Exploring Old Jaffa

Wander the picturesque byways overlooking the sea, explore galleries and antique shops, and dine at one of Jaffa’s atmospheric restaurants. By day, there’s the Jaffa Flea Market, which is full of vintage clothes and furniture, unique homeware shops, tons of casual but chic eateries, and lots of trendy cocktail bars.

Museum Hopping

Each one is lively and imaginative, starting with the ANU Museum of the Jewish People, the sprawling Eretz Israel Museum, and the daring Tel Aviv Art Museum. South of Tel Aviv are the uber-modern Design Museum, whose spiraled, multicolored façade is an award-winning exhibit in itself, as well as the Children’s Museum of Holon, which hosts the interactive “Dialogue in the Dark” exhibit that offers a glimpse into living life as a blind person, under the care of blind guides.

Joining the Israeli Food Revolution

Tel Aviv is the beating heart of Israel’s culinary scene. Dine here, and you’ll understand why Israeli chefs have been conquering London, New York, and Los Angeles. Even—or especially—street snacks and mid-range eateries, Tel Aviv is a world-class gourmand’s paradise. Good restaurants are everywhere, and there are several special zones, like the Tel Aviv Port, the Carmel Market, or the Jaffa Flea Market, where they are virtually wall-to-wall.

Street seating at a cafe in Tel Aviv

Shopping

Brash, original designer clothes make Tel Aviv a shopaholics mecca; you’ll find the best selection on Sheinkin Street, upper Dizengoff Boulevard, and the trendy Neve Zedek neighborhood. Those who want to experience the Tel Aviv life style, and enjoy hunting for treasures, should head to the large, chaotic daily Flea Market in Old Jaffa, the Tuesday and Friday craft bazaar on the streets of Nahalat Binyamin, the eclectic Friday flea market at the Tel Aviv Port, and the Port’s daily organic Farmer’s Market.

Relaxing

Superb shorefronts, from Jaffa in the south to Mezizim Beach in the north, encourage locals to chill out, swim, people-watch, snooze under an umbrella, or join in a no-holds-barred game of paddleball, known in Hebrew as “matkot” — revered as an Israeli national pastime. When the weather permits, Ellayoga, at the Tel Aviv Port and with a second location at the Sarona Market, hosts a free, Friday morning yoga class, on the deck in front of the Padani jewelry store, allowing you to gaze at the sparkling water as you lean into your downward-facing dog. Kikar Kedumim in Old Jaffa, Gordon Pool, Elifelet Park in Florentin, and several other parks host a similar yoga and exercise classes at sunset.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.