Old Yafo is one of the city’s most historically and culturally dense areas, with its picturesque ancient port, artists’ quarter, historic landmarks, archaeological artifacts, newly renovated Ottoman-era houses and upscale restaurants and shops. Built on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, the old city juts out from the coastline and looks, from a distance, like a fortress —which it was, once. There is plenty to explore in Old Yafo’s intricate maze of stone buildings and narrow alleyways, including houses of worship and other locations sacred to each of the three major religions, a number of parks and gardens and several museums and theaters.