Tel Aviv is an Israeli municipality located on the Mediterranean coast. It includes the new city, which was founded in the early 20th century, as well as ancient Jaffa. The population of Tel Aviv itself is 400 thousand people, but taking into account the surrounding areas, the local population reaches 3.5 million people. The city attracts with its bright contrasts — modern buildings are adjacent to old, narrow streets, inconspicuous street eateries are located next to elegant restaurants, and flea markets can be found near huge shopping centers. One of the reasons why tourists choose to stay in Tel Aviv in Israel is because of the beaches.
General information
Tel Aviv is seen as an energetic, active city, with a string of sandy beaches and plenty of entertainment for young people. Bars, restaurants, night clubs and discos are open until the very morning on weekdays and weekends.
On a note! Tel Aviv is often called the youth capital of Israel.
Tel Aviv has museums, galleries, historical sites, and theaters. Tourists note that Tel Aviv has a light atmosphere that is not felt in other Israeli cities.
By calendar standards, Tel Aviv is a young settlement, because it appeared in 1909. Jewish immigrants chose to settle in a deserted but beautiful place north of the port of Jaffa.
Tel Aviv is one of the central settlements of Israel, it is an important public, transport, and commercial settlement on the map of the country with its own secular habits. The capital of Israel is Jerusalem, but many international embassies and consulates are located in Tel Aviv.
Weather and climate
If you are going to Tel Aviv in spring, summer, or fall, you don’t need to check the weather forecast for precipitation. The probability of rain is almost zero. The situation changes (not too dramatically) in the second half of winter.Weather in Tel Aviv by season
Summer.
In summer, the weather is always clear and hot, the air can warm up to +40 ° C, so locals and experienced tourists strongly recommend settling near the sea and not going out without a headdress and drinking water. The sea warms up to +25 ° C.
Important! The hottest month is August, at which time it is better to cancel the trip and move it to a cooler period.
Spring.
By March, the air warms up to +20 ° C, trees bloom, the number of available places in hotels increases, entertainment gradually begins to work on the beaches.
March is a great time for sightseeing trips, and the second half of May is the beginning of a beach holiday in Tel Aviv.
Autumn.
In September, the velvet season begins in Tel Aviv, after the August heat, the temperature decreases slightly. In October, the average air temperature is +26 ° C.
Useful to know! It is September and October that tourists call the ideal time for a trip to Tel Aviv.
It starts raining in November, so it makes sense to check the weather forecast before traveling.
Winter.
The winter months in Tel Aviv are warm, there is no snow, you can even swim in the sea. The average daily air temperature is +18 ° C. The only nuance that can spoil the impression of rest is the rains. The winter months are suitable for pilgrimage.
When is the best time to go to Tel Aviv?
It is impossible to clearly distinguish between the low and high tourist seasons in Tel Aviv. People come here for different purposes in different months. From May to November, tourists enjoy relaxing on the beaches, exploring the depths of the sea. In early spring and late autumn, they go sightseeing and get treatment in clinics in Israel.
Important! The most difficult time to book accommodation is from the second half of May to October. In the middle of summer, jellyfish appear off the coast of Tel Aviv.
Accommodation in Tel Aviv
The choice of hotels is large, where to stay depends only on individual preferences and budget. The most budget option is a room for two, in high beach season the price starts from$ 23, but be prepared for Spartan conditions. The lowest prices in Tel Aviv for apartments are $ 55. Accommodation in the hostel costs from$23.
Important! Prices for holidays in Tel Aviv and hotel accommodation in summer and winter differ by an average of 20%.
Prices for hotels in Tel Aviv in different seasons
| Hotel status | Prices for hotels in Tel Aviv | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| in spring | in summer | in autumn | |
| 3 star hotels | 80$ | 155$ | 155$ |
| Apartments | 45$ | 55$ | 55$ |
| 5 star hotels | 180$ | 195$ | 175$ |
Food in Tel Aviv
There are plenty of places in the city where you can eat delicious and satisfying meals. It all depends on the budget and status of the institution.
