Israel Information
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
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Home Country: israel
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 Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:24 pm Post subject: SHOPPING IN ISRAEL/ ISRAEL SHOPPING GUIDE |
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SHOPPING IN ISRAEL
General
There is a wide choice for shoppers in Israel; and in certain shops, especially in Arab markets, visitors can - and should - bargain. Tourists who buy leather goods at shops listed by the Ministry of Tourism and pay for them in foreign currency are exempt from VAT and receive a 25 per cent discount on leather goods if these are delivered to them at the port of departure. Special purchases include jewelry, diamonds and other precious stones, ceramics, embroidery, glassware, wines, religious articles and holy books. ‘Cashback’ on purchased items can be claimed from the Customs Office at the airport. The best place to buy food is outdoor markets or Shouk; the produce is cheaper and fresher.
Tel Aviv
Shopping in Tel Aviv can be a fascinating experience, as the city offers various kinds of shopping venues, from outdoor flea markets to big modern malls.
If it's the Middle Eastern ambience you're after, visit the colorful Carmel Market with its oriental flavor, to watch the vendors sell exotic food products and cheap clothing (don't forget to bargain), or go to neighboring Nachalat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall, where artists present their unique home-made stuff.
However, if you're looking for modern style shopping, then you can attend the chic fashion stores at Dizengoff and Sheinkin Streets, visit the exclusive boutiques at Hamedina Square and Ramat Aviv mall, or head for Azrieli Center, a uniquely structured shopping mall and the highest building in the city. Most of Tel-Aviv's shopping areas are within walking distance from the hotel district on Hayarkon St., while others are easy to get to by local bus or taxi. Notice that some shops are closed between 1pm and 4pm, and most are closed on Saturday.
Dizengoff Center
Center of Dizengoff and King George streets. Large, modern shopping center. Encompassing innumerable shops, 7 movie theaters, restaurants and cafes.
Gan Ha'ir
This is one of lsrael's exclusive centers, with stores and restaurants of truly international standards. Here you'll find everything you're looking for, whether it's fashion, jewelry, carpets, housewares, dining, delis or night-clubs. With its lush greenery, sparkling fountains and futuristic elevators, the fully air conditioned City Garden Shopping Center is one of Tel Aviv's treasures. Tel. 03- 5279111 (Center into), 71 lbn Gvirol St.
Canion Ayalon
The mall, which is in Ramat Gan, is the most successful one in Israel and is considered to be one of the most successful malls in the whole world! The mall is air-conditioned and has a variety of stores. restaurants and movie theaters, The mall has 100 stores and 2,150 parking spots that are free for the visitors. Open daily 9am-1Opm. Tel. 570-3105, Info. 177-022-1776
The New Tel Aviv Bus Terminal
The New Tel Aviv Bus Terminal operates also as lsrael's business, commerce and entertainment center. 230,00 square meters of enclosed and air-conditioned space in summer and winter, 1,400 shops including all the known branches in all categories, thousands of parking spaces, escalators, fountains, restaurants, cafes, movie theaters, branches of the major banks and an enclosed and clean market. In other words, a city within a city. An experience!
Opera Tower
This apartment building is located at the junction of 1 Allenby St., Tel Aviv, opposite the Promenade. The building was erected at the site of what was the First Knesset and later housed the Israeli Opera. There are three floors for commercial use, including shops of Israeli designers, jewelry, ceramics, furniture, Judaica and fashion, 6 cafes-restaurants and 5 cinemas. The place is fully air-conditioned. Into: 03- 510-7496. Buses 4, 10. Opera Tower hosts exhibitions and artistic activities.
Jerusalem
The Old City has much to offer, with the narrow, colourful souk that follows the Street of the Chain from Jaffa Gate into the Muslim Quarter. Tiny open-fronted shops sell souvenirs of olive wood, silverwork, mother-of-pearl, leather and hand-blown glass. Arabic sweets and pastries are also plentiful. Bargaining here is standard practice and shoppers can generally get about one quarter off the asking price. As the Muslim Quarter leads into the Christian Quarter, souvenirs take the form of religious artefacts.
Continuing into the Old City’s Jewish Quarter, the Cardo has several exclusive shops selling clothing and objets d’art. Several hundred shops are listed by the Ministry of Tourism and display a special emblem as a symbol of fair pricing. These carry a range of goods from exclusive jewellery and diamonds to oriental carpets, ladies wear and leather goods. Bargaining is not usual in Jewish shops and markets, although asking for a ‘discount’ on some pretext can sometimes bring an immediate price reduction.
In west Jerusalem, shops and streets are much the same as in southern Europe. For traditional crafts and Judaica head for the House of Quality, the Hutzot Hayotser Arts and Crafts Lane, Yochanan Migush Halav Street and the Mea Shearin area. There are also large shopping malls, such as Jerusalem Mall in Malcha Street.
Shopping in east Jerusalem maintains a strongly Arabic, Middle Eastern feel. The hub of this district is Damascus Gate, where traders gather daily, from dawn to dusk, to sell anything from household wares to fresh farm produce. This market is full of life and bustle and (unlike the markets of the Muslim Quarter) sells to locals as well as tourists.Opening hours for shops are generally Sunday to Thursday 0900-1900 (some close daily between 1300 and 1600). Most shops and businesses in west Jerusalem are closed on Friday and Saturday (Shabbat). The Muslim Quarter and east Jerusalem are also quieter on Saturday. Trading on Friday, the Muslim holy day, is also quite restrained. Christian-owned shops close on Sundays. |
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