Eight Best Souvenirs from Israel
Here are some great ideas for Israeli gifts to bring back for family, friends and for yourself

So you're having a great trip, and its time to start thinking about buying some souvenirs from Israel...

Israel Souvenirs traditional armenian ceramic plates

Something to help you remember your wonderful vacation. Or special gifts that are uniquely Israeli for your friends and family. There are endless possibilities for buying souvenirs from Israel.

So what are the best souvenirs from Israel?

You can continue reading to learn about where to buy souvenirs in Israel, or go directly to our eight recommended souvenirs from Israel.

Where are the best places to buy?

You can find great gifts to buy all over Israel.

The open air markets all over Israel are one of the most obvious and best place to find local souvenirs. Places like Tel Aviv's Carmel Market, the Jaffa Flea Market (Shuk Hapishpishim), and in Jerusalem: Mahane Yehuda Market and the Old City Market in the Muslim Quarter. And the markets all ove Israel cities and towns.

Souvenirs and trinkets at the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv

Its normal but not obligatory for you to bargain a bit (especially in the Old City market). But this isn't Southeast Asia... You can try to reduce your price by ten or at most, twenty percent, not more than that.

If you look closely, some of the so-called Holy Land souvenirs are made in China. So if you prefer something authentic and made in Israel, do check before you buy.

Besides the markets, major streets and shopping centers in the big cities have good souvenir shops.

In Jerusalem, Ben Yehuda Street is full of gift stores for tourists. There are also high quality souvenirs in the Cardo in the Old City's Jewish Quarter. You can also buy artistic gifts in Jerusalem's Artists Colony, sometimes called the Arts and Crafts Alley.

In Tel Aviv, Nahalat Binyamin Crafts Market is open every Tuesday and Friday and is a wonderful place for local artisan handiworks. Another good place for souvenirs are the shops in Hatachana, the Old Train Station complex just north of Jaffa.

Read more about the best places to go shopping in Tel Aviv.

For quality gifts from Israel, the museum shops offer beautiful replicas of ancient jewelery and relics found in the region, as well as books, scarves and more. In Tel Aviv, we recommend the shops at Eretz Israel Museum, and at the Museum of the Jewish People, Beit Hatfutsot.

(Links to products on this page are "affiliate links" which means that if you click and buy something, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you).

A replica of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls from the Israel Musuem makes a great gift from Israel

In Jerusalem, the Israel Museum has amazing souvenirs, mock archaeological finds, and more, such as this replica of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Explore Israel Museum gifts here.

Or you may prefer to save the time and hassle of gift shopping and packing during your vacation, and buy your Israeli gifts online, shipping them directly home.

Whether you decide to buy your gifts on your trip to Israel or online, here are our eight suggestions for perfect gifts and souvenirs from Israel:

Israel Store
Here are our eight recommended Israeli Gifts

Souvenirs from Israel
1. Judaica and Jewish-themed Products

Israel is the Jewish homeland and many tourists want at least one souvenir with a Jewish theme.

There are gifts for Jewish holidays - things like menorahs for Hannukah, honey dishes for the Jewish New Year, seder plates for Passover, and more. And there are beautiful everyday items such as: mezuzahs to hang on doorposts, and candlesticks, wine cups, and challah boards for the Sabbath.

Explore Israeli modern Judaica gifts - a honey dish for Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year

Israel is well known for its modern and sometimes humoristic takes on traditional products, such as this sweet honey dish for Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year.

Explore modern and artistic Jewish products...

You may prefer more traditional designs for Judaica, such as this beautiful bronze Menorah with a detachable 'shamash' for lighting the Hanuka candles.

Explore Hanuka Menorahs which make great Israeli souvenirs.

Classic sterling silver Judaica such as this kiddush wine cup

Are you looking for classic, Jewish ceremonial pieces? Choose from the beautiful, handmade Judaica products.

Explore sterling silver Judaica such as this silver Kiddush cup.

Souvenirs from Israel
2. Christian Memorabilia

Visting Israel can be quite inspirational for Christians. There are lots of Christian souvenirs from the Holy Land that make great gifts.

Armenian ceramics are one of the most popular souvenirs to bring back from the Holy Land

Armenians are one of the oldest Christian sects in Israel having excaped religious persecution in their native lands. Their ceramics are popular souvenirs to bring back from the Holy Land.

Explore traditional Armenian ceramics with Christian themes.

Anointing with oil is still considered a sacred act, making people or things holy. Annointing oils from the Holy Land are made with virgin Israeli olive oil blended with biblical scents such as myrrh, cinammon, rose of sharon, frankincense and spikenard.

Explore Annointing Oils made in the Holy Land.

Handmade olive wood products with Christian themes from Bethlehem

Olive trees, and olive wood carvings have been abundant in Israel for thousands of years. You can buy olive wood crosses, Christmas tree ornaments, nativity scenes, jewelery boxes, statues and houseware.

Explore olive wood products with Christian themes.

