What to See in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station - known as the "new" Central Bus Station, may serve as a case-study for city planners around the world. It is the former largest bus terminal in the world (Now second), which was planned also to be a huge shopping mall.…

The main municipal art museum for Tel Aviv focuses on modern and contemporary art. Check for the changing exhibitions and you might find real gems. The children's wing is great fun and not just for kids. The museum also hosts chamber music and Jazz performances on occasions.…

Jaffa is a must see for any visitor to Tel Aviv. This is the reputed point where Jonah boarded a ship and was later swallowed by a big fish. It is also one of the oldest ports in the world, which used to be the biggest seaport in Israel. Today the port itself and the area close to it have become a renovated district.…

This multimedia museum tells the story of the 2000 years of Jewish life throughout the entire world. It’s less about history and more about people: how the lived, worked, celebrated or prayed. A must-see if you like to know more about Jewish heritage. The museum is situated inside Tel-Aviv University campus, so you can walk around a bit to see how the Israeli student looks like.…

A previously run-down but beautiful area, which is now gentrifying. Full of old, often colourful, Bauhaus buildings in various states of disrepair, however many of them are currently being renovated and restored to something approximating their former glory. The area is being completely redeveloped, and some construction of new apartment blocks is also taking place.…

A large synagogue, built to be the central synagogue for Tel Aviv. But now it essentially functions as a regular neighborhood synagogue, and the neighborhood is pretty secular, so the building is vastly oversized for its current use. There is some nice artwork and stained glass windows inside.…

Sarona was a Templer colony founded in the late 19th Century. The Templers were removed in World War II and the area continued to be used for British and later Israeli government and military offices. Today it is a shopping and entertainment district filled with restored German Templer architecture.…

In accordance with its name, Independence Hall is the place where the Israeli Declaration of Independence was proclaimed by David Ben-Gurion on 14 May 1948, thus officially establishing the modern State of Israel.…

Once a commercial seaport, the Port of Tel Aviv was abandoned and later reimagined as a popular attraction and shopping district. The port is one of the most dynamic areas in Tel Aviv, including a multitude of shops, restaurants and nightclubs. During the day, this is a beautiful seaside boardwalk, great for restaurants and people-watching.…

The largest public square in Israel is located by the footsteps of the city hall. This square hosts many public demonstrations and events, often with tens of thousands of participants in attendance. The square is named after former PM Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated here during a peace rally in 1995.…

This annual event, usually taking place late June or early July, is a celebration of Tel Aviv's White City's proclamation as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and organized by Tel Aviv's municipality.…

Home to a number of cultural institutions such as the Habima Theatre, the Culture Palace and the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion for Contemporary Art, its draw is the rectangular water feature and corresponding flower bed.…

Tel Aviv's original cemetery, where many central figures from the early Zionist period and beginning of the state are buried. You can see the graves of politicians like Dizengoff, Arlozorov, and Prime Minister Moshe Sharet; writers like Bialik, Tchernikhovsky, and Ahad HaAm; singer Arik Einstein; and many others.

Despite its compact size, it manages to survey almost the entire gamut of the Bauhaus design genre. Detailed exhibitions, books, maps and posters, multimedia and a great little shop. The center also conducts tours of the Tel Aviv Bauhaus White City (Fri 10AM, duration 2 hours, book ahead) and other destinations.

A house built in 1887 in Neve Tzedek, at a time when this neighborhood was still considered part of Jaffa, and Tel Aviv did not yet exist. It has been restored to its original condition, and you can tour it and learn about the history of Neve Tzedek and Jewish settlement outside the old city of Jaffa.

The most interesting and gripping of Tel Aviv's military museums, it teaches the history of the Palmach, the main elite branch of Israel's military in 1948. There are no traditional exhibits, rather, you experience a 90 minute interactive presentation as part of a group.

A museum dedicated to the life of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, and the political and social development of Israel as a whole. The center is involved in educational activities, which mostly help young Israelis prepare to contribute to a democratic and tolerant society.

