Jerusalem

Shopping

Jerusalem offers two distinctly different types of shopping venues: modern malls and department stores in the western part of the city and the Arab markets of the Old City. In the west, the major downtown shopping area is the central triangle formed by King George, Ben Yehuda, and Jaffa streets, home to two urban shopping malls and the city's major department store, Hamashbir. The most upscale shopping, including most commercial art galleries, is found on King David Street, and the Nahalat Shiv'a neighborhood is known for its selection of arts and crafts. Further afield, there is Jerusalem's largest suburban shopping center, the air-conditioned Kanyon Mall in the Malkah district.

The most colorful shopping experience to be found in Jerusalem, however, is afforded by the crowded, bustling market stalls (or suks) of the Old City, where haggling with merchants is the rule and can reduce the initial asking price of an item by over one-half. A large selection of souvenirs is available for visitors of all religions, including many items that incorporate olive wood, silver, and turquoise. Ceramics are another of the many specialty items available in the market stalls.