A Solo Traveller’s Guide to Tel Aviv

Budget-friendly and just 1km (0.6mi) from the beach, Hotel 75 is right in the thick of the action. The city view – and the private bathroom – really give you a bang for your buck when you roll out of bed. Saunter a few steps farther and you’ll find the city’s best nightlife, shopping and gallery-hopping right outside your door.

Solo travel doesn’t mean you need to settle for a cramped hotel room – at least not at Hotel Saul. High ceilings make the solo rooms feel larger while the balcony and patio rooms really give you the space to stretch your legs. Got an appetite for conversation? Fresh popcorn, board games and new friends await you in nearby Meir Garden.

Head up to the rooftop garden of Center Chic Hotel and you’ll see that the 15-minute walk to the beach is hardly a chore. The exposed white brick walls and Houndstooth prints throughout your suite definitely help the hotel earn its title – and the free bicycle rentals will help you gain a view of Tel Aviv beyond the rooftop.

You’ll spend a night at Center Chic as part of Culture Trip’s expertly curated seven-day Israel trip.

You’d be wise to stop and sample the Yemenite menu at Saluf & Sons near the aroma-filled area of Levinsky Street. Authentic eats like kubana and jahnon are highly recommended, and their prices are cut in half in the evening. Communal seating and lively music mean chatting it up with other diners in a no-pressure, unfussy atmosphere.

If you’re running low on shekels but have a mighty appetite, HaKosem has your back. Shawarma, falafel, hummus and other classic Israeli street snacks are cheap, plentiful and delicious. You’ll have to queue up with other sabich and shakshuka lovers but your wallet won’t mind the wait. People-watching on King George Street will help pass the time.

No need to check into the Imperial Hotel; merely stroll over to their tiny bar and be prepared to stay awhile. Bartenders from around the city come here to sample the globally inspired drinks. There’s no shame in having a liquid lunch of herbaceous Wabi Sabi or velvety Prelude to a Kiss, but keep in mind that the Asian-colonial munchies and swing jazz music only improve upon the drink.

Tel Aviv has no shortage of museums for you to fill your free time, and the Eretz Israel Museum is certainly one that should top your to-do list. Thousands of old relics chart Israel’s history across 15 buildings. Prefer a deeper look into the past? See how the NASA photos at the Planetarium compare to a view through Galileo’s telescope.

If you’re keen to explore beyond Tel Aviv, take a day trip north to check out the two holy cities of Nazareth and Tiberias. The religious significance of the much-revered sites is what draws many towards the Sea of Galilee, though the amazing views and delicious street food are reason enough to spend a few hours wandering these historic streets.

Get to know Tel Aviv inside and out when you speed around the grid on a cycle tour. Carmel Market, Levinsky Market and Jaffa Flea Market form a mere sampling of tasty destinations you can reach when taking a ride with your group. When your belly can take no more, give your brain some food for thought at the Center for Israeli Innovation.

Getting a taste of Tel Aviv on two wheels is just one of the immersive experiences you’ll have when you book Culture Trip’s week-long tour of Israel.