Sight guide · Tel Aviv · Israel
Visiting Old Jaffa
The hill of Old Jaffa holds restored stone lanes named after the signs of the zodiac, artists' studios, the Franciscan St Peter's Church and HaPisga Garden, whose summit looks north along the whole Tel Aviv shoreline.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Old Jaffa is a historic site in Jaffa, Tel Aviv. Allow 2–3 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- Jaffa
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, history, views and couples
- Best months
- March and November–December
About Old Jaffa
The hill of Old Jaffa holds restored stone lanes named after the signs of the zodiac, artists' studios, the Franciscan St Peter's Church and HaPisga Garden, whose summit looks north along the whole Tel Aviv shoreline. Archaeological layers on the hill go back thousands of years, and the Ottoman-era Clock Tower marks the entrance from the flat city below.
Tip: Climb to HaPisga Garden and the Wishing Bridge about an hour before sunset, then walk down to the port for dinner.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Jaffa, stone alleys, a fishing port, flea-market shops and hummus counters at the southern end of the seafront.
Best time to visit Old Jaffa
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- March: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- December: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-November the sun sets at about 16:42 local time (calculated for Tel Aviv).
When to visit Tel Aviv has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Tel Aviv itinerary visits Old Jaffa on day 1, together with Jaffa Port, Jaffa Flea Market (Shuk HaPishpeshim) and Rothschild Boulevard.
- No. 1 of the 19 sights in our Tel Aviv things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Tel Aviv.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Tel Aviv.
Near Old Jaffa
Also in Jaffa, so you can walk between them:
- Jaffa Port — 1–2 hours, free
- Jaffa Flea Market (Shuk HaPishpeshim) — 1–2 hours, free
If you like Old Jaffa
- Tel Aviv beaches and promenade — Beachfront and HaYarkon Street, Half a day
- White City Bauhaus architecture — Rothschild and the city centre, 2 hours
- Rothschild Boulevard — Rothschild and the city centre, 1 hour
- Neve Tzedek — Neve Tzedek, 1–2 hours
Staying near Old Jaffa
Stay in Jaffa ($$$) to walk here: stone alleys, a fishing port, flea-market shops and hummus counters at the southern end of the seafront. All areas to stay in Tel Aviv.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Old Jaffa?
Plan 2–3 hours. With Jaffa Port nearby, it fits a half-day in Jaffa.
+Is Old Jaffa free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Old Jaffa?
March and November–December, the quietest of the good months. Climb to HaPisga Garden and the Wishing Bridge about an hour before sunset, then walk down to the port for dinner.
+Do I need to book Old Jaffa in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.