The White City

A Legacy in White

So what exactly is Bauhaus architecture, and how did it find its way to the sun-drenched shores of Israel? The Bauhaus movement was born in Germany in 1919, characterized by minimalism, functionality and clean geometric forms. In the 1930s, a wave of German-Jewish architects trained in the Bauhaus school immigrated to what was then British Mandate Palestine, fleeing Nazi persecution. Many of them settled in Tel Aviv, a city in the making and brought their innovative building design ideas with them.

This gave rise to what is now an extraordinary collection of over 4,000 Bauhaus buildings in Tel Aviv, making it the city with the highest concentration of Bauhaus-style architecture in the world. Built mostly between the 1930s and 1950s, these sleek white structures, with their rounded balconies, horizontal lines, flat roofs and pilotis (supporting columns) perfectly suited Tel Aviv’s climate and modernist vision.

The White City: A Living Museum

Walking through the central streets of Tel Aviv today, you are essentially exploring a living, breathing museum of modernist design. The area commonly referred to as “The White City” includes streets like Rothschild Boulevard, Dizengoff Street and Bialik Street, where some of the most iconic Bauhaus structures still stand proudly.

To fully appreciate the nuances of these buildings, a Bauhaus tour in Tel Aviv is highly recommended. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or a casual traveller with a love for stories, a guided Tel Aviv Bauhaus walking tour will open your eyes to the elegance and ingenuity of these understated, yet revolutionary designs. Many of the buildings have been lovingly restored, while others still wear their age with pride, a testament to the city’s layered history.

Don’t Miss: The Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv

For a deeper dive into the movement and its legacy, the Bauhaus Center Tel Aviv, located on Dizengoff Street, is a must-visit. 

It serves as an information hub, bookshop, gallery, and starting point for many Bauhaus tours in Tel Aviv. Here you can find maps, guided walks and even self-guided audio tours to help you navigate the city’s architectural gems. The Bauhaus Centre also offers fascinating exhibitions that shed light on the personal stories behind the architects who transformed Tel Aviv’s skyline.

Iconic Tel Aviv Bauhaus Buildings to Spot

Here are just a few highlights you might come across during a Tel Aviv White City tour:

1. The Engel House on Rothschild Boulevard, one of the first buildings in the city constructed on pilotis
2. The Thermometer House on Frug Street, named for its vertical structure resembling a thermometer, a rare twist on the typically horizontal Bauhaus lines.
3. The Max Liebling House on Idelson Street, now restored as the White City Center, a space for architectural dialogue and exhibitions.

These structures are more than just relics of a design movement, they are spaces that have adapted to changing times, hosting galleries, cafés, offices and apartments, while still embodying a vision of harmony between form and function.

The Soul of the City

Part of what makes Bauhaus Tel Aviv architecture so compelling is how seamlessly it blends into daily life. You might sip coffee on a balcony shaded by a curved awning, wander past minimalist façades on your way to the beach, or find a boutique hotel nestled inside a carefully restored Bauhaus building. Unlike cities where architectural landmarks are separated by velvet ropes and entry tickets, Tel Aviv invites you to live inside its history.

This democratic accessibility is in keeping with the very principles of the Bauhaus school—design that serves people, with beauty born from utility. It’s also what makes a Tel Aviv Bauhaus walking tour such a personal experience. You’re not just seeing buildings, you’re stepping into the fabric of a city built by dreamers, architects, and visionaries who believed in the power of simplicity.

Plan Your White City Experience

If you’re planning a visit to Tel Aviv, consider carving out half a day to join a Tel Aviv White City tour or a private Bauhaus tour Tel Aviv experience. Many are available in multiple languages and offer insights not just into the buildings themselves, but also into the cultural and political forces that shaped their creation. Whether you’re wandering solo or guided by an expert, you’re guaranteed to come away with a deeper appreciation of what makes Tel Aviv so unique.

In a city that never stands still, it’s easy to overlook the quiet elegance of its past. But once you notice the clean lines and clever functionality of its Bauhaus buildings, you’ll start to see Tel Aviv with fresh eyes. Here, under the bright Mediterranean sun, the legacy of Bauhaus lives on—not just in plaster and paint, but in the rhythm of everyday life.