History · Tel Aviv · Israel
6 historic sites to see in Tel Aviv
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mickey Samuni-Blank, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Old Jaffa, White City Bauhaus architecture and HaTachana. Together the 6 picks below take roughly 10–13 hours across 4 areas; 4 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 6
- Free entry
- 4
- Time to see them all
- 10–13 hours
- Areas
- Jaffa, Rothschild and the city centre and Neve Tzedek
Historic sites in Tel Aviv
Historic site · Jaffa
1.Old Jaffa
Archaeological layers on the hill go back thousands of years, and the Ottoman-era Clock Tower marks the entrance from the flat city below.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Architecture · Rothschild and the city centre
2.White City Bauhaus architecture
Look for ribbon windows, rounded balconies and pilotis on Rothschild Boulevard, Bialik Street and around Dizengoff Square. The Bauhaus Center on Dizengoff Street sells maps and runs guided walking tours.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Free
- Photo spot
Historic site · Neve Tzedek
3.HaTachana
It links Neve Tzedek with the beach and is busy on weekends when much of the city is closed.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Shopping
Museum · Ramat Aviv
4.ANU – Museum of the Jewish People
It reopened after a major expansion and is one of the largest museums of its kind.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Ramat Aviv
5.Eretz Israel Museum
Peacocks wander the gardens, and the site has a planetarium.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
Historic site · Rothschild and the city centre
6.Sarona
The indoor Sarona Market holds dozens of food stalls, delis and restaurants, making it a good weather-proof lunch stop.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- History
- Rainy day
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jaffa | Old Jaffa | 2–3 hours |
| Rothschild and the city centre | White City Bauhaus architecture and Sarona | 2 hours + 1–2 hours |
| Neve Tzedek | HaTachana | 1 hour |
| Ramat Aviv | ANU – Museum of the Jewish People and Eretz Israel Museum | 2–3 hours + 2 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 6, 4 free, 2 mid-priced. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Old Jaffa; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Jaffa and Rothschild and the city centre): Old Jaffa → White City Bauhaus architecture, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Rothschild and the city centre and Neve Tzedek): Sarona → HaTachana, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Ramat Aviv): ANU – Museum of the Jewish People → Eretz Israel Museum, at least 4 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- February: highs of 18°C (64°F), about 10 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cool and changeable, with green parks and quiet hotels outside holiday periods.
- January: highs of 18°C (64°F), about 12 rainy days, quiet crowds. The wettest month, with mild sunny spells between storms; good for museums and markets but too cool for most swimmers.
- November: highs of 24°C (75°F), about 6 rainy days, moderate crowds. Pleasant, sunny weather with occasional showers; a good-value month for a city and beach mix.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Jaffa — Stone alleys, a fishing port, flea-market shops and hummus counters at the southern end of the seafront
- Neve Tzedek — Low-rise 19th-century houses, boutiques and the Suzanne Dellal dance centre
- Rothschild and the city centre — Tree-lined boulevard, Bauhaus blocks, cafés and cocktail bars
- Florentin — Street art, workshops, hostels and late bars in the south of the city
More of Tel Aviv
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Tel Aviv?
Old Jaffa. The hill of Old Jaffa holds restored stone lanes named after the signs of the zodiac, artists' studios, the Franciscan St Peter's Church and HaPisga Garden, whose summit looks north along the whole Tel Aviv shoreline.
+Which of these are free in Tel Aviv?
Old Jaffa, White City Bauhaus architecture, HaTachana and Sarona.