Tel Aviv Museum of Art
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art has hosted the country's leading
exhibition of modern art since its inception in 1932. It also has
one of the best collections of Israeli art in the world.
Art lovers will enjoy the museum's permanent collection of
European and American art, which features prominent Impressionist
and Post-Impressionist paintings by Chagall, Dali, Cezanne, Vincent
van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, and Monet, among others. Regarding the
scope of its inventory, the museum showcases many mediums,
including paint, sculpture, print, photography, film, design and
architecture.
All in all, the institution aims to be a cultural hub in Tel
Aviv and offers an active program of changing exhibitions. Visitors
can look forward to exciting cultural programs such as music and
dance performances, cinema screenings and public lectures.
Address:
27 Shaul Hamelech Boulevard
Transport:
Bus 9,18, 28, 70, 90 or 111
Opening time:
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday: 10am-6pm Tuesday and
Thursday: 10am-9pm Friday: 10am-2pm Closed Sundays.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
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Eretz Israel Museum (The Land of Israel Museum)
The Eretz Israel Museum's unique layout and character make it
more like a park than a standalone establishment. It is clustered
around the ancient mound of the Tel Kasile, where ongoing
archaeological excavations are in progress.
The museum consists of various pavilions, each displaying
different cultural artefacts and collections. Visitors can purchase
a map to help them navigate through this fascinating campus, which
covers 3,000 years of history, culture and art relating to Israel.
The permanent exhibits include displays on ethnography and
folklore, ceramics, copper, coins, crafts, agriculture, domestic
life, and many aspects of social and political history.
The exhibitions are not all equally impressive and some are
better organised than others. Still, there are plenty of treasures
to be discovered. There are also temporary exhibitions that change
on a regular basis. All exhibits are accessible for the disabled.
Photography is permitted but only for private, non-commercial use.
Flashes and tripods are not allowed.
A special museum shop at the entrance sells clothes, jewellery
and all sorts of souvenirs created by talented Israeli designers.
Visitors can also buy a wide range of replicas. There is a cafe for
refreshments and the Planetarium is right next door - it is
possible to buy combined tickets. The air conditioning is a big
bonus on hot days.
Address:
2 Haim Levanon Street, Ramat Aviv.
Opening time:
Monday to Wednesday: 10am-4pm Thursday: 10am-8pm
Friday: 10am-2pm Saturday: 10am-4pm Closed Sundays
Eretz Israel Museum
Yair Talmor
Museum of the Jewish Diaspora (Beit Hatfutsot)
The museum conveys the Jewish people's story, beginning with
their expulsion from Israel at Roman hands, and leading to their
return. Multi-storey displays and exhibitions show a diverse range
of Jewish communities, and the common cultural and religious links
that have bound them.
Visitors can engage with murals, reconstructions, dioramas,
audio-visual displays, documentary films and interactive
multimedia. Also, the Jewish Music Centre has thousands of
recordings of Jewish music. Visitors will find traditional fare,
music of communities that didn't survive the Holocaust, as well as
works by Jewish composers.
The genealogy centre holds thousands of records from around the
world, and allows visitors to explore their ancestry. It also
welcomes them to register their own family trees.
Address:
Tel Aviv University Campus, Klausner Street, Ramat
Aviv
Opening time:
Sunday to Wednesday: 10am-7pm Thursday: 10am-10.30pm
Friday: 9am-2pm Saturday: 10am-3pm Closed Sundays and Jewish
holidays.
Museum of Jewish Diaspora
Sodabottle
Carmel Market
The Carmel Market (Shuk Ha'Carmel) will enthral all visitors to
Tel Aviv with its bustling atmosphere and fine selection of goods
and produce. It's located on the 'trendy side' of town (just off
Allenby Street), and is essentially a long alley, jam-packed with
shoppers and vendors loudly advertising their wares.
Although shoppers can buy almost anything at the Carmel Market
and usually at better prices than elsewhere in the city, the real
attraction is its mouth-watering array of fresh produce. Visitors
can shop for the freshest fruit and vegetables, cheeses and baked
goods, while soaking up the typically Middle Eastern market
atmosphere. The market is frequented by locals and is not designed
for tourists, which makes the experience feel exciting and
authentic. Many of the vendors will allow shoppers to taste
unfamiliar fruits and vegetables. Bargaining is part of the
culture.
The Carmel Market operates every day of the week except
Saturday. Friday mornings are the busiest and, consequently, best
time to experience the place's full impact.
Address:
Near the Hatachana Complex and Allenby Street.
Carmel Market
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Beaches
Given that the city's entire western edge is a gorgeous strip of
Mediterranean coastline, it's unsurprising that beach visits are
among Tel Aviv's most popular tourist activities. The city is
blessed with almost year-round sunny weather and warm sea
temperatures. Most of its beaches are free and boast decent
facilities such as toilets, showers, deck chairs and umbrellas.
