Where To Stay In Tel Aviv: Recommendations By An Almost Local

Where To Stay In Tel Aviv: Recommendations By An Almost Local

by | Nov 29, 2018 | Accommodation, Israel, Middle East, Planning ahead

Looking for where to stay in Tel Aviv shouldn’t be a hard task: the city is packed with good accommodation options for any budget and interests. Different parts of the city, however, have a different appeal and a different feel and your choice of accommodation in Tel Aviv should be also based on what you plan to do once in the city, and what you generally like doing.

Picking Where To Stay In Tel Aviv

If you’ve been following me for a while, you should already know I am a big fan of Tel Aviv and that you can trust my tips. If this is the first time you visit my blog, let me sum it up for you: Tel Aviv is like my second home, and I love it to bits (read why here). I have been there many times and go there regularly, I have many friends there, and I won’t ever tire of it.

To read more about everything that Tel Aviv has to offer, check my post “Twenty Things To Do In Tel Aviv To Fall In Love With It“ and if you are planning a longer trip to Israel, check my post “The 10 Best Places To Visit During A Trip To Israel.”

To be fair, nowadays I hardly have to worry about where to stay in Tel Aviv when I go as my friends always offer to host me. Yet, I like the idea of staying in a different area every time!

My go to place used to be Abraham Hostel, and I still visit and hang out there any time I’m in town. Abraham has the perfect combination of being in a good, central location; of attracting a varied audience (youngsters, families, etc) and it has some great social spaces, making it perfect for people who are keen on meeting other travelers. To make it even better, its hangout places (ie the bar and the terrace) are venue for events and parties which even the locals can attend, so it’s a great place to also meet locals. In other words, it’s probably the best choice of where to stay in Tel Aviv if it is your first time in the city. Check out the latest rates for Abraham Hostel, and read the reviews here.

I have also been to other hotels in Tel Aviv – more about them later.

If you are worried about picking the best location for your accommodation in Tel Aviv, let me assure you that there is no need to panic. All hotels in Tel Aviv are centrally located, so no matter where you end up staying, you’ll have something interesting to do and see nearby and you won’t be spending a long time commuting from one place to the other.

Indeed, Tel Aviv isn’t a very big city, at least in European terms. Besides, it is fairly easy to get around. If you spend a few days there, you’ll most likely stumble upon a local complaining about the bad traffic and the poor public transport. But honestly, it’s not bad at all: there are decent working buses (well, except on Shabbat); there are easy to navigate bike lanes (if you rent a bike, stay on the designated lane as the local police regularly fines those riding on the street); and even on a very bad day traffic is not nearly as bad as it is in Rome, let alone Delhi.

Keep reading for my tips on where to stay in Tel Aviv.

where to stay in Tel Aviv

Looking for where to stay in Tel Aviv? Read on for my tips!

Where To Stay In Tel Aviv: The Best Accommodation Options By Area And Interests

Florentin

Where to stay in Tel Aviv for: artists and hipsters

This is one of my favorite areas of Tel Aviv, and where I usually go for a drink or a night out with friends. Indeed, it’s packed with great bars, pubs and clubs.

Let alone the fact that Florentin is my personal choice for a hangout place, this is where to stay in Tel Aviv if you’d rather stay out of the main tourist circuit and want to experience an artsy, eccentric environment: some of the nicest restaurants in Tel Aviv are located in Florentin, and the area is famous for its street art (a street art tour in this part of town is a must!).

TIP: book yourself on a guided street art tour to admire art pieces such as 27 Club, which portrays Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse and Jimi Hendrix among others; and The Peace Kids, a mural representing Israelis and Palestinians holding hands.

These are some of the best street art tours of Tel Aviv that go to Florentin:

Florentin owes its artsy feel to the artists and youth that, at the beginning of the 1990s, started moving into the abandoned buildings – thus transforming what used to be a strictly industrial area into a bohémien one. Among the landmarks in the area there is Levinsky Market, which is a fantastic place for grocery shopping and street food (local and international).

Last but by far not least, Florentin is well connected by public transportation to the rest of the city, and there is an excellent selection of cheap hotels in Tel Aviv.

