There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Tel Aviv each year. The main ones are listed below:
May 14: Yom Ha'atzmaut (Independence Day, national)Commemorates the formal establishment of the State of Israel, on May 14, 1948. Celebrations are organized across Israel, including military parades, air force flyovers, concerts, parties and religious events.
September or October – First and second days of Tishri in the Jewish calendar: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year, national)This autumn festival constitutes the first two days of Yamim Noraim, the ten “Days of Awe” or High Holy Days, a period spent in profound reflection and prayer that concludes with Yom Kippur. The sound of the shofar, made from a ram's horn, calls the faithful to pray at the synagogue. It is also a time for families to gather around a festive dinner table for a meal including special foods to celebrate the occasion.
September or October – Tenth day of Tishri in the Jewish calendar: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, national)This autumn festival constitutes the first two days of Yamim Noraim, the ten “Days of Awe” or High Holy Days, a period spent in profound reflection and prayer that concludes with Yom Kippur. The sound of the shofar, made from a ram's horn, calls the faithful to pray at the synagogue. It is also a time for families to gather around a festive dinner table for a meal including special foods to celebrate the occasion.
September or October – Twenty-third day of Tishri in the Jewish calendar: Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Torah - national)Certainly one of the most joyous holidays in Israel. In Tel Aviv's synagogues and all around the country on this day, people pray for rain during the next season, as readings of the Torah come to an end. The day is also an occasion for various popular festivities.
December – Twenty-fifth day of Kislev to the second day of Tevet in the Jewish calendar: Hanukkah (Festival of Lights, national)This festival commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in 165 B.C., when Jews successfully rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean revolt. Lasting for eight days, it is celebrated with the lighting of candles (or the burning of oil) in a special eight-branched menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts. In Tel Aviv, all hotels, shops and government offices place menorahs in their windows.
| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10/50 | 17/63 | 127/5.0 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 10/50 | 18/64 | 90/3.5 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 11/52 | 19/66 | 60/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 14/57 | 23/73 | 18/0.7 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 17/63 | 25/77 | 2/0.1 | Not the best period to go |
| June | 21/70 | 27/81 | 0/0.0 | Good period to go
|
| July | 23/73 | 29/84 | 0/0.0 | Good period to go
|
| August | 24/75 | 30/86 | 0/0.0 | Good period to go
|
| September | 22/72 | 29/84 | 0/0.0 | Good period to go
|
| October | 15/59 | 27/81 | 26/1.0 | Not the best period to go |
| November | 11/52 | 23/73 | 79/3.1 | Not the best period to go |
| December | 11/52 | 19/66 | 126/5.0 | Not the best period to go |
The Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport is located about 15 kilometres (9 miles) south-east of the city centre.
A welcoming, energetic city attracting large numbers of international visitors annually, Tel Aviv offers every convenience to make getting around easy. Moreover, tourists can reach any point in the city for a reasonable price.
Buses are the main mode of transport in Tel Aviv. On most routes, fares can be paid directly to the driver in cash. The standard fare for a single trip by bus within Tel Aviv is ILS 5.90. Buses do not run during Shabbat, from mid-Friday to Saturday night.
In addition to the main bus routes, privately run minibuses, also known as “service taxis”, serve several working class neighbourhoods. The fare must be paid in cash on board the bus, between ILS 5 to 10, depending on the destination.
Tel Aviv expects to complete the construction of its first urban light-rail line in October 2021.
Many taxis ply Tel Aviv's streets at all hours. You will never have any difficulty finding one, wherever you are in the city. However, make sure the driver turns on the meter when setting off. The initial charge is ILS 12.00, to which is added about ILS 4.00 for each kilometre, under normal traffic conditions.
Tel Aviv has a public bike-sharing system, called Tel-O-Fun, with nearly 750 bicycles available at some 80 stations throughout the city. The daily access fee is ILS 14 (ILS 20 on Saturdays and public holidays) and the weekly access fee is ILS 60.
Rental rates depend on the total usage time:
Upon your arrival in Tel Aviv, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Tel Aviv Tourist Information CentersOffer practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The official website maintained by Israel's Ministry of Tourism provides a wealth of information on Tel Aviv.
The currency used in Israel is the Shekel (ILS).
1 EUR = 4,03 ILS
1 ILS = 0,25 EUR
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/
Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Tel Aviv counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
Booster doses of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccines are recommended.
Depending on the length of your stay and hygiene conditions, the following additional vaccinations are also recommended: typhoid, hepatitis A and B.
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
There are no food safety risks in Tel Aviv.
WaterTap water is safe to drink in Tel Aviv.
Israel has entered into visa exemption agreements with a number of countries.
To find out if you will need a visa for travel to Israel, visit the website of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Tel Aviv, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Hebrew phrases that will make your stay in Tel Aviv a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Shalom / Boker tov / Tzahara'im tovim
Good evening: Erev tov
Goodbye: shalom
Yes: ken
No: lo
No, thank you: lo toda
Thank you very much: Toda raba
Please: Bevakasha
I don't understand: Ani lo mewin
Could you repeat?: Ha'im tochal lachzor al ze
What time is it ?: Ma hasha'a ?
Sorry: Slicha
Excuse me: Slicha
Airport: Namal Te'oefah
Train station: Tachanat rakevet
Taxi: Taxi
Hotel: Malon
Hospital: Beit cholim
Bank: Bank
Telephone: Telephone
I'm (…): Ani (…)
I'm looking for (…): Ani mechapes (…)
How much is (…)?: Kama Ze (…) ?
Do you have (…)?: Ha'im yesh lecha (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Aefo efshar limtzo (…) ?
Where can I buy (…)?: Aefo efshar liknot (…) ?
I'd like (…): Haiiti rotze (…)
Tipping
In Tel Aviv like elsewhere in Israel, there are no hard-and-fast rules for tipping. If you are pleased with the service, it is appropriate to tip between 10 and 15%.