The coastline is divided into about ten beaches, all of which
have their own appeal. Hilton Beach is best for swimming, while
Gordon Beach is popular with tourists and has some good bars and
cafes. Backpackers and bohemian types tend to enjoy Drum Beach
(where there are frequent evening drumming sessions), and gay
travellers will feel especially at home at Atzmaut Beach.
For surfers, Hilton Beach South has some terrific waves. Dog
walkers should head to Hilton Beach North. Givat Aliya Beach's calm
waters, shallow ocean pool and children's playground make it a
great stop for kids. Those who prefer a quieter, less crowded
beaches should try Trumpeldor, though it doesn't have lifeguards or
much in the way of facilities.
A Tel Aviv beach
Chris Yunker
Tel Aviv's climate is dry-summer, subtropical, with hot summers
and mild winters. Although it is close to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv has
quite a different climate because it is not as highly elevated,
making it hotter and more humid. The average summer temperature in
Tel Aviv is 77°F (25°C), and the average winter temperature is 57°F
(14°C).
November to April is the wet season, and humidity tends to be
high year round. In winter rainfall comes in the form of heavy
showers and thunderstorms; snow is extremely rare in Tel Aviv.
Although summer is the hottest season, Tel Aviv can experience
severe heat waves in spring. The city gets plenty of sun, even in
winter. July and August are the busiest tourist months in Tel Aviv.
October is when Israelis tend to take vacations, so at this time
prices will also go up and finding accommodation may be more
difficult. The best time to visit Tel Aviv is in March and April or
September.
Ben-Gurion International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 16 miles (26km) southeast of Tel
Aviv, and 37 miles (59km) northwest of Jerusalem.
Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the end of March to the end of
October)
Transfer Between Terminals:
A free shuttle service operates between the two terminals at
15-minute intervals.
Getting to the city:
Trains are the best option for getting into Tel Aviv; they're
clean, fast and cheap. Trains run from Level S of Terminal 3 to Tel
Aviv Savidor Station and a trip into town takes around 20 minutes.
Passengers arriving after midnight will have to wait until 3am for
the first train of the day. Buses run from the nearby Airport City
rather than the airport itself. Passengers can take the free Egged
5 Shuttle from the second floor of arrivals to Airport City.
Car Rental:
Avis, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty, Eldan, Hertz and Sixt have
facilities at the airport.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis usually wait outside the arrivals hall. The trip into town
is 16 miles (26km). There is an added fare surcharge at night, on
Jewish holidays and the Sabbath.
Facilities:
Airport facilities include currency exchange, ATMs,
banks, a post office, luggage storage, business facilities and VIP
lounges, information desks, two synagogues, medical clinics, a
police station, a VAT refund desk, special-needs-assistance
services, a playroom and a mother-and-child room. There are also
myriad shopping and dining options.
Parking
The area directly in front of the terminals is reserved for
pick-up and drop-offs only. Short-term parking is available in the
parking lot in front of Terminal 3. Rates for short-stay parking
start at ILS 18 for the first hour, and go up by ILS 4 every
fifteen minutes thereafter. The maximum daily rate is ILS 90.
Long-term parking is available opposite Terminal 3. A shuttle bus
runs from this parking lot to the terminal at 15-minute intervals.
Long-stay rates are ILS 80 per day.
Tel Aviv is the irrepressible social hub of Israel, and has a
great selection of trendy bars, grinding clubs and pubs with enough
loud music, dancing and merriment to keep any party person happy.
The saying in Israel goes 'Haifa works, Jerusalem prays, Tel Aviv
plays', and this should give visitors some idea of what they're in
for.
During the summer months, many visitors kick things off with
sundowners at one of the many beach bars, such as the popular
Jerusalem Beach or Banana Beach. The nightlife in Tel Aviv doesn't
usually get going until around 11pm, so it's best to ease into the
swing of things by going out for dinner before hitting the bars and
clubs. Even on Friday nights during Shabbat, the locals go wild,
while Thursday nights are another big night out in Tel Aviv.
Clubs and bars are constantly changing, but the main areas stay
the same. Allenby Street is a good place to start, with more than
20 clubs centred round the small area offering house, disco, funk
and techno music. The Tel Aviv port and Rotschild Blvd areas are
popular too; while those looking for a gay scene should head to the
trendy Florentin district.
Expect traffic jams at 2am, as this city that never sleeps is
capable of keeping you up way past dawn.
The easiest way to get around Tel Aviv is on foot or by taxi.
