With a cosmopolitan population that includes Europeans, North and Latin Americans, Arabs and Africans, the city is a melting pot of culture. The diversity is reflected in the cuisine, where restaurants blend Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors.
Neve Tzedek
The Neve Tzedek (Dwellings of Justice) neighborhood was established in 1887 by Mizrahi Jewish families looking to escape the crowded city of Jaffa. They built low-slung, colorful buildings with expansive gardens and winding alleyways, which were long a bohemian haven.
In the early 1900s, the neighborhood attracted artists and writers including future Nobel prize laureate Shmuel Yosef Agnon and Nahum Gutman. When the municipality intended to tear down the historic Gimnasia Herzlyiah school building for a new high-rise, residents organized a campaign to save the neighborhood.
Through arts-led gentrification, Neve Tzedek crafted a picturesque reprieve from the commotion of Tel Aviv. Idealized vignettes of Mediterranean anywhereness along Shabazi Street and nearby pockets now draw visitors to restaurants, boutique hotels and cafes for its visual energy and aesthetic appeal.
Rabin Square
Rabin Square, formerly Kikar Malkhey Israel (Kings of Israel Square), is one of Tel Aviv's largest open public spaces. It is the site for many political rallies, parades, and other events.
It was named after former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995. It is home to City Hall and has been redesigned and refurbished in recent years, providing excellent shady areas for a sunny afternoon.
Located on Ibn Gabirol Street, the square is surrounded by restaurants and cafes and is the location for many of Tel Aviv's big events, from Independence Day celebrations in May to mass protests and peace vigils.
On the north side is the City Hall building, designed by Menachem Cohen in 1964. There is also a memorial sculpture by Yigal Tumarkin commemorating the Holocaust. Lastly, on the south side is a small museum dedicated to Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister.
Rothschild Boulevard
A large and historic street in Tel Aviv Israel, Rothschild Boulevard is one of the first avenues to be established here. It is a major financial, commercial and recreational center of the city.
When you stroll down this iconic Tel Aviv street, you will see many beautiful and historical buildings with Bauhaus style architecture. Some of these are in great condition while others need a lot of preservation work.
Some of the historical sites that you can visit here include Independence Hall from where the 1948 proclamation of Independence was read, Alon Segev Art Gallery, Kol Yehuda Synagogue and the imposing 1920s era domed Great Synagogue.
It's also very pleasant to take a walk along the boulevard. You can enjoy the atmosphere, the trees and the street cafes that line this famous avenue of Tel Aviv.
Bialik House
A major architectural icon, Bialik House is a museum that preserves the home of the Hebrew poet Haim Nahman Bialik. The original bauhaus architecture and unique interior design combine Mideastern charm with international style.
The house has a library, dining room and writing area that are all preserved as they were when Bialik was living there. The museum also houses a collection of his books and 94 other publications in 28 languages, plus letters, paintings and ceramic art depicting biblical scenes.
It is located on 22 Bialik Street and is a short walk from Beit Ha'ir (meaning “Town Hall”). This building was used as a municipal building for Tel Aviv during its early years and is now a lively hub of information unraveling the city's deep cultural history.
Bialik House is a fascinating place to visit for those looking for something different from a typical museum. The museum guides speak Yiddish and Hebrew and admission is free.
