The Best Time To Visit Tel Aviv, Israel for Weather, Events & More

Wondering when to visit Tel Aviv? You’re in the right place!

The Best Time to Visit Tel Aviv

The best time to visit Tel Aviv for the most ideal weather and least crowds is in the Spring and Fall – specifically, the months of April-May and October-November.

These months aren’t too hot or rainy and they make up the shoulder season, which means it’s not as crowded with tourists (who mostly visit in the summer).

The most popular time to visit Tel Aviv is in the summer, which is when you’ll find the most tourists, as well as opportunities you can find like volunteering on an archaeological excavation.

Why listen to me about the best time to visit Tel Aviv? I lived in Tel Aviv for about a year and a half, and in Israel for nearly 2 years. I also visit quite a bit, and have traveled pretty much all over the country. Plus, I worked at a hostel in Tel Aviv and saw tourism first-hand!

As for the worst time to visit Israel or Tel Aviv, that all depends on your preferences and what you want to do when you visit! Read on for more details on when the best time is to visit, what the weather is like in each season, High Holidays and events, when you can find the cheapest deals, things to do, where to stay and more.

🇮🇱 Tip: Since the Jewish calendar is lunar, holiday dates vary by year – see the ranges for each below. The holidays can be a great reason to visit Israel, to experience them, but they can also be more crowded and expensive, so plan accordingly!

Spring: Late March-early June (one of the best times to visit Tel Aviv)

The spring and early summer months, specifically from late March through early June, is the best time to visit Tel Aviv.

The later in June, the hotter it starts to gets, and the earlier in March, the more likely you’ll see a bit of rain. And, since climate change is making the weather more unpredictable, the better it is to visit when there’s milder weather.

If you’re looking to swim, the Mediterranean is still going to be cold most of this time, so you may want to come in the summer instead – keep reading for more on that!

Pros of Tel Aviv in Spring

✔️ Mild weather

✔️ Less crowds

✔️ PURIM! This festival is the party holiday in Israel – read more in the “best and worst holidays in Tel Aviv” coming up.

✔️ The Tel Aviv Pride Parade, which takes in June, is a huge party basically with all kinds of events, concerts and partying!

🇮🇱 Tip: Spring is the ideal time to take landscape photos of the beach, as well as capturing lush greenery and flowers. Take trips to National Parks to get even more photos than just the quintessential Tel Aviv ones!

Cons of Tel Aviv in Spring

✔️ Mediterranean is cold for swimming, and the tide can be higher the earlier you go during this time period

While Israel is a relatively small country – roughly the size of New Jersey – there are drastic changes in altitude and such that make different areas of the country completely different when it comes to climate and best times to visit for each. Tel Aviv is very hot and humid, while other parts of the country are drier and cooler, or drier and hotter, like the Dead Sea.

So yes, late March-early June is the best time to visit Tel Aviv, but it’s not the only time that you can go and have an amazing experience!

Spring Weather In Tel Aviv

🌷 Average Spring Temperatures: Low 58°F/14°C, High 72°F/22°C

🌷 Averages per month:
March: 6 days of rain, Low 53°F/12°C High 67°F/19°C
April: 1 day of rain, Low 58°F/14°C High 73°F/23°C
May: 0 days of rain, Low 63°F/17°C High 76°F/24°C

Best time to visit Tel Aviv weather: March-June

Month	Avg. Low	Avg. High	Holidays
March	52	66	Purim
April	57	73	Passover (Pesach)
May	63	76	Yom Ha’atzmaut / Israel Independence Day
June	69	81	Shavuot, Pride, Laila Lavan (White Night)

Spring Holidays and Events In Tel Aviv

Holidays: Passover (sometime between March-April), Purim, Easter (April), Shavuot (May), Eid ul-Fitr (May)

Other Spring festivals and events:

• Jerusalem Arts Festival (March)
• Israel Independence Day (April-May)
• Jerusalem Day (May)
• Israel Festival (May-June)
• White Night (Laila Levan) (June)
• Tel Aviv Pride Parade (June)

Tip: April-October are the best months for missing the rainy season when visiting Tel Aviv.

