Johnny's Souvenir Shop
Johnny's Souvenir Shop
3.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
36 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
4
Average
2
Poor
5
Terrible
10
Caren R
Chattanooga, TN42 contributions
Feb 2021
I’ve been to Johnny’s during both of my trips to the Holy Land. I have bought fine jewelry as well and souvenir nativity sets in Olive wood. I purchased an amazing burl ( tree knot) that was hollowed out like a cave for my nativity scene that I previously purchased. Also other items in olive wood, silver necklaces with Jerusalem crosses. I travel with friends who also have frequented Johnny on multiple occasions. The owner, Johnny C. is a man known to me to be an honest and upstanding family man and member of the Bethlehem community. A Christian man,who is proud of his store and makes every effort to satisfy his customers. I hope to shop there again on my next pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Written 7 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorrainejlondon2
London, UK817 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
The lady in the shop was very patient and polite. The men were friendly to, Only one old man was grumpy because our child was choosing things and he didn't want him to touch the stuff. But our child was choosing things for his friends 🙄
Besides the grumpy old man this shop had beautiful gifts some things where over priced but I suppose they live off Tourists.
Besides the grumpy old man this shop had beautiful gifts some things where over priced but I suppose they live off Tourists.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gorka U
Madrid, Spain8 contributions
Dec 2019
I spent a few days in Israel and went to this shop to buy some gifts. A bought a few gifts (expensive ones), and they showed me them before wrapping them up. When I arrived home and opened the boxes, one of those boxes was empty. They gave me an empty box after showing what was inside of it to me. So they did that in purpose. Actually, the missing piece of jewellery was one of the most expensive ones. Never go to that shop to buy... they will steal you
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janeth M
San Diego, CA1 contribution
Dec 2019
I was charge in Dollars at this souvenir shop, the tour guide took us there and no one told us prices was in dollars. I felt like a fool, Cashier said 162 she never said $162 Dollars. I paid with my credit card and left, later on my credit card notification email , notified me that I was charge $162.00 Dollars for souvenir that you can buy in Jerusalem for 1/4 of the price. I gave 2 stars because their selection is nice and big but way over price you pay 4 times more than buying in Jerusalem or any souvenir shop in Israel.
Written 15 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb M
18 contributions
Nov 2019
The only store our group was allowed to shop in by our guide. I found the selection good but pushy sales staff & most items were VERY high priced.
Written 11 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paps&Pops
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates15 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Best selection of Holy Land souvenirs among all the shops in Manger Street and other tourist site shops. Prices are very reasonable and a lot of discounts to be had. Normally closes at 6PM but Mr. Johnny himself accommodated us past store hours when he learned that it was the last day of our tour. Really made our trip to the Holy Land even more memorable.
Written 7 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan Marshall Woolley
Rochester, MN1 contribution
May 2019
When you are dropped off at a shop by your tour bus with only 20 minutes to consider a purchase - you instantly find it difficult to trust the saleman; the quality of the products; and the pricing. I however, was impressed with my experience at Johnny's Souvenir Shop. My saleman's name was Jimmy. He initially worked to establish a relationship of trust and from that an understanding of what I was looking for. In the end, I choose a beautiful Nativity (high quality). The price - as per the culture - negotiated. The whole experience was delightful ... but rushed. The surprising part of this experience however, came after I returned home. At home I was able to closely examine the detailed carvings of each figure within my Nativity. It was then that I detected a fault with the shepherd boy. The carver had broken the head of the boy off and painstakingly glued it back on. At a casual glance, the break looks like the grain of the wood, but on close inspection, it was definitely a repaired break. I e-mailed Johnny's Souvenir Shop about this defect and was surprised when I received an e-mail reply the very next business day from Johnny (the owner) stating that he would have the artist carve me a replacement. A week later I received an e-mail stating that the carving was complete and that the replacement would be mailed to me. I appreciate the fact that Johnny stands behind the products that he sales and that he wanted me to be happy with my purchase. I may never have the opportunity to visit Bethlehem again, but if do, I would definitely drop by Johnny's Souvenir Shop -- he has a wide selection of beautiful products.
