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Today we will try to figure out which capital of Israel is: Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. It turns out that those who claim that this is a modern city with the romantic name Hill of Spring, and others who give primacy to the ancient settlement in the Promised Land, are also right.

A little about the country

Before resolving the eternal debate about which Israel is: Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, we will tell you a little about the country itself. The state is located in the Middle East, in the lands mentioned in the Bible. Just over eight million people live here. Having gone through centuries of misfortunes and wanderings, people managed to return to their homeland and revive it. Today this country is considered one of the most highly developed in the world in terms of economy, army, level of medicine, and attractiveness for tourists. And although conflicts with neighbors arise quite often in Israel, hundreds of thousands of immigrants choose to live there. And pilgrims who want to visit the holy places of three world religions at once are not afraid of anything at all.

Two capitals of one state

So which is it, the capital of Israel - Tel Aviv or Jerusalem? Let's figure it out. According to official data, the main political center of the country is ancient Jerusalem. But it is worth noting that only the government and religious centers are located in it. The remaining sectors of human activity (culture, education, business, entertainment, trade) are concentrated in Tel Aviv. This is a young city with a special flavor and unsurpassed charm. Next, we will dwell in more detail on each of these capitals, since they are in no way inferior to each other.

Ancient Jerusalem

So, the reader already knows which capital of Israel is Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. The city, which is thousands of years old, today attracts people from all over the globe. Interestingly, there are no mineral resources here; it is quite difficult to grow crops here. So why does humanity strive here, to the land promised by God to all Jews? Hard to say.

The city of Jerusalem was mentioned already in the 18-19 centuries. Over the years of its existence, it has changed hands more than once: Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Turks, Egyptians, and the British left their traces in these lands. In May 1948, Israel became an independent state and began the countdown to its new life.

Sights of Jerusalem

The debate about which capital of Israel is Tel Aviv or Jerusalem continues even now. But the reader already knows the truth, so we invite him on a virtual journey through the sights of the ancient holy city. And there are a dime a dozen of them here, and, as the locals say, every pebble here is sacred. Therefore, we stop talking about which capital of Israel is Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, and go to

• The Dome of the Rock Mosque has a golden dome, 20 meters in diameter, which is visible from every corner of the Old City. This is a functioning shrine, erected on the site of the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad to heaven.
• The Western Wall is the only surviving wall of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, destroyed by order of Titus. not part of the temple itself, but the remains of support structures around the mountain. But still, every resident or guest of the city considers it his duty to come here and pray to the Almighty.
• The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the greatest Christian shrine, erected on the site of the crucifixion and burial, as well as the resurrection of Jesus. The first temple was built here by Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine. According to legend, she found a cave in the dungeon where the body of Christ once rested, as well as the cross on which he was crucified.
• Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third most important shrine in Islam. It was in her direction that Muslims turned until the prophet moved the qibla to Mecca.
• Via Dolorosa is the path that Jesus took while carrying his cross to Calvary. This is the road of sorrow, which has 14 stops, where chapels have now been erected.
• Cathedral of St. James in the Armenian Quarter (12th century).
• Tsidkiyahu Cave, or King Solomon's Quarries.
• Church and monastery of St. Mary Magdalene (18th century), erected by order of the Russian emperor
• Citadel of David. This is not a sacred building, but it has served the people as protection and fortress many times.

Now the reader will forever remember which capital of the state of Israel is Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. And we continue our journey and go to another main city of this wonderful country.

Second capital

We continue our discussion about whether the capital of the country of Israel is Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. More than a million people live in the city, which is rightly called the second capital of the state. Its founding date is considered to be 1909, and forty years later it became the capital of Israel. The Hill of Spring, which is how the name of the settlement is translated, unites several cities: Jaffa, Holon, Petach-Tiqva, Ramat Gan, Bat Yam, Bene Baraq. It is in Tel Aviv, and not in Jerusalem, that the Ministry of Defense and many foreign embassies are located. This city is the center of commercial, financial, industrial and cultural life of the country.

Sights of Tel Aviv

Is the capital of Israel Tel Aviv or Jerusalem? The discussion continues, so we take a tour of the modern and vibrant metropolis called Spring Hill. What interesting things await a traveler who decides to stay here?

• Beaches on the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, this is the entire western part of Tel Aviv, divided into sections. Each beach has not only its own name, but also a rescue service. They are equipped with bike paths and sports grounds, and offer peace and quiet.
• Old Jaffa is a port that has well preserved its former appearance. Here, pay attention to the Clock Square with a tower, the History Museum, the Square of Antiquities, the Old Port and the Flea Market.
• The Carmel Market is the heart of local trade, a noisy bazaar with a unique oriental flavor, where you can hear all the languages ​​of the world.
• The Neve Tzedek neighborhood was once a prestigious neighborhood for the city's wealthiest. Today there are museums, galleries, and boutiques here.
• Museum of Art, located on an area of ​​18 thousand square meters.
• Rabin Square. This is the place where they were killed. Today a memorial is opened there, and rallies are held every year.
• Crafts market.
• Rothschild Boulevard is the first in the city.
• Yarkon Park is the largest park in the country, located on the river of the same name.

There is a lot to be said about whether the capital of Israel is Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Each city is important and special in its own way. Don't believe me? See for yourself by visiting them and strolling through their streets!

Tel Aviv is one of the top ten nightlife and coastal cities in the world. This is because this is the only city in the city that only begins to wake up by midnight, even on Shabbat, when everything else closes. Walk along the streets of Tel Aviv at night and you will see cafes, nightclubs, 24-hour galleries and bookstores filled to capacity.

Tel Aviv is home to some of the most expensive penthouses in the world (Madonna bought an apartment somewhere there), offices of the largest companies and almost all embassies. And although it is not the capital of Israel, as many are mistaken, Tel Aviv is definitely the center of cultural life and entertainment for Israelis.

Good news for travelers: the Israeli government has signed a decree between Belarus and Israel. Belarusians will be able to receive the coveted stamp right at the airport upon arrival. Prepare for this joyful event - study the author's 34travel guide to Tel Aviv so as not to miss the most interesting places on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Guide contents:

There are two most common options for flying to Ben Gurion International Airport, which is located 14 kilometers from Tel Aviv. The easiest and fastest flight from Minsk is a direct flight from Belavia, which operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. In the summer, during the holiday season, round-trip ticket prices reach €500, but if you buy in advance, round-trip flights can be €100 cheaper. And if you catch a flight with a transfer through Kyiv, you will get there for € 300.

Low-cost airline Wizz Air flies from Vilnius to Tel Aviv. In this case, you can’t count on super-cheap tickets either. If you buy a ticket for €200 round trip, consider yourself lucky.

