Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv lies alongside the Mediterranean coastline. Most points of interest for tourists are in the center district, a rectangle defined by the sea to the west, the Yarkon River to the north, the Ayalon highway to the east, and Salame Road to the south. Within this district, most of the attractions are to the west of Ibn Gabirol street, a large north-south street which divides the district into two roughly equal halves.

Tel Aviv developed from south to north. At the southwest corner of the center district you will find old Jaffa. To its north is the first Jewish neighborhood outside Jaffa, Neve Tzedek (meaning "Oasis of Justice"). To Neve Tzedek’s east is Florentin (a 1920s light-industry quarter founded by Jews from Salonika in Greece, that has turned into a trendy neighborhood for young people, albeit with a large population of older and poor people); and then the Central Bus Station area, now home to foreign workers from around the world.

To the north of Neve Tzedek is "Kerem Ha'Temanim" (the Yemenite Vineyard), a crowded but picturesque neighborhood dating to the early 20th century. East and north of here lies the city center, a chiefly residential area built in the 1920s and 1930s, where the majority of Bauhaus ("International") style architecture is to be found. Further north and east, the "old north" (not to be confused with "the north" on the other side of the Yarkon), is a more spacious residential area built during the 1940s and 1950s.

Tel Aviv residents often speak of a north-south divide in Tel Aviv-Yafo. The north is usually associated with a continental, chic, and suburbanite lifestyle centered around Kikar haMedina and "Ramat Aviv". To the south, the city takes on a more working-class and Middle Eastern, albeit evermore trendy, urban feel. North Tel Aviv is generally residential and family-oriented; Tel Aviv Center is the hipper-younger area with many single people and couples in their 20s and 30s; south Tel Aviv is a rapidly gentrifying area with a mixed population, including older working-class people, artists and migrant African workers.

• Watch out for bikes and scooters on main sidewalks. Tel Aviv's traffic is horrible and there is no metro system, so many people use them to get around.
• Smoking in restaurants is limited to specific parts of their outdoor seating - smoking is illegal in restaurants. The law is rarely enforced, but smokers are regularly confronted.
• Dogs wearing muzzles on public transit are not aggressive monsters - there's a (sporadically enforced) law requiring muzzles on buses and trains.
• Taking kids to cafes and restaurants is completely normal, and the malls usually have kid play and breast-feeding areas.
• Israelis can be pretty aggressive about cutting in lines; don't feel guilty about body-blocking little old ladies, as they have no problem taking advantage of tourists to cut half a line.
• Shabbat is less dramatic in Tel Aviv than the rest of Israel, but stores like pharmacies and supermarkets close on Friday afternoon until Sunday morning. Whether restaurants and bodegos ("makolet"s) are open during Shabbat varies by neighborhood.

• Official tourism website (in English)

Tel Aviv's (and Israel's) main entry point from abroad is 🌍 Ben Gurion International Airport TLV ^IATA (referred to by its Hebrew initials Natbag by locals). You can arrive to the city center by train, taxi, or by hired car (it's a 20-min drive followed by a very long search for parking). There is no sherut taxi to Tel Aviv from Ben Gurion, although traveling by bus is possible.

On Shabbat you will have a hard time reaching or leaving the airport. There's no bus or train; taxis still go but are extra busy, and charge extra. If you rely on public transportation, try not book a flight that lands in Tel Aviv Airport after 14:00 on Friday or before 20:00 on Saturday.

If you go out of the terminal on ground floor and turn right, and head furthest distance out you will find buses to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Ask the bus driver to ensure you are getting on the right bus.

By train: The airport train station is just below Arrivals in Terminal 3. Direct trains to Tel Aviv take 15-20 min and cost 4$ for a one-way ticket. Buy a ticket from the cashier or from an automatic machine; use it at the entry gate and again to exit at your arrival station. Better still, buy & use a Rav-Kav transport smart card, because you'll need one in the city (see "get around"), you may as well buy one now at the Kavim service center in the terminal, or issue a personal one for free. There are trains from Sunday to Thursday every 15 minutes between 05:30 AM to midnight, and on Friday morning every 30 minutes' and few trains on Saturday night. . All trains stop at all four Tel Aviv stations during the day, which in order of arrival from the airport (south to north) are Tel Aviv HaHagana (11 min travel), Tel Aviv HaShalom (14 min), Tel Aviv Merkaz/Savidor (20 min). From HaHagana Station there frequent buses to the tourist areas (4 or 104 to the city center, 54 to florentin and Jaffa). Even though getting there is not recommended in the evening as it is located among the slums of Tel Aviv. From Hashalom station you can use buses 62 and 115 to the hotels area of Tel Aviv.

By taxi: Working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this is the most comfortable and expensive way to reach the city center, with a typical ride price of around 40$. If you travel with a friend or two, it can be a good idea to share a taxi. It is acceptable to sit in the front seat in Israeli taxis. Taxis are required by law to use the taxi meter, unless agreed otherwise by the passenger and driver, and a typical ride to the city center should not take more than 15–20 min, without heavy traffic. Do not accept fix-priced rides with taxi drivers unless you're sure of what you are doing; you will usually end up paying more than you could have had you asked to use the meter.

By bus: If you are interested in a direct bus directly to the tourist centers, there is line 445 that leaves every hour, 24 hours a day 6 days a week. The journey from the airport terminal to the Tel Aviv hotels area takes between 30 mitunes in the middle of the night to 50 minutes in the busy hours of the afternoon.

