📸 Ben-Gurion Headstand Statue | Tel Aviv Beach Memories
📝 My Story:
Sometimes travel surprises you with something small but unforgettable.
For me, one of those moments happened on the sands of Tel Aviv’s Frishman Beach — finding the playful and iconic Ben-Gurion Headstand Statue.
There he was: Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, captured mid-handstand, balancing happily just above the surf.
It’s a sight that made everyone — tourists and locals alike — smile, laugh, and pull out their cameras.
The statue symbolized Ben-Gurion’s spirit of adventure, vitality, and optimism — the same spirit that shaped a new nation from the sands around him.
It was based on a real moment, too — an old photo of Ben-Gurion actually doing a handstand on the beach during his later years.
I was lucky enough to capture this memory on camera — just months before, in 2023, the statue was sadly damaged in a fire and removed.
Knowing it's no longer standing made our visit feel even more precious — a fleeting moment preserved in light and laughter.
You can find where the statue once stood — and many other incredible spots — pinned on my Israel Travel Map:
🗺️ View My Israel Travel Map Here
🗺️ Location:
📍 Google Maps (Historic location): Frishman Beach, Tel Aviv
📌 Quick Info:
🏙️ City: Tel Aviv, Israel
🅿️ Parking: Paid public lots nearby (easy beach access)
🚻 Bathrooms: Public beach facilities available
🧭 Travel Tip: Even though the statue is gone, the beach is still lively and filled with art, volleyball, and ocean views
📸 Photographer’s Note: Capture moments of local life — surfers, sunsets, beach vibes
🛐 Symbolism:
Playful spirit and vitality
Ben-Gurion’s vision of rejuvenation and strength in building a new future
🕰️ Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon for sunsets and cooler temperatures
♿ Accessibility: Excellent — flat paths along the Tel Aviv promenade
💡 Pro Tip:
If you're visiting Tel Aviv’s beaches today, check out nearby sculptures and art installations — the promenade is filled with surprises, even after this statue’s loss.
📸 Photography Tip:
Sunset light casts the perfect golden glow on the sand and surf.
If photographing sculptures or beach art, try to frame with low angles and include ocean horizon lines for a timeless look.
🎉 Fun Fact:
The real photo of Ben-Gurion doing a headstand was taken at age 71 — a testament to his playful personality and belief in physical vitality even later in life.
That spirit inspired the creation of the famous beach statue decades later.
🇮🇱 Want to explore even more?
Read our full story of our adventure across Israel!
Click here to view my full Israel Photo Travel Guide ➔
You'll find photo journals from every place we visited — from ancient Jerusalem streets to Tel Aviv sunsets!
