Tel Aviv is a beautiful coastal city with culture and historical relevance steeped into every corner. To pass on an opportunity to see this one in a world city would be a big mistake. But the features that make Tel Aviv a remarkable place to visit are woefully under-reported and under-appreciated. Take a look at the many, many reasons we think this Israeli city would make for the perfect choice for your next vacation.
The beaches
The brilliance of Tel Aviv is that it is the best of both worlds. If you’re looking at holiday packages and you’re looking for museums and clubs but also beach and peace, you’re not likely to come across a lot of places that fulfill both needs. Tel Aviv can. With its coastal location, there are various natural wonders to enjoy, but also the artistic wonders that are all over museums, art galleries, and walls of the city in street art.
There are lots of beaches in Tel Aviv, each with their own distinctive personalities. The Banana Beach lives up to its name with a number of foodie options that range from street food, breakfast and brunch cafés, and more. Waffles on the beach? Why not? Bograshov Beach is known for attracting locals and foreigners alike, including a substantial French population. And other beaches offer snorkelling and scuba, cave wandering, and other water sports if you fancy giving yourself more than a tan.
The culture
If you’re looking for accommodations in Tel Aviv, your cup runneth over. Tel Aviv is a great place to take day tours and see exciting stuff but it also is a place for a luxurious weekend away or midweek short break; there is an eclectic mix of hotels that range from community-driven hostels to exquisite spas.
What are some of these exciting day tours? Well, you can take a trip to see the runes of Nazareth, visit the Dead Sea, or head to Jerusalem or Bethlehem and take in the obvious historical relevance there. All are a quick drive away. But if you want to stay at home, you can take a tour of the Tel Aviv street art, visit the Joseph Bau House Museum, and wander the Carmel Market. But nothing beats the Jaffa Old City, which connects the north and south in its own cosmopolitan hub full of high quality shops and restaurants.
The food
Speaking of restaurants, they can be overrated. To really get the feeling of indulging in Tel Aviv, you can’t go wrong with the street vendors. For the most authentic experience, visit the nearby markets to sample some grab and go pitas complete with kebab, chicken, sausage or spicy veal heart. Or try some falafel, or Arepa’s take on tacos with corn maize “pockets” of pulled beef, avocado, cheese and black beans. And you can’t go wrong with a slice of cheesecake for dessert.
But if you’re more interested in getting your beak wet, you can look into a wide range of gorgeous beers, including the popular Goldstar Beer, or try something stronger like the clear, liquorice-flavoured Arak liquor, which is sure to make your head spin.