3 Best Sights in Tel Aviv, Israel

A pair of whitewashed buildings—one built in 1892, the other in 1908—make up this attractive complex. The square, designed by noted landscape architect Shlomo Aronson, has hints of a medieval Middle Eastern courtyard in its scattering of orange trees connected by water channels. One side of the square is decorated with a tile triptych that illustrates the neighborhood's history and famous people who lived here in the early years, including S. Y. Agnon, who went on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. There's a café--bar on the premises and a number of great restaurants nearby for pre- or post-performance meals. It's worth a stroll here even if you aren't seeing a performance.

In the 1920s, a number of Tel Aviv's most famous writers lived in this building, whose renovations have somewhat obscured its original look. One of the first houses in Neve Tzedek, the building now displays the art of Nahum Gutman, colorful chronicler of early Tel Aviv. Tours in English are available by appointment.

On the edge of Neve Tzedek, this Ottoman-era train station is where travelers once embarked to Jerusalem on the first piece of railroad in the Middle East. Even Theodor Herzl, founder of modern Zionism, passed through here. Dubbed HaTachana, Hebrew for "the station," the 49-acre complex includes 22 different buildings, among them the former station. A pair of restored train cars tells the story of the station's days as a major travel hub in the region. You'll also find restaurants, cafés, and boutiques peddling handcrafted jewelry and homegrown designer clothes. At the entrance is a tourist information stand. The space hosts events throughout the year, details of which can be found on the website.