Unique craft markets, mouthwatering grub and clubbing in an old factory… How to spend 48 hours in Tel Aviv
With its beaches, bars and beautiful people (lots of them), this Israeli city is one cool hang-out
WITH eight miles of sandy beach and an intoxicating energy, this Israeli city will have you surfing one minute and partying till dawn the next.
Luckily, that means you’ll easily work off all that mouth-watering Middle Eastern food.
Scoff a sabich
From salads to labneh cheese, Tel Aviv has some seriously tasty dishes.
For lunch in the city centre, grab a pita sabich (sandwich) of roasted aubergine, potato, egg, salad, tehina and spices at Sabich Frishman, £4.30. Hummus Mashawa on Pinsker Street serves the best houmous with chunks of onion and olives, £4.89.
Meanwhile, Kiki on Dizengoff is the place for shakshuka (poached eggs in tomato sauce) served with freshly baked challah and salad, £8.
Haggle in Jaffa
Ancient Jaffa is now a multicultural port with a magical atmosphere.
Rent a bike from public sharing scheme Tel-O-Fun and cycle there in 25 minutes along the coastal path for £4.70 per day, then barter for treasures such as Persian rugs at the flea market.
Need some Zen time after that?
Book an evening (in English) at the intimate Yafo Yoga, £8.
Wander past beautiful St Peter’s Church for a dose of history lit by fairy lights, and grab a Nefserati vodka and mango cocktail, £9, at buzzing bar Ramesses on Ha-Gimnasya ha-Ivrit Street.
Party in a factory
The artsy Florentin neighbourhood and Allenby Street are awash with gorgeous locals, cool bars, clubs and street art.
Start the night at Romano, a bar/restaurant in an old textile factory, then head to laid-back Hoodna on Abarbanel Street for a Goldstar beer, £4.60, or buzzing Port Said opposite The Great Synagogue on Allenby for a late-night chaser – it’s open till 5am.
For live music, try tiny hipster joint Bar-Giyora.
Shop in a shuk
Nachlat Binyamin craft market (Tuesdays and Fridays) has hand-made gems galore.
We love Nora’s pretty espresso cups – small enough for hand luggage.
Shabazi Street in unspoiled Neve Tzedek has lush jewellery shops or explore Carmel Market – known as Shuk HaCarmel – (daily except Saturdays) for foodie finds.
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Try a tiny coffee
At Tamara’s kiosk on Ben Gurion Boulevard, the immunity-boosting banana, date, honey and tahini smoothie, £5, is a bestseller.
Or head to blue kiosk Berale and grab a Pitzi iced cafe with an extra shot, £2.65.
Pitzi means “tiny” in Hebrew, so it’s a short iced coffee laced with espresso.
Happy hour at chic Wineberg on Ben Yehuda has gin and elderflower cocktails for £4, plus Israeli wine from £4.
Slumber by the sea
Wake up one block from Bograshov beach at the uber-hip on Ha’Yarkon, which has four-poster beds, yellow sofas and Insta-worthy rugs in every room, plus breakfast served until 1pm.
B&B starts from £129.
Tel Aviv can get epic waves, so try a on nearby Manta Ray beach with ISC Surf Camp, from £35 for 90 minutes.
to Tel Aviv start from £144.