Where to Stay in Tel Aviv – 7 Best Areas (+Map & Hotels)

Welcome to the most bohemian city of the East Mediterranean! As you’re planning where to stay in Tel Aviv, I have just the perfect guide for you! 

I’m a Tel Aviv local, and I’ve come up with the ultimate list of the best areas and hotels to stay in! And yes, I compared all the hotels and made sure to only include the top-rated ones!

The City Center, or as we locals like to call it, the heart of the city (Lev Ha’Ir), is the best place to stay for the first time. It’s near the beach, shops, and restaurants, and it has the best urban vibes that Tel Aviv is all about!

But Tel Aviv’s neighborhoods are so diverse that I had to include 6 more areas, each with its own charm, so you can pick the one that speaks best to you!

Now, wherever you decide to stay, make sure to book that hotel ASAP. Tel Aviv is expensive already; you don’t want to break the bank because you missed the best deals!

If you are in a hurry

Book the best hotels in the City Center right away:

I also made this easy map to help you visualize all the areas I’ll talk about in the post:

1. City Center – where to stay in Tel Aviv for first-timers

Welcome to the heart of the city, or as the locals call it, Lev Ha’Ir! The very center of Tel Aviv offers unlimited opportunities for sightseeing, dining, shopping, enjoying green boulevards, and people-watching. The abundance of hotels and the urban, modern vibe definitely makes it the best place to stay for first-timers!

My favorite part of the City Center and the area where I enjoy walking is The White City. White City borders Allenby Street in the South, Begin Road in the East, and Yarkon River in the North. 

Here, you’ll find the largest concentration of Bauhaus buildings, an architecture style brought by European immigrants, featuring mostly white homes with flat roofs and asymmetry. Check out my article on the best things to do in Tel Aviv, as I give the exact locations of the most beautiful Bauhaus buildings in town!

In Lev Ha’Ir, you’ll also find the iconic Dizengoff Street (map) that begins in the Old North and stretches along the entire City Center. Explore the eclectic dining scene with delicious international cuisine, local coffee breweries, and the many shops in the Dizengoff Mall!

Other hotspots include the green Rothschild Boulevard (map) that surrounds the Center together with Bograshov Street (they make a nice continuous circle around the Center, great for walking and checking out the city vibe). Bograshov is my ultimate favorite street in town for eating out, as you’ll find the street lined with just about every type of restaurant you can think of! 

The brand-new area around the Sarona Market is also attractive to tourists, and it’s where some of the best breweries in town are located! Try Schnit (map) near Habima Square; they have the best craft IPA I have tried here!

Other fun things to do here include visiting the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and people-watching at Kikar Dizengoff (Dizengoff Square, map). 

Other accommodation options in Lev Ha’ir

Things to do in Lev Ha’ir

• Enjoy the Bauhaus architecture and tree-lined streets of the City Center
• Get a 360-degree view of Tel Aviv’s skyline in Azrieli Observatory (map)
• Take a self-guided walk along Bograshov Street and Rothschild Boulevard
• See the Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv
• Enjoy the nightlife of the Rothschild Boulevard and Sarona
• Visit the hall where David Ben Gurion declared Israel’s independence (map)

2. The Beach Strip (Tayelet) – where to stay near the beach

Major streets of the City Center all lead to Shlomo Lahat, a long street along which lies the beautiful Beach Strip (Tayelet in Hebrew). The Tayelet stretches from Jaffa in the South to the Old North, with around 4 km (2.4 miles) of uninterrupted sandy beaches and the pedestrian and bike-friendly promenade.

If you want to spend a good part of your holiday overlooking the waves, chilling at the beach, and walking along the bustling promenade, then you’ll find tons of hotels along the stretch of the coast! 

There’s nothing I love more than going for a walk from Jaffa, where I live, along the cost to the North, enjoying the summer breeze and mingling with locals playing their favorite beach sport. If you hear loud whacking while walking, just look towards the sea and you’ll see dozens of happy Matkot players on the beach. 

Matkot is Israel’s national beach sport! It’s a Padel ball game similar to beach tennis. Buy your own set in the beach stores on the Promenade and bring your beach vacation to another level!

You’ll find tons of beaches on the strip, from Gordon Beach (map) in the North, where you can dance and learn to surf, to all the golden sand beaches further South, with kids playgrounds, surf schools, sun loungers, and umbrellas (just take a spot and beach workers will approach you for payments)! Every beach has free shade spots and public restrooms, too! 

