Travel Tips

Shopping Israel’s Markets: Postcard from Tel Aviv

Locations in this article:  Jerusalem, Israel

Israeli shopping - Tel Aviv - Craft marketShalom Peter,

The devout travel to Israel for spiritual renewal, to to find the “holy” in the Holy Land. I came for a different religious experience—the retail kind—and Hallelujah! Hosanna!

The creativity of the local designers and artisans has made me weak in the knees and light in the head.

STROLLING ON DIZENGOFF

I began my Tel Aviv explorations on the famous Dizengoff Street, which runs north to south, parallel to the sea. I knew this outing would cure my jet lag; it even has its own verb form in Hebrew: l’hiz’dan’geff: to walk, shop, eat on Dizengoff.

Dizengoff Antiques ShopThe area reminds me of New York’s Carnegie Hill or San Francisco’s Fillmore Street. It has a casual affluent feel; the shops are a mélange of indie designers, shoe boutiques, bridal salons, and antiques stores. There are several cafes for refueling, but sadly, no Starbucks.

The best shopping on Dizengoff is in the 200s block north of Arlozorov Street. At #223, Gershon Bram offers chic Euro-Asian-style designs for men and women in lush natural fabrics. “Larger” ladies should check out the bold statement clothing at Kedem Sasson, #213. They don’t sell fat lady dresses with elastic middles, but rather ultra-chic sculptured pieces. It’s investment clothing at its best.

Unusual by Rachel & Nori at #231 is great for yup, unusual clothes and accessories, and the handcrafted jewelry by Dori Csengeri at #242 belongs in a museum (or on my neck). Note: My Citibank debit card was rejected by several ATMs on Dizengoff; bring cash or credit cards.

For more travel info: Off the Brochure Travel Guide: Tel Aviv, Israel.

Dizengoff JewelryIt was a quick taxi ride from Dizengoff to Sheinkin (also spelled Shenkin) Street, where shoppers with limited shekels (figure 3.75 shekels to $1) can fill their duffels. Once home to Tel Aviv’s rebellious and bohemian, the area has slowly evolved into a mix of trendy urban chic, plus vintage grunge, with a few tourist traps thrown in. A shopper with patience and a good eye will be happy here.

The best stores are at the eastern end of the street, between Sderot Rothschild and Yehuda Halevi. Don’t miss Michal Negrin, #37 Sheinkin, where semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystals adorn well priced and imaginative jewelry, and Ronen Chen, #49, a favorite of local young fashionistas.

MARKET WATCH
 

Adjacent to Shenkin Street is Tel Aviv’s famous open-air Carmel Market (also spelled Hacarmel and Hakarmel). It’s primarily a food and veggie market, but there’s also a small section where inexpensive clothes and housewares are sold. The vendors are aggressive and as a tourist, I probably overpaid, but hey, it was good fun.

Don’t miss Sarah’s take on Jerusalem Shopping & Market Experiences.

Tel Aviv’s Crafts MarketI didn’t spend much time at Carmel, as I was saving my energy for the goodies on nearby Nachalat Benyamin. (No, this is not the current Prime Minister of Israel.)

This street is home to Tel Aviv’s fabric stores (great quality, good prices), but on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. till late afternoon, it’s transformed into an arts and crafts fair.

Located at Mogen David Square, at the edge of the Carmel Market, the market hosts local artists selling everything from jewelry to paintings to pottery and colorful creative Judaica.

Learn more about Travel in the Middle East here.

Levinsky Street SpicesAll items must be original and handmade and the artist is required to tend his/her stall. I may convert to Judiasm just so I can use my newly acquired, one-of-a-kind menorah.

A couple of blocks south of the crafts fair, I had the best shopping experience of the day. Home to Tel Aviv’s many spice mongers, The Lewinski Street Market (also spelled Levinsky) is a mecca for chefs and foodies alike.

There’s more than 3,000 varieties of fresh and dried spices and fruits available in the shops between Ha’aliya and Herzl streets. If shopping is the spice of life, then Israeli markets must be heaven.

kol tov,

Sarah

By Sarah Lahey for PeterGreenberg.com. Join Sarah and her shopping BFF, Suzy Gershman, on a shopping spree with the Born to Shop Japan tour, November 4-10, 2010, with an optional three-day add-on to Hong Kong. Visit www.SuzyGershman.com for more information.

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