Jaffa is the ancient port out of which modern day Tel Aviv has grown. Just next to Jaffa’s picturesque Old City and ancient Clock Tower, is a treasure trove of antiques, handmade and secondhand items over at the Jaffa Flea Market, or, in Hebrew Shuk Hapishpishim.
Literally “the Flea Market”, this port-side neighborhood of alleyways, covered walkways and outdoor verandas has been operating for more than 100 years across the same sprawling streets, and is one of the highlights of the area with vendors selling products of any variety imaginable lining the sidewalks.
Open six days a week, from Sunday through Friday, from morning through early evening hours, Jaffa Flea Market is where to go for finding those unique, one-of-a-kind items from long ago. Jaffa Flea Market is filled every day with tourists and locals alike, all seeking the perfect purchase that captures the charm and magic of this unique shuk.
Merchandise varies, but copper, brass, old Persian tiles, and jewelry are always to be found in the covered bazaar streets of Jaffa Flea Market, as well as Judaica items, old family-photo albums, and tons of used jeans and mildewed clothing from India.
Bargaining is the order of the day, so feel free to indulge in lengthy haggling. Like much of Jaffa, this flea market is a delicate but sustainable balance of old and new, as pocketed within the market are several boutiques selling new products that mix in so flawlessly with the antiques a patron may not remember the specific origin of their product, but will never forget the area from which they purchased it.
Recently a number of trendy furniture and clothing shops have cropped up alongside vendors selling traditional Arabic pottery and ceramic items. Restaurants and coffee shops line the streets for weary shoppers to refresh and watch the crowds go by. The Old Jaffa Market is not fun like the old city of barcelona and not authentic like akko or jerusalem, but it is still nice and small.
Combine the market with an exploration of Old Jaffa and a leisurely lunch, to make the most of your at “Shuk Hapishpishim”. And don’t miss to have a look at the video below to take a “live” dive into Jaffa Flea Market!
Tips
- Jaffa Flea Market is a pleasure to stroll at all evening hours. Don’t miss to visit its little streets at night when the flea market becomes a real nice hanging out place.
- Parking is an issue. It is best to take a taxi from and to your destination – Taxis are generally easy to find in the city.
- Don’t forget to haggle for your purchases!
- Try going on foot to the Jaffa Flea Market, by walking along the coastal pedestrian walkway from Tel Aviv and catching a bus back – but be sure to ask ” Allenby ? ” or you may end up in Ohr Yehuda. Alternatively you can walk back along the streets away from the coastal roadway and see how Tel Aviv is growing and changing first hand.
- Bring fresh water as there are lots of coffee shops, but only a few new shops which sell bottled water. There are washrooms at the Clock Tower tourist office. Be sure to walk down for a view of the old coastal stone buildings around Kedumim Square before you head back.
- If you manage to find one of the junk store showcasing a very old (1942) motorbike near its front door, then you will discover a world filled with planes propellers, war helmets, old cameras, postcards, tin boxes and much more artefacts.
Where: 10 from Ben-Yehuda St. in Tel Aviv to the Clock Tower in Old Jaffa. Market area is 1 block east
When: The Jaffa Flea Market is open Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 6pm and on Friday from 10am to 2pm.
Jaffa Flea Market – (c) MAITE ELORZA
