Tel Aviv
The word "Tel Aviv" (תל אביב) literally translates from Hebrew as "Hill of Spring":
"Tel" (תל) is an archaeological hill composed of layers of ancient settlements, symbolizing the past.
"Aviv" (אביב) is spring, a symbol of renewal and rebirth.
The name was inspired by a translation of Theodor Herzl's book Altneuland (The Old-New Country) and was chosen to symbolize the combination of antiquity and new beginnings.
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1909 is the official date of the city's founding. 66 Jewish families living in Old Jaffa competed for plots of land on a deserted sand dune—this marked the beginning of the Jewish part of the future metropolis.
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The city was envisioned as a Jewish "modern city" next to Arab Jaffa, with clean streets, parks, and European-style planning.
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In 1921, Tel Aviv received the status of an independent municipality.
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In 1949, after the establishment of the State of Israel, Tel Aviv and Jaffa were united into a single city—Tel Aviv-Jaffa.
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Today, Tel Aviv is the business, cultural, and tourist center of Israel, a city of startups, beaches, art, and a multilayered history.
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Jaffa was officially annexed to Tel Aviv in 1949, shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel.
In 1948, during the Israeli War of Independence, Jaffa, a predominantly Arab city, found itself at the center of fighting. Most of the Arab population fled the city. After the war, Israeli authorities sought to consolidate control over the territory and integrate Jaffa into the Jewish community. The official unification took place in April 1949, and the new city was named Tel Aviv-Jaffa.
Since then, Jaffa has become a historical and cultural district within modern Tel Aviv, retaining its ancient port city charm.
Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv — The Heart of the City
Rothschild Boulevard is one of the most beautiful and iconic avenues in Tel Aviv. Its history dates back to 1909, when the first residents of the new Jewish neighborhood Ahuzat Bayit decided to create a wide boulevard that would later become the city’s central axis. The boulevard was named after Baron Edmond de Rothschild, the great philanthropist who played a key role in the development of Jewish settlements in Eretz Israel.
Stretching for about 1.5 kilometers, the boulevard runs from the Habima Theater in the north to the Neve Tzedek neighborhood and Herzl Street in the south, where Israel’s independence was declared in the historic Independence Hall.
Rothschild Boulevard is designed as a long green promenade with pedestrian walkways and bike paths. It is one of the city’s most popular leisure spots: families stroll with children, friends gather for picnics, people play pétanque, listen to street musicians, and enjoy the rhythm of urban life. On both sides of the boulevard, Bauhaus-style houses form part of the “White City,” which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Along Rothschild Boulevard, you’ll find plenty of bike parking areas, children’s playgrounds, pétanque courts, and shaded benches. On Fridays, closer to noon, you can often encounter a colorful procession of Hare Krishna followers walking along the promenade with singing and dancing, adding a festive atmosphere to the boulevard.
Rothschild Boulevard is not just a street — it is a living organism that reflects the true spirit of Tel Aviv: open, dynamic, green, and cultural.
Old Tel Aviv Port District
The Old Port of Tel Aviv (Namal Tel Aviv) is one of the city’s most beloved coastal districts — a lively blend of history, sea breeze, wooden promenades, cafés, boutique shops, and weekend markets. Today it feels like a relaxed seaside neighborhood, but its story began long before it became a destination for leisure.
The port was established in 1936 during the British Mandate, at a time of growing tension in the region. When the Arab port of Jaffa faced frequent strikes, Jewish merchants and fishermen needed a secure alternative. Tel Aviv, a young city with big ambitions, built its own harbor just north of the Yarkon River.
For several decades, the port was a buzzing center of activity:
cargo ships unloading goods, fishermen repairing nets, warehouses filled with citrus destined for Europe. It played an important role in the city’s growth and served as a symbol of Tel Aviv’s independence and modern spirit.
By the 1960s, the harbor became too shallow and too small for modern ships. Activity moved to the larger, deep-water Port of Ashdod, and Tel Aviv’s port slowly fell silent. Old hangars and warehouses remained, but the sea reclaimed the docks, and the area waited for a new purpose.
In the early 2000s, the municipality launched an ambitious restoration project. Instead of demolishing the industrial buildings, architects preserved them, turning them into cafés, concept stores, design studios, and event spaces.
The most iconic addition is the sweeping wooden boardwalk, built to mimic the gentle curves of ocean waves. With wide open views, salty wind, and plenty of space for walking, running, and cycling, it is one of the most photogenic spots in Tel Aviv.
Today the Old Port is a favorite place for both locals and visitors:
• Cafés and restaurants overlook the water, offering fresh seafood, coffee, and long weekend breakfasts.
