Haifa Flea Market – Treasure Trove of Vintage and Retro | Israel Travel
Interesting little trinkets everywhere. 1960s cameras, vintage tea sets, leather bags, and piles and piles of what some would think junk lying on the somewhat dirty streets. But somewhere, somehow, the goodies can be found. Vintage, retro, if you’re lucky even antiques. The flea market in Haifa, Israel, also known as Shuk HaPishpeshim שוק הפשפשים is full to the brim of unique pieces and amazing goodies just waiting to be found.
Unlike Israel’s other famous flea market is Jaffa, the flea market in Haifa tends to be less frequented by tourists, making it all the better destination! Far better prices, amazing finds, and kinder merchants. Don’t get me wrong, the flea market in Jaffa is also amazing, but it would probably be more classified as outdoor stores as the prices can get extremely high. In Haifa, however, it is still very much possible to get a good deal!
The Haifa Flea Market
Who doesn’t love a good flea market? The dusty smell of countless goodies all piled on top of each other, in a big disorganized mess. A treasure trove of amazing things waiting to be found. Vintage clip on earrings, hand knit sweaters from the 30s, retro sunglasses, 1960s polaroid cameras. It’s a treasure hunt.
Haifa’s Flea Market is no exception. In fact, it’s a truly lovely balagan (Hebrew word for disaster) of goodies. Whether you’re looking for restored items or true vintage pieces, you can find it all!
One of our favorite shops in the market is called Bon Bon Vintage, a huge 600 square meter haven of vintage chairs, vinyls, typewriters, lamps, window panes and so so much more. A little coffee shop adorns the entrance as you walk into the maze of multiple levels of treasure hunting. The never ending doorways just lead to more and more rooms of pieces waiting to be discovered (and an photographer’s haven for amazing backdrops!) Not to mention that the owners were incredibly nice and friendly! By far our favorite spot in the marketplace.
If you keep walking through the narrow streets lined with vendors selling their wares, you’ll be sure to find something that catches your eye. One shop that sells only vintage clothing, a plant store, homemade soaps, the options are endless.
How to Get There
Haifa, located in Israel’s north, is about a two hour drive from both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Although the fastest way to get anywhere is usually by car, Israel does have a good public transportation system and it is possible to reach the flea market by both bus and train.
Bus
Depending on where you are coming from, there are many, many different bus lines that run to Haifa. However, they usually do have a lot of stops, especially if coming from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and it can take many hours to arrive. The perk is that you can get a bus that will take you pretty close to the flea market itself! Be sure to download the app Moovit to help you navigate throughout Israel.
Train
In Israel, the train lines are very dependable and are probably the fastest way to arrive to the flea market in Haifa. Haifa’s main train station is under 2 km away from the flea market, so either a quick bus or a 20 minute walk and you’ll be right there! Again the Moovit app with help you get the fastest route!
When to Go
The Haifa Flea Market’s official hours are Monday- Friday from 9:00am to 3:00 pm, Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm, and Sunday from 9:00am to 7:00pm. As with all marketplaces, I would suggest going there early if you want to avoid the crowds. However, also be aware that some of the street vendors do not set up their goods until a bit later in the morning, so don’t go too early!
Although most things in Israel are closed on Saturdays because of the Jewish Sabbath, Haifa is the exception and even has public transportation while the rest of the country does not. That means that the flea market in Haifa tends to be the busiest on Saturdays as many people come to visit the only marketplace that is really open. That means that more vendors will probably be there, meaning more goodies available, but there will also be more people!
Things to Do in Haifa
Haifa is Israel’s third largest city, after Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, meaning that there is no end of amazing things to do in this underrated city!
Bahai Gardens
The Bahai Gardens are by far Haifa’s most famous tourist attraction. Stunning terraces make their way up the Carmel Mountain of this holy site to the Bahai faith. Stunning views, amazing architecture, and incredibly unique history, this is not a place to be missed!
Beach
Israel is a very lucky country, with over 250 kilometers of coastline! That means that many of its major cities are right on the beach. Haifa is no exception! The city boasts a number of lovely beaches, so be sure to consider taking a dip on your visit!
Carmel Mountains
Haifa sits right on the slopes of the Carmel Mountains, giving the city some truly stunning views. Beach and mountains in one? Hard to beat! But the area around Haifa also has countless amazing hikes and forest excursions into the surrounding mountains.
