All Covid-19 restrictions have been ended by Israel.
I have never been to Tel Aviv. What's the reason? I don't know what to think. I thought it would be a fairly buttoned up place with serious people and even more serious heat. It can be true in the middle of summer, but the rest is false.
Tel Aviv is similar to Santa Monica in the Middle East in that it has better priced food. The sunsets and beach walks are magic, the shopping is unique, and everything from Jaffa to North Tel Aviv is a fusion of open mindedness.
Whether it's your first time, or you're a regular, here's how to live it up, eat everything and see for yourself why people are flocking to this amazing destination...
Pay attention when it gets to the 48 hour itinerary.
Getting Into IsraelEntry immigration at Ben Gurion Airport is relatively painless, even though there are some long lines at times. When any passport stamps from Arab countries will mean a nice lengthy security process for you, it's when you've heard the stories about Israeli immigration.
If you want to get into town quickly or if you really want to spend a lot of money, book yourself a transfer from Maman Aviation to the new Fattal Terminal. An ultraVIP starts at $400.
Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport is only 45 minutes away from central Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
The price of a taxi from the airport to the central part of the city is 135 shekels, or $38 or £38 all in, and it's very easy to get a ride through the apps.
If you want to save a lot of money, you can take the train from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv, which leaves from T3 and costs less than 4 dollars. If you travel light, the train stops in South, Central and North Tel Aviv, so you won't have to walk a long way to your hotel.
You could always take a cab from the station. The train does not run during Shabat. You could be out of luck if you don't remember that.
Best Hotel Options In Tel AvivAlmost all of Tel Aviv's hotels are expensive. The Jaffa Hotel is almost in a class of its own in this city, but the Setai, The Drisco and The Vera are bringing added competition.
The Brown TLV Urban Hotel is an excellent choice for the upper mid-range.
Marriott is one of the most well-represented chains in Tel Aviv. This is a place where you can save a lot of money by using points.
If you travel on a budget, Tel Aviv is a great place to stay. There are a lot of new apartment buildings with rooms under $100 per night, and some for less. The Sweet Inn is a good place to stay.
If you are more inclined to go that way, Tel Aviv is world class for budget hostels.
You can get your bearings in Tel Aviv easily. The oldest parts of the city are to the left of the beach. The newer parts of the city will be to the right of the water if you are facing it.
Most of your time will be spent between Florentin and Lev Hair, which are all next to each other. There is a breakdown of the neighbourhoods.
Old Jaffa – This is the original port area of Tel Aviv, where you’ll find beautiful old streets full of character. You’ll also find the Jaffa flea market, which is a bit hyped, but you’ll find amazing cafes and shops nearby, not to mention some great Banksy street art.
You won't find anything like Shabazi street in other cities and there is a lot of art. One of the older neighbourhoods has narrow streets. You can start at the Old Train Station and go to the bakery.
Lev Hair is the place to go if you want some culture. The UNESCO listed White City and Rothschild Boulevard are located here. Israel is experiencing a tech boom. The Tel Aviv Art Museum and Carmel Market are good places to check out.
You can find amazing restaurants, bars and insights into Tel Aviv life in North Tel Aviv. It's a good look if you're into upscale semi suburban feel.
Florentin has become the equivalent of New York's Meat Packing District, with edge warehouse vibes, street art galore, the hippest of Hipster food, and at night, it's where you can find virtually all the parties.
Coffee is the first thing. If you prefer a well roasted flat white with alternative milks, V60, Chemex or any of the other better ways to max out your caffeine intake, you will want to branch out from a hotel.
Cafelix is one of the best coffee shops you can find. Jaffa is a great place to start the day because it has a couple other outposts. Nahat is a star with a focus on roasting in small batches.
Coffee Shop 51 and WayCup are two of the best places to get a good cup of coffee. It isn't a big deal to take out cash with most of the above cards.
Wherever you leave off, just keep going the next day. It's a good way to start your Tel Aviv exploration.
You can go to the Port of Jaffa from Cafelix and get a great view of the Tel Aviv skyline.
Next, make your way to Jaffa Flea Market, so that you can say you went, and then spend your time in better ways by visiting amazing design shops, clothing boutiques and cafes.
There is street art on the corner of Yefet and Ole Zion.
It is time to head to Florentin after some window browsing.
