Jaffa
Jaffa (Yafo in Hebrew, Yaffa in Arabic, archaically Joppa) is the oldest part of Tel Aviv-Yafo. It is south of the Tel Aviv city center.
Understand
Jaffa is the most ancient city centre and port within the Tel Aviv region. Before the new Jewish city of Tel Aviv was founded in 1908 in the sand dunes north of Jaffa, Jaffa was the main settlement for Arabs, Jews and the various waves of occupiers (Turks, British, etc.). Today, Jaffa is a southern suburb of Tel Aviv, and the main concentration of Arab population in the Tel Aviv area. Like other nearby areas, it is beginning to undergo gentrification from downtown Tel Aviv.
Get in
On foot
Walk south from central Tel Aviv along the beach promenade, until you reach the clock tower at the northern outskirts of Jaffa.
By bicycle
Maybe the best way to visit Jaffa from Tel Aviv. There are a lot of Tel-O-Fun rental stations in the Tel Aviv/Jaffa area.
By bus
Many bus routes go here from central Tel Aviv.
By train
- 1 Holon–Wolfson railway station. Some intercity trains stop at the extreme southern part of Jaffa, far from the old town.
Get around
The interesting sites in Jaffa are very close together, and walking is the best way to get between them.
See
- 1 Jaffa Clock Tower, Raziel 25. A local landmark, built in 1903.
- 2 Immanuel Church (In the American–German Colony neighbourhood). Protestant church built in 1904.
- 3 Saint Anthony's Coptic Church.
- 4 Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (כנסיית אנטוניוס הקדוש).
- 5 Saint Anthony Maronite Church.
- 6 Presbyterian Saint Peter Church. Built in the 1930s but abandoned since 1948, this church is generally not accessible to visit.
Old Jaffa and port
7 Old Jaffa and port (יפו העתיקה) (southwest of the Yarkon street), ☏ +972 3-603-7700, +972 3-603-7686, tourism@oldjaffa.co.il. One of the oldest ports in the world, and formerly the biggest seaport in Israel. This is the point where Jonah reputedly boarded a ship and was later swallowed by a big fish. Today the port and the area close to it have become a quaint, interesting renovated district. The port holds various shops, restaurants and events. See websites for Jaffa port and Old Jaffa.
- 8 [dead link] Old Jaffa Museum. This complex, built in the 13th century, was the Ottoman government headquarters. It is used for art exhibitions.
- 9 Ramesses Gate. Archaeological remains from the 16th century BCE which can be freely viewed. However, they are hard to appreciate without a tour guide.
- 10 Zodiac alleys. A network of restored alleys, full of art galleries, which lead to the Jaffa seaport. The alleys are named after the signs of the zodiac.
- 11 Andromeda's rock. The rock in Jaffa harbor to which, according to Greek myth, Andromeda was tied before being rescued by Perseus.
- 12 Wishing Bridge. The myth says if you touch your zodiac sign and face the sea, your wish will come true.
- 13 al-Bahr Sea Mosque. Built in 1675, this is the oldest surviving mosque in Jaffa. Due to its proximity to the sea, it is still used by fishermen and sailors, as it has been for centuries.
- 14 St. Peter's Catholic Church, Wishing Bridge, ☏ +972 3-6822871. A Franciscan church, built in the 19th century on the remains of Crusaders' fortress, which serves also as a hostel. It is said that Napoleon stayed in that church while it was a hostel.
- 15 Saint Nicholas Monastery (מנזר ניקולאס הקדוש). Armenian monastery at least a 1,000 years old.
- 16 Saint Archangel Michael Monastery. Greek Orthodox church, the original building dating back to the 17th century was destroyed in a fire in 1963. It was rebuilt in 1994.
- 17 St. George's Church. Greek Orthodox church.
Do
Tourists flock to Jaffa mainly to wander around and enjoy the picturesque views and the local food joints and hunt for bargains in the shops and markets. If you would like to understand the history and significance of particular places in Jaffa better, a guided tour may be a good idea.
- 1 Givat HaAliyah beach. The quietest of Tel Aviv's beaches, and the only one you where are likely to find free parking nearby.