If there is no direct low-cost airline to Tel Aviv from your city, try buying tickets to Eilat, a city on the southern tip of Israel. Authorities pay extra for airlines to fly to the city on the Red Sea, cut off from Tel Aviv by the desert, and bring tourists here. The prices are especially good in winter: they start from € 15 per ticket from Poznań. The price of travel from Eilat to Tel Aviv is € 17.

The most popular form of public transport in Israel is buses. The fare costs € 1.5, and one ticket is valid for an hour and a half: you can change to any number of buses during this time. To move around the city more economically, it is better to buy a Rav Kav card from the driver, on which you can store different travel programs: with it, every ten trips will be cheaper.

Rent city ​​bikes in Tel Aviv is gaining momentum, and we are talking about electric bikes of the municipal Tel-O-Fun system. The city has 200 parking lots for them, and the length of convenient routes for exploring the city is 120 km. To use a bicycle, you need to purchase a day or three-day card on the website Tel-O-Fun. 30-minute trips are free, daily - € 4.

Since Israel is a religious country, from mid-Friday to Saturday evening, when Shabbat begins, public transport stops running. At this time, only minibuses and taxis operate. It’s very convenient to order a taxi through the app Get Taxi, there you will also find day and night rates for travel between cities. The average price per kilometer in the center of the country is 10 shekels (or € 2).

Also install two more useful applications - Moovit and Waze. The first one lays out public transport routes throughout the country, shows bus and train schedules, i.e. It works on the same principle, only better. The second is a convenient online navigator in case you decide to rent a car.

Since Tel Aviv is the most expensive city in Israel, finding affordable accommodation even on Airbnb and Booking.com will not be easy. As in all coastal cities, prices here depend on the proximity of the apartment to the sea. Hostels are not as common as in Europe, but there is still a choice. Proven options are in our selection.

Hostel Little Tel-Aviv (Yehuda Ha Levi, 51) is located 10 minutes walk from the sea. It's clean, cozy, and the furniture and fixtures are new. You can safely believe the photos from their website.

The most fashionable - Florentine Hostel (Eliflet, 10). Young people from all over the world hang out here day and night, warmly welcoming all newcomers. Drinking alcohol together is encouraged.

Chef Hostel Montefiore (Montefiore, 19). A noisy and cramped hostel for those who are not afraid of everyday inconveniences. Nearby there is a 24-hour supermarket that is open even on Shabbat, a market with fresh vegetables and fruits, and the sea is just a stone's throw away.

Old Jaffa Hostel (Amiad, 13). An atmospheric place in old Jaffa, far from skyscrapers, dirt and noisy roads. The hostel became famous for its roof terrace overlooking the old part of the city, where it is best to watch the sunset.

Sky Hostel (Ben-Yehuda, 34) is located on a very noisy street in Tel Aviv, so it’s not a fact that you’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep. But you definitely won’t get lost after the promenade - most of the entertainment places are located here.

Tel Aviv is divided into several districts, the most significant of which is the old city of Jaffa, which is considered a separate city. The first mentions of Jaffa appeared in 1479-1425. BC. Start planning your cultural program from the city’s official website. There is a schedule for a tour bus that will take you around historical sites. An adult ticket costs €10.

Jaffa- probably the most serious antiquity of Israel, which has survived to this day almost intact. This is an ancient Egyptian port, and today also a tiny stone hill town by modern standards, merged with Tel Aviv. According to ancient Greek myth, Perseus freed Andromeda here. According to the Old Testament, it was in this port that Noah built the ark. Stone narrow streets, stuck together houses, miniature terraces overlooking the sea and Tel Aviv bristling with skyscrapers - today Jaffa is one large open-air museum, home to more than a dozen galleries, 8 churches, an endless number of small cafes and near-historical museums. Jaffa is bordered on the eastern side by the legendary flea trade area, and on the south by the old port with cafes and art studios. On the north side there is a beach and a surf spot.

Despite all its religiosity, Israel is the progressive and most tolerant of all the countries in the Middle East. Once a year in early June, the streets of Tel Aviv are closed for the gay pride parade, which attracts more than 100,000 people from around the world, and LGBT flags fly from houses all year round.

During the great Jewish holiday of Passover, which is celebrated in early April, you can visit most museums and national parks for free.

Tel Aviv port- the main attraction of the city. In recent years, Namal (as the port is called in Hebrew) has transformed into a separate entertainment city with theaters, clubs, restaurants and bars, exhibitions and cafeterias. Since cars are not allowed here, this is the best place for walking with children and rollerblading or cycling. On Fridays there is a market with organic vegetables and fruits, and on Saturdays there is an antiques fair.

The Israelis do not eat to live, but live to eat. You can safely avoid show-off restaurants, because this is a sign of quality. Don't even try to leave the city without trying the local falafel and shawarma at least once. For € 10 they will make you such a huge pita with meat, salads and hummus that you will hardly be able to crawl out from behind the table.

In Israel, it is customary to tip everyone, especially in bars and restaurants. The waiters are not shy about openly asking for them if you suddenly forget to thank them for the service.

The best burgers are served in Burger bar 39 (Ben Yehuda, 93). The place is modest, with a minimum number of tables, but beloved by many fast food connoisseurs. Be sure to take the burger with entrecote. It costs from € 10, including potatoes, sauces and a drink of your choice.

To appreciate and love hummus, you need to try it in the right places. For example, in Bahadunas (Ibn Gabirol, 150). This hummusia makes one of the most delicious hummus in Tel Aviv, which is why there are long queues at lunchtime. Don't forget to bring a jar of hummus and sauces with you.

The most popular chain cafe in Israel - Aroma. There are “fragrant” points at almost every step. Feel free to come here in search of a home-cooked lunch and delicious coffee. The cafe operates on a self-service basis, so the prices are quite reasonable. Just don’t be surprised if you see soups on the menu, but in fact there aren’t any. Israelis recognize this dish only in winter.

It’s difficult to find something in Israel cheaper than five shekels (that’s a little more than a dollar). Even in the most remote hole, coffee costs at least €2.5. But there is a chain in the country where all food and drinks are 5 shekels, including soups and hot dishes. It's called Cofix, and branches are open in almost every district of the city. The food is packed in vacuum-sealed lunch boxes, and the baked goods are all fresh. Be sure to try iced coffee, it is the most popular drink here.

Adherents of proper nutrition dine at Mizlala (Nahalat Binyamin, 57) . Star chef Meir Adoni has developed a menu with a large selection of raw food dishes that, even after eight in the evening, are not dangerous for the figure. For better digestion and energy for guests, a local DJ mixes only hit playlists.

Cafe Abba Gil (Yehuda Halevi, 55) famous for producing organic hummus. The establishment resembles a cozy canteen where you can quickly and inexpensively have a bite to eat the most popular Israeli dishes: sweet potato soup, falafel, eggplant, lentil and rice dishes.

