In 2007, New York City-based David Kaufman named Tel Aviv, your disembarkation point in Israel by air, the “Mediterranean’s New Capital of Cool”, testament to its growing popularity in a country with an amazing number of attractions considering it’s only the size of Wales.
The city has nine districts, the oldest of which is Jaffa, the ancient port from which the city rose. With its seaside cafe culture, relaxed nightlife and atmosphere of tolerance it could be any other cosmopolitan coastal city in southern Europe, although its population is overwhelmingly Jewish (93 per cent), one per cent Muslim and one per cent Christian. But within that context there’s great diversity. Get a copy of Time Out, for example, to find the location of a Bulgarian restaurant in the city.
The Sea of Galilee
Tel Aviv houses most of the city’s museums. These include the Eretz Israel Museum, known for its collection of archaeology and history exhibits dealing with Israel, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Housed on the campus of Tel Aviv University is Beth Hatefutsoth, a museum of the international Jewish diaspora.
Tel Aviv is also warmer than Jerusalem in winter. Jerusalem, however, is the best place for historical exploration. The Wailing Wall is one of the most iconic places for prayers; you will have to wear a hat and pass through a security grill before you are allowed through. Jerusalem, the Israeli capital, is a very mixed city and this may come as a surprise for the politically naive. Both Christian and Islamic culture is well represented although sensibilities on both sides should be observed.
The city is divided into four quarters:
Categories: Israel, Middle East, Tourism