Kolkata, more appropriately called the City of Joy, is a rich cultural heritage city of historical importance and has busy street markets. Shopping here is an experience where you can view various products, from traditional handicrafts to the most contemporary style statements. Shopping on the streets in Kolkata is an adventure that involves soaking up the culture and treating your taste buds to street delicacies with exclusive bargains. This article brings to the fore the best places for street shopping in Kolkata so that you experience the most of this bustling metropolis.
9 Best Places to Shop in Kolkata
Some of the liveliest markets and shopping venues in Kolkata are as follows:
1. New Market
Photo: Kritzolina / Wikimedia Commons
Built across a vast area, the New Market is undoubtedly one of Kolkata’s oldest and most well-known shopping markets. Established in 1874 as Hogg Market, this market sells various items, from clothes and accessories to gadgets and grocery items. Its traditional architecture and maze-like layout make the market an exciting place to visit. What makes New Market very popular is its affordability and the range of items found here. It’s a definite visit for both locals and tourists, and one can enjoy local street food while in the market, as there are plenty of vendors around.
Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Location: d-twenty three, 19, Lindsay St, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700087
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2. Gariahat Market
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Gariahat Market is quite a busy marketplace located in South Kolkata. It is highly famous for its vast array of sarees, jewellery, handicrafts, and other items of daily life. The market has been divided into sections that sell different products. Gariahat is particularly famous for its vibrancy and street food stalls that offer good local delicacies. Whether traditional Bengali sarees or stylish contemporary wear, Gariahat Market caters to all requirements. Added to this are the lively atmosphere and the opportunity to haggle over the prices with the vendors.
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal 700019
3. College Street
Photo: Billjones94 / Wikimedia Commons
College Street, or Boi Para, as it is more popularly called, is a paradise for book lovers. This century-old market comprises numerous bookshops and stalls selling new, secondhand, and rare books. It is also the location of the legendary Coffee House, the haunt of the intelligentsia and students engaging in heated debates. Quirky, with a wide array of books, this market has become a haven for literature and academia enthusiasts. Whether it be textbooks, novels, or rare editions, College Street is a veritable heaven for these literary goodies.
Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Location: College Square, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007
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4. Dakshinapan Shopping Complex
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The Dakshinapan Shopping Complex gives one several traditional Indian handicrafts and ethnic wear. Many shops here sell handloom sarees, kurtas, jewellery, and home décor items from almost every state in India. Various cultural events and performances are also held at Dakshinapan, making it a different shopping experience and combining retail therapy with cultural enrichment. The open setup and presence of emporiums from other states make it a delight to stroll around and shop for local crafts.
Timings: 11 AM – 7:30 PM (Closed on Sundays)
Location: DAKHINAPAN MARKET, Dhakuria, Kolkata, West Bengal 700068
5. Hatibagan Market
Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons
The Hatibagan Market is the oldest in North Kolkata. It offers a great bargain and a range of goods available at reasonable prices, be it clothes, accessories, electronic goods, or even home decor items. This market is more in the news for its various traditional Bengali sarees and jewellery. The friendliness of the vendors and the thronging crowd make the environment, in total, a pleasurable experience to shop. Besides the shopping outlets, the pet shops available give an element of uniqueness to your shopping experience.
Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Location: 122, Shri Aurobindo Sarani Rd, Manicktala, Khanna, Shyam Bazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700006
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6. Burrabazar
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Among the biggest wholesale markets in Kolkata, Burrabazar is a notable one. This market is divided into various parts or localities specialising in textiles, spices, electronics, and stationery. Burrabazar carries out brisk business practices by offering discounted rates on its quality products. The alleys and vibrantly coloured stalls of this market give a very distinctive experience to the people shopping there, drawing many locals and visitors alike. From here, the wide variety and quantity make it a single window for almost everything one may want.
Timings: 10 AM – 8 PM
Location: Kesoram Katra, Bortola, Barabazar Market, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007
7. Park Street
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most renowned and happening places in Kolkata is Park Street. Known for its posh shops, restaurants, and nightlife, Park Street offers many shopping options. From branded stores to street vendors, you will get everything, starting from clothes and accessories to books and whatnot. The energetic vibe of the street, coupled with the diversity of the products on offer, makes shopping on Park Street an absolute pleasure. Moreover, it’s also an excellent spot to relax those tired muscles at some of Kolkata’s finest eating and cafe joints after a long shopping day.
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal 700071
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8. South City Mall
Photo: Kolkatan / Wikimedia Commons
South City Mall is a modern shopping complex with branded stores, restaurants, and entertainment places. It contains international and Indian brands, which turn it into a paradise of shopping for anyone with a taste for fashion. It also hosts a cinema and a food court, providing an entire shopping and entertainment experience under one umbrella. This mall has ample space and a range of shops to make shopping convenient and enjoyable, from clothing to electronics.
Timings: 10 AM – 10 PM
Location: 375, Prince Anwar Shah Rd, South City Complex, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700068
9. Chowringhee Road
Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons
Chowringhee Road is one of the biggest commercial hubs in Kolkata. The street has shops and stalls selling various clothes, accessories, electronic goods, and souvenirs. Chowringhee Road is especially famous for its traditional Bengali handicrafts and jewellery ensemble. The vibrancy of the atmosphere and the availability of a wide range of products make shopping on Chowringhee Road a pleasurable experience. It’s also an excellent location to feel the vibrancy of Kolkata; the modernity merges well with the traditional shops.
Timings: 10 AM – 9 PM
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal 700020
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Street shopping in Kolkata is much more than a retail therapy experience; it is a journey through the rich tapestry of the City of Joy. Every shopping destination reflects the local lifestyle and heritage, from the hustle and bustle of New Market to traditional markets in Gariahat and the historic College Street. With the seamless service available by TripXL, you will surely have a comfortable and hassle-free travel experience.
Cover Photo: Yogendra Singh / Pexels / Image For Representation Only