10 Fun & Inspiring Facts About Tel Aviv

1. Tel Aviv, located on Israel's Mediterranean coast, was founded in 1909 and designed from its inception to be a modern yet distinctly Jewish city - grounded in our history and the Land of Israel, yet innovative and fostering a renewed, uniquely Jewish-Israeli culture.

The city's very name reflects this vision of combining the old and the new: Tel is an archeological term for an ancient settlement, while Aviv in Hebrew means 'spring' and is associated with renewal. And as we mentioned in our Zionist figures post, the name and inspiration for the city came from Theodor Herzl himself and his Hebrew translator!

Tel Aviv at night

2. Tel Aviv is considered Israel's most exciting city and is often referred to as "the Non-Stop City" due to its vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. From sunrise yoga on the beach to late-night parties, this city truly never sleeps and always has something going on!

3. This energetic city is also a tech paradise and a global hub for innovation. The city is bursting with start-ups, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts, and is the reason Israel became known as "the Start-Up Nation."

4. Over the decades since its founding, Tel Aviv has absorbed Jewish immigrants from all over the world in addition to welcoming a diverse array of international visitors, students, and workers - earning the city a reputation as a cultural melting pot with something for everyone!

5. Tel Avivians are known for being fiercely Zionist and proud of their history. In fact, Israel's Independence was declared in Tel Aviv, and the city has remained intricately tied to the Zionist dream.

6. Don't forget the beach! Tel Aviv is known the world over for its beautiful, pristine beaches and endless sunshine. And the shore is not just an ideal vacation getaway, but also a beloved evening and weekend relaxation spot for many locals.

7. Another famous aspect of this vibrant city is its culture of health and fitness, contributing to Israel's status as one of the healthiest nations in the world.

8. Tel Aviv boasts the largest collection of Bauhaus architecture in the world, earning it an additional common nickname: "the White City," as Bauhaus buildings are characteristically white. Strolling through these streets is like stepping into a living museum of modernist design.

Mix of Bauhaus and other kinds of architecture in Tel Aviv

9. Contrasting the modernist vibe of most of the city is the Jaffa district - an ancient city that was incorporated into the Tel Aviv municipality in the 1950s. Jaffa has its own rich and diverse history and culture, including centuries-old buildings that majestically look over the Mediterranean Sea.

10. And lastly, we can't close off without mentioning food! Tel Avivians are particularly serious about their hummus and their coffee, and you can find both in every form and variety in Tel Aviv, in addition to countless other delicacies. In fact, foreign coffee companies have failed to get a foothold in Tel Aviv and in Israel because the local coffee is just so good - which you can taste for yourself by ordering from our store here.

Enjoying Israeli coffee in Tel Aviv

And those are our favorite Tel Aviv facts!

Do you love Tel Aviv? Show your solidarity with the city and its people by buying directly from Tel Aviv artists and small businesses - check out our "5 Tel Aviv Artists You Should Support" post for our top recommendations!

And don't forget to shop our Support Israel Gifts to celebrate Israel wherever you are!