Offering amazing variety and price, Goa is a shopaholics dream in its true sense. Shopping in Goa is a mix of bargaining at the flea market, indulging into luxurious shopping at a plush mall, buying specialized fashion clothing and accessories from a designer boutique, scouting shops that sell eccentric beach wear and tees, or visiting book-stores that have everything from mythological to fiction. However, tourists in Goa have a keen interest towards hovering in mid-week flea markets or night bazaars that feature chirping voices, multifarious colors and where bargaining is on full.So, if you are a shopaholic , go on and read all about the best markets for shopping in Goa.
Best Markets For Shopping In Goa
Discussed here are the best places for shopping in Goa.
Bargain Markets in Goa
- Anjuna Flea Market
Anjuna Beach is the hippie capital of Goa, and a popular destination for bargain shopping. For a true shopaholic, Anjuna Flea Market is a paradise, held every Wednesday on Anjuna Beach. It attracts heavy footfalls from both locals and international tourists, with hundreds of stalls selling hammocks, handicrafts, tattoos carving, western jewelry, souvenirs, beachwear, and trinkets. It is also one of the best places to buy bed covers, musical instruments, wall hangings, wooden crafts and carvings, t-shirts, and junk jewelry at a best price.
How to Reach: Anjuna does not have a railway station, and the nearest rail head is Madgaon, situated 50 km from the market. From there, one can take a local bus or hire a cab to reach Anjuna. Alternatively, one can reach Mapusa railway station – Thivim – and then take a local bus to Mapusa Bus Station – Kadamba. From Kadamba, buses are available for Anjuna. Auto-rickshaws from Mapusa will take around Rs 350 to take you to Anjuna.
- Mapusa Market
Visit Mapusa Market on a bright Friday morning, and you will get the true feel of a buzzing street bazaar that witnesses heavy footfalls from both locals and tourists alike. One of the most important Goa shopping places, the traditional Mapusa Market is popular for dried and fresh fish, spices, pickles, local produce, coir mats, earthen pots, sweets, coins, sarees, Goa’s famous ‘chouricos’ sausages, ornaments, antiques, etc. The products here are available at a much reasonable price, which makes shopping fun and delightful. If you wish to experience the true flavors of traditional Goan shopping, you should not miss Mapusa Market.
How to Reach: There are regular buses plying from Mumbai, Pune, Belgaum and Hubli. You can take a bus till Panaji and then take another bus to reach Anjuna or Calangute. Auto rickshaws and motorcycle are also available on hire.
- Panjim Market
Panjim Market is a must-visit for tourists who wish to take back a bit of Goan flavor with them. It is the ideal shopping place for thoughtful souvenirs that has an exotic Goan touch into it. It is also the largest market in Goa, attracting both locals and tourists looking for some quality products at good bargain price. Panjim Market is a mix of street-side stalls as well as shopping malls that ensure a unique experience. The market is popular for a wide variety of goods such as cashew nuts, wines, local handicrafts, and authentic Goan spices. If you are looking for branded items, head off to the shopping malls.
How to Reach: The nearest airport in Dabolim (35 km) and the nearest rail head is Karmali (10 km). Madgaon Junction is 45 km from Panjim. From the railway station, taxis, buses and rickshaws are available till Panjim Market. Owing to its well-connected roadways, there are many buses connecting Panjim Market to other cities.
- Calangute Market Square
The Calangute Market is held every Saturday along the beautiful Calangute Beach, ensuring an enriching shopping experience. There are innumerable beach-side shacks and stalls, selling everything right from trendy clothes to beachwear, handicrafts, leather products, souvenirs, sea shells, jewelry, carpets, metal crafts, and trinkets. There are also plenty of stalls selling delicious seafood snacks and beer.
How to Reach: Thivim, Madgaon, and Vasco are the nearest railway stations, from where one can hire a taxi for around Rs 300 to reach Calangute in 20 minutes. A taxi from airport will cost you around Rs 900.
- Baga Market
Shopping at Baga Saturday night flea market is one of the most popular time pass for tourists in Goa. There are innumerable shacks and stalls, brightly lit under the gorgeous night sky, selling everything from clothes to goodies and treats, bric-a-brac, trinkets, jewelry, and handicrafts. However, USP of the market are beach-side saloons where you can get a trendy haircut, the tarot card readers or palmists from whom you can know your future and the terrace cafes and shacks that serve everything from coffee to pork vindaloo.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Dabolim (50 km) and nearest railway stations is Panaji (15 km). The Baga Beach is only 15 minutes drive from Mapusa and half an hour from Panaji. There are local buses, motorcycles and bicycles available to reach Baga from Panaji.
Shopping Tip: Bargaining is really important at Goa’s flea markets. So, bargain hard if you wish to have a good deal. Beware of over-pushy sellers. Keep your belongings safe.
Goa’s Night Bazaars
- Mackie’s Night Bazaar
Held under the open night sky along the ravishing Baga Beach, Mackie’s Night Bazaar is truly a shopping secret to unravel. The brightly lit stalls and beach shacks sell clothes, beachwear, local handicrafts, and beautiful souvenirs to take back home memories of Goa. The stalls here are owned either by locals or by foreigners who have settled in Goa. The market is famous for live performances by local music bands, and authentic Chinese, Goan, Indian, and Tibetan fast food.
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Dabolim (50 km) and nearest railway stations is Panaji (15 km). The Baga Beach is only 15 minutes drive from Mapusa and half an hour from Panaji. There are local buses, motorcycles and bicycles available to reach Baga from Panaji.
- Ingo’s Saturday Night Bazaar
This famous night bazaar in Arpora is a hot-spot of tourists and shoppers alike. The bazaar is famous for its handicrafts from Rajasthan, Kashmir, and Tibet. Besides, there are innumerable stalls selling paintings, semi precious stones, funky jewelry, clothes, books, and music. For foodie-cum-shopper, there are numerous food stalls serving mouth-watering traditional and international delicacies.
How to Reach: Take a bus from Mapusa to Calangute or Baga, and then either hire a rickshaw or simply walk to reach Arpora, which is only 5 minutes from Baga Beach and Calangute.
Shopping Tip: Just like Goa’s flea market, bargaining is also possible at night bazaars. However, there are some fixed-price shops as well where you have to shed a fortune to get good quality products.
Shopping Malls in Goa
- Caculo Mall
If you are looking for classy ambiance, leading brands, highest standards o aesthetics, and fair prices, Caculo Mall is the place to be. It is the best shopping mall in Goa, with an array of stores bringing to you the best of brands from around the world such as Westside, Tissot, Wrangler, Arrow, Nike, Archies, globaldesi, Planet Sports, Ray-Ban, VanHeusen, Wills Lifestyle, and more.
How to Reach: The nearest airport in Dabolim (35 km) and the nearest rail head is Karmali (10 km). Madgaon Junction is 45 km from Panjim. From the railway station, taxis, buses and rickshaws are available till Caculo Mall. Owing to its well-connected roadways, there are many buses connecting Panjim to other cities.
- Mall De Goa
It is yet another prestigious shopping mall in Goa, ideal for high-end shopping, fun and frolic. The mall in Porvorim is the ultimate shopping hub, offering best-in-class brands to die for! From fashion to beauty and skincare, home décor, electronics, gadgets and gizmos, and much more, Mall De Goa ensures a fulfilling shopping experience.
How to Reach: Located in Porvorim on NH 17, Mall De Goa is well accessible from around the state via bus and taxi.
Shopping Tip: High-end shopping destinations for well-heeled shopaholics! No option for bargaining. However, exciting discounts and special offers are often available.
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