Written 21 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luca
Crawley5 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Was ok as expected a tourist souviernier shop to be .. items were listed as US DOLLARS and get charged in sterling.. which I didn't mind so much as I didn't buy a lot and I would have had to pay transaction fee.. it's obvious the tour guied and shop are connected, which again I don't mind as it's helping local business and it's unique to buy a souviernier from this part of the world
I can't confirm it but I don't think the items were real gold they were advertising as.. I didn't buy any because I had an inkling they were fake. If and that's if the shop was selling fake gold as real, then that isn't very Christian of them.
Over all it's a tourist shop with some great stuff.
Just beware the men outside the shop harassing you (not related to the shop I don't think) to buy there crappy magnets
I can't confirm it but I don't think the items were real gold they were advertising as.. I didn't buy any because I had an inkling they were fake. If and that's if the shop was selling fake gold as real, then that isn't very Christian of them.
Over all it's a tourist shop with some great stuff.
Just beware the men outside the shop harassing you (not related to the shop I don't think) to buy there crappy magnets
Written 16 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael S
1 contribution
May 2019 • Solo
Totally a scam. I’m a fool for not checking with TripAdvisor first. Thank GOD it was only $60 USD which I thought was 60 Sheckels or 16 USD. So a $43-$44 dollar scam. I was going to buy much more. The tour guides are part of the scam. They get a kickback for sure!
Since when does a store in this part of the world have the prices in USD and not the local currency? (Shekels).
Since when does a store in this part of the world have the prices in USD and not the local currency? (Shekels).
Written 23 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PlainJohnAdams
Norwich, UK16 contributions
May 2019 • Business
Outrageously recommended, anywhere that offers an automatic 50% discount and lifts to and from the hotel is decidedly dodgy. Found the same - and much better - items for considerably less than his discounted price elsewhere in Bethlehem.
This guy is a swindler: avoid.
This guy is a swindler: avoid.
Written 20 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’ve been there and loved it. How do you connect with the seller
Aliamma G
Bengaluru, India1,021 contributions
You may try the address:
Manger Road,
West Orange, Bethlehem,
Palestine Territories.
Lynn B
United States1 contribution
We received our Last Supper sculpture. All of the standing figures were broken loose from the base and one's foot was broken in half.
How would you like to handle this?
kimshink
Vista, CA2 contributions
I would send a photo to Johnny at the shop. They are honorable people, and will handle it right.
Marsha T
Seattle, WA5 contributions
I have visited Johnny's on two different trips to Bethlehem. Yes, they are a tourist trap, BUT I have compared prices there as well as in Jerusalem, and the prices are much better at Johnny's. They have a very wide variety of items and their olive wood collection is extensive.
You may say it is a scam, but I disagree. They are business people and are making a living for themselves and other Christians in the Palestinian held town of Bethlehem.
My two favorite gifts are the widows mite replica's, and the olive oil lamps. Both make wonderful gifts and hold much meaning.
709mail
Boston, MA5 contributions
I agree and look forward to going back to Johnny’s soon. My comment about it being a tourist trap was when I saw the bus loads stop there. Basically, the employees were moving as fast as they could and everyone was paying full price. I’m very glad to hear that even those prices were better than in Jerusalem. I didn’t do the work comparing prices that you did. I highly recommend going to Johnny’s, and while I like spending time with them I’m happy to hear that it’s a great place to go as part of a tour as well. Thank you!
My husband and I visited this shop 1/16/18. They had a wide variety of items that we found to be priced the same or lower than what we saw in Old Jerusalem shops. It is owned by Christians who make up 10% of the population of Bethlehem. We bought several items for ourselves and family/friends. We are happy we could help support the Christian community there.
JOHNNY'S SOUVENIR SHOP (Bethlehem) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Johnny's Souvenir Shop
- Hotels near Johnny's Souvenir Shop:
- (0.02 km) EK Luxury Apartments
- (0.03 km) Alexander Hotel
- (0.06 km) Bethlehem Hotel
- (0.21 km) Grand Park Hotel Bethlehem
- (0.28 km) Holy Land Hotel Bethlehem
- Restaurants near Johnny's Souvenir Shop:
- (0.03 km) Ramzi Bu
- (0.04 km) Ramzi Burger
- (0.16 km) Abu Shanab
- (0.12 km) Patisserie Handal
- (0.14 km) Al Qaser Sweets