HaYarkon Street, Tel Aviv

Plan Your Visit

• Location - HaYarkon Street, Tel Aviv
• Open Times - 24/7
• Prices - Free
• Average Visit Duration - 2-4 hours.
• Popular Times - Fridays.
• Notes for Visitors - HaYarkon is better explored on foot because of the heavy traffic.
• Tours - Finding Tel Aviv’s hidden gems is a lot easier when you’re being guided by a local professional. To discover all that HaYarkon Street has to offer, take a Tel Aviv walking tour.

HaYarkon Street in Tel Aviv runs parallel to the seafront promenade, starting north at Tel Aviv port and continuing to Charles Clore Park where HaYarkon becomes Kaufmann Street which travels south into Jaffa. It is a busy, often congested street, packed with hotels, interesting sites, embassies, and service businesses. The street is named after the Yarkon River that runs into the sea at its northern end. You probably won’t be coming to HaYarkon Street specifically to see an attraction but any visitor to Tel Aviv will at some time drive or walk along this iconic street. The main reasons you’ll find yourself on HaYarkon Street are for hotels, embassies, access to the best beaches, and nightlife. 

The intersection of Yarkon and David Ben Gurion streets

Points of Interest on HaYarkon Street

• Kikar Atarim - At the northern end of HaYarkon, this public square was completed in 1975 in the Brutalist style. It doesn’t offer much to tourists except perhaps sea views, and proximity to the marina, beach, Gordon Pool, and “Crazy House.” Pro Tip: If you’re interested in art then Kikar Atarim offers some interesting graffiti art as well as its proximity to the Leonardo Art Hotel where there is an art gallery, and Gordon Street which is known for its many private galleries.
• Independence Park - The first trees were planted here on Israel’s first Independence Day in 1949 and is perched on a limestone cliff overlooking the sea. The park has evolved over the years, once being the go-to place for gay hookups and having been neglected for several years. But today it is a fully renovated park with several sculptures, memorials, and statues. There are paved paths and open green lawns leading to a lookout point over the sea.
• 181 HaYarkon Street (the Crazy House) - Designed by Leon Gaignebet and inspired by the work of Gaudi it is in the deconstructive style. It is difficult to describe, with its white balconies that look soft, as if they were paper stuck haphazardly to the frame of the building. This fascinating and extremely unusual structure has been called an architectural curiosity.

181 HaYarkon Street (the Crazy House)

• Embassy Buildings - HaYarkon Street is home to several embassies including the British Embassy, Indian Embassy, Russian Embassy, and a branch of the American Embassy.
• 96 HaYarkon Street - A building in the International Bauhaus Style built in 1935, and restored in 2012. The building’s penthouse apartment is one of the most expensive properties in the country.

96 HaYarkon Street

• London Square - A memorial park sandwiched between HaYarkon Street and the promenade, dedicated to British casualties in World War II. In the park are several interesting monuments such as the ship-shaped monument to illegal Jewish immigrants, and the monument to the Altalena immigrant ship that anchored here in 1948. Don’t expect expansive lawns as the park is more concrete than grass.
• Opera Tower - Facing a spacious plaza, the Opera Tower stands on the site of a historic cinema, where Israel’s first parliament was convened in 1948. 
• Hassan Bek Mosque - Just before HaYarkon changes its name and becomes Kauffmann Street, is this magnificent historic mosque. If nothing else it is worth a photo. It was built in 1916 in the classic Ottoman style with a tall majestic minaret. Pro Tip: It is lit up at night and is very Instagram-friendly.

Pro Tip: If you want to experience HaYarkon Street you can follow a walk along the street and double back returning to your starting point by walking along the seafront promenade.

Tourist Hotels on HaYarkon St.

There are many hotels on HaYarkon Street, mainly because of the excellent location for reaching both the beaches and the city’s attractions. Tourists can choose from some of the city’s top luxury hotels like Dan, Sheraton, Renaissance, and the Brown Hotels. Or opt for mid-range options that still provide everything you need such as the Prima Hotel, Tal By the Beach, Melody Hotel, and the Maxim Design Hotel. For budget travelers, there are popular hostels like the “HaYarkon Hostel”. 

Nightlife, Entertainment, and Restaurants 

HaYarkon Street never sleeps! When the beachgoers have gone home, and businesses have closed for the day, HaYarkon is still buzzing with restaurants, clubs, and bars as well as hotels and hostels. It is not the top nightlife spot in Tel Aviv, but it is certainly one of the places where you’ll find all-night parties and plenty of bars.

• Imperial Cocktail Bar - classy Asian colonial-inspired.
• Molly Blooms - An iconic Irish pub with tasty pub grub.
• Bar 51 - Modern slightly hipster hangout with an extensive wine menu and small meals.
• Jachnun Mul HaYam - Try some traditional Yemeni food at 22 HaYarkon.
• Aperitivo - a wine bar at 78 HaYarkon with classy decor, outdoor seating, food, and cocktails.
• Ultra Cocktail Bar - There are live musical performances at this simple bar in the Sea Tower.
• Asimi - A bright and airy restaurant in London Garden with sea views.
• Yassou Tel Aviv Greek - At the corner of Frishman and HaYarkon is a popular Greek restaurant.
• Manara - A sophisticated restaurant in the Sheraton Hotel serving an innovative Levantine menu (kosher).

Pro Tip: At 66 HaYarkon is the Imperial Hotel, once “just” a hotel, today it occasionally turns into a pop-up exhibition - Imperial Hotel Wonderland. The hotel’s 38 rooms are decorated by artists and become outrageous fantasy works of art that visitors can walk through and explore.