Tel Aviv is vibrant and alive with buzzing culture, a beautiful sun-kissed Mediterranean promenade filled with sun worshipers in an unexpectedly modern city. With traffic gridlocks that would match that of London, its a good thing too that you have the equivalent of Boris bikes in Tel Aviv. This makes exploring a lot easier but we took to the sights on foot after parking the car. In about 5 years time you will be able to explore the whole of Israel on a bike with the proposed 100km national bike trail. The promenade is filled with skaters and runners, ice-cream touting kids on the block, cafes, restaurants, designer shops and night clubs, most of which are open 24 hours. Tel Aviv also seems to be a place where a lot of Israelis living out of town come for weekend entertainment and relation. The city also comes alive at night with party-loving Tel Avivans mingling in the coolest bars around town.
If you are planning on visiting Israel, Tel Aviv provides a great base for exploring other parts of the country. For much of our exploring we seemed to pass through it as we were in Shlomi, the north of Israel. Tel Aviv itself has great transportation but also great for links to other towns as you will find a train going to all major towns leaving from center of the capital. There is so much to see in the city, from Jaffa(Yafo) which can be reached on foot, to museums, bustling open market places and shopping malls which come with extra security at entrances, so don’t be surprised if they ask to search your bag before going in. It seems to be standard all around Israel. Tel Aviv is very diverse in its architecture and residents.
PS. Please let me know if you have any questions about visiting Israel that you would like answered, as I will shortly be addressing some of the questions people have emailed me about.
'Lara
OMG, can't wait to visit Tel-aviv, your pictures are stunning.
http://www.molarabrown.com
Simone Findlay
Great pictures. Wasn't how I pictured Tel-aviv looking! Thanks for sharing
Bianca Malata
Thanks! Really? How had you imagined it?
Simone Findlay
Not so modern and clean I guess
Michael Huxley
I love the way your photos go beyond the touristy stuff that we all see and imagine and get to the real heart of a place. Keep up the great work!
Bianca Malata
Thank you. Glad you appreciate the perceptive.
just jeanette
Love all your pictures! Especially the food! Yum!
Bianca Malata
Yeap! I would happily return for the food alone.
Dave Cole
Those food shots are amazing, I am dying to dig into those plates! Tel Aviv looks like a very lively Mediterranean city.
Bianca Malata
I know! The plates were wiped clean right after taking the pictures! ๐
BavarianSojourn
A fascinating place… I would love to go for the food and the flea-markets alone! Gorgeous pictures B! ๐
Bianca Malata
Thank you! I very much enjoyed exploring the flea markets and the food.
Alli Blair
AGain, stunning images! The food photos are my favourites… *swoon!* Looks so yummy!
Bianca Malata
Thanks Alli, the food was delicious!
Karen Warren
Interesting – it looks very different from when I visited more than 30 years ago (but I suppose you could say the same of lots of places!)
Bianca Malata
I am sure it has. Even while I was there, there was still as lot of infrastructure building going on so when I return it will look totally different.
Emily Luxton
Beautiful photos! Tel Aviv looks like a beautiful city ๐
Bianca Malata
It really is!
Travelling Weasels
wow your photos are stunning! Can't wait to visit Tel Aviv
Bianca Malata
I am sure you will enjoy it!
Rashad Pharaon
What amazes me about Tel Aviv is how modern it looks compared to other, far wealthier countries in the region, like Saudi Arabia.
It was great that you were shown around by locals, what an authentic experience!
Bianca Malata
Yeah, your pictures of Saudi really shocked me. With all the money the country has I was really surprised to see the state some of the places are in.
Samantha Hussey
Israel is on my places to visit for next year along with Jordan. Your photos have got me even more excited. Next year can't come sooner!
Bianca Malata
I havent been to Jordan yet but its on my list too. I am sure you will love both countries.
perpetuallyperipatetic
Wow! I always knew Israel is supposed to be beautiful but this was quite a surprise!! It looks like a European city, and I had expected something completely different!
