Not only does it live up to its reputation as one of the best party destinations in the world, it is also a hub of great food, art and has a liberal vibe to it
I have always looked down on cities which are known for their night life. That’s because I have always thought of them as places of excess. There’s too much of drinking and dancing in the night, followed by too much of silence during the day time. When I drove into Tel Aviv, Israel, I wasn’t expecting to yearn for more time in this gorgeous city when it was time to head to the airport two days later. Locals often refer to Tel Aviv as their “own little bubble”.
It’s a party hub, no doubt, but the city has such a strong character that it’s far more than just that. Staying over the weekend is a good idea, as Shabbat, observed on the seventh day of the Jewish week and is the day of rest and abstention from work begins on Friday at sunset and ends on Saturday after nightfall. This is when locals get into wind-down mode. Apart from having a great time, there’s a lot of history, art and culture that you can witness here.
With so much to choose from here’s what I recommend...
Iconic tales
A walk down Rothschild Boulevard gives a glimpse into the past of this wonderful city. Many of Tel Aviv’s iconic buildings and monuments like the Independence Hall is located right on the boulevard. This is where Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, declared the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. One of the interesting places here is the city’s first coffee kiosk, which is operational even today. Among some great joints is Benedict that serves breakfast 24/7.
Street-art stories
Street art is hugely popular here. Head to Florentin in south Tel Aviv. The neighbourhood known to have a mixed population is coming up as the art hub. Walls on every nook and corner see artists expressing themselves. From political views to irreverent art, there’s a bit of everything here.
Books on the shore
If you are a bookworm like me, you’ll appreciate the mobile libraries stationed at various places on the promenade. If you are here to spend a quiet evening, this is the perfect way to spend your beach time.
Everyone’s welcome
I visited Tel Aviv in the month of June. The annual gay pride parade had just taken place a few days ago, but June being the pride month, it brought forth the all-accepting vibe of this city. The Rainbow Flag, also known as the gay pride flag or LGBT pride flag, was hung from terraces of various buildings, shops and restaurants. The city is known for its open-minded, liberal attitude.
Segway experience
After walking along the shoreline the previous evening, I was handed a segway for my morning tour. Once I got a hang of the machine, it turned out to be an amazing experience. For those who have much to see, but have less time on hand, this in an ideal way to see the place.
Make merry
If you aren’t too sure where to head, you can ask around for a night-tour guide. But if you are heading out on your own, you should check out Kuli Alma, Sputnik Bar, Spike Easy, Lima Lima, Zoo Zoo Bar and Billie Jean among others.
Don’t miss your workout
The beach is nothing short of a fitness zone with locals indulging in all sorts of activities to keep them fit. There are workout stations installed at various places by the shore. People here love cycling. In fact, Tel Aviv boasts about 85 miles of cycle lanes. Known as TeloFun, the city’s ecofriendly bike system is a lot like the one in other cities around the globe.
Don’t forget to sample some hummus
Being in Tel Aviv is every foodie’s dream come true, but apart from the world-class restaurants, I would recommend heading to Abu Hasan Ali Karavan. I visited one at Ha’ Dolfin Street, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, to try the delicious hummus, which probably was the best among the ones I tried at different cities during my stay in the country.
Lounge about
If you are looking for a spot of shade on an otherwise sunny day, the beach huts make for a good place. Families often bring small picnic baskets during their outings.
Market mania
A stay during the weekend would be incomplete without a visit to the open-air Friday morning Farmers’ Market that is located at the Port. Once a wasteland, today it’s home to restaurants, galleries and cafés. On Friday, food producers sell fruit, vegetables, herbs, cheese, bread, tehina, wines, beers, and even flowers here. Sample the delicious food or just pick up some fresh produce to do your own cooking.
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