Tel Aviv Growing Rapidly
Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel after Jerusalem. For the younger generations of Israelis, it is the center of all that is modern in the country. The city is growing rapidly and is fast becoming part of the international art and party scenes. The cosmopolitan flare of the city is unique to this part of the world. Only Beirut, before Lebanon’s brutal decades-long civil war, could boast a comparable level of urban energy.
There are old parts to the city. The oldest, by far is the ancient port area known as Jaffa. According to some historians, the port was being used thousands of years ago. The Jewish legend of Jonah, the man who was swallowed whole by a whale and transported back to land, allegedly began in Jaffa. There is definitely a historic vibe in this part of the city. The old buildings and narrow lanes are perfect for travelers in search of some photographic souvenirs to take back home with them.
For locals and young tourists, Tel Aviv is a 24-hour city. Though it is only a fraction of the size and has a fraction of the population of New York, it is often compared to the Big Apple for its “city that never sleep” qualities. Clubs and bars are spread out throughout the city. Tel Aviv has 50 neighborhoods, and each of them has plenty of unique nighttime spots.
What are the best places to be? The Boardwalk, along the seafront, is exciting, especially if you want plenty of options to choose from. The area is filled with bars, restaurants and cafes. Many of these venues put their tables and chairs out on the sand. Tel Aviv’s modern day seaport has clubs that literally sit shoulder to shoulder. If you want to do a club crawl, this is the place to do it. There is exceptional energy here.