Go to breakfast Benedict Breakfast Restaurant (Ben Yehuda, 171). This is the best place to greet a new day. There are more than 50 types of breakfast on the menu, and the place is packed with visitors both in the morning and in the evening. Particularly because they serve absolutely non-kosher bacon (most Israeli cafes and restaurants do not have it, as does, for example, cheese on McDonald’s burgers). In addition to delicious coffee, you can order a glass of champagne or a cocktail.

For healthy fast food, go to Buddha Burgers (Ibn Gabirol, 86). They serve delicious vegan burgers and soy and lentil burritos, as well as vegetarian soups and salads. The average price of a main course is € 7-9.

If you get tired of shawarma and falafel, go to the best Italian restaurant in the local latitudes with a simple name Italia (Kreminitzki, 6). Grab a bottle of Sicilian wine with focaccio and olives right away and only then start studying the menu. Then you can calmly, without choking on saliva, choose your dish. Many stop at the aperitif: appetizers, according to good tradition, are served until you say “stop”.

The best desserts can be found in the restaurant Dallal (Shabazi, 10). Make a stop there after a walk around the area: the place is located in the Neve Tzedek area, ancient and romantic. Directly opposite the establishment there is a wooden swing covered with flowers. Delicious cakes, a couple of cocktails, a light breeze... Consider it a ready-made program for a date.

A La Rampa (Ha "Amal Street, 21)- a win-win choice if you adhere to a vegetarian diet and love high-quality background music in establishments. The cafe is not located in the center, but, on the contrary, in the “local” area of ​​the city, where galleries, secret music and other studios are concentrated. In the evenings, it’s even easier to spend a couple of hours here unnoticed than during the day - a movie is shown on the wall of the house opposite. The area itself - in the past a dirty industrial zone - is now dotted with graffiti and is acquiring new art spots every day.

Beccafico (Shabazi, 49)- an impeccable Italian restaurant in the lively Neve Tzedek area, located on Shalom Shabazi Street - attractive and authentic at any time of the year. The establishment is suitable for both a quick snack and a romantic feast with a glass of wine. Be careful - the food, interior and exterior are extremely photogenic.

Max Brenner (Rothschild Blvd, 45; HaTa "arucha, 3; HaBarzel, 23; Ha-Menofim, 8 and others) - an Israeli chain of chocolate shops, whose locations today are scattered between Israel, the USA, Australia and Japan. This sweet-tooth paradise serves chocolate fondue, pancakes, waffles, as well as chocolate pizzas and martinis. You can try the famous desserts in Tel Aviv in one of the many establishments of the chain - they are located in all party districts. They say that Max Brenner chocolate can not only be tasted, but also heard - guests are treated to it on all five sensory levels. You will also find souvenirs there.

Florentin 10 (Florentin, 10) is a popular local coffee shop and bar in the heart of the Florentin district, a youth district of bars and galleries. There is everything you love and appreciate - invigorating and alcoholic drinks, sweet and not-so-sweet snacks, beautiful books, cozy armchairs and crowds of young Florentines, whom you can watch while sipping your drink. The establishment is located in a Bauhaus-style building, there are tables both outside and inside. An important nuance - Florentin 10 is open 24 hours a day.

Wines are the calling card of Israel. It’s best, of course, to go straight to where the wine is produced, but if you can’t get to the wineries, start exploring Israeli wines in local bars and restaurants. And in stores, be sure to take cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay and shiraz. The rarest and most delicious wine is pomegranate. To avoid getting confused by the names, remember: Rimon, Barkan, Clos de Gat. Take any bottle from these manufacturers, you won’t go wrong.

It’s especially pleasant, since local youth are quite demanding in their demands and like to relax no worse than in Paris, New York or Berlin. On every street you will find several bars to suit every taste.

(Dizingoff, 223)- the oldest cocktail bar in the city, where you can easily discuss the latest news or unhappy love with the bartender. They pour both good old classics and original versions to suit the mood.

If you want to not just get drunk, but do it beautifully, go to a bar Bellboy (Berdichevsky, 14). Leather sofas, oil paintings, velvet curtains - a place so sophisticated that even cocktails are served in seashells.

Gastronomic critics have repeatedly recognized Imperial Bar (Hayarkon, 66) one of the best in the Middle East, including according to Tripadvisor. The imperial style can be seen in everything - from the interior to the menu design. There are happy hours where you can get two cocktails for the price of one. Be sure to ask to mix a cocktail that is not on the menu.

Library Bar (Nachmani, 25) Located at The Norman Hotel, it is decorated in an elegant colonial style. In order to put your thoughts in order after a noisy night and drink a refreshing mojito while snacking on snacks, this is just the thing.

If you have never tried molecular cocktails, you should experiment in a fashion bar

Tel Aviv from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Tel Aviv.

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Tel Aviv (in Hebrew - “mound of spring”) was founded as a Jewish quarter on the territory of the ancient port city of Jaffa, and later merged with it. This is the center of a colossal agglomeration of more than a dozen settlements, in turn surrounded by a ring of cities. In fact, this is a real metropolis on the seashore with more or less conventional boundaries.

Israel's second largest city is extremely attractive to tourists. Located close to the international airport and only 60 km from Jerusalem. Staying in Tel Aviv, it is convenient to make forays around the country. At the same time, there is so much in the city that whether it is necessary to go somewhere is a big question.

One of the best urban embankments in the world stretches along the sea continuously, and the beaches differ from each other. The old town is filled with people at any time of the year. The restaurants scattered literally everywhere are no less lively. Tel Aviv is also a party city. In those few months when the holiday season is over, it continues to seethe and boil until the morning, as if nothing had happened.

How to get to Tel Aviv

Dan buses serve the city from 5:00 to 0:00 (office website). Tickets - from 5.90 ILS, day pass - from 13.5 ILS. The whole city is divided into zones; the more zones there are on the pass, the more expensive it is.

The only type of transport that operates daily is taxi. The machines are equipped with meters, and a receipt is issued upon payment. The cost of travel in the center is 20-40 ILS, to the suburbs - from 50-70 ILS. There is a surcharge of up to 5 ILS for travel of a third passenger and baggage. The night rate is valid on Saturdays and holidays - 25% more expensive than usual.

The most popular bus routes among tourists, Nos. 5 and 18, pass through the city center. Minibus taxis run on routes Nos. 4, 5, 16, 51 and 66: fares are the same as on a bus, stops are at the request of the passenger. Minibuses operate on Saturdays and holidays.

