Tel Aviv, a port city on the Mediterranean, has become Israel’s largest and most modern city. The city has the old (the ancient port of Yaffa) and the new (the massive Ben Gurion International Airport).

Tel Aviv’s cosmopolitan flare is not what most people expect upon arriving in Israel. Yes, the Mediterranean landscape and the aged landmarks are here, but they are drowned out amidst the non-stop energy and modernization of one of the world’s fastest growing cities.

Older areas like Yaffa and Kerem HaTeymanim are still great places for sightseeing and outdoor cafes. Newer neighborhoods like Florentin offer a view into a hipper side to Tel Aviv. Small art studios and trendy boutiques line the streets alongside small industries and auto repair shops.

Tel Aviv really comes into its own after dark. The city boasts a nightlife scene that rivals that of any major city to its west. Some of the biggest clubs (and tightest security) east of New York City can be found in the city’s many districts. Unlike most other cities that have an enforced closing time for all venues serving liquor, Tel Aviv’s nightspots remain open until the sunrise signals them to stop.

Haoman 17, in the aforementioned Florentin district, hosts top international DJs and is one of the most popular venues in the entire city. There are plenty of other nightspots that sport names like Dome, Lima Lima, and Dungeon.

For those who aren’t looking for a thumping bass line and packed dance floors, there are plenty of bars and cafes along the seafront. Many neighborhood bars and restaurants offer outside seating, which is an attraction in and of itself during pleasant weather.

Tel Aviv is the highest example of cosmopolitanism flare in the Middle East.