Tel Aviv

Table of Contents: Districts / Culture and History / Orientation / Travel to Tel Aviv, visa requirements Flights to Tel Aviv, airtickets By car Buses to Tel Aviv By train / Get around By bus 2 By train 2 By taxi / Tel Aviv attractions and sightseeing / City tours / Performing Arts / Sports / Shopping, Tel Aviv souvenirs / Markets / Malls / Shopping Streets / Books and music / Art.2C Craft.2C Judaica.2C Jewelry / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Tel Aviv nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Night Life / Must Party at / Caf.C3.A9s / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Budget / Mid-range / Splurge / Stay safe More from Israel: Amirim, Ashkelon, Beth Shean Valley, Bnei Brak, Carmel Range, Eilat, Ein Gedi, Haifa, Herzliya, Jerusalem, Masada, Megiddo, Modiin, Nazareth, Negev, Netanya, North Coast (Israel), Petach Tikva, Rehovot, Safed, Sea of Galilee, Tel Aviv, Upper Galilee More from Middle East: Bahrain, Dead Sea, Empty Quarter, Golan Heights, Holy Land, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Levant, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen More from Asia: Caucasus, Central Asia, East Asia, Middle East, Southeast Asia

Tel Aviv [1] (Hebrew: תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, Arabic: تَلْ أَبِيبْ يَافَا) is the second largest city in Israel. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, about 60 km north-west of Jerusalem and some 100 km south of Haifa. The official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo (תל אביב-יפו), and reflects the fact that the city has grown beside (and absorbed) the ancient port city of Yafo (English: Jaffa, Arabic: يافا Yafa), to the south of the new city centre, in addition to many other neighbouring cities.

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Districts

Tel Aviv is a rapidly growing city in the midst of an exciting transition from medium-sized urban center to bustling international metropolis. It's the city that many Israelis think of as their New York. While the comparison was once a stretch - and indeed Tel Aviv is still a fraction of New York's size - Tel Aviv's booming population, energy, edginess and 24-hour life give the city a cosmopolitan flair comparable to few other cities in this part of the world.

The heart of Tel Aviv is a more contained strip starting at Yafo in the south ending at the shores of the Yarqon river 5 km to the north. You'll find everything in walking distance, and most of the districts below too close to tell.

• Yafo — (Jaffa in English, Yaffa in Arabic) is one of the world's oldest ports. It was here that the prophet Jonah started the journey that left him in the belly of a whale and Andromeda was tied to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster, before later being saved by Perseus. It was also here where Peter the Apostle received a vision marking a significant ideological split between Judaism and Christianity (Acts 10).
• Neve Tzedek — the first neighborhood outside the walls of old Jaffa which is now a picturesque artists quarter and the location of the Suzanne Dellal Dance center.
• Kerem HaTeymanim — a densely populated neighborhood, older than Tel Aviv itself which was originally built by Jewish immigrants from Yemen. It is now situated right next to the Carmel Market.
• HaYarqon Street — a long street running alongside the coast, home to some of the leading hotels in the city, as well as the American and British embassies. Parallel to it is Ben-Yehuda street, famous for some of the best ice-cream parlors in Israel.
• Central ("Merkaz") Tel Aviv — the center of the city with many restaurants, cafe's, shops and small parks. Central Tel Aviv is the financial and cultural center of Israel. This part of the city is bordered by the Yarqon river to the north; the Central Bus Station and Florentine to the South; the Ayalon Highway to the east, and the sea to the west.
• Hatikva — another Yemenite quarter located in the South with lively shish kebab restaurants. Hatikva is home to the singer Ofra Haza and in the last decade, has become home to many immigrant workers from the around the world, as well as into the area of the Central Bus Station. The largest immigrant communities are from China, The Philippines and West African nations.
• Florentin — said to be the Lower East side of Tel Aviv, a mishmash of small industries and garages with hip and trendy stores, home to young families.
• Ramat Aviv — an upscale northern neighborhood, north of the Yarqon river, where the Tel Aviv University, Diaspora Museum, and Haaretz Museums are located.

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Culture and History

The smallish gulf of Jaffa has been the site of a fortified port town for at least 4000 years. During the 19th century the town’s population grew from about 2,500 (1806) to 17,000 (1886). The old city walls could no longer contain the population, and they were destroyed in the 1870s. New, more spacious neighborhoods started to appear.

Tel Aviv itself was founded in 1909 by a group of distinguished Jewish residents of Jaffa. They envisaged a European-style garden suburb, with wide streets and boulevards. Leaving Jaffa wasn’t, however, only a question of an upgrade in lifestyle. Moving out of the Arab-dominated town also represented their belief in the Jewish national movement, their belief in Zionism. Before being a city, Tel Aviv was one of the many titles of Herzel's Zionist utopia - The Old New Land book. Setting out with a grand vision, the 60 Tel Aviv founders have started out by building the first mid-eastern urban center with running waters, no small wonder at that parts of the world in 1909.

