Tel Aviv - any suggestions?

[YouBetYourBippy]

We are going to Tel Aviv for 3 nights - so we have 2.5 days to see what we can. I'm assuming we should do a day trip to Jerusalem to Bethlehem but would also like to know any hot tips anyone has for the rest of the time! All suggestions gratefully received.

I think you'll struggle to make it to Jerusalem and West Bank in that time. I would stick to Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv is amazing. Walk to Jaffa and go and have hummus at Abu Hassan. When I was there in January I treated it like a food tour and ate some of the best food I've eaten in my life. Sabich tchernikhoski is another memorable food experience.

I would just stroll, eat and people watch given that time frame. I loved it there so much.

There 's lots of escorted day trips advertised to Jerusalem etc - do you think they're unrealistic in practice then?

Thanks for the tips - I'm really looking forward to the trip so glad to hear you enjoyed it!

Go on an organised tour to Jerusalem. Wear modest clothing (legs and shoulders covered), and bear in mind that it will be an Israeli tour so the commentary will be skewed. You might be able to get a tour that covers Bethlehem as well.

Walk to Jaffa and eat fish on the seafront. Swim in the sea.

Nachalat Benyamin market if you’re there on the right day (also Carmel Market).

I think you could do Jerusalem but it will be rushed and there's so much to absorb. I don't think you'll have time for the West Bank as well.

I went to Israel in March, it was a business trip with some sightseeing but agree with OPs it'll be a struggle to see all the places, you'll spend a lot of time on buses.

We didn't make it to Jerusalem or the Sea of Galilee unfortunately due to time running out but went to Nazareth and to the Church of Annunciation where Angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary she was pregnant. I'm not religious but ...!

We also got taken to Caeserea which is a beautiful port and a historical site, well worth a visit.

The Israeli people are so welcoming and hospitable and the food is amazing, you will have a great time!

If you want to see Jerusalem and Bethlehem then you’d be better to stay there, the drive from Tel Aviv is at least 45 mins.

If you do want to stay in Tel Aviv, look at the Shenikin hotel on Brenner Street, it’s close to Carmel market.

And give yourselves 3 hours at the airport coming back, security is tight!

Thanks everyone - this is all really helpful.

We did a VERY long day trip from Eilat to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, I can’t see how you wouldn’t be able to do one from Tel Aviv. We flew back from Tel Aviv that same evening. I think we were up at about 5am, but it was a great day. If you’re there and it’s calm and you can visit, I’d def go.

We've just come back from a full week in Tel Aviv and we struggled to fit everything in.

It's a fab city just for walking around with lovely clean beaches. Old Jaffa is great to explore. Try the famous Shakshuka breakfast by the flea market. Loads of amazing bars and restaurants. Some of the best restaurants need booking and at the best swarma and street food places expect queue in the evening

It's super expensive so just bear that in mind with your budget. Even back street bars were London drink prices.

I'd suggest getting the train to Jerusalem. It's really easy and the trains are modern and clean and reasonably priced. Just be aware than on Fridays and Israeli holidays, public transport all stops mid afternoon.

We organised a walking tour with a guide who met us near the station. Without it I think we'd have missed much of Jerusalems sites. He was fab. It's manageable in a day if you set off early.

The West Bank tour was another really early start and although we saw lots it was a long old day.

We loved Tel Aviv but I was glad to have a few beach days as well.

Oh and tel Aviv traffic is mad. expect a car journey to the airport or Jerusalem to be hectic and longer than you'd think.

Thank you @Hobbesmanc - good tips!

If you've got Netflix there's a great foodie show called somebody feed Phil. Watch the Tel Aviv episode. Great eating suggestions. We loved a place called Masha

Don't fly with Ryanair, they think it is in the Palestinian territory, or at least one of their flight crew did.

Mind you, just don't fly with Ryanair.

I second taking public transport to Jerusalem, and do a tour of the old city. I think the tunnel tours are supposed to be good. The trains are generally excellent. For public transport (train/bus) you either need the moovit app on your phone, or a rav kav (I think you can pick up one in the airport).

Bus tours are great and loads of operators run them but if you're going Jerusalem and Bethelem in one day you'll see the highlights only and be back so late you'll want to collapse into bed rather than go out for dinner (in my experience)
As PP have said there is such an a great atmosphere and amazing food, walk along the coast to the old town and definitely visit Carmel Market!

Also if you have Egypt/morrocan visas in your passport be prepared to be Interrogated and your bags full unpacked and checked on the way out...

Oh and of course remember Shabbos, limited public transport from sundown Friday to Saturday in many areas

DEFINITELY go to Jerusalem, it's only about an hour away from Tel Aviv. Spend as much time as you can in the old city, it's fascinating and absolutely worth the effort.

for food, try shakshuka at Dr Shakshuka in Jaffa - quite an experience.

Day trips to Masada / Dead Sea and Bethlehem aren't that hard either.

I think if I were in Tel Aviv for a few days, I'd make a day trip to Jerusalem. If you're going over a Friday or Saturday, be prepared for everything to close on Friday afternoon and not open again until it gets dark on Saturday (or Sunday morning), and for Jerusalem to be busy. If you plan on visiting the Western Wall, dress modestly and men should take a kippah. The Church of the Sepulchre is amazing. Security will be very tight everywhere. Have as much falafel and hummus as you can handle and there are lots of great bars on the beach in Tel Aviv!

I think it's a myth that security is tight - it's easier in Israel than in the UK, in my experience. No messing about with water bottles, deciding whether things are gels or not, and the like.

I was travelling in a group (15 people) which I think made things tricky. We had a mixture of EU and British passport holders which immediately flagged suspicion - every one of us got pulled aside and questioned separately and together to make sure our stories matched. Quite an experience and I started sweating 😅 This was on exit btw.

It's an amazing country though, hope you enjoy it!

I think the point is that the Israeli security, even in the 70's, was similar to what it is now for everyone else. Then everyone else caught up after 9/11 and even created new rules such as those on water, gels etc, which don't apply in Israel.