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Israel : Tel Aviv - February 2008

Country Code: Dial 2 for Israel

Getting around

Ben Gurion International Airport is 20km south-east of Tel Aviv.

Train: There’s a train station outside the terminal. The journey to the city centre takes 20 minutes and a single ticket costs €2/NIS 12.
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city centre takes about 20 minutes and should cost no more than €17-21/ NIS 100-120.
Tourist information: The main office is at 46 Herbert Samuel Street (tel. , visit-tlv.co.il).

GAN HACHASHMAL COMPOUND

Tel Aviv’s most up-and-coming area was once a row of run-down Bauhaus buildings in the south – the red light district, in fact. But now that the city and its most avant-garde inhabitants have recognised the potential of the district and begun to invest in it, it’s a different story. These days it’s filled with a swathe of organic restaurants, independent boutiques and small clubs.

Sleep soundly – Hotel Galileo (8 Hillel Hazaken Street, tel. , www.sun-aviv.co.il rooms from €53/NIS 300) is an intimate three-star hotel that’s great if you’re on a budget. It’s got bags of character as well as a roof top with beach views.

Shop til you drop – The pick of the independent boutique bunch must be the minimal designs and experimental patterns you’ll find at Frau Blau (8 HaChashmal Street). Otherwise, make a beeline for the shirt-dresses at Delicatessen (4 Barzilai Street).

TAYELET

Urban beaches don’t get much better than Tel Aviv and this is its main strip. Here you’ll find the major hotels and most of the city’s high-end restaurants and bars, which pull in more than their fair share of celebrities.

Sleep soundly – For high glamour, head straight to the Tel Aviv Hilton (Independence Park, tel. , hilton.com, rooms from €214/NIS 1,217). The rich and famous flock here – Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova appeared at a big party held in the hotel at the end of last year. For extra extravagance, book into the White City Suite, which has a giant terrace, and a jacuzzi that looks out over the city.

Dance the night away – Just in front of the David InterContinental hotel, Clara (1 Koifman, Boardwalk) is a long bar on the beach that affords great views. In summer, the bar opens out onto the deck.

DIZENGOFF

The city’s main commercial and retail hub has major stores such as Castro and Zara. These chains sit side by side with smaller, quality boutiques that are well worth hunting out.

Sleep soundly – A former movie theatre, the incredibly affordable three-star Hotel Cinema (1 Zamenhoff Street, tel. , cinemahotel. com, rooms from €86/NIS 487) has a boutique feel and a wonderfully restored Bauhaus exterior. The decor of its 82 guestrooms is inspired by its former cinematic guise.

Culture vultures – The Bauhaus Center (99 Dizengoff Street) documents Tel Aviv’s striking Bauhaus architecture and the history of the style. True aficionados who want to find out more can also take a two-hour walking tour through the city.

JAFFA

This ancient port and the only mixed Arabic/Jewish neighbourhood in the city is definitely worth visiting. The streets have an old-meets-new charm and a strong artistic sensibility.

Culture vultures – Many artists have taken up residence in this district. For a glimpse of what are (arguably) some of the best examples of the area’s art, head for the Ilana Goor Museum (4 Mazal Dagim Street). The museum is housed in a beautiful renovated 250-year old building and is quite a sight in its own right.

Must eat – After rummaging through Shuk Hapishpishin, head to the affordable Dr Shakshuka (3 Beit HaEshel St, tel. ) which is housed in an Ottoman building. This is where you’ll find one of the best versions of the traditional Israeli dish shakshuka (fried eggs mixed with tomato and spices). For the full experience, start with the dips and salads.

Shop til you drop – Shuk Hapishpishim is Jaffa’s vibrant, must-visit flea market. It’s stalls are filled with knick-knacks and reasonably priced vintage furniture.

Compiled by Tobi Cohen