Central Bus Station Tel Aviv
The concrete monster
The New Central Bus Station is definitely one of the weirdest places in Tel Aviv. Most of the locals hate this concrete monster that was planned in the '60s and only finished in 1993 because they had run out of money. It’s the second-largest bus station in the world and currently, around 50% of the space is empty. It took me a year not to get lost in there anymore and to understand how to get out.
What you might not see as a traveller rushing to take a bus are all the things that are hidden in the Central Bus Station. On the fourth floor, there is a big Asian market where you can buy fresh Asian herbs and vegetables. You can visit the Young Yiddish Library that has a huge collection of Yiddish books and hosts Yiddish events. Some of the vacant stores have been changed into temporary art galleries or kindergartens for migrant workers' kids - if you are lucky, they'll be practising a dance in front of you. On the seventh floor, you can find a great street art exhibition with art from Sened and other well-known street artists.
Unfortunately, some places you're either not allowed to visit on your own or are locked, like the cinema on floor -3 that's still used for the army and also for theatre group rehearsals, or the bat caves that are behind a parking lot, or an old room that used to be a clinic... I saw those ones with a tour.
About this spot
Levinski Street 108
- Bus station open 24 hours daily
free:
ILS
free
Find your way with 127 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Tel Aviv
Kiryat Sefer Park
A charming green spot
"Kiryat Sefer Park" in Tel Aviv is a small park, not too far from the city centre. I love its two ponds full of plants of all kinds...
by
Tal
Bright
Inga Gallery
Contemporary art in southern TLV
One of the most interesting contemporary art galleries in Tel Aviv, "Inga Gallery" opened in 2006 by two women with a real passion for art...
by
Tal
Bright
Main Bazar
EAT.DRINK.ART
"Main Bazar" is a bar that manages to be local even though it's right in the center of the Jaffa scene! No Tel Aviv visit is complete without coming here...
by
Reuven
Abramovich
Meir Park
A place to relax in the city centre
"Meir Park" in Tel Aviv is rather compact in size but it's a lovely, welcoming recreational spot, the perfect place to get away from the busy city life!
by
Tal
Bright
Cinema Kanada
An alternative cinema
"Cinema Kanada" in Tel Aviv is a new, unique cinema for alternative movies among industrial workshops, run by two young film students...
by
Tal
Bright
Shuffle Bar
A super friendly bar in Florentin
"Shuffle Bar" is one of the friendliest bars in Tel Aviv. It has a chilled & unpretentious vibe - the kind of place that welcomes everyone with a smile!
by
Tal
Bright
Hamalabiya
Local desserts on the go
Malabi is a sweet Middle Eastern dessert that's frankly quite addictive, and "Hamalabiya" is one of my favorite places to have it in Tel Aviv...
by
Tal
Bright
Atlas
A local bar with a global theme
"Atlas" in Tel Aviv is a cool bar where locals go and I'd take guests to enjoy our warm hospitality. It has an international theme through & through.
by
Tal
Bright
Citizen Garden
Healthy & trendy Buddha bowls
"Citizen Garden" is a unique place in the heart of Tel Aviv whose specialty is vegan and vegetarian Buddha bowls. Very Instagrammable place indeed!
by
Tal
Bright
Meshek Barzilay
Quality vegan dining
"Meshek Barzilay" is one of my favorite vegan places in Tel Aviv, and the city has no shortage of them! Their salads & starters are one-of-a-kind...
by
Tal
Bright
Central Bus Station Street Art
7th floor gallery
The street art on the 7th floor of Tel Aviv's enormous central bus station comprises a magnificently colorful exhibition space - what a cool surprise!
by
Tal
Bright
Heading to Tel Aviv?
127 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Tel Aviv?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 127 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Tel Aviv
Get to know our other Spotters from Tel Aviv
As featured on:
