Tel Aviv

If this is your first time visiting Tel Aviv, or especially Israel in general, you may be interested in some local information.

About Tel Aviv

Ever since the establishment of the State of Israel, Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest city, has served as the financial, entertainment, and cultural center of the country. Founded in 1909 and built on the sand dunes that stretch northward from the old city of Jaffa, Tel Aviv lies on a beautiful beach strip of the Mediterranean.

Tel Aviv abounds with hotels, museums, galleries, theatres and entertainment venues, markets, shopping malls, restaurants, bars and outdoor cafes, all bustling with nonstop active day and night.

Typical of so much of Israel, Tel Aviv juxtaposes the old and the new. The old port of Jaffa, with its colorful artists’ quarter and flea market, reflects the special atmosphere of ancient times, while the modern hotels, skyscrapers and busy shopping malls, portray the brisk vibrant city life.

A modern cultural center, Tel Aviv, boasts many fine art galleries, entertainment centers and museums like the multi-media at the Jewish Diaspora Museum. The world famous Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the Mann Auditorium, next to Israel’s Habima National Theater. The Golda Meir Center for Performing Arts is home to Israel opera, dance companies, theater companies and concerts, and the Suzanne Dellal Dance Center, situated in the old Neve Zedek Quarter of the city, offers exciting programs.

Apart from the open air markets and shopping malls, popular street shopping areas like the bohemian Sheinkin Street and Neve Zedek, portray the newest trends in fashion and styles. Tel Aviv is a perfect choice for international visitors, and affords a great opportunity to enjoy the vibrant spirit of the city.

Climate

The weather in Tel Aviv in early September is hot with highs of approx. 30°C during the day and lows of 20°C in the evening.

Currency

The local currency in Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). As of August, 2018:

1 USD = ~3.7 NIS 1 EUR = ~4.2 NIS

Travel

Flights

Visitors should book their flights to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV). The airport is located approximately 35 mins drive from the Conference venue.

Transportation from Ben-Gurion Airport to the Conference venue (Tel Aviv)

• By private taxi
  Taxis are available outside of the Arrivals Hall (Level G) of Ben Gurion Airport at a cost of approximately 150-200 Shekels (US$ 45-57) and the average trip is about 35 – 50 minutes (depending on traffic).

• By public transportation
  Trains are available outside of the Arrivals Hall (Level G) of Ben Gurion Airport at a cost of 13.5 Shekels (US$ 4) and the average trip is about 15 mins till the Tel Aviv University stop. From there it is approximately a 10 minute walk to the venue. Local busses can also be used.

Click here to view the train schedule.

Visas

Prior to booking flights, don’t forget to ensure that your passport is valid until at least 6 months after entry into Israel.
Participants from most countries do not require a visa to enter Israel, but we suggest that you check this with your travel agent or on the website of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Where to Stay

There are many hotels in Tel Aviv, at a variety of price ranges. Many of these are just a short cab ride away.
There are also many cheaper options such as AirBnB.

Things To Do In Tel Aviv-Yafo

BEACHES

Tel Aviv’s west side is a 13-kilometer (eight-mile) stretch of sandy beaches, prompting National Geographic magazine to call Tel Aviv “Miami Beach on the Med.”

SIGHTSEEING

• Tel Aviv-Jaffa Promenade
  The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Promenade is a bustling walkway that connects Old Jaffa in the south to the northern neighborhoods of the city. Come here for gorgeous sunsets, people-watching, yummy food at one of the cafés or restaurants along the promenade, or to hear some of the best classical music buskers you’re likely to come across.

• Hayarkon Park
  Also called as the “Central Park of Tel Aviv”, attracts some 16 million visitors every year. The urban park’s 3.8 square kilometers boast walking paths, bike paths, dozens of children play areas, botanical gardens, extensive lawns, sports facilities, two mini zoos and artificial lakes.

• Old Jaffa
  No visit to Tel Aviv is complete without a hop over to Old Jaffa. It is one of the world’s oldest cities and home to the oldest seaport in the world. In the last decade, Old Jaffa has become one of the hottest places to be as designers, artists and gourmands move in. Come hungry because street food is abundant and delicious.

• Tel Aviv Port (North Port - Namal)
  Tel Aviv’s port is one of the city’s main entertainment hubs with trendy shops, bars, nightclubs, cafés and a bustling farmers’ market.

