What is the best walking tour Tel Aviv offers for sunset views?

The Tel Aviv Port route is widely considered the best for sunsets. The wide, west-facing boardwalk provides an unobstructed view of the sun dipping into the Mediterranean Sea.

Is the Tel Aviv Port boardwalk wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Tel Aviv Port is one of the most accessible areas in the city. The wooden boardwalk is flat and level, designed specifically to be step-free for strollers and wheelchairs.

What can I see at the Redding Power Station?

You can view the iconic 1930s Bauhaus-style industrial architecture and its famous chimney. While you cannot enter the station, the surrounding park and bridge offer great views of the Yarkon River meeting the sea.

Is there an entrance fee for the Tel Aviv Port?

No, the Tel Aviv Port (Namal) is a public space. There is no entrance fee to walk the boardwalk, visit the beaches, or enter the Port Market.

Can I swim at Metzitzim Beach?

Yes, Metzitzim Beach is a fully regulated public beach with lifeguards, changing rooms, and showers. It is very popular with locals and safe for swimming during lifeguard hours.

Where is the best place to eat in the Tel Aviv Port?

The Tel Aviv Port Market (Hangar 12) is the best spot for a variety of local foods. For a sit-down meal, several seafood restaurants and cafes line the boardwalk overlooking the water.

Is the Tel Aviv Port open on Saturdays?

Yes, unlike many other parts of Israel, the Tel Aviv Port is very active on Saturdays. While the Port Market may have different hours, most restaurants and the boardwalk itself are packed with locals on Shabbat.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Tel Aviv’s northern port, known locally as the Namal, is a masterclass in urban revitalization. Once a bustling gateway for citrus exports during the 1930s, the area languished for decades before being reimagined as a vibrant cultural and leisure hub. This self-guided walk invites you to experience the seamless blend of industrial heritage and Mediterranean beauty. As you wander along the iconic undulating wooden boardwalk, designed to mimic the natural curves of sand dunes, you will discover how the city successfully reclaimed its coastline for the public. From the bustling indoor market filled with artisanal Israeli flavors to the stark, functionalist beauty of the Redding Power Station, this neighborhood stroll offers endless opportunities for photography and reflection. It is a favorite spot for locals to catch the sunset, exercise, or enjoy the sea breeze. While a standard walking tour Tel Aviv might offer focuses only on the White City, this walking route captures the energetic and creative spirit of modern Tel Aviv. You can explore independently, lingering at the sea wall to watch the waves or browsing the transformed hangars that now house galleries and boutiques. This route is perfect for those who want to see where the city’s history as a global port meets its future as a Mediterranean playground.

Highlights

The award-winning undulating wooden boardwalk designed by Mayslits Kassif Architects

Tel Aviv Port Market’s artisanal Israeli cheeses, wines, and local produce

The historic Wafi Lighthouse, a relic of the British Mandate era

Iconic views of the Redding Power Station’s Bauhaus-influenced architecture

Metzitzim Beach, a landmark of Israeli cinema and local surf culture

The transformed industrial hangars now serving as major cultural venues

Tour Stops (6)

Tel Aviv Port Market

Start your self-guided adventure at the Port Market, the culinary heart of the Namal. Opened in 2010, this indoor market was inspired by famous European food halls like La Boqueria but with a distinctly Israeli soul. As you walk through, notice how the industrial hangar has been transformed with glass and steel. This is the place to find boutique olive oils, local halva, and fresh produce from the Galilee. The market represents the 'Slow Food' movement in Israel, emphasizing local sourcing and craftsmanship. It’s a perfect spot to grab a snack before heading toward the sea air.

Hangar 11

Just a short stroll away stands Hangar 11, one of the most famous event spaces in the city. In the 1930s, these hangars were the backbone of the Port of Tel Aviv, which was built in response to the 1936 Arab Revolt that shut down the Jaffa Port. This specific hangar once stored crates of Jaffa oranges destined for Europe. Today, it has been stripped of its industrial grit and serves as a premier venue for international concerts and festivals. It stands as a symbol of how Tel Aviv repurposes its history to serve its modern, music-loving population.

Tel Aviv Port Boardwalk

Step out onto the expansive wooden deck that has become the signature image of the Tel Aviv Port. This 14,000-square-meter boardwalk was designed to look like the sand dunes that once covered this entire coastline before the city was built. The waves of wood under your feet are not just for aesthetics; they create natural seating areas and play spaces. This project won the prestigious Rosa Barba European Landscape Prize and is credited with bringing the public back to the northern waterfront. From here, you have an unobstructed view of the Mediterranean horizon, making it a prime spot for photography.

Metzitzim Beach

Walking south, you reach Metzitzim Beach, a place that holds a special spot in Israeli pop culture. It was named after the 1972 cult classic film 'Metzitzim' (Peeping Toms), which captured the bohemian beach life of Tel Aviv in the 70s. Today, it is a family-friendly beach known for its shallow waters and vibrant atmosphere. Look for the classic blue-and-white lifeguard towers. This beach bridges the gap between the industrial port and the long stretch of Tel Aviv's sandy coastline, offering a glimpse into the city's relaxed, sun-drenched lifestyle.

Tel Aviv Port Lighthouse

Heading back north toward the edge of the port, you will see the Wafi Lighthouse. Built in 1934-1935 during the British Mandate, this lighthouse was essential for guiding ships into the newly established port. Though it is no longer operational, it remains a protected heritage site. It stands as a lonely sentinel of the time when Tel Aviv was a young, growing city striving for maritime independence. The lighthouse and the surrounding rocky outcrop provide a more rugged, natural feel compared to the sleek boardwalk nearby.

Redding Power Station

Your walking route concludes at the foot of the Redding Power Station. Built in 1938 and named after Lord Reading, the chairman of the Palestine Electric Corporation, this building is a classic example of the International Style or Bauhaus influence on industrial architecture in Israel. Its tall chimney is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Tel Aviv skyline. In recent years, the area around the station has been turned into a park with a bridge crossing the Yarkon River, connecting the port to the northern beaches and the sprawling Yarkon Park. It’s a powerful end point where industry, nature, and urban design meet.

Frequently Asked Questions