48 hours in Tel Aviv – Weekend Edition
Tel Aviv In Less Than 48 Words
As the country’s financial, cultural and artistic capital, Tel Aviv pulses with the energy of a truly cosmopolitan city. A certified partying hub, TA takes pride in its cuisine, nightlife, and Hebrew culture. It is the second-largest city in Israel and lies 80 kilometers from historic Jerusalem.
Tel Aviv shores (Photo by BernieCB)
First 24 Hours
Arrive to the happening city of Tel Aviv via the Ben Gurion International Airport, the country’s main hub for international arrivals. It is located 20 kilometers southeast of the city center. From there, you can ride a train from the terminal, which will take you to the main Tel Aviv Savidor-Merkaz station. The tickets will set you back around NIS13.50. After arriving at the station, you can take Bus 10 straight to the city center, and will cost you NIS5.20. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi at the airport terminal directly to the city center, although this will cost you upwards of NIS90.
Tel Aviv means “Spring Hill,” and sprung up initially as an overflow from the former trading hub Jaffa. To learn more about the city and transportation, you can visit its tourist information bureaus. One is at the City Hall lobby (69 Ibn Gvirol Street; (+972 3) 521-8500). It is open from Sundays to Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The other is at 46 Herbert Samuel Street (00 972 3516 6188, website), which opens Sundays to Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Tel Aviv’s hotel and accommodations
The complete facilities found in Best Western Regency Suites' rooms. (Photo from the hotel's website)
Once in the heart of the city, you can rest your tired mind and body at Tel Aviv’s excellent hotel and accommodations. One of the best in the city is the Best Western Regency Suites (80 Hayarkon Street|P.O. Box 3218, Tel Aviv 63432; +972 35173939; website), which offers spacious rooms with good views at value prices, as well as excellent service.
If you’ve got money to burn, check out the Alexander Suites Hotel (3 Havakuk Ha – Navi, Tel Aviv 63505; +972-3-5452222; website), which has luxurious amenities in an ideal location near a beach. A nice alternative is the Art Plus Hotel (35 Ben Yehuda Street, Tel Aviv 63807, (972)35425555, website), an interestingly designed boutique hotel located near the city center.
FRISHMAN BEACH: Go on a beach trip
Frishman Beach is a popular city beach, located by the end of the Frishman Street. Go for a swim, bake in the sun, indulge in water sporting and beach volleyball there. You will have to pay attention to the various swimming flags posted on its waters. A white flag means that the water is safe, red means the area is dangerous and is only for the experienced, and black is a cue for you to stay away from that part. You can also find an eatery there, SoFrishman, where you can go for a little snack. One of the highlights is standing on the beach promenade and taking in the views of the Mediterranean and the sunset.
ROTHSCHILD BOULEVARD: Let’s take a cultural hike
One of the main tourist attractions in Tel Aviv is the Rothschild Boulevard. It is also one of the busiest and most expensive thoroughfares in the city. The street begins from the southwestern edge of the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, and runs all the way to the Habima Theater.
A uniquely designed carriage parked along Rothschild Boulevard. (Photo by Sagoe/n0nick)
You can see in the historic street the Independence Hall. Originally called the Dizengoff House, it is known for bearing witness to the signing of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. It functions today as a museum where you can see exhibits about the event and the city’s history. It is open Sundays to Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and admission will set you back roughly NIS38.
The boulevard also passes by another of Tel Aviv’s tourist attractions, the so-called White City. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is made up of a collection of more than 4,000 buildings built in the Bauhaus or International style. The place got its name from the white paint of the structures, intended to reflect heat. It is a great location to admire unique architecture, as well as unwind and meet people.
Rothschild ends near the Habima Theater (Tel-Aviv 61001; 03-5266666; website). It is Israel’s national theater, and was one of the first Hebrew language theaters. Various local and international plays and other performances are staged. You can book tickets and reserve seats in advance by contacting its staff.
