Arts and Culture Of Churches in Tel Aviv

While Tel Aviv is notorious for its nightlife, culinary scene, beaches and all things secular, Jerusalem is more commonly associated as a religious sightseeing destination. But dig beneath the Tel Aviv surface and you’ll discover a world of interest & wonder with the sheer number of incredible churches open to visitors.

For guests of The Norman boutique hotel Tel Aviv, interested in visiting some of Tel Aviv’s most spectacular churches, can rely on our expert Concierge team who can help you navigate the city’s spiritual spots. In the meantime, we have compiled a recommended ‘holy trail’ list:

Immanuel Lutheran Church,

15 Beer Hoffman St., Jaffa.

The Immanuel Protestant church is located in the newly gentrified American–German Colony. Serving a small Lutheran congregation of Norwegians sent to Israel by the country’s Church Ministry, the building dates back to 1904. A beautiful church, its walls are built from two kinds of natural stone with a roof adorned in Marseille tiling.

 

St. Peter’s Catholic Church,

1 Mifratz Shlomo St., Old Jaffa.

From the seafront promenade of Jaffa’s Old City, the ascent to St. Peter’s Church and Monastery is simply breathtaking, proudly perched on the city’s most beautiful viewing spot. First built in 1654 by Roman Emperor Frederick II, and since destroyed and rebuilt twice, this Franciscan church honors St. Peter’s resurrection of Tabitha, a disciple of Jesus, famed for helping the city’s poor. With its distinctive Baroque exterior, St. Peter’s was and remains the most imposing building in Old Jaffa, acting as a beacon for millions of Christian pilgrims, who arrive to the Holy Land by boat.

Open to the public every day from 08:00h to 11:45h & from 15:00h to 17:00h, St. Peter’s, which coincidentally sits next to the Vatican Embassy to Israel, conducts mass in Hebrew, English, Polish and Spanish.

Russian Orthodox Church of Tabitha’s Tomb

Located on a hill surrounded by the city’s botanical and zoological gardens, sits the tomb of the Christian St. Tabitha. Perfectly trimmed gardens, pretty fishponds and even the odd peacock, services are held on Sundays 0700h and most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 16:00h in Russian and Hebrew. Address: 157 Herzl St

If you’re looking for something different, head to the shabby chic Florentine neighborhood. Famed for its interesting mix of hipster bars and art studios, it is also home to tens of thousands of international workers and therefore thriving, diverse religious communities.

Catering to everyone from Nigerian Evangelicals to Filipino Catholics, Neve Sha’anan is dotted with improvised churches in converted apartments.  Not all the churches are open to tourists, but some will welcome you, especially those on Levanda St, coined ‘Church Row.’

 

In short, the choices are wide-ranging and wonderful and waiting to be discovered.