While Tel Aviv may not be a huge city, there is an incredible amount of diversity between the neighborhoods nestled within. If you’re new to the city, it can get confusing trying to decide where to live that best suits your needs and style. Or perhaps you just want to explore a new part of the city and aren’t sure where to go next. No worries—or if you want to speak like a local, ein lachatz (אין לחץ), meaning no stress—this guide to the best neighborhoods in Tel Aviv will come to the rescue!
HaZafon HaYashan (Old North)
The Old North—in Hebrew, HaZafon HaYashan—is an elegant neighborhood with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars, but also lots of quiet, peaceful side streets. The Old North includes the bustling Tel Aviv Port as well as HaYarkon Park—the largest park in Tel Aviv, named after the Yarkon River that runs through it.
Who Lives Here:
Since it’s the quietest neighborhood with the most nature, the Old North is ideal for families with children. Yet, it’s still a popular choice among young professionals because there’s an abundance of great places to eat, drink, and chill. Plus…the city center is just a short walk/bike/bus ride away in case you’re craving more fun.
Lev Ha’ir (Heart of the City)
The heart of the city, known to Israelis as Lev Ha’ir, is where all the action happens. This neighborhood includes the lively Rothschild Boulevard that’s always packed with locals and tourists alike, tons of shopping opportunities around Dizengoff Center, and some beautiful public spaces such as Habima Square and Gan Meir. The best restaurants and bars are all packed into this area. At any time of day or night, there’s always something interesting happening here, whether it’s a crazy street party or a huge protest.
This area is also home to the White City UNESCO World Heritage Site, a collection of over 4,000 buildings built in the Bauhaus style, meaning Lev Ha’ir undoubtedly has some of the most interesting and beautiful architecture in all of Tel Aviv.
Who Lives Here:
Residents of Lev Ha’ir include the more wealthy people of Tel Aviv, successful families, and young people that lucked out at finding a decently affordable apartment here.
Kerem HaTeimanim (Yemenite Vineyard)
Kerem HaTeimanim is home to the boisterous Shuk HaCarmel and just a few steps away from the beach. Amazing authentic hole-in-the-wall restaurants can be found everywhere you look, and plenty of fun little bars to hang out in at night.
Who Lives Here:
This neighborhood gets its name because it was founded by Yemenite immigrants back in the 1880’s. Nowadays, you can still find lots of old citizens that have lived there all their life, but plenty of younger people have been moving in as well. This is because the apartments here are generally smaller and cheaper than the other surrounding neighborhoods. If you live too close to Shuk HaCarmel, it can get quite loud from all the merchants and buyers that flood in each day. However, the narrow cobblestone streets means no traffic or honking, which is a huge perk.
Florentin
Florentin is Tel Aviv’s hipster haven. This area used to be the industrial section of the city, until young starving artists took advantage of the cheap rent. As a result, some seriously cool graffiti can be found on every single street you explore. Florentin still has many run-down buildings, though this is slowly changing as newer, fancier structures have been popping up.
Located in southern Tel Aviv, Florentin is home to Shuk Levinsky, where you can find the best spices, nuts, and dried fruits in the whole city. Here it’s absolutely packed with shabby-chic bars, restaurants, and cafes to check out, often with live music at night.
Who Lives Here:
The average Florentin resident is young, creative, and bohemian. Most people that live here are in their 20’s and 30’s. Many artists and musicians choose to call Florentin home, as apartments here are more affordable than in the center or northern Tel Aviv.
Neve Tzedek
Neve Tzedek feels more like a quaint village in the south of France than a neighborhood in a Middle Eastern city. It was the very first neighborhood to be established in Tel Aviv, and though it fell into disrepair for many years, in the 80’s that all changed and Neve Tzedek is now known as the most fashionable and expensive district in the city. Here you can find elegant little streets lined with pastel colored homes, small fancy restaurants, galleries, and high fashion boutiques.
Who Lives Here:
Residents of Neve Tzedek these days are upper class, as the real estate here is expensive and in high demand. If you really want to live in this elegant area, look for places on the edges of the neighborhood, where you have a better chance of finding something a bit more affordable. Good luck.
Jaffa
Okay, this one isn’t really a neighborhood—it’s actually its own city, just south of Tel Aviv. Jaffa is an ancient port city full of winding cobblestone streets and stunning architecture. The beautiful Jaffa Port is lined with fresh seafood restaurants that provide a great view of the Mediterranean. There’s also the Jaffa Flea Market which is filled with interesting antiques and creative clothing.
Who Lives Here:
In Jaffa, Jews and Arabs live side by side. This is especially nice because it means more places are open on Shabbat, and there’s an abundance of the best Arabic food you’ve ever tasted. There are still many underdeveloped parts of Jaffa with crumbling buildings, though the city has been working hard to beautify and restore Jaffa to its former glory. Many artists are moving to Jaffa since it is generally more affordable than Tel Aviv and the gorgeous area inspires creativity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Zoë Biehl is a full-time freelance writer and editor with an insatiable passion for travel. Originally from New York, she now happily calls Tel Aviv home.
