If you’re tired of the crowds at Gordon Beach or the party scene at Banana, there’s a lesser-known TLV beach gem quietly sitting at the southern edge of Tel Aviv: the Bat Yam & Jaffa Border Beach! It’s a stretch of sand that blends two cities and two vibes—Bat Yam’s chill, underdeveloped atmosphere meets the historic edge of Jaffa. And yet, somehow, hardly anyone outside the area talks about it! Crazy!

What Exactly is the Bat Yam & Jaffa Border Beach?

This isn’t an official name on the map—but ask any local who’s spent time between Tayo Beach Bar and the Jaffa Slope Park, and they’ll know what you mean. The “border beach” is the stretch of Tel Aviv coastline between the southernmost part of Jaffa (Ajami) and the northern edge of Bat Yam. You’ll notice the difference in architecture, crowd, and pace the moment you walk from one to the other.

Here’s 5 things you’ll find on this underrated coastline:

1. Wide, clean sands with fewer crowds, even in peak season.

2. Tayo Beach Bar, an open-air venue with beach chairs, decent food, and live DJ sets on weekends.

3. Dog-friendly zones where locals let their dogs run free in the mornings and early evenings.

4. Dramatic views of the Old Jaffa cliffs to the north. Seriously!

5. A long promenade perfect for running, biking, or just watching the sunset without elbowing through tourists.

The water quality here is generally solid—Blue Flag certified for cleanliness in nearby stretches—and you’ll often see windsurfers and paddleboarders in the afternoon. Lifeguard services are available in season, generally from May to October.

5 Quick Facts & Stats about the Bat Yam and Yafo Border Beach

1. Distance from Jaffa Clock Tower: ~2.2 km / ~25-minute walk

2. Distance from Bat Yam Bus Station: ~3.8 km / ~12-minute drive or 20-minute bus ride

3. Beach length: ~1.5 km of accessible coastline before it transitions into the cliffside trails of Slope Park

4. Best time to visit: Sunset on weekdays or early mornings on weekends

5. Facilities: Public restrooms, changing areas, beach chair rental, showers, beach bar

What Makes It Unique?

Unlike the tourist-heavy Tel Aviv beaches, this spot feels unpolished in the best way. You’ll see locals playing matkot, ultra-Orthodox families swimming in full attire, Arabic music blending into techno from beach bars, and fishermen casting lines into the surf at dusk. It’s a real cross-section of Israel, and much more low-key than you’d expect.

And the sunsets? Underrated. With the Old City of Jaffa as your northern backdrop and the open southern horizon stretching into Bat Yam, this is one of the best sunset spots along the Gush Dan coastline.

How to Get There with Public Transportation:

From Bat Yam Central Bus Station:

1. Exit the station and walk to Yerushalayim Boulevard/Herzl (about 3 minutes).

2. Take Bus 18 toward Tel Aviv.

3. Get off at Ben Gurion/HaKomemiyut.

4. Walk west toward the beach—Tayo Beach Bar will be right in front of you. Total trip: ~20 minutes.

From Jaffa Clock Tower:

1. Head south on Yerushalayim Boulevard.

2. Walk ~2.2 km along the beachfront path past Ajami Beach and Givat Aliyah Beach.

3. You’ll hit the “border zone” just after Tayo Beach Bar, where the buildings of Bat Yam start to rise. Total trip: ~25 minutes walking or a 10-minute bike ride.

From HaHagana Train Station (Tel Aviv):

1. Exit the station and walk to the HaHagana Bus Terminal (~3 minutes).

2. Take Bus 125 toward Bat Yam.

3. Get off at Ben Gurion/HaKomemiyut.

4. Walk west for ~5 minutes to the beach. Total trip: ~35–40 minutes depending on traffic.

TLV Beach Staff