Tel Aviv - Jaffa

Jaffa (Yafo in Hebrew, Yaffa in Arabic, archaically Joppa), now absorbed into the Israeli coastal metropolis as a southern suburb of Tel Aviv, represents the most ancient city centre and port within the Tel Aviv region. Before the foundation of the new Jewish city of Tel Aviv in 1908 in the sandhills north of Jaffa, Jaffawas the main settlement for Arabs, Jews and the various waves of occupiers (Turks, British, etc...) alike.

Travel to Tel Aviv - Jaffa - Visa Requirements

One of the best ways to get to Jaffais to walk from central Tel Aviv (where most travellers stay), along the beach promenade, until you inevitably reach the northern outskirts of Jaffa.

Tours and Getting around Tel Aviv - Jaffa

Tel Aviv - Jaffa tourist attractions and sightseeing

• Old Jaffa — just south-west of the Yarkon street is the old port of Jaffa, which in the past was the biggest seaport in Israel. Today the port itself and the area close to it have become a renovated district. Some of the most interesting places in the city are found in this small area, for example, St. Peter's Catholic Church, a Franciscan church, built in the 19th century on the remains of Crusaders' fortress, which serves also as a hostel. It is told that Napoleon stayed in that church while it was a hostel.
• the Wishing Bridge in Old Jaffa. The myth says if you touch your zodiac sign and face the sea, your wish will come true.
• the Ramesses Gate
• the Zodiac alleys — a network of restored alleys, full with art galleries, which lead to the Jaffa seaport.

Tel Aviv - Jaffa city tours

Tel Aviv - Jaffa souvenirs and shopping

• Flea Market and Bazaar — Enjoy an outdoor flea market with all you can buy for less. Around is yet another bazaar indoor, with goodies to buy. Finely crafted hookahs can be bought at some corner on Yeffet St. near the clock tower.

Tel Aviv - Jaffa Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

• Abouelafia and Sons. 24/7. the most famous bakery in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, if not the entire country of Israel. In the main street, at the bottom of the hill as you approach from central Tel Aviv: Get to the clock tower, and with the clock tower in your back, turn away from Tel Aviv, follow the road for some 100m, and you see the green marquees on the left-hand side of the road. Mounds of pastries and confectionaries.... the best! Israelis drive for miles to visit this bakery at all hours (it's open round the clock)... An absolute institution and not to be missed! 
• Aladin. In the heart of Old Yafo 
• Ali Karavan - Abu Hasan, Corner of Yehuda Ha'Yamit and Ha'Dolphin. Famous for its hummus, massabaha (a more coarsely textured hummus w/ whole chick peas mixed in), and ful, cooked spicy fava beans. 

Tel Aviv - Jaffa nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Leo 5, Mazal Dagim St., Old Jaffa. Located beneath the Ilana Goor Museum on the top of the hill, this bar is a great place to hang out of many hours. 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 get to it. 

Tel Aviv - Jaffa cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

• Old Jaffa Hostel, Amiad 13 St. Jaffa-Tel Aviv 68139, Israel, ☎ 03-6822370(ojhostel@shani.net, fax: 03-6823328), [1]. checkout: 12:00 noon. In the heart of the flea market, the Old Jaffa Hostel is a funky-bohemian type place in all the right ways; eclectic decor in the rooms, chirping birds in the hallways, rooftop patio and kitchen with a view of Tel Aviv and free coffee, tea and cookies in the morning. An excellent choice, very good location, and a great value -- but not a party hostel.Single 180 shekels, dorm 50 shekels.  

Get out

This page was last edited by Jani Patokallio. Based on work by קלאוס, Ben and Stacy Hall, Wikitravel user(s) ByeByeBaby, Morph, Thebiojoe, Jonboy and Pjamescowie and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license