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

The best way to get to know a new place is to walk around the area like a local, with a local. With this free walking tour, we discovered a historical place in Tel Aviv called Old Jaffa in the most interesting way. If you're curious about this free walking tour, look no further, and continue reading!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post and we booked the tour at our discretion.

NOTE: Due to the ongoing conflict between Israel & Palestine, we do not encourage any form of travel at this moment. Let's continue to pray and hope for peace between the two.🙏🏼

Tour Operator: Sandemans New Europe

A newly discovered website, SANDEMAN'S NEW EUROPE, is a by-product of Chris Sandeman's tour guiding experience in Berlin in 2003. He got the idea of offering tip-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!

With a unique way of storytelling and tour guiding, Hadar was an enthusiastic and amazing tour guide during our tour. We 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.

Looking for a Free Walking Tour? Check it HERE!

Old Jaffa walking Tour in Tel Aviv

A close landmark to our hostel (we stayed at PoliHosts Old Jaffa), the 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 walked 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 into a sought-after wedding venue in Tel Aviv.

Even the luxury hotel 'The Setai Tel Aviv' across the Clock Tower was once used as a prison cell. Not just a regular prison, it was said that the prison detained Adolf Eichmann (part of Holocaust organizer) while he waited for his trial.

Hadar imparted us with a message about these stories that our past does not define our future. Like how the House of the Sea and The Setai Hotel bear 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 have a new-found meaning to all of us.

Passing by the boats moored on their docks, we finally entered the cobblestone 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 storytelling 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 opens up before our eyes.

Walking Tour Cost:

So how much does the walking tour cost? FREE.

However, at the end of the tour, you are welcome 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 go straight to the tour guide 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 we tip? My friends and I were on a shoestring budget but we tipped her NIS 25.00 each. Other travelers were tipping between NIS 20.00 - NIS 50.00 as well.

As Asians, we are not raised with the tipping culture. However, Hadar was really good you'll end up tipping her! If you don't feel tipping, it's fine but trust me you will! 😉

Personal Thoughts on Old Jaffa Walking Tour:

A city that witnessed the Ottomans, Crusaders, Romans, Canaanites, and Egyptians, the Old Jaffa Tour made us all travel 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 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 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 the next post, see you!