FIVE UNEXPECTED BEACHES IN TEL AVIV

To get away from Frishman, Gordon and Banana

Frishman, Gordon AND Banana are not the only places to take a nap and accentuate your tan. A luxurious beach, sporty or nudist one; here is our selection of alternative beaches in Tel Aviv.

GAASH BEACH: THE WILDEST ONE

In Gaash, there is no doubt that you either love it right away or you hate it all the way. Located a short distance north of Tel Aviv, you need to go there to understand what’s really in the air. While still very wild, it is not that easy to access but it’s worth the effort to enjoy a moment of serenity. Just a little bit of concern: we call it Paradise Beach too because it welcomes some visitors as naked as the day they are born.

GAZEBBO BEACH: THE FRENCH RIVIERA ONE

If you’re looking for quality mattresses and sophisticated food, you’re probably not thinking of going to the beach and its restaurants. Well, you might just be wrong. TheGazebbo Beach in Herzlyia is a slice of heaven. Soft lawn chairs and restaurants serving fine dishes, all of that placed on the fine sands of Israel’s Mediterranean beaches.

GIVAT ALYIA BEACH: THE PEACEFUL ONE

When you first look at it, it’s just a regular beach, but when you actually put its merits to the test, you understand how amazing it truly is. The future beach of the Hotel W, opening summer 2016, is a natural wonder and harbors the restaurant Cassis, a proprietor of mouth-watering dishes. But what actually gives it its charm is its closeness to the Peres Center for Peace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

JERUSALEM BEACH: THE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY ONE

The name itself is all the appeal, emanating a symbolic aura of that of the holy city. Then we realized it was one of the few beaches in Israel that is eligible to display a Blue Flag. We now understand its success. Cleanliness, security and environmental protection might not directly impact your experience, but knowing that this is what the beach provides will make you feel more comfortable.

WEST SHORE: THE SPORTY ONE

Surfers personal paradise. In contrast to the other beaches in Tel Aviv, West Shore doesn’t have a breakwater, which gives the waves a unique pattern. Located between Tel Aviv and Yafo, it’s the beach to go to when the sun turns down to have a peek at the sexy surfers of Tel Aviv.

FIVE UNEXPECTED BEACHES IN TEL AVIV

To get away from Frishman, Gordon and Banana

Frishman, Gordon AND Banana are not the only places to take a nap and accentuate your tan. A luxurious beach, sporty or nudist one; here is our selection of alternative beaches in Tel Aviv.

GAASH BEACH: THE WILDEST ONE

In Gaash, there is no doubt that you either love it right away or you hate it all the way. Located a short distance north of Tel Aviv, you need to go there to understand what’s really in the air. While still very wild, it is not that easy to access but it’s worth the effort to enjoy a moment of serenity. Just a little bit of concern: we call it Paradise Beach too because it welcomes some visitors as naked as the day they are born.

GAZEBBO BEACH: THE FRENCH RIVIERA ONE

If you’re looking for quality mattresses and sophisticated food, you’re probably not thinking of going to the beach and its restaurants. Well, you might just be wrong. TheGazebbo Beach in Herzlyia is a slice of heaven. Soft lawn chairs and restaurants serving fine dishes, all of that placed on the fine sands of Israel’s Mediterranean beaches.

GIVAT ALYIA BEACH: THE PEACEFUL ONE

When you first look at it, it’s just a regular beach, but when you actually put its merits to the test, you understand how amazing it truly is. The future beach of the Hotel W, opening summer 2016, is a natural wonder and harbors the restaurant Cassis, a proprietor of mouth-watering dishes. But what actually gives it its charm is its closeness to the Peres Center for Peace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

JERUSALEM BEACH: THE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY ONE

The name itself is all the appeal, emanating a symbolic aura of that of the holy city. Then we realized it was one of the few beaches in Israel that is eligible to display a Blue Flag. We now understand its success. Cleanliness, security and environmental protection might not directly impact your experience, but knowing that this is what the beach provides will make you feel more comfortable.

WEST SHORE: THE SPORTY ONE

Surfers personal paradise. In contrast to the other beaches in Tel Aviv, West Shore doesn’t have a breakwater, which gives the waves a unique pattern. Located between Tel Aviv and Yafo, it’s the beach to go to when the sun turns down to have a peek at the sexy surfers of Tel Aviv.

Get To Know Tel Aviv: Things Not To Miss In Israel's Coolest City in Zion

Get To Know Tel Aviv: Things Not To Miss In Israel's Coolest City in Zion

It’s a bold statement but someone has to make it – Tel Aviv is the destination of the year. Attracting travelers of all types – trendsetting millennials, digital nomads, seasoned travelers and even first-time adventurers – Tel Aviv is one of those places that has its own unique thing going on, yet in a totally familiar I belong here kind of way. That’s when you know a city is special. And while there are many, many reasons why Tel Aviv is the place to be right now, these three things deserve an honorable mention.


On Israel’s Mediterranean coast, Tel Aviv is one of the hottest destinations this year.

Five-star boutique hotels are popping up left and right.

Right now, if you ask anyone in Tel Aviv, they’ll tell you that the Norman, a chic 1920′s-inspired boutique hotel right off of Rothschild Boulevard, is without an undisputed doubt the hottest hotel in the city at the moment. With only 50 rooms between the hotel’s two Bauhaus buildings, which are connected by the cutest citrus garden in the city might I add, the exclusivity of the hotel is just a part of what makes it so special. From the rooftop pool to the beautiful Norman Restaurant, this isn’t only where the elite stay, it’s where the elite come to play. But the Norman isn’t the only first-class boutique hotel that’s turning heads in Tel Aviv, the Hotel Montefiore and Alma Hotel are just as elegant and luxurious. Add in the Brown Urban Hotel which is quickly becoming a hotspot for locals thanks to their mix of art and fashion events, and you have a mix of boutique hotels turned local hideaways that give an authentic taste of Tel Aviv that you wouldn’t normally expect to find quite so quickly as an outsider. And with newcomers like the Poli House expected to open at the end of June, Tel Aviv might be one of the only cities in the world where it’s completely acceptable to never leave your hotel every time you visit.


