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Mark Lowenstein
Author of Great Runs Guide. For Travelers Who Run and Runners Who Travel

Great Runs in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel and a dynamic, lively, multicultural dynamo. It’s one of the major financial centers of the Middle East, and is also known for its cafes and dynamic nightlife. For runners, Tel Aviv’s principal attraction is its location on the Mediterranean. A highlight is the 8km promenade along the beach. Other running highlights include the 8km path along the Yarkom River into Yarkom Park, and the grassy median along famous Boulevard Rothschild. There is a jogging track at Sportek, on Rokach Blvd.

For transportation, the city is congested and parking expensive. There is a very good bus system that is extensively used. Tel Aviv also has an improving train system, with four stops along the Ayalon Highway. Trains run to the airport, Haifa to the north, and to Jerusalem.

Tel Aviv has a combination Mediterranean and desert climate. Summers are hot and humid, with high temperatures averaging 90F+ (32C), and hardly any rainfall between May and October. Winters can be rainier, with average high temperatures in January around 60F. Nighttime temperatures in winter can be cool, but rarely below freezing. Generally the weather is good all year for running but be aware of the summer hear and humidity.

Iconic Routes

  1. Waterfront Promenade
  2. Yarkon Park
  3. Rothschild Blvd. Area
  4. Herzliya

The Routes

Waterfront Promenade

4.75 miles One-Way from Tel Aviv Port to Old Jaffa and Midron Yaffo Park. MAP

Running along the Mediterranean is the iconic Tel Aviv run. There are wonderful views of the beach and the water, with high rises and hotels on the inland side. A nearly 4-mile promenade runs from Tel Aviv Port in the North to the old Port of Jaffa in the south. Highlights, from north to south include: the Marina, at the 1-mile mark, Charles Clore Garden, the St. Archangel Michael Monastery, and Jaffa Port. A nice ~1 mile add-on is around Midron Yaffo Park, just south of Jaffa Port. On the north side near Tel Aviv port, you can connect to the wonderful trails of Yakron Park along the Yakron River. The promenade can get crowded, especially on weekends. Also, this is a great run to do at sunset!

Yarkon Park and River

8-mile Loop. Start: Tel Aviv Port or near Park at Rokash Blvd. & Bekhor Shalom Shitrit St. Well-served by buses along Rokash Blvd. and near Tel Aviv University. MAP

The Yarkon River and Park run is one of the great running pleasures in Tel Aviv. One can do a very nice ~8 mile loop run between the park, near Tel Aviv University, and the sea, terminating at Tel Aviv Port. There are paths along both sides of the river. aice ~1 mile add-on is around Midron Yaffo Park, just south of Jaffa Port. On the north side near Tel Aviv port, you can connect to the wonderful trails of Yakron Park along the Yakron River.

The eastern part of the park is lovely and green, featuring the Rock Garden (one of the largest of its kind in the world) and the Tropical Garden. Toward the western part of the park (close to the sea) is Sportec, an outdoor center with a 45-foot high climbing wall, basketball and rollerblading courts, and trampolines. This is a great run for those staying near Tel Aviv University. A natural extension of this run is the waterfront promenade, which goes 4 miles south from Tel Aviv Port. There is a jogging track at Sportek, on Rokach Blvd.

Rothschild Blvd. Area

~ 2 miles one way between Rabin Square to the north and Kol Yehuda Synagogue to the south. MAP

Rothschild Blvd. (Sderot Rothschild) is one of the more famous streets in central Tel Aviv. It’s a great opportunity to do a pleasant ‘running tour’ of the city. Combined with Sderot Chen, this is a 2 mile one way run, with a bike/pedestrian path along the middle of this grand street.

Start at the north end, at Rabin Square, named after the Israeli Prime Minister who was tragically assassinated in 1995, and head south along Sderot Chen. After 0.5 miles, each Leonard Bernstein Square and the gorgeous Charles Bronfman Auditorium. The route turns into Blvd. Rothschild, and the median path continues through a pleasant park with shops and restaurants lining the street. Some of Tel Aviv’s fancier boutique hotels are along here. Toward the southern end of Blvd. Rothschild are some important landmarks: Independence Hall, museum and site of Jewish Independence; Alon Segev Art Gallery; Kol Yehuda Synagogue; and the imposing 1920s era domed Great Synagogue.

Just to the south of the terminus of Blvd. Rothschild is the Israeli Defense Museum and Bloomfield Stadium. Also, just to the south and west of the end of Blvd. Rothschild, one can either connect to the beach, or go into Neve Zedek neighborhood — a beautiful late 19th century neighborhood which was very well preserved and is now somewhat of an artist quarter. These streets might not be ideal for running but a lovely pre- or post-run walk.

Herzliya

Various options, including 1km running path in Herzliya Park.

Herzliya is a prosperous section of Tel Aviv. There are many lovely residential streets that are pleasant for running, and less crowded than the center of the city. There is also Herzliya Park, a lovely green space in the heart of the city, which has a 1km running path. The park lies between Yosef Nevo Street to the east, Ben Zion Michaeli Boulevard to the south, Menachem Begin Boulevard to the north, and the Ayalon Highway to the west. It’s also easy to connect to the beach promenade.

STAY

Tel Aviv is an important business center and is also a popular tourist destination. There are plenty of hotels, mainly clustered in the city center near Rothschild Blvd., and in the western part of the city along the coast. Our recommendation is to stay in one of the beach side hotels if possible, allowing access to wonderful waterfront running. If you stay toward the northern part of beach toward the Port of Tel Aviv, there’s also good access to the Yarkon River paths and park.

Stores and Group Runs

The main independent running store in Tel Aviv is Pro Runner, located near Yarkon Park. Great selection of running clothing. There are also Nike running store and Newton Running.

Pro Runner is the main independent running store in Tel Aviv. Great selection of running shoes and clothing. Social events as well.

Newton Running. Another great running store in Tel Aviv. In the eastern part of the city, not that centrally located.

EVENTS

The running scene in Israel continues to grow and there are many running events in different parts of the country.

Article on Israel’s most important running events.

Tel Aviv Marathon. February. Major event with 40,000 runners. Great course along the water and central Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv Night Run. November. Very popular 10k, attracting 25,000 runners.

Natal Color Run. Part of the Color Run series. 5k run with the aim of raising awareness of PTSD as a result of terror and war in Israel.