Jungle Jaffa

A historic city that's ever evolving, Tel Aviv is Israel's coastal cosmopolitan centre with a creative vibe. The city is filled with a buzzing energy, thanks to its all-night party spirit and rooftop bars alongside fancy restaurants and boutiques adding a touch of luxury. This is balanced with a bohemian atmosphere in the city's quirky gentrified neighbourhoods that are rich with art and culture. There are kilometres of sandy beaches, old street markets and enough 1930s Bauhaus architecture for one area to be dubbed the White City.

Most Tel Aviv hostels have air con and freebies like Wi-Fi and breakfasts. Stay in a bed and breakfast with boho interiors created with vintage furnishings to capture the spirit of the city's flea markets. You can also sleep in a boutique hostel found on the top floor and rooftop of an authentic Yemenite building – built from earthen materials with a distinctive geometric shape. At one Tel Aviv hostel steps from the beach there's plenty to get involved in, from yoga and hummus-making workshops to language exchanges.

This lively city has little neighbourhoods with their own distinctive spirit. The formerly industrial Florentin was re-vamped in the 1980s and is now one of the coolest areas. Today, there are vegan restaurants and tattoo parlours along with late-night clubs. Nearby is the coveted district of Neve Tzedek, filled with cobbled streets and late 19th-century pastel-painted houses. Its village-style layout has a quaint feel, with fancy boutiques and studio galleries. For a taste of authentic Tel Aviv, find the artistic quarter and gastronomy melting pot of Shapira.

There's lots to do here. Visit the ancient port at the Old City of Jaffa, the oldest part of Tel Aviv, to see the Ottoman-era clock tower and wander the winding streets. It's also home to the lively, 100-year-old flea market of Shuk HaPishpeshim, where locals barter for ceramics, rugs and clothing. To cool off, head to the 1950s Olympic-size Gordon Pool by the marina or one of the city's beaches to try windsurfing and jet skiing.

Ben Gurion International Airport is the closest to Tel Aviv. From here, trains run regularly to the centre, stopping at all four of the city's main stations – Savidor, HaHagana, HaShalom and University. With 120km of cycle paths, the easiest way to get around is by bike, which you can rent from the city's hire scheme (it's free for the first 30 minutes). There are also public buses and a tour bus.