1. Kashmir, Srinagar – A Paradise of More Than One Kind
What: Paper-mache handicrafts, Pashmina Shawls, Carpets and Rugs, Saffron and other spices, Silver jewelry and decor, Kashmiri embroidery suits, Kashmiri Tea, old maps, old photographs and Kashmiri art.
Top Places: JK Govt handloom showroom, Shops near Lal Chowk, Main market area, Maharaja Bazaar and Kokar Bazaar (for spices)
Must Buy: Paper-mache handicrafts, Carpets and Rugs, Saffron, Kashmiri Embroidery handicrafts
2. Jaipur – The Shopaholic’s Bucket List
What: Jewelry (Lac, Trinkets, Precious, Customized), Clothing (Traditional), Footwear (Traditional Jaipuri Jootis), Handicrafts, Saris, Home Decor (Curtains, Bedspreads etc)
Top Places: Bapu Bazaar, Johri Bazaar, MI Road, Badi Chaupar, Link Road
Must Buy: Lac jewelry is a specialty, Traditional clothing, Handicrafts, Precious Stone and trinket jewelry
3. Chennai – The Land of Kanchipuram Silk Saris
You can’t leave Chennai without picking up a beautiful Kanchipuram sari. Even if you don’t wear saris often, a good silk sari is a must-have. For a reliable shopping experience, go to the Nalli store. Also, check out Pondy Bazaar and grab a bite at Anna Salai while you’re there. For mall shopping, visit Express Avenue and Phoenix Market City.
Chennai offers a diverse shopping experience beyond just saris. The city is known for its vibrant street markets and modern malls, providing everything from traditional clothing and jewelry to the latest fashion trends. If you’re exploring the Best Places to Shop in India, Chennai is definitely a top choice.
What: Kanchipuram Silk Saris, Clothing, Jewelry, Dance costumes and accessories (classical), handicrafts
Top Places: Pondy Bazaar, Anna Salai and T-Nagar, Nalli, Panagal, Egmore, Mylapore (for dance costumes, accessories and handicrafts), Phoenix Market City
Must Buy: Kanchipuram Silk Saris
4. Goa – Beach shacks, Night markets and Stalls
What: Artificial Jewelry and trinkets, Clothing, Beachwear, Footwear, Spices, Local handicrafts, Handbags, Accessories
Top Places: Anjuna Flea Market, Saturday Night Bazaar at Arpora, Mapusa Market (for spices), Calangute Market Square
Must Buy: Artificial jewelry and accessories so grab all that you like.
5. Delhi – The Best of Worlds
What: Clothing (both street and labels), Trinkets, Silver and street Jewelry, Handicrafts, books
Top Places: Connaught Place and the adjoining emporiums and Janpath Market, Delhi Haat, Select City Walk, DLF Emporio, Sunday Darya ganj Book Market, Khan Market, Hauz Khas (for independent designer studios)
Must Buy: Clothes from both budget streets and designer labels, handicrafts and jewelry
6. Mumbai
Mumbai offers a wide range of shopping options, catering to every taste and budget. For street shopping, head to Colaba Causeway, Fashion Street, and Hill Road, where you can find everything from clothes to accessories. Make sure to haggle to get the best deals. If you’re into unique finds, visit Chor Bazaar, known for its vintage movie posters and antique items. Mumbai could be one of the best place to shop in India due to its diverse options. For a more upscale experience, don’t miss High Street Phoenix, a popular mall with a variety of stores and dining options.
What: Clothing (both street and brands hopping), Accessories, Footwear, Jewelry, Maybe even some old and new Bollywood posters
Top Places: Colaba Causeway, Linking Road, High Street Phoenix, Oberoi Mall, Hill Road
Must Buy: Street junk jewelry and Kolapuris, and your favorite labels
7. Kolkata – The Land of the Bankura Horses and Lal Paar Saris
Other than the iconic saris with red borders, Kolkata can surprise with immense variety in silk, Tussar, and more. It’s also one of the best places to shop in India for Terracotta handicrafts, sweets like Sandesh and Chumchum, and a stop at College Street for a chance to stumble upon some rare books.
What: Saris, Bankura Horses and other Terracotta handicrafts, jute handicrafts, sweets, books, Darjeeling tea
Top Places: New Market, Dakshinapan Shopping Center, ChowringhRoad, College Street (for books), South City Mall, Quest Mall
Must Buy: Terracotta Handicrafts, Sweets, and a Lal Paar Sari
8. Ahmedabad – Gujarat’s Hotspot for Shopping
What: Ethnic Wear with Patola, Mirror and Bandhej work, traditional footwear, handicrafts
Top Places: Dhalgarwad, Lal Darwaza, Law Garden Night Market.
Must Buy: Ethnic wear
9. Mysore – Of Gold and Zari Silks
In Mysore, the best spots for shopping are the local emporiums, where you can find beautiful handicrafts. For silk saris, Devaraja Market is the place to go. You’ll also find many brands and labels there. Before you leave, don’t forget to pick up a box of Mysore Pak, a delicious sweet treat that’s a local specialty. Mysore is known for its rich traditions and crafts, making it one of the best places to shop in India for unique and authentic items.
What: Mysore Silk Saris, Sandalwood and Rosewood handicrafts, furniture, sculptures, paintings, Sweets- Mysore Pak
Top Places: Government Handicrafts Emporium, Devaraja Market, Cauvery Arts & Crafts Emporium, BN Road, Government Sandalwood Oil Factory
Must Buy: Silk Saris and Mysore Pak
10. Jodhpur – Tie, Dye and Buy
Jodhpur, like Jaipur, is a great place for traditional and ethnic wear. You’ll find lots of markets with colorful tie-and-dye items. Mochi Bazaar is perfect for finding unique and stylish footwear. If you want to brighten up your wardrobe with vibrant, traditional clothing, shopping in Jodhpur is a must. The city is known for its beautiful handicrafts and textiles, making it one of the best places to shop in India for colorful and unique fashion.
