72 Hours in Tel Aviv
If there’s one place I plan to travel to regularly but never quite get around to it, it’s Tel Aviv. The "Capital of Mediterranean Cool," is a rebel among its neighbors in the Middle East – largely progressive, few religious undertones, and boasting an eclectic food and nightlife scene. When I decided to spend 10 days working from the Google Tel Aviv office, I knew this trip to Israel would be different. I dined and partied like a Tel Avivian with the mission to find the best of this vibrant city. Along the way, I also found a deep sense of homage, unlike any other place I’ve been to. Home is a difficult concept to describe. It's often a moving target, defined by factors that have little to do with tangible belongings and more to do with a feeling of belonging. "Aviv" translates to "Spring," a symbol of renewal. Ironically, my homecoming to Tel Aviv was exactly that - a period of inner restoration and discovery. Although my experience may have been deeply personal, I know for certain that the people, atmosphere, and falafel pita of Tel Aviv will warm your heart and make you feel right at home.
This is the best of Tel Aviv in 3 summer days, food comas expected.
Accommodations:
🛏️Budget: Airbnb, Abraham Hostel, Florentine Backpacker’s Hostel
🛏️Boutique: The Norman, Hotel Montefiore, The Vera
🛏️Luxury: The Sheraton, The Hilton, The Setai (Tel Aviv)
Transportation:
Tel Aviv is a small, walkable city, but the summer heat is unrelenting. Electric scooters have become a popular way of getting around and are particularly safe on the bike path by the boardwalk. Biking is also common. Taxis only take cash and can sometimes be difficult to find during busy hours. Uber is not legal in Tel Aviv, but Gett is a ride app that allows you to pay for taxis with a credit card.
Friday
The best day to explore the “shuk” or outdoor market in Tel Aviv is Friday morning, the first day of the weekend in Israel (Saturday is considered the traditional day of rest). Beginning on Allenby Street, take a walk through the market in Nachalat Binyamin, featuring crafts and jewelry from local artists in Israel. Walk a few blocks west towards the entrance of HaCarmel Market and sample the kanafeh, bourekas, hummus, and juices. Finish off the morning with a visit to the Yemenite Quarter (Kerem HaTeimanim) and a proper sit-down lunch at Shimon King of the Soups, a barebones restaurant making some of the best Yemenite food in the country. Continue walking west to the coast and head south on the boardwalk towards Jaffa (Yaffo). Walk around the port and promenade and stop by the flea market for traditional antiques and a taste of Arab-Israeli culture. End the day with dinner at the famed Ha’Achim (meaning “the brothers”) for authentic Israeli food in the Sarona neighborhood followed by Double Standard for a taste of Tel Aviv’s contemporary cocktail scene.
📍Nachalat Binyamin Market (Tuesday and Friday morning only)
📍Carmel Market (everyday except Saturday)
Amrani (nuts and dried fruits)
The Halva Kingdom
Tikva’s Fresh Juices
Hummus HaCarmel (inside a synagogue)
Haburika
The Druze Corner
📍Lunch: Shimon, the King of Soups
📍Jaffa
Jaffa Clock Tower
Flea Market (Shuk Hapishpishim)
Jaffa Port
Jaffa Promenade
Ilana Goor Museum
📍Dinner: Ha’Achim
📍Drinks: Double Standard
Saturday
Begin the morning with breakfast at Dallal in the historic neighborhood of Neve Tzedek. The bakery is perfectly situated on Shabazi Street, the most picturesque axis of Tel Aviv. After breakfast, continue the walk through Shabazi Street for boutique shopping and a gelato from Anita's. Walk back towards the shuk and grab lunch at M25, a carnivore's paradise full of fresh meats and an impressive crack pie to boot. No Saturday is complete in Tel Aviv without beach time and a game of matkot. Head to one of the beaches in the north for a more vibrant scene or lay low in one of the beaches in the south near Neve Tzedek. Finish the evening with a delicious meal at Kitchen Market in Tel Aviv Port or opt for delectable pre fixe at Popina in Neve Tzedek.
📍Breakfast: Dallal
📍Shabazi Street
📍Anita's Gelato
📍Lunch: M25
📍Gordon Beach
📍Dinner: Kitchen Market or Popina
📍Drinks: Sputnik
Sunday
Just when you think you can't eat anymore, you decide to devote an entire Sunday to experiencing the culinary genius of Eyal Shani. For breakfast, grab a freshly baked malawach at Saluf & Sons before heading to Levinsky Market in Florentin. Once you've worked up an appetite, grab a casual lunch at Miznon, Eyal Shani's claim to fame and questionably the best street food in Tel Aviv. Continue onward to Rabin Square and Dizengoff Center for an afternoon of shopping before heading to dinner at Port Said for a taste of Shani's casual hipster vibes or head to the more traditional North Abraxes, where all dishes are created anew each day based on ingredients offered in the nearby market. End the evening with sunset views at Veranda, the Caribbean-style bungalow bar overlooking Frishman Beach.
📍Breakfast: Saluf & Sons
📍Levinsky Market (Florentin)
📍Lunch: Miznon
📍Rabin Square
📍Dizengoff Center
📍Dinner: Port Said or North Abraxes
📍Drinks: Veranda
Optional day trips:
🚗Jerusalem: The capital of Israel and home to the world's holiest sites, best markets, and most unique architecture
🚗Akko: One of the oldest coastal cities in Israel, known for colorful Arab markets, Hummus Said, and Uri Buri
🚗Haifa: Home to UNESCO Bahai Gardens, gorgeous beaches, and Arab-Israeli dining
🚗Masada/Dead Sea/Ein Gedi: Serene sunsets at the Judean desert, nutrient-rich waters of the Dead Sea, and pristine nature in eastern Israel