Here is where to stay in Tel Aviv Florentin:

accommodation in Tel Aviv

With its narrow cobbled alleys, Jaffa is truly charming. And it has some of the nicest boutique hotels in Tel Aviv

Jaffa

Where to stay in Tel Aviv for: history and culture lovers (and just about anybody else)

Before my Israeli friends snap at me, let me clarify one thing. Jaffa technically isn’t Tel Aviv, but a whole different city (that’s why it is called Tel Aviv – Yafo). Yet, they are attached to one another and it’s inevitable that people easily move between the two. You can stay in Tel Aviv and walk to Jaffa, or the other way around.

Anyways, back to us. I guess I have said that I am a massive fan of Florentin. Jaffa is another part of Tel Aviv I am obsessed with, packed as it is with those narrow, cobbled alleys and crumbling buildings I enjoy taking photos of (check out my Instagram feed to see what I mean). Jaffa is where to stay in Tel Aviv if you are keen on staying in a more historical part of town.

Jaffa is where Tel Aviv started. This harbor town was already mentioned in correspondence from Egypt in 1440 BC. It’s the most historical bit of Tel Aviv, and probably the most atmospheric one. Nowadays, Jaffa is becoming where to stay in Tel Aviv not just for travelers, but also for locals, who appreciate the fact that it is well connected to the rest of the city, it has the feel of a small town (while at the same time being packed with boutique shops, coffee shops bars, restaurants, and right by the beach) and it can be cheaper.

Among the places of interest worth mentioning there are the old train station, HaTachana; the Alhambra Cinema (a beautiful art déco building dating back to 1937); Al-Bahr Mosque; the Clock Tower; St. Peter’s Church and the historic home of Simon the Tanner. Last, but definitely not least, there is a beautiful flea market.

TIP: there are free guided walking tours of Jaffa that depart every day from the Clock Tower at 2:00 pm.

Here is where to stay in Tel Aviv / Jaffa:

Neve Tzedek

Where to stay in Tel Aviv for: shopaholic and trendsetters

Every time I am in Tel Aviv, I walk through Neve Tzedek on my way to the beach and I regularly end up lost while browsing through the many lovely boutiques and art galleries while eating a delicious ice cream. I love this part of Tel Aviv – it’s where my friends’ family is from (back in the day where there was nothing trendy here, but it was one of the poorest parts of town!), so I get treated to a very local experience whenever I visit.

Other than that, Neve Tzedek is where to stay in Tel Aviv in terms of location, as it is virtually walking distance from everything (you may have to walk a bit longer for some places, but it’s totally doable): the beach, the bars and clubs in Florentin, Rothschild Avenue and even Jaffa. In other words, it is where to look for accommodation in Tel Aviv if it is your first time in the city and you are worried about navigating the transportation system. You’ll enjoy it even more if you are a bit of a trendsetter! The only downside to it is that as this is where most boutique hotels in Tel Aviv are located, prices are quite expensive.

Neve Tzedek is packed with bauhaus buildings, which are typical of Tel Aviv. Adding to its charm, there are the colorful buildings with the incredible backdrops of the skyscrapers in the distance. Among the places of interest there are Nachum Gutman Museum and the Rokach House, where you can learn a bit more about the history of Neve Tzedek.

TIP: one of the nicest things to do in Neve Tzedek is attending a show at the Suzanne Dellal center. Make sure to check the timetable in advance and buy tickets in advance.

Here is where to stay in Tel Aviv in Neve Tzedek:

where to stay in Tel Aviv

Tayelet is the perfect place to stay in Tel Aviv if you are looking for easy beach access

Tayelet

Where to stay in Tel Aviv for: beach bums (and families)

One of the perks of Tel Aviv is that it has a beautiful, long, sandy urban beach where it is nice to relax and swim in the summer, but which is a fantastic place to hang out in any season. Fitness junkies go there to run, bike, skate, play volleyball and what not; families take the kids for a walk (and take the dog along); and as soon as there is a wave, surfers all get in the water. Last, but oh so not least, the sunsets are fabulous. And if this is not enough, you should also know that some of the nicest hotels in Tel Aviv are right by the beach.

TIP: rent a bike from any of the rental spots in town and bike along the Tayelet for a bit of fresh air. And if you really want to get all local, go for a game of matkot (a beach tennis kind of game) at the beach.

Tayelet is the beach front of Tel Aviv and some of the hotels in Tel Aviv (usually large hotels with all the comforts one may hope for) are in this area.