Tel Aviv's former "city airport" Sde Dov ceased operations in summer of 2019. Any signs or older reference material pointing you there will lead you to a demolition site and then to an assortment of nice beachfront property.

Israel Railways operates trains from Tel Aviv to most parts of Israel, included Jerusalem, Haifa, Beer Sheva and the international airport with a frequency of 2 to 3 trains per hour from Sunday to Thursday. The train stations are close to the CBD of the city, but not to its tourist center, where the tourist attractions (except Sharona complex) and accommodation (except some business hotels) are between 1 and 3 kilometers from the train stations, so getting to them requires another city bus or a taxi.

The trains on Sunday mornings are not recommended, when the soldiers return to their bases and students to the university. The trains end on Fridays at noon and resume on Saturdays after dark, to mark Shabbat.

Tel Aviv has four train stations, east of the center along the Ayalon routes. Trains stop at all four stations during the day, but late night trains only stop at Central/Savidor. From south to north, as you approach by train from the airport, these are:

• Tel Aviv HaHagana train station: the southernmost station. It is located in a poor area of ​​the city, so it is not recommended to walk from it to the city center. The station is about 500 meters west of the "Hatikva" market and 1200 meters east of the Levinsky market. It is also the closest station to Jaffa and the historical center of Tel Aviv. From the train station you can take lines 4 and 104 to the city center, or 54 to Jaffa.

• Tel Aviv HaShalom train station: the most suitable station for a "soft landing" in Tel Aviv. It is located near a large shopping center a short distance from Sarona, and from there, it is most convenient to reach the city center via Kaplan Street. From the station you can take lines 62 and 115 to the tourist areas of the city, and near the Azrieli Towers there are buses all over Israel and the Tel Aviv metropoline area.

• The Tel Aviv Central train station (known as "Arlozorov" and its official name "Savidor"): is close to the stock exchange complex. It is a transportation hub for all of Israel, but HaShalom and HaHagana stations are slightly closer to most central Tel Aviv tourist sites. From the nearby bus terminal you can take line 18 to the city center and Lifo and line 5 to Dizengoff Street.

• Tel Aviv University Station: As the name suggests, it is close to the university (getting from the station is a kilometer of steep uphill walk), and to the Tel Aviv Expo. It is also the closest station (although not within walking distance) to the Tel Aviv port, and to the business center of Ramat HaHayal.

Tel Aviv has two main intercity bus stations:

• 🌍 New Central Bus Station (Tahana Merkazit), Levinski 108 (southern Tel Aviv). The place is a neglected building in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, and getting there as a tourist is not recommended at all, especially not at night. Most cities in Israel have buses that arrive throughout the day at the 2000 terminal, which is difficult to orientate, but is in a safer area in the city center.

Offers routes to most locations in Israel, within a short walking distance of HaHaganah Train Station. The building, which is a combination of shopping mall and bus terminal spanning 7 floors, is extremely confusing - in fact, it is almost unmanageable for the infrequent visitor; tourists might want to use the 2000 Bus Terminal (see below) instead.
Several different bus companies operate urban and intercity buses in Tel Aviv: Egged, Dan, Metropoline, Kavim and a few smaller ones. Check the electronic boards in departure halls for info on destinations, platforms and coming-up departures. If this doesn't help, ask at the information booths. Egged and Metropoline have information booths on 6th floor. The Dan info booth is on the 7th floor (they also handle info for lines operated by Kavim).
Most intercity bus lines depart from platforms on the north wing of 6th floor, except for buses to Galilee (Afula, Nazareth, Tiberias, Kiryat Shmona etc.) which are on the south wing on 7th floor (accessible by escalator from 6th floor). Most urban lines to Tel Aviv and its suburbs are on the north wing on 7th floor (which isn't connected to the south wing of the same floor), with several lines on 4th floor which is actually at street level (including the popular city lines #4 and #5).
Several urban lines stop outside the station building on Levinski street (north side of the station), and some others a block away to the west on Har Zion street. Sherut taxis depart from Tzemach David street outside the east side of the station.
All people entering the bus terminal are subject to security screening. Be aware of your surroundings and keep and eye on your property while in and around the main bus terminal especially at night, as the area is a high crime area - really Israel's only urban slum. (updated Jul 2022)

• 🌍 2000 Bus Terminal (Arlozorov terminal) (next to Tel Aviv Merkaz/Savidor Train Station). A more user-friendly bus terminal that can replace the central bus station for most trips. It is next to Tel Aviv Merkaz/Savidor Train Station, so it is a good place to make connections between train and bus. There are information desks, and the platforms are all in two areas that passengers can access without security screening. This terminal and its surroundings are safe at all hours. North-bound intercity buses (from the Central Bus Station to Haifa, the Sharon, the Galilee, etc.) stop at Namir Road alongside this terminal, but at peak times they might be full when they get there. Major cities to the south and east of Tel Aviv have dedicated routes leaving the Arlozorov terminal: the 480 for Jerusalem, 380 for Beer Sheva, and 280 for Ashdod. 

In addition to the New Central Bus Station, there used to be an Old Central Bus Station, but this no longer is used for transportation (the building was demolished long ago, and a parking lot was built in its place). When people say "Central Bus Station", they mean the new one.

In general, buses obey the Jewish Shabbat, and stop operation on Friday afternoon, and resume service only Saturday after dark. Some services, however, may start earlier on Saturday afternoon. Minor services may not resume until Sunday morning.

A daily bus service is also available to and from Amman through the King Hussein Bridge. Call the operator (+972 4-6573984) for details.