The promenade and beaches are really attractions by themselves, so you won’t find any notable museums, galleries, or shops here. Of course, there are tons of restaurants and supermarkets on Shlomo Lahat, and many of them are open on Shabbat. 

My favorite restaurant on the beach has to be Greco (map), which is technically in the Old North area. I’m madly in love with Greek music and cuisine, and they have live music events here on the weekends! 

Another iconic spot here is the Dan Hotel, which always turns out perfect in photos with its rainbow-style building!

Other accommodation options in The Tayelet

Things to do in The Tayelet

• Swim in the sea and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere at the local beaches
• Walk along the Promenade and enjoy the fresh air near London Garden (map)
• Have a beer and a burger at Mike’s Place (map) across Bograshov Beach
• Sign up for a SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) lesson
• Have a picnic in the Charles Clore Park (map)
• Enjoy Tel Aviv’s nightlife with TLV Nights Club

3. Jaffa – where to stay in Tel Aviv for history

Welcome to my neighborhood! Jaffa is one of the world’s longest continually inhabited cities (4,000+ years) and is also the world’s oldest seaport! This ancient port city is now part of Tel Aviv. 

Jaffa is some 3 km (1.8 miles) away from Lev Ha’Ir, but it’s well-connected to it via the Promenade and the Neve Tzedek area! There’s also a direct light rail and multiple bus lines connecting Jaffa and Tel Aviv. My favorite way of getting to Tel Aviv is on foot, as you get to enjoy the beautiful views of the sea from the local port all the way to the Tel Aviv Promenade.

Yellow-stone buildings, beautiful mosques and churches, an ancient Port (map), and dozens of art galleries, shops, and restaurants truly make Jaffa a city within a city. They even have international schools here!

With a mixed community of (mostly) Muslims but also Jews and Christians, Jaffa has many stories to tell, and it’s best to take a guided tour of the area to grasp it all! 

I recommend you start your visit from the Clock Tower (map), pass the Mahmoudiya Mosque and climb up Segev Street, then enter the Old City and roam its cobblestone streets, enjoying the views of the Tel Aviv skyline. Then, descend to the Port for lunch or dinner at Old Man and the Sea (map), an iconic seafood restaurant and one of the best in Tel Aviv!

I spend hours every week walking around Jaffa! It’s such a romantic and charming area, especially when the sun sets over the sea, and you get to see all those historic buildings covered in a beautiful reddish color! But I’m also a bit of a shopaholic, and I couldn’t wait to tell you about the amazing Jaffa Flea Market (map), this friendly place where you can buy chic souvenirs!

There are so many fun things to do in Jaffa that I even wrote a separate article about it – check it out here!

Other accommodation options in Jaffa

Things to do in Jaffa

• Explore the beautiful Tel Aviv Port area and the Old City 
• Go shopping for chic souvenirs in the friendly Jaffa Flea Market
• Check out the Clock Tower
• Visit the historical St. Peter’s Church (map)
• Go on a tour of the Ilana Goor Museum
• Enjoy the city views and sunset from Abrasha (map) and Midron (map) parks

4. The Old North (Nemal) – where to stay for families

Old North is an area located to the North of the historic City Center, with Arlozorov Street (map) being the border between the two. Technically, the Old North is the continuation of the City Center, spreading until Yarkon Park (map) and the Mediterranean. 

I always say this area is perfect for families because it has easy access to the sea, and it’s home to Tel Aviv’s “lungs,” as we like to call the lush Yarkon Park featuring kilometers of walking trails, sports terrains, an amusement park, kids playgrounds, kayaks, and even hot air balloon rides. 

I know many people who visited Tel Aviv with kids and purposely based themselves there, so if you’re coming with the little ones – know that this area is ideal! 

There’s also the vibrant Tel Aviv Port (map), which, over the past few years, has become a cultural and entertainment center of the city. We call it “Nemal” in Hebrew, which means port! Apart from shops, restaurants, and beautiful views along the promenade, you’ll find plenty of kid-friendly activities and exhibitions all year round.

Some of the most important museums about the history of Jews and Israel, such as the Eretz Museum, Palmach Museum, and ANU Museum of Jewish People, are also located in the Old North! 

This is a great area to stay if you’re visiting with a car and planning trips to the North of the country, as you’ll be near the highway exit. The North is also well-connected to the rest of the city with public transport (buses).

