Jaffa, the old city

If Tel Aviv has become a city of the future in the past few decades, featuring a skyline of lights and office blocks of tech companies, Jaffa is the city of the past. A small, thriving old city that has managed to retain its own unique style and charm in the face of rapidly encroaching modernity. 

Walking the streets of Jaffa is like stepping into another world. An exclusive mix of Jewish, European, and Arab sensibilities not found anywhere else on the planet. Smell the air, breathe in the scents of hot spices and traditional cooking. Listen to the people, hear conversations taking place across three different languages. Look at the walls, decorated by artists, lonely travellers, and dreamers. Layer after layer of history on every surface, a different view into the past around every corner. That is Jaffa, the old city -  a must-see location anyone travelling to the Holy land should make time to see for themselves.

The history of Jaffa is long, and the city remembers. The first seaport in the world was located on its beaches. The so-called "Bride of Sea,” Jaffa was a bustling shipping and trading spot. An essential stop for any sailor or merchant on their way to Jerusalem. The city still has that feel, the unique heartbeat of trade, and laughter, and cultures mixing together and creating something new and original.

The glory days of Jaffa's had faded over time. For years her famous Old Port had fallen into a state of decline. It became a place known more for vagabonds and dubious sailors than its history and culture. Thankfully, the city has recently reclaimed these ports. Renovation and re-investments in the area have brought new business to the Old Port, a collection of warehouses, unique one-of-a-kind shops, dotted with cozy cafes and trendy bookstores. The nightlife is back, with clubs and hip hang out spots trendy with Israel’s more adventurous youths. 

Maybe this smells like gentrification to you. A thoughtless bulldozing of the past to make way for crass commercialism. In other places, maybe this would be the case, but not Jaffa. While the Old Port has been revitalized, it is still a seaport. While tourists shop and locals enjoy a fine meal, fishermen still ply their trade, casting nets, unloading supplies. It is a mix of the old and new in one concentrated spot.

It's impossible to walk the streets of Jaffa without noticing how beautiful and storied every building seems to be. Jaffa is a city with a history of art, an appreciation for the beauty of life and the imagination.  Many years ago there was a municipal effort to attract artists, painters and sculptors were awarded with small studios and modest grants. Since then, the momentum has just kept going, the city's reputation as a destination for artists attracting generation after generation of would-be Picassos.

This makes Jaffa a great place to visit when you want a truly unique souvenir of your time in Israel. The streets are lined with carts offering everything from tiny homemade ceramics, to murals, to jewellery and richly dyed clothing, and more exotic options than that. Stop in on some of the small galleries and shows tucked away in Jaffa's side streets and bustling neighbourhoods, discover something unique that nobody else has seen on your trip!

The Old City is also an architectural treat. Built and rebuilt over the centuries, the site of countless historic moments, battles, and triumphs, the city has been shaped by history. Steeples from Churches pop out above closely packed neighbourhoods. The arched domes of the older buildings give the skyline texture and character. You can find stairs that lead underground to shops, temples, and restaurants – who knows what is around the next corner?

Any trip to Israel is an exercise in trying to do everything at once. There are so many precious sites and important spots to visit that it can be difficult to work anything else into your schedule. But, make time for Jaffa. Even a short trip just to see it for yourself is worth it. Come and see the culture of the Holy Land up close and personal and carry a part of it back with you in your heart.