The Fascinating Neve Tzedek as a Tourist Destination

What makes a place a veritable tourist destination? Well, people may differ in their opinions as to the answer to this question, but experts have something to say, and I think they have a point.

Firstly, they say that a place should be breathtakingly beautiful. Yellowstone National Park; the Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye Danxia, China; Patagonia, Chile; El Nido, Philippines; and many other tourist destinations belong to this type of tourist attractions.

Secondly, it should be historical. The likes of Rome, Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, Petra of Jordan, Jerusalem, Pumapunku, Machu Picchu, and the Potala Palace of Tibet readily come to mind when we talk of historical tourist destinations.

Thirdly, a place should be unique, which means its ambiance should exude something that could not be felt and seen in other places. There are many places that belong to this category, but one unusual place readily comes to my mind, and it the oldest district of Tel Aviv. It is called Neve Tzedek. Maybe you haven’t yet heard of this place, but it is really fascinatingly unique.  

Why is Neve Tzedek Fascinatingly Unique?

Established in 1887, Neve Tzedek predates even Tel Aviv’s establishment by almost 20 years. The earlier Jewish families that established this neighborhood simply wanted to get out of the crowded and cramped city of Jaffa. Seeking a place outside of Jaffa in 1887, they founded this neighborhood. This Jewish settlement then blossomed and became the central hub for Jewish artists and craftsmen who wanted a free-spirited place to live in. Some of these creative writers and artists included Nachum Gutman and Shmuel Yosef Agnon who became a Nobel laureate.

Stagnation of Neve Tzedek

The development of this neighborhood stagnated in the 1960s when the northern parts of Tel Aviv became highly urbanized. This prompted many residents of Neve Tzedek to move to the northern districts of the city, leaving Neve Tzedek to degenerate into a slum-like district. Its century-old buildings had been left to the harsh and corrosive effects of the salty breeze of the Mediterranean Sea. This neighborhood, however, was revived in the 1980s, leading to the restoration of its old edifices. This new revivalist stimulus brought a renaissance of craftsmanship and artistry into this old neighborhood, turning this once awesome place into a historical spot.

Now, Neve Tzedek is a veritable tourist destination in Israel. Many tourists from around Israel and the other countries visit this neighborhood to get a feel for its unique ambiance. Its unadulterated century-old buildings now showcase the historical past of Tel Aviv, and many tourists often remark that you haven’t seen Tel Aviv until you’ve seen Neve Tzedek.

Things to See and Explore in Neve Tzedek

“Something is uniquely fascinating in this neighborhood,” remark most tourists when they drop by Neve Tzedek. It feels that they are transported back in time, some would quip. You can nonchalantly stroll its old cobbled streets, specifically that of Shabazi Street. You can also gift yourself with awesome artistic embroideries from the sidewalk bazaars that line its cramped streets, and then, later on, treat yourself with an evening of artistic dance shows at the Suzanne Dellal Center—the dance center of the city. Afterward, you can while away your time in one of the many street-side cafes and gently sip your coffee while you let time slip away in this enchanting place.