Without a doubt, Rothschild Boulevard is one of the most interesting and beautiful streets in Tel Aviv. It holds history, and iconic architecture, and is home to a trendy cafe culture and top restaurants. Rothschild is one of the most expensive streets in the city and is truly in the heart of the city connecting many of the famous streets where you’ll find top attractions, clubs, and restaurants.
The boulevard runs from Herzl Street in the south to HaBima Square in the north and is flanked by the Neve Tzedek neighborhood in the southwest and the financial district on the northeastern side of the boulevard.
Rothschild Boulevard has a distinctly French feel with its pretty gardens, and wide central tree-lined pedestrian strip with bike lanes, benches, and public art.
During the day the bustling boulevard is frequented by professionals from the adjacent financial district; locals enjoying brunch; people taking their dogs for a walk; pensioners relaxing in the shade of the ficus and poinciana trees, and hipsters or celebs at the sidewalk cafes. At night Rothschild turns into a lively nightlife area with many top pubs, dining venues, and clubs.
Sderot Rothschild was constructed over 100 years ago in 1909 when a group of Jewish families left the adjacent overcrowded city of Jaffa to establish their own community alongside Neve Tsedek, the first Jewish neighborhood built outside Jaffa’s walls.
It was originally named Rehov HaAm (The People’s Street) but soon after its construction it was renamed in honor of the generous benefactor, Rothschild. The city developed rapidly, with the boulevard as its main thoroughfare. Its original two-story homes were replaced by eclectic or neo-Oriental style structures in the 1920s. Then, in the 1930s many of the homes along Rothschild Blvd. were replaced by Bauhaus and International style buildings designed by Jewish architects who had immigrated from Europe.
In the years that followed Rothschild Blvd. was home to many national leaders and cultural figures. Some of the buildings were replaced with modern structures but many of the original buildings have been preserved. Rothschild Blvd. is part of the White City of Tel Aviv, a UNESCO site recognizing the high concentration of Bauhaus and International style architecture in the city.
Through the 1960s and into the 80s, the boulevard fell into neglect. In 1995, work began on revitalizing the boulevard with the help of architect Moti Bodek. As part of the redesign bike paths were added, and public areas were rehabilitated. The dramatic transformation drew locals and tourists to the revitalized area and culture and leisure activities flourished.
Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv is named after the famous Jewish philanthropist, Baron Edmond James de Rothschild of the Rothschild banking family. Rothschild had generously contributed to Israel in the early days of the country's establishment and he gained respect in the Holy Land. In honor of him, it was decided to name one of the four first streets in Tel Aviv after him.
Rothschild Boulevard is a great place to see some of Tel Aviv's renowned UNESCO-listed Bauhaus architecture. For example, on the corner of Herzl Street and Rothschild Boulevard is a house built in 1909 by one of Tel Aviv's 60 founding families, the Eliavson family. The Russian Embassy building, constructed in 1924 is another of the boulevard's architectural highlights.
On the corner of Rothschild and Herzl Street, you can see a restored historic kiosk where you can buy a drink or snack. When the new neighborhood was first established, not all the residents of Rothschild Blvd. agreed on bringing businesses into the area. A compromise was found by allowing this small, circular kiosk.
Near the southern end of Rothschild Blvd. at around #7, is a pond with a centerpiece of three slabs bearing mosaics by one of Israel’s greatest artists and authors Nachum Gutman. The mosaics originally stood in Bialik Square outside Tel Aviv’s old City Hall but it was moved to its current position in 2008. The mosaics were completed in 1979 and depict the history of Tel Aviv and Bible stories in brilliant colors and patterns. Gutman depicts the history from Jonah being swallowed by a whale, all the way through to the construction of the modern city. On the back of the slabs are quotes from the Bible.
Pro Tip: If you’re interested in art, Rothschild is home to the Alon Segev Gallery, Sommer Contemporary Art Gallery, and the Rothschild 49 Art Gallery.
Independence Hall is closed for renovations and will reopen sometime in 2025. Until the renovations of Independence Hall are complete, there is a temporary visitors center in the East Lobby of the Shalom Meir Tower.
Perhaps the top historic attraction along the boulevard is Independence Hall, originally the home of Tel Aviv’s first mayor, Meir Dizengoff, who converted the building into an art museum. When it came time to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1948, the museum was the only venue large enough to accommodate the gathering of leaders.
Today it is a museum where you can learn about this historic event. In front of Independence Hall are a large fountain and an equestrian statue of Meir Dizengoff, the first mayor of Tel Aviv.
You can follow The Independence Trail which connects several landmarks that together tell the story of the establishment of the State of Israel. It includes highlights like the Great Synagogue, the Haganah Museum, the first branch of the Bank of Israel, and of course Independence Hall on Rothschild Boulevard. Pick up a map of the Independence Trail from the information booth opposite #11 Rothschild Blvd.
Right outside Independence Hall, along the pedestrian area in the middle of the boulevard is a pond and monument installed in 1949 to commemorate 40 years since the neighborhood was first established, and to mark the site where Tel Aviv’s first water tower once stood. On the monument, you can see the city’s original logo which was designed by Nachum Gutman. The logo features a lighthouse as Gutman said that Tel Aviv would be a light unto the nations.
A few steps from the pond is a statue of Meir Dizengoff, Tel Aviv’s first mayor who served the city for 25 years and contributed to the establishment of Tel Aviv. The equestrian statue stands opposite Independence Hall, Dizengoff’s former home.
As a stark contrast to the pastel-colored historic houses on Rothschild is the 29-story tower building at #22 that is home to offices, banks, and a hotel on the higher floors.
Pro Tip: If you can frame the shiny building with the historic houses on Rothschild you’ll have a brilliant Instagram shot!
Haganah was a pre-state military organization of the Jewish underground. You can visit the Hagana Museum at #23 Rothschild, once the home of Eliyahu Golmb, one of the founders of the Haganah to learn about Israel's defense force history. Early leaders used the house for clandestine meetings. A bonus of visiting this museum is that you get to see inside one of the Bauhaus buildings.
At #29 on the corner of Allenby and Rothschild, you can see a large ceramic mural on the side of Lederberg House, built in 1925. The mural was designed by Ze'ev Raban, a member of the Bezalel art movement. The murals depict a Jewish pioneer working in the fields, a shepherd,
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