Tel Aviv/Jaffa (original) (raw)

Jaffa (Yafo in Hebrew, Yaffa in Arabic, archaically Joppa) is the oldest part of Tel Aviv-Yafo. It is south of the Tel Aviv city center.

Jaffa is the most ancient city centre and port within the Tel Aviv region. Before the new Jewish city of Tel Aviv was founded in 1908 in the sand dunes north of Jaffa, Jaffa was the main settlement for Arabs, Jews and the various waves of occupiers (Turks, British, etc.). Today, Jaffa is a southern suburb of Tel Aviv, and the main concentration of Arab population in the Tel Aviv area. Like other nearby areas, it is beginning to undergo gentrification from downtown Tel Aviv.

Jaffa clock tower

Walk south from central Tel Aviv along the beach promenade, until you reach the clock tower at the northern outskirts of Jaffa.

Maybe the best way to visit Jaffa from Tel Aviv. There are a lot of Tel-O-Fun rental stations in the Tel Aviv/Jaffa area.

Many bus routes go here from central Tel Aviv.

The interesting sites in Jaffa are very close together, and walking is the best way to get between them.

32.0545234.751947 Old Jaffa and port (יפו העתיקה) (southwest of the Yarkon street), ☏ +972 3-603-7700, +972 3-603-7686, tourism@oldjaffa.co.il. One of the oldest ports in the world, and formerly the biggest seaport in Israel. This is the point where Jonah reputedly boarded a ship and was later swallowed by a big fish. Today the port and the area close to it have become a quaint, interesting renovated district. The port holds various shops, restaurants and events. See websites for Jaffa port and Old Jaffa.

• 32.05534.7544448 [dead link] Old Jaffa Museum. This complex, built in the 13th century, was the Ottoman government headquarters. It is used for art exhibitions.
• 32.053734.75289 Ramesses Gate. Archaeological remains from the 16th century BCE which can be freely viewed. However, they are hard to appreciate without a tour guide.
• 32.0532634.7520210 Zodiac alleys. A network of restored alleys, full of art galleries, which lead to the Jaffa seaport. The alleys are named after the signs of the zodiac.
• 32.0567134.7505911 Andromeda's rock. The rock in Jaffa harbor to which, according to Greek myth, Andromeda was tied before being rescued by Perseus.
• 32.0542734.7524912 Wishing Bridge. The myth says if you touch your zodiac sign and face the sea, your wish will come true.
• 32.055634.752813 al-Bahr Sea Mosque. Built in 1675, this is the oldest surviving mosque in Jaffa. Due to its proximity to the sea, it is still used by fishermen and sailors, as it has been for centuries.
• 32.054834.752114 St. Peter's Catholic Church, Wishing Bridge, ☏ +972 3-6822871. A Franciscan church, built in the 19th century on the remains of Crusaders' fortress, which serves also as a hostel. It is said that Napoleon stayed in that church while it was a hostel. (updated May 2020)
• 32.055334.752315 Saint Nicholas Monastery (מנזר ניקולאס הקדוש). Armenian monastery at least a 1,000 years old. (updated Sep 2023)
• 32.0543734.7509616 Saint Archangel Michael Monastery. Greek Orthodox church, the original building dating back to the 17th century was destroyed in a fire in 1963. It was rebuilt in 1994. (updated Sep 2023)
• 32.0521734.7515917 St. George's Church. Greek Orthodox church. (updated Sep 2023)

Tourists flock to Jaffa mainly to wander around and enjoy the picturesque views and the local food joints and hunt for bargains in the shops and markets. If you would like to understand the history and significance of particular places in Jaffa better, a guided tour may be a good idea.

• 32.0533434.755711 Flea Market and Bazaar (Shuk HaPishpeshim). An outdoor market where you can buy almost anything for low prices. Especially good for antiques.

