About
Tel Aviv
A Tel Aviv holiday will captivate and inspire visitors to this continually busy metropolis with an energetic, unique atmosphere combining fun and excitement with that typical Mediterranean ambience and a rich helping of history and culture. Easily seen from a distance thanks to its exclusive seafront hotels and skyscrapers, Tel Aviv presents visitors with a mixture of gorgeous beaches, exotic markets, shopping malls, galleries, museums, concert halls, theatres and entertainment venues; busy, non stop nightlife and a wealth of excellent restaurants. One of the most well-known attractions a Tel Aviv holiday has to offer is the Diaspora Museum, or Beit Hatefutsot. This museum tells the story of the Jews - from being expelled from their home country through 2,500 years of continuing their heritage in exile in the most unique fashion. The equally popular Tel Aviv Museum of Art, which is located on Shaul Ha'Melech Boulevard, consists of an excellent collection of 16th through to 19th century European, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Israeli and 20th century art. In the north of Tel Aviv lies Hayarkon Park, which, apart from the magnificent beaches, offers the main opportunity to chill out and relax or simply have some fun. This giant park, which has the beautiful Yarkon River streaming through it, offers plenty of trees, greenery and a host of family activity centres.
No Tel Aviv holiday is complete without a visit to one of the city's three main markets. Bezalel Market, situated on the corner of Allenby and King George Street, offers a rich choice of picturesque falafel and other stalls, making it well worth a visit. Shuk Ha'Carmel, the Carmel Market, is close to the Hatachana Complex, a recently renovated historical site now offering cafes, shops, restaurants, and organic market and art galleries, as well as fun activities for families within a pedestrian only zone. Basically consisting of one long, narrow alley crowded with stalls along the sides, Carmel Market is Tel Aviv's biggest market and the colourful stalls offer everything and anything a visitor can imagine, from fruit, vegetables, spices and cheese to bread, pastry, flowers, clothing and footwear. The Flea Market in Jaffa offers visitors a mixed choice of modern and antique furniture, household utensils, new and second hand shoes, clothes and more. While there, visitors have the perfect opportunity to explore the rich cultural and historical experience that Old Jaffa, the old port city, has to offer. Visitors can also visit the Jaffa Marina, one of two marinas in Tel Aviv providing anchor for boats and yachts, yacht hire, diving and sailing services and repair services for sailing vessels. The other, main Tel Aviv Marina can be found right in the heart of Tel Aviv's hotel region, alongside Atarim, or Namir Square. To get the most spectacular views of Tel Aviv and the surrounding area, visitors can take advantage of the panoramic views offered by the Azrieli Observatory on the 49th floor of the Azrieli Centre in Menachem Begin Street, where it is possible to hire telescopes and audio equipment to enhance the experience and watch a 3D film about Tel Aviv. On Tuesdays and Fridays, arts and crafts festivals entertain holidaymakers with street performers, including actors, fortune tellers and musicians, and a wealth of interesting stalls selling gifts, souvenirs, Judaic articles, jewellery, ceramics, toys and more. Then, of course, there is the beach promenade; Neve Tzedek, a historical area of the city offering a selection of art galleries, the Gutman Art Museum and fine restaurants, the Eretz-Israel Museum in the northern part of the city, the lavish University campus and Bialik Square, housing the Bauhaus Centre, the Rubin Art Museum, Bialik House and the Town History Museum.
Other exciting, fun attractions for families include the Luna Park, which is the city's main amusement park, and the nearby Meimadyon Water Park; Superland in Rishon Letzion, a city an hour’s drive away, and Yamit 2000, another water park located half an hour away in Holon. The best time to visit Tel Aviv is during the months of March through to November, when temperatures are at their best and rainfall is typically rare. Those disliking high humidity should avoid the city in the period from June to September, as temperatures can go as high as 90 degrees F and humidity is at its highest.