Shalom, my friends! Welcome to Tel Aviv ...
Tel Aviv (meaning “Hill of Spring” in Hebrew) has been listed as one of the top travel destinations for 2020 and I can certainly see why. Located on Israel’s Mediterranean coast, Tel Aviv boasts 14 km of dazzling beaches, a vibrant food scene, buzzing nightlife (not that I experienced much of that as that is past my bedtime! Haha) and of course, fascinating history in every direction!
That is precisely why, when I had the unexpected opportunity, I jumped at the chance to visit this captivating country!
I had a fantastic time exploring Tel Aviv during our five day, four night stay in November 2019. Two of those being travel days, so I really considered it 3 full days to explore. There is so much to see and do in Israel, that I knew I had to be efficient and make the most of my time. I allocated one day for a road trip to Jerusalem, one day to for a road trip to the Dead Sea and one day to explore Tel Aviv and Jaffa (Yafo), one of the world’s oldest ports.
As soon as I mentioned that I’d visited Israel and shared photos on my Facebook page, friends immediately began asking for travel details. So, I am excited to get this Travel Diary out to you and I will be sharing my Travel Diaries for Jerusalem and the Dead Sea as well, so that hopefully, they will serve as a resource to you when planning your trip.
With that said, let’s get started!
What I loved about Tel Aviv ...
1. Exploring Israel’s Ancient Port City ~ Old Jaffa
I started my day by taking a taxi down to the Old Port in Jaffa. It is important to note, there is no Uber, Lyft, etc. in Israel but when you pull up your Uber app, it actually enables you to request a taxi from the Uber app. Quite handy! If you do not use the app, make sure to have cash on you as very few taxis accept credit cards.
Just a short 20 minute drive away and I was transported in to another time. Jaffa, (or Yafo as it is known in Hebrew) is the oldest seaport in the world and has been in existence as a port city for more than 4,000 years. Jaffa is thought to have been the port from which Jonah left in the story of the whale in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Spend your time exploring the cobblestone streets, winding alleyways and ancient buildings of Old Jaffa. Stopping along the way to snap a few shots of the resident felines.
2. Make a wish on the Wishing Bridge
An ancient legend states, that anyone who stands on the bridge and puts their hand on their astrological sign and gazes out to the sea, will have their wish come true!
The Wishing Bridge connects Peak Park with Kdumim Square. At the entrance to the bridge is a stone mosaic of the zodiac and on the bridge are bronze statues with the twelve astrological signs.
Stop, put your hand on your sign, gaze out to sea and make a wish!
3. Amazing views of Tel Aviv from the top of Old Jaffa Hill
In addition to the amazing views of Tel Aviv, you will also find, The Gate of Faith. The Gate of Faith in Jaffa Park is a sculpture by the artist, Dan Kafri. The sculpture depicts several biblical scenes carved on it.
4. All the colorful street art
I’ve always had a love for art, including the fun and surprising colorful murals you find throughout some cities and Tel Aviv is full of them! I found the most creative expressions located in the port of Jaffa, the Jaffa Flea Market, Florentin Street and Rotschild Blvd.
5. The magnificent beaches
Walk along Tel Aviv’s promenade (The Tayelet) and soak up the beauty of the 14 km of dazzling coastline. After exploring Old Jaffa and the nearby neighborhoods, I chose to walk the 45 minutes back to my hotel taking in all the sights and sounds of the promenade. It’s a lively area with lots of activity. The boardwalk is filled with joggers, bicyclists, locals and tourists alike all enjoying the beautiful seaside views. You may even encounter a few street performers as I did, when I came across the guitar playing cowboy. Make sure to keep an eye out for the colorful lifeguard stations and the fun art pieces (like the Ben Gurion statue doing a headstand) sprinkled about.
As you’re walking along, you will notice that the long stretch of coastline is actually split into many different beaches, each with a bit of a different focus – family friendly, sports and activity focused, gay friendly … whatever you are looking for, you are likely to find it!
So, go for a leisurely stroll down the promenade, take in all the sights, grab a drink at one of the many local restaurants and watch the breathtaking sunset.
6. Did I mention the breathtaking sunsets?
I definitely have a thing for sunsets and I was thrilled to find that our hotel (The Hilton Tel Aviv) had a perfect view to watch the sun dip into the Mediterranean. If you are a sunset lover like myself, make sure that you make yourself available to watch the sunset from one of the magnificent beaches or from a rooftop. You won’t be disappointed!
