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.
Levinski Street 108
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Find your way with 127 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Beatnik Records" in Tel Aviv has a large selection of new & second-hand records of all genres! It's one of the stores I always drop into when I'm nearby.
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"Cinema Kanada" in Tel Aviv is a new, unique cinema for alternative movies among industrial workshops, run by two young film students...
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"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!
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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...
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"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.
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"Citizen Garden" is a unique place in the heart of Tel Aviv whose specialty is vegan and vegetarian Buddha bowls. Very Instagrammable place indeed!
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"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...
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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!
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"Edith Wolfson Park" in Tel Aviv is a large, beautiful park at an unexpected location. What I like the most about is its big, white, modern sculptures...
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"Kaymak" in Levinsky Market in Tel Aviv is a popular veggie restaurant that's somewhat of an institution by now. Everything tastes satisfying and is cheap!
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"Menachem Begin Park" in Tel Aviv is a spacious, green park that's also kind of hidden. It's known for its water ski park but is also cool to just chill!
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