Banana
Best for. Families who want a slower, more relaxed beach than the busy centre, a laid back southern stretch toward Jaffa with soft sand, a chilled crowd, room to sit and a fine sunset.
Best spot. A patch near the kiosk for an easy evening, settling in as the heat eases for a relaxed swim, a snack and the southern light over the sea toward Jaffa.
Know this. Facilities are simpler than the central strip, so come prepared with shade, water and snacks, and the sea is open with no shallow lagoon. For the calmest, shallowest water for the youngest, the sheltered Metzitzim and Tel Baruch lagoons in the north are easier.
Banana is the honest pick for a family who wants the pace turned down. It sits on the southern seafront toward Jaffa, a laid back stretch of soft sand with a chilled crowd and room to sit, away from the matkot thud and the press of the central beaches. The mood is its draw. This is where you come for a slow afternoon and an easy evening rather than a full service resort day, and for families with older children who want space and calm over buzz and facilities, it is a lovely change from the centre. It is also a fine spot for a sunset, with the southern light over the water and the old city in view.
The honest read is that the relaxed feel comes with simpler facilities. Banana is less built up than the central strip, so you will not find the dense rows of sunbeds, bars and kiosks of Frishman or Gordon, and that means coming a little more prepared with your own shade, water and snacks. Any lifeguard cover here is seasonal and set locally, so we mark it to be confirmed rather than assume it, and the sea is the open Mediterranean with no breakwater and no shallow lagoon for the smallest paddlers. Read any flags before anyone swims, keep little ones within reach, and judge the sea yourself, since conditions are typical and never guaranteed and we make no promise about swimming safety.
So treat Banana as the slow, easygoing southern beach rather than the most equipped one. Come in the morning for the calmest water or settle in for the evening as the heat eases, pick a patch near the kiosk, and bring everything you need for shade and snacks since the setup is simple. It pairs naturally with a wander into Jaffa. If your priority is the stillest, shallowest water and full facilities for the very youngest, the sheltered Metzitzim and Tel Baruch lagoons in the north are the easier choice. Any kiosk or sunbed prices are set locally and are to be confirmed.
A relaxed southern beach with a simple kiosk
Banana keeps things simpler than the central strip, with seasonal kiosk or cafe service rather than dense rows of concessions. Names, opening and prices are set by the operators and change by season, so we describe what is typically there and mark the rest to be confirmed. See the Tel Aviv beach clubs guide for the full run.
Photo: Osnat Hasson via GoogleThe Banana beach kiosk and relaxed sand
Banana keeps a laid back, southern feel, with a seasonal kiosk or cafe for a drink and a snack rather than the dense sunbed and bar rows of the central beaches, which suits a family wanting calm over scene. The open sand stays free for your own towel, and the slower pace makes it a fine place to settle for an evening. Treat any kiosk or sunbed rate and the opening as to be confirmed, since each operator sets it by season, and come in the morning or the evening for the most relaxed atmosphere.
On the southern seafront toward Jaffa
Banana runs along the southern seafront toward Jaffa, a walk along the promenade from the central beaches or a short bus, taxi or drive, and an easy stop if you are exploring the old city. The promenade behind the beach is flat and level, which suits a pushchair and a cool bag, and there is paid parking nearby, though it fills through the middle of a summer day and on the weekend, so arrive early or come for the evening.
Facilities are simpler than the central strip, typically a shower and a seasonal kiosk or cafe rather than dense concessions, so bring your own shade, water and snacks for a comfortable family day. Treat any lifeguard cover as seasonal and to be confirmed, read any flags before swimming, and if you want the stillest shallow water and fuller facilities for the youngest pair the trip with the sheltered Metzitzim or Tel Baruch beaches in the north.
Photo: Osnat Hasson via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we can arrange a sunbed at a Tel Aviv beach to match your day, from a relaxed southern evening near Banana to a full service afternoon in the shade. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Banana
Is Banana beach good for families?
Banana suits families who want a slower, more relaxed beach than the central strip, a laid back southern stretch toward Jaffa with soft sand, a chilled crowd and room to sit. It is calmer in mood than the busy centre, which many families with older children prefer, but the facilities are simpler, so come a little more prepared. The sea is open with no shallow lagoon, so keep little ones close and read any lifeguard flags before a swim.
Is Banana beach sand or pebble?
Banana is soft golden sand, easy underfoot and good for building and digging, with a relaxed, unpolished feel and space to spread out. The slower pace is part of its charm for families. For the calmest, shallowest water for the youngest, the sheltered Metzitzim and Tel Baruch lagoons in the north are gentler still.
Does Banana beach have lifeguards and facilities?
Banana is a relaxed southern beach with simpler facilities than the central strip, typically with showers and seasonal kiosk or cafe service nearby, and a seasonal lifeguard presence that is set locally and to be confirmed for your dates. Because it is less built up, plan to bring your own shade, water and snacks. Always read any flags and judge the sea yourself before a swim.
Why is Banana beach good for sunset?
Banana faces the open Mediterranean on the southern stretch toward Jaffa, so it catches the evening light beautifully and the relaxed crowd makes it a fine place to settle for an easy sunset with children. The slower pace, the room to sit and the simple kiosk fare suit a gentle end to the day. It is one of the calmer central area beaches once the afternoon heat eases.
How do you get to Banana beach and is there parking?
Banana sits on the southern seafront toward Jaffa, a walk along the promenade from the central beaches or a short bus, taxi or drive, and an easy stop if you are exploring the old city. There is paid parking nearby, but it fills on a summer day and on the Friday and Saturday weekend. Arrive in the morning or come for the evening for the easiest parking and a relaxed atmosphere.