Taxi mini-buses (sheruts) follow the same routes as the public
buses, often with more frequency, and are slightly cheaper on
weekdays. The bus system itself is extensive with a fixed fare in
the city centre. Taxi cabs are not of any particular make or model
car, but do have rooftop signs and are plentiful. Fares are metered
and more expensive at night.
Tel Aviv is known for its lovely Mediterranean beaches, hip
nightlife and colourful markets. The city does have an impressive
arts and culture scene too and some of the most rewarding and
popular attractions in Tel Aviv are museums. Using Tel Aviv as a
base, visitors also have some wonderful destinations on their
doorstep. The gorgeous holiday resort of Eilat on the Red Sea is
great for scuba diving and snorkelling. The ancient port city of
Jaffa, and the magical Underwater Observatory Marine Park are also
worthwhile.
Museum lovers are unlikely to run out of things to see and do in
Tel Aviv. Three of the city's best museums are the Tel Aviv Museum
of Art, an absolute must-see for art fanatics, the Museum of the
Jewish Diaspora (Beit Hatfutsot), which tracks the history of the
Jewish people all over the world, and the Eretz Israel Museum,
which is a kind of exhibition park with several different pavilions
housing their own distinct collections. Theatre lovers, should
attend a show at the Nalagaat Centre, which is renowned for its
performances and atmosphere.
For those keen to enjoy sun and sea, Tel Aviv's beaches won't
disappoint. Some favourites with tourists are Hilton Beach and
Gordon Beach. For those travelling in Tel Aviv with kids, Givat
Aliya Beach is wonderful. The old Tel Aviv port area is becoming
increasingly popular with tourists, combining the industry of the
harbour with cultural attractions and some good bars and
restaurants.
Jaffa
The historical port city of Jaffa is within walking distance of
Tel Aviv. Its inhabitants have included notable biblical figures,
and its name is said to come from Japhet, who was Noah's son.
Archaeological finds show that Jaffa existed as a port city
thousands of years ago, serving both Egyptian and Phoenician
sailors on their sea voyages.
The Old Town's entrance is marked by the Ottoman Clock Tower, a
prominent landmark and meeting point. From a visitor's perspective,
the area's main draw is its ancient and magical atmosphere.
Jaffa has, indeed, become a popular tourist attraction filled
with interesting shops, Mediterranean-style restaurants and
sun-drenched cafes. Visitors will find studios, galleries and
artist quarters, as well as shops specialising in Judaica and
archaeology. There are also some splendid markets, where vendors
expect to haggle. At night, the historical walls are illuminated,
revealing a beautiful, seaside architectural backdrop.
History lovers should visit the Jaffa Museum, which contains a
dazzling collection of artefacts.
Ottoman Clock Tower
Ian McKellar
Eilat
Eilat is a popular holiday resort located at the northern tip of
the Red Sea. Its wonderfully warm temperatures seldom drop below
70°F (21°C).
Many travellers visit Eilat to enjoy fantastic diving and
snorkelling opportunities in the Red Sea: one of the world's most
magnificent marine preserves. Brightly coloured coral fish, moray
eels and even manta rays can be seen, while landlubbers will enjoy
lazing on the beautiful beach and splashing in the shallows.
Swimming with bottlenose dolphins in their natural environment is
one of the resort's more popular activities.
Bird-watching is a lesser-known activity in Eilat. But given
that over one billion birds navigate between the Mediterranean
coast and the Jordan Mountains, the area is certainly a terrific
place to watch migratory flight.
The Timna Valley National Park is located just north of Eilat
and is a wonderful excursion for those wanting a day in the desert
on camel-back or in a jeep. More active travellers can enjoy hiking
in the desert mountains. The Red Canyon is a dramatic and beautiful
feature of the area and attracts many hikers. Children tend to
relish visiting the Hai Bar National Biblical Wildlife Reserve,
which is a kind of zoo that collects and protects endangered
animals mentioned in the Bible.
Transport:
The best way to travel is by plane from Tel Aviv;
otherwise, the journey time is approximately four hours by car from
either Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.
Eilat
Prince Roy
The Underwater Observatory Marine Park
The Underwater Observatory Marine Park lies just south of Eilat
and is conveniently close to Tel Aviv. Visitors can view a
fantastic range marine life in its gigantic, seawater aquarium.
Animals such as eels, sharks, turtles and stingrays are part of the
population, while the rare-fish aquarium is home to some exquisite
(and poisonous) fish.
The Red Sea is renowned for its colourful reefs and rich marine
life. The Marine Park's unique Underwater Observatories allow
visitors to really immerse themselves in this underwater world, and
see reefs and animals in their natural environment.
Visitors can also look forward to daily feedings, with shark
feedings typically drawing the most attention. All feedings are
accompanied by some information on the species and their eating
habits.
The Marine Park is a great stop for kids.
The Underwater Observatory Marine
Park
Israel Tourism