Tel Aviv is the hub of the country's modern network of freeways. The city is accessible from Ben Gurion Airport via the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv freeway (route 1), from the north by Tel Aviv–Haifa freeway (route 2), as well as from Beer-Sheva and the southern parts of the country (route 4). Freeways speed limit is 110 km/h. On other intercity roads the limit varies between 80 and 90 km/h. On urban roads the default speed limit is 50 km/h. Heavy traffic congestion is common.

There are no ferries or cruises to Tel Aviv, but you can bring your own boat into the marina. Arriving from abroad, call ahead before entering Israeli waters to arrange immigration and customs clearance. Large vessels should head for Ashdod 20 miles south, which is a large commercial port with 24 hour entry facilities.

See also: Public transit in Israel

Tel Aviv has a modern, regular, cheap and widespread bus network run mostly by Dan. The main bus lines start at 05:00 AM and stops at 1 AM; on Thursday nights, Saturday nights, and during all July and August, the main lines run all night. Between November and March, the bus service stops on Friday at 15:00 and resumes on Saturday at 18:00, and between April and October the service stops on Friday at 17:00 and resumes on Saturday at 21:00.

Several smartphone apps, such as efoBus or Moovit or Google Maps, offer route maps and real-time bus arrival tracking and trip planning. Most buses and trains now have USB chargers.

Since Jan 2019, you can't pay cash on the bus. You need to buy a Rav-Kav smart card from the driver or Rav-Kav service center for ₪5 (if getting from service center, you may as well just issue a free personal card) plus either stored value to cover how many journeys you need, in ₪30 or ₪50 increments. If bought from bus driver (₪10.90), this will only include 1 trip (not stored value credit) which will be immediately used for the current ride, so to use it afterwards, you need to search for a recharging point or use the mobile app to recharge if you have a supported NFC module in your phone. See Public transit in Israel. The basic stored value fare up to 15 kilometers is 5.50 off the stored value balance; each ride includes 90 min transfers in the area. Or you may as well load up an appropriate periodic pass to cover your journeys. Think about how much is left on your card before travelling to an edge-of-city location that might not have a top-up point: your credit is shown after each validation on the validator screen.

Popular routes for tourists include:

• Bus 4 connects from Hatikvah neighborhood, to the Port of Tel aviv via Haganah train station, The Central Bus Station, Central of Tel Aviv, Carmel Market and the beach.
• Bus 5 goes through Rothschild Boulevard, Dizengoff Street (including the Dizengoff Center Mall) ,and the 2000 bus terminal.
• Bus 10 goes through Tel Aviv University ,Port of Tel Aviv, the beach and ,the old city of Jaffa.
• Bus 18 connects 2000 bus terminal to the city center and the old city of Jaffa.
• Bus 25 goes through Florentin, Rothschild Boulevard, Dizengoff Center Mall, and Tel Aviv University.
• Bus 62 and 115 connects between the beach to dizzengoff street, Sarona, and Hashalom Train Station.

Bus drivers in Tel Aviv speak and understand English reasonably well, and are usually helpful, but always in a hurry. They can't top-up Rav-Kav cards.

Route 100 was a tourist-oriented route which did pass by tourist sites all across Tel Aviv, but as of summer 2019, ceased operation. Be aware of outdated tourist maps that might lead you to a location where that bus supposedly stop, while it's not.

As of November 2019 the City Hall of Tel Aviv and adjacent cities (Ramat haSharon, Giv'atayim and Kiryat Ono) have started a joint pilot of (at first free) 19-seat minibuses running on Shabbat. Every third bus (so in 1.5 hour intervals) has accessibility measures for disabled passengers. Lines 705, 706, 707, 708, 709 and 710 operate every 20 minutes from 17:00 until 02:00, and on Shabbat from 09:00 until 17:00. Official line map is posted here (you need to tick some lines on the legend though), on stops where these lines pass on, and in the popular transit mobile applications (Bus Nearby, efoBus, My-Way). Schedules and line maps may change if/when more adjacent municipalities join the project.

• Transit on weekends (נעים בסופ”ש), ☏ +972 3 9676000. F 17:00-02:00 Sa 09:00-17:00, on other days use the City Hall hotline (106) for inquiries. 
• Transit on weekends (English). 

Tel Aviv's light rail was launched in August 2023.

The light rail runs past many areas of interest to tourists. Listed from south west to north east:

• Jaffa (Salame Station)
• Neve Tzedek (Elifelet Station)
• Rothschild Boulevard and Allenby Street (Allenby Station)
• Sarona (Yehudit Station)
• Tel Aviv Central Train Staion and 2000 Bus Terminal (Arlosoroff Station)

As of August 2023, The light rail runs from 06 AM to 10 PM from Sunday to Thursday, and from 6 AM to 4 PM on Fridays.

The "sherut" ("sheh-ROOT") or "service taxi" is a 6-12 seat van-sized minibus which runs on fixed routes, parallel to some bus routes. This alternative is often faster and more frequent than taking a bus. Unlike buses, they operate 7 days a week (on Shabbat too), and when requested will stop in between official bus stops.

In Tel Aviv, sherut taxi service is available as service routes 4, 2 and 5 (but these taxis don't reach the train station), 16, 51 and. You pay after you have found your seat, by passing your fare to the person in front of you, who will pass it along to the driver. If you sit up front, be prepared to pass other passengers' money to the driver and the change back to the passengers. You must tell the driver when you want him to stop. Passengers are not allowed to stand, so if two people want to board and only one seat remains, they will not be allowed to get on together.