Tel Aviv grew steadily under Ottoman law until WWI. By the end of the war the British took over the holyland. An event the Jewish community saw as encouraging, while and the Muslim community viewed as a turn-for-the-worst from the previous Islamic ruler. In May 1921, an arab mob attacked a Jewish immigration center, killing dozens of Jews. Another group broke the windows stores in the Jewish street in Jaffa and a mob armed with knives and sticks have made his way towards Tel Aviv. Before 1921 most Jews worked and lived in Jaffa, after the attack thousands of the 16,000 Jews of Jaffa moved north to Tel Aviv. The suburb had become a city and within a decade, Tel Aviv had become the center of culture, commerce and light industry for the entire Jewish population of the country as well as the British soldiers. 1938 marked the opening of Tel Aviv port, an important milestone marking the end of its dependency on Jaffa. By this time, Tel Aviv was already the biggest city in the country, with 130,000 residents. After Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948, Jaffa became a district of Tel Aviv and the city's name was officially changed to Tel Aviv-Yafo.

Today, Tel Aviv-Yafo represents the heart of a thriving, small-scale Israeli metropolis - the greater metropolitan area comprises a number of separate municipalities with approximately 1.1 million people living in a 15 km long sprawl along the Mediterranean coast - with around 360,400 in Tel Aviv-Yafo itself making it the second largest city in Israel after Jerusalem. Bat Yam, Holon, Ramat Gan, Givatayim, Bnei-Brak, Petah Tikva, Rishon LeZion, Ramat Ha-Sharon and Herzliya are the other major cities in the coastal area commonly known as Gush Dan.

Whilst Jerusalem is Israel's capital city where most government departments are located, Tel Aviv and its satellite cities form the economic and cultural center. It is known as "the city that doesn't stop" and indeed you will find that the nightlife and culture are on around the clock. In summer it is not unusual to see the beach boardwalk bustling with people at 4am and the clubs and bars usually pick up around midnight until morning, giving Tel Aviv a well deserved reputation of being a party town. It is the pinnacle of secular life in Israel.

In July 2003 Tel Aviv-Yafo was declared a cultural UNESCO World Heritage site for the many "International" style (also known as Bauhaus after the German school it originated from) buildings built in the city during the 1930s-50s. As this style emphasized simplicity and the white color, Tel Aviv is also called the White City [2].

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Orientation

Tel Aviv lies alongside the Mediterranean coastline. With few exceptions, all points of interest for tourists are in a rectangle defined by the sea to the west, the Yarkon River to the north, the Ayalon highway to the east, and Shlomo (Salame) Road to the south. This rectangle is separated into two long strips by Ibn-Gvirol Street, starting from the Yarkon River and changing its name to Yehuda Halevy. Most of the attractions are in the western of these strips.

Tel Aviv developed from south to north. To the south-western corner of the rectangle you will find old Jaffa. To its north, the first Jewish neighborhood outside Jaffa, Neve Tzedek. To Neve Tzedek’s east, Florentin, a 1920s light-industry quarter turned ultra-chic; 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, a crowded but picturesque neighborhood dating to the early 20th century and 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.

Israeli's 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 rugged and eastern, albeit evermore trendy, urban feel.

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Travel to Tel Aviv, visa requirements

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Flights to Tel Aviv, airtickets

Israel's main entry point for the international traveller, the newly built Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion International Airport[3] (referred to as NATBAG by locals) is well connected to the city (as well as to the rest of the country). The airport comprises all the usual amenities expected from a first class airport and contains one of the world's largest duty-free shopping malls for an airport of its size. The City Center can be reached by train, bus, shared taxi or taxi from Ben Gurion.

By train: The airport train station is situated at the airport on Terminal 3 and is easily accessed. It offers good connection to many parts of the country, including the city of Tel Aviv, with a single-ride ticket to the city for only 12 NIS (roughly $2.7US). All tickets must be bought prior to entering the train station area. The train service operates from 04:45 to 00:00 on weekdays, although on weekends (starting Fridays late noon and ending Saturdays early evenings), it doesn't operate. Note: most stations are relatively suitable for the non-Hebrew speaker, nonetheless, passengers will often be glad to assist. For most travellers, HaShalom Station or Tel Aviv Centeral/Savidor would be the place to disembark.

By bus: Egged buses connect the airport to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and are good, reliable and cheap. Like the train, they don't run at night and on weekends. Busses information is found in the airport terminal.

By shared taxi: Locally known as Monit Sherut, the shared taxi is an easy way of travelling and is somewhat cheaper than a typical taxi. It should cost roughly 50 NIS (circa $12US) to take the Sherut to the city.