AZRIELI OBSERVATORY: Have a nice view
The Azrieli Center, where the round building's 49th floor offers panoramic views of Tel Aviv. (Photo from Google images)
Another popular venue for tourists is the Azrieli Observatory (132 Azrieli Center, Round Tower, 49th Floor, Petach Tikvah Road 67012 Tel Aviv). It is located on the 49th floor of the Azrieli Center’s Round Building, the highest building in the city. The site offers a breathtaking view of Tel Aviv, nearby cities, the Mediterranean, and Jaffa. It also offers 3D films about the city, as well as audio recordings that describe the major landmarks that you will see up there. A gift shop, a restaurant, and an art gallery are also located near the observatory. The site is open daily between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
DINNER TIME: Dine in style
A perfect way to relax after sightseeing is by recharging at the superb restaurants all over the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at the Catit (Heichal Ha-talmud 4, Tel Aviv 111; 03-5107001; website), a certified favorite among tourists. It offers excellent service, delicious dishes, and a great wine selection. Indulge in the Asian cuisine at the Giraffe Noodle Bar (49 Ibn Gvirol Street; +972 3 691 6294), which serves up Thai and Chinese noodle dishes.
Another ideal eating venue is the Whitehall Steak House (6 Mendele Street, +972 3 524 9282; website). It is a spacious restaurant serving tenderly prepared meats, such as the Arugula Steak, Carpaccio, and Hungarian goulash.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in Tel Aviv can be used to discover the city’s other touristy attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is the Tel Aviv Museum of Art (27 Sha’ul Ha-Melekh Boulevard 64329, 607702, website). It is one of the largest museums in the city, housing the best of Israeli and Jewish fine arts, as well as works of Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh, and Monet. A sculpture garden and a youth wing are two of the features of the museum. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. during Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
"Jews Praying in the Synagogue on Yom Kippur," an 1878 painting by Maurycy Gottlieb displayed in the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. (Photo by Jim Trodel)
CINEMATHEQUE: Go watch some movies
You can take a trip to the Tel Aviv Cinematheque (2 Sprinzak Street, Tel Aviv 61203, +972 3 691 7181) as well. It is a popular theater in the city, and has been in operation since 1973. The site offers two screens: one for film premieres, and the other for mainstream artistic films. The theater offers a select theme every month, be it a month for French cinema, British films, and others. It also hosts major cinema events such as the Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival and the DocAviv. The site is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight on Fridays, and 12 pm to 12 a.m. on Saturdays.
MUSEUM OF THE JEWISH DIASPORA: Jewish remembrance
Tourists make it a point to see the Beit Hatfutsot, also known as the Nahum Goldmann Museum of the Jewish Diaspora (Tel Aviv University Campus, Klausner Street 61392; 972 3 7457808; website). It started operations back in 1978, and is widely recognized as among the most innovative museums on the planet.
The Museum of Jewish Diaspora, an institution that provides complete exhibits on the Jewish people's history and culture. (Photo from Google images)
Inside, you will find complete exhibits on the Jewish people’s 4,000-year history, with guided tours helping visitors navigate the museum’s collection. The site uses audio visual displays and modern techniques to better convey their story. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays. Additionally, it is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Tel Aviv’s vibrant nightlife scene
Indulge in the vibrant nightlife culture afforded by Tel Aviv’s bars and clubs. One of the most popular is the Camelot Club (16 Shalom Aliechem,Tel Aviv; +972 3 629 8666). It is a live music club hosting the best of local talent and international performers, with music genres ranging from ethnic to the blues. Have a nice view of the sea in an open terrace while drinking a cocktail at Rivendel (Tel Aviv Port, 03-6023129). A nice alternative is the Café Noga (4 Pinsker Street,Tel Aviv, +972 3 629 6457), which is a pool hall and pub. It plays techno and ambient music, with a bar serving a wide range of cocktails.
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