As of August 2019 you may use Rav-Kav contracts on service taxis too (any periodic pass which is valid for the central region, or deduct 6.80 from stored value balance), but only on service taxi lines 4 and 5 at this time. 90 min transfers to buses included for free, and if you are transferring from a bus on an already started trip, you get a fare correction (0.90). Rav-Kav service on service taxis does not operate on Shabbat.

You can hail a taxi ("mo-NIT", מונית) in the street or call one (with extra surcharge, ₪3.30). Taxis are obliged to give you a metered ride unless you settle for a price, so insist that the driver use the meter ("mo-NEH" in Hebrew, pronounced like the painter "Monet"), unless you are sure what the price to your destination should be. And no, the meter is never broken. A local ride without meter should be ₪20-30 in the downtown core, and up to 50 or 60 to the immediate suburbs. If you go for a price fixed in advance, haggle with your driver a bit, you can generally knock a few shekels off the price. Cutting a deal in advance is especially recommended on Friday night and Saturday and late at night, when there is a surcharge, and during traffic time, because if you get stuck in Tel Aviv's notorious traffic, you won't sit there watching your money tick away.

• Hakastel taxi service, ☏ +972 3-6993322. 
• Palatine, ☏ +972 3-5171750. 
• Shekem, ☏ +972 3-5270404. 

For inter-city rides, the Ministry of Transportation has issued an official fixed price list, covering many municipalities in Israel, if not all of them. These figures are also uploaded to the meter, and when coaxed, the driver will have to check his municipality code list and check the official fare. These lists are only available in Hebrew, so check these prices in advance with the assistance of a Hebrew speaker.

Ridehailing is available in Tel Aviv. Gett is a local option, Uber and Yango can be also used.

Given Tel Aviv's flat and coastal geography, mild weather, and a growing number of bicycle paths throughout the city - bicycle travel in Tel Aviv is an ideal way to get around. Several shops throughout the city offer bicycle rental, and cheap ones can be purchased for several hundred shekels on longer stays.

Be sure to lock your bicycle at all times and don't leave it outside at night — even proper locks get cut by electric cutters in under 15 seconds.

A bike rental service called Tel-O-Fun is available in Tel Aviv, but is due to be cancelled in 2020 because of competition from electric scooter rental services (see next). The name is a pun - the Hebrew word for "bicycle" is pronounced o-fun-ayim. Tel-O-Fun offers hundreds of non-motorized bikes for rent, at rental stations across the city, in a simple and convenient manner using a credit card. An English language Google map of docking stations is available. Similar car rental service, named Auto-Tel also exists (see below).

Electric scooter sharing apps such as Lime, Wind, and Bird have become a popular way to get around Tel Aviv. You must have a helmet on you, or else you'll be fined by municipal inspectors and/or police. They are ideal for transportation on Shabbat, when public transportation options are limited and there is less traffic on the road. Riding on sidewalks is illegal and can net a hefty fine, so it is best to stick to the roads and bike paths. Although electric scooters are very popular in Tel Aviv, they are still somewhat of a novelty in the city, and the municipal government is still developing regulations surrounding their use. Check the local news before your trip to find out about any new restrictions.

Ayalon Freeway (freeway 20) runs north-south and is the main artery of the city.

It is best to avoid commuter traffic in and out of Tel Aviv and its surrounding cities during rush hours (Sunday to Thursday 07:00–09:00 and 17:00–19:00), particularly entering Tel Aviv via Ayalon Freeway in morning rush hour. A popular and effective navigation app based on traffic loads is Waze. Also, remember that Israeli drivers are considered aggressive in comparison to their Western European or North American counterparts. Signage is in English, Hebrew and Arabic. If possible, avoid using a private car in Tel Aviv and use public transportation.

Speed limits and driving laws are strictly enforced by police. All in all, driving conditions in Israel are much better than in the rest of the Middle East.

Parking in Tel Aviv is hard to find, even for the locals. Parking lots are available, but expensive (usually around ₪25–30 an hour during the day), and can also be full around busier times (i.e., a parking in a central area could be full on a Friday night, when everybody in the area goes out to eat and drink in the city). Parking times and payment is directed by Hebrew-only signs at the beginning of the street. Where parking is available on both sides of the street, instructions are different for every side, and signs are positioned at the beginning of each side. Notice that not all paid parking are marked by blue and white ("kachol-lavan") paint on the curb. When paying to park on the street, there is an hourly parking fee (cheaper than lots), generally between 09:00 and 19:00 (street signs indicating that are usually in Hebrew only). There are usually no parking meters, meaning you need to use payment apps like Cellopark or Pango. Alternatively, you can buy parking cards in advance from a kiosk or machine, and display them on the window closest to the pavement. Also, some areas of blue-white colored curb are reserved for locals with a zone sticker at certain times of day (mostly 17:00 to 09:00). It is forbidden to park where there are red and white or red and yellow markings, though sometimes only in certain hours, as indicated by signs (but those are usually in Hebrew only as well). The inspectors in Tel Aviv are everywhere and merciless, beware as you can get a fine of ₪100-500! There are generally more parking spaces in the south and the north (north of the Yarkon river that is) than in the center of Tel Aviv.

Hourly based car rental services are available in the city. The Auto-Tel service is supported by the municipality and has received special parking spaces across the city, marked in green. Other services are also available, such as Car2go which is deployed in many cities is Israel.