Here is a selection of where to stay in Tel Aviv if looking for easy access to the beach:

where to stay in Tel Aviv

A lot of good hotels in Tel Aviv are located near Habima

Lev Ha’ir

Where to stay in Tel Aviv for: anyone who wants to be in the center of action

Lev Ha’ir means “heart of the city” in Hebrew. This part of town is between Neve Tzedek, Florentin, Sarona, the North and Kerem Hateimanim. It’s one of the most lively areas of Tel Aviv, where Habima (the National Theater) is located, as well as the White City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 4000 Bauhaus buildings. It’s also packed with coffee shops and bars.

In recent years, Lev Ha’ir has become the cultural and nightlife center of Tel Aviv, and many of the best hotels in Tel Aviv have appeared where there used to be abandoned buildings. Among the places of interest there are the Pagoda House; Kiryat HaSefer park; the Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv. Shopaholics may also go to Sheinkin Street, which is packed with boutiques.

TIP: Lev Ha’ir is where most political protests take place. It’s where to head if you care to know a bit more of the local sentiments.

Here is where to stay in Tel Aviv in the Lev Ha’ir area:

Kerem HaTeimanim

Where to stay in Tel Aviv for: those in search of a truly local experience

Kerem HaTeimanim was built by Yemenite migrants at the end of the 19th century, and it actually is the first part of Tel Aviv that was built outside of Jaffa. This is where I always hang out when I am out with my friends Eyal and Aya, who – guess what – are Yemenite Jews.

What I love about Karem HaTeimanim is that among the chaos of Shuk HaCarmel and Allenby Street, there are some lovely smaller streets with beautiful old buildings, where time seems to have stopped. This is where to stay in Tel Aviv if looking for a good compromise in terms of location: it’s close to the beach, close to the action, and has retained all its authentic character.

TIP: one of the nicest bars to hang out in the area is Minzar, which is open till late every day. It serves good food at reasonable prices. The menu changes daily.

Here is where to stay in Tel Aviv in Kerem HaTeimanim:

Have you ever been to Tel Aviv? What are your suggestions for where to stay in Tel Aviv?

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Find out where to stay in Tel Aviv, Israel, based on your interests and budget - via @clautavani

Tel Aviv loves life

Tel Aviv loves life

by | Dec 29, 2016 | inspirational, Israel, Middle East

Tel Aviv

Blue sky, white sand – impossible not to love Tel Aviv

“I fell in love with a city I didn’t think I’d love. And I loved it, because Tel Aviv loves life.” That’s how my friend Margherita explains how much she enjoyed Tel Aviv. Yet, I had never been interested to go. You know – the parties, the nightlife, the modern skyline: nothing seemed to resonate with me, generally more interested in culture and history.

“I will definitely like Jerusalem better,” I told myself when I boarded the plane that took me to Israel.

“Welcome to my home!” was the welcoming message my friend Trisha sent me as soon as I landed in Tel Aviv.

“Wait, isn’t she from the Philippines?” I wondered. So why would she call Tel Aviv her home? That sounded weird. You see, I am from Sardinia, and I will always remain from Sardinia, no matter where I travel to, no matter where I live. In the more than 2 years I have lived in Colorado, and in the more than 8 years I have lived in England, I never called those places “home.” I’d say I lived there, but that was it. Home remained Cagliari – so attached to my homeland I am (as everyone else here).

tel aviv

How could I not fall in love with a city that has this to offer?

Is home really where the heart is?

So, how could a Filipino woman who had been living there for a mere 2 months talk of Tel Aviv as her home?

It didn’t take me long to understand why.

I fell in love with Tel Aviv. More than that. I felt at home in Tel Aviv – and although I have traveled the world far and wide, it never happened to me that I felt so comfortable in a place that I would consider making it my home for a while. I felt like this within minutes of arriving there, after having spent 4 days in Jerusalem, a city that left me culturally enriched, but somehow with a bitter taste in my mouth.

Don’t get me wrong, I liked Jerusalem, but I felt a bit unwelcome there, as a tourist and even more so as a human being. I perceived it as a city that doesn’t really want to be discovered, where people have put up a barrier that is difficult to cross, where they don’t want to communicate with anybody outside of their small circle.

Find out more about Jerusalem on my post “Traditional and alternative things to do in Jerusalem.”

With these preambles, I was possibly expecting even less of Tel Aviv. What could someone like me possibly get out of a city that is known for being a business centre, and, at most, a place to go to have a little bit of fun?

