There’s nothing like a bit of shopping to blow away the cobwebs and to really feel like you’re on vacation in Israel. While some of us guys might not be the most enthusiastic shoppers around, especially when the word “mall” is mentioned, there’s always those intriguing little street markets to keep us entertained…
Israel might actually impress you with the number of huge shopping malls it has everywhere. Every town has at least one big mall, some have even more. They started springing up like mushrooms in the 90s as the concept of enclosed shopping took hold, and took hold big time.
Anyway, for those of you with the time and cash, and lots of energy, here are the top ten ranked shopping malls in Israel, according to Israel’s financial newspaper Globes. The list is compiled according to the views of industry experts, who take into account the size, sales per square meter, rent rates, and number of shoppers.
Time to dust away those mothballs and get spending…
- Malcha Mall, Jerusalem – not the biggest mall in Israel but the Malcha Mall has three levels of shopping bliss, with something like 35,000 daily shoppers browsing some 260 shops and businesses.
- Kyrion Mall, Haifa – a huge 42,000 meter mall that keeps most of the north of Israel in shopping mode, all year round.
- Ramat Aviv Mall, Tel Aviv – formerly the number one mall in Israel (and still the most expensive mall in which to lease a spot), but still viewed as a place to go for the more luxurious of goods.
- Azrieli Mall, Tel Aviv – this mall has everything a shopper could need and is perhaps the most conveniently located of all on this list; sitting on top of a train station, just a step away from the heart of the action in Tel Aviv. Probably the most architecturally appealing mall in Israel, being part of one of the three huge Azrieli Towers that dominate the Tel Aviv skyline.
- Seven Stars Mall, Herzliya – another great mall for those in the ‘burbs. You can find all the usual shopping facilities here, you won’t be disappointed.
- Ayalon Mall, Ramat Gan – Israel’s first real shopping mall, which opened in 1985. Last year it underwent a facelift and has remained one of the biggest and most popular malls in the country.
- Mul HaYam Mall, Eilat – after a bit of sunbathing and Red Sea snorkeling, head on over to this mall to splash some cash. The usual Israeli retail chains await your wallet.
- HaGadol Mall, Petah Tikva – translated as the “Big Mall”, it lives up to its name. This mall keeps the ‘burbs shoppers happy with standard Israeli stores at the ready to grab their cash.
- Rehovot Mall, Rehovot – I think this is the only mall in this list I haven’t yet visited, but it appears to be climbing the yearly rankings so looks like a decent place to shop.
- In a tie for tenth place, the HaZahav Mall, Rishon Letzion and the Grand Canyon Mall, Haifa. Both malls have all the usual shopping facilities you’ll ever need, although the Rishon Letzion mall is probably a little more off the beaten tourist track.
For more shopping malls throughout Israel, check out www.israelmalls.net.