- Lunch for one in an inexpensive restaurant – $15.
- 3-course lunch for two in a medium – priced restaurant – $ 68.
- Combo set at McDonalds – $13.5.
- Cappuccino – $ 3.5.
- Beer 0.5-7-9$.
You can always have a bite of street food. Local and experienced tourists note that the quality of the dishes is decent, however, as is the taste. Prices in Tel Aviv for street food range from$ 3 to$ 8 per dish.
In Tel Aviv, it is customary to leave a tip — about 10% of the cost of the check. However, it is common for tips to be already included in the bill. If they exceed 20%, you need to tell the waiter about it.
In accordance with Shabbat norms, most food establishments are closed from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
If you plan to cook on your own:
- it is best to buy food at local markets, as the prices in supermarkets are too high;
- towards the end of the working day and on the eve of Shabbat, prices are reduced;
- popular local farmers ‘ market-Carmel;
- food prices in Tel Aviv markets are 20% -30% lower than in supermarkets.
Attractions and entertainment
First of all, Tel Aviv represents the independence of the Jewish people, since here in 1948 it was decided to create an independent state of Israel.
If you like the mythology and archaeological values of Israel, go to the ancient city of Jaffa, since the middle of the last century, it was combined with Tel Aviv.
Useful to know! Many people call Tel Aviv New York on the map of Israel and even the local Ibiza.
Each district is like a patchwork of different lifestyles and buildings. There can be many reasons to come to Tel Aviv — beach relaxation, bright parties, visiting historical sites or cultural events.
Interesting fact! Fans of theatrical art are invited to the Gesher Theater, where performances in Russian are held.
Be sure to plan a visit to museums. The most popular one is the Eretz Yisrael Museum, which is dedicated to archaeological excavations that were carried out on the territory of Israel. Another popular museum is the Museum of Fine Arts, where works by famous masters are presented. It is the largest art museum in Israel.
The Hamila Tower is a landmark preserved in Tel Aviv as evidence of the Ottoman Empire’s presence on its territory. The building was built in honor of one of the sultans.
It would be an unforgivable mistake to come to Tel Aviv and not have a bird’s-eye view of it. The observation deck is located on the 49th floor of the Arieli Center. By the way, the Center of three towers was built at the expense of a businessman from Canada.
Interesting fact! The madhouse building is of great interest to tourists, its architecture resembles a plant, and the balustrades are decorated with frescoes and sculptures.
What else to visit in Tel Aviv:
- Dizengov district-the shopping center of Tel Aviv and its business card;
- Rabin Square is a popular holiday destination for many residents;
- Kerem Ha-Tey is the most religious area of Tel Aviv, with many Yemeni restaurants and facilities;
- art fair;
- Neve Tzedek-an ancient district;
- Sheinkin Street — there are many shops and cafes here, young people gather on weekends, and citizens have a rest.
For a selection of Tel Aviv attractions that are worth seeing first, see this article (with a photo and map).
Tel Aviv Nightlife
To imagine the night life of Tel Aviv, you need to mix London night clubs, the carefree atmosphere of Barcelona and the fun of Berlin in a water glass, and spice up the cocktail with the Mediterranean climate.
Night clubs, despite their name, open early in the morning and work until the last customer leaves. Locals say that Tel Aviv never sleeps, there are big clubs where famous musicians come, small underground and beach bars. Nightlife begins in the beach bars, young people gather on the beach around 23-00.
Practical information:
- best nights to stay in Tel Aviv in Israel-Thursday and Friday;
- almost all bars in Tel Aviv have dance floors, such establishments are located in all areas;
- large night clubs are concentrated in industrial areas;
- many parties are held on the beaches.
Sea holidays in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv’s beaches are clean and relatively sparsely populated. Inexperienced tourists should take into account that there is a strong current near the shore, so it is preferable to swim where there are rescuers, during the winter months the rescue towers are empty. When black flags appear on the shore, surfers are activated, who strive to conquer the waves. In the summer, you should not be in the open sun, always have sunscreen and water with you.
