Nazareth's old market is the beating heart of the old town and one of the best places in northern Israel to experience everyday Arab life rather than its curated tourist version. The lanes around the souk are lined with spice sellers, Arabic sweet shops, coffee roasters, and small workshops — butchers, cobblers, metalworkers — in a layout that has barely changed since the Ottoman period.
The market is not primarily aimed at tourists, which is what makes it interesting. You can buy za'atar by the kilo, fresh-ground Arabic coffee, knafeh still warm from the oven, or a pair of plastic sandals. The covered section near the old caravanserai is particularly atmospheric. Morning is the best time to come; the market quiets considerably in the afternoon.