You can get a downloadable map of this itinerary here.

Tuli grew up in Ramat-Gan, Israel, until she moved with her husband to Tel-Aviv. Tuli and her husband moved to Philadelphia in 2017 so they could both pursue their dream of a Masters degree at UPenn. When she is not working (protecting employees’ rights in a Philly law firm), she practices yoga and makes sure her house is full with plants and flowers.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: Unlike other places in the world, the weather in TLV is almost all year-round convenient for touring. If I still have to choose the ultimate timing, it would be April-mid July, September-November. In July-August the weather is very hot and humid (but still a lot of fun, especially when swimming in the Mediterranean Sea) and December-March can sometimes be cold and rainy.

WHERE TO STAY: In the center around Dizengoff Street, in Jaffa or in Florentine / Levinsky Market for more Hipster vibes. Choose an Airbnb in these areas that is walking distance from the beach, Abraham Hostel, or one of the boutique hotels such as Fabric, Florentin House, Rena’s House.

thursday.

The weekend in Israel starts on Thursday night, because our days off work are Friday-Saturday. Go for dinner and drinks at “Emesh” on 30 Lilenblum St., “Herzl 16” on 16 Herzl St., or “Port Said” on 5 Har Sinai St. Then take a walk on Rothschild St. and choose another bar to sit in around there – try the Sputnik Bar, at 122 Allenby St. or Kuli Alma dance bar on 10 Mikve Israel St. A famous gay bar close to that area is Shpagat, 43 Nakhlat Binyamin St.

friday.

Start with breakfast at Bucke-Café (a MUST!) either in 91 Ahad Ha’am St., or 40 Yehuda Maccabi St. (2 different neighborhoods). Then head to the beach for a couple of hours – all beaches are fun, most popular ones are probably Gordon Beach, Hilton Beach, Mezizim Beach. But it really doesn’t matter.

Around lunch time – go to Shuk Ha’Carmel (Shuk is ‘market’ in Hebrew). Its Friday vibes are ADDICTIVE. Food stands of vegetables and fruits, alongside narrow alleys with lots of bars and coffee shops. The variety of great places to eat/drink in keeps changing but as of this time (April 2019) my recommended places are M-25 (delicious meat restaurant), Sabich Panda (Pita filled with eggs, eggplant, tahini and other goods (vegetarian) – traditional food of Jewish people who came from Iraq), and Beer Bazar (beer bar). After that, consider going to the parallel street – Nachalat Binyamin, for lots of artsy stores/stands, and one fun rooftop bar named Hanasich (the Prince in Hebrew).

Other two great options in case you have more Fridays in TLV – Jaffa flea market, Levinsky market, Neve Tzedek. For shopping – boutique stores on Dizengoff St., and Shenkin St.

* Keep in mind that many places will close around 4pm, as people prepare for Shabbat, the resting day.

Take a sunset walk on the boardwalk all the way to Jaffa. Choose a bar restaurant at the Jaffa flea market area or Jaffa port. Two options are Shaffa Bar, or Ramesses, both at the flea market. Make sure to try Malabi (dessert) at the Malabia, also at the flea market.

Different fun places in different areas: If you are a big cocktails fan – try Imperial bar on 66 Hayarkon St, or Bellboy Bar on 14 Berdichevsky St..  A fun hipster pizza-bar place is TEDER.FM, 9 Yafo Road. North Abraxas is a very fun hip restaurant – 40 Lilenblum St. There are hard-core parties at The Block (need to pay cover), 157 Salame Road. And I have a never-ending list…

saturday.

Make reservation for breakfast at Delicatessen, 79 Yehuda Halevi St. OR, if you haven’t been yet at the Jaffa flea market go to SAGA café, 4 Rabbi Pinhas St. for either breakfast/lunch and the best coffee in town. Then go to the beach again!!

For an afternoon shake – try Tamara, famous Shake and juice bar on 171 Dizengoff St. corner of Ben-Gurion Avenue. You can also choose any bar on Dizengoff St. if you are more in the mood for a drink. For dinner – probably the BEST restaurant in town, but also the most expensive one, is Shila, 182 Ben-Yehuda St. Can also choose one of the restaurants in Neve Tzedek if haven’t been there yet, such as Dalal, 10 Shabazi St., NG (meat place), 6 Ahad Ha’am St., or Popina, 3 Ahad Ha’am St. For best Sushi in town try either Moon Sushi, on 58 Bugrashov St., or Fu Sushi on 32 Yermiyahu St. A fantastic Greek restaurant in the Levinsky market area is Ouzeria, 44 Matalon St.