15 Things everyone should know before going to Tel Aviv
Israel is a summer green list destination for travel in 2021 and I’m SUPER excited about this. I’ve been telling everyone they should visit Tel Aviv for years! I spent a week there in May 2019 and it has become one of my most favourite cities and I’d love to encourage everyone to go. Tel Aviv is everything I thought Miami would be; beach parties, lots of vibrant bars and gorgeous beaches. I wanted to share some of the lesser spoken about tips which are super useful and what I wish I knew before I travelled to Israel. So here are my…
Tel Aviv travel tips …
1. Get around Tel Aviv using Gett (which is just like Uber)
Uber is not well serviced in Tel Aviv but Gett works in exactly the same way as Uber. It’s an app based taxi system where you select destination and pick up point. You can see the driver on a map like you can with Uber and payment is taken automatically via PayPal. So download Gett before you go.
2. Don’t order Lemonade!
Lemonade is not a thing! If you want fizzy lemonade you need to ask for Sprite. I was ordering Martini and lemonade and I was getting Martini with lemon cordial. I made this mistake a few times in different bars and restaurants until I noticed.
3. Israeli people are proud of their city
I saw people picking up rubbish and putting it in nearby bins, people seeing bikes that had fallen over and standing them back up. Then they just carry on with their day. We should all be more Israeli. It’s lovely to be in a city which feels so proud of keeping it looking nice.
4. Translate Hebrew to English
Hebrew is the official language of Israel and it’s trickier to translate than European languages. With the alphabet being square script, you can’t just type the letters in Google on your smart phone, plus Hebrew is written right to left. But there is an easy answer! You can take a photograph on your phone, it detects that the photo has Hebrew and then you use your finger to select which text you’d like translating. See my video below for how this works…mind blown, thank you Google!
Thank you for modelling Mr Paul!
5. The Sabbath lift setting
In some areas of Judaism, Jews abstain from operating machinery on the Sabbath day, which is sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. You may notice Sabbath buttons on some lifts. These lifts operate automatically and stop on every floor so those honouring Shabbat don’t need to press buttons. I was on the 21st floor of an apartment building which was partly residential so avoid lifts with sabbath settings on Friday and Saturday. But….
6. Saturdays are busy days!
Don’t be fooled by Saturday being the Sabbath day! The city and beaches are vibrant and bustling on a Saturday so still wake up early to get a good spot on the beach. Talking of beaches…
7. Beach games
There are lots of beach volleyball and outdoor gym equipment on the beaches but the most popular beach game is madkot. It’s a simple bat & ball rally game. The ball is smaller, harder and less bouncy than a tennis ball and the bats are table tennis shape. The sound of madkot is the backdrop to beach! So leave a little room infront of your towels or sunbeds for some games. You can pick up bat & balls from most shops opposite the beach.
8. You will be asked for service charges and tips
If you don’t leave any change when settling a bill and are paying by card, you may be asked where the tip is! Don’t mistake this for rudeness, it’s just being direct and perhaps there’s some softness lost in translation. It might be a good idea to carry some change. Plus it’s nice to tip for friendly service anyway!
Tel Aviv Port
9. There are two types of hummus
Arabic hummus, which is more oil based,
Israeli hummus, which has a slightly thicker texture.
Both are gorgeous and often come with pesto and other nuts in the centre for extra flavour. I’d just like to add this make excellent apartment snacks! You’ll find small plates are served with main meals in cafes and bars.
10. Mezuzah on every doorway
Tel Aviv is a Jewish city and so you will see Mezuzah on every doorway. They hold a script of a prayer which fulfils a biblical commandment of writing the words of god on the gates of your house.
11. Bike hire from the beach.
There are so many places to hire bikes and scooters in Tel Aviv. I would strongly recommend hiring from the beach, as the roads are wide and busy in the centre and the pavements are high, which makes it an on-off bike ride experience. So if you want to ride down the boardwalk or to Tel Aviv Port, you’re safer hiring a bike from the beach stations rather than a bike station outside your hotel or airbnb.
12. Tel Aviv food
Carrot juice and pomegranate juice are a big deal here. You’ll see little stalls dotted all over selling fresh fruit salads and fruit juice. It’s just so nice as it feels like healthy snacking is made so easy. It can be a struggle to keep healthy habits on holiday but it’s so easy in Tel Aviv. Did I also mention it’s the vegan capital of the world?!
13. Public Outdoor pool in Tel Aviv
If you’re staying in an airbnb which doesn’t come with its own pool, there is a public outdoor pool on Hilton Beach opposite the Carlton Hotel. It has sunbeds too!
14. Gay friendly
I’ve mentioned quite a few religious related notes in this post, but Tel Aviv is a very gay friendly city. Lots of gay beach bars and the rainbow flag outside many cafes.
15. Ice cream parlours in Tel Aviv
Swap an evening at a bar for an evening at an ice cream parlour. It’s where all the locals hang out! There are a lot of gelato and ice cream parlours in Tel Aviv. Just an alternative to the drinking social culture we have in the UK!
Ahh…so that is it, the things I wish I had known before going to Israel for the first time. I hope this post has helped you. You don’t want be getting in a lift that stops at every one of 21 floors :p
Let me know if any of these were a surprise to you!
I hope you enjoy your stay in one of my most favourite cities ever
xXx
Co’ee!
I’m Natalie, I share travel tips & advice and thoughts on how to live a happy & fabulous life