By taxi: Working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this is the most comfortable and of course, expensive way to reach the city center, with a typical ride price of around 100 NIS (circa $24US). If you travel with a friend or two, it can might be a good idea to share a taxi. It is not inappropriate to sit in the front seat, in taxis in Israel. It is obligatory 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 minutes, without heavy traffic. Be sure not to accept fix-priced rides with taxi drivers unless you're sure of what you are doing; you will always end up paying more than you could have had you asked to use the meter.

Tel Aviv has another airport, Sde Dov [4] (SDV). This is a primarily a domestic airport, with frequent flights to Eilat [5] (ETH) and Rosh Pina (Galilee) [6] (RPN).

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By car

Tel Aviv is the hub of the country's modern network of freeways. The city is easily accessible from Ben Gurion Airport via the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv freeway (freeway 1), Tel Aviv-Haifa freeway (freeway 2), as well as from Beer-Sheva and the southern parts of the country (freeways 4 and 20). Freeway number 6, often referred to as Cross-Israel Highway, is the country's only toll highway. Most freeways have a speed limit of 90km/h; however, it is not uncommon to drive around 110km/h when traffic conditions allow it. Nonetheless, avoid accelerating beyond 120km/h, as speed control cameras are quite common.

The city is divided west-east by the Ayalon Freeway (freeway 20), which 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, 7:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:00) and it is important to note that Israeli drivers are considered to be rather rude and aggressive in comparison to their Western European or North American counterparts, but, The Israeli roads are modern and easy to orientation (the signposting is in English, Hebrew and Arabic).

Israeli highway police are strict and speed limits and driving laws are strictly enforced. All in all, driving conditions in Israel are much better than in the rest of the Middle East.

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Buses to Tel Aviv

The New Central Bus Station in southern Tel Aviv ("Tahana Merkazit", officially the world's biggest bus station!) offers routes servicing virtually every settled location in Israel. It is located within a short walking distance of the HaHaganah Train Station. The building is more than a bit confusing, but head to the 6th floor for inter-city lines and ask for directions if necessary. Major destinations are also served from the more user-friendly Arlozorov terminal, by the Tel Aviv Central/Savidor Train Station. Most north-bound buses stop there as well.

The main inter-city bus operator from Tel Aviv is Egged, which operates, among many others, line 405 from Jerusalem to the new central bus station and 480 from Jerusalem to the "Arlozerov, Tel Aviv" train station (17.70 NIS), line 905 from Haifa, and line 390 from Eilat (65 NIS). Buses faithfully follows the Fourth Commandment ("Remember the Sabbath day"), stopping on Friday afternoon, and only resuming service Saturday after sunset. Minor services often do not resume until Sunday morning. Tickets can be bought from the driver, or from the ticket counters in the main stations. +972-3-6948888, or *2800 from any phone within the country, [7]. A daily bus service is also available to and from Amman through the King Hussein bridge. Call the operator (+972-4-6573984) for details.

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By train

Israel Railways +972-3-5774000, [8] operate train services within Israel. Train service have improved significantly during the last decade or so, and today they are a fast and comfortable alternative to buses for many destinations. Train services connect Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem to each other, as well as numerous smaller towns whilst a direct train line connects Tel Aviv to Ben-Gurion airport.

Note that the train ride to Jerusalem follows the 19th century path, and this scenic route is worth taking at least once, even though taking the bus on the modern highway takes half the time. Trains do tend to be crowded during rush hours, especially on Sunday morning, when soldiers return to their bases and students to their universities. Train service also stops on Friday afternoons, and resumes on Saturdays after sunset.

Tel Aviv has four train stations, all along the Ayalon highway. For best access to the city center, use either "Tel Aviv Merkaz" (a.k.a. "Arlozorov" and officially named "Savidor"), or "Hashalom". "Tel Aviv Ha-Hagana" Station is the closest one to the New Central Bus Station.

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Get around

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Buses to Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv has a modern, regular and widespread bus network run by a company called Dan [9]. A lot safer than the bad reputation it burdens, bus services start at 05:00 and stop at midnight, though some of the lines stop earlier, so do check. Single tickets within the city and the close suburbs are purchased on the bus itself at the driver, and cost 5.10 NIS, around $1.2US (as of June 2006). Daily free-pass called "Hofshi-Yomi" are also available, and cost less than the equivalent of three rides. Note that these are only available after 09:00. There are also monthly free-passes and 10-rides tickets available, and everything can be purchased either at the driver of any bus line, or at the New Central Bus Station.

The most popular bus route in the city is bus route number 5, which connects the Central Bus Station in the south with the Central Train Station in the center of the city. It goes through Rotschild Boulevards; Dizengof Street (Including the Dizengof Center Mall) and Weizman Street. It is also useful for getting to Ibn Gevirol Street. Another popular bus route is number 18, connecting the Central Train Station with the southern neighbourhoods of Jaffa and Bat-Yam. It also has a stop in Rabin Square.

