Tel Aviv (in Hebrew – “spring mound”) was founded as a Jewish quarter on the territory of the ancient port city of Jaffa, and later merged with it. This is the center of a colossal agglomeration of more than a dozen settlements, in turn surrounded by a ring of cities. In fact, this is a real metropolis on the seashore with more or less conditional borders.
The second largest city in Israel is extremely attractive for tourists. Located close to the international airport and only 60 km from Jerusalem. Staying in Tel Aviv, it is convenient to make forays around the country. At the same time, there are so many things in the city that whether you need to go somewhere is a big question. According to populationmonster, Tel Aviv is one of the largest cities in Israel.
One of the best urban embankments in the world stretches along the sea continuously, and the beaches are different from one another. The old city is filled with people at any time of the year. No less lively in restaurants scattered literally everywhere. And Tel Aviv belongs to the party cities. In those few months when the holiday season is over, it continues to seethe and boil until the morning, as if nothing had happened.
Districts of Tel Aviv
Administratively, Tel Aviv is divided into 9 districts, but residents and tourists use historically accepted designations. Therefore, no one observes clear boundaries between regions.
Not a single tourist passes by Old Jaffa (south of the city). This is one of the oldest settlements in the world; people lived here all the time, and one culture replaced another.
Without a good guidebook or guide, it will be difficult to understand this mixture of eras in the cramped narrow streets. It is convenient to come here from the embankment, there are observation platforms, several inexpensive markets (including flea and food markets), many cafes and restaurants, and art galleries.
The fish-smelling old port, with its “antique” boats and boat tours along the beaches, is also a must on the itinerary. But it is difficult to settle in Old Jaffa – there are few offers (mostly apartments), hotels go along the sea or are concentrated in New Jaffa.
Neve Tzedek. Historically, the first Jewish quarter adjoining the city (second half of the 19th century), from which Tel Aviv grew. Now it is a small respectable area with low-rise buildings, designer shops and cafes. The restored railway station and the Susan Delal dance center are of interest here.
“White City” – the original quarter in the Bauhaus style of houses in 2-3 floors with columns and gardens on the roofs (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List). The same houses are in the Florentine district, which is often compared to New York’s Soho. This is a budget area that is preferred by students – catering establishments are among the cheapest in the city. Business City adjoins them.
In the central and northern parts of the city (the North Port area, the university Ramat Aviv, the atmospheric Kerem Hatemanim with markets and graffiti) there are fewer historical sites, but they are no less busy and filled with tourists. Shops, hotels, sports and night clubs, modern buildings.
Tel Aviv Hotels
Tel Aviv has a wide range of accommodation options, from budget campsites and hostels to luxurious five-star hotels. Most of them are located in the city center, on the tourist Dizengoff Square, as well as along the beach line (Yarkon Street and a little further away – Ben-Yehuda Street). The average cost of living is high, a double room in a 3 * hotel will cost from 430 ILS.
Most of the accommodation facilities do not have a “star” rating at all, since apart-hotels or separately rented apartments prevail here. Breakfast can be ordered separately, the room will have a kitchenette. Apartments in the center or by the sea will cost from 650 ILS.
Cheap hotels should be looked for in the south of the city, away from the sea, and Israelis who know the value of money, who come here for the weekend, prefer to stay in the immediate vicinity: Ramat Gan, Bat Yam, Holon and Givatayim, where prices per night are lower in times (an average of 450 ILS for two).
There are not so many international-level chain hotels (from 1200 ILS per room), families with children can choose among hotel complexes with swimming pools (from 1000 ILS). There are far fewer hostels than luxury hotels. A bed in a dormitory room – from 140 ILS.
Communication and Wi-Fi
It is worth buying a local SIM card if you need mobile internet. The rates of our operators in roaming are quite comparable with the rates within Israel for foreign calls, which is very expensive.
There are 4 cellular operators in the Israeli market: budget Hotmobile and Pelephone, Partner (former Orange), Cellphone. Each of them offers tariffs without a monthly fee, we are talking about prepaid tariffs with a paid limit. The minimum cost is 23 ILS, 12 GB of traffic are included.
It is easier to buy a SIM card at the airport, city kiosks, gas stations or post offices.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the airport, in almost all shopping centers, cafes and restaurants. It also covers the areas around the main attractions, the most visited beaches and parks in Tel Aviv. The speed usually exceeds 2-3 Mb/s.
Diving in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv has created conditions for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. There are stations on the central beaches (“Hilton”), on the northern (“Tel-Barukh”) and southern ones (the “Drummers” beach next to the dolphinarium). Beginners prefer the last beach, as it is protected by breakwaters. There are also quite popular budget clubs. The cost of an individual lesson with an instructor and an hour of independent skiing (total 1.5 hours) – from 250 ILS.
Tel Aviv is also one of the diving centers in the Mediterranean. There are several clubs in the city, many of which are branches of clubs in Eilat (Red Sea). The debate about whether to dive off the coast of the Mediterranean between divers does not subside. Off the coast of Tel Aviv, there are several interesting diving sites at different depths (10-35 m) – from natural canyons, where there are a lot of marine life (turtles, rays, squids), to sunken ships. The descent is carried out under the supervision of an instructor.
The most interesting diving sites are located north of Tel Aviv. So, divers chose the Caesarea reserve, 60 km from the city, as well as Nahariya (more than 125 km to the north) – the nearest city to the caves and grottoes of Rosh HaNikra and the Akhziv nature reserve.
Weather
The Mediterranean climate provides almost uniform warming throughout the year. The hottest months, July and August, can suddenly give way to April or May, when heat waves also occur. At the same time, autumn is noticeably hotter than spring – summer temperatures are confidently held in September and October, giving way in November to comfortable warmth comparable to April.
Mild winters (December to March) are only 10 degrees below summer temperatures. For three months, most of the annual rainfall falls, in November or March it rains twice as rarely, and in summer there is none at all. Due to the warm winter, the sea does not have time to cool down: the coldest water is in March (+17 °C), in December (+20) it is quite suitable for swimming.
