Tel Aviv has been named one of the ten best beach cities in the world.

A National Geographic survey placed the Mediterranean coastal city on the list alongside Honolulu and Rio de Janeiro.

The magazine described the city, home to everything from a buzzing port, busy markets and sandy beaches, as “Miami Beach on the Med”

Although Tel Aviv was beaten to the top seaside spot by Barcelona, Israel was the only Middle Eastern country to make the list.

The Israeli city, which has just celebrated its 100th anniversary, came in at number nine, with the list’s writers praising both its nightlife and daytime beach scene.

They wrote: “Tel Aviv is the Dionysian counterpart to religious Jerusalem.

“Eight miles of beach literally steps from town. Head to wide and sandy Gordon Beach to sit in a seaside café or take a dip in the saltwater pool.”

Tel Aviv has also been listed as one of Forbes Magazine’s top “Party Cities”.