Tel Aviv Travel Guide

Tel Aviv Museum of Art

The Tel Aviv Museum of Art has boasted the country's leading exhibition of modern art since its inception in 1932. A permanent collection of European and American art features prominent Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings by Chagall, Dali, Cezanne and Monet. The museum also has an active program of changing exhibitions as well as exciting cultural programs of music, dance, cinema and lectures.

Eretz Israel Museum (The Land of Israel Museum)

The Eretz Israel Museum has a unique layout and character, more in the nature of a museum park clustered around the ancient mound of the Tel Kasile, where ongoing archaeological excavations are in progress. The museum consists of various pavilions, each displaying different cultural facets and collections. Visitors can purchase a map to help them navigate through this fascinating campus, which covers 3,000 years of history, culture and art relating to the land of Israel.

Museum of the Jewish Diaspora (Beit Hatefutsot)

The focus of this museum is to convey the story of the Jewish people from the time of the expulsion of the Jews from Israel by the Romans 2,500 years ago to their subsequent return to Israel. The multi-story displays and exhibitions reflect the diverse Jewish communities that have been sustained over time by common cultural and religious links. The Jewish Music Center has thousands of recordings of Jewish music, from traditional to the music of communities that were wiped out in the Holocaust, as well as works by Jewish composers. There is also a genealogy center where visitors can explore their ancestry from thousands of records of Jewish families from around the world, and register their own family trees for future generations.

Jaffa

The historical port city of Jaffa is easily reached from Tel Aviv by foot or car. Its inhabitants have included notable biblical, Greek and Roman figures and its name is said to have been derived from Japhet, Noah's son. Archaeological finds indicate that Jaffa existed as a port city 4,000 years ago serving both Egyptian and Phoenician sailors on their sea voyages. The entrance to the Old Town is marked by the Ottoman Clock Tower, a prominent landmark and meeting point. Jaffa has become a popular tourist attraction filled with interesting shops, Mediterranean style restaurants and sun-drenched cafes. There are artist quarters, studios and galleries as well as shops specializing in Judaica and archaeology. At night the historical walls are illuminated, revealing a beautiful architectural backdrop offset against the soft lapping of the sea onto the ancient port walls. An exploration into Jaffa's history can be experienced at the Jaffa Museum that contains a dazzling collection of artifacts (It is located at 10 Mifratz Shlomo Street, Old Jaffa and is open from Sunday to Thursday between 9am and 1pm).

Eilat

Located at the northern tip of the Red Sea, Eilat is a popular vacation resort that boasts wonderfully warm temperatures that seldom drop below 70°F (21°C). Many visitors travel to Eilat to enjoy its fantastic diving and snorkeling opportunities in the Red Sea, one of the world's most magnificent marine preserves. Brightly colored coral fish, moray eels and even manta rays can be seen, while landlubbers will enjoy lazing on the beautiful beach and splashing in the shallows.

A lesser-known activity in Eilat is bird-watching as more than one billion birds navigate between the Mediterranean coast and the Jordan Mountains, making the area one of the best places to watch migratory birds. The Timna Valley National Park is located just north of Eilat and is a wonderful excursion for those wanting a day in the desert on camel-back or by jeep, while the more active can enjoy hiking in the desert mountains.

The Underwater Observatory Marine Park

Visitors to the Underwater Observatory Marine Park just south of Eilat can enjoy viewing all kinds of fantastic marine life in the gigantic 360,000-liter seawater aquarium. Animals such as eels, sharks, turtles and stingrays can be seen, while the rare fish aquarium is home to some exquisite and poisonous fish. There is even a kids club for younger visitors to enjoy and learn about the wonder of the ocean.