Jaffa Attractions of Tel Aviv Yafo

There are a lot of exciting and fun things to do in Tel Aviv, and one of these is to see Jaffa. Anyone who is touring the city should not miss Jaffa, which definitely boasts of a number of amazing attractions for visitors and tourists to see. Being the oldest port city of the world, the place has greatly evolved to conform to the modern times and but somehow retained the air of mysticism that makes it unique.

You will find that Jaffa has a lot to interesting places for everyone to marvel. First on the list is the Clock Square which is just near the Tel Aviv beach. It works as the main plaza of Yafo. Did you know that the square served as a point from which the roads to ancient Jerusalem, Nablus and Gaza were paved? You will surely not miss it as in the middle of the square is the imposing Clock Tower which was built way back in 1906 in honor of the Turkish leader Sultan Abdul Hamid II. On the other hand, you can find the Saraya (or its façade), which means the Palace of the Governor and was constructed and rebuilt in 1890.

Right after the Clock Square is Yefet Street where rows of eateries are located. Among them is the Abulafia Bakery, said to be the oldest bakery in Tel Aviv Yafo. If you want tasty pita bread that's fresh of the brick oven, then Abulafia is the place to go. Going further down Yefet on the corner of Louie Pasteur Street is Victory Ice Cream, where some of the tastiest and sweetest ice creams, shakes and even crepes can be bought and enjoyed. By the way, there is also Dr. Lek's, another ice cream parlor along Yefet Street and touted as having the best ice cream in Israel.

For Christian tourists, they can visit St. Peter's Church, which is situated within Jaffa Hill. It is a Franciscan hospice and church which was completed in the 1800's. It is believed that Napoleon Bonaparte stayed there. Jaffa also hosts St. Michael's Church of the Romanian Christians, which was restored for its devotees and visitors in 1994. Saint Tabitha Chapel, on the other hand, provides religious service to the Russian Christian communities. The services are available in Hebrew and Russian languages. Further down Yefet is where Roman Catholics can find St. Anthony Church, servicing Filipino and Indian Catholics among many others.

One of the important Tel Aviv Yafo attractions at Jaffa which one must see is the Pishpeshim or the flea market. If you are fascinated by flea markets, then you might want to stay at Old Jaffa Hostel, one of the best Tel Aviv hostels in Jaffa. You can walk from the place all the way to Ha'Pishpeshim. An unbelievably large number of visitors, both Israelis and international tourists, go to the flea market every day but most especially during Fridays when the place is simply overflowing with people. The market place occupies the middle portion of a Jaffa block which is partially covered by steel sheds and surrounded by residential apartments and Bauhaus buildings. For the buyer relentlessly in search of only the best buys, he will surely have his fill at Jaffa's Pishpeshim.

Jaffa Hill is not only a place where churches and parks can be found. It is also a major center for archaeological diggings and discoveries such as the reconstructed Egyptian Gates, which are estimated to be at least 3,500 years old. There are likewise a number of museums, art galleries, theaters and souvenir shops catering to tourists eager to have an item or two that will remind them of their wonderful visit of Jaffa.

Needless to say, your Tel Aviv tour will never be complete without seeing Jaffa. Being there makes you experience sheer excitement and joy. Just stroll up the hill and you are bound to see breathtaking views of the city and the Mediterranean. Ideally for history enthusiasts, artists, food lovers and even romantics, Jaffa is one of the places where the old perfectly merges with the new.