Like almost all Israelis, the bus drivers in Tel Aviv speak and understand English very well, and in most cases will kindly answer questions about the destination of their bus.

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By train

The first light (partially underground) railway is scheduled to be operative in 2012 (but then again, plans for an underground are decades old, a campaign promise of every mayor in the passing 30 years). Anyway, in the meantime, either use your legs, bike or take a bus.

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By taxi

You can hail a taxi ("mo-NIT", מונית) in the street or call one (with extra surcharge). Taxis are obliged to give you a metered ride unless you settle for a price, so insist on the driver using 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 20-30NIS in the downtown core, and up to 70 or 80 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, when there is a surcharge. Plus, if you get stuck in Tel Aviv's notorious traffic, you won't sit there watching your money tick away. Hakastel taxi service, phone +972-3-6993322 or Shekem +972-3-5270404 (add 3.30 NIS charge for the call).

In addition to normal (called "special") taxis, there are 6-12 person van-sized taxis that supplement many bus routes ("sheh-ROOT"). This alternative is often faster, slightly cheaper, and more frequent than taking a bus, and they tend to end their routes slightly later. If requested, the driver may also deviate a bit from the its normal course to drop you off where you need to go.

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Tel Aviv attractions and sightseeing

Tel Aviv is a big place, and these listings are just some highlights of things that you really should see if you can during your visit. The complete listings are found on each individual district page alongside many more things to see in each district.

• Old Jaffa in Jaffa is a must see for any visitor to Tel Aviv
• Rabin Square in Tel Aviv is the biggest public square in Israel and site of PM Rabin's assassination in 1995.
• The Yarkon Park — the largest public park in Tel Aviv in Central Tel Aviv
• Eretz-Israel (Land of Israel) Museum in Ramat Aviv
• Beit HaTefutsot - Museum of the Diaspora, located in Tel Aviv University in Ramat Aviv
• Tel Aviv Museum of Art in Central Tel Aviv
• Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv also in Central Tel Aviv
• To see Tel Aviv from up above, head up to Azrieli Center Towers in Central Tel Aviv (a main centerpoint in the city), and for a mere $5.5 (US) you get a great view.
• There is also Dizengoff Square where there is a huge fountain with mixing fire and water. It is sometimes used for independence day alongside celebrations.

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City tours

Again, there's loads to do in Tel Aviv, and for the biggest selection, check out the individual district articles. These are some of the highlights.

• A visit to Tel Aviv isn't complete without a dip into its fantastic beach scene which is at its best in summer, especially during Friday afternoons as Shabbat comes in, when crowds of buff beachgoers converge to take in the Brazilian drums, the smell of barbecues, the thwock, thwock of "matkot" as the sun sets, but in early summer be careful as there are jellyfish sometimes, but if you ask the lifeguard he will probably tell you if there are any that day.
• A craft fair is held in the Nachalat Binyamin pedestrian zone in Central Tel Aviv

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Performing Arts

Tel Aviv has the widest selection of performing arts in Israel. Fans of classical music might enjoy Israel's Philharmonic Orchestra (http://www.ipo.co.il/) and the New Israel Opera (http://www.israel-opera.co.il/). The Barby (52, Kibutz Galuyot st., 03-5188123), and the Goldstar Zappa (24, Habarzel st., 03-6499550) present Israeli (and sometimes foreign) rock daily. Dance can be enjoyed in Suzanna Dellal Center in Neve Tzedek (http://www.suzannedellal.org.il/view_page.aspx?p=76). Theater is mostly performed in Hebrew, naturally, but English interpretation is available is some of the shows for extra-fees in Habima National Theater (03-6295555) and HaCameri Municipal Theater (http://www.cameri.co.il/eng/menu.asp).

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Sports

Tel Aviv is an excellent city for people who exercise on a regular basis. On any given day, tens of thousands of Tel Aviv residents go out jogging, cycling and walking in the Yarqon Park and on the beaches. There are also many fitness clubs spread across the city, some of which include swimming pools. If you are fond of swimming, it is best to visit the Tel Aviv beaches in the early morning, before they become crowded with locals and tourists.

Tel Aviv also is home to many official sports clubs, that compete in the national and continental levels. The local Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team is considered as one of the best basketball teams in Europe having won the European Championship five times in the last 30 years. Maccabi plays against leading teams from Europe every Thursday evening at the Nokia Sports Center. Tickets can be purchased any day of the week.

The most popular sport in Israel is soccer. There are three soccer teams from Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League: Hapoel, Maccabi, and "Bnei Yehuda" (Representing the Tikva district). Hapoel and Maccabi are considred as two of the best soccer teams in Israel. When one of the teams plays a home game in the Jaffa Stadium, thousands of fans arrive. The most popular sporting event during the year is the Derby match between the two. Watching a soccer game in Israel can be quite an attraction, but please note that often violence erupts among the large crowds attending.

