If you’re coming to Tel Aviv for a visit, you may be wondering what you should bring with you. Luckily, DIY Tel Aviv is here to make your life easier!
The guide below should give you the information you need, but feel free to ask questions in the comments for more info.
What should I pack for Tel Aviv?
Personal Care
Tel Aviv is a modern, Western-style city so you can pretty much buy everything here, though it’ll probably be more expensive than bringing it from home.
Many US and European high street brands of toiletries, cosmetics, etc. are readily available here, and health food stores carry a few big international brands too. Anything more obscure you might want to bring with you.
For women – both tampons and pads are readily available everywhere.
For men (and women) – condoms are readily available everywhere, but not all brands are represented here, so unless you are fine with Durex or R3 condoms, you might want to bring your own. Also, packs here are pretty small compared to the ones you get in the US, and more expensive too.
In summer, sunscreen is a must. You can obviously buy sunscreen in Tel Aviv, but if you have a preferred brand or want to save money, it’s probably best to buy it at home.
Same goes for bug repellent, as Tel Aviv has a big mosquito problem. You won’t get malaria or dengue from them, but you might still get eaten alive. Plenty of local brands available here too.
Medicines
Pharmacists (chemists) speak good English and can help you get medicine if you need it, but if you have a prescription, stock up before you travel.
Some medicines that are readily available elsewhere may be prescription only here (like codeine painkillers, melatonin and others). Medicines and supplements can also be more expensive here than in Europe and the US, so you’ll be saving money by bringing them with you.
Books
The big book chains have plenty of English, and some French books for sale, but it’s mostly bestsellers, and they’re likely to be much more expensive than buying them back home. You can find used bookstores with books in various languages (common ones being English, French, German, and Russian) that are cheaper, but it’s best to bring your own reading materials if that’s your thing.
What Clothes / footwear should I pack for Tel Aviv?
Tel Aviv (and Israel in general) is a very casual place. Even fancy occasions like weddings and business conferences will be a more laid back affair than you’re probably used to. As a tourist, even if you plan on going to chef restaurants, don’t aim higher than smart-casual.
Jeans and trainers can be worn pretty much everywhere, and most women wear flat shoes or low heels.
What can women tourists wear in Tel Aviv?
Tel Aviv is a modern city that gets very hot in summer. You can pretty much wear what you want. Local women often wear shorts (even short shorts), sleeveless vests, short skirts, etc..
Keep in mind, though, that some Israeli men will comment, wolf whistle, or try to chat you up if you’re showing a lot of skin. They love lady tourists. Of course, they might do all these things even if you’re showing less skin, so you don’t have to let them dictate your fashion sense.
What clothes should you pack for different seasons in Tel Aviv?
Winter (Dec-March)
Tel Aviv winters are mild. It never goes below freezing and the coldest you’re likely to encounter here is around 4C, which might happen once or twice during the season. Winter weather is usually sunny and in the high teens or low 20s (C) in the day, dropping to around 10C at night.
You might want to layer, or you could bring one warmer jacket and one light jacket or fleece. Keep in mind that while storms only happen a few times each winter, these can be quite a pain. Rainfall is heavy, usually accompanied by highish winds that would trash a standard folding umbrella.
When it’s not stormy (so, most of winter), you can still enjoy sea and sun. Depending on how cold-hardy you are, you may well want to pack a swimsuit. The sea is cold, though it might feel normal to you if you’re used to the ocean and not the med.
The drainage system in Tel Aviv is poor, meaning that streets may well be flooded when it rains more than a tiny amount. If it looks like it’s forecast to rain while you’re here, bring a good hooded coat and some sort of waterproof footwear with you.
Autumn / Spring (Sept – Dec / March – June)
Towards the end of September, things usually cool down a bit and become bearable, though nowadays summer can last till October.
After winter, things slowly start warming up around the end of March. The sea, while not as warm as during the summer months, is perfectly pleasant until December (especially if you’re used to conditions in Europe or the US) and starts being tolerable for locals around May (though you may find it warm enough earlier). Sunbathing is definitely an option, so you will want to pack your swimsuit and sunscreen, as well as a good hat.
A long-sleeved shirt or a light jacket can be useful for evenings, but make sure it’s in fact light, as otherwise you may still be too hot. You’re not likely to need anything more robust than a light pair of long trousers / tights or a long skirt.
Summer (July – Oct)
A a good hat is a must. Nights are hot and humid, as are the days. Summers get so nasty here that some days you’ll be having three showers just to feel human.
You won’t need anything more than summer clothes (shorts, T-shirts, sandals, etc.) to go outside, but keep in mind that people in Tel Aviv (and Israel in general) are a bit extreme when it comes to blasting the air conditioning everywhere – on buses, in shops and shopping centres, houses and offices. You might want to bring something to put over yourself indoors.
Something to keep in mind when packing for Tel Aviv is that other areas in Israel have different conditions to Tel Aviv. Jerusalem is generally cooler and it gets snow in winter, while the desert can be very cold at night too. If you’re going to go out of Tel Aviv on your visit, make sure you read up about these places too, or just pack some warmer clothing.
What’s a good packing list for Tel Aviv?
Must Haves
- Comfortable walking shoes (trainers, etc.)
- Sandals (for most of the year, or all of it if you’re going down to the desert too)
- Boots in winter
- Light clothes – shorts, vests, T-shirts, summer dresses, etc.. Avoid synthetics if possible in summer. It gets very hot and humid.
- Light, preferably cotton underwear for summer
- Light long-sleeved shirt or shawl for summer (if air-conditioning makes you cold)
- Long-sleeved tops and light jacket for spring / autumn evenings
- Long trousers / skirts / leggings for spring / autumn / winter
- Layers and warm waterproof coat in winter (heavier rain/windproof coat if you’re headed north or south)
- Scarf, woolly hat and gloves for winter, especially if going to Jerusalem, the north, or the desert.
- Swimsuit (most of the year)
- Sun hat
- Prescription medication or preferred specialist supplements
If you want, also bring
- Reusable water bottle in summer. It gets very hot and humid and Israel has plenty of plastic waste as is.
- Heels (low and steady is better, unless you’ll be taking taxis everywhere), and nice evening shoes for guys. Local places don’t require them, so it’s just a matter of personal style.
- Fancy clothes / suit (as above)
- Your favourite sunscreen / after sun (you can buy stuff going up to factor 100 here)