A museum run by the daughters of Joseph Bau, an artist who saved many lives during the Holocaust and is featured in the movie "Schindler's List". The daughters give an original and uplifting presentation describing their parents' lives in the context of the Holocaust.

A small garden between King George and Chernihovsky streets. A green little corner in the midst of the metropolitan with a cute pond in the center and a small dog park. On some evenings you might see mature people playing kids' games - it's Tel Aviv.

A highly recommended biannual event (winter/summer, for three days each time) where Tel Aviv's top clothing designers show and sell their stuff. Focused on urban clothing. Don't miss this colorful carnival of cutting-edge fashion!

"Taste of the City", an annual 4-day food fair, which takes place in Hayarkon Park at the beginning of summer (late May of June). Top restaurants present and sell samples of their finest dishes for special prices.

For those with a passion for street art or an alternative hippie or punky side, this small quarter of artist workshops is covered with unusual, colourful, surrealistic, and political high-quality graffiti.

This museum contains a vast collection of military hardware and vehicles from across Israel's history. You can see decommissioned tanks, all sorts of weaponry, uniforms and insignia, and much more.

Recounting the fascinating story of the embryonic Israel Defence Force, from British Mandate days to Israeli independence in 1948 and beyond, lots of interesting artifacts, weapons and memorabilia.

A museum describing the right-wing Lehi militia which operated between 1940-1948. This building was the hiding place of Lehi leader Avraham Stern when he was killed by British police in 1942.

Very detailed history of the Etzel (Irgun) movement and their operations, also includes a short film. This museum tells the overall story of Etzel starting in the 1930s and ending in 1948.

Tel Aviv's International Documentary Film Festival. Every year in May, Docaviv presents the most innovative, provocative and important documentary films of the year from around the world.

Home of Prime Minister David Ben Gurion from 1931-1968, and the place where Israel's Declaration of Independence was written. Now it is a museum focusing on Ben Gurion's life.

History, archaeology and culture - includes the archaeological site of Tel Qasile, the remains of an early Philistine settlement. In addition the museum has a Planetarium.

Built in 1675, this is the oldest surviving mosque in Jaffa. Due to its proximity to the sea, it is still used by fishermen and sailors, as it has been for centuries.

A separate museum which focuses on Etzel/Irgun military operations in 1948, especially the conquest of northern Jaffa, including the current location of this museum.

Small museum all about the life of Ze'ev Jabotinsky. Features a film about a clandestine immigration operation and a few cases showing his personal effects.

Every August, Jaffa's burgeoning flea market is active all through the night on weekends, with special events, shows and exhibitions taking place.

This complex, built in the 13th century, was the Ottoman government headquarters in Jaffa. Right now the building is used for art exhibitions.

a network of restored alleys, full of art galleries, which lead to the Jaffa seaport. The alleys are named after the signs of the zodiac.

Archaeological remains from the 16th century BCE which can be freely viewed. However, they are hard to appreciate without a tour guide.

An elevated square on top of which there is a big fountain with a mix of fire and water. This is one of the known symbols of Tel Aviv.

Levinsky Market is an extremely colorful outside market boasting a variety of spice shops and ethnic restaurants.

The rock in Jaffa harbor which, according to Greek myth, Andromeda was tied to before being rescued by Perseus.

Trains no longer go here, so the station has been transformed into a popular outdoor shopping area.

Lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender film festival. Celebrating gender diversity. Happening in June.

Home of Hayim Nahman Bialik, Israel's national poet. Now a museum dedicated to Bialik's life.

The myth says if you touch your zodiac sign and face the sea, your wish will come true.

One of the world's most important student film festivals. Happening in late May.

A historical part of town with art galleries and restaurants.

A city history museum, housed in the old City Hall building.

Focuses on the work of painter and sculptor Nachum Gutman.

An exhibition of the art of Israeli painter Reuven Rubin.

Holds many exhibitions and events

A local landmark, built in 1903.