Tel Aviv Beach

The Tel Aviv beach stretches for ages along the whole western edge of the city, moving from historic Yaffo to the northern port near Park Hayarkon. Stretching over 14 kilometers along the Mediterranean, this sparkling coastline has a little bit of everything, and activities for each season. Whether you’re looking to soak up the summer sun, use the stormy winter weather to catch a few waves, or jog along the tayelet, we break down all the beaches in Tel Aviv and their distinctive characters below so you can choose your perfect beach.

Hilton Beach

Located next to the upscale Hilton Hotel in the city’s north, this is the main gay beach for the very LGBTQIA+ city of Tel Aviv, and also draws in quite a few surfers and some of the city’s many dog owners. It’s one of the city’s busiest beaches in the summer months, and always offers an interesting scene, no matter who you are. It’s also easily accessible from a nearby service road if you need to haul in your beach gear, and offers rentals of beach chairs, as well as free bathrooms and volleyball nets. A natural offshore reef creates a natural swell, making it perfect for watersports.

Gordon Beach

Home to one of the city’s nicest gyms and a members only swimming pool that you can purchase day passes for, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular beaches for physical activity. While the city has a number of open air gyms available for public use, this Tel Aviv beach has it all from volleyball courts to sports equipment for rent on the tayelet nearby. It’s also immensely popular, so be prepared to arrive early and fight off crowds.

Frishman Beach

This is one of the most family and child friendly beaches on our list, with a number of play areas and netted in swimming areas nearby perfect for little ones. It’s right near the center of the city, making it easy to get to from a number of hotels and restaurants. Along with restaurants in the city, Frishman Beach also has a number of beachside restaurants that serve everything from schnitzel and beer to cocktails and calamari. Be warned that these restaurants are usually more expensive than others in the city.

Bograshov Beach

This is the most popular beach in the city, no matter the season, drawing in crowds for stand up paddleboard yoga classes, Kabbalat shabbat services on Fridays, and hordes of Tel Avivians looking to enjoy the waves. Because of its central location, it’s almost always busy, even in the winter. While it may be a bit crowded, the waters here are a little more calm than other beaches, offering a great opportunity to hit the water for some swimming.

Mezizim Beach

Boasting one of the city’s most popular beachside bars, this beach is most popular with Tel Aviv’s younger citizens, especially teenagers. While it’s much less busy in the winter months, the bar is still busy almost every night, serving up simple appetizers and offering hookah rentals. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a drink when the weather has cooled down at night, and to relax after a long day of lounging on the sand. It’s also close to the segregated religious beaches, so watch where you’re walking when you’re picking your spot on the sand.

Banana Beach

This Tel Aviv beach draws in both tourists and locals, and it’s one of the southernmost city beaches before Yaffo. It has two restaurants on the beach that bookend the sands, and it’s a hotspot for those looking to indulge in a game or two of Matkot, which is Israel’s unofficial sport. It’s ping pong without a table, and matches can become incredibly heated, with some of the players on the beach honing their skills every day. This is our favorite beach for relaxing with a drink as the sun sets over Jaffa and the Tel Aviv skyline, and close to a newly greened area of the city where the Dolphinarium club stood years before. It’s also a short walk from this beach to Yaffo if you’re looking to get in some more historical exploring.

Dolphinarium Beach

While this isn’t even close to the city’s most popular beach, it’s notable for the spontaneous music festival that pops up every Friday, with drummers, singers, and a number of musicians playing next to its sands and along the tayelet. We recommend coming on a Friday just before sunset to best appreciate the music.

Alma Beach

One of the city’s southernmost beaches, and one of the few without a lifeguard, this stretch of beach houses a dog beach as well, and one of the city’s best surf spots. In the fall and winter months, the seasonal storms offer great waves for traditional and kite surfers alike, while dog owners come year round to let their furry friends enjoy the surf and sand. It isn’t the most relaxing beach, but it does tend to draw fewer tourists if you’re looking for a more authentic experience. You can learn more about it in our Alma beach guide.

And, of course, if you want a less urban beach experience, Israel has some beautiful rural beaches – check out our guide to the best beaches in Israel for more.