Tel Aviv is known as the "city that never sleeps" - and rightly so. It is always bustling and lively. The cafes and restaurants are full at all times of the day and night. The beach is beautiful and has a wonderful promenade that stretches the length of the city. 

​

When I visit Tel Aviv I usually spend quite a bit of time there as I have a large family and many friends. It's definitely worth 3 - 4 days if you can spare it.

​

Day 1

 

Afternoon

Arrive in Tel Aviv and check into the Center Chic Hotel by Atlas. I really like the Atlas hotel chain in Israel - I've stayed in several of their hotels (see sidebar). The Center Chic is located in Dizengoff Square which is a great location near shops and cafes. It's about a ten minute walk to the beach.

​

Head to the beach for a nice walk along the promenade and a late lunch. We ate at La Mer restaurant on the beach, where you can literally eat with your feet in the sand!

​

Evening

We watched the sunset on the beach and then headed to Dizengoff Street for an evening stroll. Dizengoff Street is filled with nice shops and restaurants. It is one of the main north-south streets in Tel Aviv and is very lively.

​

Day 2

 

Morning 

After our delicious breakfast at the hotel we headed to the beach. The Tel Aviv beach has a wonderful promenade which covers the entire length of the city - from the Port in the north to Jaffa in the south. 

​

This morning we headed south along the promenade to Jaffa. Once we arrived in Jaffa we headed to the flea market (Shuk HaPishpishim) area. This area has many small shops selling Middle Eastern house wares, second hand furniture, carpets, as well as new designer clothes and jewelry. There are little alley ways with small stalls which are really fun to explore. If you want to purchase something don't forget to haggle.

 

The area is also filled with cool restaurants and shops catering to the hipster crowd. 

​

Afternoon

We ate lunch at Cafe Puaa - in the heart of the Jaffa flea market. It is a well-known beloved establishment that offers unique and delicious food. I ordered from the breakfast menu - the Balkan Breakfast made up of a crispy Turkish burekah, hard boiled egg, vegetables and olives - so good. 

​

From there we walked to the Old City of Jaffa and down the narrow stairs, going into galleries along the way. The stairs took us down to the port, which has some shops, restaurants, boats and fishermen.

 

We walked back to the hotel along the promenade for a rest. 

​

Evening

This evening we met cousins for dinner at the north Port of Tel Aviv, better known as Namal Tel Aviv. The port is lined with interesting shops and restaurants, many of them serving Middle Eastern food with lots of dips and salads. After dinner we walked around the port. 

​

Day 3

​

Morning

After breakfast this morning we joined some friends for a food tour of the Carmel Market and Yemenite Quarter led by Inbal of Delicious Israel. This was my second time doing a food tour in Tel Aviv with Inbal.

 

Inbal's tours take you to small establishments that you would not normally find on your own while giving you the history of the neighbourhoods. We tasted many unique foods including the authentic Israeli "Sabich" sandwich made up of hard-boiled egg, humus, fried eggplant, crunchy Israeli pickles and Israeli salad all stuffed into a pita. It was fun and delicious. No need for lunch after that tour! 

​

Afternoon

After the tour we walked to the Levinsky market in the south-east area of Tel Aviv. It is a lesser known market but very authentic. I was in search of the best Halva (a sweet treat made of ground sesame seeds which is very popular in Israel). I found the Halva at Kesem HaHalva, a small shop run by a sweet old lady who makes the Halva herself in an assortment of flavours.

​

Evening

Coincidentally our cousins made a reservation for dinner at one of the restaurants in the Jaffa flea market. We sat outside and it was very lively. The market takes on a whole new life in the evenings - with lots of bars and restaurants.