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Shopping, Tel Aviv souvenirs

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Markets

• Hakarmel Market in Kerem HaTemanim — the city's biggest market, stretching south-west from Allenby st. The Allenby end is a clothing market. The other end is a food market, with emphasise on fruit and vegetable and a bloody side-alley for meat.
• Nahalat Binyamian crafts market near Neve Tsedeq — the pedestrian street at the northern end of Nahalat Binyamin, near Allenby st., becomes a good crafts on Tuesdays, Fridays and some holidays (10:00-17:00). Crafts are sold by the artisans themselves, sometimes even on the spot. In addition for being a good place for original souvenirs, the atmosphere is lively and colorful, especially on Fridays.
• Jaffa flea market in Jaffa — a good place for souvenirs and hippy-style clothing. Newly renovated. Haggle hard.
• Dizengoff Street in Central Tel Aviv — second-hand market\flea market is held every Tuesday afternoon (14:00-20:00) and Friday (08:00-17:00) by the Dizengoff square.
• Levinsky Market in Florentin — The best place in Tel Aviv to buy spices, dried fruits, and different kinds of legume. This small market is stretched along Levinsky street in southern Tel Aviv, between Har-Zion and Ha-Aliya streets, ten minutes of walking from the Central Bus Station.
• Hatikva Market in HaTiqva — A good place for Jewish-Iraqi cuisine, in the south-eastern "Hatikva" neighbourhood.

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Malls

Israel has the highest ratio of shopping mall sqm per capita, in the world. As malls are good places to catch some air-conditioning in the hot Israeli climate, they have quickly become a preferable place of entertainment for the locals. The variety is usually mid-range, mainstream, with both international and local brands.

• Azriely Center (aka HaShalom Mall) near Ayalon Highway - situated at the feet of the Azriely Towers and connected to HaShalom Train Station. This is the largest mall in the city and is often over crowded. Visitors can climb to the top of the mall for a nice free view of the city, or get to the observatory at the top of the Circular Tower (see in the "to do" section). There are very many stores in the mall, along with a large cinema.

• Dizengoff Center in Central Tel Aviv - On the corner of Dizengoff and King George streets, this large mall has, in addition to the usual selection, some specialty shops, such as musical instruments, stamps, hand-held devices, hobby etc.

• Ramat Aviv mall in Ramat Aviv - situated in the Ramat-Aviv neighborhood, walking distance from Tel Aviv University, this is slightly more upmarket than your usual mall, featuring, in addition to the usual brand selection, some designer shops.

• Gan Ha'ir mall in Central Tel Aviv - just off Rabin square, this is also an up-market oriented mini-mall.

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Shopping Streets

The air-conditioned malls threaten to destroy the concept of shopping streets, but some of the more special ones still survive. Sheinkin street is a good location for more bohemian clothing. The northern end of Dizengoff st. (mainly from Arlozerov st. and northwide) has many shops of Israeli designers. Kikar Hamedina is the place for general up market clothing, with focus on Italian and other imported fasion and the beautiful Nahlat Binyamin street .

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Books and music

The country's widespread Steimatzky and Zomet Sfarim chains are a good source for current books. Almost every shop has at least a small selection in English. Allenby st. has a number of second hand bookshops, most sell (and buy) English books. The Steimatzky shop in the opera tower, on the corner of Alenby and Herbert Samuel, has a good English selection and it's open on Saturday. In the same complex, Tower Records (also open on Saturday) is a good place for music. If you're into it, pirated cds and dvds are on sale in the Central Bus Station.

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Art, Craft, Judaica, Jewelry

Gordon street is famous for its art galleries. The best contemporary art gallery in Tel Aviv is Raw Art Gallery Raw Art Gallerywhich is located in the southern part of Tel Aviv - with free transporatation. 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.

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Good restaurants and cheap meals

This guide uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget	budget
Mid-range	midrange
Splurge	splurge

Tel Aviv has an amazing variety of restaurants for every taste. There are plenty of fast food restaurants, both international and well-known to every western tourist (such as McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Sbarro, etc.), and local which offer Israeli food. One can get a decent meal, including flafel or hummous (Try Mshawsha on Bugrashov st. and Abu Hasan in Yafo) on a every street corner, for less than 3$.

You can also eat a toast, sandwich or some other snack at one of the cafes around the city. Many fruit juice parlors are around.

Raphael, Orca and Messa consider to be Yafo's most elegant restaurants, serving gourmet and unique plates, inspired both by local and foreign cuisine.

Finally, Tel Aviv's ice cream parlors offer much more than basic flavors, as the taste buds are eclectic and strive for new flavors, such as Halva, poppy seed, and even a touch of alcoholic liqueurs in the ice cream (Try these places: Iceberg, Gelateria Siciliana, Dr. Lek and Aldo.