Bianca Malata
Maybe that is their secret to keeping it to themselves because if everyone knew just how beautiful it it we would all be on the first flight out.
The Caffeinated Day Tripper
Your blogging style is wonderful. It truly is like touring Tel Aviv right along with you. I love these little adventures you provide. Now if only I could reach in my monitor and grab some of that food…
Bianca Malata
Thank you! I really glad you are enjoying the reads :d
City Sea Country
Fascinating and beautiful pictures. Feels like being there already. Your pictures tell their own story. Great.
Bianca Malata
Thank you!
Adelina Wong
Great photos! I've been meaning to go to Tel-Aviv and look forward to any tips you have. I'm surprised at how European some of these buildings look. All the food looks delicious too. Yum yum.
Bianca Malata
Awesome! Cant wait to share ๐
coffeetimesweety
I am loving your Israel posts Bianca. Such a refreshing change from the usual desert shots and harrowing tales of war and suffering. Not that it isn't true – but I am glad to see there is another side to the country. Tel Aviv looks great.
Bianca Malata
Thank you! You couldnt tell this place was ravaged by war. Re-built, modern and just great to visit.
Molly S
I loved Israel when I was there, and I'd love to go back to Tel Aviv – I didn't feel like I had long enough there! Your photos are great ๐
Bianca Malata
Nice! You should go back am sure it will have changed since the last time you were there.
Nina (travelboulevard.be)
Tel Aviv wasn't on my list before – I guess I just 'forgot' a bit about this place – but reading your story and seeing your pictures makes me want to go. Looking forward to reading more tips!
Bianca Malata
You definitely need to add to the list. The whole of Israel is just beautiful.
Elena Nacheva
Great photos Bianca! Especially the ones of the humus ๐
LA Style Fiend
I've never been to Israel before but it looks beautiful! Great pictures! http://lastylefiend.blogspot.com/ <3
Cristina Gomez
Amazing photos! Looks like a great place to visit, I hope I can go to Israel some day : )
Have a great day,
Cristina xo
http://memoriesofthepacific.blogspot.com.es/
Bianca Malata
Thanks Cristina, I am sure you will love it when you visit.
Don't Forget To Move
Your pictures and story telling really bring a place to life! Such an enjoyable post. Love the old architecture!
Bianca Malata
Thank you! Glad you like it ๐
Country Hopping Couple
Interesting account and lovely composition of pictures. The streets, food pictures are amazing. Gives me ichy feet to visit Tel Aviv now ๐
Bianca Malata
I am prescribing the next flight to Tel Aviv. To be taken once this year! That should definitely sort out those itchy feet.
Brad Frankel
I love Tel Aviv, probably one of the best trips i ever had and seeing this makes me want to go back ๐
Bianca Malata
Me too. I really enjoyed exploring the country.
Bob R
Nice selection for this photo tour. Another place I really don't know much about besides the occasional headline.
Bianca Malata
The headlines are enough to put anyone off but its simply a beautiful country and far from the crazy stuff you see on the TV.
Antonette Spaan
Great post. Somehow I've never really considered Tel Aviv and/or Israel as a travel destination but somehow I've been hearing a lot about it and its supposed to be a great destination also for outdoor lovers…
Bianca Malata
Thanks, It really is. Beautiful for both hiking, rock climbing and just lazying about on the beaches enjoying the sun ๐
Ashley Hubbard
Love your pictures as usual! Can't wait to visit Tel Aviv myself ๐ Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler!
Bianca Malata
Thanks Ashley. I am sure you will love it when you visit.
Milosz Zak
I pray for the people of the region. So much senseless bloodshed. It's such a difficult conflict to understand, much less take sides in.
Linzi Clark
I have wanted to visit Tel Aviv for some time and these photos have whetted my appetite – wow – what an amazing, cool city!