There is a city bike rental service: green (rather heavy) Tel-o-Fun bicycles (office site) and more than 100 automated parking lots. How it works: you pay for a subscription (daily from 17 ILS, for 3 days - from 48 ILS), a deposit is debited from your bank card (about 100 ILS), the first half hour is free, then 6 ILS for every 30 minutes. In case of non-return after the first 24 hours, the bicycle is considered lost and fines begin - from 1200 to 4500 ILS. Incorrect installation of the bike in the parking lot leads to the fact that the system “does not see it” and continues to record the time. There are many unofficial rental companies in the city that do not require a deposit; you can also rent a bike in hotels or sports stores.

You can save money by taking 10-minute breaks between trips (you drive for 25 minutes, then wait another 10 minutes for the system to count the return). But there are problems with debit cards, when the deposit is returned for a month or longer.

Maps of Tel Aviv

Rent a Car

International Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Europcar operate in Tel Aviv, most have offices right at the airport (a fee of 105 ILS is added here). Prices - from 220 ILS for an economy class car, deposit - from 2000 ILS, the amount of which is reduced when paying for insurance (the simplest ones - from 10% of the rental price). The services of local rental companies are 20% or more cheaper.

In Israel, it is worth taking out insurance: the car fleet is noticeably worn out, and an extra scratch, unnoticed during the initial inspection, results in expenses. It’s also worth overpaying for a car, giving up a low-power engine if you plan to drive towards the Dead Sea (there are a lot of climbs).

The roads are excellent. There is only one toll road, the northern section on road No. 6 (Tel Aviv - Haifa). The system itself records the car number and sends an invoice to the owner depending on the length of the section traveled (with an average of 35 ILS), however, rental offices can add additional “entry fees” to this amount. The toll area can be bypassed along road No. 2, which runs along the sea.

Communications and Wi-Fi

It is worth purchasing a local SIM card if you need mobile Internet. The roaming rates of our operators are quite comparable to the rates within Israel for foreign calls, which is very expensive.

There are 4 cellular operators on the Israeli market: budget Hotmobile and Pelephone, Partner (formerly Orange), Cellphone. Each of them offers tariffs without a subscription fee; we are talking about prepaid tariffs with a paid limit. Minimum cost - 50-60 ILS, 4-5 GB of traffic included.

It’s easier to buy a SIM card at the airport, city kiosks, gas stations or post offices.

Free Wi-Fi is available at the airport and in almost all shopping centers, cafes and restaurants. The areas around the main attractions, the most visited beaches and parks in Tel Aviv are also covered. The speed usually exceeds 2-3 Mb/sec.

Beaches of Tel Aviv

In the west, Tel Aviv abuts the Mediterranean Sea: 12 sandy beaches follow each other over a distance of 14 km. In winter, only 7 are open, 4 allow dogs to be off-leash, and another 4 have free libraries.

All beaches, with the exception of Ha-Tsuk, are free, most have paid parking. Almost every one has lifeguards on duty, there are children's areas, sun loungers, umbrellas, awnings (for an additional fee), cafes, bars. Many have sports equipment, and grounds for beach sports have been built.

The paid “Ha-Tsuk” is located to the north; mainly locals rest here. The next beach with lawns, Tel Baruch, is also considered a beach for Israelis. Matsitzim Beach, a Blue Flag holder, is another favorite beach for residents. The Orthodox “Nordau” is known for the fact that all days except Saturday are “separate”: entrance only for men or only for women.

Behind it is a small “Atsmoot”, where gays gather. Popular, although narrow, the Hilton is renowned for its calmest waters. There is free parking and a surf center. The tourist beach "Gordon" is famous for its seawater swimming pool and children's slides. The beaches “Frishman” and “Bugrashov” are similar, offering a relaxing holiday almost in the city center.

The most crowded and largest beach, awarded the Blue Flag, Jerusalem, is chosen by families with children and tourists. Next comes the recently renovated Aviv, where there are no lifeguards and swimming is prohibited. The southern beaches - "Charles Clore" near the park, "Barabashchikov" near the dolphinarium and "Givat Aliya", which turns into old Jaffa - are relatively sparsely populated.

Tel Aviv

Treatment in Tel Aviv

Some people will remember Tel Aviv as bright and resort-like, but people also come here for treatment: for diagnostics, course procedures or for surgical intervention. In Israel's second largest city, services are provided by both local clinics and branches of the country's largest clinics, for example, Assuta (office site), known far beyond its borders.

The cost of treatment in public hospitals (the reputable “Ikhilov”, the “Lis” maternity hospital, the “Dana” children’s hospital - all of this is now combined into the “Suraski” medical center (office site)) is significantly lower than in private ones (expensive even by private standards “ Ramat Aviv"). Medical centers in the cities closest to Tel Aviv (Herzliya Medical Center, state-owned Sheba in Ramat Gan) charge less for their services than famous clinics in the metropolis itself.

All areas in which Israeli medicine is strong are represented: surgery, oncology, gynecology, pregnancy and childbirth, cosmetology and plastic surgery, ophthalmology, etc. Appointments with leading world-famous specialists are scheduled six months in advance.

Diving in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv has conditions for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. There are stations on the central beaches (Hilton), northern (Tel Baruch) and southern (Drummers beach next to the dolphinarium). Beginners prefer the last beach as it is protected by breakwaters. There are also quite popular budget clubs here. The cost of an individual lesson with an instructor and an hour of independent skiing (total 1.5 hours) - from 250 ILS.

Tel Aviv is also one of the diving centers in the Mediterranean Sea. There are several clubs in the city, many of which are branches of Eilat (Red Sea) clubs. The debate between divers about whether it is worth diving off the Mediterranean coast continues. Off the coast of Tel Aviv there are several interesting diving sites at different depths (10-35 m) - from natural canyons, where there is a lot of marine life (turtles, stingrays, squids), to sunken ships. The descent is carried out under the supervision of an instructor. The cost of diving with equipment rental is from 415 ILS.

The most interesting diving spots are located north of Tel Aviv. Thus, divers chose the Caesarea reserve, 60 km from the city, as well as Nahariya (more than 125 km to the north) - the closest city to the caves and grottoes of Rosh Hanikra and the Achziv nature reserve.

Tel Aviv Hotels

Tel Aviv has a wide variety of accommodation options: from budget campsites and hostels to luxury five-star hotels. Most of them are located in the city center, on the Dizengoff tourist square, as well as along the beach line (Yarkon Street and a little further - Ben-Yehuda Street). The average cost of living is high; a double room in a 3* hotel will cost from 458 ILS.

Most of the accommodation facilities do not have a “star rating” at all, since apart-hotels or separately rented apartments predominate here. Breakfast can be ordered separately (from 170 ILS per person), and the room will have a kitchenette. Apartments in the center or by the sea will cost from 450-500 ILS.

