Special treat: The Dan Tel Aviv has hosted scores of showbusiness visitors from Madonna to Sir Paul McCartney. Check in to a slightly pricier double overlooking the beach which are available from £178
Mid-range: Brown TLV (browntlv.com) is a very good value boutique hotel with 30 rooms. It boasts a spectacular rooftop terrace with an outdoor jacuzzi overlooking the city. Doubles from £124.
Budget: Leonardo Hotel Basel (leonardo-hotels.com) is only a few streets away from the beach, but without the price tag that comes with being closer. Interiors are clean and modern. Doubles from £92.
Stroll along Rothschild Boulevard in the heart of the city and admire the Thirties Bauhaus architecture that earned this area World Heritage status.
Stop at the lively Social Club (socialclub.rest.co.il) for an introduction to Israeli cuisine. Try a their seafood and fresh salads; main courses are around £13.
Head to Jaffa to buy lunch on the hoof from Said Abuelafia and Sons (00972 3681 2335), a bustling Arabic bakery that sells delicious zatar, flatbreads with olive oil, from its wood-fired ovens.
Book a table at Herbert Samuel (00972 3516 6516; herbertsamuel.co.il), one of the city’s smartest restaurants, serving great octopus, scallops and sushi. Main courses are around £18.
Recall the glamour of Twenties travel at Hatachana (hatachana.co.il), the city’s disused train station. It was recently renovated and hosts exhibitions and art galleries.
Do not leave without eating at Dr Shakshuka (drshaksuka.rest-e.co.il), a Jaffa institution. Order the tasting menu: shakshuka – tomatoes, onions and eggs served with meat stews and couscous. Only £14.
