Tel Aviv

Introduction

Tel Aviv Beach

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Tel Aviv (Hebrew: תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ; Arabic: تل أبيب‎, Tal ʾAbīb) is a city along Israel's Mediterranean coastline with several facets. With every visit, you will get a different impression of this fascinating city. The city, the second largest in Israel, has a gamut of cultural creations, which testify to its rich heritage. There are theatres, opera halls, galleries and museums, which serve as windows to peek into the city's past. And, at the same time, Tel Aviv is modern too. On the ring road and Ayalon Freeway, you can see high-rising glass office towers. With its beaches and entertainment centres, the town makes for a satisfying visit.

Sights and Activities

Museums

• The Diaspora Museum begins with 2,500 years of Jewish life in the Diaspora, meaning the settling of Jews outside Israel.
• Eretz Israel Museum is a national museum presenting facets of Israeli life like folklore, ceramics, handicrafts, and coinage.
• Ilana Goor Museum in Jaffa is distinct with its romantic stone arches and high ceilings. The museum showcases sculptures in wood, stone, and metal.
• The Museum of Art houses impressionist collection and sculptures.
• The Independence Hall Museum commemorates the establishment of Israel.

Beaches

Tel Aviv Beach

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Tel Aviv is known for some of the country's best beaches. Its western border is contoured by Mediterranean sand, making kilometres-long beaches. The sunsets are spectacular to watch on these beaches. Tel Baruch Beach at Namir Road and Propes Street is popular among families, thanks to the lawns and boardwalk. Aviv Beach at Hayakon Street is frequented by singles. The beaches at Hatzuk and Herzliya charge entrance fees. Most beaches are equipped with public amenities, including bathrooms and changing rooms.

Aquatic Activities

With so many scenic beaches around, Tel Aviv has plenty of water sports opportunities. Some popular activities are boating, sailing, scuba diving, swimming and water skiing. One can charter a sailboat or a yacht with skipper of the boat. The divers must head for Dugit Diving Center. The place to go for swimming is Gordon Pool.

Events and Festivals

• Jaffa Nights - Jaffa Nights is a 4-day festival dedicated to the rich culture of Tel Aviv. During this festival, the alleys of Jaffa fill with thousands of visitors as they gather to view some of the latest-and-greatest in theater, music, art, and dance presentations. Each night has its own theme and program of events. Visitors can expect to see a variety of locally known and unknown artists coming out to entertain for this great event. This event is held every year in August.
• Yom Ha'atzmaut (Independence Day) - Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations mark the day in 1948 when Israel was founded as an independent state, and it is celebrated as Israel's independence day. Grand festivities are held on this day in both the public arenas and private homes. Children are often seen playing with toy hammers on this day, as hammers are a symbol of their country's freedom. This event is full of picnics, barbecues, drinks, and parties throughout the city, and there is a spectacular fireworks display in the evening that can be seen from many locations in Tel Aviv.
• Abu Gosh - The Abu-Gosh Festival is the leading and most important festival in the Israeli vocal music scene. The festival occurs twice a year - during the Spring and Fall (during Succoth and Shavuoth, respectively), and the festival lasts between 3-5 days each time. The festival features highly trained vocalists from around the world. For those that appreciate classical music and opera, this event is for you!
• Banana Beach Cinema - For one week every August, Banana Beach hosts a free cinema event to the public. The Banana Beach cafe hosts this event and plays popular classic movies for movie-goers right on the beachfront. Banana Beach is a highly loved beach by locals and tourists alike, and it is a beautiful backdrop to these evening showings.

Weather

Most suitable time to visit Tel Aviv is from November to March, though some days can be chilly, especially at night. Days are pleasantly warm, with around 18 °C to 25 °C From April to October, the weather is sunny but not unbearably hot. Humidity though is higher compared to areas more inland. Temperatures usually are between 28 °C and 34 °C during this period.

Getting There

By Plane

Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), 15 kilometres from Tel Aviv is the main gateway to Israel. El Al has flights to and from a number of European cities, including Amsterdam, Madrid, London, Frankfurt and Geneva and flights further away include those to Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Beijing. Dozens of other airlines (including several Israeli based) serve the country, mostly to Europe and the former Sovjetunion republics and to Cairo.

To/from the airport

• Rail: Israel Railways operates the Ben Gurion Airport Railway Station, which located in the lower level of Terminal 3. From this station passengers may head north-west to Tel Aviv, Haifa and other destinations in the north, or southeast to Modi'in. The journey to Tel Aviv Savidor Central Railway Station takes about 18 minutes The line to Haifa through Tel Aviv runs 24 hours a day.
• Bus: The airport is served by regular inter-city bus lines. Egged has a shuttle bus for passengers between the terminals and a small bus terminal in the Airport City industrial park where they can connect to regular Egged bus routes passing through the area.
• Car: The airport is located on Highway 1, the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway and has a total of 11,300 parking spaces, both for short as well as long-term parking. Rental cars and taxis, as well as shuttle vans are widely available at the airport.

By Train

Israel Railways provides trains to many places in Israel, including regular connections to Jerusalem in about 1.5 hours.

By Bus

Egged provides services from Tel Aviv troughout the country, including Haifa, Jerusalem and Eilat.

Sleep

Budget

Learn

• Tel Aviv University
• Overseas Students Program of Tel Aviv University

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

The Israel Post is the national postal service of Israel and generally has fast, reliable and affordable services. Efficiency means that letters and postcards send by airmail just take about 3-7 days within Europe, a few days more to the USA and Australia. Express Mail Services (EMS) is available, with which you are guaranteed to have the postcard or letter delivered within 72 hours anywhere in the world. You can buy stamps at post offices, or newspaper stands/kiosks or some souvenir shops and hotels. The main post offices are usually open from 8:00am to 6:00pm Sunday to Thursday and 8:00am to 2:00pm on Friday, though some might keep longer hours. Branch offices and post offices in smaller towns keep shorter hours, usually with a break from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and on Wednesday and Friday only during the morning. Parcels can be send by the regular post offices or with companies like TNT, UPS and DHL.

External Links

• Official Governmental Website
• Official Tourism Website