You should look for economical hotels in the south of the city, away from the sea (from 200 ILS per room), and money-conscious Israelis who come here for the weekend prefer to stay in the immediate vicinity: Ramat Gan, Bat Yam, Holon and Givatayim , where prices for overnight accommodation are several times lower (on average 445 ILS for two).

There are not many international chain hotels (from 1000 ILS per room), families with children can choose among hotel complexes with swimming pools (from 800 ILS). There are much fewer hostels than luxury hotels. Bed in a shared room - from 100 ILS.

Shopping

The city's markets are worth visiting if only for the atmosphere. The flea market in Old Jaffa is famous far beyond Tel Aviv; it consists of several streets and adjacent shops, including second-hand shops. There you can save on new things and on antiques that have changed several owners (utensils, coins, women's jewelry). The main thing is not to forget to bargain. Another local market, “Carmel” in the Kerem Hatemanim quarter, is a real oriental bazaar, and one that is accustomed to the influx of tourists.

Souvenirs and spices at the Carmel market are cheaper than in shops and most stores. Locals prefer to shop on Friday evening, before Shabbat, since sellers do not want to leave perishable goods until Sunday and are more willing to reduce the price.

With the advent of shopping centers, the main shopping moved from the narrow central streets there. The Gan-Ha-Ir shopping center is distinguished by the number of premium brands per m² - it is considered almost the most luxurious in the country. Ramat Aviv is more affordable in prices and brands; there are many Israeli brands and jewelry stores. The Azrieli shopping center is located in a business center, but here it is easier than anywhere else to buy “on sale” items and choose original souvenirs. The largest shopping center is Dizengoff, which has more than 500 stores. From Sunday to Thursday, the centers are open from 9:00 to 20:30-22:00, closing on Friday afternoons and sometimes opening on Saturday evenings.

Shopping streets of the city: Shenkin (souvenir shops and small boutiques - next to the Carmel market), Alenby (outlets), Nahalat Binyamin with its art fair (at the intersection of Shenkin and Alenby) and Dizengoff, where local designer shops are concentrated.

Cuisine and restaurants of Tel Aviv

The real Tel Aviv smells like food, locals say. Here you can find eateries with a wide variety of cuisines - Middle Eastern, Pan-Asian, Eastern European, French, Russian or American. But, oddly enough, there are not so many cafes with traditional Jewish cuisine in Tel Aviv. However, places like Shmulik Cohen in the southern part of the old city still offer the opportunity to try hearty Ashkenazi dishes.

For the most delicious hummus, it is recommended to go to the small cafe “Abu Hassan” on Ha-Dolphin. And to feel the special rhythm of Israel, you need to visit one of the authentic restaurants in the old city. In these cozy, always noisy establishments, eating turns into a ritual. Among the extensive menu, regulars especially recommend trying the local carpaccio. Meat lovers should also order tender beef steaks (average price - 60-80 ILS). Kashrut imposes its own restrictions on the menu, stimulating the creation of new, unusual recipes. Therefore, 80% of Israeli cuisine consists of dishes that can only be tasted here.

There is no need to be afraid of original dishes - there is a cult of quality products in the country.

For those who want to save on food but try national dishes, we recommend checking out inexpensive falafel eateries. You can have a full meal there for only 20-30 ILS, and the “falafel” itself (deep-fried balls of chopped chickpeas) will cost only 14-16 ILS. In addition, in these eateries you can taste Shabbat pies, saviach, hummus, as well as the usual sandwiches and very good coffee.

For sophisticated gourmets, there are full-fledged cafes and restaurants. Prices vary here. So, in the place “Goldman Yard” a full lunch will cost about 50-60 ILS. For comparison, you can have lunch at the Mantaray restaurant, famous for its excellent snacks and meat and poultry dishes, for 80-100 ILS, and dinner at the most prestigious restaurant in Tel Aviv, Catit, will cost 500 ILS.

The authentic Baba Yaga restaurant is open for Russian tourists, the menu of which includes borscht, solyanka, dumplings and homemade dumplings.

Local bakeries offer fresh croissants and buns made with a special type of bacteria grown in a special Israeli institute. You can eat cheaply and tasty at the food courts on the city's university campuses. Lunch will cost 20-30 LLS. Those who want to eat familiar dishes will also not go hungry. The streets of Tel Aviv are full of cafes offering traditional Italian pasta and other European dishes. The average bill is from 50 to 80 ILS.

In cafes and restaurants in Tel Aviv, it is customary to leave a 10% tip. Their absence is considered bad form and indicates the visitor’s extreme dissatisfaction.

The city's nightlife takes place in the coastal area. There are a huge number of bars, restaurants and nightclubs, each of which strives to create its own atmosphere. In general, they are not cheap, but the quality of the products and the variety of cuisine are worth the money. The average check is 50-100 LLS.

The best photos of Tel Aviv

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there's not much there. But there are many interesting museums: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Eretz Israel Museum, the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora. Also interesting is the Independence Palace, where the State of Israel was proclaimed in 1948.

Jaffa, which has long been practically part of Tel Aviv, is one of the oldest cities in the world, which has managed to be “marked” in a variety of legends and traditions: here Noah built his ark, Perseus freed Andromeda and from here the prophet Jonah set off, a vision was revealed here Apostle Peter and the righteous Tabitha was resurrected. Old Jaffa has long merged with Tel Aviv into one metropolis and has now been turned into a large tourist and artistic center with numerous restaurants, galleries, workshops, flea markets, salons, museums and archaeological excavations.

The city's nightlife in bars and discos begins after 21:00 and continues until dawn. There are many discos on the promenade of southern Tel Aviv, Allenby Street, and also in the port of Jaffa. Restaurants and cafes with quite reasonable prices are popular on Dizengoff and Ben Yehuda streets.

6 things to do in Tel Aviv

1. Not only take a stroll through old Jaffa, but also attend one of the open concerts.
2. To get impressions from non-city life, visit the Botanical Garden at the university and, don’t be too lazy to go, a safari in Ramam Gan. Wildlife is just around the corner.
3. Tired of marching from beach to beach, go to the city park. Or lie down on a sun lounger right on Rothschild Boulevard.
4. Draw a conclusion in a couple of days which beach is the best: free or paid, with pools or “for locals”... Go around all 12.
5. Leave the modern city for the Caesarea National Park. Just 45 minutes, and in front of you is the Roman amphitheater.
6. Watch the sunrise or sunset on one of the longest embankments in the world.

Tel Aviv for children

The tourism infrastructure fully takes into account children's interests. The Meimadion water park has every conceivable type of water attraction and a special children's playground (office site in English).

