We select the best neighbourhoods in Tel Aviv to visit, from artist enclaves to seaside quarters. Tel Aviv is a city best explored on foot, with everything from beaches to Bauhaus buildings and bustling boulevards. Despite being only 52 square kilometers (20 square miles) in size, the city has neighborhoods as diverse as its population, and a walk through any of these will give visitors a sense of the city’s vibrant atmosphere and rich history.
Contents
The Best Neighbourhoods in Tel Aviv
Neve Tzedek
Founded in the late 1800s, Neve Tzedek predates Tel Aviv. Known as the city’s first quarter (in fact, it was the first Jewish settlement outside Jaffa in 1887), this neighborhood is home to hundreds of sandstone buildings history, from the early 1920s, eclectic architecture, mid 90s Bauhaus design and brand new luxury developments.
With its varied architecture and narrow pedestrian streets, Neve Tzedek has all the charm of a quirky village, but is located just outside the city center. Property prices in the area have risen steadily since the 1980s, making it one of the most expensive and coveted areas of the city.
Its main street, Shabazi, is lined with designer boutiques, artist studios and gourmet restaurants. Strolling these winding streets, especially with a scoop of ice cream from Anita in hand, will set you up for a good day.
Florentin
Once one of Tel Aviv’s main industrial zones, halfway between Jaffa and Neve Tzedek, Florentin is today the city’s trendiest neighborhood. The area, known for its bohemianism, saw a wave of artists and musicians move in in the late 1980s, attracted by cheap rents.
Before long, the streets of Florentin were revived, painted with street art that became the hallmark of the neighborhood. This improvement, coupled with the release of Florentin, a popular 1990s TV show about young people struggling to make a living in Tel Aviv, brought attention to the formerly derelict area.
Today, Florentin takes on an elegant, artistic look but also a new wave of boutique locations, from tattoo parlors to art galleries. Visitors flock to its popular restaurants during the day – think fusion and vegetarian specialties – but the neighborhood is even more popular at night, with its bars. and nightclubs open until early hours.
Lev Ha’ir
Meaning “heart of the city” in Hebrew, Lev Ha’ir is simply that, located in the heart of Tel Aviv and featuring all of the city’s must-see cultural landmarks. Visitors can stroll through the iconic architecture of the White City – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including 4,000 Bauhaus buildings – and along Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv’s first official street . But it’s not all about the Bauhaus: Lev Ha’ir has become the home of the entrepreneurs driving Tel Aviv’s booming start-up scene, with skyscrapers dotted among historic buildings history.
There are plenty of cultural establishments nearby, from Habima, one of the world’s first Hebrew theaters, to museums like the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Lev Ha’ir is also home to the Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel), the city’s largest. The shops sell everything from spices to fashion by day and become a nightlife spot by evening.
Yemenite Quarter
Nestled behind Lev Ha’ir’s famous Carmel Market, the Yemenite Historic Quarter, or kerem, remains relatively untouched by tourism. Founded by Yemeni immigrants in the late 1800s, the area is home to many traditional Yemeni restaurants, including Shlomo & Doron, Tel Aviv’s most famous hummus establishment.
The neighborhood’s quiet cobbled streets lead to picturesque homes from the early 1900s and have recently become popular among artists who decorate the streets with their designs. . Other artistic developments have also popped up in the area recently, including the Nachlat Binyamin pedestrian mall, a popular spot for its handicraft fair and street performers. regularly.
Shapira
Located just south of Florentin, Shapira is often known as the quieter counterpart of the trendy neighborhood, an artsy neighborhood that still has its opulent vibe.
Over the past 10 years, many studios have opened in Shapira, as well as many independent galleries. In particular, Artspace Tel Aviv, a non-profit contemporary art display and teaching center, has brought a lot of creativity to the area, while also with a lot of street art and outdoor design. unique.
Also known for its multicultural cuisine – home to everything from Bukharian Hanan Margilan to Xing Long’s Chinese cuisine – Shapira offers an authentic feel, with many independent shops lining the streets and several restaurant chains.