Tel Aviv is a place you must visit at least once.

For centuries people have fought, destroyed and killed to be in possession of The Holy Land. Today, the fighting over the ownership of the most sacred place in the world is still going on. The Holy Land has had many names and owners, but nevertheless, you should visit Israel, at least once in your life. Regardless of ownership, The Promised Land is breathtaking.

Jewish boys waiting to enter the underground tunnels, Jerusalem

Tel Aviv

If you are heading to Israel, I bet you will land in Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv is a modern, bustling, cosmopolitan city that hits the perfect combination of hip and authentic. You will be hot, sweaty and amazed by the city. They have chic neighborhoods with hipster cafes and urban shops bordering up to traditional areas and government buildings which are themselves located next to courtyard restaurants with live music and vines on the roof. Tel Aviv is considered a trendy spot for coffee shops, restaurants, and bars as well as chef-owned food stalls.

Marketplaces
If you happen to be visiting Tel Aviv on the weekend, I would advise you spend the morning in the big market at the heart of Tel Aviv. Shuk HaCarmel, where you can buy all your heart desires, all day long. It is Tel Aviv’s largest and most central marketplace known for its charm and vast culinary culture. It is a cool place to experience a variety of local delicacies and exotic dishes.
Shuk means market in Hebrew and there are plenty to pick from in Tel Aviv.
Here you will find fresh food, beauty products, souvenirs and everything else that pleases the heart.
Another Shuk is the open air Friday morning Farmer’s market by the sea that sells local products from veggies to honey. It is freshly grown and the market has a nice atmosphere. Nahalat Binyamin Craft Market is another Shuk to swing by on your Friday around town for a souvenir or two in the crafts department.

Find a nice local cafe downtown, potentially in Kerem Hateimanim. This is one of the oldest neighborhoods.  It was established by Jews from Yemen who immigrated to Israel in the late 19th century.  It was a poor neighborhood made of one-floor houses, many of them with simple tin roofs. Pick from one of the many amazing restaurants and cafes that are simply decorated but have an amazing aura. Enjoy a lunch in air-conditioned surroundings; anything with hummus is a must

After lunch, you should enjoy the sightseeing walk in the city. Make sure you go by Old Jaffa and enjoy the old part of Tel Aviv. Start at Jaffa Port. An ancient port, one of the oldest in the world that has played a significant role in history from the time of the Bible to today. Jonah set off from this port in the story of Jonah and the Whale. Today, the port offers a constant variety of art exhibits, performances, street fairs and other recreational activities for both locals and tourists to enjoy. Even though it has been transformed into a hip place there are still many fishermen who set off every night from the fishermen’s wharf.
Walk through small streets and find the open air bazaar and flea market. It is located near to the famous Clock Tower. Stop at Jaffa Flea Market (Shuk HaPishpishim). Make a bargain hunting for vintage treasures with a surprising amount of quality items to be found. The market has been in operation for more than a hundred years and by the look on some of the stalls, it hasn't changed much over the period. While here find one of the cozy small cafes to cool down while having a tea (the market closes early on Fridays, around 2pm).

Afterwards, take a stroll in the beautiful independence park and enjoy the sunset while looking over the water, or admiring the skyline of Tel Aviv.

Old Jaffa, Tel Aviv

The nightlife in the city is worth a try. It is crazy! There is always a party and the people of Israel know how to party. Whether you like small bars, live music or pumping mayhem you will find it in Tel Aviv. We ended up dancing with people in bear costumes at a techno-party on our Friday night in town.
Since Jews celebrate Sabbath on Saturday, most true believers are not allowed to practice any work on a Saturday, only relax. Many things will, therefore, be closed or harder to access. Beware many of the markets in Tel Aviv will be completely closed on Saturdays.

Join the locals and grab a nice drink and go for a lazy stroll in the city center and enjoy yourself, or spend the day on one of the beaches around Tel Aviv. The water is clean and it is not too crowded. A lot of people will not drive their car on Saturdays and stay at home. 

How to move on
The next day, try to catch an early bus to Jerusalem, enjoying the ride while seeing how the scenery changes, from flat green and well-kept surroundings to dry desert land.