Hostels in TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

Tel Aviv – Bustling Capital of Israel

Tel Aviv is undoubtedly the place of action in Israel, historically, culturally as well as in modern times. Its beaches, sculptures and entertainment options are simply spectacular. It is often nicknamed as “The City that never stops”.

History
The city was first recorded in 14th century B.C and has also found several mentions in the Bible. The 16th century Ottoman conquest, attacks by pirates and Bedouins in the 18th century, 1799’s Napoleon siege and the Jews-Arabs friction in the nearby city of Jaffa during the early 19th century under the British administration are some of the noted evens in the city’s history. Following this friction, a Jewish neighbourhood was established, residents of which were forcefully expelled during World War I by the Turks. They returned again when the Palestine mandate was received by the British. As Jerusalem was wrongfully annexed by Jordan following Israel’s independence, Tel Aviv started gaining as the nation’s capital by housing foreign diplomats who till date refuse to accept Jerusalem as the capital.

Popular Places and Attractions
Tel Aviv has a gorgeous coastline marked by the blue Mediterranean waters and white-sand beaches. The Gordon Beach and its salt water Gordon swimming pool, the Ha Tzuk beach and its breathtaking and peaceful environment, the Alma beach and its Manta Ray restaurant and the Dolphinarium beach and its windsurfing, paragliding and banana ride boats are few popular beach attractions in the city.

The pre-Nazi German Bauhaus architecture in the Rothschild Boulevard area has earned it the tag of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the city’s buildings are of bright colours with over 1500 of them being marked for conservation. Due to this, Tel Aviv is also often called as the “White City”. Some other popular city attractions are Rabin Square, Azriely lookout, Art Museum, Givatayim Observatory, Eretz-Israel Museum, Neve Tzedek, Old Jaffa, Jewish-Diaspora Museum and several amusement parks such as Luna Park, Superland, Meimadyon and Yamit 2000. The city just has a huge list of parks and museums.

Getting Around
Egged buses, trains, taxis, sheruts, bicycle and walking are the usual modes of transportation available in Tel Aviv. Bus and taxi drivers are usually friendly and English-speaking and would be more than willing to guide you through to your destination.

Places for Entertainment
Restaurants, pubs, cocktail lounges, dance and music clubs, bars and cafes are the usual places for entertainment in the city. The Rothschild Boulevard and Tel Aviv port area are the prime places for the city’s nightlife. The Carmel Market and the Nahlayat Benyamin street fair (organized on Fridays and Tuesdays) are popular for their culinary and cultural offerings including handcrafted jewellery, colourful boxes, glass, wooden toys and other artistic items. Apart from this, the Jaffa Flea Market also offers gorgeous amber beads, vintage clothing, ceramic and brass items. Shuk Betzalael and Shuk Ha’aliyah are two more popular tourist junctions in the city.

Accommodation
Hotels, inns, beach guesthouses, camps, youth hostels, apartments, B&B’s (bed and breakfast) and budget hotels for backpacker accommodation can be easily found in or around the city.

Currency
Israel has adopted the New Shekel (ILS) as its official currency. Internet and print news publications can be checked for finding the latest exchange rates for performing exchanges at authorized banks, hotels and bureaux de change. Traveller’s cheques in U.S Dollars and credit cards are also widely accepted.

Group accommodation in Tel Aviv | Youth hostels & discount hotels