LGBTQIA+ Travel Guides:
Destination Tel Aviv
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Tel Aviv is a city that never sleeps and is considered by many as the Miami of the Middle East. The city offers a range of quality accommodations, from luxury to affordable and a lively nightlife that draws in large crowds, making it the perfect destination for LGBTQIA+ sunseekers and partygoers. With award-winning restaurants, cafes and bars, and many nightclubs and festivals throughout the year, it is easy to relax and have fun day or night. Whether relaxing at the beach, soaking up the Mediterranean sun, enjoying all the food on offer or visiting any of the museums, Tel Aviv is a top city destination and remains Israel’s gay capital for good reasons.
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Since late 2023, Israel and the Hamas military group have been at war, which has been centred around the Gaza Strip. Even though Tel Aviv is over 60 kilometres away from Gaza, you should check with your foreign office or department for advice on whether to travel.
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All published articles are intended for an audience aged 18 years and over and have been written by members of the general public. Many will likely not be journalists nor be affiliated with any professional bodies associated with members of the media. The articles will likely be based on the authors' own opinions, views, and experiences...more
Tel Aviv-Yafo, often shortened to just Tel Aviv, is located in the Gush Dan area within the country of Israel in the continent of Asia and the regions of western Asia and the Middle East. The city is the second largest in Israel, with Jerusalem being the largest, and it has a population at the end of 2021 of around 468 thousand people. Tel Aviv covers an area of 52 square kilometres or 20 square miles and is located on the Mediterranean Sea. The city’s coastline is home to hundreds of beaches, from the popular Gordon Beach to the unofficial gay beach, Hilton Beach; the city is a sunseeker paradise.
The sea and water have played an important role in the history of the city, and the modern city sits at an altitude of about 5 meters or 16 feet above sea level and is divided into nine neighbourhoods. The oldest neighbourhood is known as Jaffa, covering the ancient port city of Jaffa. The port and surrounding areas were historically incorporated to form modern Tel Aviv. Jaffa port is one of the most ancient ports in the world and is featured in the Book of Jonah in the Old Testament as the site in which Jonah set sail in the bible story, Jonah and the Whale. Today, the port is a place to take in history, dine in the many available local seafood restaurants, take a boat ride, or view the impressive artwork or history within the city’s many galleries.
Tel Aviv enjoys a warm climate throughout the year, with temperatures reaching a high of 18 degrees Celsius or 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit in January during the winter months and 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit in August during the summer months. The city enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine each year and 12 hours of sunlight during the summer months, making it a good city break at any time throughout the year. The city is steeped in history and culture, whether it is a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage White City or simply a stroll in the city streets, which is why Tel Aviv continues to be a popular LGBTQIA+ destination.
Some interesting facts you might not know:
The sea and water have played an important role in the history of the city, and the modern city sits at an altitude of about 5 meters or 16 feet above sea level and is divided into nine neighbourhoods. The oldest neighbourhood is known as Jaffa, covering the ancient port city of Jaffa. The port and surrounding areas were historically incorporated to form modern Tel Aviv. Jaffa port is one of the most ancient ports in the world and is featured in the Book of Jonah in the Old Testament as the site in which Jonah set sail in the bible story, Jonah and the Whale. Today, the port is a place to take in history, dine in the many available local seafood restaurants, take a boat ride, or view the impressive artwork or history within the city’s many galleries.
Tel Aviv enjoys a warm climate throughout the year, with temperatures reaching a high of 18 degrees Celsius or 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit in January during the winter months and 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit in August during the summer months. The city enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine each year and 12 hours of sunlight during the summer months, making it a good city break at any time throughout the year. The city is steeped in history and culture, whether it is a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage White City or simply a stroll in the city streets, which is why Tel Aviv continues to be a popular LGBTQIA+ destination.
Some interesting facts you might not know:
- Founded in 1909, Tel Aviv became Israel’s first city. The modern part of the city was founded on an area of sand dunes called Ahuzat Bayit and was later renamed Tel Aviv-Yafo, which means Spring Mound.
- Israel declared its independence in Tel Aviv. Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, declared independence from within Tel Aviv’s Independence Hall. The city was also the political capital until 1967 and is still home to many foreign embassies.
- Tel Aviv is a sunseekers paradise. The city, on average, enjoys 12 hours of sun each day and 300 days of sunshine each year. June is the sunniest month, and July and August are the warmest.
- National Geographic voted Tel Aviv the world’s ninth-best beach city. The city has 13 official beaches stretching over 14 kilometres or 8.7 miles. Visitors to the beaches often see people playing Matkot, a popular Israeli padel ball game.
