Petah Tikva

Understand

thumb|The String Bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava, over the Jabotinsky axis Founded in 1878, Petah Tikva means "opening of hope", and was one of modern Israel's first agricultural settlements at the beginning of the Zionist movement. The early settlers drained the swamps in the area and planted orange groves in their place. For decades, it was a major exporter of Jaffa oranges. The orange groves have been mostly replaced by apartment buildings and industry, as the city grew into Israel's fifth largest city, and its second largest industrial concentration after Haifa.

Young single Israelis commonly make fun of it, saying it's a place nobody would ever want to live. However, when those same people get married and start families, Petah Tikva is one of the top places they choose. The city's population is generally middle to upper-middle class.

Petah Tikva has some of the best medical facilities in the Middle East (including Schneider, the best and biggest children's hospital in the region).

Get in

The road to Tel Aviv is often jammed.

Do

For other trails around you can contact the Yarkon Field School (Beit Sefer Sadeh Yarkon, ) which is in charge of the trail marking of this region.

Eat

Like elsewhere in Israel, restaurants that serve kosher food should have a Kashrut certificate issued by the chief Rabbi of the city. If you are seeking authentic Jewish cuisine that has been prepared in accordance with the Kashrut laws, you should seek out an appropriately certified eatery.

Achla, A long-established Middle Eastern/Israeli grill restaurant in Petah Tikva. Known for its assortment of fresh salads, skewers, and home-style Middle Eastern dishes. Hirak Brothers, A traditional Yemeni restaurant serving dishes such as jachnun, lahoh, hearty, full-of-spices soups, and slow-cooked meat. Simple, home-style cooking with an authentic local atmosphere. Uzbekistan, Slor Street (next to the City's fresh produce market). An authentic folkloristic gastro-experience (non-kosher; menus available in Russian too). Try fillet mignon on a skewer with Kavkaz-mountain spices for ₪15. Pizza USA, in front of the city hall on the Chaim Ozer (חיים עוזר) St. is a modest local pizza place which has become, through the years, a kind of famous local institute, because of the unique and delicious taste and texture of its pizzas. Shawarma and Falafel There are many great stands at the center of the town, and they are all great tasting, so if you ever visit Petah Tikva, you should visit one of the kiosks and enjoy the taste of Israel.

Drink

Most of the pubs and bars in Petah Tikva are in the Segula and Ramat Siv industrial zones. Petah Tikva has a popular local brewery with an attached pub called Jem's, but it is closed on Shabbat. Other establishments include Infinity (bar) and HaTzrif (club) in Segula. Many bars are open all week at Ramat Siv district, mainly around Hashacham street.

Sleep

There is an HI Hostel & guest house hidden away at Yad Labanim park.