Find cheap flights to Tel Aviv

With gorgeous beaches, an exciting nightlife, and great shopping and dining options, modern Tel Aviv is a popular destination with all sorts of travelers. Despite the intense heat during summer, many tourists visit Tel Aviv between June and August. Make sure to book your flights and rooms in advance, and expect to pay more for them in summer. The winter months also see a spike in tourist visits as northerners look to escape cold temperatures at home. Tel Aviv enjoys daily highs of 63 – 66 degrees Fahrenheit from December – February. The spring and fall are probably the best times to visit, there are fewer tourists, and high temperatures ranging from 66 – 81 degrees Fahrenheit are fine for beach-going and other outdoor activities.

Tel Aviv is very walkable, as long as the heat isn’t unbearable, or you can use the Tel-o-fun bikes to get around a bit quicker. When you get tired, hop on a bus or splurge on a taxi ride. If you prefer to drive, be aware that the streets are busy, drivers are typically aggressive, and parking spaces are scarce.

Buses

City buses are operated by the Dan cooperative and serve most of Tel Aviv from 5.30am to midnight, except during Shabbat. The adult fare is ₪6.90 ILS, or you may purchase a day pass allowing unlimited travel around Tel Aviv for ₪13.50 ILS. Dan also runs a special tourist service, bus 100, in an open-top bus. It begins at the Old Port and includes stops at major museums and Old Jaffa, running hourly from 9am to 4pm, Sunday to Thursday, and to 1pm on Friday.

Taxis

You will easily find a taxi for Tel Aviv transportation and, by law, they are metered, so make sure the driver turns the meter on. You will pay legal surcharges above the metered fare on Shabbat and after 9pm. Expect to pay between ₪20.00 ILS and ₪30.00 ILS for a ride within the city center.

Bike Share

The city operates a bike-share program called Tel-o-Fun, with 2,000 bicycles, 200 stations, and there are 80 miles of bike lanes across Tel Aviv. Bikes are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making this a great option for transport within the city. Purchase a 1-day or a 7-day access card and you can enjoy as many 30-minute rides as you like within that period. The 1-day card costs ₪17.00 ILS (₪23.00 ILS on Saturdays and holidays), and the 7-day card is ₪70.00 ILS.

Citizens of the United States with a valid passport can visit Israel for a maximum of 90 days without having to apply for or obtain a visa. For foreign nationals, please check the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Things to do and places of interest in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv’s beaches may be the hottest tourist attraction, but the city has much more to offer than its famous strip of sand. Nicknamed “The White City”, Tel Aviv was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2003 for its fine examples of Bauhaus architecture and, along with excellent shopping and dining, there are plenty of museums and trendy art galleries. Here are our top spots to visit, when you travel to Tel Aviv.

• The beaches are a must-see. Even if you don’t want to bask in the sun or go for a swim, you should stroll along the Tayelet (paved boardwalk) and enjoy people-watching.
• Just 1.2 miles south of Tel Aviv lies the historic Arab port town of Jaffa, where you can see an ancient acropolis and visit the giant flea market.
• Stroll along tree-lined Rothschild Boulevard and admire the amazing Bauhaus architecture. Grab a coffee or stop at one of the cafés for a meal, and come back in the evening to drop into one of the clubs for drinks and dancing.
• Visit the Tel Aviv Museum of Art where you can see Israel’s most complete collection of modern, contemporary, and Israeli art. Here you’ll find an impressive collection of works by the old masters, various temporary exhibits, photography, a performance hall, and a beautiful, relaxing sculpture garden.
• All the great cities have famous parks, and Tel Aviv has Hayarkon park, also known as Ganei Yehoshua park. This jewel is nestled in the north of the city, and the Yarkon River runs through it. It’s a great place for a jog, a bike ride, or a picnic. Within the park, you’ll find a rock garden, a tropical garden, a petting zoo, and more.
• Shop like a local at Carmel Market, the largest and busiest in Tel Aviv. It specializes in fresh produce and clothing.

Tips and tricks for visiting Tel Aviv

When you visit a local market, expect to haggle for your purchases. Whether you’re picking out a new pair of sunglasses, a piece of jewelry or some fresh fruit for your lunch, try to get a better price than what they ask for. If you don’t, you will be judged a ‘freier’ (a sucker).

Every week, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, during the Jewish Sabbath, there is a general calming, even in secular Tel Aviv. Some businesses will close and public transport is limited.