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A boat passing the old stone waterfront of Jaffa, Tel Aviv

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Tel Aviv Luxury Hotels, Beaches and the Mediterranean Good Life

Tel Aviv is a Mediterranean beach city that never quite switches off: a promenade of golden sand, white Bauhaus streets and a dining scene that punches far above its size. This guide to the best hotels in Tel Aviv covers where to stay, where to eat and how to plan a luxury vacation from the United States.

Updated

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At a glance

Tel Aviv at a glance

Best months
April to June and September to November
From New York
About 10.5 to 11 hours nonstop
Time difference
About 7 hours ahead of US Eastern
Entry for US passports
Electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) before departure
Currency
Israeli new shekel (ILS); about 3.1 to the US dollar, approximate
Weekend
Friday and Saturday (Shabbat from Friday sunset)

From the United States

Tel Aviv for travelers from the US

The essentials for American travelers, at a glance.

Entry for US passports
ETA-IL online authorization before departure; up to 90 days per visit; about US$8 (25 shekels). Visa details
Getting there
Nonstop to Tel Aviv from New York, Newark, Boston, Miami and Los Angeles on El Al and Delta and United (about 10 hr 30 min from New York). All nonstops
Time difference
7 hours ahead of New York most of the year
Money
Israeli new shekel, about 3.1 to the dollar (check the current rate). Cards almost everywhere.
Power plugs
Type H (Israeli three-pin) and C, 230 V: bring an adapter (most phone and laptop chargers are dual voltage)
Weekend
Friday afternoon to Saturday evening (Shabbat)

Checked October 18, 2026. Rules and schedules change, so confirm on the official portal before you book. Connecting on a Gulf or Turkish carrier? See stopover programs, and plan with your first trip.

Why go

Why go to Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv runs along roughly nine miles of Mediterranean shoreline, and the beach is part of daily life here: early swims, paddle-ball on the sand, sunset on the promenade and a late dinner after. Behind the shore lies the White City, a UNESCO-listed collection of more than 4,000 Bauhaus and International Style buildings from the 1930s, best seen on foot along Rothschild Boulevard and around Dizengoff Square.

To the south, ancient Jaffa adds a much older layer, with a stone port, a hilltop old town, galleries and a flea market that has become one of the city's most fashionable neighborhoods. With an easy hour's drive to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv makes a natural base for a first visit. Our Israel travel guide covers the wider picture.

Beachfront hotel towers above the turquoise Mediterranean and the sands of Tel Aviv.
Photo: Radosław Botev · CC BY 3.0 PL · Wikimedia Commons

When to go and how to arrive

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are ideal: warm sea, sunny days and comfortable evenings. July and August are hot and humid but lively, and the beaches are at their busiest. Winter is mild and green, with occasional rain, and suits a city-and-culture trip more than a beach week.

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) is about 20 minutes from the beachfront hotels. Delta resumed daily New York JFK nonstops in September 2026, United flies from Newark, and El Al flies from Los Angeles and adds New York, Newark, Boston, Miami and San Francisco in its winter schedule from late October 2026. Delta plans to bring back Atlanta after mid-December, so check with the airline when you book. For a smoother arrival, VIP meet-and-assist services can take you through the airport, and business jets use the general aviation side of Ben Gurion; see arriving privately and private jet charter.

Best hotels

Best hotels in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv's finest hotels sit either on the seafront or in the restored historic quarters of Jaffa, Neve Tzedek and the White City. Star ratings below are the commonly published ratings; Israel does not run a single national grading system.

The Norman

★★★★★ White City, near Rothschild Boulevard

Two restored 1920s buildings turned into the city's most polished small hotel, with a rooftop infinity pool, a quiet spa and some of the best service in the country. A strong choice for couples and for travelers who prefer a neighborhood to the seafront.

Official site ↗

The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel

★★★★★ Jaffa

A 19th-century French hospital and convent, restored by architect Ramy Gill with interiors by John Pawson. The former chapel is now a bar, and the garden courtyard is one of the most beautiful spaces in the city.

Official site ↗

The Setai Tel Aviv

★★★★★ Old Jaffa, by the port

Built into a former Ottoman-era prison complex overlooking the sea, with a rooftop pool, a large spa and rooms in warm stone. Old Jaffa's galleries and the flea market are steps away.

Official site ↗

The David Kempinski Tel Aviv

★★★★★ Seafront promenade

A modern tower on the beach with sea views from every room, a rooftop pool and a strong dining program. Large suites make it a favorite for families and for longer stays.

Official site ↗

The Drisco

★★★★★ American Colony, between Jaffa and Neve Tzedek

A 19th-century hotel built for American travelers, carefully restored into an intimate boutique property with a rooftop terrace and a well-regarded restaurant.

Official site ↗

The Royal Beach Tel Aviv by Isrotel

★★★★★ Seafront promenade

A beachfront tower with a rooftop infinity pool, a spa and generous rooms with balconies, from one of Israel's leading hotel groups.

Official site ↗

The Carlton Tel Aviv

★★★★★ Seafront, by the Marina

A classic beachfront address next to the Tel Aviv Marina, with a rooftop pool, sea-view balconies and a long reputation for service.

