Travel Israel: 48 Hours in Tel Aviv
Carmel Market Olive Stand
Travel Israel: 48 Hours in Tel Aviv
By Sima Greenfield
Sipping Turkish coffee on the beach, attempting to play makot (an Israeli paddle game) by the waves and off searching for the cheapest kebab are some of my favorite memories in Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv is a cosmopolitan city lined against the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. It’s a modern city with ancient history at its roots.
GETTING THERE:
You don’t need to apply for a visa in advance. When you go through customs have your passport, ticket leaving Israel and the address of where you are staying, ready. Visas are typically three months.
DAY 1:
Whether you take the free walking tour (available every day at 11 AM by The Clock Tower) or stroll around on your own, Old City Jaffa is a must-see area of Tel Aviv. This is one of the oldest cities in the world at an astounding 3,500 years old. It’s mentioned in the Bible as the location Jonah departed from before he was swallowed by the whale. There is a lot of history here and the relics to prove it. Also, Jaffa has a flea market with antiques, trinkets and apparel. In between vendors there are cute little coffee shops. (Address: Jaffa Port Road)
Old City Jaffa, Israel
For lunch stop by the famous Abu Hassan. Its hummus is arguably the best in Israel. (Address: 1 Ha’ Dolfin Street)
The abandoned Dolphinarium on the Tel Aviv Promenade
Tel Aviv Promenade is the perfect place for a bike ride, stroll or a jog. It lines against the gorgeous Tel Aviv beaches so you can find a sunny spot for surfing, tanning or playing makot. There’s 10 beaches on the promenade. Swimming is allowed with caution; there are no lifeguards. There are two great sights on the promenade, conveniently right next to each other. The abandoned Dolphinarium and the Ja’ama’a’-el Bahr Sea Mosque. The two sights exemplify the varying cultures thriving in Tel Aviv. (Address: Retif Herbert Samuel)
Stop by Carmel Market, vendors sell a variety of things, fresh produce, candies, souvenirs, clothes and more. There are lots of small kiosks with food and drink so you can even get some dinner to-go. (Address: Allenby, King George and Sheinkin streets)
If you still have energy, grab a beer in the Florentine area. This is the hipster area of Tel Aviv with a great selection of bars. Or go on Underground Tel Aviv’s website to find events in the area. (Address: South Tel Aviv bordered by Derech Yafo Street, Ha’aliya, Derech Shalma and Avranal)
DAY 2:
Tel Aviv Museum of Art showcases contemporary Israeli artists and European works from the 16th century to the 21st century. It has various media of art: sculptures, paintings and films. Each room is a completely different experience displaying a variety of media and points of views. It takes about 2-4 hours to get through this collection. (Address: 27 Shaul Hamelech Blvd)
> The Fire and Water Fountain in Dizengoff Plaza
Dizengoff Square is nearby. There’s nice cafes, different markets and an array of boutiques. The markets are a great places to get vintage items like clothes, Jewish paraphernalia (mazuzhs, menorahs) and a variety of other items. A notable piece of architecture is the Fire and Water Fountain in the middle of Dizengoff Plaza. The fountain was built by architect Yaacov Agam. It displays a show of flames and water every hour. (Address: Dizengoff and Pinsker Street)
For lunch Buddha Burger is an Israeli chain of vegetarian American style food. They have vegan options and delicious lemonade. (Address: Ibn Gabirol St. 86)
White City or Bauhaus Center is world famous. It’s based on pre-Nazi German architecture. It is noted for its white facades, rounded design and minimalist structure. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Address: Dizengoff St 99)
For your last night you want to go out in style. The Rothschild area has lots of clubs like Deli, Radio, Solo and more. Or if you want a more comprehensive picture of Tel Aviv’s night life try out the Tel Aviv Pub Crawl; it meets at Hyarkon 48 Hostel Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:30 PM. (Address: Ha-Yarkon St. 169)
A sunset on the beach of Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is the perfect blend of ancient and modern worlds coming together. Enjoy the beaches, the relics, the people and have fun!
BIO:
Sima Greenfield
Sima Greenfield loves vegan food, ghost stories and tanning on the beach. She is a recent graduate from University of New Mexico with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She travels in between teaching English in Madrid, Spain. Her blog sangriastainedlips.com focuses on budget, solo and vegetarian travel with a focus on creepy destinations. Her goals are too keep exploring and giving a new perspective to travel blogging.
