Lonely Planet ranked Tel Aviv as one of the best beach cities. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The travel publication Lonely Planet has named Tel Aviv as one of its top beach cities, continuing the city’s recognition as one of the world’s top destinations.

Tel Aviv, known as the “White City,” placed seventh in the Lonely Planet’s review of top beach cities behind top-ranked Barcelona. Tel Aviv beat cities such as its Middle Eastern neighbor Dubai, Miami, as well as Brighton and Hove in Great Britain on the list.

In response to the recognition, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said, “It’s appropriate and right that every potential tourist in the world knows what we all know already – that Tel Aviv-Jaffa is an amazing city, full of surprises, that is not only fun to live in, but also to visit,” according to Israel Hayom.

Located in a region awash in tension and threats, Tel Aviv is often referred to as “the bubble” for its relative peace and progressive views. In its description of the city, Lonely Planet captured this outlook; Tel Aviv is “the total flip-side of Jerusalem, a modern Sin City on the sea, rather than an ancient Holy City on a hill.”