- The city that never sleeps, Tel Aviv is often referred to as the Miami of the Middle East, given the large crowds of partygoers who enjoy the scene into the early hours of the morning. The city has secured its fun status and has been named one of the world’s top-party cities.
- Tel Aviv is considered the gay capital of Israel and each year hosts the largest Gay Pride parade in Asia. The city celebrates its hospitality and inclusion of the community, so much so that in 2013, the city’s mayor used a third of the tourism budget to attract LGBTQIA+ tourists.
- Tel Aviv is home to some of Israel’s largest museums, including the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Design Museum Hoon and Beit Hatfutsot. The city has more than 200 museums, which means it is ranked as one of the cities with the highest number of museums per capita globally. Beit Hatfutsot, or the Museum of the Jewish People, which focuses on the history of Judaism and the Jewish people, is the largest of its kind in the world.
- Tel Aviv is also home to the White City. This UNESCO heritage site is made up of over 4,000 buildings that showcase some of the best examples of Bauhaus architecture.
- The people of Tel Aviv, or Tel Avivians, love their sport. The city is home to Maccabi Football Club, one of the largest sports clubs and holds more titles than any other club in Israel.
- Art plays a big part in the city; it is common to see Graffiti, which is culturally part of the city, and within Nahalt Binyamin Street, twice a week, an arts and crafts fair is hosted. The fair showcases the works of over 200 artists and includes items such as dinnerware, jewellery and ornaments.
- Tel Aviv has twinned or twin city status with 11 major cities worldwide, including Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, São Paulo and Beijing.
- Food plays a vital role within the city. Tel Aviv proudly holds many food-related titles and records, including becoming the plant-based food capital and being home to the best Italian restaurant outside Italy. The Italian government awarded the popular restaurant Pronto the best Ristorante Italiano outside Italy. The city has also become a haven for vegans and vegetarians, with over 400 restaurants around the city serving plant-based food. Tel Aviv is also home to more than 100 sushi restaurants.
Tel Aviv is located in central Israel in the Gush Dan area. Many flights from Europe will usually take over 4 hours, and both direct and indirect flights are available. It will take under 14 hours to go to Los Angeles and 11 hours to go to New York and Toronto in North America.
BY AIR
BY AIR
- Ben Gurion International Airport (///rainfall.lifelong.head – TLV (IATA) | LLBG (ICAO) is the main international airport and the busiest in Israel, handling over 20 million passengers each year. The airport is 20 kilometres or 12 miles southeast of the centre of Tel Aviv. The airport is the main international hub for El Al, Israir Airlines, Arkia, and Sun d’Or and a focus city for Bluebird Airways. The busiest routes to and from Tel Aviv are Istanbul (Turkey, Larnaca (Cyprus), Dubai (UAE), and Paris (France). The most popular method of getting to the airport is via train using the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem line. The train takes approximately 20 minutes from the Tel Aviv Savidor Central Station in the city’s centre, and trains run every thirty minutes. Another popular option is a sherut, which is a shared taxi that can take up to ten passengers. The sherut taxis can be found at the arrivals terminal and cost anywhere from 20 US dollars. Private hire vehicles (metered) taxi points are located on the ground level at the Gate 3 exit and the second level at the Gate 21 exit. Journeys to the inner city from the airport typically take approximately 20 minutes and cost anything from 40 US Dollars, which will depend on your destination.
- Port of Haifa (///keep.definite.hardly) is the largest of Israel’s ports and primarily serves the areas of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The port is 90 kilometres or 57 miles north of Tel Aviv and handles an average of 80,000 tourists and 90,000 Israelis on Cruise and Passenger ships each year. Many major cruise lines use the port to offer access and tours to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The cruise passenger terminal, approximately 500 square meters (m²) or 59,200 square feet (ft²), has undergone extensive renovation. The air-conditioned building now offers a range of amenities, including currency exchange services, food halls, duty-free shopping, free WiFi and more. The most popular method for getting from the port to Tel Aviv’s city centre is via train. A direct train from the nearby Haifa Merkaz Hashmona Railway Station to Tel Aviv Savidor Central Railway Station can take over an hour each way, depending on the route and time of travel. Trains run roughly every 10-30 minutes, depending on the time of day. Israel Railways operates the service, and the easiest method for purchasing a ticket is by visiting any of the kiosks around the train station in Haifa and buying and topping up a Rav-Kav (https://ravkavonline.co.il/en/store/welcome); see getting around for more information.
- Eight lines within Ayalon Railway and four stations connect all of the areas within Tel Aviv. The lines run a total length of approximately 7 kilometres or 4.4 miles of track.