Dan Tel Aviv

★★★★★ Seafront promenade

The city's pioneering grand hotel, opened in 1953 and still a landmark for its rainbow-colored facade and central beachfront position.

Official site ↗

David InterContinental Tel Aviv

★★★★★ Seafront, near Neve Tzedek

A large, dependable five-star with a big outdoor pool, conference facilities and an easy walk to Neve Tzedek and the Charles Clore beach park.

Official site ↗

Elkonin Hotel Tel Aviv – MGallery

★★★★★ Neve Tzedek

A historic French-style building from 1913 in the city's most charming old quarter, with a spa and rooftop bar.

Official site ↗

The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya

★★★★★ Herzliya Marina, 20 minutes north

All-suite rooms above a yacht marina, with a rooftop pool and beach clubs nearby. A calmer alternative within easy reach of the city.

Official site ↗

Brown Beach House

★★★★ Seafront, near Gordon Beach

A stylish small hotel with bold design and some suites with private hot tubs, from the Brown Hotels collection.

Poli House

★★★★ Allenby, near the Carmel Market

A 1934 Bauhaus building with interiors by Karim Rashid and a rooftop pool overlooking the city's busiest market streets.

Official site ↗

Finest restaurants

Tel Aviv dines late and loudly, and the best tables mix Levantine produce with modern technique. Book well ahead, especially Thursday and Friday nights.

OCD

Tel Aviv

A tasting-counter restaurant with a single long menu cooked in front of a small number of guests. Among the most sought-after reservations in the country.

Shila

Ben Yehuda Street

Chef Sharon Cohen's seafood and grill restaurant, a long-running favorite with a lively bar.

HaSalon

Ma'avar Yabok Street

Eyal Shani's late-night supper club, where dinner turns into dancing on the tables. Open only a few nights a week.

Popina

Neve Tzedek

A refined restaurant in a historic house, with a creative menu and a garden courtyard.

Things to do

Things to do in Tel Aviv

Start on the promenade, from the port in the north to the old harbor of Jaffa, ideally by bike in the early morning. Take a guided Bauhaus walk through the White City, browse the Carmel Market and the Levinsky spice shops, then spend an afternoon among the boutiques and cafés of Neve Tzedek. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art holds an excellent collection of Israeli and international work, and ANU, the Museum of the Jewish People, tells a global story in a striking building on the university campus.

For more ideas see our pages on private access experiences, museums across the region and the finest restaurants in the Middle East.

Nearby

Jerusalem is about an hour away and deserves at least two nights; see our Jerusalem travel guide. Caesarea, with its Roman harbor and golf course, is 45 minutes north, and the Galilee and the wine country of the north make a fine two- or three-day loop. For a beach-and-reef escape in winter, a short flight takes you to Eilat on the Red Sea.

Luxury property

Living in Tel Aviv: luxury property

Tel Aviv is one of the most valuable property markets in the region, with prime demand focused on new seafront towers, restored Bauhaus apartments in the White City and boutique buildings in Neve Tzedek and Jaffa. Overseas buyers generally may purchase apartments, and many work with a local lawyer from the outset. Our guide to prime Luxury Real Estate agencies and branded residences is a useful starting point.

Questions travelers ask

Questions travelers ask about Tel Aviv

Do Americans need a visa for Israel?

No visa is needed for tourist stays, but US passport holders must obtain an electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) online before departure. The fee is small, about 25 shekels (roughly $8, approximate). Apply only through the official government site.

Is Tel Aviv open on Saturdays?

Largely yes. Shabbat runs from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, and most public transport stops, but many Tel Aviv restaurants, cafés, beaches and some shops stay open.

When is the best time for the beach?

May to October for swimming, with June and September the sweet spots: warm water and fewer crowds than July and August.

Can I drink alcohol in Tel Aviv?

Yes. Alcohol is widely available, and Israel produces excellent wine. Bars and rooftop lounges are part of the city's nightlife.

Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here

Own a home in Tel Aviv

The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Generally open to foreign buyers; much land is held on long leases from the Israel Land Authority.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate

Weather

Tel Aviv weather by month

Average day highs, night lows, sea temperature and rainy days for each month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius side by side. The months in gold are the most comfortable for visiting.

Tel Aviv weather by month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius
MonthDay highNight lowSeaRainy days
°F°C°F°C°F°C
Jan63°17°49°10°67°19°13
Feb65°18°49°10°64°18°9
Mar68°20°53°12°65°18°8
Apr74°23°57°14°69°21°3
May81°27°63°17°74°23°2
Jun84°29°69°21°80°27°1
Jul88°31°74°23°85°30°0
Aug89°32°75°24°87°31°0
Sep87°31°73°23°85°30°0
Oct83°28°68°20°81°27°4
Nov76°24°60°16°75°24°7
Dec67°20°53°12°70°21°11

Averages for 2015–2024, Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5). Sea temperatures: 2023–2024. Rainy days: days with at least 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.

Luxury Real Estate

Staying longer? Own a home in Tel Aviv

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