The largest and most family-friendly city park, Yarkon, is an excellent place for picnics, walks and sports games (football, basketball, mini-golf, trampolines, climbing wall, kayaking). The huge area has its own mini-zoo, a rock and cactus garden, a tropical garden, and a bird park. This local equivalent of New York's Central Park runs right up to the embankment. On the territory of Yarkon there is an amusement park and a Memadion water park. A more extreme version of the amusement park, Superland, was built in the suburban Rishon LeZion (half an hour's drive).

You should definitely go to the zoological safari center in Ramat Gan (office site in English). Pets move freely throughout the main part of the park; there are few enclosures. Ostriches, zebras, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and lions walk a few steps from the car.

In the district of Tel Aviv (Gush Dan, the city of Holon) there is the famous Children's Museum, where you can spend several hours in unusual conditions: in the dark (like a blind person), not hearing sounds (deaf), becoming an elderly person (heavy clothes, shoes, dim lights, etc.). There are educational programs for the little ones. (office website with English version).

Weather

Average monthly temperature, °C

Mild winters (December to March) are only 10 degrees below summer temperatures. In three months, most of the annual precipitation falls; in November or March, rain occurs half as often, and in the summer there is none at all. Due to the warm winter, the sea does not have time to cool down: the coldest water is in March (+17 ° C), in December (+20) - it is quite suitable for swimming.

Which has become native to many civilizations and peoples, a country where three religions are professed - this is Israel. This land has always attracted pilgrims from all over the world, and today it is visited by millions of people from different parts of the planet. They are attracted to these places by the unique natural features of the Dead Sea, dozens of modern and comfortable seaside resorts on the coasts of the Red and Mediterranean Seas, the picturesque landscapes of the famous Negev Desert and the harsh Judean Mountains.

The country's second largest city, Tel Aviv, with a population of just over 400 thousand people, is one of the most visited in Israel. It belongs to the agglomeration called Gush Dan. It includes five more cities, as well as small settlements. It is inhabited by about 4 million people. 92% of them are Jews, 3% are Arabs.

The name of the city is translated from Hebrew as “hill of spring” or “mound of rebirth.” "Tel" - "ancient hill" or "mound", "Aviv" - "rebirth", "spring", "renewal". Tel Aviv is often called the White City, whose attractions are known far beyond its borders. It received this name because of the large number of white houses that were built at the beginning of the 20th century by architects of the Bauhaus school (Germany) in the international style. The largest number of such structures in the world is concentrated here. In the city center alone there are more than four thousand white houses.

Israel, Tel Aviv, attractions

This is an amazing city, where so many historical, architectural, and natural monuments are concentrated that even a cursory inspection of them will take a lot of time. Today we will present to you only some of the most popular of them.

Towers of Azrael

When people ask: “What are the sights to see in Tel Aviv?” - I want to answer: “Everything!” Here you need to see everything, from the modern airport to the narrow streets of Jaffa.

The undisputed adornment of the city is the Azrael Towers - three stunning skyscrapers of different shapes. One of them is square (42 floors), the second is triangular (46 floors), the third is round (49 floors). They contain entertainment areas and attractions. On the top floor of the round tower you can go out to an observation deck, which offers stunning views of the city.

Jaffa - old city

Tel Aviv, whose attractions are very diverse, tourists usually begin to explore from the ancient city of Jaffa. It was merged with Tel Aviv in 1950 into a new administrative center called Tel Aviv-Jaffa.

At the entrance to this ancient city you can see a magnificent panorama of Tel Aviv and the Bay of Jaffa. A city rich in history, Jaffa was reconstructed in 1963. Walking along the cobblestone streets, you can enter the artists' village, visit numerous craft shops, the best fish restaurants, and art galleries. Here you can wander around the famous flea market.

Jaffa is home to more than ten temples, mosques and monasteries. On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea is the Hasan Bek Mosque. It looks like a lighthouse, which is why it is often called the Sea Mosque.

Neve Tzedek

Tel Aviv's best attractions are distributed throughout the city. Let's visit another very old area - Neve Tzedek. Its foundation dates back to 1887. It was created as a fashionable area. Before this, Arabs lived here, from whom empty lands were purchased and 48 houses were built.

Unlike Jaffa, Neve Tzedek is not a tourist site, but an area for native Israelis. Here, townspeople love to walk with friends, visit cozy cafes, or simply stroll leisurely along the narrow streets.

There is a special atmosphere here. Today this area is no longer considered fashionable. Local residents classified him as bohemian. Most of the buildings built here have become historical and architectural monuments. Only very wealthy people live in this area, who bought and restored ancient buildings, as well as representatives of the creative intelligentsia who want privacy.

Miniature Park

Tel Aviv is attractive at any time of the year. The city's attractions are of interest to both adult travelers and children. Mini-Israel was created by analogy with other similar world parks.

Here are collected models of the main historical buildings of the country, religious buildings and figures of representatives of different nationalities inhabiting Israel. The main goal of this open-air museum is to introduce city guests to the history and culture of the country. In the park you can visit souvenir shops and eateries; workshops and playrooms are organized for children.

Pagoda House

There is no need to explore Tel Aviv in a hurry. The sights of this city require leisurely exploration.

Tourists can explore this amazing Pagoda House around the clock and completely free of charge. But this can only be done outside, because it is a residential building. It was built according to the design of a Japanese architect, and his idea was brought to life by the American Jew Maurice Bloch. The four-story building mixes Moorish and Buddhist architectural elements with some Art Nouveau details. In the figured arches on one of the floors you can see the resemblance to a Christian cathedral. And the entire third floor is like an ancient Greek temple.

Tsapari Park

Another attraction of the city where you can have a great time with children is “Tsapari” (or “Safari”), a park with palm trees, banana trees and eucalyptus trees growing here.

Beautiful swans swim in the lake, tropical, brightly colored birds fly from tree to tree, numerous streams and rivers gurgle between the animal and plant diversity.

Thematically, the park is divided into entertainment areas: a pavilion for reptiles, a bird park, a “children’s corner” for newborn animals, a parrot circus, an aviary for feeding animals, and finally, “Junga-Junga” - a stylized African village that has sports equipment, labyrinths, a children's pool and trampolines. The kids will be able to see a real goat farm and try to bake their own flatbread in an Arabian oven. The same opportunity is available for adults.

Yarkon Park

This park stretches along the Yarkon River. Its area is about 5 square kilometers. The park is divided into 6 zones. Among them are the Tropical Plant Garden, the Rock Garden and the Cactus Garden. There are also exotic animals here, and parrots live in the treetops. Those interested can rent a bicycle and ride along the shady paths or take a boat ride.

Embankment

Tel Aviv's long promenade is a pedestrian area designed for leisurely strolls. You can go down from it, and you will find yourself on one of the well-maintained beaches. And if you get hungry in the fresh air, you will always be welcome in restaurants and cafes located on the shore.

