Jerusalem was the primary place I visited in Israel, however Tel Aviv was my old flame. Indeed, once I initially set foot in Jerusalem late one evening in September of 2010, I fairly hated the town. The small resort I’d booked had closed its reception desk for the evening, leaving me fairly actually homeless, after a disastrous expertise getting into Israel overland that afternoon no much less.
While I finally reconciled with Jerusalem throughout subsequent visits over time, Tel Aviv was a spot I liked deeply all the best way again to my first journey. From the town’s stunning seashores and vibrant tradition, to the large availability of scrumptious meals and the sheer variety of stunning individuals in every single place, Tel Aviv all the time looks like dwelling, even on journeys whether or not different locations in Israel have felt hostile and uninviting.
Comparing Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
Attractions
Both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are fairly attraction-rich. In Tel Aviv, these sights embody cultural ones, similar to HaCarmel Market and historic Jaffa, in addition to neighborhoods like bohemian Florentine and classy Neve Tzedek. In Jerusalem, then again, most of the high issues to do are historic or cultural, whether or not you wander across the walled previous metropolis, or go to spiritual websites such because the Western Wall or Al-Asqa Mosque.
Geography
Tel Aviv and Jerusalem couldn’t be extra completely different in relation to geography. While Tel Aviv is a concrete jungle alongside the shimmering Mediterranean, Jerusalem caps a way more arid panorama, into which it blends greater than Tel Aviv does it environment. The most evident distinction this creates is that Tel Aviv has a seashore and Jerusalem doesn’t though you may nonetheless “swim” not removed from Jerusalem—extra on how in a minute.
Hotels and hospitality
Given the surging reputation of Israel as a vacationer vacation spot lately, each Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are dwelling to wonderful inns, from five-star properties similar to Jerusalem’s King David Hotel to the boutique type 65 Hotel alongside Tel Aviv’s fashionable Rothschild Boulevard. Both cities are additionally eating and nightlife meccas, though the surroundings in Tel Aviv tends to be a bit extra cosmopolitan (and homosexual, if that’s your factor).
Vibe
Speaking of cosmopolitanism and homosexuality, one other key distinction between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is their vibe. While loads of younger, liberal Israelis dwell in Jerusalem, it’s total a way more conventional metropolis, even within the Jewish areas. In Tel Aviv, then again, something goes. It’s one of the liberal, permissive cities on this planet, not to mention the Middle East; there’s a carpe diem vitality that’s intoxicating and electrical.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications similar to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Leave Your Daily Hell, offers a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays overlaying the extra esoteric points of life as a traveler.