Souvenirs from Israel
3. Dead Sea Mineral Products

Dead Sea minerals have been used in cosmetics for ages, some even say from as far back as ancient Egypt and Cleopatra! Cosmetics made of Dead Sea mud and minerals make ideal gifts to bring back from Israel.

The prices depends on the brand and the type of product you buy.

Dead Sea skin cosmetic products such as Edom areideal gifts to bring back from Israel

Edom are one of the well known Dead Sea skin products. This trio gift pack includes both a facial day moisturizing day and night cream, and a mud mask.

Explore this product and other Edom Dead Sea cosmetics.

Hand cream from Ahava the most famous Dead Sea cosmetic products

Ahava makes high-quality products and is probably the the most well-known acompany for Dead Sea mineral cosmetics. I love using their hand and face creams.

Explore Ahava hand cream and other Ahava cosmetics.

Clineral Dead Sea products such as this body cream are formulated for people with skin disorders

Clineral moisture-rich Dead Sea products are formulated for people with skin disorders. Each product alleviates symptoms of either psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, seborrhea and others.

Explore Clineral body creams and other skincare products designed to reduce itchiness, redness, flaking and dryness.

Souvenirs from Israel
4. Handcrafted Israel Jewelery

Locally-designed jewelery are a nice gift from Israel. There is a huge range of prices and styles you can buy, from fun and cheap costume jewelry, to designer jewelery with precious stones.

Hebrew name necklaces and bracelets from Israel

Hebrew name jewelery make for a unique gift for children and adults alike. You can choose necklaces, bracelets and even rings in sterling silver or gold.

You don't have to know your name in Hebrew and can get your English name translated for you.

Explore Hebrew name necklaces and bracelets made in Israel.

roman glass earrings and other jewelery items are nice souvenirs to bring back from Israel

I especially love the replicas of jewelery from ancient Israel, such as these exquisite Roman-glass earrings in silver. I wonder who wore them?

Explore earrings, rings, pendants, necklaces and more Roman glass jewelery

Kabbalah inspired red silk and silver charm bracelet is a great souvenir from Israel

Red string, kabbalah bracelets have been made popular worldwide by famous actors. Many Israelis wear their red strings decorated with Kabbalah-inspired silver charms.

Explore Kabbala-inspired jewelery

Souvenirs from Israel
5. Israeli Ceramics and Houseware

Pottery and ceramics from Israel are great souvenirs from Israel to bring back home to friends and family. There are all kinds of plates, bowls and other house utensils and decorations.

You can find that 'Israeli' style in both traditional and modern objects.

A 'Hamsa' wall hanging made in Armenian ceramics is a perfect souvenir from Israel

A 'hamsa' is an ancient charm symbolizing the Hand of God and a protection against the evil eye. Its origins are most likely pagan, but it is common throughout the Middle East in Islamic and Jewish traditions.

This 'Hamsa' wall hanging made in Armenian ceramics is a beauty. Explore Armenian and other ceramic and houseware gifts from Israel.

Souvenirs from Israel
6. Specialty Food from Israel

Israel, the Land of Milk and Honey is famous for its chefs and its wonderful, homegrown specialty food products.

Israeli halva, a confection made from sesame seeds is simply delectable! And its a relatively healthy snack since sesame seeds are packed with calcium, protein and other minierals, although high in sugar and fat.

There are lots of halva varieties. My favorite is the classic vanilla halva with pistachio nuts.

You can buy fresh halva in the local markets such as Shuk Hacarmel and Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem. But you may prefer to buy Israeli foodstuff online and save the hassle of traveling with food.

Explore quality, packaged Israeli halva from Baracke, a joint venture of the Bushir family and Telma.

Olive oil and honey from Israel make great food presents

Israel is famous for basic food products grown locally.

Its extra virgin olive oil. Varieties of honey. Products that are made from promegranates. And Israeli wine whose quality and variety are gaining a name worldwide.

Explore a variety of kosher Israeli food gifts and individual food products.

Souvenirs from Israel
7. Clothes, T-Shirts, Scarves and more

Locally inspired clothing make perfect presents to give to grownup and children alike. You can choose between t-shirts, polo shirts, baseball caps, scarves, and so on.

Israeli polo shirts and t-shirts are fun souvenirs to bring home to family and friends

There are Israeli t-shirts as well as classic polo shirts, in almost every color and size.

You can choose pleasant, 'discrete' Israeli designs such as this Shalom Dove design in white, on the green polo shirt .

Explore a variety of Israel-inspired polo shirts and t-shirts.

fun childrens t-shirt from Israel with camels

There are shirts with artistic or funny themes too. For example, I like these these fun, camel-inspired t-shirts in blue for boys and pink for girls.

Explore a variety of camel-inspired clothing adults and children.

Israeli hand-painted silk scarves these themes from Jerusalem and Israel

If you are looking for a more elegant clothes gift, you might want to consider these lovely, silk scarves that are handpainted with themes from Israel and Jerusalem.

Explore a variety of designer silk scarves with Israeli themes.