Art Museum

This is Tel Aviv's main cultural attraction. The museum is the largest in the country. It contains the largest collection of works of Israeli and world art. Among the museum's exhibitions you can see works by recognized masters of architecture, design, and photography. In addition, visitors are invited to explore the sculpture garden, where works by Israeli and foreign artists are exhibited.

The museum building itself, striking in its size and shape, is considered a universally recognized masterpiece. Its style perfectly matches the modern theme of the exhibitions that are offered for inspection.

Tel Aviv: attractions, reviews

According to tourists who were lucky enough to visit this amazing city, the memories and strong impressions of the trip will remain with them for the rest of their lives. The city is truly magnificent - it is original and picturesque. Many travelers note the well-developed infrastructure and excellent service. The reviews contain only regrets that it is difficult to see all the sights in a short trip.

Israel has many facets and contrasts. Barren, dead deserts coexist with blooming sea coasts, and thousand-year-old ruins coexist with modern high-rise buildings. This rather small country in the Middle East ranks 148th in the world by area. At the same time, it is washed by the waters of three seas at once - the Mediterranean, the Red and the Dead.

By the standards of the state, Israel is very young - in 2018 it will only turn 70 years old. Until now, the world does not even have final clarity on what should be considered the capital of Israel - Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. But adherents of three major world religions are unanimous: they revere the ancient lands here as saints.

1. Tel Aviv.

The city on the Mediterranean coast was founded in 1909, and 40 years later the Declaration of Independence of the new state, Israel, was proclaimed here.

2. Tel Aviv itself is home to about 430 thousand people; it is the second largest city in Israel after Jerusalem. And the population of the agglomeration exceeds 3.5 million people (Tel Aviv-Jaffa).

3. The city stretches along the coastline for more than 13 kilometers. The popular sandy beaches of the 10-kilometer Taelet promenade (Promenade) are protected from being washed out by the Mediterranean Sea by breakwaters.

4. Modern residential and business skyscrapers coexist with low-rise private buildings of the early 20th century. Tel Aviv is sometimes called the most eclectic city of contrasts in the Middle East.

5. The White City is the name given to Tel Aviv due to the large number of white buildings built between 1920-50. in the Bauhaus style. Thanks to this, the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

6. Marina. The man-made bay is a “parking pocket” for private yachts.

7. Jaffa (Jaffa).

Seaport, fortress and trade center of the ancient world. Historians consider Jaffa to be one of the oldest cities with a so-called continuous population, that is, those where people have lived continuously since its founding.

8. The history of the city began about 4000 years ago. The settlement and port alternately fell into the hands of Egyptian pharaohs, ancient Roman emperors, Arab sultans, European crusaders - and even Napoleon Bonaparte. United in the middle of the last century with Tel Aviv, Jaffa is located in the southwest of the metropolitan area.

9. Jaffa is home to a large number of historical monuments, temples, museums and other cultural heritage sites. Largely because of this unique spirit, Jaffa was chosen as a place of residence by representatives of creative bohemia from all over the world - artists, sculptors, and so on. Accordingly, the old city can boast of an abundance of various exhibition halls.

10. Israel has a well-developed road network, which began to be built in the first decades of the last century, when the territory of Palestine was controlled by the British Empire. The total length of highways exceeds 18.5 thousand kilometers, of which about 450 kilometers are expressways.

11. The main highway in Israel is Highway No. 1 "Tel Aviv - Jerusalem", with a length of almost 100 km.

12. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

One of the most ancient cities in the world. The first settlement on a secluded rocky plateau in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean and Dead Seas appeared during the Bronze Age, approximately 4500 - 3200 BC. The city, formerly known as Salim, was founded by residents of the historical region of Canaan at the end of the 3rd millennium. Around 1000 BC, the Jews, under the leadership of the legendary King David, conquered the city and founded their capital. Jerusalem became a holy place for Jews after the Ark of the Covenant with the Ten Commandments was brought here.

13. Temple Mount.

On a hill sacred to the Jews, the Temple of Solomon and the Second Temple (aka Herod's Temple) were built and destroyed by the conquerors at different times. Muslims consider the Temple Mount to be the third most important holy site, after Mecca and Medina: today it is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

14. Dome of the Rock.

Built at the end of the 7th century AD. Damascus Caliph - over the stone from which, according to Muslim tradition, the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

15. A fragment of rock covered with a dome on the site of the First Temple is at the same time a Jewish shrine: it is believed that this is the cornerstone of the universe on which the Ark of the Covenant was installed. And the prophet Abraham almost sacrificed his son Isaac at this place.

16. Wall of Tears.

One of the greatest shrines of Judaism. This is a fragment of the western wall of the Second Temple about half a kilometer long. It survived the destruction of the temple by the Romans in the first century AD following the brutal suppression of a Jewish revolt (the Jewish War). The Western Wall is a traditional place of pilgrimage for Jews, where they mourn the destruction of the Temple, pray and leave written appeals to God in the wall. The Western Wall is divided into two sections for men and women praying separately.

17. Christian quarter.

Ancient Jerusalem is a holy city for three world religions. Literally 500 meters from the Temple Mount is Calvary - the legendary site of Christ's crucifixion, as well as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - where Jesus was buried and later resurrected and ascended to heaven.

18. The area of ​​the Old City is less than a square kilometer; the most important shrines of almost all the world's major religions are compactly located on this territory. However, the long and difficult history of the city has become one of the main reasons that peace will never come to this land. Jerusalem is a crossroads of political contradictions.

19. Today, both the State of Israel and Palestine call Jerusalem its capital.

The city's unsettled status has caused several major armed clashes and ongoing tensions. It is for this reason that most diplomatic missions of the world's countries are located in Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, in December 2017, US President Donald Trump announced the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the transfer of the US embassy there. This step caused another surge in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

20. There are only 8 gates leading to the Old Town.

21. Jaffa Gate.

The main passage to the Christian and Armenian quarters of the Old City. The gate portal itself is located perpendicular to the fortress wall. This was done to hinder the enemy's advance.

22. Herod's Gate.

Entrance to the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem. This is one of the “youngest” gates of the city, created in the 19th century in the northern wall of the Old City. Jews call them “Flower”: according to one version, due to an incorrect translation of the Arabic name, according to another, because of the ornamental rosette decorating the gate. The Christian name "Herod's Gate" also arose as a result of a historical misunderstanding; it was mistakenly believed that the palace of one of the sons of King Herod the Great was located nearby.

23. The Ancient Jewish Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in the world.

Its history dates back to the era of the First Temple. Here are the tombs of a number of Old Testament prophets (Haggai, Malachi, Zechariah), as well as the son of King David, Prince Absalom (although scientists question its authenticity).