Two of Tel Aviv’s most iconic streets, Dizengoff Street and Ben Yehuda Street, are partially located in the Old North, so you can stroll South along these streets and enjoy the shops and restaurants that line them on your way to the City Center. 

Other accommodation options in The Old North

Things to do in The Old North

• Spend a day at Yarkon Park and Independence Park (map)
• Visit Gordon Beach and relax under the sun
• Explore the picturesque Tel Aviv Port and the nearby Market (map)
• Learn about Jewish history in the ANU Museum of Jewish People
• Walk in the circular HaMedina Square (map) and explore its fancy shops
• Explore the Yitzhak Rabin Center (map)

5. Yemenite Quarter – a central bohemian quarter

Yemenite Quarter has the perfect location from all the Tel Aviv areas if you ask me! It’s a small area just 2 streets away from the beach, borders the City Center and the famous Allenby Street, and it’s just outside the Carmel Market, a safe haven for foodies!

The area is called Kerem Ha-Timanim in Hebrew, meaning Yemenite Quarter. The narrow streets and beautiful tiny homes with their colorful facades and green yards give away a bohemian and very private feel. You instantly feel like a local!

In fact, this quarter is the perfect escape from the modern and urban Tel Aviv, which is still literally just a few streets away. 

This neighborhood was built by Yemenite Jews in the late 19th century, long before the actual city of Tel Aviv came to be. Most of its residents are of Yemenite origin!

This area is just perfect for food lovers because the restaurants and bars of the Carmel Market (map) will be like a 3-minute walk away! You can taste literally all the local foods, from falafel, bourekas (try the Turkish bourekas, 3rd stall when you enter the market from Allenby), sabich, Ethiopian restaurants, and home-style meals in the canteens. 

Just across the street from the Yemenite Quarter is the Tel Aviv Promenade, with the nearest beach being Geula Beach (map). 

I’d say the Yemenite Quarter is the best place to stay in Tel Aviv without a car. In fact, I don’t recommend staying here with a car because the streets are too narrow and you may have problems finding a parking spot.

The Yemenite Quarter doesn’t have any luxury hotels as, from what you can already tell, it’s a historic area that offers the old-time charm, and luckily, the city’s decision-makers still keep it that way!

Other accommodation options in the Yemenite Quarter

Things to do in the Yemenite Quarter

• Eat out or shop for souvenirs in the iconic Carmel Market
• Walk around the picturesque streets of the area
• Go for a swim at the Geula Beach 
• Try hummus at Shlomo & Doron (map), a legendary hummus place
• Explore the bars between the Yemenite Quarter and Carmel Market

6. Neve Tzedek – where to stay in Tel Aviv for couples

Imagine tons of historical old houses with flowers and trees growing out of them, restaurants located in colorful buildings, and the smell of the sea air tempting you to soak up in the Tel Aviv sun!

Neve Tzedek is a charming neighborhood where you can experience all that and more in a serene, romantic setting perfect for couples! It’s only 1 km (0.6 miles) away from the City Center, literally an easy walk down the Rothschild Boulevard, and you’ll be in Neve Tzedek.

I love to recommend Neve Tzedek and the nearby German Colony (bordering Florentin, Jaffa, and Neve Tzedek) for its authentic architecture that makes you feel like you’re suddenly in a 19th-century European village. There are even pretty luxurious hotels here!

Most of the attractions, like the Suzanne Dellal Center, and the Gutman Museum with stunning paintings are all located within walking distance. 

There’s no better way to admire and take pictures of all the stylish houses than to explore every little corner of Neve Tzedek on foot! If you get tired, don’t worry; there are tons of fabulous coffee shops and restaurants where you can rest and eat in delicious international restaurants. 

A real treat for travelers with a sweet tooth, Anita (map) serves the best ice cream you’ll try in Israel! They let you try all the tastes you want before you decide on which one you want to buy, it’s great! I always get an ice cream here when I walk by, I just can’t resist!

Some notable hotels, like the Intercontinental, are located here, but I’m actually excited to recommend little gems that will truly make for a romantic stay!