What: Clothing with Tie and Dye, Bandhej, and traditional work, Handicrafts and Paintings, leather goods, footwear (Jootis), jewelry
Top places: Nai Sadak, Station Road, Mochi Bazaar (for jootis), Lakhera Bazaar (for lac jewelry)
Must Buy: Tie and Dye clothes, Lac Jewelry and Jootis
11. Kerala – The One-stop Destination for Cashew Nuts, Kasavu Mundu and More
What: spices, gold jewelry (real & artificial), handicrafts, aroma oils, cashew nuts, banana chips, tea, coffee, and Kasavu mundu
Top places: Connemara market, Cochin spice market, Broadway, Lulu International shopping mall, Oberon Mall
Must buy: One must take back the antique coins and cashew nuts.
12. Lucknow – The City with a Style of Embroidery
Lucknow is famous for its exquisite Chikan embroidery, which is a type of detailed threadwork. While you can find it in many places across India, the variety in Lucknow is truly impressive. The city’s malls may not be as fancy, but its bazaars and markets offer a great shopping experience. Explore the markets in Lucknow for a unique and memorable shopping adventure in one of the best places to shop in India.
What: Chikan threadwork clothes and decor items, precious jewelry
Top Places: Aminabad, Hazratganj, Gadbadjhala
Must Buy: Chikan work clothes
13. Nainital – Every Street Shoppers Dream!
Nainital is known not just for its woolen clothes but also for its unique bamboo fabric. Shopping at the flea markets here is a real treat, offering a wide range of items. Stroll down Mall Road and visit the Tibetan market to discover many options that will make you want to shop more. Nainital’s markets are perfect for finding special and unusual items, making it one of the best places to shop in India.
What: woolen items, bamboo fabric, artificial jewelry, pine tree craft works, and fruit pickles.
Top places: Mall Road, Bhotia Bazaar, Tibetan market, Bara Bazaar, and Earthco
14. Handicraft Villages of Raghurajpur and Pipli in Odisha
For a unique shopping experience, visit these charming villages known for their beautiful handicrafts. Here, you can not only buy amazing items but also meet the artisans, learn about their art, and admire the colorful murals on the walls. These villages offer a special shopping adventure and are some of the best shopping in India for anyone interested in heritage and ethnic products.
What: You’ll find a variety of handmade items like applique work, patchwork, hand-painted crafts, handbags, wall hangings, bedspreads, cushion covers, lanterns, puppets, umbrellas, pottery, paintings, wooden toys, and carvings.
Top Places: The villages are small but focused on handicrafts. Ask for directions to the main shopping streets.
Must Buy: Everything here is unique, so choose what you like and enjoy the local craftsmanship.
Common Questions
India’s vibrant shopping scene in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Bengaluru offers a diverse range of experiences for shopaholics. Delhi: Delhi is a shopper’s paradise! The capital of India, the city offers an unforgettable shopping experience to ardent shoppers.
Shopping in Delhi is best to buy contemporary, traditional, ethnic, designer labels, and street shopping items. You come across a variety of shopping items and one of the best places to buy western and traditional clothes in India. The best markets to shop in are Janpath Market and Connaught Place.
Mumbai is a shopaholic’s paradise with designer labels, malls, shopping arcades and numerous flea markets catering to millions of people each day. (Photo courtesy Mumbai Tourism) From a maze of bustling bazaars to swanky stores and luxurious malls, India’s shopping is as diverse as its culture.
Clothes. Clothing in India is very cheap. In almost all the markets of large cities such as the one in Sarojini, Old Delhi or Pahar Ganj, and in New Delhi, you can find clothes and accessories. From imitations of international designers to hand-made creations made out of the typical fabrics of the country.
The autumn months of October and November are peak shopping season in India as Diwali, Dussehra, Navratri, and Dhanteras spur the festive retail shopping.
Among the top retail companies in India, Reliance Retail tops the list. This company has more than 45 subsidiaries in India and was established by Mukesh Ambani in 2005. The company is headquartered in Nariman Point, Mumbai, India.
Ans: Asia’s largest mall in India is the Lulu International Shopping Mall in Kochi, Kerala. It has a total retail area of 1.7 million square feet and over 225 outlets.
The sari is arguably India’s most popular dress. This six to nine-yard-long drape has been a symbol of Indian culture and tradition for centuries. Its popularity is attributed to its timeless elegance, versatility, and ability to suit women of all ages and body types.
Start Planning Your India Trip Now!
Book Your Flight:
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flights. A travellers favorite way to book flights, as it searches websites and airlines around the world with one click.
Book Your Bus or Transportation Within India:
There are two ways to book your transporation, ask your hotel or hostel, go to the local bus terminal, or book online, for a less stressful trip using EasyBook or 12go.asia
Book Your Accomodation:
Find the best hotels or hostels at HostelWorld, Booking.com, Agoda.com. Perks include with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out and Free cancellations.
Dont Forget Your Travel Insurance:
Two popular choices are SafetyWing and WorldsNomads. A traveler should buy traveler’s insurance to protect themselves against unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost or stolen baggage. It provides peace of mind and financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Useful Apps
AbhiBus/MakeMyTrip/ClearTrip – Booking Buses
Whatsapp/Wechat- Communication
Want More Information On India?
Be sure to check out my nomad travel guide on the India for even more tips.
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