9 Best Places for Shopping in Goa with Family

Goa, the smallest state in the country, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Often referred to as a ‘beachy paradise’, Goa is a great spot for a vacation with your family. Of all the things to do in Goa, shopping is definitely a priority. Whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge, whether your tastes can be described as sober or a little unconventional, you will find something interesting in Goa. All you need to do is look for it. So here is a list of nine places known for shopping in Goa that is sure to excite the shopaholic in you.

1. Anjuna Flea Market

Of the many things to do in Goa, this market is a place you cannot miss. In North Goa, Anjuna became a sanctum for ‘Western hippies’ around the 1960s. Having run out of money but not wanting to leave, these hippies decided to sell their possessions; so, everything from clothes, jewellery, art and guitars were bartered to sustain. This marked the beginning of this well-known flea market at Anjuna, and what started as a means of survival has now become one of the most important markets for shopping in Goa.

Buzzing with activity, this market occupies the entire stretch of the Anjuna Beach. Over the years, the international residents of Goa have opened kiosks that sell imported fashion from their respective countries along with custom unique designs incorporated and produced in Goa itself.

Here you can find a wide range of locally produced apparel, teas, fancy jewellery, exotic spices, handmade gifts and toys, carved souvenirs, leather bags, embroidered bedspreads and much more – all auctioned by local artisans and gipsies.

Among the other things to do in Goa, one can relax and take a break from the shopping spree in one of the several chai stalls and restaurants offering live music. Café Looda with its breath-taking beach-facing location and live music from 5 pm is very popular with tourists.

There are a few things to keep in mind before you visit this vibrant marketplace. Bargain, but don’t go too hard. It is possible to bargain and get a good steal, though that requires some expertise as the sellers will reel you in, and before you know it, you will have agreed to buy. Don’t bargain too hard though as these people have little money and the deal may leave them with very little margin.

Working Hours: Open only on Wednesdays, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Best Time to Visit: Early in the mornings or late in the afternoon. The main season extends from the mid of November to the end of March. It does not operate all-round the year.

2. Calangute Market Square

If you’re someone with a passion for handicrafts, art and literature, then Calangute Market Square of Goa should be on your list of places to visit. At a distance of nearly 15 kilometres from the Goan capital, Calangute is known as the Queen of Beaches.

Calangute seems to be a contorted version of the vernacular word – ‘koli-gutti’, which means ‘land of the fishermen’. Stretching across an area of four miles, the beach is covered with palm trees, and the local Calangute market attracts thousands of tourists every year, the popularity of which is credited to the hippies who discovered this beautiful beach in the ‘60s.

The Market Square is a beguiling tourist spot that offers opportunities for sunbathing, feasting on delicious food along with many shacks and stalls selling a variety of items ranging from mouth-watering seafood, local wine to trinkets made of seashells. The Saturday Bazaar which is hosted on the beach is loaded with a variety of items ranging from handmade metal and leather crafts by local artisans, souvenirs, pottery, jewellery and clothes produced not just locally but also shipped from other parts of the nation. It is not uncommon to find vendors selling sarongs and palm-readers ready to disclose the fortune of their visitors in the market square. Don’t miss including this market on your list of things to do in Goa.

At the centre of Calangute is a pleasant Tibetan market offering various kinds of precious gems and statues of Buddha and other Hindu deities made of wood and clay. The market is also frequented by Kashmiri traders selling embroidery, carpets and other goodies. Shopping in Goa is incomplete without visiting the Calangute Market Square.

Bargaining could be a little difficult but do not be afraid to walk away in case you suspect a heavy sales pitch as many of the items can be found at more affordable prices in the other flea markets.

Working Hours: Open every day, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

3. Mackie’s Night Bazaar

Located at the Baga city resort, Mackie’s Night Bazaar is the other night market for shopping in Goa. This market came into existence after a heated conflict between the organisers and owners of the first night market, namely the Ingo’s Night Market in Arpora. Several shops and stalls here offer a variety of handmade goods by local artisans, from clothes to shoes and jewellery. The items sold are unique; they are all made using natural materials.

Watching live musical performances and dancing the night away are among the many things to do in Goa and Mackie’s Night Bazaar has the perfect DJ sets and stages for such experiences. Though Mackie’s Night Bazaar is conducted on a smaller scale than Ingo’s Night Market, it has a longer trade season.

Working Hours: Every Saturday, from the month of November to the end of May, 6:00 pm – 1:00 am

4. Ingo’s Saturday Night Bazaar

Wondering about the best things to do in Goa? Liven up your Saturday night and head straight to Arpora to enjoy the straggling Ingo’s Night Bazaar, which is a great alternative to the stifling Wednesday afternoon flea market. The night market at Arpora for shopping in Goa can be divided into three parts:

• The Lower Sphere of kiosks, stuffed with hordes of local Indian vendors selling exotic products like Kashmiri carpets, Pashminas, embroidery, spices, hammocks and clothes as well various international designers featuring western apparel, accessories, bags and shoes.

