Ramat Gan, (Hebrew: רמת גן) (Translation:Garden Plain) is a city in Israel, adjoining Tel Aviv, and virtually an extension of it. This is an eclectic town famous for many things unconnected to each other: diamonds, football, malls, chocolates, Iraqi restaurants, religious university, and there is even a full open space African Safari with Lions. Small green public gardens are plentiful and all streets are tree lined.

Understand

Founded in 1921. Population exceeding 135,000.

North Ramat Gan features a cluster of sparkling sky scrapers, which, at night, impresses you with a magnificent Manhattan-style skyline. There, you will find the tallest building in Israel (75 Floors), right next to the two sky scrapers comprising of the diamond stock exchange. This area, called the Boursa, turns at night into a sleazy collection of brothels and illegal casinos.

The rest of the city, just like its name, is residential with green gardens here and there. Some embassies (including the EU delegation) are located here, instead of Tel Aviv. A lot of political wheeling and dealing goes on at the Ramat Gan Sheraton City Towers, which is a preferred hang out for Likud Party primaries conferences.

In the North East, you will find the first successful shopping mall in Israel (Kanyon Ayalon) surrounded by huge outlets. Next to it, a shooting range ("Mitvach"), the biggest soccer stadium in the country, and the Ramat Gan National Park. On the other side of town, Bar Ilan University, a world famous institution combining modern studies with Rabbinical curriculum.

Ramat Gan is also associated with chocolates, as those passing by the "Elite" factory on Jabotinski Road would catch sweet whiffs of chocolate in the blending.

Last but not least, Ramat Gan is known as Baghdad Town. Most Jewish immigrants from Iraq settled here in the 50s and made Ramat Gan their home. No wonder Ramat Gan suffered revenge by Saddam. Most of the SCUD Missiles Saddam launched during the Gulf War fell in Ramat Gan.

Get in

Get around

See

Do

• For family entertainment visit the 'Ramat Gan Safari if you want to see lions in a natural setting.
• DO and Stay: Ramat Gan hosts the Maccabiah every 4 years. This is the Jewish Olympics, where Jewish communities from all over the world send their athletes to compete and mingle at the Maccabiah village at "Kfar Hamaccabiah" a full scale sports hotel and compound.

Eat

Don't miss the best Iraqi-style Shawarma in Israel at 'Shemesh on Jabotiski Road. There are plenty of fast food joints along Jabotinski.

Drink

Clubs and bars are scarce, just catch a taxi to Tel Aviv (30 Shekels = $7). 'Sky Bar', 14 Abba Hillel St., Ramat Gan.

Sleep

Sheraton City Tower (luxury) Kfar Hamaccabiah (hotel and sports compound)

Stay safe

Get out