• Boutiques and design shops fill the converted hangars, giving the district its creative, slightly bohemian character.
• The Port Market features stalls with cheeses, baked goods, spices, and produce — a modern interpretation of the traditional Mediterranean marketplace.
• Street performers, joggers, families, and cyclists share the wide promenades from morning until late evening.
At sunset, the boardwalk glows gold as the Mediterranean catches the last light of the day, creating the relaxed, almost resort-like atmosphere that makes the port so popular.
Namal Tel Aviv has become one of the city’s most successful examples of urban renewal.
It combines:
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preserved industrial architecture
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modern design
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open public space
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vibrant food and retail culture
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the ever-changing presence of the sea
It is not just a tourist attraction but a beloved leisure zone for Tel Aviv residents — a place to meet friends, take long seaside walks, enjoy weekend markets, or simply watch waves crash against the old breakwater.
Whether you come for the atmosphere, the food, the sea, or the views, the Old Port offers a unique window into Tel Aviv’s past and a joyful expression of its modern coastal life.
Yarkon Park is the largest and one of the most beloved urban parks in Israel, stretching along the Yarkon River. It’s an ideal destination for Tel Aviv families, outdoor walks, cycling, and picnics — a place where nature and history blend seamlessly with city life.
The Yarkon River begins at the foothills of Samaria and flows into the Mediterranean Sea in northern Tel Aviv. The park started to take shape in the 1970s as part of a large-scale urban landscaping and waterfront development project. Today, it covers more than 350 hectares. Named after the river, much of the park runs along its banks, forming scenic paths, bridges, and ponds.
The park is divided into several zones:
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Rock Garden — described in detail in the section below.
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Cactus Garden — a peaceful area with a large collection of succulents and cacti, including rare species. It’s especially beautiful in spring, when many of them bloom.
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Children’s playgrounds — located throughout the park. Some are very large and feature rope structures, slides, swings, and even small water play elements in summer.
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Sports areas — jogging trails, cycling paths, football and basketball fields.
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Opposite riverbank — offering views of Tel Aviv University, which stands prominently on the nearby hill.
Practical Information:
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Parking: a large paid parking lot is available at the main entrance on Rokach Street (approx. 24 NIS per day).
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Cafés: the park has very few cafés, with just one near the central sports complex and another closer to the waterfront.
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Beach access: although the park reaches the coastline, there is no official beach at the Yarkon estuary. For swimming, head to Tel Aviv’s northern beaches.
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Opening hours: daily from sunrise to sunset. The main gates close after dark.
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Getting there: easily accessible by bike, bus (routes 5, 20, 40), or car. On foot, it’s about a 30-minute walk from central Tel Aviv.
Yarkon River and Park in Tel Aviv
Rock garden
The Rock Garden in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park is a unique open-air museum where visitors can explore the geological diversity of Israel. Stones and rock formations collected from across the country showcase its rich geological history. Each exhibit is accompanied by an information plaque, making a stroll through the garden both enjoyable and educational.
The idea of creating the Rock Garden emerged as part of the development of Yarkon Park, officially known as Ganei Yehoshua. The park was established in 1951 and further expanded during the 1960s–1970s. The Rock Garden was designed to highlight Israel’s geological wealth and provide visitors with an opportunity to study the variety of rock types characteristic of the region. Today, it covers about 4 hectares and is considered one of the largest rock gardens in the world.
Here you can find samples of various rocks, reflecting the geological diversity of Israel — from granites in different shades to stones with mineral and metal inclusions, as well as boulders of unusual shapes and sizes. Some rocks fascinate with their unique textures and colors, revealing geological processes that occurred over millions of years.
A walk through the Rock Garden allows you not only to admire the beauty of natural formations but also to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s geological history.
Location: Yarkon Park, northern Tel Aviv, along the Yarkon River. The Rock Garden is situated in the eastern part of the park, near Rokach Street.
Opening hours: Daily, until dusk.
Admission: Free.
Parking: Large paid parking lot nearby (24 ILS, no time limit).
Facilities: Picnic areas available. No cafés or shops in the park — visitors are advised to bring food and drinks.
Cactus Garden
One of the most unusual and picturesque corners of Yarkon Park is the Nahum and Yehudit Arazi Cactus Garden — a place where you can experience the spirit of the desert right in the heart of Tel Aviv.
The garden is at its most enchanting in spring, especially in April and May, when the cacti burst into bloom. Their vivid flowers — ranging from deep yellow to violet-red — create a mesmerizing display that draws photographers, botanists, and nature lovers alike. Since the blooming season lasts only a few weeks, a spring visit is particularly special.
