This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Tel Aviv is the biggest city in Israel and has a reputation of an open-minded, indulgent metropolis to which migrants flock in search of a new life. One local has described his city to us as the "New York of Israel.". Indeed, Tel Aviv, much like New York, does not have one clearly defined city centre and boasts a line of skyscrapers that can be observed from a distance reflecting the sun and decorating the city’s coastline.
Adjacent to Tel Aviv is the ancient port town of Jaffa, nowadays a picturesque suburb containing a well-known flea market, art galleries, and relatively inexpensive restaurants. Jaffa is a couple of kilometers south from downtown Tel Aviv and can be reached via the beach promenade on foot or by bicycle as well as via a regular road by motorized transport.
Much of the Tel Aviv’s hostels are situated a block or two away from the waterfront. There are beaches all along the coastline, so it does not matter much how north or south your hostel is. Some budget accommodation is also offered at the rather rough Florentine neighborhood. An advantage of the latter is its relevant proximity to the city’s central bus terminal and the HaHaganna train station. Those longing for charms of a quaint historical neighborhood always have an option to stay at one of the Old Jaffa’s hostels.
Although it has a fair amount of "serious" tourist attractions like the excellent Museum of Art, Tel Aviv is known among the ordinary visitors as the city for nightlife, beach life, shopping, fun, bars, and cafes. It is the economic center of Israel as well as the place for cool arts and designs, and for the secular culture. Most of foreign embassies for Israel are also situated here.
Ben Gurion Airport, through which many foreign visitors enter and leave the country, is a short and cheap train ride away. There are three train stations in Tel Aviv: Merkaz, HaShalom and HaHaganna, so make sure you pick the right closest to your Tel Aviv hostel.
Written by local expertz for Tel Aviv
Agne Drumelyte