Tel Aviv is home to a large number of museums. Some of the best known ones are Anu (the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora) and the Land of Israel Museum in North Tel Aviv, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in the center. Also worth visiting is Bialik Square, a beautiful Bauhaus square including the following museums: Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv, Bialik House, The Museum of Town History, Rubin Art Museum.

North Tel Aviv houses the Rabin Museum, about the Israeli prime minister who came closest to peace. While Tel Aviv's population tends to be politically dovish and involved in peace activism, Tel Aviv is nevertheless home to many of Israel's military museums, which record an important aspect of Israel's history. Leading up to 1948 there were a number of different Jewish militias - the mainstream Haganah, the elite Palmach, the right-wing Etzel (Irgun), and the more-right-wing Lehi (Stern Gang) - and each has a museum of its own in modern Tel Aviv. Ideally, one should see two museums corresponding to different parts of the political spectrum - the Palmach Museum and Etzel 1948 Museum are recommended - to get a nuanced overall view. In some museums, you can hear personal stories from veterans who volunteer there - call ahead of time to find out. If you are interested in physical military artifacts like tanks and rifles, the place to go is the IDF History Museum, which has a large connection of these artifacts.

Tel Aviv has the widest selection of performing arts in Israel.

• Fans of classical music might enjoy Israel's Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Israel Opera.
• The Barby (52, Kibutz Galuyot st., +972 3-5188123), and the Goldstar Zappa (24, Habarzel st., +972 3-6499550) present Israeli (and sometimes foreign) rock daily.
• For more alternative and indie music with occasional jazz shows and electronic parties, head to Levontin 7 named after its street address or The OzenBar.
• Tmuna Theater (8, Shontsino st., +972 3-5629462) alternates between local acts, both famous and unknown, and fringe theater productions in Hebrew.
• Dance can be enjoyed in Suzanna Dellal Center in Neve Tzedek.
• Theater is mostly performed in Hebrew, naturally, but English interpretation is available is some of the shows for extra-fees in Habima National Theater (+972 3-6295555) and HaCameri Municipal Theater.
• Fans of jazz can find great shows at the Shablul club in the Tel Aviv harbor, with jam sessions every Monday at 22:30.

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Israel. Tel Aviv has 3 major football clubs that are usually in Ligat Ha'al (top division): Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv. All three normally play in the Bloomfield Stadium in the southern part of the city.

Basketball is somewhat less popular among locals than football, but the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team is well known as the most successful club in Israel and one of the best in Europe, dominating the Israeli basketball league with over 40 championship seasons and 5 European titles. The Hapoel Tel Aviv team is less successful and popular. Maccabi Tel Aviv plays in the Menora Mivtachim Arena in the eastern part of the city.

Matchs between Hapoel and Maccabi Tel Aviv are major events in the city, as the teams are as huge rivals as they come.

Good martial arts clubs abound in various parts of the city, ranging from modern fitness craze sports to traditional ones.

Scuba-diving: there's a couple of dive shacks and centers based near the Marina. Diving in the Med is really for experienced folk: there are interesting wrecks, and a fabulous ancient shipwreck was discovered near Caesarea in 2016. But compared to the Red Sea it's distinctly dark and barren down there, and the weather and sea conditions are tougher. Those wanting to learn, or novice divers, will do much better down in Eilat or elsewhere along the Red Sea coast.

Tel Aviv hosts many festivals and events. Something is going on almost every weekend so make sure you're updated!

• White Night Festival. This annual event is a celebration of Tel Aviv's White City's proclamation as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and organized by Tel Aviv's municipality. During the "White Night", cultural institutions, as well as commercial ones, are open to the public all night long, and many special events take place. In the past it usually took place late June or early July. 
• Tel Aviv Fashion Market. A highly recommended biannual event (winter/summer, for three days each time) where Tel Aviv's top clothing designers show and sell their stuff. Focused on urban clothing. Don't miss this colorful carnival of cutting-edge fashion! 
• Night Flea. Every August, Jaffa's burgeoning flea market is active all through the night on weekends, with special events, shows and exhibitions taking place. 
• Docaviv, The Tel Aviv Cinematheque, 2 Shprintzak St. Tel Aviv's International Documentary Film Festival. Every year in May, Docaviv presents the most innovative, provocative and important documentary films of the year from around the world. 
• The Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival, The Tel Aviv Cinematheque, 2 Shprintzak St. Lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender film festival. Celebrating gender diversity. Happening in June. 
• The Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival, The Tel Aviv Cinematheque, 2 Shprintzak St. One of the world's most important student film festivals. Happening in late May. 
• Ta'am Ha'ir, HaYarkon Park. 18:00-22:00. "Taste of the City", an annual 4-day food fair, which takes place in Hayarkon Park at the beginning of summer (late May of June). Top restaurants present and sell samples of their finest dishes for special prices. The festival has been held under several names (e.g. Tel Aviv-Eat), in different locations, and sometimes in cities other than Tel Aviv. Make sure to check the details. (updated Sep 2018)

• 🌍 Tel Aviv University. The largest proper university in Israel (the Open University, though larger, is for distance learning and does not grant doctorates), situated in Ramat Aviv. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Tel Aviv-Jaffa Academic College. A smaller college in Tel Aviv 
• 🌍 Afeka. Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering 

Tel Aviv's markets are the best show in town, and they're bustling all day long. A Middle Eastern mélange of tastes, scents, sounds, colors – and lots of people. Friday is the busiest day when most Israelis do their shopping until the afternoon. Closed Saturdays.

