How to Photograph Rooftops and Views From Above in Tel Aviv — A Guide to the Best Spots in the City
Tel Aviv looks completely different when viewed from above. The city's white buildings, the sea suddenly opening up on the horizon, and the constantly changing light at sunset have all made rooftop photography one of my favorite ways to document the city. Here are some of the places I recommend most for photographing rooftops and elevated city views, along with tips and examples from my own work.
View from Isrotel Tower
Before You Go Out to Shoot
Some of the locations on this list are private spaces — hotel rooftops, parking garages, or lounges — and require permission in advance for photography. The best approach is to contact the hotel's public relations department or front desk, explain that you are interested in personal or artistic photography, and arrange a convenient time, usually outside peak hours. Being polite and arranging access in advance will get you much further than simply showing up with a camera.
View from Isrotel Tower
Gruzenberg Parking Garage Rooftop
One of Tel Aviv's best-known secrets for urban photography. The height provides an open view over the rooftops of both old and new buildings, and during the evening hours, the light spreads beautifully across the facades. It is recommended to arrange access in advance with the parking garage management, as not every time is suitable for unrestricted photography on the premises.
View from Gruzenberg Parking Garage Rooftop - Day Time
View from Gruzenberg Parking Garage Rooftop - Night Time
Cinema Hotel – View Toward Dizengoff Square
The rooftop of the Cinema Hotel offers a fantastic elevated perspective toward Dizengoff Square, one of the most recognizable landmarks in central Tel Aviv. From this angle, you can capture the distinctive circular layout of the square, the surrounding Bauhaus buildings, and the dense urban fabric of the city.
The viewpoint becomes especially interesting in the late afternoon, when the warm light begins to illuminate the surrounding buildings and creates longer shadows across the square. It's also a great location for experimenting with different focal lengths — a wider lens can emphasize the relationship between Dizengoff Square and the surrounding neighborhood, while a longer lens can isolate architectural details and patterns.
As with other hotel locations, arrange access with the hotel in advance and confirm that photography from the rooftop is permitted.
View from Cinema Hotel - Dizengoff Square
View from Cinema Hotel - (Old) Dizengoff Square
Isrotel Hotel Rooftop (Isrotel Tower)
One of the tallest towers along the coastline, offering a panoramic view that combines the sea, marina, and southern Tel Aviv skyline. I have photographed several works from this height, including “VIEW FROM ISROTEL TOWER” and “VIEW FROM ISROTEL #2”, which you can find in the Rooftops category on my website. Access should also be arranged in advance with the hotel.
View from Isrotel Tower - Facing south
View from Isrotel Tower - Facing north
Carlton Hotel Rooftop
One of my favorite locations for photographing the Tel Aviv coastline. I photographed several versions of the same view from here in different lighting conditions, including “TEL AVIV COASTLINE,” the golden-hour version, and the daytime version, all available in the Rooftops category. The difference between a morning photograph and a sunset photograph can be dramatic, so it's worth returning to the same location at different times of day.
View from Carlton Hotel Rooftop
Hilton Hotel Lounge
The Hilton's lounge offers a wide, elevated perspective that allows you to capture both the coastline and the park below in a single frame. “VIEW FROM HILTON” on my website was photographed from this location and can be found in the Rooftops category. It is recommended to arrange access with the hotel in advance, as this is an indoor area intended for guests.
View from Hilton Hotel Lounge - Facing South
View from Hilton Hotel Lounge - Hilton Beach
Sheraton Hotel Lounge
Another elevated viewpoint overlooking the city's northern coastline, with an angle that emphasizes the continuous stretch of hotels and beach. I have not yet added a photograph from this location to the website — making it a good opportunity to complete the series on my next visit.
View from Sheraton Hotel Lounge
The Norman Hotel Rooftop
One of my favorite locations for photographing the central Tel Aviv skyline, because it offers a closer and more intimate perspective than the tall towers along the coast. From here, you can see rooftops, courtyards, and historic buildings up close. “VIEW FROM NORMAN HOTEL” on my website was photographed from this location and can be found in the Rooftops category.
View from The Norman Hotel Rooftop
Shooting From Construction Sites (With Permission!)
Construction sites can offer some of the most unusual and exciting elevated perspectives of Tel Aviv. As buildings rise, temporary platforms and upper floors can reveal views that are impossible to see from the street or from established observation points. Safety and permission come first. Never enter an active construction site without explicit permission from the site manager or property owner, and always follow the site's safety rules and protective-equipment requirements.
If you have permission to photograph from a construction site, look for interesting combinations of unfinished architecture and the city beyond, concrete structures framing the skyline, cranes against the sunset, or the contrast between new construction and Tel Aviv's older buildings. These temporary viewpoints can disappear quickly as construction progresses, so they can also provide a unique visual record of the city as it changes.
View from Construction Site - Shalom Tower
View from Construction Site - Neve Tzedek from Above
General Tips for Photographing Rooftops and Views From Above
-
Golden hour is your best friend — the soft light that gently illuminates Tel Aviv's white facades can transform even an ordinary cityscape into a dramatic photograph.
-
Return to the same location at different times of day, as you can see in the “TEL AVIV COASTLINE” series, the same composition can look completely different in the morning, afternoon, and at sunset.
-
Think about your composition in advance, the horizon line, position of the sun, and angles of the buildings change from one location to another. Arriving a few minutes early gives you time to find the right frame.
-
Arrange access in advance, especially at hotels and private parking garages. A little advance planning saves time and prevents disappointment when you arrive.
To see all my Tel Aviv rooftop and elevated city-view photography, visit the Rooftops category in the shop.