Discover Tel Aviv's White City

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its stunning amount of Bauhaus buildings and eclectic architecture, Tel Aviv's White City is a site to behold.

Written by
Time Out Israel Writers
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Dubbed "The White City" for its UNESCO-recognized World Cultural Heritage Site of over 4,000 Bauhaus and International Style buildings from the 1930s, Tel Aviv's central hub for strolling, tech startups and coffee kiosks is an unassuming diamond in the rough.The area's main rue, Rothschild Boulevard, is a landmark for protests, parades, and people-watching; a veritable petri dish of residents and tourists going to and from their day - including bronzed beefcakes, techie hipsters, dreaded festival folk, flip-flopped startup visionaries, suited up multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs, Filipino nannies, and their elderly companions, and gorgeous stroller-pushing moms on mat-leave. The manicured neighborhood's raging restaurant scene pays homage to cultivating the local lay of the land, and famous Israeli chefs are equally at home crafting innovative delicacies as they are helming street food joints with a twist.

The area's entirely walkable (and cyclable) grid makes for a seamless axis for transport across Tel Aviv and strolling with your neck craned to the endless blue above, you'll find an awe-inspiring smattering of not only the largest number of Bauhaus buildings in the world, but also a progressively shifting skyline; dilapidated facades from Tel Aviv's inception sidling stark white emblems of the city to come. Take a self-guided walking tour along Rothschild, Ahad Ha'am, Montefiore, Lilienblum, Bialik, and Tchernichovski streets for some of the most beautiful architecture in the city.

On Bialik Street, find the beloved Bauhaus Museum, a single-space gallery and museum on one of Tel Aviv's most picturesque streets. It occupies the bottom floor of an original and stunning Bauhaus building built in 1934. Loved by architecture buffs, the museum presents the history and development of Bauhaus design in the heart of Tel Aviv’s White City.

Also find Bialik's House, the home of Israel’s beloved Hebrew national poet, Haim Nachman Bialik. Even though the poetry is in Hebrew, the house is an architectural paradise highly influenced by Islamic style. Along with archives of Bialik’s original work, the house features ceramic art depicting biblical scenes.  

Also, just nearby tucked behind Gan Meir, Beit Ha’ir is an open house for all residents, artists, writers, scholars, tourists, and any other guest imaginable who wish to take part in Tel Aviv’s story and spirit. The building (meaning “Town Hall” in Hebrew), is part of the Bialik Complex, a center of Israeli and Hebrew culture. As a part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, the building was renovated to include a lively hub of art exhibits and information unraveling the White City’s deep cultural history. Beit Ha’ir also hosts public debates in an effort to advance urban processes.  

  • Museums
  • History
  • Tel Aviv City Center

Hiding just behind Gan Meir, Beit Ha’ir is an open house for all residents, artists, writers, scholars, tourists, and any other guest imaginable who yearn to take part in Tel Aviv’s story and spirit. The building (meaning “Town Hall” in Hebrew), is part of the Bialik Complex, a center of Israeli and Hebrew culture. As a part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, the building was recently renovated to include a lively hub of art exhibits and information unraveling the White City’s deep cultural history. Beit Ha’ir also hosts public debates in an effort to advance urban processes.  

  • Museums
  • History
  • Tel Aviv City Center

The Bauhaus Museum is a single space gallery/museum on Bialik Street, occupying the bottom floor of an original and stunning Bauhaus building built in 1934. Loved by architecture buffs, the museum presents the history and development of Bauhaus design in the heart of Tel Aviv’s UNESCO-recognized White City.

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  • Attractions
  • Historic buildings and sites
  • Tel Aviv City Center

There is something so whimsical about looking at old photographs; the colors, (or lack thereof), the fashions and trends, the expressions of people you will never meet, but who may be connected to your ancestry somehow. Thankfully, Israel's impressive progression has been well documented - and The Photohouse's archives are here to prove it. First opened on Allenby Street in 1936, the Photohouse has a massive collection of negatives numbering close to a million images, and today, the shop houses one of the country’s most monumental private archives of historical photographs, recounting the story of Israel's past, and bursting with nostalgia. For those searching for a unique gift, any of the images can be blown up into huge posters, magnets and more. Plus, framing is also available on-site. This store is a must-visit for anyone who loves photography and history. 

  • Things to do

Wander down Tel Aviv’s most beautiful tree-lined boulevard and embrace the classic Bauhaus architecture. You’ll feel like the ultimate Tel Avivian. With everything from charming cafés and ice cream parlors to lively late-night clubs, historical museums, and endless charming places to sit and relax, Rothschild Boulevard is the perfect central Tel Aviv spot to explore. 

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  • Theater
  • Performing arts space
  • Tel Aviv City Center

The world's first Hebrew language theater, Habima was established in 1918 in Moscow before coming to Tel Aviv. It's a legendary landmark and presents contemporary and modern adaptations of classics and is the eyes, ears, and voice of Israeli culture. Check for English performances and performances with English translations.

  • Attractions
  • Historic buildings and sites
  • Tel Aviv City Center

Rabin square is more than just a large public city space in the heart of Tel Aviv. Renamed in 1995 to honor Yitzhak Rabin following his tragic assassination, the iconic space houses numerous political rallies, parades, and holiday events (like the all-night dance-a-thon that is Simchat Torah). Every year, on the weekend of Nov 4th (Rabin’s assassination), thousands of people assemble in the square for a huge commemoration. When not occupied by an event, the open space with its peaceful fountain and unique sculpture is a perfect place to sit down and read a book in front of the Tel Aviv municipality building.

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  • Shopping
  • Arts, crafts & hobbies
  • Tel Aviv City Center

Learn all you ever wanted to know about the city’s architectural history with a shopping trip to the Bauhaus Center. There’s an abundance of art, authentic retro postcards, posters and intense canvas cityscapes. A great place to wander around.

  • Hotels
  • Tel Aviv City Center

Overlooking Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Square, the Cinema Hotel is a set in a stylish Bauhaus-style building. The rooftop terrace offers fantastic views of the city.

Each room comes with free Wi-Fi, a tea-and-coffee maker and a private bathroom. Free afternoon appetisers and drinks are served in the business lounge between 17:00 and 19:30 on weekdays.

Cinema Hotel - an Atlas Boutique Hotel was a former cinema and the movie theme remains throughout the hotel. Original movie projectors, theatre chairs and movie posters are displayed alongside viewings of classic movies in the hotel’s lobby. Free parking is subject to availability.

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  • Hotels
  • White City

Featuring a rooftop with panoramic views, Nordoy Hotel is situated in Tel Aviv centre, a 10-minute walk from the beach. This modern hotel is set in a renovated 1920s building, and is proud to be the city's oldest hotel. Every room at this hotel is spacious and air conditioned, offering free WiFi and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Some rooms include a seating area to relax in after a busy day. A terrace or balcony are featured in certain rooms. Rooms include a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes and slippers. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. Guests can enjoy breakfast served daily at a nearby cafe. The hotel also offers bike hire. Shenkin Street and Nachalat Benyamin Crafts Fair are wihtin 400 metres of Nordoy Hotel, while Independence Hall Museum is 400 metres from the property. Ben Gurion Airport is 12 km away.

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