Explore the historic market of Machane Yehuda to get a feel for the energetic, commercial face of Jerusalem. The market is particularly famous for food, and is home to all kinds of stalls and vendors. If you’re after a traditional Levantine meal, choose one of the many shawarma or falafel stands. For dessert, try a regional favorite like halva or baklava.
For a more interactive experience, sign up for a cooking workshop. Let a local chef guide you through tastings of local produce at the market’s stalls, before teaching you how to prepare some classic dishes. Various other tours are available. A wine and cheese tour is a tempting option for getting to know some of the local produce, while a graffiti and nightlife tour will introduce you to the modern, younger side of Machane Yehuda.
Visit at night to find that the market stalls have given way to bars and restaurants. Relish the chance to sample delicacies from every corner of Israel and beyond. On Thursday nights in particular, the market is a hub for Jerusalem’s nightlife. Once it was closed at night, but now revelers throng its narrow alleys after the sun goes down.
While food is what brings many visitors to Machane Yehuda, it is not all the market has to offer. In fact, a whole range of vendors and items can be found here, from handicrafts to homeware. For a unique souvenir, browse the stalls selling Judaica. This is a form of Jewish ceremonial art centered on the production of beautiful ritual ornaments, often made from silver.
Wander through the narrow backstreets to get a feel for the history of the market. It dates back to the days of Ottoman rule in the 19th century. The market may have changed a lot over the centuries, but it remains an icon of the city.
Open every day except Saturday, and with free entry, Machane Yehuda Market is a great place to eat, shop or just watch the city go by. Find it in the Nachlaot neighborhood, by the Machane Yehuda Market/Agripas bus station. There is a metered underground parking lot on Agripas Street.
