Tel Aviv-Yafo is Israel's coastal commercial and cultural capital, home to about 475,000 people in the city and about 4 million in the wider Gush Dan metro. It combines the Bauhaus-style White City (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), 14 km of Mediterranean beaches, the ancient port of Jaffa, the Carmel Market and a restaurant, cafe and nightlife scene that runs through the night, including on Friday evenings.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan Safari Park
Drive-through safari and walk-through zoo with lions, giraffes and rhinos; check opening hours and prices at safari.co.il.
Eretz Israel Museum
Archaeology park with a working olive press, a mill and hands-on craft workshops for children.
ANU Museum of the Jewish People
Interactive museum telling the story of Jewish communities worldwide, with audiovisual exhibits suitable for school-age children.
Yarkon Park and Rowing Lake
The city's largest park with playgrounds, a bird garden, lawns for picnics and pedal boats on the river.
Tel Aviv Port (Namal) and Seaside Promenade
Open wooden boardwalk by the sea with playgrounds, cafes and a Saturday market; flat and good for strollers.
Gordon and Frishman Beaches
Lifeguarded sandy beaches with a shallow breakwater-protected swimming area and showers; choose a lifeguarded section and a white or green flag.
Sarona Market and Sarona Park
Covered gourmet food hall beside a shaded park with a playground and lawns, in restored 19th-century German Templer houses.
Old Jaffa and Jaffa Port
Stone alleys, the wishing bridge, Andromeda's Rock views and fishing boats at the port; the cobbles are hard for strollers, so use a carrier.
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Dan Panorama Tel Aviv
Large beachfront hotel with a pool and family rooms, a short walk from Jaffa
Hilton Tel Aviv
Seaside hotel beside Independence Park with a pool and direct access to the Hilton beach
Carlton Tel Aviv
Beachfront hotel with a pool and large rooms close to the Promenade
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Falafel, hummus and pizza are child-friendly and cheap, at about 25-45 ILS (approx $8-15) per portion
Most Tel Aviv restaurants offer high chairs and a children's menu; kosher certification is displayed in the window if needed
Many restaurants and cafes stay open on Shabbat in Tel Aviv, while kosher restaurants close from Friday afternoon; book Friday dinner ahead
Pack snacks and water for long days at the beach and market
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Use a stroller on the Tayelet and in Sarona, but bring a carrier for the steps and cobbles of Old Jaffa
Book Safari Park tickets online to avoid queues on school holidays
Plan indoor activities for the hot hours of 12:00-16:00 in July and August