Other accommodation options in Neve Tzedek

Things to do in Neve Tzedek

• Explore the neighborhood and walk along the charming Shabazi Street
• Visit the Suzanne Dellal Center for Dance and Theater
• Admire the architecture and take pictures of the historic houses
• Drink coffee in the lovely Park HaTachana (map)
• Check out the art paintings at the Gutman Museum
• See the Founders Monument and Fountain
• Eat some delicious seafood at Manta Ray restaurant

7. Florentin – trendiest place to stay in Tel Aviv

A hipster vibe reigns in this Tel Aviv neighborhood located just a 10-minute walk from Neve Tzedek. There are many chic places in Tel Aviv, but I’m sure all younger people (or young at heart) will love to explore Florentin’s superb street art and graffiti.

The German Colony (map) I talked about in the previous section is basically between Florentin and Neve Tzedek, even closer to Florentin, and it’s a perfect escape from the city noise into a serene oasis with unique homes! Make sure to check it out, as you won’t find this gem in most tour guides!

Everyone is super friendly in Florentin, so don’t be afraid to mingle with the people while you’re checking out the cafes and bars in the area. Florentin is considered the Mecca of Israeli street art, and once you see everything for yourself, you’ll understand why.

One of Tel Aviv’s top attractions, and the local favorite place for grocery shopping and bar-hopping, is the Levinsky Market (map). This market was founded by Greek immigrants who started selling Balkan spices and eateries, so you can find excellent Greek restaurants here today, like Ouzeria (map). We often walk by this place, and it’s always jam-packed, so it’s best to make a reservation!

Florentin has an excellent bus connection with the rest of the city, and it’s pretty walkable and safe, so you don’t even need a car to stay here. 

Other accommodation options in Florentin

Things to do in Florentin

• Take a picture of Tel Aviv’s superb street art
• Buy delicious food and spices at the local Levinsky Market
• Learn new things about the history of Israel at Lehi Museum
• Explore local art galleries like Under1000 Art Gallery
• Eat and have a drink at the fusion Dalida Bar & Restaurant (map)

FAQs about where to stay in Tel Aviv

💙 What’s the best area to stay in Tel Aviv?

City Center is one of the best places to stay in Tel Aviv! It’s perfect for first-timers for its vicinity to all things cool – the beach, restaurants, hotels, shops, and bars.

🌃 Is Tel Aviv safe at night?

Yes, Tel Aviv is safe at night, even for female solo travelers. For the two years I’ve lived here, I never felt unsafe. The only sketchy area is around the central bus station (map), and I wouldn’t walk here alone at night.

🤔 Is Tel Aviv expensive for tourists?

Yes, Tel Aviv is an expensive place to visit for most tourists, however, you can still find some cheaper hotels like Jungle Jaffa Hostel and save money.

📆 How many days do you need in Tel Aviv?

I recommend at least 3 days in Tel Aviv. That should be enough to visit all the big attractions, spend time at the beach, and walk through all the vibrant streets and boulevards that are the beating heart of the city.

💸 What are the cheapest hotels in Tel Aviv?

Florentin House and Jungle Jaffa Hostel are two of the best budget hotels and the most affordable places to stay in Tel Aviv. Both have amazing reviews and excellent locations!

🕺Where is the nightlife center of Tel Aviv?

The area around Rothschild Boulevard is the hotspot for nightlife in Tel Aviv. Allenby and Sarona also offer tons of late-night bars and cafés where you can hang out.

💰 What is the cheapest time to travel to Israel?

Israel is quite expensive year-round. January and February are the quieter months when you can expect the cheapest prices for hotels and the least tourist traps in the markets.

🚶‍♀️ Is Tel Aviv walkable?

Totally walkable! Tel Aviv is one of the most walkable cities in the Middle East. It’s well-lit at night, has pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, and is mostly flat.

🪩 Where to stay in Tel Aviv for nightlife?

Aim for the hotels near Allenby Street, Rothschild Boulevard, or Sarona to be near the main nightlife spots.

Conclusion

I truly hope this post helped you decide where to stay in Tel Aviv! I’m always happy to assist fellow travelers visiting my city!

There are many places here that I would book in a second if I were a tourist, but here are my favorite Tel Aviv hotels:

• Drisco Hotel Tel Aviv – I’m in love with everything about this place, from the romantic location, stunning architecture, and world-class service
• Joseph Hotel – As this was basically my first home in Tel Aviv for almost a month, I have a special connection to it, and I recommend it 100%

Don’t forget to book your hotel in Tel Aviv in advance to grab the best deals! Enjoy this magical city, explore all the bars and boutique shops on Dizengoff Street, and admire the port views at sunset!

Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about Tel Aviv, I’ll reply in a second!

Safe travels,

Darija

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