Things to see in Tel Aviv

Tourist offices

Boardwalk Booking Center

Address: 46 Herbert Samuel Street, Marina, Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel: +972 3 516 6188.
Opening Hours:

Sun-Thu 0930-1830, Fri 0900-1400 (Apr-Oct); Sun-Thurs 0930-1730, Fri 0900-1300 (Nov-Mar).

www.visit-tel-aviv.com

The tourism association is a good place to go if you’re after leaflets and inspiration. The staff will happily point you towards the best things to do and can help with booking shows, hotels and restaurants as well.


Passes

The Tel Aviv City Break Booklet (www.visit-tel-aviv.com/en/Tel-Aviv-City-Break) is a free booklet of discount vouchers for numerous museums, attractions, entertainment venues, restaurants and shops within the city. You should download it online and have it stamped by your hotel at check-in. It must be validated on its first use.

Eretz Israel Museum

Charting 3,000 years of culture, the Eretz Israel Museum is a sprawling museum in the Ramat Aviv district showing everything from Jewish ceremonial art to a reconstructed flourmill. Many artefacts on show were found on this very site, and are today displayed in a dozen separate pavilions.

Opening Times: Mon-Wed 1000-1600, Thu 1000-2000, Fri 1000-1400, Sat 1000-1600.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: 2 Chaim Levanon Street, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, 69975, Israel
Telephone: +972 3 641 5244.
Independence Hall Museum

One of Tel Aviv's oldest buildings, Independence Hall was where the State of Israel was signed into being on 14 May 1948. Now a museum, it recalls the events that led to that day and offers a stirring history of Zionism. Among its displays are several fascinating photographs showing barren sand dunes being awarded to Jewish settlers and the United Nations voting to partition Palestine.

Opening Times: Sun-Thu 0900-1700, Fri 0900-1400.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: 16 Rothschild Boulevard, Nave Sha’anan, Tel Aviv, Israel
Telephone: +972 3 517 3942.
Website: eng.ihi.org.il
Old Jaffa

Although it’s mentioned in the Bible, today’s Jaffa was mainly built in the 19th century following a destructive raid by Napoleon. The Ottoman Clock Tower, a focal point for outdoor socialising, marks the entrance to the Old Town, while other notable attractions include the Mahmoudiya Mosque and Kedumim Square, which is dominated by St Peter's Monastery.

Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israel
Tayelet

This promenade runs along the Mediterranean coastline in Tel Aviv with clean sandy beaches on one side and skyscrapers on the other. The broadwalk is lined with street musicians, artists, plenty of shops and eateries which make for an enjoyable stroll any time of the year.

Opening Times:  24 hours
Admission Fees:  No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Tayelet, Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv Museum of Art

This world-class museum has been Israel's principal showcase for modern art since the 1930s. Originally housed in the home of the city's first mayor, today it occupies several buildings and a sculpture garden. The permanent collection includes works by Cézanne, Monet, Dali and Chagall, among others.

Opening Times: Mon 1000–1800, Tue 1000-2100, Wed 1000–1800, Thu 1000-2100, Fri 1000–1400, Sat 1000–1800.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: 27 Shaul Hamelech Boulevard, Mahane Rabin, Tel Aviv, 61332012, Israel
Telephone: +972 3 607 7020.
Beit Ha'lr

This is the place to learn about Tel Aviv's remarkable history from a sandy shore with a few huts to now a global city. Originally built as the Town Hall in 1924, it has been lovingly restored and now a key landmark. As part of The White City of Tel Aviv, it was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2003.

Admission Fees:  Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes
Address: Bialik St 27, Tel Aviv, Israel
Telephone: +972 3 724 0311
Beth Hatfutsot (Museum of the Jewish People)

The Museum of the Jewish People is devoted to Jewish history, migration and cultural diversity. It starts in 70 CE and runs all the way up to the modern day. Spread over six floors, it also includes a fascinating section on music featuring the rousing songs of Zionist pioneers.

