On my first day in Tel Aviv I wandered down Allenby in search of the Shuk, also referred to as Carmel Market, when I began to wonder if I had somehow missed the entrance near the King George intersection.
I decided to walk a little farther, and as the sounds got louder and action picked up pace I realized there was no missing this market. At the back of a little corner of the intersection, the sidewalk opens up into a long passage lined by stores, tables and endless supplies of market goods.
After this first discovery of the market, I knew I wanted to come back and explore with Maggie. So after we finished our walking tour of Jaffa, we hopped in a cab and directed the driver to the shuk.
Just like every other market around the world, the shuk is brimming with delicious varieties of all the local foods, piles of souvenirs and table after table of cheap knockoffs. What’s different here though, is the hustle and bustle is generally without the nagging and heckling directed at tourists.
The market is both overwhelming and fun. It feels like the epicenter of life when you wander right into the middle of it. As I learned in Thailand, to haggle you can generally cut a price in half and then negotiate your way to a price somewhere in between. Here I didn’t buy much or try to negotiate but I did purchase an awesome pair of leather leggings and sampled some delicious cheeses.
Putting It Together
- You can find the entrance of the market at the intersection of Allenby and King George
- There are also many great restaurants hidden within the Shuk, so keep your eyes peeled and give one a try if your hungry
- The market gets very crowded in the afternoon so try to go early in the day if crowds aren’t your thing
- Bring small bills and coins, since prices are generally low and some vendors may not be able to make change for large bills
Do you enjoy markets or find them overwhelming?
Planning your own trip to Israel and looking for suggestions? Check out my itinerary for one week in Israel plus a second week to visit Jordan and Egypt.
Wondering why I’m in Israel? Read this post here.