Bucket List: The Shuk Hacarmel

Israel, Tel Aviv

This article was originally published in this blog in April 2017.

Some may ask, why is visiting a local market even a bucket list item? The simple answer from me is that anything can be a bucket list item depending on individuals. For some, even swimming in the local lake can be a bucket list item while for others; only climbing the highest peak on earth will qualify as a bucket list item, all other stuff don't even come near. Therefore, what is a bucket list item can only be defined by the individual making his or her own list. 

For me, morning markets are the heartbeats of any city. In the markets, I can observe and interact with locals, indulge in local street food, buy souvenirs and simply soak in the local atmosphere. Ever wonder why the old Tsukiji Market of Tokyo was such an attraction for tourists worldwide? The precise reasons were what I had just stated.

Located in a part of Tel Aviv just steps from the Mediterranean Sea, is Carmel Market. Also known as the Shuk Hacarmel locally, I always made time to visit this market each time I was in Tel Aviv. My most recent visit was in the summer of 2017. Personally, a bucket list item for me. For it was here where I made friends with the stall holders, mingled with the morning crowd, bought high-grade olive oil at reasonable prices and unique souvenirs for friends back home.

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Regular readers of this blog will know that whichever city I visited, I always make it a point to go to the local market places. I strongly believe that the culture and heartbeat of any city is usually depicted in the activities of its markets. 

And in Tel Aviv, there are no other markets more popular amongst both locals and tourists than the Carmel Market.

Shuk HaCarmel a.k.a. Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

History

The Carmel Market of today can be traced historically back to as early as the 1920s to a marketplace known as the "Hakerem". Over the years, this market morphed into what today is the Carmel Market. Officially known as the Shuk HaCarmel, this market is well known to locals and tourists alike and is almost always described in travel guides on Tel Aviv.

Getting There

The Carmel Market is located along HaCarmel Street and is bordered by Allenby Street and the Magen David Square. It is within less than 5 minutes walking distance from the David Intercontinental Hotel and is just next to the neighbourhood of Neve Tzedek.

Entrance to the market, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Flower shop, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

What to Expect

This is basically a wet market. So expect lots of crowds during the morning peak marketing hours. Locals shop here for fresh produce while tourists flocked here for sight seeing, photo taking and souvenir hunting.

As I entered the market, I was immediately overwhelmed by the range and depth of goods available. Despite the morning peak shopping period, there was surprisingly no pushing and shoving. Everybody walked casually at their own pace and gave way to each other. Amongst the local shopping crowd were tourists who were easily identified by their DSLR cameras or Smartphones on hand, ever-ready for those photo moments.

I took my time to enjoy the ambience of the market and derived joy from being a part of the heartbeat of the place on a lazy Friday morning.

Fresh produce from all over Israel are sold here including vegetables, herbs and spices, tea, sweets, olive oil, honey, condiments, flowers, fruits and freshly baked bread and pastries.

Fresh Herbs, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Artichoke, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Fresh produce, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Green pepper, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Potatoes, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Fruits, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Floral mix used for tea, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Spices, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Locally produced cheese, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Freshly baked bread, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Fresh pastries, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Locally produced vegetables, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

More locally produced vegetables, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Fresh sunflowes, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Other items available here are t-shirts, shorts, mass produced art prints, trinkets, mobile phone cases, souvenirs, both imported as well as locally produced chocolates and lots of titbits.

Sweet deliughts, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Trinkets, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Touristy sourvenirs, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Mass produced art prints, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Ornaments, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

There are also small cafes here where you can take a break and snack on the local delights as well as get that caffeine fix.

Opening Hours

The market's opening hours are usually from 8am in the morning to the early hours of the night, every day of the week except Saturdays.

Advices and Tips

Much as this is an interesting place to visit, tourists need to remember that it is still a local market after all. The stall owners earn their daily living through the sale of items from their respective stalls. Thus, while trying to position yourself for that touristy photo to show the awesomeness of the market to your friends on social media, please also ensure that you do not hinder the traders from going about their daily businesses.

Most of the stalls here only accept cash (Israeli Shekels). Thus, it will be wise to carry some Shekels with you when you visit. Trust me, there will definitely be something that catches your eye when you will willingly trade your Shekels for that bag of titbits or that unique souvenir for your love ones back home.

A couple of money changers are located near the market and they accept popular international currencies such as the US Dollar, EU Euro and British Pound to be exchanged into the local currency.

Things to buy here will be the famous Medjool Dates as well as the locally produced olive oil. Assorted nuts sold by weight in scales of 100 grammes is also a good buy. Other recommended buys are dried fruits, locally harvested honey and pitted prunes.

Medjool Dates, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Locally produced olive oil, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Locally harvested honey, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Dried fruits, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Assorted nuts make good titbits, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)

Locally produced pitted prunes, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv, Israel (2017)