- Tel Aviv Savidor Central Railway Station (///horizons.fairly.students) is the main station located in the centre of the city. The station handles over 12 million passengers each year, and though it does not have any international connections, it does connect Tel Aviv to the rest of Israel via Intercity services. Visitors can take direct services from the Ben Gurion Airport, Jerusalem, Be’er Sheva, Netanya and other smaller towns and cities nationwide. The station consists of three island platforms, six tracks and multiple routes from the Ayalon Railway line. Adjacent to the station, about 120 meters south of the main entrance, is the Arolozorov underground light rail station, which connects passengers to the new light railway network (Red Line), which opened in 2023.
Airport Information
Tel Aviv has many options available for getting around the city. These options include buses, trains and a light railway network. Major infrastructure plans are underway by the public transportation branch of the government; however, much of the planned network will not be live until 2030. The bus system is the most popular and affordable way to get around, connecting the city and surrounding areas. The city also operates a bike-sharing scheme known as Tel-O-Fun. To use a bike, you will need to download the app, register with a credit card and then pay 3 ILS and 0.3 ILS for each minute you use the bike. For more information, visit the Tel-O-Fun website (https://www.tel-o-fun.co.il/en/)
- The bus network in Tel Aviv consists of 23 lines and is managed by four companies: Dan, Metropoline, Fast Lane and Arkia. The bus network runs daily from 5 am until 12 am from Sunday to Thursday. On Friday, the operating hours are from 5 pm until 2 am and on Saturday, from 9:30 am until 6 pm. To learn more about the weekend service, visit the BuSofash website (https://busofash.co.il/home-en/). Buses typically run every 30 minutes, and stops are scattered around the city. A single journey typically costs 5.90 ILS; however, the public transportation system in Tel Aviv is now cashless. You need to purchase a smart card known as Rav-Kav to use the transportation network. The Rav-Kav can be ordered online if you have an address during your stay or purchased from any train or service station around the city. Both an Apple IOS and Android app are also available to download. The physical Rav-Kav costs 5 ILS, and once purchased, you can top it up and be ready for your planned journey. For more information, visit the Rav-Kav website (https://ravkavonline.co.il/en/)
- The Tel Aviv Light Rail, or Dankal as it is known, and Metro service are part of the new transport infrastructure planned by the government, though much is still under construction; in 2023, the Red Line went live on the Light Rail network. The Red Line runs from the southern Bat Yam district to Petah Tikva in the northeast and is 24 kilometres or 15 miles long. It is estimated that the line will service over 80 million passengers annually and operates from 5:40 am to 10:30 pm Sunday to Thursday and from 5:40 am to 6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays for 1 hour from 9:30 pm. The Red Line on the Light Rail uses the Rav-Kav, and for more information, visit the Dankal website (https://www.dankal.co.il/?lang=en)
- The rail network within Tel Aviv comprises four mainline stations and eight lines. The rail network connects Tel Aviv to other cities within Israel and different areas of Tel Aviv from the north to the south. Many visitors to Tel Aviv will typically use the rail network to travel to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport. The Tel Aviv University Station serves the city’s northern districts, including the university and Yarkon Park. Tel Aviv HaShalom Station serves the southern part of the central district, with Tel Aviv Savidor Central Railway Station serving the northern part of the central district. The central district is the area best known by visitors to the city, as it is where many attractions are located, including hotels, shopping areas and restaurants. Tel Aviv HaShalom is the closest station, within walking distance of the White City and Rothschild Boulevard. The fourth station is Tel Aviv HaHagana, which serves the southern districts, including the old port of Jaffa; however, a visit to the port would require taking a taxi, with an average journey time of 5 minutes or by the Line 45 bus, an average journey time of 20 minutes. The Rav-Kav card and app can be used to purchase tickets on the train line.
- The official taxis within Tel Aviv are white, with yellow licence plates and a yellow sign with black writing stating ‘Taxi’ on the vehicle’s roof. The taxis are metered and can be hailed in the city, and they can be found at taxi ranks at the airport. The journey from the airport to the city is a fixed fare; however, additional costs may apply, such as the time of day, the luggage items you may have, and the number of passengers. It is always advisable to establish the price for the journey or whether the metered will be turned on before the start of your trip. It is common for people to negotiate if the fee feels high. Uber is present within Tel Aviv; however, the app Gett is more widely used within the city. The app is similar to Uber but will only use taxis with an official licence to transport passengers. For more information, visit the Gett app website (https://www.gett.com/uk/)
Israel Transportation
Tel Aviv offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to comfortable hostels. The price and range will vary depending on the suburb and distance to the main attractions. The average cost per night in the city is affordable, around 150 US dollars. With the city’s extensive bus infrastructure, staying outside the city centre is also viable. The city has incentivised visitors for many years by exempting tourists from paying the country’s 17% Value Added Tax (VAT). VAT is not added to the cost of hotels, car hire, and shopping; however, the government is reviewing the scheme’s future.
