Markets

Goa is not your typical shopping destination. But there are still many interesting markets in Goa where you can purchase a lot of souvenirs and other things, such as sea shell handicrafts, cashew nuts, spices, feni, port wine, funky t-shirts, junk jewelry, Azulejos Tiles, home décor items, and a variety of beachwear items. You will also find traditional fish markets where you can see many known and unknown species. The markets of Goa are often a feast of colors, smells and sounds.

There are all types of markets in Goa – flea markets, antique markets, municipal markets, modern shopping malls, and street-side shops. You will also find street vendors in Baga, Candolim, and Calangute.

Traditional Markets in Goa

1. Anjuna Flea Market – Anjuna beach has the most popular flea market in Goa. Started by the hippies to exchange goods for food, it still attracts many tourists. You can buy handicrafts, handmade jewelry, Kashmiri and Tibetan goods, bags, clothing, and tribal artifacts. There are restaurants and bars with live music. You will see bands playing jazz and rock music.
2. Mackie’s Night Bazaar – This night market is very close to Baga. It is open every Saturday from afternoon till midnight. There are more than a hundred stalls in this brightly lit market selling jewelry, handicrafts, clothing, and antiques. Food stalls sell authentic Goan, Konkani, Tibetan, and Chinese dishes. There is live music too.
3. Arpora Night Market – Formerly called Ingo’s Night Market, it is only a five-minute walk from Mackie’s, which is why many people think the two are the same. They are two separate markets and the one at Arpora is much larger than Mackie’s. The Arpora Night Market is extremely popular with foreigners. You will find many people speaking Spanish, Russian, German, French, Konkani, Hindi, and other languages. Many stalls are run by Europeans. Restaurants serve chocolate waffles, salads, and Greek foods. You will see many jugglers, fortune tellers, and flame dancers.
4. Mapusa Fish Market – It’s called the Mapusa Fish Market, but you will also find vegetables, fruits, Goan chorizos, antiques, pottery, handicrafts, coir mats, spices, dried fish, home-made pickles, and jewelry. It is open all seven days but the Fridays are the busiest. There is also a fish market at Siolim and one at Chapora.
5. Arambol Street Market – Arambol Beach in North Goa has a smaller flea market. This market too was started by the hippies. Arambol, to this day, has a laid-back vibe and the bohemian ambiance from the days of the hippies. You will see many Russians and Ukrainians selling hippie jewelry, handicrafts, and books.
6. Baga Tibetan Market – There are two Tibetan markets, both on the Baga-Calangute Road. One is just opposite to McDonald’s and the second is next to Club Tao. Many Tibetans came to Goa more than 50 years back and started these two markets. Later on, people from the hilly areas of India also started their stalls here. The prices are somewhat steep, but you can be sure of finding authentic products.

You can also go to the Panjim Municipal Market and the Ashwem Beach Market in North Goa. Margao, Goa’s second biggest city and the commercial capital, has many places where you can shop. You can go to the Afonso de Albuquerque indoor market, Mercado Velho market and the Town Square.

Modern Shopping Malls in Goa

If you want to shop with air-conditioned comfort, then you can head to a modern shopping mall. You will find many options in Goa. The top places are –

• Mall De Goa at Porvorim
• Caculo Mall at Panaji
• Valanka at Calangute
• 1930 – A 5-storied mall in Vasco with a mini-plex
• Big G in Margao
• Newton’s Supermarket in Candolim

You will also find many department stores of popular brands like Decathlon, FabIndia, Shoppers Stop, Titan, Vishal Mega Mart, Big Bazaar, KFC, Domino’s, McDonald’s, Apollo Pharmacy, Karim’s, and more.