Tel Aviv climate
Tel Aviv has mild winters, hot summers, and high humidity year-round. August is the hottest month with temperatures in the 30s (Celsius). January is the coolest month with average temperatures ranging from about 4 to the low teens.It rarely rains May through September. Even though November through March are rainy, many travellers prefer the cooler temperatures.
When to fly to Tel Aviv
Peak Season:
Tel Aviv is busy in July and August when Israelis take their holidays and head for the city. Not only are hotels and attractions crowded, some hotels add a surcharge to their rates.
Hotel prices are also very high during the Passover (early April) and Sukkoth (late September–early October) holidays. At the same time, services are curtailed and many Israelis go away for Passover. Hotel reservations for Passover need to be four months in advance and plane reservations six months to a year in advance.
Tel Aviv is also very crowded during school holidays.
Off Season:
May and early to mid-September are pleasant times to visit Tel Aviv.
If you prefer cool, rainy weather to dry heat, and less expensive hotels, November through March are a good time to visit.
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Getting around Tel Aviv
Most of Tel Aviv’s sights are within walking distance of each other, making it very easy to get around on foot. If you get tired, you can always hop on a bus, sherut or taxi. Buses run all over town, but not on Saturdays. Save some money by buying ten-ride tickets or monthly passes. A sherut is a minibus that follows public bus routes. Seven people can ride at once and you can hop on or off at any point on the route. They are sometimes more convenient than a bus since they run more frequently. They also run on Saturdays, but the rates are higher.
Taxis are convenient to hail, but fares run higher at night. Always make sure the meter is turned on.
Avoid driving unless you’re looking for some adventure. Tel Aviv drivers can be quite aggressive. Many streets don’t allow turns or are accessible only to taxis and public transport vehicles. Street signs are sporadic and often not in English, and parking can be hard to find.
Tel Aviv insider information
- Tel Aviv was founded in 1909, the first Hebrew city of modern times. The “White City,” which is located between Allenby Street (south), Begin Road and Ibn Gvirol Street (east), the Yarkon River (north) and the Mediterranean Sea (west), was planned by Sir Patrick Geddes to compliment the climate and locals’ needs. There are about 4,000 buildings, all in the International Style or Bauhaus after the school in Germany where many of the architects studied.
- Old Jaffa is said to have been founded by one of Noah's sons, Japhet. It is built on a hill from which there are great views of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea. The lanes are named after the signs of the Zodiac and you’ll find charming art galleries, shops and cafes and restaurants there. The old port is a functioning fishing port, a nice place to soak up the old vibe of the city.
- The Tel-Aviv Museum of Art, on Shaul Ha'Melech Boulevard, houses collections of European Art from the 16th to the 19th centuries, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Art, Israeli Art and 20th century art works.
- The Eretz Israel Museum is in a beautiful park which contains Tell Qasile, an ancient Bibblical mound (dates back 3,000 years). The museum is multidisciplinary, telling the history of Israel through archaeology, ethnography, folklore, Judaica and cultural history as well as arts and crafts.
- The Diaspora Museum tells the story of the Jewish people over more than 2,000 years.
- Markets: the most famous market is the Nachlat Benyamin Pedestrian Mall, which takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays (between 10am and 5pm). The Flea Market and Carmel Market offer food items as well as clothes and gifts. The Bezalel Market is good for picking up clothes and shoes at bargain prices. For local delicacies, go to the Food Market of Dizengoff Centre, held on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings.
- The Azrieli Observatory is on the 49th floor of the tallest building in the Middle East – the Azrieli Centre. From the observatory it’s possible to see the city below as well as the coastline from Ashkelon to Hadera.