- The Rothschild Hotel (///fillers.good.copes) is located on the famous Rothschild Boulevard in the UNESCO heritage area of White City. The five-star hotel has 156 luxurious rooms, from superior rooms to suites and premium studios, all the many reasons that TripAdvisor visitors voted it as the most romantic hotel in Israel for five consecutive years and why it is considered one of Tel Aviv’s finest hotels. All the air-conditioned rooms have free WIFI, in-room safes, televisions, coffee-making facilities and complementary natural toiletries. Guests at the hotel can relax at the bar, which is open from 7 am to 11 pm daily, get help and assistance from the concierge service, and breakfast is available at an additional cost. The Rothschild’s central location and being situated within White City means that guests can visit a significant attraction within Tel Aviv and live within it throughout their stay. The standard room price for one night starts from 200 US dollars, and many room options are available. For more information regarding the hotel, please visit the Rothschild Hotel’s website (https://www.the-rothschild-hotel.com/en/)
- The King Gallery Hotel (///successor.entry.gurgled) is located in the southwestern part of the city in the Jaffa area. The boutique hotel offers eight air-conditioned rooms, each with tea and coffee-making facilities, an in-room fridge, a safe box, a television and free WIFI. The hotel is situated within the picturesque and historic Old Jaffa and is a short walk to the sea and close to the clock tower in the old town. The hotel is under 800 meters from a popular beach in Jaffa, and Tel Aviv’s centre takes approximately 20 minutes by bus and 15 minutes by car. The standard room price for one night starts from 100 US dollars, with eight rooms on offer. For more information regarding the hotel, please visit the King Gallery Hotel’s website (https://www.king-gallery.com/)
- The Underground Tel Aviv (///passing.farm.shuttle) is located in the western area of the city and within walking distance to the Bograshov, Gordon and Hilton beaches and 500 meters from Frishman Beach. The 11 air-conditioned double bedrooms have an in-room fridge, a hospitality tray with tea and coffee-making facilities, ensuite bathrooms and televisions. The hotel offers a beach city break and quick and easy access to some of Tel Aviv’s famous attractions. The standard room price for one night starts from 100 US dollars, with 11 double rooms on offer. For more information regarding the hotel, please visit Booking.com (https://www.booking.com/hotel/il/point.en-gb.html)
Tel Aviv is a city that never sleeps, offering visitors the opportunity to relax by one of the many sandy beaches, taking in the sea air by day and by night the chance to party at the city’s thriving nightlife with its many bars and nightclubs. The city is a cultural centre, offering a range of cuisines, from quality street food to Michelin-star restaurants. Tel Aviv is often referred to as the Miami of the Middle East, and the New York Times gave it the title of Mediterranean Capital of Cool; with almost one-third of the city’s population under 40, it is given these titles for good reason. Whether exploring the colourful white city or visiting one of the many galleries, Tel Aviv has much to offer visitors.
- Jaffa Old City and Port (///shoppers.chambers.means) is located in the southwestern part of the city. There are not many ports and cities in the world with the history of Jaffa, which is so old that it is mentioned in the Old Testament in the bible story of Jonah and the Whale. Though the port still functions on a small scale, mainly for fisherman and wildlife tours, the area is now a cultural centre. Visitors can walk through the picturesque old city, with its many narrow streets, passageways, courtyards and ancient buildings. A stroll through Jaffa Port, visitors will discover the many cafes and restaurants and a bustling market selling items from jewellery to Turkish carpets.
- Yarkon River and Park Hayarkon (///tester.misfits.outlast) is located in the northern part of the city. The park covers an area of 3.5 kilometres or 2.2 miles and is 375 hectares or 927 acres, and the Yarkon River runs through the park. The park has six gardens: the Fallen Soldiers Memorial Garden, the Terror Victims Memorial Garden, the Rock Garden, the Cacti Garden, the Trimmed Garden, and the Tropical Garden. Yarkon is a large park and home to thousands of trees and species of plants, large areas of lawns for people to enjoy, sports facilities, a bird sanctuary, a petting zoo, lakes and botanical gardens. The park is also home to the Meymadion Water Park, one of Israel’s largest water parks, with a wave pool, water slides and pools for young children.
