3-Day Tel Aviv Itinerary (with Local’s Insights & Tips!)

Hi traveler, today I’m taking you on a virtual 3-day tour of Tel Aviv! If you’re visiting this bustling Mediterranean town and need help planning your Tel Avivi itinerary, I’ve got you covered!

I’m a Tel Aviv local, and as a foreigner living in the city, I know exactly the spots you’ll want to see! I created this 3-day itinerary that covers the major attractions, streets, and hidden gems in Tel Aviv.

The itinerary below is entirely walkable, but you can hop on public transport any time you get tired! Also, make sure to book your stay in advance because hotels in Tel Aviv are on the pricey side!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Can’t read until the end? Here’s a quick breakdown of the itinerary for every day of the trip:

• Day 1: Central Tel Aviv (Rothschild Boulevard, Dizengoff, Promenade, Carmel Market, Sarona)
• Day 2: Jaffa & South Tel Aviv (Old Jaffa, Neve Tzedek, Florentin, Levinski)
• Day 3: North Tel Aviv (Beaches, Rabin Square, HaYarkon, museums)

Here’s a quick overview of the best accommodation and how much you can expect to pay for your stay:

• Cost: US$140 per day (accommodation, transport, food); US$420 for 3 days
• Best luxury hotel: The Jaffa
• Best value for money: Prima City Hotel
• Best affordable accommodation: Abraham Hostel

And these are the best things to book in advance for your Tel Aviv itinerary:

• Take a walking tour of Tel Aviv’s highlights
• Go food tasting at Jaffa’s flea market
• Have fun pub crawling in local bars

Day 1 – Central Tel Aviv

Let’s see how the 1st day of the itinerary looks like on a map:

Welcome to the beating heart of modern Tel Aviv! The central area is the perfect place to feel that urban Tel Aviv vibe I’m sure you’re eager to explore, so I recommend starting your itinerary from here.

To be clear, the Central Tel Aviv in this itinerary encompasses the area from Carmel Market (map) in the South, the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Ben Gurion Street (map) in the North, and the Sarona Market (map) in the East. 

This whole route that I’m proposing to you takes no longer than 2 hours to complete on foot, but I have planned many stops for you so that it’ll easily take you a whole day to see everything!

From tasting local food to walking the famous streets, soaking up the Mediterranean Sea on the Promenade, and partying hard (or eating like a gourmet) in Sarona, the 1st day of the itinerary is also the most fun!

Since Central Tel Aviv is flat and compact, you can walk the entire route. But you can also take a bus or the light rail to save time. We use RavKav cards to pay for transport; get yours at any light rail station or designated kiosks in town.

NOTE: If you’re visiting during the summer, take a lot of breaks, drink plenty of water, and always have sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses on while walking. I’d avoid walking from 11 AM to 3 PM when the temperature and UV rays are the highest (especially in July and August, reaching 35°C or 95° F).

There are many hotels located just steps from the start of the itinerary! If you’re interested, I listed them in the “Where to stay” section at the end of the article.

Now, let’s get your Day 1 of the visit started!

1. Have breakfast at Benedict

Tel Aviv is a foodie city, but if there’s one breakfast place that any local on the street knows, it’s Benedict (map). Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, they’ll have you covered for breakfast 24/7!

FUN FACT: Sharing culture is a huge thing in Tel Aviv. Friends order various dishes to share. Couples usually order one main dish and one side to share. This is great for forming relationships, but it’s also because the portions are huge! Benedict is no exception.

Oh, and since there are so many good places to eat in Tel Aviv, I made a special post about that. Feel free to check it out here, I also have a section on the top breakfast spots!

After you have your breakfast at Benedict, I’m sure you’ll be all fueled up to explore Tel Aviv!

2. Walk the Rothschild Boulevard then continue to Dizengoff Street

As you exit Benedict, just continue further along Rothschild Boulevard for a casual stroll. This green oasis in the middle of the concrete of Tel Aviv hides the most romantic cafés and restaurants, and it’s a favorite for locals living nearby to walk dogs, run, or ride bikes.

Tel Aviv is mostly about urban exploring, walking around and enjoying the vibe (I always say it reminds me of Miami), and my favorite boulevard for it is right here! I’ve walked here countless times and never seen it empty. There’s always someone around doing stuff, plus it’s great to walk here when it’s hot because of the shade.

Rothschild Boulevard basically encircles the very Center of Tel Aviv and at one point it intercepts Dizengoff Street, so you want to just continue walking there.

