Written by Andria Kaplan-Aylyarov
Who’s ready to go back to the beach? WE ARE. Summer weather is right around the corner (at least, in Israel it is) and it’s high time to start thinking about which beaches you’ll be hitting in Tel Aviv. Here are some contenders that are considered among the top beaches in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Check out our picks for the top 13 beaches in Tel Aviv, Israel!
1. Banana Beach
Located between ancient Jaffa and modern, hotel-lined Tel Aviv, Banana Beach is a simple, uncrowded beach that’s perfect for families and small groups of friends. This beach is home to Friday night drum circles, hula hooping-bikini wearing girls, endless games of Matkot and sunbather after sunbather. Think of it as a Bohemian paradise right next to Tel Aviv. It gets its name from the cafe located on the beach, which often shows sporting events on a big-screen television. For the partiers in the crowd, Clara, an outdoor bar and dance club, provides even more entertainment when the sun goes down.
2. Gordon Beach, Frishman Beach, Bograshov Beach
If you want a beach that is considered the center of activity, these three beaches offer endless white sand, beautiful people and the perfect dose of sunshine. Located right in the center of Tel Aviv these beaches offer a great getaway with tons of bars and restaurants. Each beach is the perfect place to catch the addicting Tel Aviv sunset plus, there’s a Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream stand at Gordon Beach. #YUM
Both tourists and locals flock to this expanse of coast to enjoy the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea on one side and the awe-inspiring architecture of Tel Aviv on the other. Beachgoers who are intrigued by people-watching will find plenty of entertainment here.
Playgrounds, a shallow entry into the water, and family-oriented activities are all available here, making it a popular choice for visitors with children. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the Tel Aviv Promenade, or you can grab a snack from the SoFrisherman, which is located right on the beach. There are also plenty of bars for those who want to enjoy a drink or two (or three, it’s been a long year).
3. Trumpeldor Beach
Walking down the beach in Tel Aviv you’ll spot an unusual statue and you know you’ve arrived at Trumpeldor Beach. This is a quieter beach amongst its neighbors since there are no facilities or lifeguards.
4. Jerusalem Beach (Geula Beach)
Formerly known as Geula Beach, Jerusalem Beach is located right off Allenby Street and near the very well-known Opera Tower building. You’ll find falafel shops and bodegas everywhere, so don’t worry about packing snacks for the day. It’s not touristy and is the perfect spot to meet all your friends for a relaxing beach day.
Jerusalem beach is an excellent option if you’re looking to jump into a game of matkot. If you’re not familiar, matkot is a game that involves bats and balls and has the goal of hitting a ball between two players as many times as possible without it falling to the ground – fun that lasts ALL day. To be fair, matkot is played on every beach across the country, too. There are also plenty of places to eat around this beach, including Abulafia (a famous Arab bakery), Shakes Pree (for shakes and juices), and Tzfoni BeTayelet, the cafe on the beach.
5. Tel Baruch Beach
Tel Baruch Beach may be one of Israel’s cleanest beaches. Fully equipped with green lawns, outdoor workout area, and seaside café it’s the perfect escape from a long week of classes or a big night out.
6. Metzitzim Beach
If you wake up early enough on a Friday or Saturday morning, take a stroll down Namal Tel Aviv, and grab a coffee while you check out Metzitzim Beach. It’s more family-oriented but offers three volleyball courts and an outdoor workout area. If that’s not your thing, however, keep walking north and you’ll catch twenty-something Israelis sipping Goldstar and hanging out.
Metzitzim beach is well-known for its modern facilities, including bathrooms, lockers, and sheltered playground. It was the first beach in the city and has long been advertised as a family resort, with its gently sloping beach entry into the water and its convenient location to Tel Aviv’s city center. There’s even a protected bay that provides children the opportunity to swim safely under the watchful eye of lifeguards. However, know that this is one of the more crowded beaches.
7. Hilton Beach (The Surfer’s Beach at the Hilton Hof HaGolshim)
No list of “best beaches in Tel Aviv” would be complete without Hilton Beach. It’s situated directly in front of the Hilton Tel Aviv hotel and is fully equipped with sun chairs, volleyball courts, and lifeguards. Surfers also enjoy this beach, and people new to surfing can get lessons at the Sea Center Place on Hilton Beach.
Besides beautiful people watching all day long check out The Surfer’s Beach and prepare to be amazed at the skill, the surf, and the boys. It’s a hot spot to kayak or learn how to paddle board too!
8. Coral Reef Beach(Red Sea):
Okay, so this beach isn’t in Tel Aviv but it’s a sun worshipper’s paradise. You can go from sand to snorkel to world-class resort within minutes. The best part? There’s a good chance your Masa program already has a trip to Eilat planned. #GetReady
9. Alma Beach:
Alma Beach is considered one of the best beaches in Tel Aviv because it’s not as crowded as some of the more touristy beaches on the list. It’s a favorite among locals, who often gather on weekends to cook out and relax. Those who have dogs especially love this beach because it has a special dog area that allows dogs to run around and play without being leashed. There are no lifeguards on duty here, so be sure to look out for yourself.
10. Dolphinarium Beach
Another popular beach for surfers, Dolphinarium Beach even includes a surf club where people who want to learn to surf can take lessons. The crowd at this beach leans to the younger side, and on Fridays, local musicians and performers hang out on the boardwalk, making sure everyone has a good time. In fact, this beach is often referred to as “the Drum Beach” because of the eclectic music you’ll hear there.
11. Ajami Beach
Ajami Beach is located south of Old Jaffa and provides a nice old-world alternative to modern Tel Aviv. Take the stairs down to the beach and stop by the Maronic Church to get a glimpse of Jaffa’s history. Of all the beaches in Tel Aviv, this has the fewest tourists, possibly because of its further south location. Two restaurants here, Cassis and Abu Hassan, offer some of the best Mediterranean food you’ll have in the area.
12. Gordon Beach
As one of the most popular beaches in Tel Aviv, Gordon Beach is the perfect spot if you’re looking for local restaurants, beach bars, and dance clubs. This is on our best beaches of Tel Aviv list for a very good reason: there’s a boardwalk along the beach that’s home to various restaurants and bars serving traditional Israeli foods, fresh seafood, and a wide variety of salads. Along the beach, you’ll find volleyball games, ice cream shops, an outdoor gym, and the nearby Gordon saltwater swimming pool, if you’re into that kind of thing.
13. The Maravi Beach
Surfers love this beach because it is one of only a few in the area with high waves. It’s also the last sandy beach prior to entering Jaffa, and it’s clean, well-maintained, and relatively uncrowded. One reason surfers enjoy Maravi Beach so much is that it offers a great opportunity to practice both left and right wave breaks. The waves are consistent all year, so you’re sure to be able to hang ten no matter when you visit.
Learn More About Tel Aviv’s Best Beaches
It’s hard to come up with a list of the best beaches in Tel Aviv because, well, they’re all pretty great, and all just a walk away from each other. Instead of a selection, make it a checklist and be sure to visit all these beaches for a great time. Read more at Masa Israel Journey to discover other attractions, beaches, and restaurants in Israel
Andria Kaplan Aylyarov is a Masa Israel Alumna and content marketing specialist for Masa Israel Journey. She loves a good glass of white wine, writing about Tel Aviv’s best beaches, and wishes she was 85-years-old and living in Boca, but she currently resides in New York.
