres of beaches.

Old town and port of Jaffa and modern skyline of Tel Aviv city, Israel Boris Stroujko / Shutterstock.com

Do & See

While many come to Tel Aviv for the city's gorgeous beaches and unstoppable nightlife, there is much more to see and do. Explore a combination of historical sights and attractions with cutting-edge art galleries and boutiques, the city's look ranging from modernist Bauhaus buildings and millennial architecture in Jaffa.

JekLi/Shutterstock.com

Old Jaffa

Jorge Láscar/CC BY 2.0/Flickr

Tayelet — The Promenade

JekLi/Shutterstock.com

Clock Tower

Boris-B/Shutterstock.com

Azrieli Towers

S1001/Shutterstock.com

Andromeda's Rock

Fotokon/Shutterstock.com

Neve Tzedek

Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

Eretz Israel Museum

eFesenko/Shutterstock.com

Charles Clore Park

Ratikova/Shutterstock.com

Al-Bahr Mosque

Talmoryair/Wikimedia Commons

Suzanne Dellal Center

Dave Carroll/Shutterstock.com

Ramat Gan Safari Park

volkova natalia/Shutterstock.com

Kikar Kedumim

Arielinson/CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia

Givatayim Observatory

Shakshuka Stepanek Photography/Shutterstock.com

Dining

With a seemingly never-ending selection of places to eat, ranging from fine dining to street food, Tel Aviv is one of the region's best culinary cities. Daring chefs push the envelope when it comes to fusing tradition with innovation in the city's top restaurants, while street stalls take quick, cheap and delicious to whole new levels.

funkyfrogstock/Shutterstock.com

Jasia Asian Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Yulia Grigoryeva/Shutterstock.com

Hatraklin Meat & Wine Bistro

stockcreations/Shutterstock.com

Dalida

Waleed_Hammoudeh/Shutterstock.com

Haj Kahil

Marcelo_Krelling/Shutterstock.com

Night Kitchen

alely/Shutterstock.com

Shakshukia

Kzenon/Shutterstock.com

Shila — Sharon Cohen's Kitchen & Bar

IrinaChevzhik/Shutterstock.com

La Shuk

Denizo71/Shutterstock.com

La Repubblica

Anton Chernov/Shutterstock.com

"Black Out" dinner at the Nalaga'at Theatre

Bakeries and traditional Middle East bread in Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israel Kvitka Fabian / Shutterstock.com

Cafes

Cafes play an important role in the life of the locals of Tel Aviv. These are the places where they go not only to catch up with friends or family but to do business, too. Talented baristas serve up expertly-prepared coffee, and decadent desserts are abundant. Be sure to try some local baked goods and bread.

Ruslan Shramko/Shuttertock.com

Cafe Xoho

Daxiao Productions/Shutterstock.com

Cafe Puaa

etorres/Shutterstock.com

Abu Hasan/Ali Karavan

SirChopin/Shutterstock.com

Ha'pizza

Haley Black/pexels.com

Little Prince Bookshop

Alexandra Lande/Shutterstock.com

Cafelix

Anastasia Sunnybeam/Shutterstock.com

Cafe Birenbaum

Bars & Nightlife

Tel Aviv is known as the party capital of the Middle East, and for good reason. The seaside location and pleasant climate mean that beach parties go on until dawn, and world-class clubs, bars and music venues draw huge crowds all year.

Rido/Shutterstock.com

Minzar

Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com

Mila

Christopher Gardiner/Shutterstock.com

Par Derrière

Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com

Dizzy Frishdon

Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com

Kuli Alma

IVASHstudio / Shutterstock.com

The Breakfast Club

Vadim Ponomarenko / Shutterstock.com

Haoman 17

Pressmaster / Shutterstock.com

Shpagat

PopTika / Shutterstock.com

Levontin 7

Maksim Fesenko / Shutterstock.com

Bellboy Bar

Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com

Silvia Bumper

Market stall with various dried fruits and nuts NikoEndres / Shutterstock.com

Shopping

Shopping in Tel Aviv is ubiquitous and eclectic. From designer fashion by local and international brands, to second-hand and vintage clothes, to antiques and local delicacies — this city has it all.

Markets make up one of the most essential parts of everyday life in Tel Aviv, and should not be missed, both for the experience and the great finds.

