Taglit Birthright Israel Birthright Israel Volunteer Birthright Israel Onward Birthright Israel Excel Birthright Israel Beyond
Application Login
Hero image Hero image

guide to white night

Don’t be alarmed if the streets of Tel Aviv seem particularly lively on Thursday June 28th, it’s White Night! White Night, or Laila Lavan in Hebrew, is a city-wide party that has been a tradition since 2003 when UNESCO declared Tel Aviv’s “White City” a World Heritage Site for its culture and architecture. The city will come to life with parties, shows, food, and other entertainment and activities that start early evening and go all through the night until early morning hours. Most events are free or low cost and some events even span the whole weekend. Walking anywhere around the city you’ll find something to do, but here are some special highlights to look out for:

  • 6pm – 2am: World Food Market is celebrating 2 years with three days of food from all around the world, music, World Cup streaming, and parties. The market will be open through June 30th, see the Facebook event for hours and details
  • 8pm – 11:59pm: Free headphone party at Rabin Square. Rent wireless headphones or bring your own pair and download the app to dance
  • 9pm – 11:59pm: Stroll through the Tel Aviv Museum of Art for Zamani to find DJ’s and art shows for a multi-sensory experience
  • 9:30pm: Bialik Square will turn into a performance art complex for the “Follow the Stars” event with acrobatics, breakdance, circus and flamenco
  • 11:59pm – 4am: Pasaz is hosting a 100% Hip Hop Party

For those of you living in other cities whether you’re nearby in Bat Yam or Ramat Gan or a bit further in Haifa, Jerusalem, or Be’er Sheva, it’s a fun chance to come into Tel Aviv and stay the night, or the weekend. Below you’ll find information on best modes of transportation to and from different cities along with recommended hostels.

TRANSPORTATION

Most important thing to remember: busses don’t run on Shabbat in Israel! If you plan on staying over in Tel Aviv just Thursday night make sure you check the bus and train schedule and plan accordingly so you don’t find yourself stuck until Saturday after sundown (though there are worse places to be stuck than Tel Aviv). If you are not observant there are a couple of other options for getting around on Shabbat. Regular cabs are around on Shabbat which you can call through the Gett app on your phone or flag down on the street. Taking a Sherut is another option, a shared minivan style cab that runs from the Central Bus Stations and can stop anywhere you’d like along the route.

Haifa

  • The railway runs to and from Tel Aviv’s four train stations and Haifa’s three train stations all throughout the day. It’s the fastest route, taking 40 minutes to an hour.
  • Bus 910 runs from the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv to the Hof HaCarmel Central Bus Station in Haifa and takes around 90 minutes.

Jerusalem

  • Busses run incredibly frequently between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. It’s the fastest and cheapest option taking about an hour. Bus 405 runs between the the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station and the Jerusalem Central Bus Station, and Bus 480 runs between the  Tel Aviv’s Arlozorov Bus Terminal (also called Tel Aviv 2000 terminal, this is a nicer and easier to manage station) and the Jerusalem Central Bus Station.

Be’er Sheva

  • The railway runs to and from Tel Aviv’s four train stations and Be’er Sheva’s three train stations all throughout the day. It takes a little over an hour.
RECOMMENDED HOSTELS

Abraham Hostels

Little Tel-Aviv Hostel

Hayarkon 48

Florentine Backpackers Hostel

Overstay Hostel