• 32.0543734.755861 Abouelafia and Sons (100 m south of the clock tower). 24/7. The most famous bakery in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, if not in the entire country. Mounds of pastries and confectioneries. Israelis drive for miles to visit this bakery.

• 32.05505834.7527492 Aladin, Mifrats Shlomo Promenade 5 (park in Old Yafo). Seafood, great location, food gets mixed reviews. (updated Dec 2018)

• 32.04936134.7574073 Ali Karavan Abu Hassan (Abu Hassan), 14 Shivtey Yisrael Street (corner of Yehuda Ha'Yamit and Ha'Dolphin), ☏ +972 3-6828355. Sunday-Friday 07:45-14:45 or until the hummus runs out. Famous for its hummus, massabaha (coarsely textured hummus with whole chick peas), and ful (cooked spicy fava beans). Many Israelis claim it to be the best Hummus in Israel.

• 32.05295134.7503494 Blackout, ☏ +972 3 633-0808. At this restaurant you eat a meal entirely in the dark, simulating the experience of blind people. Part of the Nalaga’at Center which works with blind and deaf people (see "Do" section above). Prior reservations are needed. (updated Jul 2017)

• 32.05658734.7591415 Itzik HaGadol (Big Itzik), 3 Raziel (northeast of the clock tower), ☏ +972 3 6830033. You get the table filled with an amazing number of salad dishes. Then you get a great steak, kebab or meat on skewers. ₪200 steaks, 2 skewers with meat ₪80. Salads ₪28 with a meal.

• 32.05700534.7568946 Goldman, ☏ +972 3 6822111. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a view of the beach end old Jaffa.

• 32.05254834.7561947 Cafe Puaa, Rabbi Yohanan St 8 (outskirts of flea market (Shuk HaPishpeshim)), ☏ +972 3-6823821. Mainstay for Israeli food, especially breakfast/brunch/lunch. Local favorite for their fried cauliflower. (updated Jul 2022)

• 32.05308734.7556758 Onza, Rabbi Hannina St 3 (near center of flea market (Shuk HaPishpeshim)), ☏ +972 3-6486060. Popular upscale modern Middle Eastern dinners with Turkish flair. Lunch also F & Sa. Reservations recommended. (updated Jul 2022)

• 32.05719134.7617081 Shmone, Eilat 8. A very beautiful place located in an old Jaffa-style building, it's kind of a private membership club with many older richer people that the usual hangout.

• 32.05563934.7605172 Saloona (קפליקס בית קליה), 17 Tirza St.. 21:00 until the last customer leaves. A local neighborhood bar with an art orientation. Often art of local artists is presented on the walls.

• Leo 5, Mazal Dagim Street. Located beneath the Ilana Goor Museum on the top of the hill, this bar is a great place to hang out. The owner is most generous and boasts a wide array of rock and roll memorabilia. You'll probably be able to hear the bar before you see it.

• 32.0532834.756131 Old Jaffa Hostel, Amiad 13, ☏ +972 3 682-2370, fax: +972 3 682-3328. In the heart of the flea market, a shabby-chic place. Can be noisy from nearby bars. Dorm bunk ₪100. (updated Jan 2020)

• 32.05455134.7602242 Milk & Honey Hostel, Shalma Rd 4, ☏ +972 3-644-4316. Friendly but basic hostel in a good location. Dorm bed from ₪100. (updated Jan 2020)

• 32.056834.76253 The Drisco, Auerbach St 6, ☏ +972-3-741 0000, bookings@thedrisco.com. Grand Old Dame of Tel Aviv, originally called the Jerusalem Hotel, built in 1866, but closed in 1940. It sat forlorn and abandoned for many decades before being painstakingly restored to its former glory and reopened under the current name in 2018. (updated Sep 2023)

• 32.052634.7534 The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Louis Pasteur St 2. (updated Sep 2023)

• 32.055534.75565 The Setai Tel Aviv, David Razi'el St 22. (updated Sep 2023)