Usually considered the City Center of Tel Aviv, Dizengoff Street (and Dizengoff Square, map, in the middle), is where the center of all the action is. Remember how I said to take breaks when visiting during the heat? Well, you can basically stop anytime you want for an ice cream or coffee because there are cafés, bars, and shops literally in every building here!

This part of Tel Aviv is also known as the White City due to the dominant white color of Bauhaus architecture (minimalist but beautiful buildings you’ll see around here). The official Bauhaus Center (map) is located here, making this a great stop to hop on a quick Bauhaus tour. Do note that they only have tours on Fridays and Saturdays. If you’re visiting outside these days, you can easily find the buildings yourself. I have the locations of the best architecture examples in my article on the best things to do in Tel Aviv!

3. Turn towards the sea via Ben Gurion Boulevard

As you walk the good portion of Dizengoff Street, you’ll reach the lush Ben Gurion Boulevard (map). I recommend turning left on the boulevard and walking until you reach the sea.

By the way, if you were to walk right instead of left, at one point, Ben Gurion Boulevard would meet with Rothschild Boulevard, completing the circle of green, lush boulevards surrounding central Tel Aviv. This is a good walking alternative if you’re outside in the heat!

Ben Gurion is also the name of the international airport in Tel Aviv. The street and the airport carry the name of Israel’s founding father and first prime minister. His home (today a museum) is free to visit and is located on Ben Gurion Boulevard 17 (map).

4. Walk along the promenade, then turn towards Carmel Market

As you enter Ben Gurion Boulevard, it’s less than a 10-minute walk to the beach and the Promenade. You’ll be greeted by Gordon Pool (map), a local favorite pool for swimmers, and Gordon Beach (map), one of the most iconic beaches of Tel Aviv.

Now, you may be tempted to stop by the beach for a swim, but I recommend leaving swimming for the second and third days of the itinerary.

I recommend strolling down the bustling Tel Aviv Promenade for 1.5 km (1 mi). Then, take a turn and walk for another 10 minutes or so to Carmel Market (map), the main market of Tel Aviv!

Between Carmel Market and the Promenade, you’ll pass the oldest neighborhood in Tel Aviv, the Yemenite Quarter (Kerem HaTeimanim in Hebrew, map). This is a quiet, private neighborhood founded by Yemenite Jews in the 19th century, and most of the small, charming homes today are still owned by them.

A short walk through this romantic quarter will bring you to Carmel Market. I often go grocery shopping here, and there’s literally nothing you can’t find in it: gourmet restaurants, fast food, cakes, oriental sweets, meats, fruits, vegetables, late-night bars, and any other place that involves food and people.

A stop at the market can take as little or as long as you want, but I recommend you spend no more than one hour here just to make it in time for other things on the list today! You can always come back to Carmel Market to explore more on Day 2!

5. Exit on Allenby Street and have lunch

If you really like Carmel Market and get hungry, have lunch there. Otherwise, I recommend you exit the market on Allenby Street just by the Minzar Bar (map) and head along one of the main thoroughfares in Tel Aviv for furniture, electronics, and shopping overall.

This is a great street to explore local life and get an idea of the local purchasing power. You’ll find many second-hand and Turkish stores, and this is where the largest part of the population buys their clothes and household items.

After you’re done exploring Allenby, you’ll likely be hungry and it should be around lunch time now. There are so many great places around here, but my warm recommendation for lunch is Café Noir (map). It’s one of the most popular mid-range restaurants with a seasonal menu.

6. Explore the Sarona area

After you’ve had your lunch, head to Sarona Market. It’s an easy 20-minute walk, but you can also take a light rail (map) that connects Allenby with Sarona. It’s less than a 5-minute ride.

Sarona is a new and developing area with a thriving brewery culture. There are so many places to go for whiskey, wine, and beer tasting, which is why I recommend you explore this area at night!

The area between the 2 malls in Sarona (TLV Mall, map, and Azrieli Mall, map) is literally packed with bars, cafés, and walkable streets, there’s always something going on there!

PRO TIP: There’s an observatory deck at the top of Azrieli Mall offering captivating views of Tel Aviv’s skyline and the Mediterranean Sea. I describe how exactly to get here in my article on the best things to do in Tel Aviv!

Before the sun sets, walk around the Sarona Market (map), enjoy the beautiful old German architecture (one part of Sarona is actually an old German colony), and check out all the cool stalls inside the market.

