What To Buy In Israel

what to buy in israel
Linda
Linda 
Published
| 4 min read

Considered by Christians, Muslims, and Jews to be the biblical Holy Land, Israel is a Middle Eastern country on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Jerusalem is one of the sacred cities in Israel, an old city and a temple complex consisting of the historic Western Wall, Dome of the Rock shrine, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Tel Aviv best known for its amazing sandy beaches and Bauhaus architecture. Some of the best natural areas and historical sites that Israel is famous for include Mount Zion, Sea of Galilee, Masada National Park (former palace to King Herod), and the famous Ein Gedi, a trail marked by waterfalls. There is no way you can miss out on seeing and exploring the attractions, tasting the best cuisines, and taking a piece of Israel back home with you. Take a moment and browse through our suggestions on what to buy in Israel.

1. Olive wood carvings

Olive wood camel
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Padres Hana used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Grab yourself a hand-carved olive wood souvenir in the Holy Land. The olive tree is a favorite raw material for artists. They aim to use the best branches and trunks of the blessed tree to carve the perfect gifts. The natural olive within the final pieces protects them from changing color and from degrading. Add a special touch to your home with a carved souvenir made using an ancient tradition that continues to date.

Visited this place?

2. Judaica (Jewish ceremonial art)

Judaica 01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Vadim Akopyan used under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you have a Jewish friend back home and you want to make a mark in their life, then Judaica as a gift isn’t such a bad idea. This Jewish ceremonial art collection is mainly used during mitzvah. Judaica comes in different designs and sizes, a collection to admire not just for its beauty but for its spiritual intention. It’s considered a praise-worthy way of honoring the commandments of God. These items are the perfect gift for a Jewish friend or a piece of decor adding a unique touch to your home.

Visited this place?

3. Israeli snacks (Bamba and Bissli)

Bamba snack
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Nsaum75 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

While you are exploring Israel and you are on the road, it is always a good idea to carry a snack or two just in case. A couple of the most popular snacks you have to buy are Bamba and Bissli which are delectable treats that you can’t miss out on trying when here. Bamba is a peanut-flavored snack loved by locals. Bissli is a wheat-based snack that comes in a number of flavors and shapes. The most popular flavors of this crunchy treat are the grill and barbecue flavors, otherwise, you can get pizza, smoky, Mexican, falafel, and onion flavors.

Visited this place?

4. Silan (date honey)

Date honey
Source: Pixabay

Unlike the common honey, date honey or rather, silan, is not actually honey but a product of boiling and mashing dates before concentrating and transforming the mixture into a nice, brownish sweet syrup. The end product of the whole of this process produces a taste as sweet as honey at the same time offers the same texture making it the perfect substitute. It is the perfect natural sweetener you have been waiting for.

Visited this place?

5. Kosher wine

Kosher Wine - Hebron Jewish Restaurant - Odessa - Ukraine
Source: Photo by user Adam Jones used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Prepared only by Jews who strictly follow and abide by the Jew laws and beliefs, kosher wine is a unique type of grape wine prepared in accordance with Judaic religious law, especially kashrut (Jewish dietary laws). According to kashrut, if the wine was used for idolatry, the wine can’t be considered kosher. For the wine to even be ready for Passover, it must have not mixed with any grain, dough, or bread during the entire process of its preparation.

Visited this place?

6. Amba

Amba or anba is a tangy mango pickle condiment used in Indian and Israeli cuisine. It is typically made of mangoes,...

Posted by Your Way to Israel on Saturday, 9 March 2019

Whether you call it Amba or by its other name anba, this tangy mango pickle sauce will always be a delight. It is a popular cuisine in the Middle Eastern region, especially in Iraqi, Indian, and Saudi Arabian cuisines. The ingredients consist of chili, turmeric, vinegar, fenugreek, and salt for taste. It is almost similar to savoury mango chutney. If you happen to be at a shawarma stand in Israel you are sure to find a bowl of Amba prepared and ready to serve.

Visited this place?

7. Hebrew name necklace

Our Hebrew Name Necklaces also come in different styles, as this Gold Plated Hebrew Script Name Necklace. Engrave your...

Posted by Israel Blessing on Wednesday, 9 April 2014

For a gift for your loved one, a personalized Hebrew name necklace will definitely melt any person’s heart. Get a Hebrew necklace customized from rose gold, silver, and gold. Hebrew name necklaces are the perfect, unique gift imprinted with your love.

Visited this place?

8. Dead Sea products

16 oz Salt in Red Jar
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Deadseaspacare used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Worried about your skin as you tour Israel? Or maybe you are just looking for the best product for your beauty regimen. Dead sea products are the solution to your problems. Dead Sea products offer the best beauty solution. Magnesium and salt in the mud which go into Dead Sea products have the ability to improve the skin’s functionality. A beauty kit with Dead Sea products is not only the ultimate gift for any lady–it is the best way to get on any lady’s good side.

Visited this place?

9. Halvah

Halva IMG 2412
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user deror_avi used under CC BY-SA 3.0

A treat known by many and loved by all, halvah is usually made from sesame paste or alternatively, sunflower seed butter or other kinds of nut butter. Other ingenious used to make this scrumptious treat include lentils, beans, and vegetables such as pumpkins, squashes, yams, and carrots. Although this sugary treat may not make the healthiest choice due to its high sugar, it is a great choice for dessert you can take home.

Visited this place?

10. Olive oil

Bottle of olive oil
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user margenauer from P... used under CC0

Other than its spiritual use, olive oil has been proven to have a number of positive health benefits. Olive oil has played a crucial role in ancient Hebrew culture as well as in the land of Israel as a whole. In the kitchen, olive oil was and is still used as an ingredient for cakes and for cooking. It is the best and healthiest substitute for the common cooking oil.

Visited this place?

A piece of Israel to take home

A short list is all you need to make up your mind when it comes to deciding what to buy. With this list of the best things to buy, you are guaranteed to be thankful you had this list handy when in Israel.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Linda is a free-spirited writer with an insatiable love for exploration, a passion for discovering new places, and a strong desire to experience new things while constantly seeking to learn....Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Israel
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.