Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
With its wealth of recreational activities and sites to see, it’s no wonder this city receives over 2 million visitors from other countries every year. It’s not for nothing Tel Aviv is known as the ‘City that never sleeps’; visitors can shop at virtually any time of day (or night) and entertainment spots are plenty.
From its humble beginnings in 1909 this Israeli city has blossomed into one of the world’s most favoured tourist destinations, evidence of which is its being ranked 9th best beach city in the world recently by the renowned National Geographic.
Sightseeing and activities
The Azrieli Observatory is a must for sightseeing as it provides the highest viewpoint over the city. It is found in the 49th floor of the tallest building in Tel Aviv.
Apart from an excellent vantage point, the observatory furnishes tourists with a place to stuff themselves with delicious Mediterranean gourmet and also watch a 3D film on the city’s history. If you’ve never heard about The White City then maybe it’s time you planned a holiday to Tel Aviv to discover it for yourself.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an exhibition of a unique architectural style called Bauhaus. Most of the 4,000 buildings in this locale are white and built in the simple, smooth style that typifies Bauhaus creations.
Party animals will want to make Tel Aviv their holiday destination of choice as it has clubs and pubs of different flavours and moods among which they’re sure to get their fix. Want to chill out with your drink of choice while nodding to a selection of relaxing reggae jams? Pay a visit to Slow Moshe, especially in summer when the party moves outdoors. Hardcore clubbers will not want to pass up a night out at The TLV.
It is one of the city’s biggest clubs. If you would rather have a quiet drink and a game of pool at an English-style pub then you need to look for The Pub. Molly Blooms provides a nice Irish alternative of the same. If all you’re after is a place with no drama, an inviting ambiance and a good selection of booze, the popular Silon is the bar for you.
On paying a visit to the old port city of Jaffa which is now officially part of Tel Aviv, you will get a chance to splash about in the tepid Mediterranean waters or just laze on the soft white sand while soaking up the delicious rays.
Some of the best beaches in Tel Aviv to live out this holiday experience are the Hatzok, Tel Baruch, Gordon and Frishman beaches. These are venerable sunbather paradises featuring stretches of soft sand and a lively mixture of locals and foreigners. If you’re the sporty type you can join in a game of beach volleyball on the courts there.
For those curious about Isaeli history and culture there is the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. It contains collections of local artworks as well as those from further afield. The works of some of Europe’s leading lights such as Van Gogh and Picasso are displayed here.
Events
There is always something afoot in Tel Aviv and even in winter there are colourful events such as the Fashion Designers Bazaar. This glamorous spectacle held every January features mouth-watering pieces from top designers accompanied by plenty of beautiful music. The Passover feast in April is a very big deal in Tel Aviv as in any other part of Israel and is marked with a variety of celebrations and good cheer.