It's hard to beat Israel's second-largest city for its coffee culture, tech scene, multi-ethnic cuisine and buzzing nightlife.
by Mickey Alam Khan, Luxury Portfolio Magazine
Although most of the time can easily be spent on its beautiful beaches, Tel Aviv offers much more than just enjoying the sun, sea and sand. With a population second only to that of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv is a leading center of nightlife, real estate, technology, finance and culture. The unique energy, atmosphere, wonderful climate and location on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea have earned Tel Aviv the well-deserved nickname "the city that never stops".
David Babian, real estate broker working in Tel Aviv and New York and founder/CEO of Bibian Group Israel Real Estate, offers an inside look at what makes the city unique.
Compared to other cities, say Haifa, Jerusalem and Eilat, the geographical map of Tel Aviv is very different. Here there is easy access to beaches with clean, white sands and Mediterranean water temperatures. The relief is flat, which makes it easier to pass streets, roads, including the subway. A convenient transportation network is being built at an extremely rapid pace to connect Tel Aviv (as a major transportation hub) with other cities throughout Israel. Tel Aviv has long played a leading role in the interaction of different cultures, in the culinary scene and in the economy of the entire State of Israel. The city is home to many of the major football and basketball sports clubs, such as Maccabi Tel Aviv, as well as the headquarters of leading magazines and newspapers, media channels and radio stations, theaters and the opera house, showing that Tel Aviv shapes the cultural environment in Israel. This is perhaps the only city in the world where you can spontaneously dance with strangers on the street, chat with the locals about life, and the next moment be drinking shots of arak (a local Israeli drink made from fennel) and playing matkot on the beach (a very popular racquet sport in Israel).
In Tel Aviv, each neighborhood is unique thanks to its past and present residents and their cultural background. Many do not realize that Tel Aviv is an invaluable center of different cultures and this is one of the main factors that make the city so special and one of a kind. Each neighborhood has its own atmosphere, sometimes this even applies to individual streets. For example, the Lewinsky Market area used to be known as the clothing, textile and stationery district, it has old and historic buildings. In the past few years, due to the development of e-commerce, which has changed the way people shop, the neighborhood has seen an influx of new residents, turning it into a lively area with bars, restaurants, cafes and outdoor markets.
Tel Aviv is divided into nine districts, within which are located the following main and famous neighborhoods: Old Jaffa, Florentine, Neve-Tzedek, Kerem HaTeimanim, Lev Hair (the city center) and the Old North.
Today, Florentin is known as "bohemian and cool", with a relaxed atmosphere and a mix of artisans, artists and designers. Earlier, the people of the area were mainly engaged in textiles and other light industrial activities. The neighborhood became famous after a popular TV show in the 1990s about a group of artists and musicians who lived there. Since then, developers have taken an interest in the neighborhood and have made it a very attractive place. It is here that the Levinsky market is located, from relatively recently a center of bars, cafes, shops for spices, candies and decorations for the home.
Jaffa is the oldest seaport in the world. It is over 4,000 years old and is located near Tel Aviv. There you will find a lively and multi-ethnic community of Bulgarian Jews, Muslims and Christians. The prophet Jonah left from there. The port is known for its excellent fish restaurants, bakeries and a rich flea market. It is one of the best places in all of Israel to watch the sunset and stroll among the artists' colony. Jaffa is considered a separate city from Tel Aviv, but the two settlements were officially united in 1950.
In Lev Khair, also known as the city center, it is best to head directly to the beach. Here is also one of the oldest shopping centers in Tel Aviv, named after the street on which it is located - Dizengov. There are many theaters here – such as the Beit Lessin and the Cameri, and the opera house is also located here. This is the heart of the city. In it you can see some of the most beautiful buildings. It is often called the White City. It is known for its Bauhaus and eclectic architecture. It is also the center of finance, culture and art.
The Old North is famous for Yarkon Park, where you can go kayaking or biking, or organize your own a picnic. In the Old North, cafes and restaurants are open late, but the atmosphere is quieter and less hectic than in other parts of Tel Aviv. Future metro stations planned in many places in this neighborhood will lead to a significant increase in real estate prices here. In the Old North, you can also enjoy Tel Aviv's port, which has a wide variety of restaurants, shops, fishing opportunities and, of course, nightlife.