- ANU – Museum of the Jewish People (///revival.scale.amended) is located in the centre of the campus of Tel Aviv University. The ANU is a museum that tells the ongoing story of the Jewish people, from their history, showcasing, celebrating and highlighting the struggles and achievements of this unique group of people. The museum was renamed to ANU, which means we in Hebrew, to celebrate the diversity and spirit of the Jewish people and is the largest and most comprehensive Jewish Museum in the world. The museum has three floors of exhibition galleries displaying permanent and temporary exhibits, a children’s gallery and areas dedicated to conferences and workshops. The museum contains vast collections and archives of photographs, films, music and genealogy to inform and educate visitors. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday to Wednesday and Saturday and stays open until 10 pm every Thursday. It is open every Friday from 9 am until 2 pm. Entry is free for children under 5; the regular fee is 52 ILS. For more information on the museum, please visit the ANU website (https://www.anumuseum.org.il/)
- White City (///unwind.softest.bundles) is a collection of over 4,000 buildings in the centre of Tel Aviv. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the buildings, built from the 1930s until the 1950s, were constructed by German immigrants in a unique style known as Bauhaus. White City is the most extensive collection of its kind in the world, and it takes its name because most of the buildings in the area are white. Over the past 20 years, many of the buildings have been restored, given their significance to Tel Aviv’s history, and there are daily tours taking visitors around this unique area.
- Rothschild Boulevard (///curtail.pylons.sweeper) is part of White City within the centre of Tel Aviv and is one of the most iconic streets in the city. The tree-lined street is home to the city’s financial sector, converting the stunning large Bauhaus buildings into their offices. The boulevard has many restaurants, cafes and some of the city’s most luxurious residences. The boulevard runs from the neighbourhood of Neve Tzedek in the south to White City in the north. One of the most important buildings is Independence Hall, where Israel declared independence in 1948. A visit to Tel Aviv would not be complete without a visit to this impressive street.
Israel has long been progressive and the most inclusive in the Middle East. With anti-discrimination laws in place and the ability for transgender people to legally change their identity, the country scores high on the Gayther equality index. Israel has come a long way over the years. Decriminalising same-sex relationships in 1988 and being the first country in Asia to recognise unregistered cohabitation between same-sex couples, Israel has long been a trailblazer regarding LGBTQIA+ rights in the continent. Despite all the positive developments, the country still has some way to go. For example, no laws allow same-sex marriages within Israel; however, unions formed overseas will be legally recognised. Even though it is lacking in some areas, it remains the best country for community members to live within the region.
The gay nightlife within Tel Aviv is unique as it is not centred around a particular bar or venue but more about a party at a specific bar or club. The Shpagat, located on Nahalat Binyamin Street, is one of the city’s best-known gay bars and is where visitors can gauge the pulse of the next big event and party. Among all the beaches in Tel Aviv, the Hilton beach is the most popular with LGBTQIA+ visitors and residents. Though there isn’t a specific area or dedicated street, many bars, clubs, restaurants and retail businesses, especially within the city centre, are inclusive and welcome community members. Tel Aviv also hosts the largest gay pride event in the Middle East, typically during the first week of June every year.
Tel Aviv is an old, historic city with a young, vibrant community. The city has much to offer everyone, regardless of age, with its many beaches, historic areas, museums, and exceptional cuisine. For those looking to party the night away, Tel Aviv has one of the best nightlife and has long been the party capital of the region. The city is affordable and easily accessible from Europe and many parts of Asia, which makes it the perfect city for a weekend break. Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+ or not, Tel Aviv is a fantastic destination, rich with history and culture and one that welcomes everyone regardless of their sexuality or how they choose to identify.
The gay nightlife within Tel Aviv is unique as it is not centred around a particular bar or venue but more about a party at a specific bar or club. The Shpagat, located on Nahalat Binyamin Street, is one of the city’s best-known gay bars and is where visitors can gauge the pulse of the next big event and party. Among all the beaches in Tel Aviv, the Hilton beach is the most popular with LGBTQIA+ visitors and residents. Though there isn’t a specific area or dedicated street, many bars, clubs, restaurants and retail businesses, especially within the city centre, are inclusive and welcome community members. Tel Aviv also hosts the largest gay pride event in the Middle East, typically during the first week of June every year.
Tel Aviv is an old, historic city with a young, vibrant community. The city has much to offer everyone, regardless of age, with its many beaches, historic areas, museums, and exceptional cuisine. For those looking to party the night away, Tel Aviv has one of the best nightlife and has long been the party capital of the region. The city is affordable and easily accessible from Europe and many parts of Asia, which makes it the perfect city for a weekend break. Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+ or not, Tel Aviv is a fantastic destination, rich with history and culture and one that welcomes everyone regardless of their sexuality or how they choose to identify.
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