Attractions in Tel Aviv

In Tel Aviv, time seems to stand still: the people who live here between tradition and modernity celebrate and dance at any time of day or night. This carefree exuberance, cultural and societal depth, and proximity to the contrasting Orthodox Jerusalem make this seaside city an ideal travel destination.

Tel Aviv and Jerusalem could not be more different. Tel Aviv is the New York of the Middle East. It's a city that celebrates with all its might and has attracted many startups pushing the boundaries of technology. Not to forget, of course, the incredibly beautiful landscape, highlighted by the Dead Sea.

Here are my ten tips and highlights for your perfect Tel Aviv vacation!

Old Jaffa embodies the 'old' feel of Tel Aviv, and it almost seems like time has not only stood still here, but that the clock never started ticking. The small neighborhood is packed with flea markets, restaurants, cafes, and the beautiful harbor - which is considered one of the oldest in the world. Added to that is the green Abrasha Park, where you can find some peace after a long day.

It's worth sifting through the small alleys for surprises - especially on Sabbath Friday, when Israelis passionately dance and drink their way into and through the rest days.

Functional, elegant, and simple. Are you interested in art and architecture? Then you surely know that Tel Aviv boasts the world's largest collection of Bauhaus buildings. The 'White City' consists of around 4,000 buildings. For this reason, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.

If you want to learn more about it, I recommend the Bauhaus Center, where the history of Jewish Bauhaus refugees in Tel Aviv is excellently presented.

There are also really great tours to learn more about the Bauhaus style and the buildings in Tel Aviv. You can book a tour at the Bauhaus Center.

Like in many cities, Tel Aviv has a large street art scene. You'll find plenty of creative expressions on the walls; indeed, just like the stray cats, street art can be found in almost every corner of the city! Sometimes it's original and humorous, sometimes political, social, and critical.

Explore the promenade and the neighborhoods of Florentine, Binyamin, and Nachalat on your own! Alternatively, I also recommend booking a guided street art tour:

Rothschild Boulevard is THE place where you should start your day at a coffee kiosk. Among the renovated Bauhaus houses, you'll also find the National Theater Habima. The tree-lined avenue ends in the trendy Neve Tzedek neighborhood. This is also where the nightlife scene is, with loud music and bass coming from the clubs everywhere.

You should plan at least half a day for a long walk along the beach promenade. Especially at sunset, the atmosphere with a direct view of 'Old Jaffa' here is unique - as if the bustling city stands still for a few minutes.

The numerous bars and cafes directly on the beach invite you for a beer, and since there's Wi-Fi almost everywhere, you also don't need an Israeli SIM card for your phone.

Especially the 14-kilometer-long beach promenade Tayelet, which extends to Jaffa, is perfect for swimming, relaxing, and watching the sunset.

Frishman Beach is said by locals to be the most beautiful beach in Tel Aviv! This section is located near the Dan Hotel and the U.S. Embassy.

Gordon Beach, on the other hand, is particularly popular among tourists. So don't be surprised if the prices at the beach bars here are a little higher...

Tel Aviv is considered the creative hub of the country, and especially modern artists love to settle here and showcase their work. This happens both in numerous small galleries in the alleys (for example, right next to Rothschild Boulevard) or at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, which also features international artists.

Every 15 minutes, an express bus departs from the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, taking no longer than an hour and costing only 16 shekels, about 4 euros.

Thus, it is quick and inexpensive to reach the city steeped in cultural relevance and Orthodox Judaism, which seems like the exact opposite of Tel Aviv. Faith is omnipresent here, both in minds and on the streets.

The visit to the Western Wall is impressive, but the small alleys nearby seem more like a series of souvenir shops.

Nevertheless, it is definitely worth spending a day here, especially in the evening when the sandstone of the buildings shines in golden light, before taking one of the late buses back to Tel Aviv.

For those who want to combine their visit with a great restaurant experience, head to the city and even country-famous Machneyuda. Excellent food, made not only with the freshest ingredients from the directly adjacent market, but also inspired by dishes from around the world, in an extremely lively, colorful, and bustling atmosphere with an open kitchen.

Hot tip: Reserve in advance, preferably right at the counter, where the chef personally serves a multi-course tasting menu that is not to be missed!

-> Continue to the Attractions in Jerusalem

A unique experience is the sunrise at Masada Fortress on a mountain near the Dead Sea. There are several providers for the trip that starts around 2 AM. Just before sunrise, you start the approximately 30-40 minute hike and are rewarded with a wonderful view over the expanse of sand dunes and the Dead Sea, behind which the sun slowly rises - Beautiful!

The tired eyes can then relax in the Dead Sea along with the rest of the body, one of the lowest points on earth. The buoyancy in the salty water is a unique feeling, and it's said that the salt and mineral mud of the sea can alleviate impurities and even skin diseases.

Around 11 AM, it's time to return to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. So if you want to spend the latter half of the day in Jerusalem, you can get off here. A provider is for instance 'Tourist Israel', with prices ranging from 45-70 euros.

To fully immerse yourself in the city and also take one or two excursions in the country, you should plan four to five days. However, if you're someone who needs little sleep and is good on foot, a long weekend in Tel Aviv is also sufficient.

Even though it sometimes feels strange to walk through streets that you recognize from famous television images - I never feel uncomfortable or unsafe here, especially since the country is very friendly to travelers and almost everyone can speak English. Of course, the tensions with the neighboring Arab countries are palpable, as well as with Palestine and the Gaza Strip. I do not want to express an opinion here, but rather hope that you gather your own experiences.

For a stay in Tel Aviv, travelers with a German passport do not need a visa. However, you should plan more time at the airports: double security checks before the flight, as well as a short interview before departure regarding the reasons for your trip could take up to an hour more that you should account for.

See more travel tips for Tel Aviv here.

Leave us your questions or feedback about Tel Aviv in the comments section below this article.

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