Tel Aviv

Given that the city's entire western edge is a gorgeous strip of Mediterranean coastline, it's unsurprising that beach visits are among Tel Aviv's most popular tourist activities. The city is blessed with almost year-round sunny weather and warm sea temperatures. Most of its beaches are free and boast decent facilities such as toilets, showers, deck chairs and umbrellas.The coastline is divided into about ten beaches, all of which have their own appeal. Hilton Beach is best for swimming, while Gordon Beach is popular with tourists and has some good bars and cafes. Backpackers and bohemian types tend to enjoy Drum Beach (where there are frequent evening drumming sessions), and gay travellers will feel especially at home at Atzmaut Beach.For surfers, Hilton Beach South has some terrific waves. Dog walkers should head to Hilton Beach North. Givat Aliya Beach's calm waters, shallow ocean pool and children's playground make it a great stop for kids. Those who prefer a quieter, less crowded beaches should try Trumpeldor, though it doesn't have lifeguards or much in the way of facilities.

The Carmel Market (Shuk Ha'Carmel) will enthral all visitors to Tel Aviv with its bustling atmosphere and fine selection of goods and produce. It's located on the 'trendy side' of town (just off Allenby Street), and is essentially a long alley, jam-packed with shoppers and vendors loudly advertising their wares.Although shoppers can buy almost anything at the Carmel Market and usually at better prices than elsewhere in the city, the real attraction is its mouth-watering array of fresh produce. Visitors can shop for the freshest fruit and vegetables, cheeses and baked goods, while soaking up the typically Middle Eastern market atmosphere. The market is frequented by locals and is not designed for tourists, which makes the experience feel exciting and authentic. Many of the vendors will allow shoppers to taste unfamiliar fruits and vegetables. Bargaining is part of the culture.The Carmel Market operates every day of the week except Saturday. Friday mornings are the busiest and, consequently, best time to experience the place's full impact.

Address : Near the Hatachana Complex and Allenby Street.

Eilat is a popular holiday resort located at the northern tip of the Red Sea. Its wonderfully warm temperatures seldom drop below 70°F (21°C).Many travellers visit Eilat to enjoy fantastic diving and snorkelling opportunities in the Red Sea: one of the world's most magnificent marine preserves. Brightly coloured coral fish, moray eels and even manta rays can be seen, while landlubbers will enjoy lazing on the beautiful beach and splashing in the shallows. Swimming with bottlenose dolphins in their natural environment is one of the resort's more popular activities.Bird-watching is a lesser-known activity in Eilat. But given that over one billion birds navigate between the Mediterranean coast and the Jordan Mountains, the area is certainly a terrific place to watch migratory flight.The Timna Valley National Park is located just north of Eilat and is a wonderful excursion for those wanting a day in the desert on camel-back or in a jeep. More active travellers can enjoy hiking in the desert mountains. The Red Canyon is a dramatic and beautiful feature of the area and attracts many hikers. Children tend to relish visiting the Hai Bar National Biblical Wildlife Reserve, which is a kind of zoo that collects and protects endangered animals mentioned in the Bible.

Transport : The best way to travel is by plane from Tel Aviv; otherwise, the journey time is approximately four hours by car from either Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.

The Eretz Israel Museum's unique layout and character make it more like a park than a standalone establishment. It is clustered around the ancient mound of the Tel Kasile, where ongoing archaeological excavations are in progress.The museum consists of various pavilions, each displaying different cultural artefacts and collections. Visitors can purchase a map to help them navigate through this fascinating campus, which covers 3,000 years of history, culture and art relating to Israel. The permanent exhibits include displays on ethnography and folklore, ceramics, copper, coins, crafts, agriculture, domestic life, and many aspects of social and political history.The exhibitions are not all equally impressive and some are better organised than others. Still, there are plenty of treasures to be discovered. There are also temporary exhibitions that change on a regular basis. All exhibits are accessible for the disabled. Photography is permitted but only for private, non-commercial use. Flashes and tripods are not allowed.A special museum shop at the entrance sells clothes, jewellery and all sorts of souvenirs created by talented Israeli designers. Visitors can also buy a wide range of replicas. There is a cafe for refreshments and the Planetarium is right next door - it is possible to buy combined tickets. The air conditioning is a big bonus on hot days.

