Those who visit the city will find the usual gay nightlife, bars restaurants, accommodation very central with the added bonus of a variety of arts/museums/chilled shopping and sunny, sandy beaches on hand too.

Most of the gay scene, with its various activities/amenities providing help and support and volunteers for the community, is sponsored by the city itself and the local council.

Something is always happening on the Tel Aviv gay scene and there is a mountain of information available to assist tourists or immigrants or newcomers to the area from the ‘YESH’ helpline and the Tel Aviv branch of the AGARDA (the association of gay lesbian bisexual trans gender’s in Israel), which is situated overlooking the Midrachov.

The ‘branch’ is very much developing, providing unique educational cultural services for women, Russian gays, and Palestinian gays who are seeking help from prosecution and death in their own territories.

The youth are also catered for, with groups and meetings for those who are gay and of military service age and beyond, who find it a difficult process of personal growth and acceptance. The local community providing all of the above is the solid foundation on which the gay culture thrives in the city.

So, whether you want to find out about modern art, living history, or a shady cruising park, a steaming sauna, or to chill in a number of gay/gay friendly bars and cafes, or be a night owl and party the small hours away in a club, remember the origins of these come from the city, and it’s people who provide the integration that makes for a very welcome stay as a gay tourist to this very often looked upon un-European ‘world’.

‘Yesh’ info and service tel. 00 972 3 6205590   

AGARDA contact 28 Nahmani st. Tel Aviv.

Beaches

The safest beach to chill out on and top your tan is the Atzmount Beach, which is situated between the Separated Beach and under the Atzmount Park and is known as the gay beach.

The Separated Beach, although a designated orthodox religious beach, is often used by gays and women (who wish to go topless) on a Saturday as religious people are not allowed there then.

There are a further 10 beaches on this stretch of Mediterranean but some charge and some are quite scruffy so playing safe on the beach area near your hotel is the best option.

Bars

Tel Aviv is in general a gay friendly city where every tourist can feel free to go about their day without any homophobia being shown towards them. Therefore there is no particular separation area between the locals and gay scene: it’s all pretty much one big happy community.