Old Town & Port of Jaffa, Tel Aviv
Credit: Xantana
Carmel Market, Tel Aviv
Credit: J. Schweers
NEIGHBORHOODS
Tel Aviv is officially named Tel Aviv-Yafo, reflecting the fact that
the city has grown beside (and absorbed) the ancient port of Yafo,
commonly known as Jaffa, and spans the coast approximately 10 miles
from south to north in rectangular fashion. The city developed in this
northerly direction from Jaffa and was only founded in 1909 when the
walls of Jaffa could no longer contain its residents. Today travelers
can experience unique finds in virtually any part of the city.
The north is filled with some of Tel Aviv’s wealthier, suburban
neighborhoods. You will also find Tel Aviv University with its beautiful
sprawling campus, and Joshua Gardens, similar to New York’s Central
Park. A beautiful place to watch the sunset before dinner is Tel Aviv
Port, which is a ritzy scene of restaurants, clubs and nightlife. Hungry
for fish? Try Benny the Fisherman, an upscale seafood restaurant with
a signature-prepared fried whole fish.
In Central Tel Aviv, travelers can enjoy the bustling beach life at the
Shore Promenade. Most of the beaches here are busy (head up to the
beaches in the north or south to Jaffa, if you want a bit of solitude)
with lots to do. There are plenty of chairs and umbrellas for rent,
large lifeguard posts, bathrooms, outdoor showers, beach-gear shops
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and playgrounds. Don’t miss a nice little bar and restaurant called
Bistro Masada overlooking the promenade on HaYarkon Street. You
can don your flip flops and sarongs and enjoy some fresh and tasty
cocktails, salads, and lamb kabobs in its open-air atmosphere. And if
you’re hunting falafel, head to Falafel Gabai on Bograshov Street. It’s
packed with locals (a good sign of authenticity), and is cheap (a rarity
in Israel). Central Tel Aviv is also home to small, beautiful streets with
charming cafés and shopping. Dizengoff Street boasts some of the
hottest shops in Tel Aviv for fashion lovers. Foodies will be delighted
with a visit to the Carmel Market where visitors take in the taste and
smells of a proper Israeli shuk (market, usually open air). Be sure to
head to Bar Ochel for a Goldstar (Israel’s popular dark lager beer) and
some of Tel Aviv’s best shakshouka.
The southern part of Tel Aviv includes some of the city’s trendiest
scenes, like SoHo and The Village in New York City. Here is where
one can find the chic and artsy neighborhood Neve Tzedek, with its
unique boutiques, bistros and intimate music venues in and around
Shabazi Street, the main thoroughfare in Neve Tzedek. Don’t miss the
Suzanne Dellal Center for Dance and Theater, which has an incredible
reputation for beautiful work.