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Sightseeing Overview
The Tel Aviv-Jaffa city centre is a long, narrow strip along the seashore. Jaffa (locally called, and written, Yafo) is located south of the modern city, while Ramat Aviv, home of Tel Aviv University and the extensive Eretz Israel Museum, is located on the outskirts of north Tel Aviv on the other side of the river Yarkon.
Along the prized city-centre coastline are many upscale hotels, and prestigious residential and commercial centres, such as Opera Tower. Continuing north is the dormitory town and beach resort Herzliya. To the east and south of Tel Aviv are the residential suburbs of Ramat Gan, Giv’atayim, Holon and beach resort Bat Yam.
All the various quarters of central Tel Aviv have their own unique attractions and to get a flavour of this enigmatic city, visitors should spend time wandering the streets.
North Tel Aviv is generally more prosperous, while Allenby Street, which runs south-east from the city centre and beach, can be very seedy in places.
In the adjacent central neighbourhood known as Little Tel Aviv, there are excellent examples of the city’s remarkable Bauhaus architecture – Tel Aviv has the world’s finest surviving collection of this distinctive 1920s-30s style, totalling over 3,500 buildings. Many, especially around Rothschild Boulevard, have been handsomely restored.
The Florentin Quarter is lively and full of interest , with a selection of some of the best local cuisine in the city. Several restaurants located in this district are long-established small family businesses – the popular Elimelech, on Wolffson Street, has reputedly been serving the best traditional Ashkenazi food since 1936. Visitors should also feast their eyes on some of the bakeries scattered throughout the area, which serve delicious borekas (savoury-filled pastries) and other traditional snacks.
The narrow streets lined with old buildings in the Yemenite Quarter, settled by Jewish refugees from Yemen but now much taken up by young arty types, are still imbued with an Oriental, almost Arabic style contrasting with the rest of the city. The large and busy Carmel Market (the city’s main open- air food market) runs alongside the Yemenite Quarter.
Neve Zedek was the first Jewish neighbourhood outside Jaffa (established in 1867) and it is currently benefiting from extensive restoration. Over the years, it has served as a home for numerous artists and now houses various different galleries.
Tel Aviv’s major sights are its diverse and unusual museums, some focusing on Israel’s ancient history, some on landmarks in its 20th-century Zionist history, with very poignant records of the struggles of Jewish refugees, the conflict with the British and with the Arabs, and the first steps of the new state.
Among the most impressive is the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora, while in the old town of Jaffa, there are remnants of the history of the world’s oldest port, as well as another important museum.
However, perhaps the best of Tel Aviv, though, is the more frivolous side, especially its superb beach and promenade. And Jaffa remains the Tel Avivians’ perennial favourite, with a host of galleries, craft shops and cafés set against the landmarks of the Mamoudiyeh Mosque and St Peter’s Monastery.
All routes into Old Jaffa are busy as the evening begins. Climbing from the Ottoman Clock Tower to Kedumim Square, visitors can view the breathtaking coastline of Tel Aviv as the metropolis prepares for another night of partying.
When sightseeing or just exploring, visitors should be aware of the intense campaign of terrorism being waged against Israel. Although these attacks have been almost completely halted by the construction of the security barrier separating Israel from the Palestinian territories, there remains a risk that a determined individual may get through.
Popular crowded venues (busy street markets, family restaurants and cafés, crowded buses, student canteens, teenage discos) have especially been targeted by suicide bombers. Security guards have now been posted at the doorways or entrances to most such locations and it is advisable to be wary of venues that have not put any security measures in place.
To date, tourist sights have not been struck by the bombers, and Arab areas are unlikely to be hit except in error.
Along the prized city-centre coastline are many upscale hotels, and prestigious residential and commercial centres, such as Opera Tower. Continuing north is the dormitory town and beach resort Herzliya. To the east and south of Tel Aviv are the residential suburbs of Ramat Gan, Giv’atayim, Holon and beach resort Bat Yam.
