The Beaches

 

 

 

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Tel Aviv-Yafo boasts a stunning promenade which runs alongside the seashore that makes up its western edge. People walk or jog, cycle, sit leisurely on benches and fill their lungs with fresh air, while surrounded by the blue horizons. Dozens of restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlors are busy all day long, while pubs, discos and jazz clubs blossom after dark.

Regardless of the hour, human attractions abound – clowns, caricaturists, tattoo artists, hair-braiders, magicians and of course, the ever- changing parade of people strolling by. Right off the promenade you’ll find clean sand, lounge chairs, ice-cream vendors and diehard beach-lovers. Each beach enjoys unique characteristics and offers a variety of services, including lifeguard stations, kiosks, restaurants, children’s play grounds, outdoors gyms, and more.

Old Jaffa

 

 

 

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Thousands of years of history come together in Jaffa, one of the world's oldest cities and the birthplace of Tel Aviv. Old Jaffa, with its Old Port, markets, restaurants and unique atmosphere, is a top destination for visitors of the city. Enjoy shopping at the flea market, tasting legendary humus, or browsing through galleries and museums. 

Yafo is mentioned in the Old Testament as the port from which the prophet Jonah embarked on a ship before being swallowed by a fish. In modern times, the port served as the main export and import hub of the region, including for the famous Jaffa oranges. Today, local fisherman still use the harbor and the main hangars of the port have been restored and include art galleries, cafés, restaurants, various shops, and the "NaLaga'at Center" – a unique artistic complex operated by the deaf and blind community.

The Tel Aviv Port ("HaNamal")

 

 

 

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The New Tel Aviv Museum of Art

 

 

 

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The new Tel Aviv Museum of Art was opened in 2011. The Herta and Paul Amir Building, which was designed by architect Preston Scott Cohen and local Israeli Architect Amit Nemelich, is a dynamic structure made of 430 polished cement panels. The building hosts visiting exhibitions, in addition to a permanent collection of highlights spanning 100 years of Israeli art.

The Tel Aviv Museum is part of the city's main cultural complex, and neighbors the Cameri Municipal Theatre, the Israel Opera, and the Beit Ariela Public Library.

The Independence Trail

 

 

 

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Let us embark on a fascinating journey that takes us from a Hebrew city to a Hebrew state, a trail that begins with the founding of Tel Aviv in 1909 and ends with the Establishment of Israel in 1948. The trail includes the first homes of Tel Aviv built on sand dunes, the mosaic of Jaffa's history created by Nahum Gutman, the Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium, the Great Synagogue, the Haganah Museum, the first branch of the Bank of Israel, the monument commemorating Tel Aviv's founders, the statue of the city's first mayor, Meir Dizengoff, and Independence Hall – which originally was Dizengoff's home that he converted into the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. On May 14, 1948, it was also the site of the historic ceremony at which David Ben-Gurion Declared Israeli Independence – thereby coming full circle: four decades after the Hebrew City was founded, the Hebrew State was established in the very same place

The Rabin Memorial

 

 

 

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On November 4, 1995, after a huge rally in support of his government's peace policy in Tel Aviv's main plaza, Yitzhak Rabin was murdered in front of City Hall. A year later, the monument to Rabin was built at the spot where he was killed. Created by the sculptor Yael Ben-Artzi, the memorial is made of 16 basalt stones from the Golan Heights that are sunken into the earth to symbolize Rabin's roots and his deep connection to the land.

The stones are set at varying heights and lit from below by a red light, suggesting the everlasting light. The viewer feels as if an earthquake took place here – indeed, a political and social earthquake occurred right at this spot. Graffiti that were inscribed on the surrounding walls after the murder have been preserved, and passers-by often stop at the monument to pay their respects to Rabin. Thousands attend the memorial service held at Rabin Square every year on the anniversary of his death.

Culture Square

 

 

 

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At the end of Rothschild Boulevard are three of the city's most important cultural institutions: The Habima National Theatre, recently renovated and expanded; the historic Mann Auditorium, home of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra; and the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion, which houses contemporary art exhibitions and is open for free to the public.

 Connecting all three is the new Culture Square, designed by artists Dani Karavan.

The Carmel Market ("Shuk HaCarmel")

 

 

 

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The Carmel Market ("Shuk HaCarmel") is the city's biggest marketplace and a fascinating place to visit. It is essentially a long and narrow alley with colorful stalls lining its sides, from where vendors proudly present their goods.

Here you can find almost anything imaginable for the lowest prices in the city, from different kinds of bread and pastries, to tasty olives, dried fruits, exotic spices, and fresh produce.  Shuk HaCarmel stretches between the corner of King George and Allenby streets and the Carmelit Bus Station.

Nachlat Binyamin - The Artists Market

 

 

 

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Every Tuesday and Friday, vendors display their merchandise on small tables along the paved part of Nachalat Binyamin St.  Here you can find jewelry, ceramics, special toys, lampshades, and Judiaca among a vast and varied selection of handmade goods.
Besides the shopping, performance artists, fortunetellers and clowns wander around the market providing entertainment.

The market is generally open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:00 am until sundown. It is a wonderful place to purchase unique arts and crafts and special gifts from Israel.

Neve Tzedek And The Tachana (Historic Train Station)

 

 

 

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Several decades before the founding of Tel Aviv, Neve Tzedek was built as one of the first neighborhoods outside of Jaffa.  Its beautifully restored houses and streets preserve the romance of the late 19th century.  A walking tour of Neve Tzedek is a must for romantics, history lovers and fans of small, winding alleys.

On the southern edge of Neve Tzedek is the Tachana - the historic Jaffa train station. Built in 1892, the station connected Jaffa Port and Jerusalem, enabling pilgrims a short (6 hour) journey to the Holy City. Today, following extensive preservation and restoration, the Tachana's beautiful compound has been converted to a cultural and shopping center open 7 days a week. One of the historic train cars has been converted to include a special 3D show that unveils the history of rail travel in the region.

Also in Neve Tzedek is The Nahum Gutman Museum on 21 Rokach Street. The museum is dedicated to the painter and illustrator who immortalized the early Tel Aviv and Jaffa landscapes in his colorful paintings.

Neve Tzedek is also home to the Suzanne Dellal Centre, a bustling dance and theater complex that features one of the city's most beautiful piazzas.

Bauhaus Architecture

 

 

 

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In 2003, the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed the historic zone of Tel Aviv, also known as the White City, as a World Cultural Heritage site.

The White City maintains the world's largest grouping of buildings (about 4,000) in the International Style, also known as Bauhaus. The buildings were designed by Jewish architects who had studied at the Bauhaus School in Germany and escaped Europe following the rise of the Nazi regime. They created a new architectural languag characterized by its functionality and simplicity.

At first look houses in this style seem like simple cubic structures. Yet a close observation of the fine details reveals its characteristics: white walls, flat roofs, facades with air ways and shading ledges. The International Style can be best seen on and round Rothschild Boulevard.