Mahane Yehuda Market (The Shuk)

The basics

Also spelled Mahane Yehuda Market and popularly known as The Shuk, the market has been an epicenter of local life for over a century and is considered Jerusalem’s largest. Much less touristy than the markets in Jerusalem Old City, it’s easy enough to explore independently. But many travelers opt to make the most of flavors from the Middle East and beyond by purchasing a “Bite Card” food package, joining a food tour, or tagging along on a pub crawl. A number of Jerusalem day tours, as well as day trips from Tel Aviv, stop by here.

Things to know before you go

• The combination of street art and local life makes the Shuk a must for photographers and Instagrammers alike.
• Machane Yehuda Market has wheelchair-adapted bathrooms and is generally wheelchair-friendly. Some shops, eateries, and alleys may be too narrow for wheelchair access.
• The market is stroller-friendly and some kids will love the chance to shop local candies and sweet treats.

How to get there

Machane Yehuda Market sits in downtown Jerusalem about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) northwest of the Old City. It’s a 15-minute walk east of Jerusalem Yitzhak-Navon, the city’s main train station—or catch the light rail to Yehuda Camp.

When to get there

The Shuk is open from morning to evening Sunday to Thursday, but closes early Friday afternoon for the Jewish sabbath. Thursday and Friday (Israel’s version of Friday and Saturday) are the best days for people-watching at the market, although the Friday afternoon rush can be intense. To see the art, come on a Saturday; for socializing, Thursday night is liveliest.

The Shuk Gallery: Street Art at Machane Yehuda Market

The Shuk changes its look between day and night, as market stalls give way to bars and restaurants, the lights go on, and shutters come down, revealing a wealth of high-color portraits. The pictures, which run from notables such as Einstein and Gandhi through to Jewish World War II hero Hannah Szenes, made young British artist Solomon Souza’s name: Some are even painted upside down.