We have found some great flights from Chicago to Tel Aviv for only $551 RT on United. on 7-8-9 day itineraries (Air Canada may be $10 cheaper but you have to clear customs then get back through security for your next flight – spend the $10 for United). Come check out Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Titled the ‘Mediterranean Capital of Cool’ by the New York Times, this is a 24 hour city with a unique pulse, combining sandy Mediterranean beaches with a world-class nightlife, a buzzing cultural scene, incredible food, UNESCO recognized architecture, and an international outlook.
Tel Aviv, Israel’s business and cultural capital, is the center of the country’s largest metropolitan area. Liberal and wealthy, this beachfront city is all about lifestyle. Restaurants and cafes abound and are full at all hours, making some wonder whether anyone here works.
SAMPLE FLIGHTS:
- Chicago to Tel Aviv – Sep 6-14 – Just $577 RT on United
- Chicago to Tel Aviv – Oct 4-12 – Just $575 RT on United
- Chicago to Tel Aviv – Nov 23-29 – Just $551 RT on United
- Chicago to Tel Aviv – Dec 13-26 – Just $562 RT on United
HERE ARE BEST DAYS FOR 8 DAY ITINERARY – BUT CLICK HERE TO SAVE MORE MONEY THAN SHOWN BELOW
Must-Do
If you have limited time in Tel Aviv, here’s what you should do:
One of the first things that’ll put a smile on your face when you arrive in Tel Aviv is the long stretch of sandy beach that runs parallel with the city. Especially those of you coming from colder climes (like us from Chicago). What’s also quite amazing is the proximity of the city to the beach. Just a step away from the hustle and bustle, you can find yourself suddenly sat opposite the Mediterranean, the gentle lull of the waves tempting you in for a dip. I won’t tell you how many times I’ve been tempted in, when I should have been, er, elsewhere. The long stretch that makes up Tel Aviv beach is actually split into a number of beaches, each with its own sites and sounds and smells (usually coming from restaurant kitchens, fortunately), as well as its own crowd. This list is a quick guide to the best of the beaches in Tel Aviv, starting from the north and working our way southwards. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Also, make sure to hire a Tel-O-Fun, the green bikes available for rent at stations throughout the city, and tour through the many kilometers of bike paths. We recommend starting at Rabin Square, passing through the shaded Chen Boulevard until you reach the plaza at Habima National Theater, and then continuing down scenic Rothschild Boulevard until you reach the picturesque neighborhood of Neve Tzedek. From there, head west toward the beach and follow the coastline to the old Jaffa port.
The key places to visit are Tel Aviv’s bustling Carmel Market, and perhaps also the crafts market on neighboring Nahalat Binyamin Street (open Tuesdays and Fridays), and the stone-paved alleys of the Old City of Jaffa, as well as its port and the neighboring flea market. Stop there for lunch at one of the many cafes in the market precinct, or head back at night for dinner and a drink in one of the lantern-lit alleyways.
And then there’s the beach. Make sure you visit the beach! Sink your feet into some of the best sand you’ve ever encountered and lap up some Mediterranean sun. Rent beach furniture easily at one of the new machines stationed on the boardwalk and refresh yourself with a cold drink from one of the numerous waterside kiosks or restaurants (warning: the price is commensurate with the location).
Different stretches of beach cater to different crowds: there’s a beach for sea sports north of Gordon; a beach popular among gay men in front of the Hilton; and a walled-off section in front of Independence Park where men and women alternate days, which caters to Orthodox Jews. You’ll notice the locals playing shesh besh (similar to backgammon) and matkot (the noisy ball-and-paddle game popular on the sand). Want to get in on the fun? Buy your own at beach supply stores around town, including at the Carmel Market.
Neighborhoods
The center of the city is known as Lev Ha’ir, literally “the heart of the city,” and it includes the White City – the UNESCO-recognized collection of Bauhaus buildings – as well as the landmark Rabin Square, Habima National Theater, the Cinematheque and Dizengoff Center. It also includes the famous King George Street and Rothschild Boulevard. The center of the city is green and walkable, as is its continuation to the north of Arlozorov Street, known as the Old North.
The Old North is mainly residential, but also includes plenty of coffee shops and restaurants. South of the center you’ll find the picturesque Neve Tzedek, a tony neighborhood of low houses, little boutiques and landmarks, including the Suzanne Dellal Center for Dance and Theater – home to the renowned Batsheva Dance Company. Neve Tzedek is known for being one of the first neighborhoods in Tel Aviv. So is the neighboring Yemenite Quarter, originally founded by immigrants from Yemen. This neighborhood was until recently quite run down but has undergone an impressive facelift in recent years. It includes the Carmel Market as well as a nearly endless selection of hole-in-the-wall luncheonettes that are extremely popular among locals.
South of Neve Tzedek is Florentin, a sooty neighborhood with narrow streets and lots of young, single residents. Here you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants as well as the Levinsky Market, where vendors offer dried fruits, legumes and spices. South of Florentin you’ll find Jaffa, the ancient seaport city. The northern end of Jaffa includes the historical old city, the clock tower and the flea market area, which is bustling with fashionable restaurants and bric-a-brac to buy.
