Tel Aviv is Israel’s Mediterranean heartbeat—sun-soaked beaches by day, a creative culinary scene by night, and layers of history anchored in the ancient port of Jaffa. Founded in 1909 as a garden suburb of Jaffa, the city quickly evolved into a modernist showcase, its Bauhaus-lined boulevards earning UNESCO World Heritage status as the “White City.” Today, it’s a dynamic blend of innovation, design, and effortless seaside living.

Beyond its skyline, Tel Aviv thrives in its markets and neighborhoods: the spice-laden Levinsky Market, fashionable Neve Tzedek, and the timeless alleys of Old Jaffa. Food is a full-contact sport here—hummus warm from the pot, flaky bourekas fresh from the ovens, and chef-led kitchens turning local produce into something electric. Add a beach boardwalk that runs for miles, and you have a compact city built for wandering and grazing.

Practical notes: Friday evening to Saturday night is Shabbat—public transport is limited and some businesses close, though Tel Aviv stays more open than elsewhere in Israel. Carry ID, dress modestly when visiting religious sites, and check current travel advisories and local updates. Pack for sun; the sea breeze and long promenades invite walking and biking year-round.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv pairs historic Jaffa with cutting-edge culture—think Bauhaus architecture, contemporary art, and a culinary scene that swings from street food to chef temples. The beach “tayelet” (boardwalk) threads it together: joggers, surfers, and sunset crowds all in one frame.

• Top sights: Jaffa Old City and Port, Neve Tzedek, Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the White City UNESCO area, Sarona, Carmel and Levinsky Markets, Gordon and Frishman Beaches.
• Standout dining: Hummus at Abu Hassan (Ali Karavan) in Jaffa; seafood and mezze across the port; contemporary Israeli plates at Port Said; Greek-Levantine joy at Ouzeria; wood-fired excellence at Shila; market-driven meat at M25 by Carmel Market; Yemenite comfort at Saluf & Sons.
• Coffee to seek out: Nahat Coffee on Dizengoff Square for single-origin pours; Cafelix (Yemenite Quarter/Jaffa) for roastery-fresh espresso; WayCup near Allenby for third-wave precision.
• Fun facts: Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus trove—over 4,000 buildings—arrived with architects trained in Europe in the 1930s. The city also hosts a major Pride parade and an all-hours food scene where “breakfast for dinner” at 24/7 spots is a beloved ritual.

Where to stay: For beachfront access and sunset views, aim near Gordon/Frishman. For café culture and boutiques, Neve Tzedek or around Dizengoff Square. Browse stays on VRBO Tel Aviv or compare hotels on Hotels.com Tel Aviv.

Getting to Tel Aviv (TLV): Find flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com (from Europe, 3–5 hours, often $150–$400 one-way in shoulder seasons; from NYC, 10–11 hours nonstop, frequently $600–$1,200 round-trip depending on dates). If you’re flying from within Europe, you can also compare options via Omio Flights.

Day 1: Jaffa Old City, Neve Tzedek, and a Sunset Stroll

Morning: Travel to Tel Aviv. On arrival at Ben Gurion (TLV), taxis to central Tel Aviv run ~25–40 minutes (typical 130–180 NIS plus night/Sat. surcharges). The train to Tel Aviv Savidor Center takes ~20 minutes (about 17 NIS), then a short taxi or scooter hop to your hotel. Prefer door-to-door? Book a private TLV airport transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, fuel up at Nahat Coffee with a flat white and buttery croissant by Dizengoff Square.

Afternoon: Settle in, then head south for Jaffa’s ancient lanes, the flea market, and Ottoman-era architecture. Join the Tel Aviv: Food & History Tour of Jaffa Old City & Flea Market to taste the neighborhood’s classics and understand its layered history.

Between bites, sample hot za’atar-laced breads at century-old Abulafia bakery and, if you’re hungry for a hummus “main,” grab a quick bowl at Abu Hassan (Ali Karavan)—silky, warm, and best with a squeeze of lemon and raw onion. Browse antiques and design studios in the flea market, then wander to the Jaffa Port for sea views and fishing boats.

Evening: Time your stroll for sunset along Alma Beach and the tayelet. For dinner in Jaffa: Puaa serves soulful stews, stuffed vegetables, and a stellar cauliflower with tahini in a space furnished with rescued antiques; or book Haj Kahil for Palestinian grilled meats, kebabs, and rice dishes in generous portions. Nightlife options include cocktails at the award-winning Imperial Cocktail Bar (classic techniques, Israeli twists) or a late, music-filled graze at Port Said near the Great Synagogue—order the tomato salad, spicy freekeh, and lamb kebab with fresh pitas.

Day 2: Carmel Market, White City, Beach Time, and Departure

Morning: Start with a focused tasting of Tel Aviv’s biggest open-air market on the Tel Aviv: Carmel Market Food Tasting Tour “Shuk Hacarmel”. Expect Yemenite malawach, boutique halva, pickles, and Israeli cheeses as your guide decodes vendors and flavors.

Prefer à la carte after the tour? Slide to M25, the butcher-run grill off the market, for a ribeye, the “butcher’s kebab,” and grilled vegetables; or try Saluf & Sons for Yemenite jachnun, slow-cooked soups, and zhug-spiked plates. Coffee refuel at WayCup, where the baristas dial in precise extractions.

Afternoon: Explore Tel Aviv’s modernist heart on the Highlights of Central Tel Aviv Walking Tour—Rothschild Boulevard, Bauhaus facades, and stories of how early planners adapted European ideas to a Levantine climate.

If you’d rather decompress, claim a lounger at Gordon or Frishman Beach for a sea swim and a shakshuka lunch at a beachfront cafe. Culture lovers can head to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art for Israeli and international collections, then wander Neve Tzedek’s boutiques and galleries.

Evening: Departure day note: many travelers fly out this afternoon. If you have extra hours or a late-night flight, book dinner at Ouzeria (Greek-Israeli plates: beet yogurt, shrimp in ouzo, and excellent house bread) or Shila (wood-fired fish, seafood carpaccios, and a deep Israeli wine list). For casual vibes, Ha’achim grills skewers over charcoal; finish with gelato at Anita in Neve Tzedek. If time permits, toast your trip with a nightcap at Bellboy (playful, theatrical cocktails) or browse vinyl and bites at Romano (when Teder is active).

Logistics for your departure: From central Tel Aviv to TLV, plan 45–60 minutes in daytime traffic (longer on Friday afternoons/holidays). The train from Tel Aviv HaHagana/Savidor to TLV takes ~15–20 minutes. If you prefer a driver meeting you at your hotel, pre-book a private airport transfer.

Where to book your stay and flights: Compare stays on Hotels.com and VRBO; check airfare with Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, and if you’re originating in Europe, you can also compare with Omio Flights.

In two days, Tel Aviv gives you sunlight on stone alleys in Jaffa, Bauhaus curves along Rothschild, and plates that sing with tahini, lemon, and herbs. Come hungry, walk everywhere, and leave time for one last swim—this is a city that rewards curiosity (and appetites).