• Brasserie ,70 Iben Gvirol, acroos the st. from Itzhak rabin circle, Great Hamburgers and upscale dishes open 24h. Good fries too. and nice atmosphere.(http://www.telaviv4fun.com/bistro)
• Whitehall, 6 Mendele st. (opp. Dan Hotel), 03-5249282. Open every day 12pm-12am. The best Steakhouse in the city with great service. (www.white-hall.co.il)
• Mashawasha, 40 Pinsker st. (corner of Bugrashov), 03-6293796.
• Abu Hasan (Ali Quarwan), 14 Shivtey Yisrael st., Jaffa, 03-6828355. Open Sunday-Friday, 7:45-14:45 only.
• Raphael, 87 Hayarkon st. (Dan Hotel building), 03-5226464.
• Orca, 57 Nahalat Binyamin st., 03-5665505.
• Messa, 19 Haarbaa st., 03-6856859.
• Bar Gurion - Sandwiches street bar, on Ben Gurion Ave/Dizengoff St (http://www.telavivcity.com/bargurion)
• Knafe - Sderot Hen 52, very close to Rabin Square. A good plae for Middle-Eastern cuisine, have the traditional "Knafe" for dessert.
• Sub Coch Milega, 22 Ha-Mashbir Street (Florentin), 03-6813412 - Popular Indian restaurant. One of the best places in Tel Aviv for vegeterian people.

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Tel Aviv nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

The Tel Aviv club scene is comparable, if not superior, to those in most European capitals. Top international DJs regularly perform here, with clubs constantly vying to outdo each other with ever more extravagant parties. The biggest and newest club (mimicking New York's Roxy) 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. Beware: it is not unusual to find 23-and-over parties in a city where all 18 through 22-year-old males are serving in the army.

Rock clubs include Barbie Club, in Kibutz Galuyot Street, or the Zappa Club, in the northeastern neighbourhood of Ramat haChayal, among others, host concerts almost every night of the week. whilst billiards (Pool) clubs include Gypsy on Kikar Atarim (Atarim plaza), located in Hayarkon St.

The Lilinblum district offers chic and trendy bars, including some strictly for pick up: Mishmish, Shesek, Abraxas and others. Nahalat binyamin and Rothschild Blv. area also offers some trendy bars and lounges such as Betty Ford, Mecca, Brown and Shoshana Jhonson, Alcohol runs like water until the last customer leaves.

• Molly Bloom's Irish pub, 2 Mendele St. One of the best old fashioned pubs in the Tel Aviv area. The pub has a great atmosphere and reasonable prices, and is quite busy on weekends. Also, it's close to the hotels.

• The Gordon Inn, 17 Gordon St, is an intimate, Irish-oriented pub with a local crowd. It offers a calm atmosphere, mellow music and a pool table. There is a guesthouse next door by the same name.

• The Norma Jean at 23 Elifelet St, or its younger offspring The Norman at 8 Hillel Hazaken St are two of the places which currently serve beers from local micro-brewery "The Dancing Camel". Excellent choice for gastronomic tourists who like to taste local brews.

• Silon, 89 King George St, Neighborhood bar, warm atmosphere and kind service. Tel: (03) 6200053, Hours Sun-Thu 18:00-04:00, Fri-Sat 20:00-05:00.

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Night Life

• Allenby St - including The Goodbar, Joey's Bar, Temptation, Bloom Bar
• Tel Aviv seaport - check out Wisky a gogo, Erlich, Shalvta, Galina and more
• Dizengoff St
• King George St
• Lilienblum St - check out Nanuchka, Abracses, Mish Mish, Shesek and more
• Bograshov St
• Rothschild Blvd - western part

Note that parking is barely available in those parts of Tel Aviv; walk or take a taxi.

Tel Aviv Gay Scene

Tel Aviv is home to the leading gay community in Israel and all of the Middle-East, and is generally a very friendly city towards gay people.

The most popular gay bar in the city include the "Evita" on Yavneh street. Another popular place is "Minerva", a lesbian-affiliated bar in Allebny street. There are many gay clubs and parties. Some of which are running for several years already (Shirazi's FFF line, which is currently taking place in the 'HaOman 17' club. The electro 'PAG' line). Others are changing from time to time.

For more information check out [10].

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Must Party at

• Clara Mega Bar – very trendy open-air mega bar located on the southern part of the Tel Aviv beach, close to the David Intercontinental hotel. All wooden deck floor with a very long bar, multiple seating areas by the sea view, or all around this huge bar, and a great atmosphere makes this place a must visit during a stay in the city.

Also recommended is the Temptation Bar on Allenby Street that hosts live DJs every night and is open till 05:00 in the morning at least. Check out the home made liquors.

