Top 20 Attractions in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is known as one of the best seaside resorts in Israel. Moreover, the city is the business, cultural and economic center of Israel, so it is constantly evolving and changing. In addition to the magnificent beaches, Tel Aviv can offer tourists an exciting excursion program with a visit to the ancient quarters of Jaffa, the old port and the picturesque Neve Tzedek area.

Tel Aviv is a dynamic and modern city that preserves old traditions and at the same time is open to new trends. Dozens of fashionable clubs and restaurants await tourists on the picturesque city embankment, the ghosts of previous centuries hover in the narrow stone streets of Jaffa, the amazing collection of the Diaspora Museum is imbued with the spirit of thousands of years of wanderings of the Jewish people, who found their homeland only in the middle of the 20th century.

What to see and where to go in Tel Aviv?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Old city of Jaffa

Jaffa is one of the oldest cities in the world. The first settlements on its territory existed in the XVII-XVI centuries BC. The city flourished in antiquity, but was destroyed during the Jewish War. The restoration took place under the emperor Vespasian. During the Arab rule and the subsequent Crusades, Jaffa continued to develop as an important port. In 1268, the city was destroyed by the troops of Sultan Baybars I, after which it lay in ruins for 400 years. In the middle of the 20th century, Jaffa was merged with Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv old port

The Tel Aviv sea harbor operated from 1938 to 1965. After closing, the port remained abandoned for thirty years until it was turned into a tourist area in the 1990s. Today, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues are open here, and comfortable walking areas are organized for visitors. Once a week, there is an antique market on the harbor area.

Azrieli Center

A modern complex consisting of three skyscrapers - a triangular tower (169 meters), a round tower (187 meters) and a square tower (154 meters). All structures were erected in the period 1996-2007. The complex was named after D. Azrieli, an Israeli-born entrepreneur who took part in the creation of the project. On the 49th floor of the round tower there is a panoramic observation deck, from where you can look at Tel Aviv from a height of 182 meters.

Neve Tzedek

In the 19th century, the first Jewish settlement outside Jaffa was located on the territory of the modern Neve Tzedek region. Lands for building houses were purchased from the Muslims. Gradually, emigrants from Europe came here and built their homes, so the streets began to resemble the quarters of Krakow, Munich and Prague at the same time. During the 20th century, the area fell into disrepair, but was revived again in the 1990s.

White City

A group of districts in the central part of Tel Aviv, where the houses are predominantly white. The main development of this part of the city was carried out in the years 1920-1950 in the then popular post-war Bauhaus style, which implies functionality, convenience and minimalism. The White City was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a monument of urban planning of the 20th century.

Pagoda house in Tel Aviv

Built in 1925, which combines the features of several architectural styles. The house was built according to the project of A. Levy for a wealthy citizen M. Bloch. An interesting story is connected with its creation, according to which Bloch rejected Levy's original plan and turned to an American architect. But the latter did not take into account the peculiarities of local architecture, so his project was rejected. Then Bloch came to Levi again. In retaliation, the architect created a building where he mixed styles from different eras.

Palmach Museum

The exposition is devoted to the history of the Jewish combat units "Palmakh", created in 1941 to repel a possible attack of the Third Reich on Palestine. The units existed until 1948, then they were included in the newly created Israel Defense Forces. The museum has an interactive format. With the help of videos, projections and special effects, visitors are shown a "revived" history.

Diaspora Museum

The opening of the museum was timed to coincide with the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. Its collection is made up of exhibits that can be used to study the history of the Jewish diaspora scattered around the world. The wanderings of the Jews began 2600 years ago, when King Nebuchadnezzar II took Jerusalem and began to forcefully resettle the Jews from their ancestral lands. The exposition is devoted to various aspects of the life of Israelis in other countries.

Eretz Israel Museum

Archaeological and Anthropological Museum, consisting of extensive collections of historical artifacts found in the lands of Israel. The exposition consists of several pavilions, where ceramic products, jewelry, coins, dishes, mosaics, tools and other items are located. The museum was organized in 1953, five years after the proclamation of Israel as a separate state.

