Tel Aviv-Yafo: Beautiful Beaches Set Against a Unique Cityscape
Visit Tel Aviv-Yafo and stroll barefoot along sandy Mediterranean beaches, warm waters lapping at your toes. Peek back into the past with a trip to one of the city’s unique museums or witness first-hand the work of some of art’s greatest minds at an intriguing gallery. Explore city streets packed with boutique stores, shopping malls, open-air markets, and unique architecture. Experience a vibrant nightlife in a vivacious city where the past and future collide.
The Beach Life
Few would argue that the top draw in all of Tel Aviv is its beautiful sandy beaches. With 16 beaches set across a nine-mile stretch of the Mediterranean Sea, there’s plenty of room for everyone when it comes to living the beach life. Whether you’re planning on swimming, boating, diving, kayaking, parasailing, or simply looking to soak in the rays, there’s a spot on the beach that’s just right for you. Some beaches are dog-friendly, while Religious Beach, often frequented by Orthodox Jews, offers separate bathing periods for men (Mon/Wed/Fri) and women (Sun/Tue/Thu). Flanking these beautiful beaches is a vibrant promenade, complete with restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels, and a host of other features. It’s possible to walk the promenade from the Old Port all the way to Jaffa, a walk that will treat you to impressive sights and the freshest of fresh air. Be sure to take in the sunset while you’re here too – it’s said to be something truly special.
The White City
Leaving the beach behind, the city of Tel Aviv houses a wide range of fascinating attractions and must-visit destinations. Perhaps the most impressive of all of these is the expansive collection of buildings designed in a Bauhaus style. There are said to be more than 4,000 buildings in the city that adopt this modernist architectural design, including houses, apartment blocks, hotels, museums, corporate buildings, and more. That’s more than anywhere else in the world. Visit the Bauhaus Centre and Bauhaus Museum to learn more, or book a walking tour and see many of these buildings first hand. The White City, an area of the city where many of these buildings can be found, was selected as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2003.
Museums & Attractions
Tel Aviv is home to an array of museums and other attractions. Travellers interested in history may enjoy a trip to Beit Hatfutsot (the Museum of the Jewish People), a museum that uses dioramas, interactive displays, and historical artefacts to describe life in the Jewish diaspora. Meanwhile, the Eretz Israel Museum looks at Israel’s history and culture through art, pottery, mosaics, and more. For the artistically inclined, the works of the likes of Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh reside within the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, while the Rubin Museum focuses on the work Israel’s most famous painter, Reuven Rubin. Other popular city destinations include Hayarkon Park, the most visited urban park in the country; Independence Hall, where Israel’s independence was declared in 1948; and Bialik Street’s mosaic-covered fountain. All of these attractions are within walking distance of virtually any hotel in the city.
Exploring Old Jaffa
Dating back some 4,000 years, Jaffa (or Yafo) was once one of the oldest ports in the world. Today, the historical settlement – located one mile south of Tel Aviv city centre – no longer welcomes ships and sailboats but it remains a firm favourite with tourists, who are willing to leave their hotels behind and make the pleasant trek along the promenade to the neighbourhood. Many visitors enjoy a trip to the Artists’ Quarters, home to painters, craftspeople, and other creative types. The Visitors’ Centre at Kedumim Square offers a chance to travel back in history and explore Jaffa in its more vibrant days, while the likes of the Monastery of St Peter, the Mahmoudiya Mosque, and St Michael’s Church are all worth a visit. Take a pleasant afternoon stroll around the neighbourhood, making sure you stop by the Clock Tower and the Wishing Bridge, two essential stops on any tour of Old Jaffa.
Shopping, Dining, Partying
You’ll find there’s no shortage of shopping options in Tel Aviv. Travellers looking to splash the cash or give their credit card a workout should head for Dizengoff Street and the expansive Dizengoff Centre shopping mall. Alternatively, trendy Rothschild Avenue and Sheinkin Street both house an assortment of independent shops and retailers. For something altogether different, Carmel Market offers everything from food and clothes to souvenirs and household items. There’s no shortage of good eats here either. You’ll find street food, fast food outlets, upscale eateries, hotel restaurants, coffee shops, and much more as you traverse the city streets. After dinner, it’s time to party. Locals know that New York isn’t the only city that never sleeps either – Tel Aviv is world-renowned for its lively nightlife. With a slew of bars and nightclubs within the city centre, it’s not hard to find somewhere to grab a beer, watch a band, or just dance the night away.