Goa is a mix of Indian and Portuguese which is portrayed through its architecture, Goan food, and the people's sense of style. When in Goa, you must take a piece of this eccentric culture back home and what better way to do that than by shopping. So here your ultimate guide to shopping in Goa, everything from the junk jewellery to locally made wines:
1. Mapusa Market
Vendors selling pork sausages (Source: Wikipedia Commons)Mapusa Market is a very popular market among locals. It is a weekly market which takes place outside The Mapusa Municipal Market, North Goa. This market comes to life on every Friday with vendors selling fruits, vegetables, clothes, and locals hassling over prices. Many vendors from Bardez and Tiswadi put up stalls of local produce and sell it directly to people and small entrepreneurs. The Goans dressed in colourful clothes come and sell fruits, vegetables, pottery stuff, jewellery and clothes. Beach stuff like straw hats and swimsuits etc. is widely available.
Address: Mapusa, near Mapusa Municipal Market, North Goa Timings: Every Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM What to Buy: spices, pottery, home-made Goan 'Chourico' sausages
2. Anjuna Flea Market
Source: FlickrAnjuna Flea Market is another weekly market of Goa. You can find anything here, like junk jewellery, local handicrafts, footwear, wall hangings, spices, hammocks and clothes imported from across India. Legend has it that this market was established by a group of hippies back in the 60s as a means to barter and survive. They started selling jewellery and clothing stuff for their bread and butter. You can get things here at very inexpensive prices as everything is negotiable if you are good at it. This is a great market to buy souvenirs from.
Address: Anjuna, North Goa Timings: Every Wednesday, 8 AM to 4 PM What to Buy: Souvenirs like handicrafts, jewellery, clothing
3. Panjim Market
Source: Wikipedia CommonsPanjim Market is the perfect blend of old and new as the two are juxtaposed through malls and street-side stalls. It offers a unique experience. You can spend hours here, as it is considered the largest market in Goa. There are many things to buy like nuts, wine, local spices, handicrafts, and once tired, you can gorge on some local food as there are a wide variety of eateries close by.
Address: Panjim city, Panaji What to Buy: Local Wine
4. Saturday Night Bazaar at Arpora
Source: FlickrThe night bazaar at Arpora, also known as Ingo's Night Bazaar is a wonderful night market. The market seems very enchanting and you can find some great artificial jewellery here.The market is divided into three sections, each selling a certain category of items. You can find here vendors selling fruits, vegetables, jewellery, home decor items, spices, wines, as well as locally designed clothes and bags. It is a paradise for foodies as there are eateries with a variety of cuisines to choose from.
Address: Arpora, Goa Timings: Every Saturday, 6 PM onwards What to Buy: Locally designed clothes and accessories
5. Calangute Market Square
Source: FlickrLocated in North Goa, Calangute Market Square is another street market which is frequented by tourists. Calangute Beach is covered with innumerable shacks and stalls. Here, you can find everything from beachwear to delicious prawns and beer.There are beachside shacks where you can purchase trinkets made of seashells. One can also find Kashmiri and Tibetan stalls selling gemstones, handicrafts, and trinkets. This the ideal market to buy souvenirs from.
Address: Calangute Beach, Calangute Timings: Every Saturday, 6:30 AM to 12 PM What to Buy: Kashmiri and Tibetan artefacts
6. Mackie's Night Bazaar
Source: Cityexplore
As evident from the name, Mackie's is a night market that takes place along the banks of River Baga. It takes place between November and April. It was once part of the Ingo's Night Bazaar. It offers a unique experience of live music, lip-smacking food, and trendy shopping outlets all together under the night sky. You can shop for antiques, junk jewellery, souvenirs and handicrafts while gorging on food from one of the stalls. It is located at one of the best places where the nightlife of Goa can be enjoyed.
Address: Arpora- Baga Road Timings: Every Saturday, 6 PM to 1 AM What to Buy: junk jewellery, souvenirs
Baga Market is a very popular flea market and is visited by many tourists. It is quite like the Arpora Saturday Night Market. Located on the beach, it has rows and rows of shacks selling trinkets, jewellery, cafes selling freshly brewed coffee and pork, and tarot card readers and palmists who give insights into your future. The main attraction of this market is the beachside saloons. Being a flea market, everything here is up for a bargain.
Address: Baga Beach, North Goa Timings: Every Saturday, 6 PM onwards What to Buy: Trinkets, jewellery at very cheap prices
8. Le Souk
The Shop by Nana Ki (Source: Pinterest)Le Souk by the Amarya Group is considered to be Goa's first luxury market selling high end and expensive clothes. It is an open-air bazaar which sells clothes made by Indian as well as international designers displayed in huge tents. Here you can splurge on some designers clothes and snack on some crepes. Some shops worth checking out are Jonas G, The Shop and Shades of India for unique designs made from quality textiles.
Address: Ashwem Beach Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM Timings: Designer Clothes and Accessories
9. Mall De Goa
Established in 2016, Mall De Goa is Goa's largest shopping mall. It is owned by the Jai Bhuvan Group and is easily accessible by road. You can shop here till your heart desires as there are 82 retail stores to choose from like Marks & Spencer's, Tommy Hilfiger, etc and also a good food court offering everything from McDonald's to The Yellow Chilli.
Address: NH17 Highway, Porvorim Timings: 11 AM onwards Highlights: A variety of branded retail stores
10. Calculo Mall
Calculo Mall is the first shopping mall of Goa, located in the state's capital. There are a wide variety of outlets of Indian brands, a bowling alley and various cuisines to choose from to satiate your hunger.
Address: 16 Shanta, St Inez, Panjim Timings: 11 AM onwards Highlights: Bowling Alley
The next time you visit Goa, visit any of the shopping hubs mentioned above to collect a souvenir. Remember, a lot of flea markets are seasonal and only open when there is an influx of tourists.
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