Abraham Hostel

The gorgeous view of downtown Tel Aviv from the rooftop terrace of Abraham Hostel

A warm welcome

It was a glorious sunny day when I got to Tel Aviv. It was warm. Actually, it was almost too warm, for being the end of November. It was pleasant, after the cold wind that swept Jerusalem the day before and that froze my hands and, accompanied by the cold vibe, anesthetized my heart.

“Welcome to Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv, please make yourself at home” were the simple words, accompanied by a wide smile, that the receptionist told me as soon as I arrived. Now, that was a nice change from the icy stare I’d get at my hotel in Jerusalem.

People in Tel Aviv were already proving to be as warm as the weather.

“Why don’t you get yourself a cup of coffee or tea from the kitchen upstairs and wait in the rooftop terrace as we prepare your room and check you in?” he quickly added.

“Ok!” I uttered, thinking that any place with a rooftop terrace was bound to be cool.

I dropped my bag in the storage room, took the elevator and went to the kitchen. People in Tel Aviv like to keep a low profile, apparently. Calling that place a kitchen is a major understatement. Picture a room so large that you may wish to use rollerblades to go from one end to the other. On one side, an incredibly well equipped kitchen; then a bunch of tables and chairs; a bar that overshadows the best pubs in town and as if these were not enough already, a stage – yes, a stage – for performances and concerts.

I grabbed my coffee and made my way to the rooftop terrace – and walked by the tv room as I did so. But as soon as I made it to the terrace, I had to put the coffee down and take my camera out: the view was stunning and I wanted to take some pictures. Then I decided that it was such a nice day that I may as well go out and grab a bite.

Tel Aviv

Oceanfront cities such as Tel Aviv have that extra charme to me

Life is a beach

So I made my way to the Carmel Market – I like markets, and I like street food to the point that I even do street food tours (like in Bangkok), so it sounded like a good option. It was Friday morning, and it was packed with people shopping for their Shabbat dinner. I bought a delicious falafel sandwich for a mere 7 Sheckels (around 2 dollars), and ate it as I walked towards the beach.

Find out more about Bangkok and its street food scene on my post “Nine fabulous things to do in Bangkok.”

I guess I should have known that I would have fallen for Tel Aviv, because I can’t help but love cities by the sea. I just didn’t make the connection before actually getting there. You see, I think there is something special about this kind of cities. I grew up in one (Cagliari), and it is refreshing to know that I can get a dose of vitamin sea within 7 minutes drive from home (and that is because I live on the other side of the city). I have visited several – Havana with its Malecon; San Sebastian, one of the top places to visit in Spain, with its gorgeous beaches that are a favorite among surfers; and Lima, which regularly gets fogged up because of the cold pacific air – and have always found that they have that something extra compared to others. Besides, Tel Aviv has been named one of the top ten oceanfront cities by National Geographic.

Tel Aviv

Even cats are laid back in Tel Aviv

As I walked along the waterfront, and looked at the busy urban beach, it all was a deja-vu: the people at the beach; the surfers in the water; people running; others biking or rollerblading; couples holding hands; families with children; others with their dogs; and a few cats that roamed freely. It reminded me of something I had already seen, of some place I knew very well and where I am comfortable. It reminded me of my beloved hometown Cagliari and its Poetto beach. It reminded me of home.

I continued walking along the waterfront: I could see Old Jaffa, the oldest part of Tel Aviv (whose White City, by the way, is a UNESCO site), in the distance – I’d visit that some other time. Now, as the sun started setting, the light was simply stunning and I could not get enough of it. I am hardly romantic, but I admit that I was captured by it. There was nowhere else I’d rather be.

Tel Aviv

Even cats enjoy the fabulous sunsets on Tel Aviv waterfront

It was only when it finally became dark that I realized I had been wandering around for hours. I had completely lost track of time, and it was time to walk back to the Abraham Hostel to finally check in. I already knew my way around: straight up to Carmel Market, then a right turn on Allenby, left on Rothschild and then right on Levontin. And in case I got lost I could make use of the free wifi that is available pretty much anywhere in Tel Aviv. I did not get lost, however, and I walked into the lobby to be once again welcomed by the great vibe of Abraham.

Read my complete guide on where to stay in Tel Aviv. 

The great night out

“Do you want to join the Shabbat dinner tonight?” asked another friendly receptionist as I walked in. He explained that every Friday, as per Jewish tradition, the Abraham holds a Shabbat dinner for its guests.

