Tel Aviv with its bearded hipsters in tank tops, its craft beer bars and its 24-7 culture of hedonism is one of the most exciting and fun cities to visit
Tel Aviv
Travel blogs, travel photos and features from one of the world’s coolest cities: Tel Aviv in Israel
Tel Aviv Travel Guide
Your guide to the coolest things to do and see in Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv is actually quite a small city but it feels like a big one, with so much going on and several distinct neighborhoods. In essence, it has it all: beaches, a cutting edge art scene, amazing food, an international vibe, beautiful people, and 24-hour nightlife.
It’s definitely one of my favorite places in the world, and one that I’ll happily return to over and over again! Start here with my basic Tel Aviv travel tips, or jump down below to read my latest Tel Aviv travel blogs.
When to Visit
Tel Aviv is a great city to visit all year round. Being on the Mediterranean, it never truly gets cold, though the winters can be wet. Any time between June and October is the perfect time to visit for the beaches and making the most of the city’s life lived outdoors.
Even though the population is less than half a million, there is always cool stuff going on, so whenever you choose to visit Tel Aviv, you won’t be bored!
Cool Things To Do
The Container – Often hosting free evening concerts, this hip bar, seafood restaurant and art space is without a doubt, one of the coolest places in Tel Aviv. Any time of day is a good time to visit here – there’s always something going on.
Florentin Urban Culture Tour – Learn all about the street art scene in Tel Aviv with this fascinating tour run by local, Guy Sharett. He’ll teach you how to read some basic Hebrew to get the messages scrawled in the walls throughout the city, give in-depth cultural background and show you some of the coolest spots to hang out.
Gelada Studio – Indulge your inner shopper by perusing the wares at this independent studio with designs from local artist Yaron Mendelovici featuring emblems from around the world.
Tel Aviv Tours
Take a look at this selection of Tel Aviv tours to help you get yourself oriented in the city and make the most of your time there. One of my favorite local tour operators (with tours available from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Nazareth) is Abraham Tours. They also offer a convenient bus service between the cities, as well as multi-day tour packages going to Egypt and Jordan (Petra). I’ve taken multiple tours with them, including their dual-narrative political tours to the West Bank.
LGBTQ – Gay Tel Aviv Travel Guide
Tel Aviv is easily the most gay-friendly city in the Middle East, and its volume of gay life is comparable to London, Sydney or even Berlin! Here are some highlights you should know about gay Tel Aviv.
Hilton Beach – Adjacent to the Hilton Hotel, this is known as the city’s gay beach, and for good reason – it’s always teaming with hot guys in tight speedos, making for the perfect spot to come for some eye candy.
Shpagat – A bar, restaurant, lounge, and cafe, Shpagat is a multi-purpose hangout popular with gay men and lesbian women. It’s steps away from the Tel Aviv market and crowded day and night. Next door is a small club, great for nightlife.
Tel Aviv Pride – Taking place every year in June, Tel Aviv’s pride is a week-long festival of fun events and the biggest in the Middle East. Unsurprisingly, the parade attracts the largest crowd with hundreds of thousands joining in, and it’s a street party unlike any other you’ll find elsewhere in the world – don’t miss it!
More gay travel resources here.
Tel Aviv Hotel Deals
Tel Aviv has a reputation for being expensive, and your biggest expense when planning a trip there is going to be accommodation. Of course, there are budget options in Tel Aviv, but it’s not hard to splash out and find something really luxurious either!
Recommended: Abraham Hostel
I’ve stayed at the Abraham Hostel in Tel Aviv a handful of times. This location is unlike most other hostels because the property really caters to travelers and those interested in exploring and experiencing the city. People of all ages and nationalities stay here—their motto is “come as you are.” It’s a great location, steps from the famous Rothschild Boulevard, and convenient for exploring the city. Private rooms are spacious (and include mini-fridges), but the real attraction is the community spaces.
A large, indoor bar, lounge and event space hosts breakfast every morning as well as a calendar of events in which both locals and tourists are welcome. The rooftop of Abraham Hostel also hosts a variety of events—everything from movie night to an Indian dinner.
Follow @travelsofadam on Instagram for more travel tips!
Tel Aviv Travel Blogs
Cheap and free things to do & see in Tel Aviv — it’s possible to visit Tel Aviv on under $75/day, making it one of Europe’s best budget destinations.
The essential travel apps you’ll need to make your visit to Tel Aviv easier and more enjoyable + special emphasis on gay travel apps to meet locals & more!
New photos from one of the sexiest gay travel trips I ever took — to Tel Aviv gay pride where I convinced sexy Israeli guys to strip down for free Andrew Christian underwear!
Photos of Tel Aviv’s Fire and Water Fountain in Dizengoff Square – a colorful place in the center of Tel Aviv great for photos
Is it easy to travel in Israel? An extensive guide to public transport & getting around Israel including resources oon trains, buses & sheruts
The 11 reasons why I love Tel Aviv — despite its problems, price and location, it’s one of my favorite cities in the world. Here’s why…
Photos and video from 2013 Tel Aviv Gay Pride – where 100,000 people and tourists celebrated gay pride on the beach
Photos and commentary on some of Tel Aviv’s street art and graffiti
Berlin and Tel Aviv share many similarities — they’re both über cool cities for the cultural and creative. Here’s what makes both Berlin & Tel Aviv so cool.