Tel Aviv Israel bustling, fun, hip international city. With beaches, nightclubs, shopping and dining, it's a Mediterranean hotspot and the country's center for technology, culture and diversity.
The Scottish urban planner Patrick Geddes designed the master plan of the city based on a framework of central routes and boulevards. It was built to emulate European cities while fitting its Middle Eastern landscape.
Neve Tzedek
Neve Tzedek, the first Jewish settlement outside of Jaffa, was established in 1887, nearly 22 years before Tel Aviv was founded. After a period of decline, it has since roared back to life as a bohemian district replete with boutiques, galleries, craft stores and cafes.
The neighborhood is also home to the Nahum Gutman Museum, a place to pay tribute to Tel Aviv’s ultimate creator. Aside from the museum, visitors can visit Devorah Baron’s house or explore other local art galleries and ceramics studios.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Neve Tzedek is a sanctuary where you can escape into an idyllic world. You can do this by strolling through its shaded courtyards and visiting one of the many eateries.
Habima Square
The Habima Square is a major cultural center in the centre of Tel Aviv, and a popular meeting point for tourists and locals. It has a sunken garden that attracts people lounging and reading books, young families spending time together or kids playing in the sand.
This public major space is a part of a complex that includes the Habima Theatre, Culture Palace, and Helena Rubinstein Pavilion for Contemporary Art. It also features a fountain pool and flowers garden where visitors can sit down to listen to classic music.
Originally proposed in Patrick Geddes’ first master plan for the city, this project had the goal of creating a modern 'Acropolis' that combined all major cultural institutions. This plan was not implemented.
Today, the main focus of the square is the Habima Theatre and Mann Auditorium, which were refurbished as part of the city's centennial celebrations. However, the slick and glitzy appearance of the buildings does not reflect the original vision for the cultural centre.
Park HaYarkon
Park HaYarkon is a large, green, urban park located along the Yarkon River. It is one of the largest parks in Israel, and it attracts over sixteen million visitors annually.
The park features extensive lawns, botanical gardens, sports facilities, a water park and two outdoor concert venues. It also includes a bird observatory, a tropical garden and a lake.
A cycle path runs throughout the park from east to west. The route passes by a rowing center building, the Victims of Terrorism Memorial, and many sports grounds (including a 45-foot climbing wall).
Another interesting garden is the Rocks Garden, which features an area of 40 dunam filled with rocks from all over Israel. Between them are hundreds of species of plants from the Land of Israel.
Toward the western part of the park, there are a few areas that are especially popular for children. They include a mini-zoo with turtles and rabbits, a butterfly greenhouse, and playgrounds.
Tel Aviv Museum of Art
The Tel Aviv Museum of Art is the most renowned art museum in Israel, welcoming over 1 million visitors each year. It has a permanent collection of modern and contemporary art by Israeli and international artists, and features a variety of cultural events including concerts, dance performances, films and lectures.
The main building is a Brutalist structure built by Dan Eytan in 1971. It is the focal point of the complex, which also includes a sculpture garden and the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion for Contemporary Art.
A new addition to the museum's complex was opened in 2011 - a stunning architectural masterpiece by Preston Scott Cohen and Baranowitz + Kronenberg. The Herta and Paul Amir Building combines a series of rectangular galleries with a spectacular 87-foot spiraling atrium, and refracts light from above into the deepest recesses.
The exhibitions of the museum explore the different aspects of Israeli culture - ancient and modern history, archaeology, anthropology, folklore and art. Its themes are clearly marked to help you focus your visit on what's most interesting.