
No place traveled will be complete without bringing home some goods for your loved ones.
In Israel, just a little bit off of Tel Aviv lies the area of Jaffa. It is an ancient port city that has been known for years for its vibrant flea market area filled with art and clothes as its community is filled with local artisans and creators.
In case you need a guide on what to buy in Israel's shopping mecca, here's a list of things you can buy:
At Jaffa Flea Market, you can find leather goods that are made of camel skin such as bags and sandals. Whether it's vintage or brand new, camel leather is known for its tensile strength and its grain pattern.
Rugs made out of sheepskin are available in the market that can serve as the perfect home decor. Embroidered cloths with beautiful cross stitching are also evident in the area as it is traditional for local Palestinian women to produce and wear them.
Another must-buy in the area of Jaffa are pieces of jewelry. Most offer copper, brass, or glass pieces with semi-precious stones and beads. The more commonly sold is Hamsa, a hand symbol amulet believed to protect the wearer against evil eye.
Potteries are also evident in the flea market. More commonly sold is the Armenian pottery which is known to have traditional glazes that are hand painted with bright yet earthy colors with the dominant color being cobalt blue. Today, a lot of ceramics are still being produced but beware of cheap copies of Armenian pottery.
If you have room to spare in your luggage, antiquities is another commodity that you mustn't miss. The more common ones being oil lamps that have distinct patterns and shapes. Beware though as a lot of antiquities can turn out to be a fake, but a good tip to take note is to make sure that you buy from authorized dealers with certificates from the Israel Antiquities Authority.