24. It is also the largest Jewish cemetery. There are up to 150 thousand graves here. It is a special honor to be buried on the Mount of Olives. And also, according to biblical legend, it is in these places that the Last Judgment will take place, and the people buried here will be among the first to face it.

25. Orthodox women's Gorny Monastery.

Located 7 kilometers from the Old City in southwest Jerusalem. It was opened on a purchased plot of land in 1871. It is administered by the Spiritual Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. The monastery is active; About 60 women live in the monastery.

26. Jerusalem in its development went beyond the walls of the Old City relatively recently, in 1860. For a long time the city remained only a dense concentration of shrines and antiquities. Today's Jerusalem lives not only on tourism: for example, offices of global high-tech companies and research centers are opening here, and modern construction is underway.

27. The String Bridge is the first suspension bridge in Jerusalem, also known as the Harp of David. It is supported by a pylon 119 meters high, making this structure the tallest building in the city. The cable-stayed bridge was built according to the design of the world famous architect Santiago Calatrava and is intended for the movement of trams and pedestrians.

28. Yad Vashem is Israel's national memorial to the Holocaust and Heroism. Organized in 1953 in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Over a million people visit Yad Vashem every year.

29. National Museum of Israel

It is the country's largest cultural institution and one of the largest archaeological and art museums in the world. The collection includes about half a million exhibits from prehistoric times to contemporary art.

30. The Israel Museum complex includes the Temple of the Book with its characteristic white tent and black wall (most of the premises are underground). It was built in 1965 specifically to store the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest manuscripts of the Bible. A 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem made of limestone is also on display here. This is a reconstruction of the view of Jerusalem from its heyday during the Second Temple era at the beginning of our era, before its destruction by the Romans.

31. Most of the territory of Jerusalem is occupied by 2-3 storey buildings. This is due to the fact that earthquakes occur here.

32. The separation barrier, with a total length of more than 70 kilometers and a height of up to 8 meters, serves as the border between Jewish and Arab territories, between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. To the left of the wall is a suburb of East Jerusalem, the village of Al-Azaria. In the biblical tradition it is better known as Bethany. The tomb of Lazarus located here attracts many Christian pilgrims.

33. The second largest (after al-Aqsa on the Temple Mount) mosque in Palestine was built in al-Azaria. The mosque was built with the financial support of the United Arab Emirates and bears the name of the president of this country, one of the richest people in the world, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.

34. Car cemetery.

35. The Palestinian territory in the Jerusalem area is called the West Bank. In historical sources these areas are also known as Judea and Samaria.

36. Kidron Creek and the beginning of the Kidron Valley.

Separating the Temple and Mount of Olives, it runs from north to south through the territory of Jerusalem and further through the territory of the Judean Desert to the southeast to the Dead Sea. In the Bible it appears as the Valley of Jehoshaphat - the place of the Last Judgment.

37. Lifeless hilly areas have served as a refuge for hermits since ancient times, who often settled in caves.

38. Mar Saba Monastery in the Judean Desert.

Also known as the Lavra of Saint Sava. This is one of the oldest Orthodox monasteries in the world; it was founded in the Kidron Valley at the end of the 5th century. The monastery does not use electricity (except for hand-held lanterns). The monks live off donations and, on principle, do not eat apples: in memory of the spiritual feat of the founder Savva, who overcame the powerful temptation to eat a beautiful ripe apple during non-lunch hours.

39. Judean Desert.

40. Kidron Gorge.

41. Hurkaniya Valley. Once upon a time, the Hyrcania fortress and the Castellon monastery, founded by the same Savva, operated in these places.

42. Dead Sea.

The world's most famous salt lake and one of the saltiest. In a liter of its water, seven times more minerals are dissolved than in the same volume of water from the Mediterranean Sea.

43. The sea was called “Dead” because its salty water contains no life except for a few types of bacteria.

44. The unique composition of the water and healing mud have turned the Dead Sea into a natural resort. People who suffer from skin diseases, asthma, joint inflammation, rheumatism and other ailments come here.

The Dead Sea has one more feature: the water here is much heavier than ordinary sea water. It is impossible to drown in such a heavy liquid since the human body is lighter than it.

45. Masada.

A fortress on the flat top of a 450-meter cliff. Built in the 1st century BC by King Herod the Great as a refuge for his family and a treasury. Almost vertical walls and powerful fortifications made Masada difficult to approach.

46. Masada is one of Israel's most popular tourist sites. There are observation platforms and a cable car for the ascent.

47. In the first century AD, Masada was captured by participants in a Jewish revolt against the Romans. The siege of the fortress lasted for several years; the Romans (or rather, their slaves) had to build a high siege rampart around the rock. Realizing the hopelessness of their situation, the rebels entered history heroically: the men killed their wives and children, then randomly selected ten people stabbed everyone else; Finally, the lot drew another one: he killed the remaining nine, set fire to the fortress and committed suicide. The Romans were shocked.

48. At the top of the rock, fragments of Herod's palace, a synagogue, water tanks, a bathhouse and a swimming pool have been preserved.

49. On the coast of the Dead Sea is the lowest part of the land on Earth - minus 416 meters from sea level. The closed lake itself has no connection with the World Ocean.

50. According to historical legends, in ancient times there was quite active shipping on the Dead Sea, there were pirates, and there were even naval battles. Currently, commercial shipping on the Dead Sea is not only difficult due to the properties of the water, but also prohibited by an agreement between Israel and Jordan. Only rescuers, border guards and sometimes researchers navigate the Dead Sea in small boats.

51. The sea itself is in danger of dying: the water goes into sinkholes; now on the coast there are already about three thousand karst sinkholes, the depth of which reaches several tens of meters.

52. Harduf Gorge in the Judean Desert is one of the canyons in the vicinity of the Dead Sea. Rivers once flowed here.

53. Kidron Gorge.

54. Kidron Valley.

55. Latrun Monastery of the Virgin Mary on the hills 15 kilometers west of Jerusalem. Now belongs to the Trappist Christian order. Due to the fact that the local inhabitants are extremely reluctant to communicate with the outside world, the monastery was nicknamed “the monastery of the silent.”

56. Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives.

57. When the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 and carried out a total massacre in the city, local Saracens took refuge on the dome of the Rock. Many fell, fell from a 30-meter height and were broken.

58. The Jerusalem Theater is a performing arts center opened in 1971.

59. Mini Israel Park.

The exhibition consists of more than 350 models of Israel's most famous buildings and landmarks.

60. Yad Le-Shiryon Armored Forces Museum.

The collection contains more than 200 exhibits, many of which took part in real battles. Young tank crews take the oath on the museum grounds.

61. Rishon Lezion. The “youngest” city in the country - the average age of residents barely exceeds 30 years.

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66. Airplane cemetery.

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