Take a break from the intensity of other places in Israel and enjoy a little rest and respite in Tel Aviv. Situated nicely along the Mediterranean, Tel Aviv flights land travellers on some the most beautiful beaches in the world. After a lazy day on the beach, head out for Tel Aviv nightlife, which some say could rival that of New York City or London. Tel Aviv is growing – both in population and in modernisation – at a very fast pace. Today, many travellers on Tel Aviv flights are heading for business meetings in the city’s financial centre, or stopping overnight before boarding additional flights to Israel’s other destinations.
Even though the city is relatively young (only 100 years in 2009) there are some very historical aspects of Tel Aviv. Take a tour of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art for its impressive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art; the Diaspora Museum (Beit Hatfutsot) tells the tale of Jewish history and welcomes millions of visitors year-round; and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cameri Theater to the New Israel Opera call Tel Aviv home. Today, Tel Aviv is also home to Jaffa, which dates back thousands of years.
Tel Aviv is home to hundreds of thousands of Jews, Muslims and Christians and continues to adapt to the ever-changing world with the addition of new technology, state-of-the-art buildings and five-star restaurants and shopping boutiques. Flights to Tel Aviv are a great starting point for travellers going on to experience other parts of Israel.
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Tel Aviv has mild winters, hot summers, and high humidity year-round. August is the hottest month with temperatures in the 30s (Celsius). January is the coolest month with average temperatures ranging from about 4 to the low teens.It rarely rains May through September. Even though November through March are rainy, many travellers prefer the cooler temperatures.
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Peak Season:
Tel Aviv is busy in July and August when Israelis take their holidays and head for the city. Not only are hotels and attractions crowded, some hotels add a surcharge to their rates.
Hotel prices are also very high during the Passover (early April) and Sukkoth (late September–early October) holidays. At the same time, services are curtailed and many Israelis go away for Passover. Hotel reservations for Passover need to be four months in advance and plane reservations six months to a year in advance.
Tel Aviv is also very crowded during school holidays.
Off Season:
May and early to mid-September are pleasant times to visit Tel Aviv.
If you prefer cool, rainy weather to dry heat, and less expensive hotels, November through March are a good time to visit.
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There are bus services to Jerusalem and Haifa departing every half hour, as well as services to Tel Aviv city centre and the seafront. Bus stops are situated in the airport central plaza. Taxis can be hired from authorised dispatchers at the taxi stand near the exit from gate 8, close to the airport reception hall. Sheruts, shared taxis, are about half the price of private taxis and therefore a good option. In Terminal 3 buses and taxis are located on level 2. A train service operates from Terminal 3 to Tel-Aviv, Haifa, Akko or Nahariya between 3am and midnight. For an automated information line regarding transport and parking at the airport dial (0)3 972 3388 (English)
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The easiest way to get around Tel Aviv is on foot or by taxi. Most attractions and sights are within walking distance of each other in the city’s centre. When you get tired, take a bus or taxi.
The bus system is extensive, but buses do not run on Saturday. The bus fare is the same throughout the city centre, and discounted ten-ride tickets and monthly passes are available.
Sheruts are minibuses that follow the same routes as the public buses. The sheruts seat about seven passengers and you can get on and off at any point along the route. They run more frequently than buses and on Saturdays for a higher fare.
Taxis are plentiful and can be hailed; just make sure that the driver turns on the meter. Taxi fares are higher at night.
Driving is not recommended unless you need the thrill of it. Local drivers are aggressive, the number of no-turn and no-U turn intersections can be frustrating, and many streets are accessible only to taxis and public transport during the day. Not all streets have signs, and not all signs are translated into English. Parking is a challenge as well, and illegally parked cars are booted or towed.
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- Tel Aviv was founded in 1909, the first Hebrew city of modern times. The “White City,” which is located between Allenby Street (south), Begin Road and Ibn Gvirol Street (east), the Yarkon River (north) and the Mediterranean Sea (west), was planned by Sir Patrick Geddes to compliment the climate and locals’ needs. There are about 4,000 buildings, all in the International Style or Bauhaus after the school in Germany where many of the architects studied.
- Old Jaffa is said to have been founded by one of Noah's sons, Japhet. It is built on a hill from which there are great views of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea. The lanes are named after the signs of the Zodiac and you’ll find charming art galleries, shops and cafes and restaurants there. The old port is a functioning fishing port, a nice place to soak up the old vibe of the city.
- The Tel-Aviv Museum of Art, on Shaul Ha'Melech Boulevard, houses collections of European Art from the 16th to the 19th centuries, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Art, Israeli Art and 20th century art works.
- The Eretz Israel Museum is in a beautiful park which contains Tell Qasile, an ancient Bibblical mound (dates back 3,000 years). The museum is multidisciplinary, telling the history of Israel through archaeology, ethnography, folklore, Judaica and cultural history as well as arts and crafts.
- The Diaspora Museum tells the story of the Jewish people over more than 2,000 years.
- Markets: the most famous market is the Nachlat Benyamin Pedestrian Mall, which takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays (between 10am and 5pm). The Flea Market and Carmel Market offer food items as well as clothes and gifts. The Bezalel Market is good for picking up clothes and shoes at bargain prices. For local delicacies, go to the Food Market of Dizengoff Centre, held on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings.
- The Azrieli Observatory is on the 49th floor of the tallest building in the Middle East – the Azrieli Centre. From the observatory it’s possible to see the city below as well as the coastline from Ashkelon to Hadera.
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