Iakov Filimonov / Shutterstock.com

Stern Gallery

RonAlmog/cc by 2.0/Flickr

Jaffa Flea Market

Stefano Zocca/unsplash.com

Shuk Hanamal — Tel Aviv Port Market

Luibov Luganskaia / Shutterstock.com

Adina Plastelina

Mats Hagwall/unsplash.com

Tel Aviv Antiques Market

MaxFrost / Shutterstock.com

Maskit

Milles Studio / Shutterstock.com

Yaniv Fine Jewelry

צילום:ד/cc by 2.5/Wikimedia Commons

Nahalat Binyamin Art Market

Sompop Dechpisuttitham/Shutterstock.com

Zielinski & Rozen Perfumerie

Young woman walking on the beach in Tel-Aviv vvvita / Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)

Ben Gurion Airport is the main international airport serving Tel Aviv, located 19 km to the southeast of the city. David Ben-Gurion was the primary national founder of the State of Israel and the first Prime Minister of Israel.

To travel to the city centre from the airport you can use the national bus company called Egged bus. There are two locations where you can take the bus from. One is the Airport City and the other is the Ben Gurion Airport — arrival and departure terminals.

The second way to travel from the airport is by train. Israel Railways operates the Ben Gurion Airport Railway Station, located in the lower level of Terminal 3. The train goes to the north-west of Tel Aviv, Haifa and other destinations in the north, south-east to Modi'in, or south to Beersheba via Lod, Kiryat Gat and Lehavim. The journey to Tel Aviv Savidor Central Railway Station takes around 18 minutes.

The taxi service from the airport is provided under the supervision of the Israel Airport Authority. Passengers are recommended to avoid the use of non-authorized taxi services. The taxi station are located in front of the Terminal on Level G, near the exit through Gate 01.

Address: Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv

Email:

Phone: +972 3 975 8303

Website: www.iaa.gov.il/en

More Information: Commonly known by its Hebrew acronym as Natbag

Passport / Visa

To visit Israel you need a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. If you hold an Israeli passport, you will be required to present it upon arrival.

Many countries have a Visa Waiver Program with Israel, which allows their citizens to visit Israel without a pre-arranged visa. Citizens of Australia, Canada, the EU, and the USA do not need a visa for touristic stays up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries can check if they need a visa using the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Because of diplomatic issues, you might not be able to travel to some Arab or predominantly Muslim countries if your passport shows an Israeli visa or stamp. To solve this problem, your visa will be stamped on a separate entry card when you arrive in Israel.

Remember to bring your passport with you on trips to Palestinian territories: it will probably be required at checkpoints and border crossings.

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Website: www.gov.il/en/subjects/certificates_and_passports/tourist_visas

More Information:

Best Time to Visit

The best months to visit Tel Aviv are March through April and September through November, as spring and fall bring reasonable and pleasant temperatures as well as the lowest prices. Moreover, during this period you will avoid the tourist crowds, so you can fully enjoy outdoor cafes and markets.

However, if you are heading to Tel Aviv for your summer holidays, then May to August is your time. The sun is bright and warm and the Mediterranean is perfect for a swim. Remember to book at least two months in advance, as this is the peak tourist season.

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Public Transport

Buses:
The main public bus company that operates in Tel Aviv is called Dan and the national bus operator is Egged.

Most buses in Tel Aviv do not run on Shabbat (from Friday mid-afternoon until Saturday night). The shared taxi busses called "sherut" continue to run. Instead of regular busses, the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality runs free busses during Shabbat.

Tickets and Fares:
There are discounts for children, senior citizens and the disabled. You can either buy single rides, monthly subsections or an all-in-one public transportation pass. Tickets and passes can be obtained on the bus or at central bus stations.

Trains:
Tel Aviv-Yafo has four train stations, all of which are situated along the Ayalon highway. All trains to Tel Aviv-Yafo stop at all four stations. For best access to the city centre, use either Tel Aviv Savidor Merkaz (also known as Arlozorov), or HaShalom, which is located in a large shopping mall.

Address:

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Website: www.touristisrael.com/using-the-bus-in-tel-aviv

More Information:

Taxi

Taxis in Israel are relatively cheap by European standards. In the city, drivers must use the meter (moneh) unless they agree a fixed fare with the passenger. Inter-city taxis have fixed fares.

You will have to pay extra for calling a taxi, your luggage, for going from the Ben Gurion airport. Night rates are 25% higher and you will often be asked to pay more on Friday and Saturday during Shabbat.

Probably the most convenient way to get around Tel Aviv is by using a taxi app like Gett (formerly GetTaxi) or Uber.

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Website: www.touristisrael.com/taxis-in-israel

More Information:

Pharmacy

You can find several pharmacies all over Tel Aviv, but most of them are closed on Saturdays.

Address: Super-Pharm, Jerusalem Boulevard 49, Tel Aviv-Yafo

Email:

Phone: +972 77 888 1300

Website: www.super-pharm.co.il

More Information:

Telephone

Country code: +972
Area code: 3

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Electricity

Israel operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

You will usually find plug type C (two round pins, common in Europe). You can also see plug H (three pins in a triangular shape), which is compatible with type C.

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