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Cafés

Tel Aviv boasts many cafés, which can be found everywhere in the city, offering aromatic Italian Espressos and Capuccinos (called "Hafuh", 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.

Bohemian 'Puah' (located in the Jaffa flea market) and Café Noah ,and Chic 'Le Central' (Rothschild av.) 'Tolaat Sfarim' (Rabin sq.) are recommended for their very distinctive and Israeli café-drinking experience.

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Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

Tel Aviv has a wide variety of accommodation options, from camping and backpacker hostels, right up to luxury 5-star hotels.

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Budget

• IYHA Tel Aviv (Israel Youth Hostel Association), 36 Bnei Dan St, PO Box 22078, Tel Aviv 62260, +972-3-5441748, Fax +972-3-5441030, [11], [12]. The hostel is located near Hayarkon Park, offering easy access - by foot or a short bus ride- to the city's main cultural and tourist attractions.

• Mugraby Hostel [13], 30 Allenby Street, +972-3-5102443 located in the heart of Tel Aviv about one minute's walk from the beach, double room from USD$40, dormitory USD$10.00.

• HaYarkon 48 Hostel 48 HaYarkon Street, +972-3-516 8989 - located in the heart of Tel Aviv about one minute's walk from the beach, double room from USD$42, dormitory USD$10.50 with good discounts for booking ahead

• No 1 Hostel, 4th floor, 84 Ben-Yehuda Street, +972-3-523 7807. Rates include breakfast.

• Gordon Inn, 17 Gordon Street (on the corner of Ben-Yehuda Street), +972-3-523 8239. A 31-room guest house with private, family and dormitory rooms, basically but comfortably furnished. Close to the beach and with its own great little bar, open late, with cold Guinness on tap.

• Dizengoff Suites Boutique Hotel 39 Gordon St. (Corner of Dizengoff) +972-3-5234363, Fax: +972-3-5273524, [14] [15]. Dizengoff Suites is a charming boutique hotel run by a family that is eager to make your Tel Aviv hotel stay a pleasant and enjoyable one. They know Tel Aviv Yafo inside out and speak English, French, Italian and Hebrew. The hotel offers a choice of 3 suites and accommodates business travellers who seek long term Tel Aviv hotel rentals. Wireless Internet is also available.

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Mid-range

• Hotel Cinema, 1 Zamenhoff Street, Tel Aviv (on the corner of Kikar Dizengoff / Dizengoff Square). Part of the Atlas hotel chain, the Hotel Cinema is a stylish, non-pretentious conersion of the former Esther Cinema, built in classic Bauhaus style in 1930 as one of the first cinemas in the then young city. Décor includes touches of cinema nostalgia, rooms well-appointed. Conveniently located right on Dizengoff Square in central Tel Aviv. Rates from USD$92 double room per night, breakfast included Reservation Page.

• KDA - Luxury studio apartments (5 stars) for short and long term rentals, 89 Dizengoff St (on the corner of Kikar Dizengoff / Dizengoff Square) +972-3-5241151, Fax: +972-3-5232614, [16] Centrally located for business and leisure, varied convention and meeting facilities. Online Reservation with instant confirmation. Overlooking the sea, close to Jaffa and Tel Aviv highlights.

• Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv, Hayarkon 145 Tel:+972 3-5390808 Reservation Page - reasonably priced hotel in an excellent location. The Hotel is on the bearch and a short walk from the heart of Tel Aviv.

• The Grand Beach Hotel, 250 Hayarkon St. (on the corner of Nordau and Hayarkon st) +972-3-5433333, Fax: +972-3-5466589, across the road from the Mediterranean and a series of excellent beaches. Nearby Tel Aviv's bustling centers and nightlife. Close by are the major highways that offer easy access to airports and anywhere else you want to be in Israel. Quiet setting.

• Vital Hotel Tel Aviv, Weizman 14 weizman center, Tel Aviv +972-3-7770000, Fax: +972-3-7770020. Vital hotel is a new luxurious boutique hotel, located at Weizmann center, in the heart of the cultural area of Tel Aviv. Adjacent to the "Opera House", the "Tel Aviv Museum", train station, Azriely center, walking distance from Dizengof center and more. For your convenience, an elevator connects the hotel with the new shopping center and cafes at Weizmann Center.

• Hotel de la Mer, 62 Hayarkon St., 36904, Tel Aviv +972-3-5100011 , Fax: +972-3-5167575. A boutiquehotel, created within an historic Bauhaus building on the famous Hayarkon Street. Overlooking the beach of the Mediterranean Sea and located in the heart of Tel Aviv. The Hotel’s ambience is characterized by the harmony with nature that is the fundamental element of the Chinese art of Feng Shui. From its entrance and public areas to the unique decor of the individual rooms, guests will relax in an atmosphere of carefully balanced color, light and art designed to assure maximum comfort. Hotel De La Mer website.