If you’re into museums, nearby is the Tel Aviv Museum of Art (highly recommended for modern art lovers), as well as the Contemporary Art Pavilion (map).

NOTE: The Museum of Art has really weird working hours. It closes at 2 PM on Fridays, 6 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and 9 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Take this into account if you plan a visit.

7. Dinner on HaArba’a Street

HaArba’a Street (map) is one of my favorite streets in this area for food. It’s home to amazing sushi places, breweries, and pubs. I guarantee you’ll find a spot that suits your taste here.

HaArba’a is a great place to grab dinner or just cool off sipping local beers (try the Schnitt brewery, map, I love their IPAs).

I’d call it a day here as you’ll already have well past 10,000 steps under your belt + have seen most of central Tel Aviv. From here, take a light rail or bus if your accommodation is far. A walk to the start of the itinerary (with the hotels I talked about for convenience) is around 20 minutes, while bus line 65 can take you there in 10 minutes.

Day 2 – Jaffa & South Tel Aviv

This is what the 2nd day of the itinerary looks like on a map:

The second day of your stay is reserved for more historical and bohemian parts of the city. You’ll explore the oldest continually inhabited city in the world (that’s Jaffa, but now it’s technically part of Tel Aviv) and walk through some of the most romantic streets in Israel.

As I suggested, if you stay near Rothschild Boulevard, a walk to Jaffa is easy (basically, you’ll just go straight) and takes around 30 minutes. With transport (buses 10, 14, or 18), it’s a 20-minute ride.

PRO TIP: I found this awesome walking tour with a focus on Jaffa, so if you’re in for a guided and informative walk, I think it’s a great value for money. It also includes a visit to Florentin and Neve Tzedek, basically all the areas you’ll see in Day 3 of this itinerary!

1. Have breakfast in Jaffa

Neve Tzedek

Try toast (the main fast food in Jaffa next to falafel and hummus, toasted bread with cheese, tuna, and veggies of your choice) or bread with zaatar (dried herbs with sesame seeds).

A breakfast at Aboulafia will be a quick grab-n-go, but if you’d rather enjoy your time, less than 3 minutes from here you’ll find Pua (map), the best breakfast restaurant in Jaffa! Pua is also my favorite place to work, they have a dedicated area for remote workers!

PRO TIP: Consider a food tasting tour at Jaffa’s Flea Market as an alternative! A professional foodie will take you around the best places to sample fresh local foods!

Either way, everything in Jaffa is really closeby, you’ll be able to follow the itinerary wherever you start from.

2. Explore the center of Jaffa

Jaffa is known for its long history as an important seaport in the East Mediterranean (even mentioned in the Bible). Today, among locals, it’s better known for its bustling flea market (map).

That’s why I recommend you start your visit by getting familiar with the stalls and shops adorning the market. The area spreads across multiple streets bordered by cafés and restaurants (one of which is Pua, btw).

Street vendors here sell carpets, vintage furniture and home items, souvenirs, Judaica, and virtually any kind of clothing and jewelry you can think of. Be prepared to haggle if you decide to buy something!

Other stops in this part of Jaffa include the historic Clock Tower (map) and the Ottoman-style Mahmoudiya Mosque (map). If you want to enter the mosque, make sure to cover your legs (and arms and head if you’re a woman).

The next part of the visit involves a short incline to the Old Jaffa, the oldest part of town.

3. Walk the Old Jaffa streets

In Jaffa’s Old Town, today you’ll find artist homes and workshops, art museums, and everything horoscope-related. As the Jews rebuilt the Old Jaffa after the war of 1948, they renamed all streets according to horoscope signs and also installed a Wishing Bridge (map) with the same motives.

Head to the Wishing Bridge, find your horoscope sign on the wooden structure, lay your hand on it, and make a wish looking at the sea. The legend says your wish will come true!

Enjoy the views of St. Peter’s Church (map) and Tel Aviv, and then check out the iconic Suspended Orange Tree sculpture (map) just steps away.

I recommend you descend to the Jaffa Port and grab lunch at Old Man and the Sea (map), one of the most iconic restaurants in Jaffa and beyond. They serve these huge appetizers (around 16 small plates of fresh veggies, dips, falafel, and whatnot) for free when you order one meal per person!

4. Explore the romantic Neve Tzedek

A casual visit to Jaffa will take around 2 or 3 hours, depending on how much time you spend on the market and whether or not you visit the art museums in Old Jaffa.

