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Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is the liberal updated cool city in Israel. Here you can find a extreme variety of different people, foods and vibes. You can enjoy Tel Aviv a day or a year and yet this city will surprise you. Tel Aviv has a great Mediterranean beach on one side and the busy urban life on the other.

Tel Aviv is rich in museums and galleries, cinemas and theaters. The main being:

• The National Museum of Tel Aviv, Shalomo Hamelech st.
• Right next door is the National Opera house ( watch out of the statue on one of the path ways on the way).
• Nearby are also the Bet Ariella Library and the Philharmonic Concert Hall where there is a secret park.

There are two great spots to catch a great top view of the city. The first being the "azriely building" you can't possibly miss the two huge buildings as you enter the city from the main high way (Ayalon highway). These are actually a part of three buildings one square one circle and one triangular. The circular one is is the highest, with a view of the whole city on the top floor, there is a nice restaurant here called "2c".

The center of Tel Aviv is best to see by foot as there is a parking problem. There are minibuses called "monit sherot" that come more often then the bus, they don't have official stops so you can just hold your hand out to get on to one and ask the driver to stop if you want to get off. This service costs less then the public bus company "Dan", which are not a bad transportation, too.

The main shopping mall in the central part of Tel Aviv, and we find its the nicest one, is "Disingof center" on disingof street. (Dizingof was the first Tel Aviv mare).

There are all the famous Israeli labels. ("Stimatki " - the main book and magazine shop, "Hamasbir Latzerchan"- a big clothes shop). There is lots of things happening in Disingof center, a food marked of Thus-Friday, a spiritual festival once a month, and kids market (kids selling their old toys) during the school holidays (june-july). You can also find two cinema places here and Hagendaz ice cream cafe too.

Not far from The Center is "Kikar Dizingof" a small plaza with a big fountain, designed by Agam - a famous Israeli artist. Twice a week there is a small antique market just down the street, towards the Lev Cinema.

The coolest street in Tel Aviv is with no doubt "Shenkin", about 10-15min walk from Dizingof (depending on how much you stop to check out the shops on the way...) Walking on King George st.

When you get to the intersection of King George and Alenbi (look out of the big hat shop) is the beginning of shenkin. Shenkin is the place to be, sit or walk. Lots of nice cafes and designer shops, small synagogue and park in the middle and the amazing Rotshiled Boulevard crossing as you come towards the end of the street.

"Orna and Ella" is a lovely little place with great food and wine and not too expensive, (definitely try the small sweet potato cake).

There are a few really good music shops on this street. The "krenbo" one best for trance music and the "haozen hashlishit" (-the third ear), a bit further up. The music shop has a huge variety of vinyl albums as well as CDs. The shop is divided to different parts along the street (jazz and oriental, classical and pop).

Around "shenkin" are many nice streets (Pairberg, Meltet and Brener), You can check out Nachmani for "Newar cafe" with the best snitzel in Tel aviv or "Noa cafe" on Ehad haam if you prefer a library cafe.

We recommend you to take the time to enjoy a walk down Rothchild Bl and have a look at the Bauhaus architecture you will find *on many of the houses. The sweet "Be-rethchild" cafe is on the boulevard itself, with cafe, croissants and delicious sandwiches.

If you are here on Tuesday or Friday don't miss the artist market on "Nahalat Binyamin" pathway. Its the best spot in Tel Aviv to buy the most unique presents most of them original hand made.

If you continue to walk all the way to the end of Rothchild Bl, you will reach "Hertzel st", if you turn right you'll be on your way to "Migdal Shalom", the really tall building ahead. This is the second best spot to check out the view of Tel Aviv from above.

If you go towards the beach (west), you will reach the lovely sweet "Neve tzadek" neighborhood, by far the most charming one in Tel Aviv. The small streets, arty houses and many hidden magical spots.

The famous "Susan Dalal" center is located in the middle of this neighborhood, this is "Bat Sheva's" (-Israel's best modern dance group). You can find information on what performances are held at the moment, and about different prices at the front desk. Its a beautiful site to have a look, even if you do not enjoy dance shows, restaurants and cafes surround the delightful area.

We can recommend the italian "Belini" restaurant inside "susan dalal" itself, and also the sweet "susana" just outside (best know for its mazets).

Tel Aviv has a lively night life, lots of bars, pubs and dance clubs. Walking on Allenbi you can check out the the loud sleazy night clubs, and pubs. We recommend the good bar or the minzar, as the best places to drink.