Project Description
You haven’t really visited Tel Aviv if you haven’t been in the most colorful and delicious site in it – The Markets. Local delicacies, smells and sounds are awaiting for visitors in the 4 famous markets of Tel-Aviv-Jaffa:
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One of the best ways to really get to know a city is to visit its markets. Taking in its sounds and smells, its colors and flavors, as well as mingling with the local shoppers and stallholders, allows a glimpse into a unique urban fabric, not to mention a great opportunity to enjoy some local delicacies and stock up on great souvenirs at affordable prices.
Dried fruits in Carmel Market, Tel Aviv
There is quite a mix of excellent markets in Tel Aviv, and these are just a few of them:
Carmel Market
From fresh produce to spices, as well as juices, breads, cheeses, coffee, halva and more, Tel Aviv’s most famous market has something for everyone. Whether you are here to buy or just to browse, this is the place to meet local shoppers and tourists alike, as well as the rowdy and colorful vendors, trying to lure in customers with their amusing banter.
You can leave your hat on – Carmel Market. Photo by Udi Goren
In the market itself, and in the nearby streets, there are lots of excellent restaurants to choose from, some of them just holes-in-the-wall. And right around the corner is Nahalat Binyamin St, where many artisans sell hand-made crafts, some bits and bobs and originally-designed household items every Tuesday and Friday.
Sweet Halva in Carmel Market
Where?
Carmel Market is spread along Carmel St, from Magen David Square to the Carmelit Terminal. Most stalls are open from 8am till late in the evening. On Fridays, the market closes around 4pm (in the summer) and is closed on Saturdays.
Bezalel Market in Tel Aviv. Photo by Udi Goren
Bezalel Market
A five-minute walk from the Carmel Market will bring you to this one; a completely different market, with stalls and small shops for clothing, shoes, housewares and everyday goods. Most of the clothes you’ll find here are of the inexpensive streetwear variety, some of them in piles that are fun to browse; from time to time you can also find surplus luxury brands at low prices, and last but not least – the Bezalel Market which has some popular falafel stands.
Bezalel market in Tel Aviv. Photo by Udi Goren
Where?
At the corner of King George St and Beit Lehem St. Open 9am to 6pm. On Fridays the market closes around 4pm, and is closed on Saturdays.
Levinsky Market
This one started out as a small spice market, and over the years it has grown into a vibrant and fascinating area. The market is on the outskirts of the revitalized Florentine neighborhood, and it is well worth combining a visit here with a stroll through the market. Spices are still the main draw in the Levinsky Market, with specialty blends that will upgrade your dishes and infuse them with Middle Eastern flavors and aromas.
A spicy market – Levinsky Tel Aviv. Photo by Udi Goren
Besides the spice shops, the market excels in dried fruit, crackers, cakes and cookies, cheeses, sausages, halva, coffee blends and more. For a complete experience, why not sample some excellent ethnic foods? There are Persian, Turkish and Balkan restaurants in and around the market, as well as some of the best hummus joints in Tel Aviv, a pleasant bistro and so much more.
The first coffee roasting machine in Levinsky Market. Photo by Udi Goren
Where?
Unsurprisingly, Levinsky Market centers around Levinsky St, between Alia St and Herzl St, but spills onto some of the side streets. The market springs to life in the early morning, and some of the shops and stalls close in the afternoon, while other stay open well into the evening.
All kinds of olives in Levinsky Market. Photo by Udi Goren
Flea Market
Moving on from Tel Aviv to Jaffa, its vibrant flea market is renowned for its dizzying array of second-hand items – housewares, furniture, jewelry, watches, lamps, sculptures, musical instruments, vintage or new clothes, shoes, children’s clothes and what not. Alongside these, there are also good quality antiques, and if you have the knack for it, you can have some excellent finds. In recent years, the flea market has become a bustling nightlife area, with loads of trendy restaurants, cafes and bars in the vicinity. Every weekend, when the market closes, its many eateries, drinking dens and live music places are filled with patrons and party goers.
Flea market in jaffa
Where?
Olei Zion St, and its many side streets and alleys. The shops and stalls are open Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and Friday till 3pm; it is closed on Saturdays. The restaurants and cafes around the market are open seven days a week, until the wee hours of the night.
