Looking for FREE things to see and do in Tel Aviv? If you’re on a budget, don’t worry, there are plenty of great things you can see and do without spending a dime!
As you might notice after arriving in Israel, Israelis really don’t like paying when they know they can get things cheaper somewhere else, if not for free. So, to make yourself even more at home during your visit to Tel Aviv, here are a few things to do in Tel Aviv for absolutely nothing. That’s right, for FREE!
See also: Top 10 things to see in Tel Aviv and the SEVEN best off-the-beaten-track gems in Tel Aviv
Of course, you can take your wallet along to any of these sites and you’ll probably be glad you did, but a definite must to bring along is your camera!
Tel Aviv Beach
Choose a beach (take a look at our guide to the beaches of Tel Aviv and take your pick), smooth out your towel, splash on some sunscreen, and just chill out. Take in some rays, watch the sunset, and if you’re feeling energetic play some matkot (beach tennis – you may well get asked to play by diehard matkot players, especially if you’re a blond, bikini-clad tourist!) or join in the guys playing beach volleyball. The beach is perhaps the ultimate free gig in Tel Aviv!
Explore the Markets
There are some awesome markets. or shuks, in Tel Aviv (here’s our guide to the five best markets) to explore. First and foremost, take a stroll down Carmel market, without a question the must-see market in Israel. You’ll get a taste of real life in Israel, as locals go about their shopping amidst a barrage of amazing, sights, sounds and tastes. Take a walk down the main market aisle starting from the Allenby Street end and just head down past the clothes stalls, which then merges into the food produce section. Also don’t miss the Jaffa Flea Market and the down-to-earth but very Israeli HaTikva Market. Visiting markets is absolutely one of the best free things to do in Tel Aviv, but perhaps the hardest to complete without reaching for your wallet…
Free Walking Tours
Take a free walking tour of Tel Aviv, available through the Tel Aviv municipality all year round (except for Yom Kippur). There are a number of basic tours which are led by a qualified tour guide. Just turn up to the relevant spot at the required time – there’s no need to reserve a place or book in advance. We highly recommended the following tours:
OLD JAFFA tour, every Wednesday at 10:00. Meeting point: 2 Marzuk and Azar Street (Tourist Info office). The tour takes in the Flea Market, the view of Tel Aviv from the Hapisga Garden, and the rejuvenated Old Jaffa. An alternative option to the city run tour is the free tour by Sandemans (see their website for details).
THE ‘WHITE CITY’ tour, every Saturday, at 11:00. Meeting point: 46 Rothschild Street. This tour focuses on the modern architectural ‘White City‘ area, along Rothschild Street, and describes the story of Tel Aviv.
NIGHT TOUR, Tuesdays at 20:00. Meeting point: corner of Rothschild Blvd and Hertzl Street. See the City That Never Sleeps at night, learn about the city’s history and first buildings. The tour takes you though Rothschild Blvd, Nahalat Binyamin, and many of the buzzing nightlife areas.
The Neve Tzedek Neighborhood
A stroll through one of Tel Aviv’s prettiest neighborhoods is another great FREE gem. Neve Tzedek lies south east of the Yemenite quarter and the famous Carmel Market and has an amazing collection of architecture, cultural legacy and village-like atmosphere. It was the first Jewish neighborhood outside of Jaffa’s walls, and is today considered a peaceful haven and retreat from the hubbub of Tel Aviv. Many locals, as well as tourists, happily spend time wandering the attractive narrow streets, admiring the restored buildings, visiting the attractions and enjoying a bite or two in some very cute Neve Tzedek restaurants and cafes.
Shenkin Street
Go window shopping down Shenkin Street on a Friday noon/afternoon. Shenkin Street is one of Tel Aviv’s trendiest, most happening streets, full of cafes and small designer shops. Friday will be absolutely steaming with people, but it will give you the perfect insight into the weekend spirit of Tel Aviv. You’ll also get to see Tel Aviv’s hippest, sexiest crowd at play, as they lead the throngs of shoppers and wannabees: it’ll be a blur of tattoos, piercings, and plenty of skin.
Start at the Allenby Street end and head down the road at your own pace. If Friday is too much for you, try any other day of the week, it’s still a cool little street without the thronging masses. Top freebie tips: Listen to some tunes at Krembo, one of Tel Aviv’s coolest music stores, at 18 Shenkin Street. Or just chill out at the charming little Shenkin gardens, just across the road from Krembo.
Nahalat Binyamin
If you’re interested in some arts and crafts and genuinely talented Israeli artists, then Nahalat Binyamin is a great thing to see in Tel Aviv. Walk down the paved part of Nahalat Binyamin Street (starting from the Allenby Street end) on Tuesdays or Fridays and witness some amazing hand-produced products, including photos, jewellery, and unique kids toys, by some of Tel Aviv’s most creative and talented artists (hand-picked by a local committee). You might also be lucky and catch a cute street performance, ranging from statues that only move upon hearing the clunk of money in their tin, to Kermit the frog belting out classics.
Tel Aviv Port
Check out the scene at Tel Aviv port – although be warned, it’s extremely popular at the weekend. If you have small kids, this is a perfect place to bring them and their buggies and scooters, or else you could just let them play in the giant sand pit or the recently added carousel. With or without kids the Port is still great to see – watch the waves rolling in from the Mediterranean, as fishermen cast their lines out hoping for a nice ‘bite’. You should also turn up on a Thursday afternoon or Friday when the Port is host to a weekly Farmers Market which has some interesting local produce, such as white strawberries. If you’re into connecting with your Jewish spirit, don’t miss the Kabalat Shabbat events every Friday evening.
Ben Gurion House
For some local culture and history, a visit to Ben Gurion House is highly recommended. Here you can get a taste of the surroundings of one of Israel’s founding fathers and first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion. The Ben Gurions lived in this house until 1953, when they relocated to the Negev, in the south of the country, but continued to use this house as an alternative stopover until his death in 1973. The second floor of this unique little house in the heart of Tel Aviv is the real gem, as it houses 4 libraries including over 20,000 books and periodicals, while the first floor remains as it was in the days the Ben Gurions lived there.
Ben Gurion House is located at 17 Ben Gurion Boulevard, and is open at 8am every morning, but not Saturdays. Call for closing hours because they do change from day to day: 03-5221010 or 03-5224925.