Welcome to Israel!
Welcome to Israel! The pearl of the Middle East is a small country that you must visit for its beauty and culture. Israel is not all desert-like many thinks, and it is full of different types of nature and even climates throughout a small area. You will find unique mountainous areas with forests, lots of nature, and the seashore in the northern part. You will experience a drier and more open space in the south with a beautiful desert and terrains. On the western coast of Israel, you will see the Mediterranean sea and can visit many types of beaches and cities along the shore. In The eastern part, where Jerusalem is located, you will see beautiful valleys and agricultural fields. Since the pride week is only a week-long, it’s a bit difficult to cover all these options, so we decided to narrow it down to 10 must-visit places while visiting Israel, all pretty close so you can even fit a couple or more of these suggestions in one day, and the rest is yours to explore! Check out the top ten places to visit, and for any questions, feel free to contact us! Happy Pride!
The Jaffa Flea Market
The Jaffa flea market is one of the most vibrant, lively, and culturally mixed markets in the Tel- Aviv area and Israel and has been flourishing since the 19th century. It is located by the seashore, stretching from the beautiful Clock Tower and into the market’s alleyways and up until the Jaffa port. To be exact, from Olei Zion street until Beit Eshel street.
It’s packed with excellent and unique restaurants, with local and fresh produce, bars, and food and juice stands. The treasures in this market are unbelievable. Jewelry is worth the haggle!
Neve Tzedek
Neve Tzedek is one of the older neighborhoods in Tel Aviv, going way back to the late eighteen hundreds, and of course, once you get there, you can feel whole different energy and feel the history of the place. Some even call it little Paris! The neighborhood is located around the Old Train Station, where you can enjoy a farmers market and some great restaurants at the HaTachana. This area has a more European feel to it, and therefore many restaurants are sticking to the theme and excelling in it. But while walking around this magical neighborhood, you will also be able to visit some great art galleries, boutiques, and sweet little shops. The area is super stylish, incredible, and trendy during the day and the night, and hey, it is also close to the shore.
Nahalat Binyamin
Nahalat Binyamin Street is one of the main streets in Tel Aviv, located in the center. It stretches from the Kerem Hateymanim neighborhood (near Carmel Market) to the Florentine district. On this vibrant street, you can find yourself walking on a pedestrian shopping area that offers many types of coffee houses fabric stores and connects you to the Carmel Market. Since it is intercrossing with the loud and ethnic market, you can always escape to the quiet and relaxed street of Nahalat Binyamin. While walking south towards Rothchild Blvd., you can stop at the Shpagat, a trendy gay/lesbian bar recommended at night. You can continue down south, pass by the Lima Lima club, another gay-friendly club, and make your way down to the Florentine neighborhood to enjoy a more laid-back and hip community full of graffiti, little coffee shops, and restaurants.
Israel Museum
Eretz Israel Museum (Museum of Israel) is located in the Givat Ram neighborhood in Jerusalem. Opened in 1965, it is one of the most important museums in the country. You may find not only contemporary art but also archeological archeology, historical, and anthropological artifacts on display and a planetarium. The collection is divided into pavilions, and the dates go back to Bronze Age.
Ilana Goor Museum
One of the most historically rich and fascinating museums is the Ilana Goor Museum, named after the artist Ilana Goor. It is located in the historical part of the port of Jaffa. The museum is also the artist’s residence, and in 1995 it was opened to the public and displayed all of the artist’s works, over 500 pieces! What is most alluring about this museum is the rich history of the building itself. It was initially built in 1742 and was an inn for Jewish pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem, and in the 19th century, it became an olive oil soap factory. You will have to find out yourself and visit this one-of-a-kind place for the rest of the story. Oh, and by the way, to all the Pisces out there, the museum is located on Mazal Dagim street 4, meaning Pisces in Hebrew, and each alleyway has its zodiac sign.
Sarona
Sarona is a beautiful and renovated historical complex right in the center of Tel Aviv, near the Azrieli towers. It is a restored German Templer colony, and now it has become a small neighborhood where you can walk around and enjoy some fine dining, boutiques, and all kinds of shops located inside old colonial buildings. As you walk towards the Gindi towers, you will find yourself in the Sarona Market, a closed and air-conditioned market where you can find unique and fresh products, fine wine and cheeses, the freshest catch from the sea, and some great food stands from well knows Israeli chefs. You can take your food outside, enjoy the lawn outdoors, and soak in the sun and the city around.
Design Museum Holon
the Design Museum Holon is the first museum in Israel dedicated only to design. It opened its doors in 2010 and is located in the eastern part of Holon in the new culture area. The building itself is a spectacular structure designed by Ron Arad. The museum offers free activities, tours, events, and conversation shows between the designers themselves. To see what exhibitions are up now, we recommend you to go on their website and take a glimpse of what an important and current museum it is.
Machne Yehuda Market (Jaffa Road)
Did we mention that Israel loves its markets? This is THE market. Better to say “The Shuk.” The Machne Yehuda market is located in Jerusalem. It stretches from Jaffa Road to Agripas street and has many avenues and alleyways in between, all rich with spices, cultural and ethnic foods, bars, clothes…and the list goes on and on. You can miss this vibrant place and the beauty of the Israeli and Arab cultures in the holiest of cities, intertwine and connect through food and drink. The shuk is where you will want to spend a few hours and come hungry too! While exploring Jerusalem and its beauty and history, you won’t be able to miss this market.
Tower of David
The Tower of David is a must-see while visiting Jerusalem. It is known as the Jerusalem Citadel, and it is located near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the western edge of the Old City. This location dates back to over 2,000 years and has been destroyed repeatedly during the Crusades period. The structure itself was built on other fortifications of previous cultures. It is called the Tower of David due to the Christian Byzantines that believed that this was the site of King David’s palace. For the rest of the story of this monumental and spectacular place, you must come and hear it and see it for yourself. Of course, you can continue walking around and get to the Western Wall and explore the rest of the holiest places in Israel, full of culture and different religions in one place.
Apollonia National Park (Arsuf)
This beautiful national park is located in Herzeliya, a city north of Tel Aviv, and on the seashore. In this park, you will find an old Crusaders fortress dating back to the 12th century, beautiful nature, paths along with the historical site, an ancient Roman villa, and of course, while walking around this peaceful place, you feel the relaxing sea breeze. The park is full of archeological monuments and full of rich history. Just make sure to go there during its open hours, and the park closes at 5 PM, so make sure to get there early!