Here are the other best times to visit the White City, and reasons for visiting during each one:

Fall: Late September – mid-November (one of the best times to visit Tel Aviv)

Fall is the second best time to visit Tel Aviv for milder weather. There is still an influx of Autumn tourists from Europe during this time, but it’s not nearly as busy as the summer months.

Watch for the High Holy Days – travel around, not on them, and know that things will be closed during them.

Pros of Tel Aviv in Fall

✔️ Cooler weather

✔️ No rain, or at least hardly any rain

✔️ It’s the shoulder season, which generally means cheaper prices and less crowds everywhere

✔️ If you’re going to see family or friends, you can celebrate the High Holidays with them

✔️ While nothing is open on Yom Kippur, it’s a travel photographer’s dream – you can go out into the middle of the street and take photos, because there’s no traffic, as no one drives on this holiday.

🇮🇱 Tip: On Yom Kippur it’s the best time to take photos in Israel – everything, even roads shut down all day!

Cons of Tel Aviv in Fall

✔️ You can’t enjoy the beach as much, though through October it’s still pretty warm and you can likely get some beach days in during that time

✔️ The High Holidays see a lot of increase of visitors coming to observe in Israel. People are usually spending more time with their families for these holidays, and businesses are closed, so there’s not as much to do.

Fall Weather In Tel Aviv

🍃 Average Fall Temperatures: Low 65°F/18°C, High 79°F/26°C

🍃 Averages per month:
September: 0 days of rain, Low 72°F/22°C High 84°F/29°C
October: 2 days of rain, Low 66°F/19°C High 80°F/27°C
November: 5 days of rain, Low 58°F/14°C High 74°F/23°C

Fall/Autumn

Month	Avg. Low	Avg. High	Holidays
September	72	85	Rosh Hashanah
October	66	81	Yom Kippur, Sukkot, TLVFest (Film Festival) (Oct-Nov)

Fall Holidays and Events In Tel Aviv

Holidays: High Holy Days, which include Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur ( Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) (Sept-Oct)

Other Autumn festivals and events:

• Jerusalem March (October)
• Old City Knights’ Festival (November)
• Jerusalem Open Restaurants Festival (November)

Most Popular Time to Visit Tel Aviv: May – August

Summer is the most popular time to visit Tel Aviv with the most tourists. There’s hot weather, and it’s perfect for hanging at the beach (just watch out for the jellyfish during mid-June to mid-July, give or take a week or two), experiencing Tel Aviv nightlife, or even going on an archaeological excavation. Pride takes place in early June, which is another big draw!

🇮🇱 Tip: Bring water, electrolytes, a hat and sunscreen for summer Israel travel – it can get hot!!! Get up earlier and end your outdoor touring in the early afternoon to avoid the worst of the heat.

I can say from experience that it does get hotter in the summer than these temperatures (and feels hotter), and feels colder in the winter because of the rainy season’s humidity. For the winter, you’ll probably need more of a jacket than you think.

(Trust me… I had to go buy a coat, scarf and hat after school while living in Tel Aviv one rainy night as I was suffering and realized I couldn’t get by on my leather jacket anymore)!

The hottest & most crowded time to visit Tel Aviv: Late June – early September

These months are the hottest, and most crowded, time to visit Tel Aviv, and you can expect extreme heat and humidity in the city.

In Tel Aviv throughout the summer, you’ll find most people at the beach in the morning and evening. It’s best to avoid the heat by getting up early and ending your day by 1pm or so, because by then it will be HOT.

🇮🇱 Travel tip: NEVER leave your belongings unattended at the beach. While working at a Tel Aviv hostel, this was one of the biggest issues – guests getting their wallets and phones stolen off the beach, even from right next to them!

Don’t be afraid to visit, though – I would walk around at night by myself and feel safe. It’s just petty theft, and littering, that tend to be an issue.

Pros of Tel Aviv in Summer

✔️ Best time to visit Tel Aviv beaches and swim in the Mediterranean

✔️ It’s the dry season with no rain and completely clear, blue skies all day long

✔️ Summer is prime archaeological excavation season in Israel, so if you want to find a dig in or near Tel Aviv, your best bet is in the summer.