Check out this post for some countryside inspiration in the Carmel Mountains: 4 AMAZING PLACES TO VISIT IN NORTHERN ISRAEL | DAY TRIP ITINERARY
Tips for Visiting the Flea Market in Haifa
- Bargain – The most important tip for visiting just about any marketplace in Israel is to BARGAIN. Bargain, bargain, bargain. Vendors are known to start out with a much higher price than they expect to actually get, so please make sure to at least bring it down a little bit! Especially if you’re visiting Israel as a tourist, they will try to raise the price even more.
- Dig – At first it may seem a little overwhelming, the endless piles of what looks like junk, but the goodies are in there somewhere and you just have to dig for them. Lift up the piles, look underneath things, it’s all part of the flea market experience!
- Have fun – There is so much to explore and enjoy in the area. Make the best of this amazing place!
Looking for more amazing places to visit in Israel? Check out all of our tips and tricks for travel throughout the country.
Lots of Love and Safe Travels,
Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters
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58 Comments
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vaniheart
January 11, 2021 at 6:53 pmThe pictures and the poses though👏👏❤❤❤
Nailed it😉😉😉
Colorful Sisters
January 11, 2021 at 8:31 pmThank you so much!!!
Rudra Makwana
January 11, 2021 at 8:47 pmSuch a fascinating post. I loved your blog. I love those little details along with the images you have shared as well.
I will definitely go through all the posts. Travelling makes me happy 💗
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 12:00 amThank you so much! So happy you enjoyed and I hope that you find some of our other posts to be just as interesting! 🙂
Karl Utermohlen
January 11, 2021 at 9:29 pmSeems like a real gem of a place. Good job!
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 12:01 amIt truly is!! So much to discover 🙂
arielaonthego
January 11, 2021 at 10:27 pmBeautiful pictures!
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 12:01 amThank you so very much!!
Stuart Danker
January 11, 2021 at 11:09 pmAwesome stuff as usual. High production quality. Keep up the amazing work!
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 12:01 amThank you so much!! So kind of you 🙂
ivkit
January 11, 2021 at 11:09 pmSounds great. Beautiful pics
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 12:01 amThank you so much!!!
larougehairandspa
January 12, 2021 at 2:15 amLovely Article, would love to Isreal visit one day! 😊🙏💕
Lashaunta Shanese
January 12, 2021 at 2:16 amThese pictures are so beautiful!! I love the outfits!!
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 8:55 amThank you so much!!!
Michele Lee
January 12, 2021 at 2:52 amI haven’t been to a flea market for many months… over a year. Love an eclectic and interesting flea market. It looks like you found a fabulous one. Love the boots!
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 8:55 amOooo thank you! We got the boots second hand the day before we took this shoot 🙂 I hope you can visit a flea market soon! They’re so much fun 🙂
Michele Lee
January 12, 2021 at 2:58 pmNice! I hope so too and yes, they are. 😀
oldbirdtravels
January 12, 2021 at 10:38 amLooks amazing. Was that recent?
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 10:58 amThank you! Yes it was from just a few weeks ago 😊 things were open in Israel just for a little bit… But now we’re in lockdown again 😔
oldbirdtravels
January 12, 2021 at 11:02 amI’m off to Sweden fingers crossed. Never can be sure….
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 11:15 amOoo sounds amazing!! Hope it all works out 😍
oldbirdtravels
January 12, 2021 at 2:40 pmOoooops! No. Just spoke to Embassy and only people living and working there. You have to prove you’ve got a business meeting for any kind of leeway. Back to the drawing board 😂
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 3:13 pmOh nooo I know the struggles of trying to find a place to travel! It’s certainly hard as very few countries are open!
oldbirdtravels
January 12, 2021 at 3:32 pmI cancelled Mexico because MC is in lockdown, now I’m thinking there again! Maybe Merida
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 10:42 pmOh nooo what a bummer! I know some Eastern European countries are open, also Turkey and multiple countries in East Africa. Not sure what you’re thinking about but hope you manage to find somewhere nice!
oldbirdtravels
January 13, 2021 at 7:40 pmTurkey would be great. Cheers I’ll check tomorrow x
Colorful Sisters
January 15, 2021 at 12:36 pmYesss it’s an amazing country as well!! Hope you can visit one day 🙂
oldbirdtravels
January 16, 2021 at 5:51 pmBelarus now I think! It’s open!!!!
