Is Tel Aviv a must see?
 

I am planning on spending a few days in Jerusalem. I have never been to Israel and I get the impression, Tel Aviv is more of a resort/modern city where people spend a few days to relax. Is Tel Aviv a must see on a trip to Israel?
Thanks.i

I wish I had asked that question before we went to Israel last summer!

In my opinion, no. You are correct, it is just another big city . . . I wish we had used our time to extend in Jerusalem or any other place we visited (Haifa, area around the Sea of Galilee, Petra).

I typed up my travelog and it's too long to post here. If interested, email me a [email protected] and I'll send it to you.

BTW, we're two ladies, budget travelers, went on our own, rented a car, had two weeks . . . had a FANTASTIC time!

Sandy (in Denton)

sandy_b, thank you for your kind offer. I'll send you an email.

Absolutely you should see TA. Totally, completely different vibe than Jerusalem; the contrast couldn't be greater. Young, dynamic, lots of life being lived.

Jerusalem of Gold is magnificent; the White City is electric.

TA is a UNESCO World Heritage city, BTW, because it's the ultimate expression of Bauhaus architecture in the world, not to mention Jaffa, Neve Tzedek, and other great areas.

Hi We've been to Tel Aviv twice in the past 2 yrs. It hasn't any of the historic sites of the Bible, but it has a vibe. As two 60 yr olds, it's great to wtch the younger generation. We go to the old pier area for supper. It's a great place to people watch. we hang out at the beach during the day or just walk around around. There are good restaurants around. After landing it's really a good place to wipe out the jet lag and enjoy yourself before heading out. It's a good place to see modern Israel

Here's my own take on TA: I lived in Israel in 1973-74 and think I went to TA once on a tour. Then again for one day in 1977. I've been back to Israel twice since 2005 and only spent one day there between the two visits, during which I spent 10 days in Jerusalem. TA is a big city on the beach. If you don't have a beach where you live, or have never spent time in a city on the beach, then go for more than one day because it's nice on the beach and there are nice restaurants and a new development at the marina. It has very modern areas, restaurants, people, clubs, etc. There is an old area which is very, very touristy but still nice. My husband and I went out of our hotel (opposite the Hilton, the lowest price we could find with decent reviews) to go to Dizengoff for dinner and while walking there we were both amazed at how much it felt like we were on the upper west side on Manhattan, if that gives you any impression. If I go back again, I'd still spend more days in Jerusalem than in TA. But that's just me. You can stay overnight there before flying out.

If it's strictly a question of 'either or' I'd say stick with Jerusalem by all means. But if you had a day, for example you had a late flight from Ben Gurion International Airport, I'd recommend visiting Jaffa, then maybe relaxing and having something to eat at Aladdin, a restaurant that has a great overlook of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean.

As above, two different experiences. Jerusalem for the history, Tel Aviv for the excitement.

I am going to Tel Aviv in August and spending a week. This will be the last week of a 2 1/2 week visit to Israel. I was in TA in 2006 for several days and enjoyed it. My husband really loved it - my daughter who has been to Israel several times loves the night life but prefers Jerusalem. Our second trip we spent time in Haifa which is also lovely but different and just went to TA one night for dinner.

TA totally reminds me of Miami Beach - particularly a bit of South Beach - more than New York. There are some run down parts, it's a bit funky, and there are some really gorgeous parts, too. The beach is great and I particularly love the beach at night when all of the beach restaurants are set up in the sand. It is so cool.

Jaffa is really lovely too. There are great restaurants and it has a cool vibe.

With all that said I also love Jerusalem, too. It is really gorgeous and special! We'll start our vacation in Jerusalem.

There are so many incredible things to see in Israel, that the question isn't just whether Tel Aviv is worth seeing, it is whether it is worth bumping something else off the list.