All the various quarters of central Tel Aviv have their own unique attractions and to get a flavour of this enigmatic city, visitors should spend time wandering the streets.
North Tel Aviv is generally more prosperous, while Allenby Street, which runs south-east from the city centre and beach, can be very seedy in places.
In the adjacent central neighbourhood known as Little Tel Aviv, there are excellent examples of the city’s remarkable Bauhaus architecture – Tel Aviv has the world’s finest surviving collection of this distinctive 1920s-30s style, totalling over 3,500 buildings. Many, especially around Rothschild Boulevard, have been handsomely restored.
The Florentin Quarter is lively and full of interest , with a selection of some of the best local cuisine in the city. Several restaurants located in this district are long-established small family businesses – the popular Elimelech, on Wolffson Street, has reputedly been serving the best traditional Ashkenazi food since 1936. Visitors should also feast their eyes on some of the bakeries scattered throughout the area, which serve delicious borekas (savoury-filled pastries) and other traditional snacks.
The narrow streets lined with old buildings in the Yemenite Quarter, settled by Jewish refugees from Yemen but now much taken up by young arty types, are still imbued with an Oriental, almost Arabic style contrasting with the rest of the city. The large and busy Carmel Market (the city’s main open- air food market) runs alongside the Yemenite Quarter.
Neve Zedek was the first Jewish neighbourhood outside Jaffa (established in 1867) and it is currently benefiting from extensive restoration. Over the years, it has served as a home for numerous artists and now houses various different galleries.
Tel Aviv’s major sights are its diverse and unusual museums, some focusing on Israel’s ancient history, some on landmarks in its 20th-century Zionist history, with very poignant records of the struggles of Jewish refugees, the conflict with the British and with the Arabs, and the first steps of the new state.
Among the most impressive is the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora, while in the old town of Jaffa, there are remnants of the history of the world’s oldest port, as well as another important museum.
However, perhaps the best of Tel Aviv, though, is the more frivolous side, especially its superb beach and promenade. And Jaffa remains the Tel Avivians’ perennial favourite, with a host of galleries, craft shops and cafés set against the landmarks of the Mamoudiyeh Mosque and St Peter’s Monastery.
All routes into Old Jaffa are busy as the evening begins. Climbing from the Ottoman Clock Tower to Kedumim Square, visitors can view the breathtaking coastline of Tel Aviv as the metropolis prepares for another night of partying.
When sightseeing or just exploring, visitors should be aware of the intense campaign of terrorism being waged against Israel. Although these attacks have been almost completely halted by the construction of the security barrier separating Israel from the Palestinian territories, there remains a risk that a determined individual may get through.
Popular crowded venues (busy street markets, family restaurants and cafés, crowded buses, student canteens, teenage discos) have especially been targeted by suicide bombers. Security guards have now been posted at the doorways or entrances to most such locations and it is advisable to be wary of venues that have not put any security measures in place.
To date, tourist sights have not been struck by the bombers, and Arab areas are unlikely to be hit except in error.
Tourist Information
Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo/Association for Tourism
Main office: Tel Aviv Promenade
46 Herbert Samuel Street (corner of 2 Geula Street)
Tel: (03) 516 6188.
Website: www.tel-aviv.gov.il
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 0930-1730. Fri 0930-1300.
Information desk: City Hall Lobby
69 Ibn Givrol Street
Tel: (03) 521 8500.
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 0900-1400.
There are also tourist information desks at the Central Bus Station (sixth floor) and Ben Gurion International Airport.
Main office: Tel Aviv Promenade
46 Herbert Samuel Street (corner of 2 Geula Street)
Tel: (03) 516 6188.
Website: www.tel-aviv.gov.il
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 0930-1730. Fri 0930-1300.
Information desk: City Hall Lobby
69 Ibn Givrol Street
Tel: (03) 521 8500.
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 0900-1400.
There are also tourist information desks at the Central Bus Station (sixth floor) and Ben Gurion International Airport.
View Our Airport Guides for Tel Aviv:
(Tel Aviv) Ben Gurion International Airport
