Tel Aviv Beaches

Tel Aviv Beaches

Tel Aviv's western border, an idyllic stretch of Mediterranean sand, has miles of beaches and a beachfront promenade. Sunsets here are spectacular. Still, the Med can be moody; the lapping of gentle waves offers respite and relaxation for most of the year, but jellyfish are out in force in July and August, and an air-conditioned café with a view of the sea might be a more pleasurable place to be. There's a strong undertow on these beaches, so exercise caution.

Tel Aviv alone has eight distinct beach areas, each with its own personality. Tel Baruch Beach at Namir Road and Propes Street has lawns and a boardwalk, making it the city's top family beach, while the Aviv Beach at the southern tip of Hayarkon Street attracts a youthful singles crowd. At sunset on Fridays, musicians gather and form drumming circles.

Beaches in the heart of the city are free. Hatzuk, on the northern edge of Tel Aviv, charges an entrance fee, as do the beaches in Herzliya (except Sidni Ali).

Beaches are generally named after something nearby -- a street or a hotel, for example. Thus, you have Hilton Beach in front of the hotel of that name, Gordon Beach at the end of Gordon Street, and likewise Bograshov Beach. Sometimes, however, this gets a bit confusing: Sheraton Beach is at the site of the first Sheraton Hotel in Tel Aviv, about 1 km ( 1/2 mi) north of today's Sheraton; and Jerusalem Beach, at the bottom of Allenby Road, is named after the city, not after something in Tel Aviv.

When choosing a beach, look for one with timber lifeguard huts, where first aid is available. Lifeguards are on duty from roughly May to October, from 7 AM until between 4 PM and 7 PM, depending on the month (check with your hotel's concierge). Be forewarned: Tel Aviv's lifeguards are fond of yelling commands over the loudspeakers if they think swimmers are misbehaving. Most beaches have public amenities, including bathrooms and changing rooms. If you sit in a chaise lounge or under an umbrella, a municipal worker will come by to charge you a small fee and give you a receipt.