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Daman is a quaint coastal city in India, that offers a blend of scenic beauty, rich history, and cultural diversity. Situated on the western coast of India, Daman is known for its serene beaches, colonial architecture, and vibrant shopping and dining scenes. Shopping in Daman is a delightful journey through its rich cultural heritage and diverse offerings. Along with its twin city Diu, it was a Portuguese colony until 1961. The colonial history is reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and cultural practices. Ranging from unique handicrafts to Portuguese wines, Daman’s vibrant markets offer a wide array of options.
7 Popular Places For Shopping In Daman
From traditional handicrafts to local art and pottery to lace work, the markets are filled with a vast variety. Here are the top places for shopping in Daman.
1. Nani Daman Market
Photo: Pradeep717 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Nani Daman market is one of the main shopping areas in Daman, known for its bustling atmosphere. This market offers a wide range of products, including clothing, accessories, electronics, household items, and local handicrafts. It’s a popular destination for both locals and tourists looking to find good deals. The market is particularly lively during weekends and holidays, making it an excellent spot to explore the local lifestyle and enjoy shopping to your heart’s content. A few speciality items in the market include intricate lacework, bamboo crafts, and leather goods. The market is easily accessible through local transportation like buses and taxis and is among the famous shopping places in Daman.
Location: Nani Daman area of Daman
Key Landmarks: Nani Daman Fort and Daman Jetty
Tips For Shoppers: Bargaining is quite common here, so don’t hesitate to negotiate for a better price.
2. Moti Daman Market
Photo: Mamun2a / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Shopping in Moti Daman Market is a unique experience, as this market offers a mix of traditional and contemporary items. The place is full of local products like handicrafts, clothing, seafood, jewellery etc. Apart from these local souvenirs, the place has a lot to offer in terms of fresh groceries, local spices & condiments and traditional snacks & sweets. The market area is walkable, allowing you to explore shops at your leisure and offering an amazing experience while street shopping in Daman. If needed individuals can take auto rides for short trips within the area. Speciality items include Feni (local liquor), port wine, and Portuguese-inspired handicrafts.
Location: Moti Daman area of Daman
Key Landmarks: Moti Daman Fort and Jampore Beach
Tips For Shoppers: Explore the market in the evening when it is most vibrant, offering more variety.
3. Big Bazaar Daman
Photo: Raman Patel / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
In Daman, Big Bazaar is a popular retail chain offering a wide range of products under one roof. It’s a convenient shopping destination for groceries, clothing, electronics, home goods, and more. Shopping in Big Bazaar offers a more organised and comfortable experience compared to traditional markets, ideal for individuals seeking a more laid-back experience away from the hustle and bustle of local markets. The store also offers ample facilities for the shoppers like a big parking space, regular sales, festival discounts, special events and home delivery is available for a range of products, especially groceries and bulky items.
Location: Vapi-Daman Road, Dunetha, Daman, Daman and Diu 396210, India
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
Tips For Shoppers: Shop during off-peak hours to avoid long checkout lines.
4. Beachside Stalls
Photo: Ravindraboopathi / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Daman’s beachside stalls offer a unique shopping experience, combining the charm of coastal life with a variety of local goods. These stalls are located near popular beaches like Jampore Beach and Devka Beach, making them accessible to visitors enjoying the seaside. Popular items to look out for while visiting the beachside stalls are jewellery, keychains, mirrors, and other decorative items made from seashells, postcards, magnets, and small decorative items. People can also buy beach essentials like beachwear and accessories to enhance their overall experience. It is advisable to shop during the evenings at beachside stalls as they are more vibrant during this time.
Location: Jampore Beach (southern Daman) & Devka Beach (northern part of Daman)
Tips For Shoppers: Most stalls prefer cash transactions, so carry enough cash in small denominations.
5. Handicraft Emporiums
Photo: Prof Ranga Sai / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Handicraft Emporiums are speciality stores focused on local and traditional handicrafts, perfect for those looking to purchase authentic and unique souvenirs. These places are loaded with authentic, quality products which are costly but ideal for those looking for high-end souvenirs. Emporiums offer an array of traditional goods like bamboo crafts, lacework, pottery, leather goods, wooden artefacts, textiles, traditional clothes, handmade jewellery, metal crafts etc to cater to every shopper’s needs.
Notable Emporiums: Daman Handicrafts Emporium, Portuguese Craft Emporium and Government Handicraft Emporium
Tips For Shoppers: Bargaining may not be possible at some emporiums due to fixed prices, especially government-run ones.
6. Local Art Galleries
Photo: Nomu420 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Daman, known for its blend of Indian and Portuguese influences, also boasts a modest but vibrant art scene. Local art galleries in Daman showcase a mix of traditional and contemporary artworks, offering visitors a glimpse into the region’s rich cultural heritage. Visitors can observe the grandeur and beauty of the artworks showcased in these galleries but they can also shop for locally produced paintings, sculptors, sketches and mixed media art. Art appreciators and enthusiasts are advised to look for upcoming exhibitions and events in these galleries on social media and the gallery’s website to secure a locally produced traditional piece of art.
Notable Art Galleries: The Daman Art Gallery, The Creative Arts Studio and The Portuguese Heritage Art Gallery
Tips For Shoppers: Many galleries provide information about the artists and their work to help you select a piece.
7. Antique Shops
Photo: Peter Heeling; Skitterphoto / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Daman, with its rich historical past influenced by both Indian and Portuguese cultures, is a great place to discover antiques. The antique shops in Daman offer a variety of unique and vintage items, ranging from colonial-era artefacts to traditional Indian pieces. These shops contain items ranging from Portuguese artefacts, vintage jewellery, furniture, textiles, books and manuscripts to brass and copperware products etc. Whether you’re a serious collector or just looking for a unique souvenir, the antique shops are the best shopping places in Daman providing a variety of treasures to explore. These shops are a must-visit for anyone interested in the cultural heritage of Daman.
Notable Antique Shops: Daman Antique Hub, Heritage Antiques and Vintage Collection
Tips For Shoppers: Verify the age and authenticity of antiques, especially if you’re paying a premium price.
Daman’s shopping landscape is a treasure trove of authentic and memorable items that capture the essence of this coastal gem. Shopping in Daman offers a unique blend of traditional and cultural experiences. From antique shops filled with colonial-era artefacts, Daman provides a rich selection of goods that reflect its diverse heritage. Book a trip to explore this budding shopping destination with TripXL soon.
Cover Photo: Suneethkrishna / Wikimedia Commons