Colorful Sisters
January 17, 2021 at 3:50 pmOoo yess! Seems like a very unique place! 🙂
oldbirdtravels
January 17, 2021 at 3:52 pmStarting looking into it tomorrow. No visa and you can stay a month
Colorful Sisters
January 17, 2021 at 3:53 pmSounds perfect!! I hope it works out 🙂
jbcowgill
January 12, 2021 at 9:41 pmIt would have been nice to visit Haifa when I was there, but my tour did not go there.
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 10:43 pmYess very few tours go there and usually only to see the Bahai Gardens if they do. Maybe if you visit Israel again one day you can stop by! 🙂
jbcowgill
January 13, 2021 at 12:36 amCool.
youngersmag
January 12, 2021 at 10:33 pmYour pictures are amazing! I can’t wait to visit Israel again just to check out your reccommendations! 🙂
Colorful Sisters
January 12, 2021 at 10:44 pmOh wow thank you so much! We’d be so happy if our pictures could be an inspiration to you! 🙂
lisaonthebeach
January 13, 2021 at 4:04 amVery cool! 😎
The Z-ster
January 13, 2021 at 6:14 amThis is my THIRD attempt at thanking you for liking, commenting on and following my little blog! You seem like really nice people. I have followed your blog coz I adore fashion. Enjoy the year ahead and your successful business.
Colorful Sisters
January 13, 2021 at 7:03 amthanks so much!!
Simon
January 13, 2021 at 10:35 amThat flea market looks incredible… what a place
Colorful Sisters
January 15, 2021 at 12:34 pmIt’s really such a cool place! Always find so many goodies when we visit 🙂
Simon
January 19, 2021 at 10:48 pm🙂
viewfromoverthehill
January 13, 2021 at 5:44 pmUnfortunately my visit to Israel didn’t include Haifa, there wasn’t enough time for a working gal. Nonetheless, we did enjoy our visit there and shall remember it always. Enjoyed this post particularly.,
Colorful Sisters
January 15, 2021 at 12:36 pmThank you so much!! A bummer that you didn’t get to visit Haifa on your trip to Israel….but hopefully next time 🙂
Deb
January 14, 2021 at 2:53 amBeing someone who loves to rummage through piles of old dusty stuff and inhale that old smell of history – this market, and especially the mentioned shop looks like a pilgrimage 🙂 very interesting read indeed!
Colorful Sisters
January 15, 2021 at 12:41 pmOoo wow I’m sure you would love it so very much! It’s really an amazing place 🙂
travelling_han
January 14, 2021 at 12:01 pmAmazing photos – you guys are way too cool for me 🙂
Colorful Sisters
January 15, 2021 at 12:41 pmHahahahaha thanksss ….and nahhhh…define cool hahahaha
Shu Banga
January 14, 2021 at 3:46 pmThis was a great blog! Makes me want to visit this market. Thanks ladies 😀
Colorful Sisters
January 15, 2021 at 12:42 pmThanks so much! I hope you are able to visit one day! 🙂
Adam Silverman
January 14, 2021 at 10:28 pmHey@colorfulsisters, thank you for checking out my website. You definitely got yourselves I nice site going yourselfs and pictures look amazing. How can I get to travel with you? Haha Mabye in the future?! Looks like fun to me. Wish you both the best and I will make sure to see where you end up next.
The MMA Historian
Adam
Colorful Sisters
January 15, 2021 at 12:52 pmHi Adam, thank you for likewise checking ours out! And thank you for the encouragement! We’re so happy that you appreciate! Danielle and Brooke 🙂
Outosego
January 18, 2021 at 8:36 pmLiked & Shared. Thank you. Happy & Prosperous 2021.
Colorful Sisters
January 18, 2021 at 10:20 pmThank you so very much!!
Outosego
January 18, 2021 at 8:36 pmhttps://twitter.com/outosego/status/1351266818216890371
annieasksyou
February 4, 2021 at 4:46 amHi, Colorful Sisters, I stopped by to welcome you to annieasksyou! I hope you’ll visit as often as you can and comment as you see fit.
And now I see the treasure trove you’ve created. I’ll be back when I can make a leisurely visit.
Cheers!
Annie
Colorful Sisters
February 4, 2021 at 10:57 amHi Annie! Thank you as well!! Hope you’ll be back again too 🙂