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With a rich history and vibrant culture, Tel Aviv is becoming more and more of a great place for college students to travel to. Once not considered much of a tourist destination, this growing city is becoming more of a main destination for people looking to visit the Middle East. The friendly people will make you feel right at home as you discover just what makes Israel so special. The religious roots of this ancient city makes day trips a lot of fun. The food is delicious and the nightlife is outrageous, so what more could you ask for?

Tel Aviv Pictures

Things to do in Tel Aviv

The second largest city in Israel, Tel Aviv has a lot to offer any tourist looking for a bit of fun. While you can easily get lost in the history and culture of the city, there are definitely a few must sees that you have to get to while staying here. Old Jaffa is one of the oldest ports in the world. It is also supposedly where Jonah was swallowed by a whale in stories. Here grab a quick bite and enjoy the sea breeze while looking out at the beautiful view. The Azrieli Lookout is the top of the Azrieli Towers where you can look out at the rest of the city from a high up, central point. In the area there are two notable amusement parks. Luna Park, the premier park within the city limits has an excellent selection of rides and rollercoasters. You can also hop over to the Meimadyon water park, which is right near the amusement park. This makes the perfect summer day trip. Another amusement park is Superland. You would need a car to get here. Lots of college students prefer this one because there are many more thrill rides than Luna Park. Back in the center of the city, Rabin Square, the largest square in Israel, is a nice place to shop and eat. The Museum of the Jewish Diaspora and Eretz-Israel Museum are both worth visiting. You will see exhibits with lovely artifacts and religious symbolism. Try to get in a soccer game while visiting. It is the city’s most famous sport and there are several great teams. If there is a little left over time, a day or afternoon at the beach is always fun. Get a nice tan and hang out amongst the locals at one of the smaller beaches in Tel Aviv.

Nightlife in Tel Aviv

There are many clubs, bars, and lounges in Tel Aviv. Although most locals enjoy strolling around the city streets and people watching. For tourists, many of these places cater to you and your needs and you will be able to find pretty good deals. Dizengoff Street and the Herbert Samuel Esplanade-Ha-Tayelet are where most young adults like to hang out. For a fun night, stroll over to in a live show. Music really is the best way to enjoy the nightlife in this city. Bands and singers perform almost every night at the high end hotels like the Sheraton and Hilton in downtown. The bars here are often packed, so come early. Zamir Theater is a fun club and on weekends where younger crowds like to come. Shesek and Lemon are also worth stopping by. There are also many gay and lesbian bars like Dix and Evita. Other bars to start your night off at include Shalvata, Jaffa, Joey’s Bar, and Terminal.

Dining in Tel Aviv

For tourists who are not so daring, there are the traditional Western comfort foods such as fast food restaurants and chains. McDonalds, Burger King, and Pizza Hut can all be found here. However, that isn’t half the fun of being in a new and exotic place. The fast food chains do offer a more Mediterranean kick to the typical burgers and fries. However, street carts also serve up tasty and authentic food for college students on a budget. Try some hummus and pita bread or tabule. You can also find lots of beans, chickpeas, and lentils as side dishes and in soups. Seafood is also a big meal item due to the proximity to the ocean. If you are looking to splurge a little on a meal try places like Yoezer Bar Wine, Abu Hasan, and White Hall. Stuffed grape leaves are excellent at these restaurants. Also kosher food is very prevalent, and tasty. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to taste some of these dishes, this is a great opportunity to dig in.

Shopping in Tel Aviv

Allenby Street is the best place to find touristy shopping. You can buy inexpensive clothing, gift items, book, souvenirs, and delicious baked goods as well. The Opera Tower is a posh mall right next to Allenby Street. This place is as close to a fashion center as Tel Aviv gets. There are nice shops and designer stores as well as carts and food. Katika and D&A are trendy shops you will want to check out if you go to one of these malls. Take note that you can’t barter prices here. However, at the local street shops, you may be able to. Israeli jewelry and pottery products are very fine and you will be able to get pretty good deals on them if you look in the right places. Other than that there are mainly international goods such as clothing to be purchased here.

Tel Aviv travel tips

• The new central bus station called Tahana Merkazit is the official largest bus station in the world, which makes getting around easy and convenient.
• The currency in Tel Aviv is the Israeli shekel (ILS).
• The international calling code is 972 if dialing from a long-distance phone.