Tel Aviv's most famous market is the Carmel Market, which mostly sells fruit and vegetables, but also candy, clothing, toys, cellphone accessories, kitchen gadgets, and other goods. It is in Tel Aviv Center not far from the beach. The Levinsky Market, not far to the south, is the best place to buy spices, dried fruits, and different kinds of legume. A more upscale option is the Sarona Market, which has a variety of luxury foods and restaurants in picturesque surroundings. Finally, HaTikva Market in the southeast of the city is reputed to be the most "authentic" market, keeping its atmosphere as the other markets have gentrified somewhat.

If you are interested in furniture, antiques, or arts and crafts, there are markets for this too. At the Jaffa flea market, stretching over a number of streets in the old Jaffa district, you can find almost anything, but it is best for antiques. The Nachalat Binyamin arts and crafts market and Dizengoff antiques and secondhand market in Central Tel Aviv are equally good, but are only open two days a week.

As malls are good places to catch some air-conditioning during hot Israeli summers, they have quickly become a preferred place of entertainment for the locals. The variety is usually mid-range, mainstream, with both international and local brands.

In Tel Aviv Center, Azrieli Center is the busiest mall. This area is also home to Dizengoff Center, the first mall built in Israel, as well as Gan Ha'ir, which is next to Rabin Square.

North Tel Aviv is the most upscale part of the city, and unsurprisingly the Ramat Aviv mall is also upscale.

The New Central Bus Station, designed as a combined bus station and mall, has large numbers of stores which now cater to a lower-class crowd, particularly migrants and workers from Third World countries. There are also a large number of vacant stores.

The air-conditioned malls threaten to destroy the concept of shopping streets, but many of the more special ones still survive, particularly in the city center.

Dizengoff Street is popular with the shoppers, as the street is peppered with numerous specialty shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as the sprawling Dizengoff Center Mall.

Shenkin Street is known for its trendy cafes as well as designer clothing shops.

Second-hand clothing shops are getting very popular in Tel Aviv and you'll find them scattered all over the city.

The country's widespread Steimatzky and Zomet Sfarim chains are a good source for current books. Almost every shop has at least a selection in English. Allenby St. has a number of second hand bookshops, most sell (and buy) English books. For music, check out Tower Records shop in the opera tower, on the corner of Alenby and Herbert Samuel. For the more alternative crowd, Krembo Records in Shenkin Street, Giora Record Shop next to the Carmel market, and Third Ear on King George Street will satisfy your needs.

Gordon Street is famous for its art galleries. Ben-Yehuda Street has several Judaica/Jewelery/souvenirs shops. You can buy jewelry from Michal Negrin, a world-famous Israeli designer, in her shops at the Azriely mall and on Sheinkin st. The prices are much better than abroad. For more original crafts and Judaica, try the Nahlat Binyamin craft market mentioned above.

The entire city is full of spots to hang out, and there are streets and areas that stand out with even more pubs/clubs, have a look at the districts detailing the scene.

There are a few well-known pubs that specifically cater to foreigners. Mike's Place, next to the American embassy, is an American-style bar which attracts a mostly-Anglo 20-30 something crowd. Molly Bloom's Irish pub and the English Pub, not far from Mike's Place, host many people from the UK and Republic of Ireland.

The Tel Aviv club scene is comparable to those in most European capitals. Top international DJs regularly perform in Tel Aviv, with clubs constantly vying to outdo each other with ever more extravagant parties. Up to date English language party listings are readily available online.

The biggest and newest club in the city is Haoman 17 (Florentin quarter). Other fantastic clubs are TLV, Dome (gay & Offer Nissim is the resident DJ), Vox, Powder, and the "indie" Cafe Barzilay and Studio 46.

Rock clubs, including Barbie Club (Kibutz Galuyot St) and the Zappa Club (in the northeastern neighbourhood of Ramat haChayal), among others, host concerts almost every night of the week.

Billiards (pool) clubs include Gypsy on Kikar Atarim (Atarim plaza)

Tel Aviv is home to the leading gay community in Israel and all of the Middle East, and is a very friendly city towards gay people. It's safe in Tel Aviv for gay couples to express physical affection to the same extent as straight ones, and can do so on all beaches (the "gay beach" is good for pick-ups, but safety isn't limited to there).

There are many gay clubs and parties. Some of which have been running for several years already (Shirazi's FFF line, which is taking place in the 'Haoman 17' club. The electro 'PAG' line). Others are changing from time to time. There is also a gay accommodation.

Most gay clubs have closed as the younger generation of gay Israelis just go clubbing with their straight friends. Many clubs do have gay nights, though.

There is a gay beach in the city, Hilton Beach, named for the Hilton Hotel adjacent to it. It is often full of young gay Israelis, especially in the weekends. Next to Dizengoff Center and on Rothschild Boulevard you may see gay couples walking freely all day long.

Coffee shops have been an inseparable part of the Tel Aviv cultural lifestyle ever since the city was founded, as cafés were always the favorite hanging spots of the local bohemia. It is therefore no surprise that Tel Aviv boasts many cafés, which can be found everywhere in the city, offering aromatic Italian Espressos and Capuccinos (called "Hafukh", meaning upside-down, in Hebrew). Espresso-bar, Cafeneto, Café-café and arcaffé are some of the local chain-cafés. Aroma's the biggest among them. Feel free to spend hours in a coffee shop - no one will slap the check on your table or require you to order more stuff.

Bohemian 'Puah' (in the Jaffa flea market), Café Noah, Chic 'Le Central' (Rothschild Av.), and 'Tolaat Sfarim' (Rabin Sq. and Mazeh street near Allenby and Rothschild) are recommended for their very distinctive and Israeli café-drinking experience.