• Neve Tzedek and historic train station (Tachana)
  Neve Tzedek is one of Tel Aviv’s most beautiful neighborhoods – and historically, was the first neighborhood built outside of Jaffa. It’s perfect for a romantic stroll along the small streets and alleyways and past the beautifully restored buildings.

• Bauhaus Architecture
  Tel Aviv boasts a treasure trove of exemplary architecture. One of Tel Aviv’s nicknames is even the White City, thanks to its large number of white Bauhaus (International-style) buildings. In 2003, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed Tel Aviv’s White City a World Cultural Heritage site.

• Culture Square
  Tel Aviv is Israel’s culture city. Most of the museums, orchestras, theaters, art galleries, dance venues and music halls come with an entry fee, however. There are many great museums in Tel Aviv, including the Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv Art Museum, Independence Hall, etc.

• Dizengoff Street
  Strolling down Dizengoff Street is a favorite pastime for many residents. Plenty of shops, restaurants, coffee shops and bars are available in the area.

OTHER CITIES

Tel Aviv is only a 40 minute drive from the historic city of Jerusalem, Israel’s capital and 2nd largest city. You can bathe in the Dead Sea with a 1.5 hour drive or climb the ancient mountain fortress at Massada with 30 minutes more. It is just an hour and a half from Nazareth, 2 hours from the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), and many other locations and tourist attractions.
Alternatively, Tel Aviv is home to several high-tech parks, the largest of which is 20 minutes north in Hertzeliya.

SHOPPING

Tel Aviv’s shopping scene is growing by the minute! Each day new stores open their doors with amazing designs and unique products. There is a shopping experience for every kind of taste, pop up markets, second hand stores, local design stores, big shopping centers with the most popular international brands and high end stores.

For a more unique shopping experience check out some of Tel Aviv’s amazing markets (shuks), the largest of which is Shuk HaCarmel – food, flowers, Judaica, clothes, restaurants and some great kiosk kitchens; Levinski Market is the place for spices, dried fruits, nuts, traditional pastries, boutique cheeses, pickled produce, exotic meat cold cuts and salted fish; Nahalat Binyamin Arts & Crafts Fair (opened every Tuesday and Friday), where more than 200 Israeli craftspeople and artists set up stalls to exhibit and sell their unique and often humorous creations; Jaffa Flea Market, where you’ll also find genuine antiques, wood crafts, Arabic drums and more.

Sarona Market includes two main areas – an outdoor shopping mall and an indoor food market. The outdoor area has offices, restaurants, cafes, fashion stores, galleries and a visitor centre, all housed in restored 19th-century German Templar houses. The indoor Sarona Market is an arcade featuring global street food stands and boutique shops to buy fresh meat, fish, cheese and more.

RESTAURANTS

Eat in one of Tel Aviv’s delicious restaurants! Tel Aviv has hundreds of options of amazing restaurants, there is something for every taste, from great burger joints to some of the best breakfast in the world.

Some of our suggestions (note that not all of these are Kosher):

• Miznon – Israeli street food
• Kalamata – Greek Mediterranean cuisine
• Bicicletta – Israeli food bar
• Dalida
• Ha’achim – Israeli food
• Ouzeria
• Goocha – café with seafood
• Benedict – best breakfast in town
• Brasserie – Belgian cuisine
• Abraxas
• Hotel Montefiore – best place for brunches
• Shila
• Manta Ray – best seafood in town
• Anita – best ice cream in town
• Anastasia – for vegan food lovers
• Wineberg – tapas bar
• Vicky Cristina, Tel Aviv – tapas bar

NIGHTLIFE

The City that Never Stops will keep night owls busy with its trendy bars, dance clubs and diverse nightlife. Tel-Aviv tends to come alive late in the evening, at about 11pm and places of entertainment can stay open until the morning hours. In Israel the weekend starts on Thursday night and Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are the most active. Sunday is not a “day of rest” in Israel so you can go out and party on Sunday night as well.

Some bars to recommend:

• Bellboy – one of the best cocktail bars in Tel Aviv
• Dizengoff 223 – leasure cocktail bar
• Kuli Alma – local dance bar
• Rotschild 12 – local bar with concerts
• Radio – dance bar
• Ozen Bar – live music bar