Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel Aviv has become a major business centre in recent years. Its thriving tech scene is now considered to be one of the best in the world, but it’s also a sunny getaway with a distinct culture

With towering skyscrapers and glittering Mediterranean beaches, it’s no wonder Tel Aviv is celebrated for its laid-back urban culture. The city is well known in Israel for its liberal attitude, youthful population and thriving nightlife, leading The New York Times to christen it the ‘capital of Mediterranean cool’. Business travellers have little excuse to stay cooped up in their hotel rooms when staying in a city like this.

Part of what makes Tel Aviv’s culture so vibrant is the juxtaposition between the city and its surroundings

With plenty of pedestrianised areas, Tel Aviv is best explored on foot. Tourists should visit the iconic Rothschild Boulevard, which, owing to the large collection of Bauhaus architecture that lines the street, resulted in the White City of Tel Aviv being awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Packed with cafes, bars and markets, the city offers a rich cultural experience. Its culinary scene is an explosion of Mediterranean, North African and Middle Eastern influences.

Part of what makes Tel Aviv’s culture so vibrant is the juxtaposition between the city and its surroundings. The old port town of Jaffa, a neighbourhood of Tel Aviv, has been around for more than 2,000 years. The port’s narrow, winding alleys encourage visitors to lose themselves in their surroundings, while distinctive architecture such as the Jaffa Clock Tower and St Peter’s Church provide eye-catching stopping points. In few other places in the world can you see one of the world’s oldest Mediterranean ports alongside a buzzing city centre.

While staying in Tel Aviv, travellers should also consider taking a day trip to the Dead Sea. Floating in its salt-rich waters is said to be a bizarre experience, but an exhilarating and deeply memorable one. It’s also a great place to enjoy a spa treatment, as the high mineral content of the Dead Sea has been renowned throughout history for its therapeutic and beautifying properties.