Most coffee shops and fast food places have free WiFi. Tel Aviv municipality operates a free Wi-Fi network called "Free_TLV" in select locations around the city.

• Tel Aviv Doctor, Basel Heights Medical Centre - Room 204, 35 Basel Street (on the square), +972 (0) 549 41 42 43. Tel Aviv Doctor provides English speaking medical services that can be claimed back from travel insurance companies.
• Ichilov Clinic, one of the largest hospitals in Israel, is a medical center of national importance. The hospital is located in Tel Aviv and employs more than 120 world-famous professors. Many of which are the authors of unique developments and copyright techniques. The clinic treats both Israelis and foreign patients.

Due to the disputed status of Jerusalem, most countries maintain their embassies to Israel in Tel Aviv, the most notable exception being the United States. Many details can also be found here: https://www.embassypages.com/israel

• 🌍 Angola, ☏ +97236912093, secretary@angolaembassy.org.il. (updated Jul 2022)
• 🌍 Argentina, Medinat Hayeudim 85, 3rd floor, Herzlia Pituach 46120, ☏ +97236912093, eisra@mrecic.gov.ar. (updated Jul 2022)
• 🌍 Australia, Level 28, Discount Bank Tower, 23 Yehuda Halevi St, ☏ +972 3 693 5000, fax: +972 3 693 5002. M-Th 08:00-12:30 and 13:00-16:00, F 08:00-13:00. (updated Jul 2022)
• Brazil, 23 Yehuda Halevi Street, 30th floor, ☏ +972 3 797 1500, fax: +972 3 693 5002, brasemb.telaviv@itamaraty.gov.br. 
• Canada, Canada House, 3/5 Nirim St, ☏ +972 3 636 3300, fax: +972 3 636 3380, taviv.consular@international.gc.ca. M-F 08:00-11:00. 
• China, 222 Ben Yehuda St, ☏ +972 3 544 2638, fax: +972 3 546 7251, chinaembl@012.net.il. Su-Th 09:00-12:00. (updated Feb 2024)
• Denmark, 11th floor, Museum Tower, 4 Berkowitz St, ☏ +972 3 608 5850, fax: +972 3 608 5851, tlvamb@um.dk. 
• Ecuador, Beit Asia Building, 4 Weizmann St, ☏ +972 3 695, fax: +972 3 691 3604, eecuiscrael@mmree.gob.ec. 
• Egypt, 54, Rehov Basel, ☏ +972 3 5464151, +972 3 5464152, fax: +972 3 5441615, egyemta@zahav.net.il. 
• Finland, Kanion Ramat Aviv (9th floor) Einstein Street 40, ☏ +972 3-745 6600, fax: +972 3-744 0314, sanomat.tel@formin.fi. M-Th 08:15-16:15, F 08:15-15:00. 
• France, 1/3 Ben Yehuda Street, ☏ +972 3 520 8500. M-F 08:00-12:30. 
• Germany, 19th floor, 3 Daniel Frish, ☏ +972 3 693 1313, fax: +972 3 696 9217, info@tel-aviv.diplo.de. 
• Greece, 3, Daniel Frisch, ☏ +972 3 695 3060, +972 3 609 4981, +972 5 4304 4098 (Emergency), fax: +972 3 6951329, gremb.tlv@mfa.gr. 
• India, 140, Hayarkon Street, ☏ +972 3 762 0700, fax: +972 3 529 1953. 
• Ireland, 3 Daniel Frisch, ☏ +972 3-6964166, fax: +972 3 696 4160. 
• Italy, Trade Tower 25, Hamered St, ☏ +972 3 510 4004, fax: +972 3 5100235. 
• Japan, 19th and 20th floors, Museum Tower, 4 Berkowitz St, ☏ +972 3 695 7282, fax: +972 3 691 0516. M-Th 09:00-17:00, F 09:30-15:00. 
• Jordan, 10 Hasadnaot Street, Herzeliya, ☏ +972 3 751 7722, tel-aviv@fm.gov.jo. 
• Mexico, 25 Hamared St, Trade Tower, 5th floor =, ☏ +972 3 516 3532, fax: +972 3 516 3711, communication1@embamex.org.il. M-Th 08:30-15:30, F 08:30-13:30. 
• Norway, 40 Einstein St, Canion Ramat Aviv, 13th floor, ☏ +972 3 740 1900. M-Th 08:30-16:00, F 08:30-15:30. 
• Panama, 13th floor, Beit Yechin Building, 2 Kaplan St, ☏ +972 3 575 9793, fax: +972 3 691 0045. 
• Philippines, 18 Bnei Dan St, ☏ +972 3 601 0500, fax: +972 3 604 1030, filemb@netvision.net.il. Su-Th 08:30-16:30. 
• Poland, 16 Soutine St, ☏ +972 3 72 53 111, fax: +972 3 52 37 806. 
• Romania, 9 Israelis St., ☏ +972 3 5229472, fax: +972 3 5247379, telaviv@mae.ro. M-F 9:00-16:30. 
• Russia, 120 HaYarkon St, ☏ +972 3 522 6744, fax: +972 3 522 6713, embassy.israel@mid.ru. 
  • Consular Section, 3rd floor, 2 Yehezkel Kaufman St, ☏ +972 7 322 41593, cons.israel@mid.ru. 
• Serbia, 10 Bodenheimer St, ☏ +972 3 604 5535, fax: +972 3 604 9456. 
• Singapore, 28 HaArba’a Street, South Tower, 19th Floor, ☏ +972 3 728 9334, fax: +972 3 728 9340, singemb_tlv@mfa.sg. 
• Spain, 18th floor, 3 Daniel Frish, ☏ +972 3 769 7900, fax: +972 3 696 5217, emb.telaviv@maec.es. 
• South Africa, Sason Hogi Tower, 17th floor Reception, 12 Abba Hillel Silver Street, Ramat Gan, ☏ +972 3 525 2566, TelAviv.dha@dirco.gov.za. 
• South Korea, 6 Hasadnaot St, Herzliya Pituach, ☏ +972 9 959 6800, fax: +972 9 956 9853, israel@mofa.go.kr. 
• Sweden, 24th floor, Adgar 360 Building, 2 Haslosha St, ☏ +972 3 718 0000, fax: +972 3 718 0005, ambassaden.tel-aviv@gov.se. M-Th 10:00-12:00 and 13:30-15:30. 
• Switzerland, 228 Hayarkon St, ☏ +972 3 546 4455, fax: +972 3 546 4408, tel.vertretung@eda.admin.ch. M-Th 08:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:00 and F 08:00-12:00. 
• Taiwan (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office), 21st floor, Azireli Center, Round Building, 132 Menachem Begin Rd, ☏ +972 3 607 4788, fax: +972 3 607 4785, mofa@teco.org.il. 
• Thailand, Ackerstein Tower A, 11th Fl., 11 Hamenofim Street, Herzliya Pituach, ☏ +972 9 954-8412, +972 9 954-8413, fax: +972 9 954-8417, thaiembassy.tav@mfa.go.th. 
• Ukraine, 50, Yermiyahu St, ☏ +972-3-627-33-00. Monday - Friday 08:30-18:00. 
• United Kingdom, 192 Hayakron St, ☏ +972 3 725 1222, fax: +972 3 524 9176, webmaster.telaviv@fco.gov.uk. M-Th 08:00-16:00, F 08:00-13:30. 
• 🌍 United States, 71 Hayarkon St, ☏ +972 3 519 7475, TelAvivACS@state.gov. This is considered to be a branch office, as the U.S. maintains its official embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. (updated May 2020)
• Vietnam, 4th floor, Beit Asia Building, 4 Weizman St, ☏ +972 3 696 6304, fax: +972 3 696 6243, vnembassy.il@mofa.gov.vn. 

