Jerusalem
Best for. Families staying in the centre of Tel Aviv who want a soft sand beach right on the promenade, with lifeguards, showers, playgrounds and ramps onto the sand, all a short flat walk away.
Best spot. Settle back from the promenade steps near a lifeguard tower, where there is room to spread out and help is close, which makes a swim with children much easier on this busy central beach.
Know this. Jerusalem is central and lively rather than calm, and the sea is open with no shallow lagoon. For the stillest, shallowest water in the city, the sheltered Metzitzim and Tel Baruch beaches in the north are gentler for the youngest.
Jerusalem beach, which locals still call Geula after the street that runs down to it, is the honest first choice for a family staying in the heart of Tel Aviv who wants a proper beach day with no journey to reach it. It sits right at the centre of the seafront where Allenby Street meets the Herbert Samuel promenade, a short flat walk from much of the city, and it is soft golden sand rather than the pebble you find on many Mediterranean shores. That alone makes it kinder for small children, who can dig and build and paddle on a forgiving surface, and the run of showers, toilets, sunbeds and kiosks behind the sand means you can arrive light and sort the rest on the spot.
The honest read is that being this central is both its strength and its catch. Jerusalem is one of the most accessible beaches in the city, with ramps down onto the sand and beach wheelchairs available on request, which matters a great deal to families with a pushchair or a relative who finds soft sand hard going. It is also lively and busy, with matkot paddleball thudding across the sand, sport on the promenade steps and a steady churn of swimmers, so it is sociable rather than serene. The sea is the open Mediterranean with no shallow lagoon, so it can pick up gentle waves on a breezy day. Keep little ones within reach, set up near a lifeguard tower, and read the flags before anyone goes in, since conditions here are typical and never guaranteed and we make no promise about swimming safety.
So treat Jerusalem as the easy, accessible city beach rather than the calmest one. Come in the morning for the gentlest water and the easiest parking, settle back from the promenade steps near a lifeguard tower where there is room to spread out, and pack hats and your own shade since the natural cover is thin. If your priority is the shallowest, stillest water for a toddler, the breakwater sheltered lagoons at Metzitzim and Tel Baruch in the north are gentler, while Frishman next door is the same easy central sand if Jerusalem is full. Sunbed prices are set locally and are to be confirmed.
An organised promenade beach with kiosks
Jerusalem carries a run of beach kiosks, sunbed concessions and cafe decks along its promenade, with playgrounds and volleyball courts close by. 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: Michael John Pelagio via GoogleThe Jerusalem promenade kiosks and decks
The central Geula stretch is where the seafront gathers its sunbeds, umbrellas, beach kiosks and cafe decks, with showers, toilets and playgrounds close by, which is most of what a family wants for a city beach day. It is relaxed and easy rather than an exclusive scene, and the open sand between the concessions stays free for your own towel. Treat any sunbed rate as to be confirmed, since each operator sets the price by season, and come in the morning when the shaded front rows go first.
At the heart of the Tel Aviv seafront
Jerusalem beach runs along the centre of the Tel Aviv front where Allenby and Geula streets meet the promenade, a short flat walk from much of the city and reachable by bus, taxi or a short ride. The promenade behind the beach is wide and level, which suits a pushchair and a cool bag, and there are ramps onto the sand, but the paid car parks nearby fill through the middle of a summer day and on the weekend, so arrive early.
The beach offers showers, toilets, sunbed and umbrella rentals and kiosks, with playgrounds and volleyball courts close by, which makes the end of a sandy, salty day far simpler with children. Bring hats and sun cover since natural shade is thin, check the lifeguard flags and any jellyfish notices in the warmest weeks, and if you want the stillest shallow water in the city pair the trip with the sheltered Metzitzim or Tel Baruch beaches in the north.
Photo: Michael John Pelagio via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we can arrange a sunbed at Jerusalem or another organised Tel Aviv beach to match your day, from an easy central swim to a relaxed 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 Jerusalem
Is Jerusalem beach good for families?
Jerusalem beach suits families who want a central, fully organised beach right on the promenade, with soft sand, seasonal lifeguards, showers, toilets and playgrounds and volleyball nearby. It is one of the most accessible city beaches, with ramps onto the sand and beach wheelchairs available on request. It stays lively and busy and the sea is open with no shallow lagoon, so keep little ones close and read the lifeguard flags before a swim.
Where exactly is Jerusalem beach in Tel Aviv?
Jerusalem beach, known locally as Geula beach, sits in the heart of the Tel Aviv seafront near the foot of Allenby Street and Geula Street, on the Herbert Samuel promenade. It is a short flat walk from much of the city centre and easy to reach by bus, taxi or a short ride. The central position is its strength and the reason it gets busy through the day.
Does Jerusalem beach have lifeguards and facilities?
Yes. Jerusalem beach is a main municipal beach with seasonal lifeguard towers, showers, toilets, sunbed and umbrella rentals, kiosks along the promenade, and sporting and play facilities close by. It is also one of the more accessible beaches, with ramps and beach wheelchairs on request. Lifeguard hours run long through the summer season but are set locally and are to be confirmed for your dates.
Is Jerusalem beach sand or pebble?
Jerusalem beach is soft golden sand, comfortable underfoot and easy for building and digging, which is one reason it suits a family day better than a pebble shore. The sand is wide enough to find a spot back from the busiest games and the promenade steps. For the calmest, shallowest water in the city, the sheltered lagoons at Metzitzim and Tel Baruch are gentler still.
Is Jerusalem or Metzitzim better for young children?
Both are good city beaches, but they suit different ages. Jerusalem is central, soft sand and very accessible, yet it is lively and the sea is open with no shallow lagoon. Metzitzim in the north sits behind a breakwater so the shallow water stays calmer, which toddlers find easier, and it has a playground on the sand. Many families pick Metzitzim or Tel Baruch for the youngest and Jerusalem for the central convenience.
