GoaCity » Entertainment » Shopping Centres

Travelling to a tourist destination and returning home without puffed shopping bags is not a fair thing to do, especially when Goa offers so much variety and price. A shopaholics dream tour would land him/her at the following markets, but there are a few shops in and between that are as interesting.

Shopping in Goa is a mish-mash of bargaining at the flea market, buying the latest trends at designer fashion boutiques in old renovated Goan houses, visiting bookshops that sell everything from the latest in fiction to mythological stories, scouting funky shops selling eccentric printed tees and beachwear and lifestyle boutiques belonging to long time international settlers in Goa. However, what international tourism is attracted towards in Goa is the mid-week flea markets where stall owners from the country line up to sell that wares and bargaining is on full-blown in chirping voices. You will get to hear in whispers the location and timing for the latest rave party but beware before joining in!

Anjuna Wednesday (Flea) Market

Highlights: Hippie capital of Goa, the market takes place every Wednesday at Anjuna beach. Innumerable stalls selling handicrafts, hammocks, western jewellery created by foreigners, tattoos carving, beachwear, souvenirs, and trinkets. Famous for live trance music being played at the market and also for getting information about the latest happening rave party.

Mapusa Friday Market

Highlights: Takes place every Friday at Mapusa. Traditional Goan market selling spices, dried and fresh fish, local produce, pickles, earthen pots, coir mats, Goan 'chouricos' sausages, sarees, sweets, coins, antiques, ornaments, etc. The market mainly aimed at locals who come to buy their weekly essentials.

Panjim Market

Highlights: Largest market in Goa with both local & international tourists attracted towards it for its unique combination of local stalls and modern shopping malls.

Baga Beach Market

Highlights: Held every Saturday along the Baga beach to control & divert the flow at Anjuna market. Scout for seafood produce, meat, textiles, earthenware, household ware, rural products, handicrafts, woodcarvings, palm reading, and tattoo stalls.

Calangute Market Square

Highlights: Held every Saturday along the Calangute beach near the post office. Check for local fish & meat produce, textiles, pottery, household ware, souvenirs, metal crafts, leather items, clothes, jewellery, Tibetan and Kashmiri market.

Night Bazaars

Highlights: Ingo’s Saturday Night Bazaar at Arpora: Started by Ingo Grill a German National who ignited the concept of Nite Bazaars. Known for its Tibetan, Rajasthani and Kashmiri handicrafts, semi-precious stones, paintings, books, clothes, music, funky jewellery, food stalls serving traditional and international stuff.

Mackie’s Night Bazaar at Baga: similar to Ingo’s, authentic Goan, Chinese, Tibetan and Indian fast food, live performances by local music bands, stalls owned by both local Indians as well as foreigners.