A must-stop on any visit to Tel Aviv is the Old City of Jaffa, just south of the Beachfront Promenade. The starting point for most tours of this picturesque quarter is the Clock Tower, built by Turkish Sultan Abed-el-Hamid II in 1906. From there, it is a short walk to a beautiful park surrounding a high hill. A wide, paved plaza atop the hill offers splendid views of the sea and the Tel Aviv coast. Below the hill is the Jaffa Visitors Center, displaying archaeological finds and a film on the history of Jaffa.
The cobblestoned alleyways of Old Jaffa are named for the signs of the Zodiac. With maps of the quarter posted in many locations, it's almost impossible to get lost as one walks past the many artist studios, galleries and showrooms. A pleasant stroll down these twisting lanes and alongside the Old City's fortifications frequently includes a stop for a snack or a meal at one of the quarter's colorful cafes or restaurants.
Below the artists' colony is the old Jaffa Port, which is still used by ships and worth exploring. The churches of Old Jaffa still serve the neighborhood's Christian communities. The Franciscan Church of St. Peter, at the top of the hill, reportedly hosted Napoleon after he captured the city in 1799. http://www.oldjaffa.co.il.
