Tel Aviv is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Titled the ‘Mediterranean Capital of Cool’ by the New York Times, this is a 24-hour city with a unique pulse, combining sandy Mediterranean beaches with a world – class nightlife, a buzzing culture scene, incredible food, UNESCO recognised architecture, and an international outlook.
Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel (after Jerusalem) and has the largest metropolitan area. It is on the Mediterranean coast, about 60 km north-west of Jerusalem and some 100 km south of Haifa. The official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo and reflects the fact that the city has grown beside (and absorbed) the ancient port city of Yafo to the south of the new city centre, in addition to many other neighbouring cities. Tel Aviv is home to most foreign embassies.
Tel Aviv is a rapidly growing city in the midst of an exciting transition from medium-sized urban centre to bustling international metropolis. Its booming population, energy, edginess and 24-hour lifestyle give the city a cosmopolitan flair comparable to few other cities in this part of the world.
Tel Aviv is not really divided into districts, but rather into over 50 different neighbourhoods. Some neighbourhoods are really distinctive areas with different cultures (e.g., Neve Tzedek, Florentine, Ramat-Ha'Chayal), while others are simply indicating a geographical area. Tel Aviv grew mainly from the south to the north so the further you go to the north you will encounter newer buildings and wealthier communities.
North - The wealthiest district of Tel Aviv and one of the wealthiest in entire Israel stretches from the north side on the Yarkon River. These neighbourhoods have very few things in common with the rest of Tel Aviv and are partially treated as Tel Aviv's suburb rather than a part of the city. The entire district is very green in comparison to the rest of Tel Aviv and contains some big and important sites such as Hayarkon Park, Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv University, and more.
Centre - The city's centre contains "The Heart of Tel Aviv" and "The old north". The main metropolitan area of the city contains tourist’s attractions and shopping areas. This is Tel Aviv as most people know it nowadays. The central area is confined by Allenby Street from on the south and the Yarkon river from the north.
South - The original District of Tel Aviv contains the first neighbourhoods that constructed Tel Aviv. It is the poorer district of Tel Aviv but has been developing noticeably while conserving its style and history as many of its neighbourhoods have become young and trendy. It is also home to many foreign workers and refugees from south-east Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Jaffa — (Yafo in Hebrew, Yafa in Arabic) is one of the world's oldest ports. It was here that the prophet Jonah started the journey that left him in the belly of the big fish. It was also here where Peter the Apostle received a vision marking a significant ideological split between Judaism and Christianity.
Tel Aviv has a very mild Mediterranean climate. The best time to visit the city is summer when the average daytime temperature in August, the hottest month, is 30°C.The average high is 32°C and the temperature variation between day and night can be as low as 4°C. Heat waves rarely affect the city, and the record high is 46.5°C, which was recorded, surprisingly, in May 1916. Winters are as warm as Cairo. Night-time lows are around 10°C and daytime highs in 17°C. Cold waves are extremely rare, and the record low is -1.9°C, in February 1950 when the only snowfall in the city's history also occurred.