Namal Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv Port

Namal Tel Aviv, the Tel Aviv Port has recently been restored and is now one of the hottest places in town. During the day, the cafes and stores at Namal Tel Aviv (the Tel Aviv Port) the host some of the city’s richest and trendiest, whilst at night, Namal Tel Aviv transforms into one of Tel Aviv’s most popular nightlife venues. Oh, and by the way, you won’t see any big ships here, maybe just a few yachts.

History of Namal Tel Aviv (Tel Aviv Port)

Nightfishing at Tel Aviv Port.
Night fishing at Tel Aviv Port by Or Hiltch, on Flickr

Namal Tel Aviv (Tel Aviv Port) was founded in 1936 by Otzar Mif’alei Yam, literally, Treasure of Sea Works, as the first new Port in Israel. The port was constructed 25 years after the establishment of Tel Aviv against the background of tense relations which Jaffa, then the main port in the land, had established a reputation for. The Tel Aviv Port grew into the biggest in the land and was very important in the establishment of the State of Israel and subsequent mass-migrations from around the world. This flourishing situation didn’t continue, however, and as containerized shipping became the standard way of transporting goods, bigger ports were built elsewhere, and Namal Tel Aviv became derelict.

Tel Aviv Port
Tel Aviv Port by david55king, on Flickr

In the 1990’s and 2000’s, the original developers Otzar Mifalei Yam set about regenerating the Tel Aviv Port into an area of leisure, with the big old hangers converted into restaurants, shops, and nightclubs.

Biking at Tel Aviv Port.
Biking at Tel Aviv Port by Flavio@Flickr, on Flickr

Namal Tel Aviv Today

Today, the Tel Aviv Port is an area of culture, entertainment and leisure activities. A huge wooden deck covers 14,000 sq.m. and acts as a huge promenade running along the seafront. Shaped like waves in the sea, this unique promenade becomes crowded, along with the rest of the port on weekends with families venturing out for great food, and in the evenings, with the numerous bars and clubs which have sprung up bringing in people.

Art installation at Tel Aviv Port.
Art installation at Tel Aviv Port. By RonAlmog, on Flickr

Shops at Namal Tel Aviv include popular Israeli fashion brands such as Castro and Replay, surf and sports shops such as Blue Bird, Oasics, and Adidas, and smaller boutiques.

Restaurants at Tel Aviv Port also range from full-service cuisine through to cafes and coffee bars. And at any hour of the day, you can be certain that you won’t be the only one there.

Nightlife at Namal Tel Aviv is vibrant and The Port one of the busiest locations in the Tel Aviv nightlife.