Things to do in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is known for its lovely Mediterranean beaches, hip nightlife and colourful markets. The city does have an impressive arts and culture scene too, and some of its most rewarding and popular attractions are museums. Using Tel Aviv as a base, visitors also have some wonderful destinations on their doorstep. The gorgeous holiday resort of Eilat on the Red Sea is great for scuba diving and snorkelling. The ancient port city of Jaffa, and the magical Underwater Observatory Marine Park are also worthwhile.
Museum lovers are unlikely to run out of things to see and do in Tel Aviv. Three of the city's best museums are the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, an absolute must-see for art fanatics, the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora (Beit Hatfutsot), which tracks the history of the Jewish people all over the world, and the Eretz Israel Museum, which is a kind of exhibition park with several different pavilions housing their own distinct collections. Theatre lovers should attend a show at the Nalagaat Centre, which is renowned for its performances and atmosphere.
For those keen to enjoy sun and sea, Tel Aviv's beaches won't disappoint. Some favourites with tourists are Hilton Beach and Gordon Beach. For those travelling in Tel Aviv with kids, Givat Aliya Beach is wonderful. The old Tel Aviv port area is becoming increasingly popular with tourists, combining the industry of the harbour with cultural attractions and some good bars and restaurants.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art has hosted the country's leading exhibition of modern art since its inception in 1932. It also has one of the best collections of Israeli art in the worl…
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art has hosted the country's leading exhibition of modern art since its inception in 1932. It also has one of the best collections of Israeli art in the world. Art lovers will enjoy the museum's permanent collection of European and American art, which features prominent Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings by Chagall, Dali, Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, and Monet, among others. Regarding the scope of its inventory, the museum showcases many mediums, including paint, sculpture, print, photography, film, design and architecture.
Website www.tamuseum.org.il/en/
Eretz Israel Museum (The Land of Israel Museum)
The Eretz Israel Museum's unique layout and character make it more like a park than a standalone establishment. It is clustered around the ancient mound of the Tel Kasile, where on…
Eretz Israel Museum (The Land of Israel Museum)
The Eretz Israel Museum's unique layout and character make it more like a park than a standalone establishment. It is clustered around the ancient mound of the Tel Kasile, where ongoing archaeological excavations are in progress. The museum consists of various pavilions, each displaying different cultural artefacts and collections. Visitors can purchase a map to help them navigate through this fascinating campus, which covers 3,000 years of history, culture and art relating to Israel. The permanent exhibits include displays on ethnography and folklore, ceramics, copper, coins, crafts, agriculture, domestic life, and many aspects of social and political history.
Website www.eretzmuseum.org.il
Museum of the Jewish Diaspora (Beit Hatfutsot)
The museum conveys the Jewish people's story, beginning with their expulsion from Israel at Roman hands, and leading to their return. Multi-storey displays and exhibitions show a d…
Museum of the Jewish Diaspora (Beit Hatfutsot)
The museum conveys the Jewish people's story, beginning with their expulsion from Israel at Roman hands, and leading to their return. Multi-storey displays and exhibitions show a diverse range of Jewish communities, and the common cultural and religious links that have bound them. Visitors can engage with murals, reconstructions, dioramas, audio-visual displays, documentary films and interactive multimedia, and the Jewish Music Centre has thousands of recordings of Jewish music. Visitors will find traditional fare, music of communities that didn't survive the Holocaust, as well as works by Jewish composers.
Website www.bh.org.il
Jaffa
The historical port city of Jaffa is within walking distance of Tel Aviv. Its inhabitants have included notable biblical figures, and its name is said to come from Japhet, who was …
Jaffa
The historical port city of Jaffa is within walking distance of Tel Aviv. Its inhabitants have included notable biblical figures, and its name is said to come from Japhet, who was Noah's son. Archaeological finds show that Jaffa existed as a port city thousands of years ago, serving both Egyptian and Phoenician sailors on their sea voyages. The Ottoman Clock Tower is a prominent landmark and meeting point, and marks the Old Town's entrance, but the area's main draw is its ancient and magical atmosphere.
Eilat
Eilat is a popular holiday resort located at the northern tip of the Red Sea, where temperatures seldom drop below a wonderfully warm 70F (21C). Many travellers visit Eilat to enjo…
Eilat
Eilat is a popular holiday resort located at the northern tip of the Red Sea, where temperatures seldom drop below a wonderfully warm 70F (21C). Many travellers visit Eilat to enjoy fantastic diving and snorkelling opportunities in the Red Sea: one of the world's most magnificent marine preserves. Brightly coloured coral fish, moray eels and even manta rays can be seen, while landlubbers will enjoy lazing on the beautiful beach and splashing in the shallows. Swimming with bottlenose dolphins in their natural environment is one of the resort's more popular activities.
The Underwater Observatory Marine Park
The Underwater Observatory Marine Park lies just south of Eilat and is conveniently close to Tel Aviv. Visitors can view a fantastic range marine life in its gigantic, seawater aqu…
The Underwater Observatory Marine Park
The Underwater Observatory Marine Park lies just south of Eilat and is conveniently close to Tel Aviv. Visitors can view a fantastic range marine life in its gigantic, seawater aquarium. Animals such as eels, sharks, turtles and stingrays are part of the population, while the rare-fish aquarium is home to some exquisite (and poisonous) species. The Red Sea is renowned for its colourful reefs and rich marine life, and the Marine Park's unique Underwater Observatories allow visitors to really immerse themselves in this underwater world. Visitors can also look forward to daily feedings, with shark feedings typically drawing the most attention.
Carmel Market
The Carmel Market (Shuk Ha'Carmel) will enthral all visitors to Tel Aviv with its bustling atmosphere and fine selection of goods and produce. It's located on the 'trendy side' of …
Carmel Market
The Carmel Market (Shuk Ha'Carmel) will enthral all visitors to Tel Aviv with its bustling atmosphere and fine selection of goods and produce. It's located on the 'trendy side' of town (just off Allenby Street), and is essentially a long alley, jam-packed with shoppers and vendors loudly advertising their wares. Although shoppers can buy almost anything at the Carmel Market and usually at better prices than elsewhere in the city, the real attraction is its mouth-watering array of fresh produce. Visitors can shop for the freshest fruit and vegetables, cheeses and baked goods, while soaking up the typically Middle Eastern market atmosphere.
Beaches
Tel Aviv is blessed with almost year-round sunny weather and warm sea temperatures. Its coastline is divided into about ten beaches, all of which have their own appeal. Hilton Beac…
Beaches
Tel Aviv is blessed with almost year-round sunny weather and warm sea temperatures. Its coastline is divided into about ten beaches, all of which have their own appeal. Hilton Beach is best for swimming, while Gordon Beach is popular with tourists and has some good bars and cafes. Backpackers and bohemian types tend to enjoy Drum Beach (where there are frequent evening drumming sessions), and gay travellers will feel especially at home at Atzmaut Beach. Hilton Beach South has some terrific waves for surfers; Givat Aliya Beach's calm waters, shallow ocean pool and children's playground make it a great stop for kids.