When you finish your Jaffa adventure, walk along the sea, admire the beautiful Old Jaffa buildings against the backdrop of the modern Tel Aviv skyline, and head towards Park HaTachana (map) for some more beautiful old architecture sightings.

The next stop on the way is Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv’s most charming neighborhood if you ask me. It should take around 30 minutes on foot to get from Jaffa to Neve Tzedek with a short stop at the beautiful HaTachana.

Neve Tzedek, with its incredibly romantic and bohemian Shabazi Street, is one of my favorite places to walk in the afternoon. By the way, I recommend this area for travelers who want to stay in a central but quiet location – you’ll find some really nice hotels here like Trieste ($$$). The narrow cobblestone streets here almost have 0 traffic, so it’s almost always quiet!

A walk around Neve Tzedek will take around 30 minutes, and then you can head to the next bohemian area just nearby, Florentin.

5. Continue to Florentin via Park HaMesila

Exit Neve Tzedek through Pines Street (map) to easily reach Park HaMesila (map). Stroll down the park (great place for celebrity sightings btw, we saw some pretty big Hollywood names here), then turn left on Elifelet Street (map), and you’ll be in Florentin. This walk will take only 12 minutes!

Florentin is that chick, a bohemian place I’m always happy to return to. It’s jammed at night and on weekends, so definitely book in advance if you wish to spend your evening here!

This area is mostly known for street art and vibrant cafés, and you can read more about the graffiti culture in this area in my 31 best things to do in Tel Aviv article!

6. Relax at the Levinski Market then enjoy the nightlife

Florentin is really close to the second largest market in Tel Aviv, Levinski Market (map). Every time I walk here, the tiny cafés around the market are always full until the last spot. It’s a chic area and a local favorite for afternoon and evening siestas.

A stop here shouldn’t take long since it’s really a small area.

After Levinski, head South to the sea and walk along the Promenade in the evening, or explore Tel Aviv’s nightlife. I recommend this pub crawling tour that’ll take you around Tel Aviv’s most iconic clubs and bars + comes with free shots!

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Day 3 – North Tel Aviv

Here’s a map to plan your Day 3 in Tel Aviv:

On the last day of your visit to Tel Aviv, you can spend more time at the beach, see some other popular streets, and then, depending on your interest, either visit historical museums or spend more time outdoors.

NOTE: If you skip the beach, you’ll have time to visit history museums and a huge park in Tel Aviv’s North! Or do both if you spend less time at the beach. Feel free to adjust the itinerary according to your interest.

1. Breakfast at Hummus Abu Dabi

Hummus is a staple food in the Middle East, and Tel Aviv is no exception. You’ll find amazing hummus places across town. Hummus Abu Dabi (map) is one of the highest-rated hummus eateries, and it’s located just a short walk from Dizengoff Square.

This hummus place is an easy 20-minute walk from the start of the itinerary (Rothschild Boulevard), and a 6-minute drive on buses lines 25, 72, or 125.

After breakfast, start exploring the area.

2. Head to Rabin Square

Rabin Square (map) is one of the largest public plazas in Tel Aviv and a go-to spot for parades, rallies, or really all sorts of public events. There’s a cute pond with a fountain, lotus flowers, and plenty of nice cafés around so you may even have your breakfast here.

It’s a nice place to walk around and see where some of the major public events take place in Tel Aviv.

3. Chill at the beach or head straight North to Tel Aviv Port

After Rabin Square, continue towards the sea via Ben Gurion Boulevard like you did on Day 1.

This is a good time to get some tan at the beach if you’re up for it! Or, you could walk briefly on Ben Gurion Boulevard and then turn right onto Dizengoff Street. On Day 1, you saw just half of Tel Aviv’s most famous street. Dizengoff actually spreads further until the Northern end of the city, and its Northern part is just as vibrant and alive.

It’s a nice 30-minute walk from Rabin Square until the end of Dizengoff, and you’ll pass by bohemian cafés and have another opportunity to experience how locals shop and go about their daily lives.

You’ll eventually reach the Tel Aviv Port (map), a new commercial City Center with a nice promenade, any shop you can think of, chic restaurants, exhibitions, etc. Spend another 30 minutes to one hour here.

4. Visit HaYarkon Park

The next stops on the itinerary include the outdoors, but this time, not the seaside but the riverside. Yes, Tel Aviv has a large river (HaYarkon) and a giant park where you can walk the whole day.

I’ve only been here twice since it’s kind of far away from my home (I live in Jaffa), but I enjoyed myself to the fullest both times. You’d never tell you’re in the middle of the desert with all the lush trees and vegetation, grass, and the wide river!