The garden is fascinating for both adults and children. Here you’ll find hundreds of species of succulents and cacti from around the world, with information about their natural habitats and survival adaptations in harsh climates. For kids, it’s an exciting and educational adventure that sparks curiosity about plants and ecology.
At the center of the garden lies a reconstruction of ancient mosaics, inspired by Jewish and Roman designs. These artistic details add historical depth and transform the visit into not just a natural, but also a cultural experience. Along the garden’s edges, rose bushes bloom among the cacti, filling the air with a delicate fragrance.
Location: Eastern part of Yarkon Park, near Rokach Street (entrance from Namir).
Admission: Free.
Opening hours: Daily until sunset.
Best for: All ages, especially recommended for families with children.
Best time to visit: April–May, during the cactus bloom. This is the chance to see the garden at its most spectacular, enjoy the beauty of the mosaics, and spend a refreshing day outdoors in the heart of the bustling city.
The Haunted House of Tel Aviv
In a quiet street near Tel Aviv’s bustling center stands one of the city’s most unusual landmarks — a building locals half-jokingly call “the haunted house.” From the outside it looks like a forgotten relic of the early 20th century: peeling plaster, ivy crawling across cracked walls, a wrought-iron gate that seems permanently locked. But behind the weathered façade lies not a ghost story, but a living, breathing piece of urban art.
The house was built in the late 1800s–early 1900s, when this part of Tel Aviv was still a small seaside town with simple stone homes and sandy paths. Over the decades the building passed through many hands — families, artisans, and eventually local artists who turned it into their studio and creative sanctuary. Weathered by time and the Mediterranean humidity, the house slowly took on the romantic, slightly eerie look that charms passersby today.
Once you peek through the iron gate, the reason for the house’s strange reputation becomes clear. The courtyard is filled with surreal sculptures: elongated clay figures, human-like shapes with hollow eyes, whimsical creatures made of iron rods, stone, and pottery. Some statues lean like tired guardians, others peek from behind climbing vines.
The atmosphere is both inviting and unsettling — an outdoor gallery where nature and art have grown into one another.
Despite its nickname, the house is not abandoned. It is home to a private art studio established by Israeli ceramic artist Rina Lerer, whose work blends folklore, fantasy, and raw emotion. Her sculptures, arranged around the courtyard in clusters, create the sense of walking through someone’s imagination — or dreams — or forgotten memories.
Inscriptions on clay plaques hang on the façade, written in Hebrew script, giving the place the feel of an ancient riddle waiting to be solved.
There are no ghost stories here in the supernatural sense. Instead, the nickname comes from:
• the unusual sculptures, which resemble spirits frozen in place
• the overgrown greenery that envelops the house like a secret garden
• the feeling that the building has stood still while the rest of Tel Aviv modernized around it
For many, the house symbolizes the soul of old Tel Aviv — artistic, eccentric, slightly wild, and full of hidden corners.
Although the house is private and not open for casual entry, visitors can admire the courtyard from outside the gate. Instagram photographers, art lovers, and curious wanderers often stop here during their strolls through the neighborhood.
It has become an unofficial cultural landmark: a reminder that Tel Aviv’s history is not only about Bauhaus buildings and modern towers, but also about quiet, whimsical places where creativity lives quietly behind ivy-covered walls.
Levinsky Street area
The Levinsky Street district is one of the most authentic and atmospheric corners of Tel Aviv. This neighborhood combines Eastern charm, bohemian spirit, and cozy residential quarters, making it the perfect destination for a Friday morning stroll.
The Friday market on Levinsky Street is a true celebration of aromas, flavors, and lively conversations. Here you’ll find everything from spices, nuts, dried fruits, and olives to cheeses, hummus, and freshly baked pastries. Walking here on Friday mornings is especially enjoyable, as the market fills with pre-Shabbat bustle and warmth. Alongside the food stalls, you’ll also discover trendy boutiques, electronics shops, and authentic vintage stores offering wall clocks, mirrors, shelves, and unique souvenirs.
The area is also famous for its cozy cafés, where you can try Turkish coffee, a za’atar bun, or a trendy vegan dessert. It’s a perfect spot to relax after your market walk — kids can enjoy a snack, while adults soak in the city’s vibrant rhythm.
Beyond the central streets, you’ll find quiet residential neighborhoods filled with houses built between the 1930s and 1950s. Here, a peaceful, almost village-like atmosphere prevails: green courtyards shaded by canopies, blooming balconies, old plane trees, and an unmistakable sense of homeliness right in the heart of a bustling city.
