Tel Aviv’s beaches consist of thirteen official beaches located along a 14-kilometer promenade on the Mediterranean coast in Israel. Starting in April, or even earlier, locals and tourists flock to them. But it is only in May, when lifeguards take up their posts, that the swimming season is officially considered open.
In July, jellyfish join the vacationers and become the main inhabitants of the coastal waters. By this time, the air is so hot that people willingly give up their territory to them. Only the most desperate tourists remain on the beach. Those who are not afraid of getting burned by jellyfish or sand.
By September, the unbearable heat and invertebrates retreat. Once again, hotels, apartments, and numerous daily rentals in Tel Aviv are wildly popular among tourists, who spread out along the coast according to their interests. The swimming season lasts until November, and in December, the beaches are finally deserted.
The marina divides the coastal area of Tel Aviv into two parts. The northern part has a distinct local flavor and is mainly oriented towards the city’s residents. The southern part stretches to Jaffa and is popular with both locals and tourists.
Metzizim Beach
This is the first beach in the northern part, which is a good place to start exploring the coastline. It became famous thanks to the cheerful lifeguards from the Israeli comedy of the same name. Metzizim translates as “peeping Toms,” and according to the plot of the film, the main characters worked in this very place.
Despite the fact that the beach is small and almost always crowded, it was awarded the Blue Flag in 2013. This means that the water here is very clean. Nearby is the Tel Aviv port with lots of cafes and shops. There is also a large farmers’ market, opened by hipster friends in 2010. The crowd is mainly locals – young people and couples.
Religious beach (Nordau)
This is a beach for Orthodox Jews. Separated from the rest of the world by a wall, the beach has a strict schedule. Men are allowed in the water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; women on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. On Saturdays, as you might guess, swimming is not encouraged. On women’s days, so as not to embarrass the men on the surrounding beaches, religious women are joined by women who like to sunbathe topless. Orthodox Jewish women are understanding about this.
Dog Beach
Dog lovers walk and bathe their pets nearby. This is the only beach where you can bring your pets.
Hilton Surf Beach
Those who have long wanted to try surfing should take a couple of lessons at the local club. It is considered the best for beginners, and the beach is a favorite spot for surfing pros.
Gordon
Behind the snow-white yachts floating in place, a full-fledged tourist area begins. The southern side is topped by a beach for sports enthusiasts. This is where sun-weary makot players gather. They hit the ball with wooden rackets with such force that if you close your eyes, it sounds like a team of builders is urgently erecting a summer cafe nearby. You can play volleyball through the stretched net. In general, the place is suitable for those who love active recreation or have never seen a Frisbee flying across the beach being caught under a T-shirt.
Frishman and Bograshov
Two clean, quiet, and similar beaches. As almost everywhere on the coast, there is free Wi-Fi here. Wooden shelters resembling gazebos provide protection from the sun. There are few people here, mainly tourists mixed with locals. Nearby, on Ben Yehuda Street, there are shops and cafes. The Dan Tel Aviv hotel, painted in all the colors of the rainbow, serves as an excellent landmark.
Yerushalaim
To make up for the fact that Jerusalemites live far from the sea, this beach was named after their city. You will hardly meet any locals here. The crowd is diverse and quite noisy. Allenby Street is nearby. On Shabbat, when buses do not run, you can take a minibus from here to the center.
Banana Beach
Another beach favored by surfers. Yoga enthusiasts and other physical practitioners also enjoy relaxing here. The café of the same name is always lively and crowded. The Carmelit central bus station is nearby. Those who enjoy local color should definitely visit the Carmel Market, located a ten-minute walk away. Everything is sold here, from food to clothing. You can enjoy oriental sweets and buy excellent leather sandals for 50 shekels.
Drum Beach
At the foot of the dolphinarium, which was blown up in a terrorist attack in 2001, drummers gather on Fridays. The tam-tam orchestra solemnly accompanies the setting sun and gathers people around them, ready to start dancing at any moment. You can’t swim here, but you can breathe in the evening sea breeze and let the right vibrations wash over you.
Charles Clore Beach
Beyond the dolphinarium, the beaches become wilder. Here, you won’t find any toilets or sun loungers. People with barbecues appear on the nearby lawn. And in the water, there are women in their swimsuits. Thanks to the huge parking lot, the place is popular with those who come by car. The beach offers a wonderful view of Jaffa. Nearby is Neve Tzedek, the oldest district of Tel Aviv.
Honey Beach
A wild beach at the foot of Jaffa. Lifeguards don’t swim here, and there’s nowhere to hide from the sun. You’ll hardly see any tourists here. Most of the visitors are locals from Jaffa and young people in creative professions. The water isn’t very clean, but you can swim here. This place is for enthusiasts, and those who make it here may want to walk past it and explore the old city, where there are many interesting things to see.
Tel Aviv’s beaches are a convenient, modern place to relax with developed infrastructure. Every beach, except for the wild ones, has showers, changing rooms, toilets, and free Wi-Fi. A sun lounger with an umbrella costs 12 shekels, and a chair costs 6. The three-kilometer promenade along the entire coast is equipped with bike paths and bike rental points.