- 2 Bloomfield Stadium. Home to Tel Aviv's three football (soccer) clubs - Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv.
- 3 Nalaga’at Theater. A theatrical performance performed entirely by deaf-blind people (with dual disability). Includes elements of circus arts and sign language, as well as regular theater.
- 4 Wheel Bee Bike Rental, Hahalfanim 7 (corner of Yeffet 12. 100m south of the clock tower), ☏ +972 3-6838080. Wheel Bee offers various kinds of bikes for rent, electric & regular, for all ages.
Buy
- 1 Flea Market and Bazaar (Shuk HaPishpeshim). An outdoor market where you can buy almost anything for low prices. Especially good for antiques.
Eat
- 1 Abouelafia and Sons (100 m south of the clock tower). 24/7. The most famous bakery in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, if not in the entire country. Mounds of pastries and confectioneries. Israelis drive for miles to visit this bakery.
- 2 Aladin, Mifrats Shlomo Promenade 5 (park in Old Yafo). Seafood, great location, food gets mixed reviews.
- 3 Ali Karavan Abu Hassan (Abu Hassan), 14 Shivtey Yisrael Street (corner of Yehuda Ha'Yamit and Ha'Dolphin), ☏ +972 3-6828355. Sunday-Friday 07:45-14:45 or until the hummus runs out. Famous for its hummus, massabaha (coarsely textured hummus with whole chick peas), and ful (cooked spicy fava beans). Many Israelis claim it to be the best Hummus in Israel.
- 4 Blackout, ☏ +972 3 633-0808. At this restaurant you eat a meal entirely in the dark, simulating the experience of blind people. Part of the Nalaga’at Center which works with blind and deaf people (see "Do" section above). Prior reservations are needed.
- 5 Itzik HaGadol (Big Itzik), 3 Raziel (northeast of the clock tower), ☏ +972 3 6830033. You get the table filled with an amazing number of salad dishes. Then you get a great steak, kebab or meat on skewers. ₪200 steaks, 2 skewers with meat ₪80. Salads ₪28 with a meal.
- 6 Goldman, ☏ +972 3 6822111. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a view of the beach end old Jaffa.
- 7 Cafe Puaa, Rabbi Yohanan St 8 (outskirts of flea market (Shuk HaPishpeshim)), ☏ +972 3-6823821. Mainstay for Israeli food, especially breakfast/brunch/lunch. Local favorite for their fried cauliflower.
- 8 Onza, Rabbi Hannina St 3 (near center of flea market (Shuk HaPishpeshim)), ☏ +972 3-6486060. Popular upscale modern Middle Eastern dinners with Turkish flair. Lunch also F & Sa. Reservations recommended.
Drink
- 1 Shmone, Eilat 8. A very beautiful place located in an old Jaffa-style building, it's kind of a private membership club with many older richer people that the usual hangout.
- 2 Saloona (קפליקס בית קליה), 17 Tirza St.. 21:00 until the last customer leaves. A local neighborhood bar with an art orientation. Often art of local artists is presented on the walls.
- Leo 5, Mazal Dagim Street. Located beneath the Ilana Goor Museum on the top of the hill, this bar is a great place to hang out. The owner is most generous and boasts a wide array of rock and roll memorabilia. You'll probably be able to hear the bar before you see it.
Sleep
Budget
- 1 Old Jaffa Hostel, Amiad 13, ☏ +972 3 682-2370, fax: +972 3 682-3328. In the heart of the flea market, a shabby-chic place. Can be noisy from nearby bars. Dorm bunk ₪100.
Mid range
- 2 Milk & Honey Hostel, Shalma Rd 4, ☏ +972 3-644-4316. Friendly but basic hostel in a good location. Dorm bed from ₪100.
Splurge
- 3 The Drisco, Auerbach St 6, ☏ +972-3-741 0000, bookings@thedrisco.com. Grand Old Dame of Tel Aviv, originally called the Jerusalem Hotel, built in 1866, but closed in 1940. It sat forlorn and abandoned for many decades before being painstakingly restored to its former glory and reopened under the current name in 2018.
- 4 The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Louis Pasteur St 2.
- 5 The Setai Tel Aviv, David Razi'el St 22.