Today, Neve-Tzedek is the most sought-after neighborhood to live in. It is the oldest, but has recently undergone a major renovation. The old and narrow streets are now dotted with luxury real estate and high-end boutiques without losing their old charm. Its name means "oasis of justice" and is perceived as a refuge from the dynamics of the modern city.
Kerem HaTeimanim is a neighborhood created by the Yemeni Jewish community. It is known for its picturesque winding streets, old houses that stand out from the skyscrapers in the rest of Tel Aviv, and small, lively restaurants. On Fridays, restaurants serve alcohol and play music during the day, turning the area into a small celebration before Shabbat. Near Kerem HaTeimanim is the world famous Carmel Market with an endless variety of food, clothing and fresh fruits and vegetables. At night, the market becomes part of the entertainment scene of Kerem HaTeimanim with live music, bars and restaurants.
The Hatikwa area is famous for its market, its football team and its local restaurant. This area is expected to be developed and gentrified soon.
Dishes from Persian, Turkish, Moroccan, Italian, Spanish and Yemeni cuisine are just some of the reasons
the food in Tel Aviv is so irresistible. "
DAVID BABIAN | BIBIAN GROUP ISRAEL REAL ESTATE
Proximity to the city center, easy accessibility, as well as accessibility to nightlife and beaches will greatly accelerate the development of this area. When we have guests and clients who come to town and want to feel the atmosphere of real Israeli restaurants, we take them to the Hatikva market where the locals continue to shop and the prices are excellent.
Among the new hotels in Tel Aviv are Norman and Setai, which is located in the building of a former police station - quite colorfully; Royal Beach is great and close to everything you could need; also Mandarin Oriental is currently building a mega hotel in the beach area near Carmel Market. There are many boutique charm hotels throughout the city, such as the Atlas chain and the Muse Hotel.
Tel Aviv has a unique culinary atmosphere, the city is a delicious mix of cultures, offering gourmets a rich variety of traditions from Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Thanks to the combination of the fresh produce, the creative nature of the Israelis and the traditions in the preparation of dishes, an eclectic culinary scene has been formed that has no analogue anywhere else. Tel Aviv is also celebrated as the vegan capital of the world, with one of the largest vegan populations in the world and a wide variety of excellent vegan restaurants. In Tel Aviv, you can find delicious street food on every corner, as well as all kinds of fancy restaurants and fast food joints. Tel Aviv is also known for its cafes, where bakery delights, sandwiches, sweets are also served.
Our most popular dishes are from the Mediterranean cuisine, prepared from natural, fresh and mostly healthy products, we use olive oil, fresh herbs, spices and cheeses. Dishes from Persian, Turkish, Moroccan, Italian, Spanish and Yemeni cuisine are just some of the reasons why food in Tel Aviv is so irresistible. The list of most requested foods includes falafel, shakshuka, Jerusalem mix, schnitzel, sabiq, shawarma (called "gyros" or "duner" in other languages), Tunisian sandwiches, bures with toppings, shish kebabs, specialty soups and, of course, Italian dishes with a delicate Tel Avivian nuance.
One of the most popular restaurants in Tel Aviv is Dr. Shakshuk in Jaffa, located in a historic building with a wonderful atmosphere. Many world-famous restaurants are located in Neve-Tzedek and the surrounding areas - West Side at the Royal Beach Hotel, Shemesh at Hatikva Market, Basta at Carmel Market, Shipudei Hakerem at Kerem HaTeimanim and one special place below Sarona Market in an old cave once used by the Templars , and later by the Israel Defense Forces – Whiskey Bar, with great drinks and food. A great place to grab a takeaway is Oh Mama on King George Street in the city center which has an incredible variety.
photo unsplash, pixabay, freepik
Reproduced with permission from Luxury Portfolio International and Luxury Portfolio magazine.
© Luxury Portfolio International. All rights reserved.