The ancient port of Jaffa, which has continuously operated as a port for over 4,000 years, is home to many Israeli Arabs. Most of the buildings we see in Jaffa now were actually built by the Ottoman Turks, and are only about 500 years old. Beside the many mosques and other semi-ancient stone buildings, Jaffa is also home to a large Franciscan Catholic church, The Church of Saint Peter.

I love Jaffa. It’s tangled and quirky. There’s a famous Jaffa flea market where all kinds of crazy junk is sold. It’s a great place to look for parts to repair other things like watches, or to just find curiosities. The waterfront has a bunch of cafes and the sea is beautiful from the high vantage point. You also get great views toward Tel Aviv, to the north. Technically, Tel Aviv - Jaffa (Yafo) is a single municipality now, but Old Jaffa still retains its ancient character. Jaffa is the place to go when you want outstanding hummus (pronounced hoo-moos). And yes, there is a difference.