Nachalat Binyamin Market sits in the heart of Tel Aviv, near Allenby and King George streets, and close to the Carmel Market, another Tel Aviv gem we have already mentioned here on the site. It is also quite close to the Kerem HaTeimanim quarter (lit. “Vineyard of the Yemenites”), an old, poorer neighborhood boasting a great number of good eateries. South of it is the Neve Tzedek neighborhood.
As of 2020, it has a car-free section down to Gruzenberg Street, and the municipality is planning to add to this the section between Kalischer Street and Rothschild Boulevard. Continuing southwards, Nahalat Binyamin crosses Jaffa and Florentin Streets and ends at Salama Road.
Nacahalat Binyamin is translated to Hebrew as “the estate of Benjamin”.
So who is this Benjamin? officially, it refers to the Hebrew name of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism. However, local lore has it that the founders of Nahalat Binyamin asked for money from both the Jewish National Fund (JNF) organization, closely linked to Herzl’s activity, but also from Baron Edmond de Rothschild, a major Jewish benefactor whose Hebrew name was also Benjamin.
Was it really the case? we will probably never know. But we must admit that it is a very Israeli thing to do.
Nachalat Binyamin Market
The main attraction in the street is the Nachalat Binyamin Market, running since 1987 and featuring a massive range of different arts and craft products presented by over 200 artists who offer their fascinating creations to the public.
The market is open every Tuesday and Friday and is one of the best places in the city to find original, handmade items. Despite its large size, the Nachalat Binyamin Market maintains strict quality controls. First, each seller at the market must be approved by a special committee, both in terms of the products offered but also as a person. Second, all works must be original and handmade. And third, each artist must personally be there each time and sell their work, making the experience much more authentic.
Locals and tourists alike love to stroll along with the different stalls and see what the day brings in the way of art. No matter what your style is, you are most likely going to find something you love here, and buying it directly from the artist who makes it is a bit more special.
Another nice thing to see in Nachalat Binyamin is the vivid graffiti art scene, with rich, unusual, and thought-provoking murals that are scattered throughout the entire neighborhood.
The neighborhood offers easy access to the Carmel food market, to the Kerem HaTeimanim neighborhood with its simple grilled-meat eateries and established restaurants, and on to Neve Tzedek, a tourist magnet on the way to Jaffa.
The fair is spread over about half a kilometer, along the pedestrian street in Nahalat Binyamin and branches off to Rambam Street and Hashomer Street. The fair’s unique location, in the heart of a bustling commercial area and its special urban environment, which includes a cluster of unique historic buildings including dozens of graffiti works, constitute a fascinating attraction for a fun day in the city.
So come to Nachalat Binyamin Market to see the historic architecture, get inspired by the typical graffiti paintings on the walls, sit in the cafes, have fun with street performances, enjoy the huge selection of arts and crafts that can be found at the fair… and at the end of the day return home with a unique and original gift for you and your loved ones.