Tel Aviv’s beaches are also suitable for families with children. The beaches of Ha-Zuk, Tel Baruch and Metzizim are mostly visited by local residents. And on the beach of Nordau, the days are divided into women’s and men’s days.
Most popular beaches in Tel Aviv:
- the dolphinarium beach is represented by two parts-the southern beach — Barabashchinkov and the northern beach-Banana;
- Gordon;
- Rishon Lezion;
- Jerusalem;
- Alma;
- Jaffa — poorly developed infrastructure;
- Charles Clore.
Almost all beaches have sun beds, umbrellas, cafes, lifeguards are on duty. Active guests can visit sports fields, and Tel Aviv has many diving and surfing centers.
A description with photos of each of the beaches of Tel Aviv can be found on this page.
Transport system
Directly in Tel Aviv, it is easy to travel by three vehicles:
- buses-do not go on Shabbat;
- by minibus;
- private taxi — on Shabbat, the fare increases by 20%.
The most popular mode of transport is buses of the transport company “Dan” (white and blue color). Kavim and Egged transport companies travel in the direction of the suburb.
Practical information:
- entrance only through the front door;
- tickets are sold at bus stops, at the driver’s office, or at the ticket offices of the bus station;
- ticket prices are shown only in shekels;
- price — NIS 6.9;
- the work schedule is from 5-00 to 24-00.
Shuttle buses or sherut are similar in many ways to buses, but there are certain differences:
- transport stops at the point of departure until the passenger compartment is completely full;
- travel is paid for by the driver;
- ticket price NIS 6,9;
- stops at the passenger’s request.
Tel Aviv has 4 train stations, so you can travel around the city by train (the railway runs from 5-24 to 0-04). The ticket price is NIS 7. There are no trains on Shabbat.
Important! If you live elsewhere and are going to Tel Aviv for a guided tour, follow to Tel Aviv Center-Savidor station.
How to get there from im. Ben Gurion
At the airport named after him. Ben-Gurion operates two terminals-1 and 3. Most international flights are handled by Terminal 3. There are several ways to get to Tel Aviv from here.
The easiest and most affordable way is by train. However, please note that electric trains do not run at night and on Shabbat. On Friday, trains leave only until 14-00, then start running on Saturday from 19-30. Trains stop directly at Terminal 3. You can easily find the station by following the signs. You can buy tickets at a vending machine. Algorithm of actions:
- select a language;
- choose the nearest flight;
- choose the direction of travel — one way or two ways;
- choose an adult or child ticket;
- pay for your ticket through a special bill exchange.
Important! Payment can be made using a credit card.
An assistant is always on duty next to the vending machine, which will tell you how to pay for travel. You need to use the ticket at the turnstile and save it until the end of the trip, since the exit is based on the ticket.
The fare is NIS 16. The journey takes a quarter of an hour.
There are always bus and minibus stops near railway stations, and taxis stop at special parking lots.
Another way to get from the airport to Tel Aviv is by bus. The method is inexpensive, but does not differ in comfort. Flights No. 5 depart from Terminal 3.
Important! There are no direct flights between the airport and the center of Tel Aviv. But the fare is only NIS 14.
Practical information:
- take bus # 5 at Ben Gurion Airport EL Al Junction and transfer to flight # 249;
- there is no public transport at night or on Shabbat.
Shuttle buses also depart from Terminal 3. Flights are provided around the clock and seven days a week. The trip will cost NIS 60. The interior of such taxis is cramped and not suitable for traveling with children and luggage.
Taxi or monit is the fastest and most convenient way to get from the airport to Tel Aviv. Cars travel seven days a week and at any time of the day. Payment is made according to the meter, and on Shabbat and other public holidays, the cost increases by 20-25%. An additional fee is paid for the carriage of luggage. The price of the trip starts from NIS 170.
Important! There is usually a queue for taxis near the airport, so you will have to wait for some time.
A vacation in Tel Aviv is an exciting adventure, you will find various entertainment options in a modern, dynamic city. We hope that our review will help you organize your trip with maximum comfort.
