Jaffa Port, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Jaffa Port is the old harbour of Jaffa, the ancient quarter of Tel Aviv-Yafo, and it is considered one of the oldest ports in the world. It has been in use for roughly 3,800 years and is still a working fishing port today, with boats coming and going below the Old City hill.

The story behind it

For close to four millennia, Jaffa Port has received fishermen, sailors, merchants, pilgrims, immigrants and conquerors. Its fame reaches back into the Bible, where Jaffa is the harbour from which the prophet Jonah set sail, and where timber for the Temple in Jerusalem is said to have arrived by sea. Greek myth also placed the tale of Andromeda and Perseus on this coast.

The port's history was not one of steady glory. There were long stretches of decline and neglect, and for centuries the harbour was hard to approach, with a rocky reef that kept large ships offshore. Today the Tel Aviv Municipality and the port's own fishermen look after it together, so the harbour remains a place of real work as well as one of the lively spots along the Tel Aviv-Yafo shoreline.

What to look for

• Look at the small fishing boats moored along the quay, which show that the port is still used for its original purpose.
• Notice the line of dark rocks just off the coast, which help explain why ships once struggled to dock here.
• Turn around and look up at the Old City, which rises above the harbour and shows how the town grew from the waterfront.
• Look north along the coast to see the Tel Aviv skyline, a striking contrast with the ancient harbour in front of you.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about an hour to wander the quay, watch the boats and take in the views, longer if you plan to eat by the water.
• Late afternoon is a pleasant time to come, when the light softens over the sea and the harbour fills with strollers.
• The port sits at the foot of Old Jaffa, so you can easily combine it with the lanes, galleries and viewpoints of the hilltop quarter.
• The waterfront is open to walk around outdoors, but check current opening hours for restaurants, shops and any galleries.

See it on a quest

The quest Jaffa's Old Town: The Gatekeeper’s Journey (Tel Aviv) passes the port as one stop on a longer walk through Old Jaffa. You reach each place on foot, the app tells you about it as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. You can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join. One ticket covers the whole group.