Flea Market, Jaffa © Shutterstock
Flea Market, Jaffa © Shutterstock

Not your typical Israeli market

These cross-country markets veer off the typical tourist path of cartoon kippot, overpriced Judaica and stubborn venders

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Ever bought handcrafted calendars from a seasonal pop-up Israeli market inside a Florentine club? Ever witnessed someone shape an intricate sterling silver wire bracelet in seconds in the middle of the street? If not, than these unique markets should be at the top of your shopping list. Take a break from Carmel Market's screaming vendors and cheesy gifts to experience the true Israel at these atypical markets. From art up north to homemade food to items that cannot be boxed into a category, here’s our list of the most unique Israeli markets.

Our guide to out-of-the-ordinary Israeli markets

  • Shopping
  • Markets and fairs
  • Nachalat Binyamin

In one of the oldest districts in Tel Aviv, adjacent to the Carmel Market, Nahalat Binyamin Street has a wonderful now-not-so-well-known secret, which makes itself known twice a week. Every Tuesday and Friday, the Arts and Crafts Fair brings around 220 artists together as they attempt to sell their works. 

  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Tel Aviv Port
As you step inside the Art Market Tel Aviv’s colorful, spacious showroom, you’ll leave Tel Aviv and enter Soho, New York. The inviting gallery space in the Tel Aviv Port is part of the Bruno Art Group and nearly a century old. With an extensive collection including works by emerging and acclaimed artists, both Israeli and international, the gallery sells works at a wide range of prices, so you don’t need to be a mogul to pick up a piece for your living room.
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  • Shopping
  • Markets and fairs
  • Shuk HaPishpeshim

Poor quality bric-a-brac lies alongside vintage treasures and antique furniture in Jaffa’s flea market. Of all the places to work your haggling skills, this is it. Even just wandering among the clothes stalls, traipsing around secondhand stores or grabbing some authentic street food is enough to make for a blissful day.

  • Attractions
  • Wadi Salib
The flea market in Haifa's Lower City is a gem for vintage lovers and collectors, but a recent facelift has opened the area to the wider public. On weekdays, the market is quiet, operating solely during morning hours, but it comes to life on Saturdays and Sundays selling everything from old enamel utensils and used sneakers to ornaments and cut class.
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  • Shopping
  • Markets and fairs
  • Jerusalem Old City

With a distinctive Arabian nights feel to it, the Arab market – or souq – located in the Christian and Muslim Quarters of the Old City is a labyrinth of alleyways lined with shops selling everything from handmade jewelry and exotic scarves to hookahs and ceramics.

  • Cafés
  • Shuk HaPishpeshim
  • price 1 of 4
Although it may not be a market per se, we've included Puaa in the mix because of its embodiment of the flea market mentality. Every piece of furniture in the café is for sale. Its colorful carpets, antique ornaments and comfy couches give the restaurant a homey, authentic feel - and can give your home that same atmosphere if you're into it.
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  • Shopping
  • Markets and fairs
  • Old North
Like San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza and Barcelona’s Boqueria, Israel’s latest market is an indoor offering of the freshest ingredients peppered with live demonstration cooking stations and upscale, fresh food eateries. Be sure to indulge in the handmade pasta bar.
  • Shopping
  • Markets and fairs
  • Galilee

The Nazareth Market is a great place to rub shoulders with locals and experience the unique Middle Eastern market culture. Smell the spices, taste local cuisine, and shop for the perfect piece of exotic clothing or souvenir. Just a minute away from the Church of Annunciation, the market is a perfect spot to stop for lunch while touring Nazareth. Explore the various alleys and see what each stall has to offer. You never know what treasures you’ll find!

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  • Shopping
  • Shopping centers
  • Tel Aviv City Center
At the end of every week, the bottom level of Dizengoff Center and winding walkways leading up to it transform into a magical food fair with stalls as far as the eye can see. Each stall offers a different array of homemade foods, from locally prepared Israeli dishes to Yemenite pita, Asian creations and more, this pop-up prepared food market is perfect for stocking up pre-Shabbat.
  • Shopping
  • Markets and fairs
  • Shuk HaPishpeshim

The Greek Market takes its name from its creators. Built by the Greek Orthodox monastery of Jaffa in the late 19th century, the area just east of the iconic Clock Square has been taken over by the Greek community. Shops line the alleyways, while wide openings allow for comfortable seating. Every friday, artisans and artists swarm the compound selling crafts, flowers, antiques, and vintage keepsakes. Weave through the magical old streets of this charming area and you may even catch a live music performance.

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