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Old Jaffa Port

Tel Aviv travel guide

Old Jaffa is one of the most attractive places to tour in Tel Aviv-Jaffa. The city which has always been the entry to the ancient land of Israel is succeeding, even today, its traditional aromas and fragrances which have always characterized it There is a marina at the Port and many people sail from here on pleasure trips.

At the top of the hill is the Franciscan Church of St. Peter, which was established in the 17th Century, in which it is possible to visit the room where, the clergy strongly claim, Napoleon stayed after the capture of the city. One of the most important sites for Christianity in Jaffa is the house of Simon the Tanner.

Historians believe that Jaffa is the only port in the world which can boast uninterrupted in habitation throughout its entire existence. The biblical account mentions that the cedars from Lebanon for the construction of King Solomon’s Temple came in via Jaffa. Jonah departed from this city in his flight from God. Greek legend tells of the chaining of the beautiful Andromeda to the rocks facing Jaffa’s shore. Simon the Tanner lived in Jaffa, and it was here that the Apostle Peter performed a miracle. Roman legions, Richard the Lion Hearted, Napoleon and Turkish sultans all conquered the city; but with the eclipse of the Ottoman Empire, the city’s vitality declined. Towards the end of World War I, the city was conquered by General Allenby, ushering in the period of the British Mandate.

The port of Jaffa, (the sole port at the time) served as the point of entry for the increased Jewish immigration which came to resettle the land.

A variety of sea trips leave here daily to view the outstanding sight of the horizon of Tel Aviv-Jaffa from the direction of the sea. From the Port it is possible to climb narrow steps to the top of the Old Jaffa Hill.

Charles Clore Park is Located just north to the Port and is accessible by the new promenade that will take you all the way to Tel Aviv – around 20 minutes walk along the Mediterranean beach.

For a budget accommodation, Old Jaffa Hostel is an excellent choice which guests are accepted personally located not far from the port in the middle of Jaffa’s Oriental Bazaar – lively during the day, quiet at night and within walking distance to anything you need in the big city.

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Ramat Hahayal

Ramat hahayal, located at the north-eastern part of Tel Aviv, is a nightlife center with many bars, fine restaurants and a live performances club. Ramat Hahayal is an industrial Hi-Tech area at the north-eastern part of Tel Aviv. In recent years, this area became a nightlife center, and many new bars and restaurants were opened there. It is where wealthy young people come to spend time, so the atmosphere is pretty elegant. Recently a new Hotel was opened by the Fattal Hotel chain - Leonardo Boutique Hotel Tel Aviv, designed with a brilliant collision of influences from the modern to the Renaissance which suffuses the hotel with a mysterious, magical and bohemian atmosphere. The hotel offers a total of 167 rooms, including seven disabled rooms, 17 suites including one Presidential Suite, two Deluxe Suites and seven Junior Suites. A professional business lounge, a gym, three conference rooms and an unique bar are waiting on the 9th floor. The Zappa Club (24 Raul Valenberg St., Tel: 03-6499550) in Ramat Hahayal hosts live performances every night of the week, mainly of local rock musicians. The atmosphere in most concerts is not too wild, and the performances take place while people are sitting around their table and chewing on snacks. The Zappa Club Ramat Hahayal If Irish pubs are what you crave, check out Leo Bloom's (24 Raul Valenberg St.), a traditional Irish pub in Ramat Hahayal. In Leo Bloom's you will find friendly atmosphere, Irish dark beers and traditional snacks. Sometimes there are live performances of local artists there, and all major sports events are projected on large screens. Moses (26 Habarzel St.) is an elegant grill bar that claims to serve the best hamburgers in the city. It serves other dishes too, but if you choose to sit there you must try the "Art-burger", which is superb. If you are looking for pasta, one of the best Italian restaurants in town is nearby. Pasta Mia (34 Habarzel St.) in Ramat Hahayal serves great fresh pasta and good wine in reasonable prices. If you prefer sweets, you should pay a visit to Max Brenner at 23 Habarzel St., a chocolate bar that serves also main dishes and alcohol. Even if you choose not to sit there, treat yourself with a small pack to take back to your hotel. It is definitely worth the trip.

