A Day in Jaffa, Israel

The Clock Square (Kikar HaShaon) is one of the two main squares in Jaffa and your entrance to the Old City. The Square is part of the development process Jaffa went through during the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century while expanding beyond Jaffa walls.

Mahmoudiya Mosque is the third-largest mosque in Israel and the biggest in Jaffa. It was initially built in 1730 but completed more than 80 years later. The mosque has an original Ottoman style, with wide yards, arches, mosaics, domes, sebil, and a famous minaret which is an integral part of Jaffa landscape for centuries.

HaPisga in Hebrew means the peak or the top, and as the name suggests HaPisga Garden reaches the top of Jaffa's Old City. The garden is beautiful and provides not only a magnificent view of Jaffa, the sea, and Tel Aviv. It is also a pleasant contrast to the dense Jaffa architecture.

Kedumim Square is the main square of the Old City and home to the Zodiac Fountain, Old Jaffa Visitor's Center, and St. Peter's Church (a Franciscan church built in 1654 that believed by the Catholic Church to be The House of Simon the Tanner). It surrounded by fetching houses, galleries, and splendor alleys. Also, the Square leads to the Wishing Bridge and HaPisga Garden. Since the place has numerous underground archeological findings, the square was named Kedumim, which is driven from the word Kadum in Hebrew and means ancient.

Mifrats Shlomo Promenade provides a spectacular view of the sea, Jaffa and Tel Aviv. It also includes Napoleon's Cannons and the Selfie Frame.

While the name is misleading since Napoleon's soldiers did not use those cannons, the cannons are a living reminder of the horrific consequences of the French campaign to conquer the land of Israel. The cannons are from the Ottomans period and believed they were used by Ottomans to protect Jaffa from the French invasion but to no avail. When the Ottomans surrendered, their soldiers were slaughtered. The outcome of the French campaign in Jaffa during 1799 was dreadful, with many acts of murder, looting, and rape. Those cannons are another evidence of Jaffa's turbulent history and the terrible suffering of its residents through that time.

There is no better place for a wishing bridge than Jaffa which many of its residents through the generations were depends on the fitful sea to make a living and come back home safely. The bridge has a small mosaic at the entrance and is entwined with zodiac signs. The belief is that if you find your own zodiac sign, stand next to it, touch it while looking at the sea and make a wish, your wish will come true.

One of Jaffa's highlights it’s the entrancing Old City alleyways. Netiv HaMazalot alley is a lovely starting wandering point where you can begin discovering this hidden beauty. Netiv HaMazalot can be translated into The Zodiac Lane and is leading to more picturesque alleyways named after the zodiac signs.

Small in size but with a minaret that is seen from afar, Al-Bahr Mosque is inseparable from Jaffa's promenade spectacular view. Faces to the sea, this was the place where Muslim sailors carry their prayers before they have left the land.

It is difficult to determine the Al-Bahr Mosque establishment date, however, evidence shows its age can be counted in centuries.

Looking from Retsif ha-Aliya ha-Shniya Street to The Mediterranean you will see Andromeda's Rock, an old rock carrying a Greek mythological legend about gods' anger, human vanity, sacrifice, and love. Daughter of Cepheus and Cassiopeia, the king and queen of Ethiopia, Andromeda was the victim of her mother's arrogance.

When Cassiopeia said her daughter is more beautiful than Poseidon's daughters, Poseidon sent a sea monster to Jaffa. To save the residents, Andromeda was chained naked to what is believed this rock as a sacrifice to the monster but was rescued by Perseus, Zeus's son, which later marries her.

To ease its identification, Andromeda's Rock is marked with the Israeli flag on it.

Jaffa Port is recognized as one of the oldest ports in the world. Operative almost continuously since the Bronze Age and even mention in the bible, Jaffa port is an exceptional slice of history. The port has a significant role in Jaffa's development and prosperity through the generations and was the main entrance gate to the Land of Israel.

Today, the Port is also a recreation hot spot with restaurants, galleries, free music, and art events. With an astonishing view of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean coastline, Jaffa Port is one of the photogenic sights you will see in Israel.

Jaffa oranges used to be internationally known and are presumably the most identified export from the city. In 1993, the Suspended Orange Tree, sculpture by the artist Ran Morin, was placed in Jaffa, hang above the ground by metal chains pinned to nearby houses walls. The Suspended Orange Tree is an environmental sculpture that integrates perfectly into Jaffa's old city architecture and history.

HaTsorfim Street is a picturesque alleyway that is full of Jaffa old city charm and beauty.

The flea market is located in the heart of Jaffa and operates since the 19th century. Called Shuk HaPishpushim by the locals, the flea market offers plenty of diverse second-hand items. The entire area has undergone a revival in recent years and is full of shops, art galleries, restaurants, and cafés.

The place is also a local's favorite at night when the market and shop are closed. It is beautifully lighted by the nearby restaurants which add tables outside under the sky and music, laughs and fashionable people can be heard and seen on every corner.

Span across 6 acres, Midron Yaffo Park is a wonderful traveling spot with a marvelous view of the Mediterranean and Tel Aviv-Jaffa promenades. Midron (Slope in Hebrew) is very much pedestrians oriented and has walking trails and wide green lawns. It is a fantastic place for ambling around, especially during the evening when you can view the gorgeous sight of the sea at gloaming and sunset.