Best in 2 to 3 Days

Best in 2 to 3 Days

Spending two to four days in Tel Aviv is ideal. You'll be able to explore a variety of neighborhoods and museums and still have time left over to cool off on the beach. A shorter stay will require a lot of action, though you'll still be able to catch the highlights.

If You Have 2 Days

Begin in Old Jaffa, wandering around the restored section and delving into the small galleries and shops. Enjoy a meal of fresh fish on the waterfront at the port, and walk along the coastal Tayelet (promenade) back to central Tel Aviv. Head for the trendy Sheinkin Street area to get a feel for the contemporary Israeli lifestyle, and if it's a Tuesday or Friday, walk over to the street fair created by local artisans along the Nahalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall. Nearby, Rothschild Boulevard has good examples of the city's various architectural styles and periods, from Middle East-influenced to Bauhaus to latter-day steel and glass, and some of the city's best restaurants and cafés.

On the second day, take in a museum on a subject that interests you: the Tel Aviv Museum of Art; the Eretz Israel Museum, with its excellent archaeological exhibits; or Beth Hatefutsoth (Diaspora Museum), which depicts Jewish life around the world throughout the ages; or the Palmach Museum. You may want to squeeze in some shopping after that, then spend a few hours doing what Tel Avivians do best -- beten-gav (tummy-back, in Hebrew) -- cooling off on the beach.

If You Have 3 Days

The Nahalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall street fair (on Tuesday and Friday) and the Carmel Market are good places to start. From there, it's a hop, skip, and a jump to Sheinkin Street for a coffee break or lunch, window shopping, and people watching. Get in some beach time today and go out for a late dinner in the Old Port in north Tel Aviv. Spend the morning of the second day walking through Old Jaffa, including the flea market, and afternoon or early evening strolling around and shopping in Neveh Tzedek. If there's a performance at the Suzanne Dellal Center in Neveh Tzedek, make an evening of dinner and a show. Save browsing and shopping around the city center for the last day, and make sure to stroll the Tayelet along the beach front. Hit the museums then spend the latter part of the day in Jaffa; the atmosphere is very different at night. Try one of the Rothschild Boulevard restaurants tonight.