Old Jaffa Tour | A free walking tour of Tel Aviv's most visited area

They always say that the best way to get to know a new place is to walk around the area like a local, with a local. And what if this opportunity is available at the cost of nothing? If you think this is a click-bait post, ummm, IT'S NOT. Read this post and discover Old Jaffa from our Free Walking Tour Experience!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post and I booked the tour on my own discretion.

Tour Provider: SANDEMANs NEW EUROPE

A newly discovered website, SANDEMANs NEW EUROPE is a by-product of Chris Sandeman's tour guiding experience in Berlin back in 2003. He got the idea of offering tips-based tours when his guests enjoyed his way of tour guiding. Now operating in different cities, I'm happy I came across the site and took the opportunity to join in Tel Aviv!

A unique way of storytelling and tour guiding, an enthusiastic woman named Hadar is our tour guide for the day. I don't know if it's just her or if everyone delivers the same storytelling as her, but we are so captivated and engrossed during the whole tour.

Don't hesitate and try the Free Walking Tour! Check it out from SANDEMANs website or you can CLICK HERE!

Tour Proper: Old Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israel

A close landmark to our hostel (PoliHosts Old Jaffa), our tour started at the famous Clock Tower. Standing strong exquisitely up to this day, the Clock Tower symbolized the inception of the train from Jaffa to Jerusalem.

As we walk around, we became familiar with the landmarks with so much significance in history. My favorite is the House of the Sea, once a brothel and now turned to a sought-after wedding venue in Tel Aviv. Even the luxury hotel 'The Setai Tel Aviv' used to be a prison cell. Not just a regular prison, it also detained Adolf Eichmann (part of Holocaust organizer) while he waits for his trial.

Hadar imparted us with a message in relation to these stories that our past does not define our future. Like how the House of the Sea and The Setai Hotel bears a dark reputation in the past, it is now elegantly serving the new generation with a different purpose.

Next in our itinerary comes a love story from the Greek mythology goddess Andromeda. As we hear her story of sacrifice and redemption, the ordinary looking rocks called Andromeda's Rock has a new-found meaning to all of us.

Passing by the boats moored on their docks, we finally entered the cobble stone part of Old Jaffa. Following Hadar's footsteps, we started going inside the maze-like stylish neighborhood of Old Jaffa.

Artists and jewelers are now the main occupants within the neighborhood. There are jewelry shops, souvenir shops and even museums in various nooks.

But the story telling isn't over yet. Before your artistic side takes over you, we came to know about a house who believed to be a temporary host of Peter the Apostle during his journey in Israel. It is said that this is where he had a vision to let go of his Jewish practices and preach Christianity.

As the tour comes to an end in Ramesses II’s Gate Garden in Abrasha Park, a breathtaking panoramic view of Tel Aviv opened up before our eyes.

Tour Cost:

So how much does it really cost? FREE. Absolutely.

At the end of the tour, you are welcomed to give a tip to your tour guide. Like how you give tips to your tour guides, tour drivers, etc., it's the same concept. The tips goes straight to the tour guides and they earn a living from it. You can also decide on the amount you are willing to give. You are not obliged to tip a specific amount and as Hadar told us, 'Don't worry there's no strings attached'.

How much did I tip? I'm on a shoestring budget as you know it so my friends and I tipped her NIS 25.00 each. We noticed other travelers paying between NIS 20.00 - NIS 50.00 as well.

Do I really have to tip? We Asians are not pretty much familiar on the tipping concept actually so we have this question in mind. However, based on my experience, Hadar is really good you'll end up tipping her! If you don't feel tipping, it's fine (I think) but trust me you will! 😉

Personal Thoughts on Old Jaffa Tour:

A city who witnessed the Ottomans, Crusaders, Romans, Canaanites and Egyptians, the Old Jaffa Tour made us all traveled back in time. We learned so much history in a short amount of time from Hadar's romantic storytelling. Her stories are captivating enough for me to remember the history better than how I learn from history books.

With that said, considering the price (it's free) including the tip, the Old Jaffa Tour is worth the walk! Seeing the city from a foreign perspective with a local's lens, it's a budget-friendly tour without compromising the quality of the tour.

If you're still hesitating if this tour is for you, this is the sign. Unless you're in a wheelchair (Old Jaffa isn't wheelchair friendly because of some stairs), I don't see any reason why you shouldn't try this. That's all from me and until next post, see you!

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