In general, most tourist areas are completely safe for tourists even at night. However, try to avoid the Central Bus Station, especially at night. This bus station is a large building with many abandoned parts that brings with it many dodgy people. Instead, try to take a bus that arrives at "Terminal 2000" or outside the Azrieli Towers. The "HaHagana" train station is safe, but avoid walking around the nearby Neve Shaanan neighborhood at night (the area east of "Ha'Aliya" and "Menachem Begin" streets), as it contains many homeless refugees from Eritrea and many drug addicts.

Also watch out for scooters and electric bikes. It is not uncommon to see these vehicles traveling at a speed of 40 km/h (25 miles per hour). On the path next to the promenade on the beach, they travel at particularly high speeds due to the lack of intersections. Besides, they are found in all the central areas of the city In high quantities and you should pay attention to them, especially in places where there are no bicycle paths such as on Allenby Street and the Yemeni Vineyard.

In addition, when bathing in the sea, do not leave valuables out of reach. The chance of theft at the beach is high.

The usual warnings regarding being alert for bomb threats also pertain to Tel Aviv - beware of suspicious packages in public places (though don't over panic), and suspicious behavior on the part of people around you; if in doubt, report it! The local police are generally friendly, and many of the law-enforcers can speak passable English.

Security control checks are a necessary annoyance when entering shopping malls, markets around the central bus station, and most hotels, cafes and restaurant. You are frequently requested to let the guards look into your bag. It is best not to find it offensive or intrusive, and this check shouldn't take more than 20 seconds and end with a smile and a green light. It is also advised to carry some sort of identification documents on you at all times. Police officers may rarely stop and ask you for ID, and Israelis are required to carry an ID at all times.

Most Israelis aged 18-20 are doing mandatory army service. So teenagers in uniform are everywhere, and it is not unusual to see what appears to be a group of high school students, dressed like any other high schools students out on the weekend, all carrying rifles.

City buses are safe at all times of day and night, frequent, cheap, reliable and convenient. There is no need to worry about terrorism - it has been years since the last bombing on any Israeli bus. You can always approach the driver with any questions, and passengers are usually keen to assist tourists.

Since February 2023, demonstrations have been held every Saturday night against the judicial reform on Kaplan Street. Therefore, on Saturday nights, avoid staying in wide areas of the city, in particular on the HaShalom train station and the Sarona , which are the focus of the demonstrations. In addition, avoid the Svidor Center Train Station and Terminal 2000 Because access to them is blocked on Saturday nights. Other areas are Tel Aviv Museum and the Habima Square where there have been police blockades since Saturday afternoon.

Tel Aviv has long, hot summers. Be sure to drink lots of water, even if you don't feel thirsty, and use lots of sunscreen and other sun protection.

When going for a swim in the Mediterranean, stick to the patrolled beaches with lifeguards, marked with flags and signs - every year people drown off the Tel Aviv coast when strong currents get them into difficulties. Also, at the beginning of the summer, keep an eye out for jellyfish (called meduza in Hebrew). Remember that during the winter months, though the weather may allow a bathe, the lifeguard service is inactive (official bathing season begins on April 18th and ends late in October).