✔️ It’s the best time for meeting other travelers while staying in hostels or going on pub crawls, and for nightlife!

Cons of Tel Aviv in Summer

✔️ Can get into the 90s and even over 100 at times

✔️ The city makes it feel extra hot and humid because of the concrete, buildings and ocean

Summer Weather In Tel Aviv

🌺 Average Temperatures: Low 71°F/22°C, High 83°F/28°C

🌺 Average precipitation & Temps per month: 
June: 0 days of rain, Low 69°F/21°C High 81°F/27°C
July: 0 days of rain, Low 73°F/23°C High 84°F/29°C
August: 0 days of rain, Low 74°F/23°C High 86°F/30°C
September: 0 days of rain, Low 72°F/22°C High 84°F/29°C
October: 2 days of rain, Low 66°F/19°C High 80°F/27°C

Late Summer

Month	Avg. Low	Avg. High	Holidays
July	73	85
August	74	86

Summer Holidays and Events In Tel Aviv

Holidays: High Holy Days (Sept-Oct)

Other festivals and events:

• Israel Festival (June)
• Pride Parade (July)
• Puppet Theater Festival (August)

Other things to know about summer in Israel: Beware of jellyfish season, which varies by year and is usually between June and August, for around a month total in each area. You’ll see what looks like plastic grocery bags washed up on shore – that’s the nomad jellyfish. They’re big, and yes they sting – even on land, and even if you just swim near them you can end up with a skin rash. Check this map to see where the jellyfish are. You can still lay out on the beach, but be careful about swimming if you see jellyfish!

Least best time to visit Tel Aviv: Winter – Late November-early March

Winter is last on this list because it’s the rainy season. There will be days of rain, usually accompanied by high winds. And, since you’ll likely be walking a lot, or riding a bike or scooter, it can be really unenjoyable.

Having lived in Tel Aviv myself, I can say that it is not fun waiting on a late bus in the cold, rainy weather, only to have to walk home from the bus stop while getting soaked – not to mention the wind making my umbrella turn inside-out, rendering it completely useless.

Pros of Tel Aviv in Winter

✔️ Hanukkah is one of the best holidays to experience in Israel. It’s all about eating sufganiyot, which are jelly-filled donuts, and you can find them absolutely everywhere… not to mention latkes, which are potato pancakes. You can look for Menorah lightings, too!

✔️ Christmas in Tel Aviv is also a pretty nice time to be around because of all the lights. In Old Yafo, you can find this Christmas tree by the clock tower:

🇮🇱 Tip: Take day trips in Winter to ski at Mt Hermon, to Bethlehem for Christmas and to Haifa for all kinds of fun lights! Also, on Chanukkah things stay open. Enjoy all the lights, latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) you can eat!

Cons of Tel Aviv in Winter

✔️ It’s cold – not technically that cold temperature-wise, but it feels cold because of the high humidity. It also gets really windy with the rain at times.

✔️ It gets dark earlier, making the days shorter

✔️ The tide is high at the beach, so unless you’re going to surf (best time is in November), it’s not too exciting to go to the beach in the winter.

✔️ Many restaurants in Tel Aviv have all outdoor seating, and in the winter they put up false walls and heaters. However, it’s still cold, and you may be shivering should you choose to go eat out, especially at night (and in Tel Aviv, people eat dinner late, so it’s dark even in the summer when people head to dinner).

Winter Weather In Tel Aviv

❄️ Average Winter Temperatures: Low 50°F/10°C, High 65°F/18°C

❄️ Averages per month:
December: 8 days of rain, Low 52°F/11°C High 66°F/19°C
January: 9 days of rain, Low 49°F/9°C High 64°F/18°C
February: 7 days of rain, Low 50°F/10°C High 64°F/18°C

Winter

Month	Avg. Low	Avg. High	Holidays
November	58	74	TLVFest (Film Festival) (Oct-Nov)
December	52	66	Hanukkah
January	49	63
February	49	64	TLV International Marathon

Winter Holidays and Festivals In Tel Aviv

Holidays: Chanukkah (sometime between Nov-Jan), Passover (sometime between March-April), Tu b’Shvat (New Year of trees, in January)

Other Winter festivals and events:

• Jewish Film Festival (December)
• Shaon Horef Festival (February)
• International Book Fair (every other year in February)
• Tel Aviv International Marathon (February)

Best Time to Visit Tel Aviv: Best and Worst Holidays

What are the best and worst holidays for tourists? That will depend on whether you have family or friends in Tel Aviv, or if you’re looking to experience certain holidays – because if that’s the case, then there are no “worst” holidays – you should visit for any and all!

