where to stay in tel aviv ( best area & hotels )

Where is the best area to stay in Tel Aviv?

By Sharon Preston. July 09, 2023

This fun and sun-filled coastline city boasts a beautiful gold sand beachfront and incredibly diverse architecture, from ancient Jaffa houses to beautifully preserved Bauhaus and 50s modernist buildings, all set against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers and azure sky. Tel Aviv is a vibrant, bustling city with an incredible amount of day and night-time entertainment, including gorgeous beaches, stunning fashion boutiques, restaurants, bars and sidewalk cafes. The city never sleeps, so head out late to enjoy a selection of fun offerings - there are Georgian belly dancing bars, old-fashioned pubs, kosher nightclubs, chic cocktail bars and eateries with incredible cuisine.

Tel Aviv offers plenty of accommodation, but the best area to stay is Neve Tzedek. This tranquil residential area is an arty place with lots of stylish stores, boutiques and shops selling local handicrafts. It’s full of great eateries and bars and many al fresco sidewalk cafes that transform into jazz bars and cocktail lounges at night. It’s also home to contemporary dance at The Suzanne Dellal Center, with a beautiful piazza and lush gardens. Neve Tzedek is an ideal location - quiet, peaceful, full of surprises and close to bustling Tel Aviv and its glorious beaches.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Tel Aviv, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.

If you are interested in where to stay in Tel Aviv, you may also be interested in where to stay in Jerusalem, where to stay in Istanbul, where to stay in Dubai and where to stay in Amman.

Neve Tzedek - the best area to stay in Tel Aviv

Best for -

Tranquil / Arty Setting Near The City Centre

The skyscrapers aren’t far away, but this upmarket residential area is a quiet spot, full of apartment blocks offering accommodation for locals and visitors as well as a selection of beautiful boutique hotels set in renovated old buildings. Neve Tzedek boasts an historic charm; it’s the city’s first neighbourhood outside ancient Jaffa and is full of narrow winding streets filled with shops, stylish restaurants, contemporary art galleries and evening entertainment.

The perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Tel Aviv centre, there’s culture to enjoy, including contemporary art at the Helena Rubinstein Art Museum, which houses the famous Habima Theatre. Enjoy a meal in a shady courtyard close to the sea, away from the noise and bustle of the big city. And make sure to visit the famous weekly farmer’s market in Ha Tachana, a charmingly restored old railway station.

Hotels in Neve Tzedek

Other areas to stay in Tel Aviv

The Tayelet (Tel Aviv Promenade)

Best for -

A Seaside Holiday

Tel Aviv’s beachfront, the Tayelet is known for its famous 6km pedestrian-only boardwalk that joins Tel Aviv Port up north to Jaffa in the south. Here, people jog, cycle, exercise and stroll into the evening, enjoying the sea and beaches. Make sure to dodge the cyclists, people riding scooters and rollerbladers as you walk along! The Tayelet is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a beach holiday, and its many entertainment offerings and great water sports amenities make it ideal for families.

Aside from the glorious hotels and beaches that line the promenade, there’s plenty of entertainment on offer ¬- street musicians, artists, restaurants and shops all waiting to be explored. There’s a great selection of accommodation too, from famous 4 and 5 star hotels like the David International, to excellent 3-star establishments, all close to the beach and its numerous amenities.

Hotels in The Tayelet

Yemenite Quarter (Kerem Ha Teimanin, or The Kerem)

Best for -

Those Who Enjoy Food and Culture

The Kerem is an historic, extremely unique area well-known for its authentic markets and eateries. Here you can sample delectable food and get lost in narrow streets lined with crumbling old buildings. Soak up the charm of Yemenite culture and savour its glorious food - traditional flatbreads filled with an assortment of delights, hummus and falafel or a hearty soup. Then enjoy a refreshing craft beer, glass of wine or cold drink from an outdoor bar.

This easy-going area is extremely central, close enough to get to the bustle of Tel Aviv centre, and not far from its beautiful golden beaches. Accommodation here is affordable, with a choice of stylish little hotels, Airbnbs and student hostels. When you’re not exploring or heading further afield, you can shop till you drop for spices and local produce at the nearby Carmel Market, and enjoy lively entertainment at a selection of fun nightspots.

Hotels in Yemenite Quarter

The Old North (Hatzafon Hayashan)

Best for -

Families

This upmarket Tel Aviv neighbourhood is located north of the city’s historic centre. It spreads all the way up to Yarkon Park, with the sea and beaches in the west. It’s a quiet spot, but the area is a great place to make your base from which to explore Tel Aviv. By day, there’s the promenade lined with stylish cafes and beautiful beaches and stylish Dizengoff Street, which is filled with Israeli designer stores. More designer shops, cafes and bakeries are centred around Bonei Ha’ir Square, and let’s not forget bustling Tel Aviv Port, which comes alive at night and has plenty to offer in the form of entertainment and culture.

There’s lots to keep the family busy, as The Old North boasts numerous parks, playgrounds and sports facilities. There’s plenty of accommodation choices here, too, from stylish hotels on Dizengoff Square to charming boutique hotels and seaside establishments.

Hotels in The Old North

Jaffa

Best for -

History and Culture

Jaffa is the most ancient part of Tel Aviv, home to one of the world’s oldest ports. This delightful area is filled with charming old stone streets lined with historic buildings housing art galleries and craft stores. It’s also home to the city’s most famous flea market, Shuk Hapishpishim, which offers a treasure trove of items including great souvenirs. Jaffa is home to some superb boutique and luxury hotels as well as more affordable accommodation.

Best of all, it’s very central: it takes from 20 minutes to less than an hour to walk to anywhere in Tel Aviv from here. Jaffa is brimming with cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and galleries, so you can easily lose yourself for hours without exploring any further. Visit the Ottoman Clock Tower at the entrance to the Old Town, home to religious sites including the Mahmoudiya Mosque and St Peter’s Monastery in Kedumin Square.

Hotels in Jaffa

Florentin

Best for -

Hipsters / Bohemians and Artists

An unconventional hipster paradise, Florentin, located in the south of Tel Aviv, is full of fascinating graffiti, colourful cafes and bars. Revitalised by creatives in the 1990s, this neighbourhood is now home to stylish buildings and street art, hipster eateries and the popular Levinsky Market, full of great food and treats. Accommodation here is affordable and as exciting and diverse as the area itself.

Florentin welcomes everyone, from backpackers and students who head for its hostels to eccentric, arty types and those who enjoy sustainable living. Whether you stay here, or explore it, Florentin is an adventure with its own inimitable personality. It’s quite industrial, with great spots to buy bespoke furniture, clothing and art pieces. At night, the sidewalks are filled with foodies queuing for pizza and falafel to wash down with inexpensive drinks as well as stylish bars and nightclubs and lively music venues.

Hotels in Florentin