Once upon a time my parents and I made Aliyah and settled in a small, almost petite town Kadima. Growing up amidst Citrus trees, strawberry fields and country sides to ride my bicycle and run around with friends was fantastic when I was seven. BUT, being fifteen, welcoming the Millennium with my friends at a friend’s backyard, gazing at the stars, all I really wished for is the Big City life. So, here I am writing from my cozy apartment in Ramat-Gan, only 15 min. away from my favorite city, Tel-Aviv and you are about to discover my top 5 Telavivian spots, trust me you won’t want to miss these.

Vibrant, alive, with a huge beating heart and captivating soul, the city captivated mine when I was 12, spending a week with my best friend at her grandparents’ house, in Tel-Aviv. It was love at first sight, a love that continues to grow every day with new corners, alleys, restaurants, beaches, neighborhoods, concerts under the sky and festivals I discover step by step.

5 Gordon Beach

Plam trees, coffee shops, bars, volleyball nets, this is probably the greatest beach in Tel-Aviv. Want to stay active, relax after a long day with an Aroma sandwich, Shakshuka or coffee, or have a beer while watching the sunset? Seeking for a romantic spot? Gordon beach has a great promenade full of cool benches and umbrellas where you can cuddle with your sweetheart and watch the pink sunset. Catch up with a friend as you sit on the stairs or join the joggers, everything seems pinker and better at this fantastic beach.

Great to visit on every day of the week.

4 Old Jaffa

20 minutes from Gordon beach is the old city of Jaffa. Lively on Fridays with hip bars, flee market, the Greek street market and street shows, it always boosts me up with energies and makes me feel like I am walking on a cloud. Exploring the architecture, the artists galleries and finding the hanging ornage juice is great in the middle of the week. Visiting Israel, put this on your list and look for cool free activities in Jaffa, last Saturday i had a chance to enjoy Marina Maximilian Blumin’s concert under the stars in beautiful Jaffa. Don’t know the artist? Check her music on Youtube and you will never forget her again.

Visiting in December? Jaffa is stunning during Christmas.

3 Nachlat Binyamin

Nachlat Binyain street is famous for its crafts market, taking place on Tuesdays and Fridays. Colorful umbrellas give shade to the artists and their wonderful hand crafted pieces. From jewelry, to wooden hamsas, wall clocks, wall stickers to paintings, everything you could have ever dreamed of is right here. Heaven for the street market lovers such as myself. Visit on Friday to enjoy the great atmosphere and Adi Morag, playing Coldplay’s Clocks hit and Girls Just want to have fun by Cindy Lauper on his beautiful wooden Marimba.

2 Florentin

Cool and colorful, this great and young neighborhood is my number 2 favorite Tel-Aviv favorites! Full of hip bars, restaurants and wall art, here you will find legends of Rock and Mary Poppins decorating the buildings’ walls on one side and Monet’s Starry Night around the corner. I Grab my Nikon, wear comfy shoes and get my appetite ready for one of my favorite Mexican bars, Mezcal. If you love Mexican food, this is your number 1 place for a great Moxito, Nachos and Tortilla, right after Mexicana. Note, it is highly popular, so a reservation is a must in the evenings!

1 Shuk HaCarmel

Friday, Tuesday or Sunday, this place is packed with people, colors, souvenirs and most delicious food! Grab pasta for 30 NIS at Pasta Basta, Falafel for 7 NIS, shake, cheese or your favorite poison-gummy bears or chocolate, here you will find everything! Walking into the market is like walking into Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, at least for me. My senses come to life and eyes frame every stand in this full of life market. On the other side of Nachlat Binyamin, this is by far my favorite Friday hangout place. I get my camera ready and embark on a culinary and photography expedition, capturing true Israeli culture in this amazing place. You should definitely do the same!

So, these are my top 5 Telavivian spots, and if you haven’t put Israel and this amazing city on your bucket list, now is the time! Go!