You can always find a synagogue to attend for services, and you can meet people there, too – there are international synagogues that hold services in English.

I once met a couple from the US at Sarona Market who had made Aliyah, and they invited me to meet them at their synagogue for Passover. People in Israel are really friendly and warm in certain situations like this, so don’t be afraid to ask!

Here are some more ways you can experience any holiday in Israel as a tourist if you don’t have family or friends to spend them with:

• Stay at a hostel and hang out with the people there. Most hostels will have celebrations and group dinners you can participate in.
• Facebook Groups. You can ask in Tel Aviv Facebook groups if there are people who are open to having guests, or who are doing group meetups (not all of these are religious)!

Best Holidays for Tourists

🎭 Purim

This festival is the party holiday in Israel, and takes place usually in March (the dates are different each year because of the Jewish calendar).

The Rabbis in the Mishnah said to drink until you can’t tell the difference between the names “Haaman” and “Mordechai”.

Also, it’s basically a second Halloween and people get really into their costumes! You’ll find all kinds of events and parties to attend for this holiday. This is also the best holiday in Tel Aviv for travel photography.

🕎 Hanukkah

The Festival of Lights is one of the best holidays to experience in Israel. It’s all about eating sufganiyot, which are jelly-filled donuts, and you can find them absolutely everywhere… not to mention latkes, which are potato pancakes. You can look for Menorah lightings as well to get even more involved in the experience.

“Worst” Holidays for Tourists

Again, I want to state that there really are no objectively bad holidays in Tel Aviv – this distinction is for tourists who want to see sites only, and not have to deal with places being closed and not being able to find transportation when they’re not planning on experiencing the holidays here.

🕍 High Holidays

These include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Yom Kippur is the main one to “avoid” here, unless you want to be there when the city is at a standstill to go out and take photos! In that case, it’s the second best holiday in Tel Aviv for travel photography!

The reason the High Holidays are on the “worst for tourists” list is due to the fact that travel is more chaotic and can be more expensive as a lot of people fly to Israel during this time. Also, things are going to be closed more and transportation will be scarce, making it difficult for tourists looking to sightsee and eat out.

🍽️ Passover

I would recommend Passover as an experience anyone should have in Israel, especially if you’re interested in Judaism. At the Passover in the diaspora, we always say, “This year here, next year in Israel”… and, this is Israel, where even the letters on the dreidel differ to reflect that we’re here!

Passover is on the “worst for tourists” list because it lasts for a whole week, and it’s like Spring Break for Israelis. So everyone is traveling around on their break which makes places more crowded, plus things are closed some of the time. You’ll also have a harder time finding bread and pastries, as anything with leavening is off-limits for 8 days – it’s only Matzah.

Best Things To Do In Tel Aviv

I have a list of 31+ things to do in Tel Aviv here, so be sure to check that out to plan your trip! Here are some recommended tours:

Tours

I recommend at least one guided tour with a local, who can tell you more information about the places you’re visiting (plus, you don’t have to do all the planning)!

City Tour of Tel-Aviv-Yafo

This City Tour of Tel-Aviv-Yafo is a great way to see the most important sites in Tel Aviv with a guide who will explain the history, Judaism and more! You’ll also go to a restaurant, walk the shoreline and more! This tour takes approximately 4 hours and includes:

• Neve Tzedek
• Jaffa Old City
• Rothschild Blvd.
• White City

🌟 Check out this 5-star review from Jessica_S:
“Victoria was a great tour guide and the tour itself is very “free flowing”. She will taylor it to what most interests u. For me, I wanted to do a more historical tour and she did not disappoint with her knowledge of Tel Aviv and Jaffa history!”