My favorite spots in HaYarkon are the riverside promenade and the hot air balloon (map). If you’re up for the adventure, take a short 30-minute ride to enjoy stunning views of Tel Aviv!

Some 20 minutes on foot from the TLV Balloon are some Jewish-life-and-history-related museums if you’re up for that kind of exploration. You’ll find the Palmach Museum, Eretz Israel Museum, and Yitzhak Rabin Center here. I recommend the Eretz Israel Museum since it’s the largest and has the biggest variety of exhibitions.

PRO TIP: If you’re going to Jerusalem after Tel Aviv, save museum hopping for then since Jerusalem is where all the best museums are! Tel Aviv is honestly better for urban exploring.

5. Dinner at Amore Mio

Wrap up the day with dinner at one of the best Italian restaurants in town, Amore Mio (map).

You won’t need a reservation if you go during the week, and you must try their carbonara and affogato! These guys make their own ice cream and pasta, and we absolutely loved the food and service.

As your stay in Tel Aviv comes to an end, start to prepare for your flight or for the continuation of your journey. If you plan to visit Jerusalem, check out the 11 must-visit attractions there!

Customizing the itinerary

Have more (or less) time for Tel Aviv? Here’s what to add or remove from the itinerary:

5-day itinerary

• Only go to HaYarkon Park in Tel Aviv North on Day 3 and omit the visit to museums.
• Visit the museums on Day 4.
• Add a boat ride in Jaffa.
• Consider an extra day only for the beach.

2-day itinerary

• Omit Day 3 from the itinerary.
• On Day 2, take a bus from Levinski market to the Tel Aviv Port in the North and have dinner and a sunset walk there.

Practical information for your stay in Tel Aviv

Before I end the article, I wanted to share some practical tips that will help you plan your stay.

Where to stay in Tel Aviv

As I already mentioned above, if you’re in town purely for sightseeing, base yourself near Rothschild Boulevard for easy access to transport, the best places to walk, shop, and eat. The best hotels here include Hotel Rothschild ($$$), Alberto by Isrotel ($$), and Lily & Bloom ($).

If you’d rather spend more time at the beach, then I recommend choosing a hotel near the Promenade. This way, you’ll quickly get to your hotel, shower, dress, and continue exploring the city after the beach. Excellent beachfront hotels include Herods ($$$), Arbatel Suites ($$), and The O Pod Capsule Hotel ($).

I also have a whole article where I discuss the 7 best areas to stay in Tel Aviv, so check it out for more details!

Getting to/from the airport

• Plan your trip to the airport beforehand. Moovit is the most reliable app for this.
• When landing in Tel Aviv, take a train or taxi to the city. For taxis, only take certified ones to the far left of the Terminal 3 exit (you’ll see an official taxi stand with mediators). Don’t respond to taxi drivers who wait outside the terminal door.
• Be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure of your flight.
• If you’re traveling light, I recommend the bus + train combination to get to the airport since it’s 10x cheaper (and can be faster) than a taxi.
• If you’d rather take a taxi, expect to pay around US$40. Book and pay for the ride via Gett.

When to visit

May is the best month of the year to visit Israel and Tel Aviv. The weather is great – not too hot, but definitely not cold. The nights are pleasant and can even get chilly, while during the day, you can spend all day outside without having to hide from the heat.

In essence, any month from October to May is ideal, with the exception of February since it can get rainy.

Safety

Tel Aviv is a very safe city. Petty crime is common at the beach, but tourists (including solo female travelers) will usually feel safe.

Avoid walking alone around the central bus station area leading to the train station. Sights of homeless people or drug addicts are more common here, but this population is not aggressive toward tourists.

When I lived in Europe, I was afraid to walk alone past 11 PM, but I feel much safer and have no such problems here.

FAQs about the Tel Aviv itinerary

Wrapping up the Tel Aviv 3-day itinerary

That’s it, my dear reader! You’ve reached the end of my virtual tour of Tel Aviv! Hopefully, you’ll find this 3-day itinerary useful.

As you could see, Tel Aviv is best explored on foot, and where you are based will make a big difference. Stay near the beach if you’re more into beach holidays, but base yourself further inside the city for classic city hopping.

Remember to book your tickets and accommodation in advance! Tel Aviv is expensive enough; you don’t want to pay even more because you showed up late!

Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about your upcoming stay in Tel Aviv! I’m always happy to help!

Safe travels,

Darija

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