There are two different characters in this area between day and night. You should walk up and down Shalma Road, Florentin St and Abarbanel if you're looking for someone.
If you need a cold Mezcal, you can get it at the mezcal bar. There's more if you can wait a bit longer.
By the time you get to bed, you should be well-caffeinated and have enough energy to get you through the night. The bad news is that you are close to all the good food in nearby Shabazi.
It is the perfect spot to continue your afternoon tour since it is a cool place to eat. It is also fantastic if that doesn't sound appealing.
You can get the city's best ice cream after lunch atAnita. In the Israeli sun it's pretty heavenly. Don't forget to bring your sunscreen because there's not a lot of cover here...
You can walk up Shabazi street until you reach Rothschild Boulevard.
The UNESCO listed white bauhaus buildings of the Lev Hair neighbourhood make it so famous.
If you don't want to stay on the beach, you can take a stroll along the promenade at Frishman Beach, which is absolutely gorgeous.
If you haven't heard, Tel Aviv is home to some of the best food in the world.
Yotam Ottolenghi may be the most famous to do it, but Israel has so many fantastic chefs that their take on Middle Eastern cuisine shines in surprising ways.
Some of these are open for lunch as well.
If you're looking for an upscale and refined but low key dinner, the calls are great. HaBasta is one of the best options in the high end of the city. The food and prices are high.
If you want a more formal dining experience, Shila by Sharon Cohen is a great choice.
Shila is one of the funnier places to watch in the city, so it can be fun even if you just drink and eat.
If you are looking for a more low key port of call, there are three that you should consider. There are great places to eat here, but they make you feel like you are at home.
You won't be left out if you're a fan of craft cocktails. The stiff drinks will keep you going as long as you want. It has everything from speakeasies inside hotels to rooftops overlooking the beach. For your big night out in Tel Aviv, any of these places will make you smile.
Imperial is the best cocktail bar if you like craft cocktails. The irreverent service at this bar warms you as you warm to them.
You can't go wrong with the smooth clarified milk punch. You might end up on the outside if you don't reserve your seats. Don't be afraid to go by the entrance. Those who enter will get good things.
The Lighthouse Hotel has a rooftop bar called Haiku Lighthouse. This is a clubby and beautiful one. The views of the five star hotels make them worth it.
How many times a year do you get to celebrate with cocktails overlooking a corniche? Don't let it get in the way of living it up.
The Chapel at Jaffa Hotel is a place where you will feel like a bad guy. It looks like a church with stunning lighting in every direction.
One of the best hotels in Israel is called the Chapel. This will help if you need a reason to support the Jaffa.
Day Two Exploring Tel AvivIf you didn't fill in the gaps, you probably didn't get everything done. It is hard to beat relaxation in the sun, so if you did manage to do most of Day One, you can rest easy knowing you hit the main "must do's" in Tel Aviv.
If you want to burn off a few calories from the day before, start the morning with a run, walk, or bicycle ride along the beaches, which are all the way to the North.
The walking and biking lanes are completely separate from traffic and make this an amazing way to get around.
It's time to move to the upscale, laid back and gorgeous areas around North Tel Aviv and areas just South since you've mastered South Tel Aviv.
The areas North of the Yarkon River are referred to as North Tel Aviv. You can have a walk through Independence Park after breakfast. The recommendation is the shakshuka.
The area has been known as the "posh" area in the past. If you like the views of Central Park, you can go to Secret Beach or Tel Baruch, but if you like the views of the Yarkon, you can go to HaYarkon Park.
South of the river is where the good food is and you can take some pics there.
It's probably time for pizza or lunch since you've maxed out on Israeli options. Brooklyn Pizza is world class, and if you like sushi, Fu Sushi is arguably the best in the city, with a mix of other Japanese inspired dishes as well.
You can return to Central Tel Aviv on Dizengoff St. It has everything fascinating. The Champs De Elysées of Tel Aviv are actually called that.
It's a good idea to zip past the embassies and save some room for the bakeries. You will be back at Dizengoff Square before you know it.
You can say that you have seen Tel Aviv, and that you have had some unforgettable meals, experiences and thoughts.
I didn't think I would fall in love with Tel Aviv the way I did. You have a lot of places to go back and revisit, so make the most of it. You can just watch the sunset.
It is recommended that you get to the airport earlier than usual. You can expect to answer a lot of questions during exit immigration in Israel. Don't stay out all night.
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