📸 Learn More About this City Tour of Tel-Aviv-Yafo Here

Neve Tzedek & Yafo Walking Tour

This Neve Tzedek & Yafo Walking Tour is a 2-hour tour of Rothschild Blvd. and Neve Tzedek, two of the must-visit areas in the city! You’ll get to see the amazing architecture, including the Bauhaus buildings on Rothschild that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the historic buildings and shops in the picturesque Neve Tzedek neighborhood.

🌟 Check out this 5-star review by Victor_T:
“Great guide. Interesting tour of Jaffa. We did the 2-3 hr tour. Some continued on after lunch to the surrounding areas. Again, one of my favorite and educated guides and I’ve traveled some.”

📸 Learn More About this Neve Tzedek & Yafo Walking Tour Here

Levinsky Market Tasting Tour

Immerse yourself in the colorful atmosphere of Levinsky Market Tasting Tour. Join this guided 2-hour tour to discover the hidden gems of the market, taste a variety of mouthwatering delights, and learn about the rich culinary traditions of the region. Don’t forget to capture Instagram-worthy moments along the way!

🌟 Check out this 5-star review by A Tripadvisor Reviewer:
“the tour was so varied with the stopping and eating points. it was fun, friendly and interesting. there was loads to eat and water, forks, serviettes, hand gel were thoughtfully supplied. it felt that the company’s main goal was to provide a really enjoyable and informative experience for our group. our guide Shir had brilliant command of english and provided an insight on culture, history, literature and of course, food. we were pretty full by the end. thoroughly recommended.”

📸 Learn More About this Levinsky Market Tasting Tour Here

Professional Surfing Lesson in the heart of Tel Aviv

This Professional Surfing Lesson in the heart of Tel Aviv is a 2-hour private lesson that’s suitable for all levels (as long as you can swim)! The lessons include wetsuits, surfboards, sunscreen, and even coffee or tea! Just bring a swimsuit and towel and you’re good to go!

🌟 Check out this 5-star review by Matt_S:
“I had a great experience. The surf shop is one block from the beach and very easy to find. Everyone was very friendly. The instructor was very patient and helpful during the lesson, and made for a great first surf experience. Highly recommend.”

🏄 Professional Surfing Lesson in the heart of Tel Aviv

Map: things to do for the best time to visit Tel Aviv

Where to stay in Tel Aviv on any Budget

✅ Budget Option: Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv

Abraham Hostel is possibly the best hostel in the city, and they have other locations around Israel! There’s a bar, game room and events and it’s centrally located.

You can book a dorm, private room, double room or apartment.

🛏️ Book Your Stay at Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv Here

✅ Mid-Tier Option: 65 Hotel Tel Aviv

65 Hotel Tel Aviv is located on Rothschild Boulevard, which has a lot of popular restaurants, bars and sites to check out. The hotel’s design is postcolonial and modern retro. They also have a cafe with free breakfast, a bar where you get your first drink free, and a garden.

🛏️ Book Your Stay at the 65 Hotel Tel Aviv Here

✅ Luxury Option: Royal Beach Tel Aviv

The luxury Royal Beach Tel Aviv hotel is located right on the Mediterranean beachfront with a bar, restaurant, pool and spa, and so much more to discover!

🛏️ Book Your Stay at the Royal Beach Tel Aviv Here

👉 Check out this post for even more options on the best places to stay in Tel Aviv!

Best Time to Visit Tel Aviv: What To Pack

Here are some things to be sure to pack for all seasons in Tel Aviv:

👉 A hat, because the sun can really get to you when you’re outside in the Middle Eastern sun.

👉 Sunscreen

👉 A good water bottle, like this Brita Stainless Steel Water Bottle with a filter, because the dry climate can get really dehydrating.

👉 Electrolyte packets for better hydration

👉 This Microfiber Towel for the beach to avoid having to rent one, though you probably won’t need it in winter.

👉 Good walking/hiking sandals like Chacos that can also get wet.

🚶‍♀️ Check Prices for Chaco Hiking Sandals Here

👉 Blundstones, which you’ll see most Israelis wearing!

