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Kolkata is an upbeat shopping destination that has now developed a taste for another shopping experience. The air of the markets is redolent with spices, incense, and fresh flowers, and the art of bargaining flourishes. Every shopping fancy will find satisfaction in the City of Joy: “Boi Para” on College Street, the sarees and lehengas of Gariahat, and Esplanade Market for authentic souvenirs. Beyond these bazaars, are hidden corners like Chowringhee Lane and the many art galleries. Shopping in Kolkata is an adventure where you can get some one-of-a-kind finds and maybe even a new appreciation for Indian culture.
Top 10 Places For Shopping In Kolkata
To cater to all tastes and budgets here is a list of some of the top 10 shopping places in Kolkata.
1. Hogg Market Or New Market
Photo: Adityabill2001 / Wikimedia Commons
Hogg Market, more popularly known as New Market, is a juxtaposition of sights, sounds, and smells. Among famous shopping places in Kolkata, it is a symphony of haggling vendors, bursting stalls, and treasures that need to be discovered. It bangs on visitor’s senses, vibrant silks, lustrous pearls, and aromatic spices. It caters to every whim in shopping, from fresh produce and photography to fashion finds. Hogg Market serves to be a window to the erstwhile rich history of Kolkata, with those cast iron pillars and high ceilings telling their story of the colonial past.
Address: SSB22, Humayun Pl, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700087
Timings: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Suggested Read: Street Shopping In Kolkata
2. Gariahat Market
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Gariahat Market is one of the best shopping places in Kolkata. It offers you a kaleidoscope of fashion, fabric, and fun. It is not only a paradise for a fashionista but a treasure that caters to each requirement starting from shoes to interior house decor items. The market brims with amiable vendors, smells of food, and a feast for your stomach. Whether it is the vendors touting their wares or the whiffs of spices and street food emanating from hole-in-the-wall eateries, the market is infectious. This is a must-visit for every Kolkata Explorer, delivering a cultural immersion.
Address: Rash Behari Ave, Kolkata (Calcutta)
Timings: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
3. College Street
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly/ Wikimedia Commons
College Street also known as Boi Para, is a hub of learning, a bibliophiles’ haven, and a quirky corner that pulsates with intellectual energy. Towering stacks of books, each with its distinct personality, line the street. The independent publishers offer hidden treasures in poetry collections, academic journals, and unusual magazines. College Street is a haven for bohemians, with streetside stalls selling chai, cafes filled with students and intellectuals, and street performers adding a dash of whimsy. Soaked in the rich literary past of Kolkata, it reverberates with the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore within the very bookstores that created his genius.
Address: College St, College Street Market, College Square, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007
Timings: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Suggested Read: Saree Shopping In Kolkata
4. Burrabazar Market
Photo: Kritzolina / Wikimedia Commons
Burrabazar is one of Kolkata’s busiest shopping places. The market is a jumbled fair of vendors hawking their wares, creating a symphony of rhythms that combine with the cacophony of car horns and the ringing of rickshaw bells to almost make it a madhouse. Hidden alleys bring out handcrafted musical instruments and shops with second-hand cameras. For shopping, Burrabazaar gives a peek into the local life with friendly banter between shopkeepers and families. It is a feast for the senses: spicy aromas mingle with incense and coffee, and bright displays with friendly haggling add to the cacophony of sights.
Address: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata (Calcutta) 700073
Timings: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
5. Hatibagan Market
Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons
Hatibagan Market is famous for street shopping in Kolkata. It offers excellent value for money on fresh produce and other items at low prices. The rhythmic chopping of the vegetables and wafting aromas from the curios steel-sheet-roofed street food stalls let one experience a truly sensory feel in the market. It becomes a small pet market on Sundays, and the location is an animal lover’s paradise. The traditional Bengali sweets and handcrafted souvenirs are hidden gems in this place. This is a must-visit on Sundays if one wants an authentic Kolkata experience.
