Historic places in Tel Aviv

Historic places in Tel Aviv

1. SeeNorth

   ANU - Museum of the Jewish People

   This multimedia museum tells the story of the 2000 years of Jewish life throughout the entire world. It’s less about history and more about people: how the lived, worked, celebrated or prayed. A must-see if you like to know more about Jewish heritage. It was known as the Museum of Jewish Diaspora (Beth Hatefutsoth in Hebrew) until 2021, when it reopened after a remodel and re-brand.

   Sun-Thu 10:00-16:00·Adults: ₪35, including audio guiding

2. SeeCenter

   Altalena memorial

   One of the most important moments in early Israeli history happened here. In 1948, David Ben Gurion ordered an attack on the Altalena ship, which was carrying arms for the splinter Irgun militia. Irgun leader Menachem Begin commanded his troops not to defend themselves, believing that nothing could be worse for the new state than a civil war. There is a small memorial here to the 16 Irgun fighters who were killed in the incident.

3. SeeNorth

   Eretz Israel Museum

   History, archaeology and culture - includes the archaeological site of Tel Qasile, the remains of an early Philistine settlement. In addition the museum has a Planetarium.

   Mon Wed Sat 10:00-16:00, Tue Thu 10:00-20:00, Fri 10:00-14:00·Museum/Planetarium+Museum - Adult: ₪42/74, Student & Soldier: ₪28/60, Children under 18: Free/₪32

4. SeeCenter

   Etzel museum

   Very detailed history of the Etzel (Irgun) movement and their operations, also includes a short film. This museum tells the overall story of Etzel starting in the 1930s and ending in 1948.

   Sun-Thu 08:00-16:00

5. SeeCenter

   Former Israel Defense Forces History Museum

   Batei HaOsef

   This used to be a museum of old military vehicles, but in 2019 the contents were moved to Yad LaShiryon museum in Latrun. It's mentioned here so that you don't mistakenly visit it based on old recommendations from elsewhere.

6. SeeCenter

   Habima Square

   Home to a number of cultural institutions such as the Habima Theatre, the Culture Palace and the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion for Contemporary Art, its draw is the rectangular water feature and corresponding flower bed. In the nighttime, the square comes alive with bustling nightlife and projections against the wall of the Habima Theatre.

7. SeeCenter

   Neve Tzedek

   A historical part of town with art galleries and restaurants.

8. SeeNorth

   Palmach Museum

   The most interesting and gripping of Tel Aviv's military museums, it teaches the history of the Palmach, the main elite branch of Israel's military in 1948. There are no traditional exhibits, rather, you experience a 90 min interactive presentation as part of a group.

9. SeeCenter

   Rokach House

   A house built in 1887 in Neve Tzedek, at a time when this neighborhood was still considered part of Jaffa, and Tel Aviv did not yet exist. It has been restored to its original condition, and you can tour it and learn about the history of Neve Tzedek and Jewish settlement outside the old city of Jaffa.

10. SeeJaffa

    Saint Archangel Michael Monastery

    Greek Orthodox church, the original building dating back to the 17th century was destroyed in a fire in 1963. It was rebuilt in 1994.

11. SeeNorth

    Seven Flour Mills

    A historic site including a Roman bridge, a dam, and old water mills.

12. SeeNorth

    Steinhardt Museum of Natural History

    Opened in summer 2018, mainly aimed at children, various fauna & flora and eco-exhibits.

    Mon Wed 10:00-16:00, Tue Thu Sat 10:00-18:00, Fri 10:00-14:00

13. SeeCenter

    Museum of the History of Tel Aviv-Yafo

    Beit Ha'ir

    A city history museum, housed in the old City Hall building.

14. SeeJaffa

    Saint Nicholas Monastery

    מנזר ניקולאס הקדוש

    Armenian monastery at least a 1,000 years old.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tel Aviv (CC BY-SA 4.0).