The beach is the defining piece of Tel Aviv geography. It runs along the entire western edge of the city, with a wide stone promenade above the sand and stretches of pale yellow beach below punctuated by lifeguard towers, paddle ball courts, and yoga mats.
The central beaches — Gordon and Frishman — are the busiest. Hilton Beach to the north is the city's main gay beach and also the unofficial dog beach in the early morning and late evening. The southern stretch, between the Jaffa headland and the Hassan Bek mosque, is quieter. Free; lifeguards on duty in summer. Swim where the green flag is up; the riptides on this coast are real.