• The Central Sphere located at the heart of the market presenting the concert stage, the beer and wine bars and food stalls offering tempting Goan seafood along with various other exciting grabs such as chocolate fountains, dim sums and gyros.

• The Upper Sphere extending from the small hummock to the posterior part of the market, which is lined with various international designers, a few local hawkers, tequila cocktails served with fresh fruits and live DJ sets.

Working Hours: 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm, November to April

5. Mapusa Market

One of the most important Goan trading centres since the olden days, Mapusa Market is said to have contributed to the development of the town around it as the business conducted at the market was the major source of livelihood to the locals. Like most of the other markets for shopping in Goa, the Mapusa Market also follows the standard susegad time (during afternoons) when the market is closed. Though one can find almost anything at Mapusa, ranging from textiles, pottery to grocery; the market is most famous for meat, pickles, fruits and vegetables as well as local Goan condiments and spices. One can also find local Goan fishes like Chonak and Modso and desserts like dodol, bebinca and amot. This makes Mapusa a great place to explore, meet new people and take pictures of the colourful vicinity. Don’t forget to add visiting this place to your list of things to do in Goa.

It is highly recommended you visit on a Friday in order to enjoy the best experience including no middleman charges on goods. One thing to keep in mind is to reach the market early as it gets very busy during the peak hours of the day. After a shopping spree, one can also head to the Alankar Theatre to enjoy a movie with the family and also enjoy food and fresh Goan juices from the nearby stalls. So, include a visit to this place on your list of things to do in Goa.

Working Hours: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm. Closed on Sunday

Best Time to Visit: Fridays

6. Panjim Market

If you wish to carry a piece of Goa back with you, the Panjim Market is the place you should be heading to when shopping in Goa. With a combination of both street-side stalls and multiplexes, the Panjim Market is the largest market in Goa offering a wide range of goods such as locally handcrafted carpets and an exotic collection of wines.

Also, the pungent smell of spices and curry pastes and the wide variety of souvenirs to choose from is tempting and hard to resist. Just in case, if you’re interested in buying luxury and branded products, you can head straight to one of the malls in the area. The market also has some good restaurants and teahouses and having a look at the local favourite Mario Miranda’s works is a must when visiting Panjim. Bargaining is possible although most of the goods found here are reasonably priced. Visiting the Panjim Market is a must when it comes to things to do in Goa with family.

Working Hours: 7:30 am – 8:00 pm

7. Le Souk

Thinking of the best things to do in Goa? Located on Ashwem Beach, Le Souk by Amarya is the first high-end market for shopping in Goa. Open every day, this open-air bazaar is kind of a replica of the tented stores from the Moroccan bazaars providing exotic articles and apparels. Here at Le Souk, you are welcome to browse through textiles and accessories by some of the most popular national and international designers in Goa, such as Jonas G for casual men’s apparel, Shades of India that produces handicrafts using an amalgamation of extant art with Indian textiles or the works of Nana-Ki where clothes are made using natural fibres and traditional techniques of embroidery.

Working Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

8. Beach Candy

We know shopping is right on top of your list of things to do in Goa. And hence, you cannot miss visiting Beach Candy. Located in Morjim and decorated with simple yet beautiful candy colours against an immaculate white backdrop, the shop of Beach Candy sure does justice to its name and is all about colourful shopping in Goa.

The creativity of the shop is not limited to its façade but extends to its goods as well. The label of Sophie Paget Steavenson works together with numerous NGOs of Mumbai in order to produce the apparel, accessories and bags that you find in this shop. You can be sure that whether you purchase a hand-printed maxi skirt or an ikat clutch - your purchase will directly impact the lives of the small artisans who made them.

Open every day of the week, Beach Candy is certainly one store that can offer you traditional Goan garments with a modern touch, making for one of the most exciting things to do in Goa.

9. Mall De Goa

Finally, if high-end fashion and shopping is what you’re looking for, Goa has it all in the Mall De Goa which was opened on the February of 2016 in the middle of Purvorim, on the busy junction of NH17; making international brand shopping in Goa a reality.

Mall De Goa, which simply translates as ‘Mall of Goa’ offers all that you could wish for under one roof. Top international brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Allen Solly, Van Heusen and much more can be found here. Outlets of leading global sports brands such as Nike and Puma can be found here too. Moreover, to take a short break from shopping, you can relax and grab a quick bite in one of the many restaurants at the food court such as McDonald’s or Dunkin’ Donuts or also enjoy local favourites such as Kudos and Ritz Classic.