A Solo Travellers Guide To Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is a city with something for everyone. The beach and burgeoning tech companies are just as accessible as centuries-old religious sites and authentic cuisine that’s stood the test of time. Arriving in Tel Aviv alone is hardly a bad idea; with days spent shopping and nights spent partying, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy.

What’s the vibe?

With ancient sites nearby and a young culture innovating everything from technology to gastronomy, Tel Aviv is a unique place to find yourself as a solo traveller. Expect a mix of past and future to fill your plate, itinerary and journal.

Where to stay in Tel Aviv as a solo traveller

1. Hotel 75

Budget Hotel

A bed and desk in a hotel room with funky decor and a painted ceiling at Hotel 75

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.

3. Center Chic Hotel

Hotel

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.

Where to eat and drink in Tel Aviv

4. Saluf & Sons

Restaurant, Middle Eastern

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.

5. HaKosem

Restaurant, Israeli

People eating at tables outside HaKosem, with benches along the street

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.

6. Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar

Cocktail Bar, Fusion

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.

What to do in Tel Aviv as a solo traveller

7. Get an out-of-this-world history lesson at Eretz Israel Museum

Museum

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.

8. Take an alternative city and sea tour to Nazareth, Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee

Architectural Landmark

People walking in the courtyard at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, with historic stone buildings behind

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.

9. Pedal your hunger pangs away on a two-wheel foodie tour

Market

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.

Stay safe, stay happy

Despite infrequent conflict to the south, Tel Aviv is a safe place for solo tourists, including LGBTQ travelers. Public transportation is safe, though hitchhiking is not recommended. Walking around more populated areas of the city at night is relatively safe – but it’s important to be vigilant when returning to your hotel from clubs or bars.

Getting around Tel Aviv as a solo traveller

You won’t need a private car to take in the sights. Taxis are plentiful in Tel Aviv, and rideshares like Uber are available – but prices won’t be as low as in Western countries. Shared taxis called sheruts will lower the cost a little while giving you a chatty ride. Seeing the city on two feet or pedalling on two wheels is easiest, as the city’s grid structure and bike lanes are effortless to navigate. Keep in mind that public transportation will stop for 24 hours during Shabbat (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday).

You don’t need to feel lonely when travelling solo in Israel’s seaside city. Join Culture Trip’s seven-day tour of Israel, where you’ll explore the history of Jerusalem and uncover the evolution of Tel Aviv alongside a small group of travelers who love exploring as much as you do.

This is an updated rewrite of an article originally by Kapilkumar Ingle.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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