The fabulous food scene
Another thing I absolutely love to do when traveling is trying out the local food scene. I do my best to avoid the usual chains you may find in the USA (Sorry, Hard Rock Cafe … although you were the jam when I was a kid.) I loved the food and drink in Tel Aviv and I think I may have eaten my weight in hummus, pita bread and falafel. Along with the aforementioned, don’t miss out on the tahini, aubergine with baba ganoush, kanafeh (which I had tried in Dubai and loved!) and of course all the fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables.
I wish I had taken more photos of all the delicious foods but they were likely gone before I thought to take out my camera. So, here are a couple of photos of one of the many hummus appetizers I tried and one of my favorite inventive cocktails from the Hilton Tel Aviv … I loved the Eliat.
I have to mention that on our first night, the concierge recommended a restaurant, close to our hotel that we could walk to. “Shila” by Chef Sharon Cohen. It was outstanding! Do yourself a favor and make a reservation as it is very popular and gets quite crowded. We sat at the bar and still had fabulous, friendly service and amazing food.
8. Additional areas that are worth a visit …
I also walked through the charming neighborhood of Neve Tzedek, one of the oldest in the city. The main street, Shabazzi is filled with cute cafes and restaurants along with a mix of quaint stores showcasing fashion, jewelry, art and pottery.
Did you know that Tel Aviv is also referred to as, “The White City” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as of 2003? The term “White City” comes from the Bauhaus style of buildings and you guessed it, most of the buildings are white. Tel Aviv boasts the largest collection of this style of architecture and you can find most of the Bauhaus style buildings on Rotschild Blvd. If you’re interested in architecture, grab a coffee and take a stroll down Rothschild Blvd.
If you’re anything like me and enjoy seeing the local foods, it is certainly worth stopping by the Carmel Market. Here you’ll find local fruits, vegetables, spices, and nuts. Try a fresh pomegranate juice and wander the market absorbing all the vivid colors and tantalizing smells.
Important to Note ...
The question of safety comes up quite a bit in my explorations as I often travel and sightsee on my own. First thing I would say, is that it is important to do research no matter where it is you are traveling. Research the neighborhoods and be up to date on any political unrest. Be aware of any possible protests, as my travels to France have often been derailed by trains being cancelled due to protests. Most importantly, just be aware and stay informed.
The questions I receive the most are regarding my travels to the Middle East. People are often hesitant to visit, due to everything they hear and read in the news, which is completely understandable. But I am here to tell you that I’ve had some incredible experiences in many countries in the Middle East, including my time in Israel. It is true, that Israel is part of a conflict zone and there can be violent flare ups but don’t let this deter you, just stay informed.
I spent the entire day sightseeing on my own in Tel Aviv and felt completely safe in the areas I visited. With that said, my morning began with the sound of air raid sirens and an evacuation from our hotel room. It was definitely an alarming experience but our hotel handled the situation well. Later, that evening the letter I’ve shared below was slipped underneath our door.
This is in no way a political post. I share this information, not to scare you, but for your awareness. If I’m going to share my travel experiences with you, I always want to ensure transparency.
Friends of mine traveled to Israel the week before my trip, as well as the week after. Neither reported any issues. Our trip just happened to occur at an unfortunate time. Even so, after the initial sirens and evacuations, activities went on as normal. I went sightseeing and everyone went about their day. The sight of military helicopters flying back and forth along the coast were the only reminders of the morning events.
Final Thoughts ...
I am so grateful I had the opportunity to visit such a vibrant city! I truly enjoyed my day exploring Tel Aviv and although, I only had one day to explore, I feel like I experienced quite a lot of what the city had to offer! Don’t let the media deter you from visiting Israel, just be informed and stay aware of current events.
If you’ve visited Tel Aviv, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below, such that it can serve as a resource for other travelers. I hope this post was helpful in planning your visit to Tel Aviv or at the very least, fueled a bit of wanderlust. Either way, I hope you enjoyed reading and if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below. I’m always happy to help!
Cheers,
Jen
Jen , you never disappoint! Your trip looked amazing. The sunsets are spectacular and the art work fabulous. So colorful! Thank you for this blog. I love your travels!
Ciao, Joan 😘😘❣️
Author
Thank you so much, Joan! I’m really happy to hear that. I’m so pleased that you are enjoying following along. xo