David Street Arab Market (Shuk), Jerusalem

Sliding downhill from the Jaffa Gate, you'll find yourself on David Street, a narrow pedestrian artery marking the line between the Christian Quarter on one side and the Armenian Quarter on the other. Thanks to its location—and its undeniable charm—it pulls in just about everyone at once: Jewish worshipers heading toward the Western Wall, Christian pilgrims bound for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Muslims moving uphill toward the Temple Mount, and plenty of visitors simply trying to take it all in without losing their footing.

Cars don’t stand a chance here. The street is barely wide enough for foot traffic, with just enough room for the occasional three-wheeled cart to squeeze past. This stretch forms the backbone of Jerusalem’s most famous market area, the Arab Market, or Arab Shuk, which branches into several distinct sections.

In the Christian Quarter, the focus leans heavily toward visitors, with stalls filled with Christian-themed souvenirs, icons, and keepsakes. Mixed in are a few solid bakeries and modest supermarkets that still serve the residents who live above and behind the shopfronts.

One quick market survival tip before you dive in. Bargaining is expected—and often enjoyed—when it comes to souvenirs and household items. Fresh produce, however, plays by different rules. Fruit and vegetable stalls usually work with fixed prices, sometimes written in Arabic, sometimes simply understood. Trying to negotiate over tomatoes may earn you a smile, but it can just as easily cross into an awkward territory.

Just browse, buy, and move along—and let the rhythm of the street do the rest of the talking.