Ha'arbaa Street - Tel Aviv culinary center

Ha'arbaa St. is a Tel Aviv culinary center in addition to hosting Cinematheque Tel Aviv, the best theater in the city and the home of well known international film festivals. Haarbaa Street offers a mix of "body & soul" – the acclaimed Cinematheque Tel Aviv is located on one end of this not-long street, while the rest of it hosts some of Tel Aviv's greatest restaurants and bars. Cinematheque Tel Aviv shows films of different genres and tastes, from Classical works of the finest directors, to contemporary mainstream filmmakers, and of course a wide selection of experimental and avant-garde pieces. Cinematheque Tel Aviv hosts several film festivals throughout the year, including the Comics and Caricature Festival in August, the International Student Film Festival in June, the DocAviv Documentary Film Festival in March, Icon Festival for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Role-Playing films and several foreign film festivals (Australian, British, French, Thai, Indian, Russian and Brazilian). Cinematheque Tel Aviv is located at 2 Sprinzak St on the Haarbaa St. Tel: +972-3-6060800. As for your culinary options, there are more than you can count. For Mediterranean favorites try Pahsa at 8 Ha'arbaa St. which offers authentic Turkish Kosher cuisine or Levontini at 18 Ha'arbaa. Seafood lovers should visit Kazanki at 16 Ha'arbaa, a nice restaurant and bar offering great variety in very attractive prices. For Sushi, don't miss Unami at 18 Ha'arbaa, a pretty fancy (and expensive) Japanese restaurant. For great atmosphere and Tapas, Tapeo at 16 Ha'arbaa is your place. And it ain't over yet - Odeon offers great steaks and Hamburgers, and the trendiest of them all - Messa Tel Aviv, at 19 Ha'arbaa, Chef Aviv Moshe's personal restaurant, with a design that was featured in world magazines and food to match its fame. There are several coffee shops on Ha'arbaa street as well, and if you walk a few steps to Hahashmonaim street (just around the block), you'll be able to find several additional restaurants and cafes, plus one of Tel Aviv's greatest wine stores, Derech Hayayin (Wine Road) at 93 HaHashmonaim and Lechamim, one of the best bakeries in town.

Yehuda HaMaccabi Street

Yehuda HaMaccabi Street is a chic area in the northern part of Tel Aviv, stretching from Ibn Gvirol Street in the west to the Bavli neighborhood in the east. It used to be quite the family residential area but has changed a lot in recent years to become one of the most desired real estate spots in Tel Aviv. The area has many small cafes, restaurants and chic stores, all accompanied by a laid back atmosphere. In the northern part of Yehuda HaMaccabi Street lies a charming little square named Milano square. Milano square is a great place to sit and have a cup of coffee in one of the small trendy cafes scattered around the square. Zurik (4 Yehuda HaMaccabi St.) is the most famous of which - it is quite small but has many tables outdoors on the sidewalk, facing the green plaza. Visiting there is especially recommended during weekends. In the eastern part of the street there are many other small cafes. Lehem Erez (73 Yehuda HaMaccabi St.), a chain of boutique bread shops, is a nice option for some great coffee and gourmet bakery and sandwiches, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (57 Yehuda HaMaccabi St.) serves quality coffee and different sorts of teas in a quiet atmosphere. If you are looking for lively atmosphere and younger crowd, visit Metropolis (53 Yehuda HaMaccabi St.) in the corner of Yehuda HaMaccabi St. and Weitzman St. Metropolis is one of the only places in this area that remains open till late at night and has a working bar with younger clientele. Yehuda HaMaccabi Street has many other small attractions. Only few meters from Milano Square you will see the very peaceful "Villa Spa" (10 Yehuda HaMaccabi St.), where you can spoil yourself with all sorts of body treatments. If you are in a shopping mode, Bourdeaux (24Veidat Katovich St.) is a unique antique store with imported items from England's markets, including furniture, fabrics and jewelry.

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