Tel Aviv Museum of Fine Arts

A large art gallery exhibiting paintings, photographs, graphic drawings, and sculptures. Separate expositions are devoted to design and architecture. The museum was founded in 1932 on the territory of the house of M. Dizengoff, the mayor of Tel Aviv. Today it is a whole museum complex, consisting of several pavilions and a full-fledged educational center.

Ilana Gur Museum

Ilana Gur is a self-taught artist and a passionate connoisseur of art, gifted with extraordinary abilities since childhood. Due to developmental features (dyslexia), she was forced to independently comprehend entire layers of knowledge. During her life, Ilana Gur created works from various materials, preferring metal. The museum was opened in 1995 in one of the old quarters of Jaffa in a house where a hotel for pilgrims used to work.

Israel Defense Forces Museum

Israel's main military museum, founded in the 1950s by D. Ben-Gurion, one of the founders of the State of Israel. The museum collection consists of various weapons, ammunition, equipment and military trophies obtained, including in the process of confronting terrorist organizations. A collection of gifts received by defense ministers and a fleet of government vehicles are highlighted in a separate part.

jaffa clock tower

The tower was erected at the beginning of the 20th century with donations from the inhabitants of Jaffa in honor of the anniversary of the coronation of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul-Hamid II (at that time the territory of Tel Aviv belonged to the Ottoman Empire). The structure was the first civilian building on which the dial was placed. Before that, clocks were installed only on minarets or church bell towers.

Sarona Market

Covered market, where you can "profit" delicacies. Its numerous shops sell vegetables, fruits, sweets, cheese, meat, seafood, and fish. Also in the market there are cafes, wine boutiques with a large selection of drinks and tea shops. Sarona Market has a branch of the Bishulim culinary school, which hosts master classes in cooking unusual dishes.

Carmel Market

The lively Shuk ha-Carmel appeared in 1920. Over the years, it has become the largest bazaar in Tel Aviv. The first sellers were Jewish emigrants from Russia who came to Israel after 1917. They opened small shops near their homes and sold food with household utensils. Today, almost all residents of Tel Aviv go to the market, as prices here are lower than in stores.

Flea market in Jaffa

A place where they sell antiques brought from different countries. Here you can find things that once belonged to emigrants of the early 20th century, mixed with completely useless junk. To find something worthwhile, you will have to spend a lot of time, but the efforts will be rewarded, and the tourist will become the happy owner of a valuable item. The flea market is one of the most colorful places in Tel Aviv.

Hanging orange tree

A pot suspended on cables, inside of which an orange tree grows. It is one of the symbols of the country. The fact is that after the formation of a separate state, Israel began to intensively export oranges, which allowed it to receive good income and resolve many economic problems. A local citrus variety appeared at the end of the 19th century and was called "Jaffa".

River and Park Yarkon

The park is located in the northern part of Tel Aviv along the river of the same name. It consists of six themed areas, including a rock garden, a cactus garden and a tropical garden. The park has many attractions, such as water rides, a bird's corner, sports fields, a playground and a go-cart track. You can come here to just lie down on the green lawn and read a book or take a walk along the shady alleys.

Tel Aviv embankment

The entertainment infrastructure of Tel Aviv is concentrated on the embankment. Even on traditional Jewish holidays, you can find working establishments here. During the day it is pleasant to sunbathe here on a well-maintained sandy beach, in the evening you can leisurely walk along the line of hotels, restaurants and shops, at night you can dance in one of the nightclubs to the music of trendy DJs.

Tel Aviv beaches

Tel Aviv is not only the cultural and economic center of Israel, it is also a popular Mediterranean resort. The entire western border of the city is a continuous sandy strip. City beaches are covered with light sand and equipped with all the necessary infrastructure for a comfortable stay for visitors. On the coast there is even a special beach for Orthodox Jews.