Opening Times: Mon-Wed 1000-1900, Thu 1000-2230, Fri 0900-1400, Sat 1000-1500
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: 15 Klausner Street, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, 6139202, Israel
Telephone: +972 3 745 7800.
Website: www.bh.org.il
Neve Tzedek

This bohemian neighbourhood hosts a plethora of design shops, fashion boutiques and trendy bistros and restaurants. It’s also Tel Aviv’s cultural district home to institutions like the Frederic Mann Auditorium, Helena Rubinstein Art Museum and Israel’s famous Habima Theater.

Opening Times:  24 hours
Admission Fees:  No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv, Israel
Azrieli Observatory

For a phenomenal view over Tel Aviv, take the high-speed lift to the 49th floor observatory of the Azrieli Center. On a clear day, it is possible to see Jerusalem in one direction and Haifa in another. It also houses a huge shopping mall and a cinema with eight screens.

Opening Times: Every day 09300-1800 (winter); Sat-Thur 0930-2000, Fri 0930-1800 (summer).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: 132 Derech Menachem Begin Road, Mahane Rabin, Tel Aviv, 6701101, Israel
Telephone: +972 3 608 1990
Haganah Museum

This museum tracks Israel’s struggles and wars through the Haganah, the Zionist defence militia that became the Israel Defence Force. Located in the former home of Eliyahu Golomb, one of the Haganah founders, it uses multimedia to follow Itzik, a fictional character who moves from a European ghetto to Palestine, eventually becoming an Israeli hero.

Opening Times: Sun-Thu 0830-1600.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: 23 Rothschild Blvd, Tel Aviv, Israel
Telephone: +972 3 560 8624.
HaTachana

This historic train station, which was once a stop on the route between Jaffa to Jerusalem, has been completely renovated since going out of service. Today it houses a mixture of shops, restaurants and exhibition spaces, many of which stay open well into the evening. Expect to see some lovingly restored railway carriages too.

Opening Times: Sat-Thu 1000-2200, Fri 1000-1700.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Hamered Street, Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv, Israel
Helena Rubinstein Pavilion

Founded in 1959, the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion forms part of a cultural complex that is home to the renowned Habima Theater and Bronfman Auditorium. One of the best places to see contemporary art in the city, the focus here is on local talent, though the upper floor also has an impressive collection of Meissen china.

Opening Times: Mon, Wed, Sat 1000–1800, Tue, Thu 1000–2100, Fri 1000–1400.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: 6 Tarsat Boluevard, Mahane Rabin, Tel Aviv, 64283, Israel
Telephone: +972 3 528 7196.
Old Tel Aviv Port

Closed in 1965 after business was transferred to Ashdod further up the coast, Old Tel Aviv Port is now a post-industrial paradise packed with cool bars and restaurants, as well as an excellent market. The latter is distinctly artisan in style (and expensive as a result), but still a fascinating place for a wander.

Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Nemal Tel Aviv Street, Kohav Hatsafon, Tel Aviv, Israel
Ramat Gan Safari Park

A fun experience for young and old just outside Tel Aviv, this Zoological Center is home to the largest collection of wildlife in the Middle East that's under human care. Observe lions, hippos and white rhinos up-close from the comfort of your car as you drive through an African safari area. The comploex also includes a modern outdoor zoo.

Opening Times: Sun-Thu 0900-1630, Sat and holidays 0830-1630 (Nov-Feb) Sun-Thu 0900-1730, Sat and holidays 0830-1730 (March) Sun-Thurs, Sat and holidays 0900-1800 (April, September) Sun-Thurs, Sat and holidays 0900-1900 (May-July) Sun-Thurs, Sat and holidays 0900-1930 (August) Sun-Thurs, Sat and holidays 0900-1700 (October) Fri 0900-1400 (all year)
Admission Fees:  Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address: Bernstein Street, Ramat Gan, 5225300, Israel
Telephone: +972 3 632 0222
Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.