• Center Hotel, 2 Zamenhoff Street, Tel Aviv (on the corner of Kikar Dizengoff / Dizengoff Square). Part of the Atlas hotel chain, the Center Hotel is a completely renewed hotel. Housed in a historic Bauhaus building that has been renovated to preserve the special characteristics of the “White City“ architectural style. Rates from $70 double room per night, breakfast included Reservation Page.

• City Hotel, 9 Mapu Street, Tel Aviv, Tel: +972-3-5246253, Fax: + 972-3-5246250. Centrally located in the hotel tourism and business area of Hayarkon Street, near the Mediterranean beach of Tel Aviv, the City Hotel has a unique comfortable atmosphere with free parking and internet Wi-Fi access. Rates from $93 single room per night, breakfast included.City Hotel website.

• Mercure B&P Tel Aviv, 14 ben yehoda st. Tel-Aviv 63802, The hotel is situated in the center of Tel Aviv and offers spacious and contemporary 4 star accommodation. This makes it ideal for business and leisure travelers.Mercure B&P website.

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Splurge

• Hilton Tel Aviv [17], Independence Park, northern end of Ben Yehuda Street, +972-3-5202222, fax +972-3-5272711 - this is the first major 5-star international hotel in the city. It remains a preferable accommodation for the wealthy traveller.

• David Intercontinental Tel Aviv, 12 Kaufman Street, +972-3-7951111, fax +972-3-7951112, [18] [19], one of the newest and best luxury hotels in the city. Often the choice for celebrities and successful businessmen.

• Sheraton Tel Aviv, a high-class international chain hotel on the Yarkon street, overlooking the Mediterranean.

• Dan Tel Aviv Hotel 99 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63432, +972-3-5202552, Fax: +972-3-5480111, [20] [21]. Dan Tel Aviv Hotel centrally located for business and leisure, varied convention and meeting facilities. Online Reservation with instant confirmation. A member of the "Leading Hotels of the World".

• Dan Panorama Tel Aviv Hotel Charles Clore Park, Tel Aviv 68012, +972-3-5202552, Fax: +972-3-5480111, [22] [23]. Though not as centrally located as the others, it is still a good choice for both business and leisure, varied convention and meeting facilities. Online Reservation with instant confirmation. Overlooking the sea, close to Jaffa and Tel Aviv highlights.

• Center Hotel is a new boutique hotel that is located on Dizengoff Square in city of Tel Aviv-Yafo. Center Hotel is part of Atlas Hotels, a well-known hotel chain in Israel. In 2006, the historic Bauhaus building of the Center Hotel was renovated to preserve the special characteristics of "The White City" architectural style. There are 56 rooms in this new design hotel, all have a dash of life style with an historic and cultural connection to the "The White City".

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Stay safe

Tel Aviv remains a safe city to visit. 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 behaviour on the part of people around you; if in doubt, report it! The local police are generally very friendly and many of the law-enforcers can speak understandable English. Also be aware of pickpockets, like in every big city, mostly in HaCarmel Market, Nachlat Binyamin market, the old and new central bus stations, the beach promenade and all of Jaffa and the flea market area. Nevertheless, regular crime rates are much lower in Tel Aviv (and in all of Israel) than in most other cities of similar size.

Security control checks are necessary when entering shopping malls, markets (maybe sometimes only), the central bus station, and most hotels, cafes and restaurant. You are frequently requested to let the guards look into your bag - this is the common procedure for everyone (but many times males checked, or checked more[with the hand scanner]).), tourists and Israeli's alike so don't resist it. It is best not to find it offensive or intrusive, and unless you carry a pistol, this check shouldn't take more than half a minute and end with a smile and a green light. It is also best advised to carry some sort of identification documents on you at all times. It is both the law (for citizens as well as tourists) and it is also not uncommon to be denied access to places with an age restriction without one.

As buses are the best (some might say the only) way to tour the city, it is advised not to think twice before using them. Despite their reputation as "terrorism targets", the city buses remain a very safe way to travel, where reality is far different than the image most tourists would have on them. They are safe at all times of day and night, frequent, cheap, reliable and easy to handle. You can always approach the driver with any relevant question and the passengers are usually keen to assist tourists.

Though not really dangerous for tourists, it would be best advised to avoid walking parks alone at night, or visiting the southern neighbourhoods (south of Eilat Street) after dark. If necessary, a companion would be a good idea.

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 medusa in Hebrew, medusot is plural). Remember that during the months of winter, though the weather may allow a bathe, the lifeguard service is inactive. (official bathing season begin on April 18th and ends late in October)

This is a guide article. It has a variety of good, quality information including hotels, restaurants, attractions, arrival and departure info. Plunge forward and help us make it a star!

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