5 Best Sights in Tel Aviv, Israel

In the midst of crowded, noisy King George Street, you can wander through Meir Park and relax on benches shaded by beautiful old trees. The first trees were planted in 1936 when the city offered to name the park after its first mayor, Meir Dizengoff, in honor of his 70th birthday. The feisty Dizengoff objected, so the park only got its official name in 1944, years after he passed away. There's a large playground that's extremely popular with local kids.

Tel Avivians go to this sprawling park to stretch out on the grass for a picnic or a nap in the shade. For those seeking more activity, a bike ride on one of its paths can be combined with a visit to the tropical garden and the rock garden. Or you can rent a pedal boat, rowboat, or motorboat to ride on the Yarkon Stream. There's even a pleasure boat, which takes up to 80 people for 20-minute rides.

Seven archaeological layers have been unearthed in a part of this park called Ramses II Garden. The oldest sections of wall (20 feet thick) have been identified as part of a Hyksos city dating from the 17th century BC. Other remains include part of a 13th-century BC city gate inscribed with the name of Ramses II; a Canaanite city; a Jewish city from the time of Ezra and Nehemiah; Hasmonean ruins from the 2nd century BC; and traces of Roman occupation. At the summit is a stone sculpture called Faith, in the shape of a gateway, which depicts biblical stories.

Once a cluster of decrepit warehouses, the old port is buzzing with cafés, restaurants, and clubs. It ends where the pavement gives way to a wooden platform designed with moderate dips and curves, pleasing to the eye and fun for roller skaters. On weekends, restaurants are all packed by 1 pm. There's a very appealing Friday farmers' market and a small swap meet good for finding handmade jewelry, old books, and Israeli memorabilia.