Address: 122, Shri Aurobindo Sarani Rd, Manicktala, Khanna, Shyam Bazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700006
Timings: 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Suggested Read: Shopping In Darjeeling
6. South City Mall
Photo: Kolkatan / Wikimedia Commons
South City Mall is the biggest shopping mall in Kolkata. Since 2008, when it was launched, it has offered a great haven with an expansive food court and dedicated gaming zone. From clothing and homeware to everyday needs, the mall caters to various kinds of shopping. The sprawling layout of the mall, with wide corridors, makes it a space to breathe and browse at one’s own pace. Apart from retail therapy, the INOX multiplex cinema provides a cinematic escape from the retail world, and a range of restaurants offer a variety of cuisines.
Address: 375, Prince Anwar Shah Rd, South City Complex, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700068
Timings: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
7. Dakshinapan Shopping Center
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Dakshinapan Shopping Center is a treasure trove for handloom lovers, with row upon row of shops showcasing the vibrant heritage of Indian textiles. Quality is supreme to anything else, and timeless pieces celebrate Indian textiles. The wide walkways, with a central courtyard, will make the place seem roomy, avoiding the jostling crowds that one is bound to find in most Kolkata markets. Besides textiles, this hub offers beautiful silver jewellery and exquisite homeware items adorned with intricate designs. It’s the perfect destination for shoppers looking for a special gift or unique ways to update their wardrobe.
Address: Dakshinapan Market, Dhakuria, Kolkata, West Bengal 700068
Timings: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Suggested Read: Shopping Malls In Kharagpur
8. Chandni Chowk Market
Photo: P.K.Niyogi / Wikimedia Commons
Chandni Chowk in Kolkata is a market buzzing with shoppers looking for the most spirited and unique shopping experience, either for a bride-to-be, a gadget enthusiast, or for someone in the general mood to explore. The market is an array of colours through sarees, sherwanis, and lehengas, practically a haven of all good things for the discriminating shopper. It also contains glittering jewellery, footwear, and spices. It also has a diversified customer base: hidden gem hunters, vintage-camera-store denizens, and electronics, with the rhythmic clinking of coins and the aroma of incense and freshly brewed chai.
Address: 41B, Chandni Chowk St, Chandni Market, Esplanade, Chandni Chawk, Bowbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700072
Timings: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
9. Quest Mall
Photo: Ravi Dwivedi / Wikimedia Commons
Launched in 2013, it boasts carefully handpicked collections of international designer labels such as Gucci, Versace, and Emporio Armani. The mall also doubles as a lifestyle destination, with a state-of-the-art INOX multiplex cinema, fine dining restaurants, and an entertainment zone for kids. This well-trained staff makes shopping easy, while the atmosphere is one of sophistication and comfort. The mall is a haven for fashion experts and beginner enthusiasts alike. For the kids, there are bowling alley competitions and gaming adventures in the malls.
Address: 33, Beck Bagan Row, Park Circus, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017
Timings: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Suggested Read: Shopping Malls In Kolkata
10. Chowringhee Lane
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Chowringhee Lane is one of the popular shopping destinations in Kolkata. Locally run boutiques, thrift shops in discreet corners, and a mix of vintage and brand-new items stacking on those shelves. The gracious buildings that house shops, truly institutions of Kolkata going on for generations, make this street a tryst with time. The street is simply a bonanza of thrift stores, in which the savvy customer can cut out vintage gems for a fraction of their price. The street is a feast for the senses with the rhythmic clanging of trams and the smell of street food.
Address: 3 A, SN Banerjee Road, Chowringhee Place, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700013
Timings: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Shopping in Kolkata, from the ordered bedlam of Hogg to the serendipity of College Street, Kolkata offers a different shopping experience. Plan a trip with TripXL, for luxurious stays and budget-friendly options available to have a comfortable and hassle-free travel experience. Kolkata’s shopping markets are not just retail therapy but have also evolved as social hubs, cultural experiences, and a window into the city’s soul.
Cover Photo: रोहित साव27 / Wikimedia Commons