🥾 Check Prices on Blundstone Boots Here

Travel Planning Tips for Tel Aviv & Israel

Plan and book hotels in advance 

If you’re going over the high holidays, in the summer, or in winter. It’s really best to book in advance overall, because there are always tourists visiting Tel Aviv, and it’s busier during any holidays!

Things to Note for Day Trips Around Tel Aviv

Be careful about day trips during the rainy season. Due to the rain, desert areas can have extremely dangerous flash floods. Don’t do these day trips, and ask around plus do your own research to find out if it’s safe.

Jerusalem is always colder than Tel Aviv because of the elevation, and even gets snow in the winter, as does Northern Israel in places like the Galilee and Golan Heights. Mt. Hermon even has skiing.

👉 Travel Resources

For flights, WayAway is a flight aggregator that helps you find the cheapest flights. Use the code MUKI-TRAVELS for 10% off WayAway Plus.

👉 If you rent a car, just be prepared, especially for driving in Tel Aviv. You’ll need to be an aggressive driver. To rent a car in Israel, Discover Cars is a great tool to use to help find the best deals. Read even more about renting a car in Tel Aviv here.

👉 Use the apps Moovit (for public transporation) and Waze (for driving directions).

👉 Find more tips on things like travel insurance, what to pack, and more on my travel resources page.

FAQs About Visiting Israel & Tel Aviv

👉 When is the best time to visit Tel Aviv to avoid crowds?

The best time to avoid crowds is during the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall. You can avoid the High Holidays, Passover, and the Pride parade in early June as well.

👉 When should you not go to Israel? 

Tel Aviv is generally safe from threats because of the Iron Dome. However, the Iron Dome doesn’t exist everywhere in Israel, so you’ll need to know where to avoid. When there’s conflict, like right now, Israel is still safe to visit, but it’s best to go with a tour guide (especially if you’re unfamiliar).

👉 How many days should I spend in Tel Aviv? 

As many as you want! A few days to a week is perfect to experience the beach, nightlife, museums, food, and culture in Tel Aviv. You can also go on day trips to places like Haifa!

👉 What is the cheapest time to go to Israel?

Tel Aviv is the most expensive city in Israel and the world, so you may want to pick a cheaper time to go to save money! Here are the cheapest times:

• Shoulder and off-season (Spring & Fall), but more expensive during High Holidays
• November is usually the month to go if you want cheaper flights

Want ways to make your visit to Tel Aviv even cheaper? Stay in apartments and hostels rather than hotels, or even consider volunteering at a hostel!

👉 When is the worst time to visit Israel?

Winter is the worst overall, and the High Holidays are the worst for tourists not looking to experience the holidays – this is because things are closed, it’s hard to find transportation and people are generally at home. 

👉 What time of the year is best to travel to Israel? 

In case you skipped to the end, Spring is overall the best time of year to travel to Israel, and Fall is the second best time. Summer comes in third, and Winter last. There you have it!

All In All: Visiting Tel Aviv, Israel Throughout The Year

Hopefully this guide helped you figure out the best time of year for you to visit Tel Aviv! Tel Aviv is completely amazing, so go and enjoy!

Check out these posts for more info on Israel & Middle East travel

👉 31+ Best Things To Do In Tel Aviv (With Map)
👉 Is Israel Safe For Travel? Important Advice Amidst War
👉 The 20 best day trips from Tel Aviv
👉 8 Best Tours From Tel Aviv To Jerusalem To Check Out
👉 Solo Travel In Israel: Expert Tips, Itinerary + More
👉 Is Tel Aviv Worth Visiting? 18 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (+ Pros& Cons)
👉 Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: Everything You Need To Know
👉 Tel Aviv to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: All You Need To Know
👉 Is Haifa Worth Visiting? 38 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (+ Pros & Cons)
👉 Israel & Palestine, and the Conflict: A Beginner’s Guide (History, Maps & Resources)
👉 The 17 Best Israel Souvenirs
👉 Top 25 Biblical Sites In Israel
👉 10+ Unique and Captivating Photos of Tel Aviv, Israel
👉 The 61 Best Photography Spots In Tel Aviv

👉 Also check out this post on Cairo (or this one) for more Middle East travel!
👉 For more International Travel guides, check out this page.