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About Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, “the city that never sleeps,” is a vibrant and exciting city buzzing with colorful culture, history, outstanding cuisine, and miles of sandy beaches.
Tel Aviv, a vibrant and exciting city, is a relatively new city in a country that has ancient roots. Founded in 1909 and built on the dreams and hopes of Jews who arrived there from all corners of the world, the city sprung up on the white sand dunes next to the ancient city of Jaffa – the very place where the prophet Jonah descended to escape from his God and on whose shores he was ejected from the belly of the whale.
The city was constructed at a dizzying pace, with each wave of refugees building a small community and enclave. The Yemenite Jews settled in the Shabazi neighborhood, and the Russians made Florentine their home. In the years preceding World War II, there was a large influx of Jewish refugees from Poland and Germany. The city became a colorful melting pot of cultures – the ubiquitous falafel stands along with Schubert's Piano Trio, sausage stands accompanied by native Yemenite melodies. As you head toward the opera and the concert halls, you’ll find oriental markets filled with the smells and sounds of Egypt, India, Iraq, and Turkey.
Each culture brought its own characteristic building style. The German Bauhaus from the 1930’s, with its straight lines, is a dominant style – in fact, there are over 4,000 Bauhaus buildings in Tel Aviv, earning the city the nickname, “the White City.” This international style co-exists with many others, including houses decorated with oriental features. In Tel Aviv, it is almost impossible to find a single house that resembles its neighbor!
As you walk from the famous Jaffa flea market toward the north of the city, the sights change quickly. You’ll see the colony of the Christian German Templars who aspired to lay a path to Christ and built houses with red tiled roofs. You’ll then arrive in Florentine, the "SoHo" of Tel Aviv - an area with outstanding wall murals and streets full of cafes and restaurants.
You’ll then reach the Levinsky Market and find food specialties of just about every nationality. There are stalls laden with spices, herbs, legumes, vegetables, cheeses, pickles, and olives. Among the shops, there are Persian restaurants that give you the feeling that you are in Tehran, as well as various Jewish, Indian, and Bukhari restaurants. Adding to the eclectic mix, you’ll find all the flavors of the Far East represented here- from Thailand, to Vietnam, to Japan.
Tel Aviv is the culinary capital of Israel and the place where an original, creative Israeli cuisine began to emerge - a blend of East and West. You’ll find everything from affordable street food in the bustling Carmel Market to gourmet restaurants that are deserving of visits from Michelin representatives.
Tel Aviv is also the most important cultural center in Israel. It is the seat of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra whose opening concert season in 1936-37 was conducted by Arturo Toscanini. This world-famous conductor came as a protest to the treatment of the Jews by the Germans when Hitler came to power. There is almost no evening in Tel Aviv without several musical events - starting with Israeli rock and roll, original jazz, ethnic music in the clubs scattered throughout the city, classical chamber music, and many concerts.
The origins of modern Israeli art were in Tel Aviv, home to painters who were influenced by the bright sun, the strong colors of the region, and oriental motifs. The city is dotted with galleries that present the works of the most important Israeli artists.
Local dance was also developed In Tel Aviv, with world-renowned contemporary dance groups such as the Bat Sheva Dance Group, which is based in the Suzan Dellal Center for Dance and Theater in the picturesque Neve Tzedek neighborhood.
Museums are also an important part of Tel Aviv culture. Don’t miss the newly renovated Anu Museum which presents the history of the Jewish people around the world from the time of the exile two thousand years ago. The museum, whose exhibits are engaging and interactive, is located on the campus of Tel Aviv University. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is an architectural gem and exhibits impressive collections of both Israeli and international contemporary and classic art. The Eretz Israel Museum houses collections of the country’s archaeology and traditions, including an on-site excavation of ruins from the 12th century.
Tel Aviv is also known for its vibrant nightlife – from underground clubs to rooftop bars, you can dance the night away.
A visit to Tel Aviv wouldn’t be complete without chillin’ on the city’s golden sand beaches that stretch for miles from the Tel Aviv port to the Jaffa port. There is a beautiful promenade and bike path which is lined with restaurants and cafes, and there are beach volleyball courts and enthusiastic paddle ball games all along the route. At the turquoise waters of the Tel Aviv beach, you’ll see an intermingling of bathers in a variety of swimming attire - from bikinied women, to Arab women in Burkas, to fully-clothed Orthodox women. And this sums up one of the most unique features of Tel Aviv – it is a modern, free city where everyone can do their thing and co-exist –secular, religious, LGBT, Christian, or Muslim.
Tel Aviv is the city where the language of the Bible- Hebrew- was revived after 2,000 years and adapted to be a modern language. While Hebrew is most commonly spoken here, you’ll hear a mix of other languages, as well - English, French, Arabic, German and Yiddish.
Lastly, and very important - here, in Tel Aviv, the State of Israel was born. On May 14, 1948, David Ben Gurion declared the state’s independence in Independence Hall located on the wide, stately Rothschild Boulevard.
Really, there is no other place quite like this in the world that was created just over a hundred years ago. Just stroll the streets and take in your surroundings! You’ll start to understand why Tel Aviv, like New York, earned the moniker “the city that never sleeps!”
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Things to do in Tel Aviv
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Looking for some interesting things to do in Tel Aviv? Here are some recommended attractions and sights for you.
art & culture
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Attractions in Tel Aviv
- Beit Ha'ir, Tel Aviv
- Bet Hatfutzot (Diaspora Museum), Tel Aviv
- Carmel Market, Tel Aviv
- Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv
- City Center, Tel Aviv
- Jaffa Port, Tel Aviv
- Nahalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall, Tel Aviv
- Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv
- Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre, Tel Aviv
- Jaffa, Tel Aviv
- Palmach Museum, Tel Aviv
- Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv
- Yitzhak Rabin Center, Tel Aviv
- Independence Hall, Tel Aviv
- Yarkon Park, Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv City voice guide
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Voice guided walking tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace. You can start walking at any time and stop whenever and wherever you like, for as long as you like. For RoutePerfect customers with our partner VoiceMap's mobile app.
A Jaffa Tour: The Story of its American-German Colony
Old Jaffa's Secrets: A Circular Tour from the Clock Tower to Yefet Street
Picturesque Neve Tzedek: A Tour around Israel’s Petit Paris
The Electrifying Story of Gan HaHashmal and Its Architecture
The Trail of Independence: Tracing the origins of modern Tel Aviv
The White City
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