“Sure,” I said – a bit dubious. I had no idea what a Shabbat dinner would be like, but why not? After all I was visiting a new country to try new experiences, and this would be one, right?

He then handed me the electronic key to my room, and I took my bag there so that I could freshen up for dinner. My room was lovely: a spacious private room on the third floor, simple yet cozy and with anything I may need for my stay.

At 7:30 pm I walked into the kitchen for the Shabbat dinner. Tables were set already, an array of home cooked food was about to be served, but we first said the prayers – well, the others did. I am an atheist, really. Besides, I could not make out a single word anyways! But it was a nice experience. A bunch of people – some travelers like me, other locals – all sitting at the same table, talking about the most diverse topics and enjoying some good food. It felt homey.

But I couldn’t make myself too comfortable. I have many Israeli friends that I have met during my travels in South America – Yuval in Peru, during the hike of the Colca Canyon; Yoav in Bolivia, when I toured the Pampas from Rurrenabaque; Eyal and Aya through our passion for cats. And there is no saying no to Israelis when they say they want to take you out.

That night, Yoav had promised to show me a bit of the nightlife Tel Aviv is famous for. We met at the Abraham and headed to Florentine. But it would have been just as well anywhere else – as we walked, I saw an incredible number of bars on the way, each of them packed with people talking, drinking and having a good time. Tel Avivians love going out, apparently.

Yoav and I had about a year and a half to catch on, and we hit several bars before I begged him to take me back to the hostel – it was almost 3 am, I was having a bike tour the next day, and a lady needs her beauty sleep anyways. Had it not been that I was meant to wake up early, I would have stayed out longer. It had been a while since I had such a good time on a night out.

Tel Aviv

Habima Square, in Tel Aviv, is one of the spots were locals like to hang out at weekends

Bike away with me

The sun wasn’t shining the following day, but it was still very warm – it was a good day for a bike tour. After all, Tel Aviv is one of the coolest cities in the world to bike around. I met Amit, my guide, in the lobby of Abraham hostel. He took me and a few more guests around the main places of interest in the city and helped us getting to know it better by adding historical and cultural relevance to the places we visited, such as Habima Square and the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion; the Rabin Memorial; Reading, the old power plant that is soon to be dismantled; and even the beaches and the waterfront. Who knew that there’s a beach for just about anybody in Tel Aviv? It just reinforced my idea of Tel Aviv as a welcoming, multicultural and vibrant city, and made me love it even more.

Tel Aviv

The old power plant of Reading is an interesting sight during the bike tour of Tel Aviv

And just in case I had any doubt at all on how welcoming Tel Aviv is, Eyal and Aya would not let me leave the city without making me try the best hummus in Israel. We met in Old Jaffa, a beautiful little town considered part of the greater Tel Aviv area. I parked my bike (how homey does it feel when you get to know your way around a city that you feel comfortable to go around by bike!) and we started walking through the narrow streets of Jaffa, passing by the Clock Tower, the Flea Market, crossing the Wishing Bridge, admiring the view of Tel Aviv from Andromeda’s Rock and the minaret of Al-Bahr Mosque. And we ended up in Jaffa Port, where we joined in the crowds in line at Abu Hassan to try the best hummus in the country.

Tel Aviv

Al-Bahr mosque, in Old Jaffa, faces directly the sea and offers a gorgeous view.

I must admit Eyal knew what he was talking about. I am far from being an expert on hummus, but that was by far the best one I have ever tried in my life.

Tel Aviv loves life

As the day turned into night and we continued onto Minzar Bar in Tel Aviv, I knew I was taken. It all made sense now – the feeling of being incredibly at ease and comfortable; the smiles I saw around me and the ones that grew on my face… These were all signs that not only I enjoyed visiting Tel Aviv, but I would not mind making this place my home at least for a while, as Trisha was already doing.

Margherita was right. Tel Aviv loves life, and I fell in love with Tel Aviv.

To find out more about Tel Aviv, check my post “Twenty Things To Do In Tel Aviv To Fall In Love With It.”

Tel Aviv

I could not get enough of the view of Tel Aviv beach from Old Jaffa.

Have you ever been to Tel Aviv? Did you enjoy it as much as I did?

Find out how to plan the perfect trip to Israel and discover where to stay in Tel Aviv.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: I was a guest of Abraham Hostel and Abraham Tours during my stay in Tel Aviv, however all the views expressed are my own.