Tour the Best Boutique Hotel in Tel Aviv: The Norman

Tel Aviv’s food scene isn’t doing any crazy molecular gastronomy, but the simple straight forward food that they are doing? It’s absolutely incredible.

While you won’t find foams and spherified foods here, which is actually a much welcomed break from a trend that has taken over too much in recent years, what you will find is some of the most straight forward, perfectly executed food in the world. There’s a reason that they’ve been able to do this food for years without complaint or the need to reinvent the cuisine – it’s absolutely perfect just the way that it is. From the creamiest hummus that you’ll ever find – which locals swear is at Abu Hassan in Jaffa (seriously, it will ruin what you thought hummus was) – to the freshest fish and vegetables that speak for themselves, the food scene in Tel Aviv is vibrant and fresh without even having to try. And the places that you really want to seek out are the staples that locals love, from Ha’achim to Port Said to Yom Tov Delicatessen at Levinsky Market (who will also be opening a dedicated sandwich shop any day now in the same area), and you can’t forget Shmuel at Carmel Market. While you can still find five-star world-inspired cuisine at places like Catit (Mediterranean/French), why would you want to when you’re in a place with a local cuisine that’s this perfect?


The Jerusalem Mix Pita from Shmuel at Carmel Market is definitely for the adventurous eater – it’s a mix of chicken breast, hearts, liver and salad, topped with tahini.

Neve Tzedek is the city’s version of SoHo, but better.

Modern and chic, Neve Tzedek is one of the oldest districts in town and was also the first Jewish neighborhood built outside of Jaffa’s Old City. While the area itself is old, the vibe is young, making this part of town particularly attractive for shopping, eating and just mingling with stylish locals. Kind of like the good-old-days in New York City’s SoHo, before the chains and crowds of tourists came flocking in. Especially Shabazi Street, the main hub for the boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants that the area is known for among hip locals. And while the area is popular, it’s not overwhelming (remember what I just said about the tourists flocking to SoHo?). To make the best use of your time on Shabazi Street, head straight to Agas and Tamar Jewelry for a little piece to remember the city by, grab a gelato at the local favorite Anita to cool off, a bite at Suzanna (always opt to eat on the tucked away terrace) and finally end the day with wine at Zazo Wine Bar. While there’s a lot to experience in Neve Tzedek, do it all at your own pace, Tel Aviv is best enjoyed at leisure.


Shabazi Street, the main drag of Neve Tzedek. 

April 11th 1909 Tel Aviv founded. Today, April 14th the first five families move into quickly contracted homes.April 15th first eviction for squatting ( seriously)

First Hebrew city fulfilled prophecy of ‘I will build you up again, and you will be rebuilt.’.April 11th 1909 Tel Aviv founded. Today, April 14th the first five families move into quickly contracted homes.April 15th first eviction for squatting ( seriously) on an allocated plot awarded by a lottery using  seashells.
Lottery for building plots in Tel Aviv, 1909.. 

On April 11, 1909, Tel Aviv, the first modern Jewish city was founded.

Ever since the time of Bible, including appearances in the books of Joshua, Jonah and 2 Chronicles, there has been a presence in the city of Joppa, or Jaffa as it is called today.

In the Middle Ages, the port city changed hands multiple times from the Arabs to the Crusaders and Mamluks, but by the 1880s Jaffa became a well-protected Ottoman port city.

It wasn’t until the prophetic return to Zion in the late 19th century that Jews began settling the area adjacent to Jaffa. Yemeni Jews were some of the first to arrive, and soon after, large numbers of Jewish pioneers from Europe began cultivating the sand dunes.

With the arrival of more Zionists at the turn of the 20 century, in 1906, a group of Jewish residents of Jaffa and the nearby agricultural settlements founded a society with the intention of building a modern Jewish city in the Holy Land.

Three years later, after the society’s envoy finally was able to purchase the land and register the deeds with the Ottoman Empire, the Zionist pioneers gathered on April 11, 1909, on one of the Mediterranean’s bare beaches to receive their plots. Each member’s name was written on a sea shell, and one by one the 66 Jewish families received their own portion of the Holy Land. And thus, the building of the “first Hebrew city” was underway.

The name of the budding metropolis-to-be was stilled called after the society that the pioneers had founded – Ahuzat Bayit, meaning homestead. On May 21, 1910, though, after a long debate, a municipal committee decided that the city would be called Tel Aviv, after the verse in Ezekiel 3:15: “I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days--deeply distressed.”

The committee found that the name was extremely appropriate to express the idea of a Jewish renaissance and the fulfillment of the biblical prophecies of a return to Zion. The word “tel” means an ancient mound composed of remains of successive settlements, and “aviv” is the Hebrew word for spring, symbolizing renewal. The flag and city arms of the city also expressed the idea of renewal, containing a verse from Jeremiah 31:4: “I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt.”

Today, Tel Aviv has grown from those 66 families to a population of almost half a million people, and is considered one of the top 20 financial centers of the world. Over two million tourists annually visit the “city that never sleeps” to experience the White City's ’s beaches, and unique culture, cuisine and nightlife.

Tel Aviv-Jaffa is also home to a community of more than 4,000 Christians. Both Immanuel Church, a Protestant church in the city’s American–German Colony, and St. Peter’s Church, a Franciscan church in Jaffa, predate the founding of the city.

Kikar Hamidina .Tel Aviv is Known as The White City