Jaffa Port

Jaffa Port, on Yefet Street in Jaffa, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, is one of the oldest working harbours in the world, with a history of use stretching back thousands of years. The port sits below the hill of Old Jaffa, and a short downhill walk of about five minutes from Kedumim Square leads to the waterfront. Today the harbour combines fishing boats and small vessels with restored warehouses and hangars that house restaurants, cafes, galleries, design shops and bars. Fishermen mend nets and unload catches near the quay, and fish restaurants in the port serve grilled and fried seafood with views of the water. A breakwater and the rocks off the coast, including the formation traditionally linked to the Andromeda myth, are visible from the quayside. Looking north, the Tel Aviv skyline and beach curve along the coast, and looking up, the domed church of St. Peter and the Old Jaffa quarter rise on the hill above. The port is free to enter and open-air, though individual restaurants and shops keep their own hours. A visit usually takes 45 to 90 minutes, longer when including a meal. Sunset is the favored time, when the light turns the stone buildings golden and the sky colors reflect off the water, and photographers gather at the quay edge. Evenings are lively with dining crowds, while weekday mornings are calm and suited to quiet walks. The port is close to the Flea Market and the Ilana Goor Museum, so it forms part of a typical half-day in Jaffa. Buses 10 and 46 stop at Yefet Street, and the promenade continues north toward Tel Aviv. Paved surfaces are mostly level, though cobbles and ramps appear near the older structures.