Address : 2 Haim Levanon Street, Ramat Aviv.

Website : www.eretzmuseum.org.il

Opening times : Monday to Wednesday: 10am-4pm Thursday: 10am-8pm Friday: 10am-2pm Saturday: 10am-4pm Closed Sundays

Admission : Adults: NIS 52. Concessions available.

The historical port city of Jaffa is within walking distance of Tel Aviv. Its inhabitants have included notable biblical figures, and its name is said to come from Japhet, who was Noah's son. Archaeological finds show that Jaffa existed as a port city thousands of years ago, serving both Egyptian and Phoenician sailors on their sea voyages.The Old Town's entrance is marked by the Ottoman Clock Tower, a prominent landmark and meeting point. From a visitor's perspective, the area's main draw is its ancient and magical atmosphere.Jaffa has, indeed, become a popular tourist attraction filled with interesting shops, Mediterranean-style restaurants and sun-drenched cafes. Visitors will find studios, galleries and artist quarters, as well as shops specialising in Judaica and archaeology. There are also some splendid markets, where vendors expect to haggle. At night, the historical walls are illuminated, revealing a beautiful, seaside architectural backdrop.History lovers should visit the Jaffa Museum, which contains a dazzling collection of artefacts.

The museum conveys the Jewish people's story, beginning with their expulsion from Israel at Roman hands, and leading to their return. Multi-storey displays and exhibitions show a diverse range of Jewish communities, and the common cultural and religious links that have bound them.Visitors can engage with murals, reconstructions, dioramas, audio-visual displays, documentary films and interactive multimedia. Also, the Jewish Music Centre has thousands of recordings of Jewish music. Visitors will find traditional fare, music of communities that didn't survive the Holocaust, as well as works by Jewish composers.The genealogy centre holds thousands of records from around the world, and allows visitors to explore their ancestry. It also welcomes them to register their own family trees.

Address : Tel Aviv University Campus, Klausner Street, Ramat Aviv

Website : www.bh.org.il

Opening times : Sunday to Wednesday: 10am-7pm Thursday: 10am-10.30pm Friday: 9am-2pm Saturday: 10am-3pm Closed Sundays and Jewish holidays.

Admission : Adults: NIS 45. Concessions available.

The Tel Aviv Museum of Art has hosted the country's leading exhibition of modern art since its inception in 1932. It also has one of the best collections of Israeli art in the world.Art lovers will enjoy the museum's permanent collection of European and American art, which features prominent Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings by Chagall, Dali, Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, and Monet, among others. Regarding the scope of its inventory, the museum showcases many mediums, including paint, sculpture, print, photography, film, design and architecture.All in all, the institution aims to be a cultural hub in Tel Aviv and offers an active program of changing exhibitions. Visitors can look forward to exciting cultural programs such as music and dance performances, cinema screenings and public lectures.

Address : 27 Shaul Hamelech Boulevard

Website : www.tamuseum.com

Telephone : +972 3 6077020

Transport : Bus 9,18, 28, 70, 90 or 111

Opening times : Monday, Wednesday and Saturday: 10am-6pm Tuesday and Thursday: 10am-9pm Friday: 10am-2pm Closed Sundays.

The Underwater Observatory Marine Park lies just south of Eilat and is conveniently close to Tel Aviv. Visitors can view a fantastic range marine life in its gigantic, seawater aquarium. Animals such as eels, sharks, turtles and stingrays are part of the population, while the rare-fish aquarium is home to some exquisite (and poisonous) fish.The Red Sea is renowned for its colourful reefs and rich marine life. The Marine Park's unique Underwater Observatories allow visitors to really immerse themselves in this underwater world, and see reefs and animals in their natural environment.Visitors can also look forward to daily feedings, with shark feedings typically drawing the most attention. All feedings are accompanied by some information on the species and their eating habits.The Marine Park is a great stop for kids.

Website : http://www.coralworld.co.il/en/