8 Amazing Shopping Place in Shimla and Kufri (2024)

Shimla and Kufri are the most famous hill stations in the northern part of India and the state of Himachal Pradesh. People often go there because they want to do shopping in Shimla and Kufri. Shimla is well known for its wood market in the northern part of India. Apart from their status of being the famous tourist places, these cities have some reputation about the traditional items from Himachal that are sold here. Mall Road in Shimla is one of the most famous mall roads among all the hill stations.

Markets in Shimla and Kufri and shops overflow with traditional Kangra silk scarves and Kinnauri shawls, handwoven in the characteristic geometric patterns of the local area. You will also find roadside vendors with heaps of cold weather garments, including leather gloves, knitted jumpers, and thick fabrics to keep you warm on chilly mountain nights. Since Shimla and Kufri are surrounded by pine forests, Shimla is famous for the wooden handicrafts and artifacts which make perfect gifts and souvenirs.

Colorful, quaint roadside stalls and hawkers in the mall road and both Lakkar Bazar along both stretches of road are perfectly placed amid the majestic hills with the cheerful bustle of street markets. You can choose to buy things starting from local handicrafts, good quality mountain gear, woven shawls, Tibetan art and handicrafts, quirky accessories, etc. You might also get good deals at these markets if you know how to haggle. You can enjoy walking and taking a stroll while shopping in these lovely streets in the middle of the mountains. Many markets are offering traditional wooden and Himachal goods in the city. A list of some of the places are mentioned below:

8 Amazing Shopping Place in Shimla and Kufri

The best places to shop in Shimla and Kufri are mentioned below:

1. Lakkar Bazaar:

Lakkar Bazaar is a market full of wooden handicrafts, artifacts, and even kitchenware products of the many other things available here are of wood. This market is a heaven for people who love wood products. You will also see the old-world charm of Shimla city in this market. A market nestled in the hills where you can enjoy the view of the hills while shopping and munching the street snacks including channa, bhelpuri, corn on the cob, etc. You can spend an entire day in this market buying things as there are many shops full of things to buy which would confuse you.

You will get everything from this market. Starting from goods for everyday use to souvenirs you can take home and gifts for your friends and family. This place attracts many tourists from all over the place. Tourists who can haggle can get good deals and find things a lot cheaper than the others. Negotiating with the shopkeepers can get taxing but can get you good deals with most things you want to purchase. There is constant buzzing of tourists in this market and the streets are colorful and vibrant that will make you fall in love with this market. You can also buy fresh fruits, such as cherry, plum, peach, and mangoes from this market. If you have a sweet tooth, you will also get to relish delicious cakes and pastries freshly made at the cafes here. Lakkar Bazaar is also popular for the availability of locally made carpets and shawls. If you are planning a trip to Shimla do not miss visiting the Lakkar Bazaar.

Location: Lakkar Bazar, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Timings: 9 AM-7 PM

2. Lower bazaar:

Lower Bazaar is also known as Subzi mandi in Shimla. However, it is not just a vegetable market. It is another amazing shopping location in the town which is very popular for its number of lanes. You can easily get lost in these narrow lanes in this market if you are new to the town. Every lane has numerous shops. You must explore the entire area to enjoy its uniqueness. Frequent Shimla visitors just love this place for the variety of things available here. Lower Bazaar is specifically popular for its handicrafts and wooden items. You can also find unusual and unique jams, squashes, and pickles from various shops in this market. Every normal shop has something exotic to offer in this market. The shops look very ordinary from outside but have a lot to offer. There are numerous vendors of chaats and momos on the roadside all through on both sides at Lower Bazaar, They offer quick snacks for the tourists and people who are hungry and tired after their shopping spree in the lower market. This market is also famous for colorful and enchanting earthen pots and pottery items, gloves, shawls, woolen socks and carved wooden sticks, incense burners, and stands, lamps, etc. Other specialties of this place are fresh dry fruits and rare to find medicinal herbs.

Address: Lower Bazaar, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Timings: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

3. Himachal Emporium:

Himachal emporium is run by the state government of Himachal Pradesh like the other state emporiums. If you are a fan of all things organic, pure, made by locals and all things Himachal, go to Himachal emporium. The emporium in Shimla place has an exquisite collection of beautiful clothes starting from women wear, readymade and running fabrics, men’s wear, crafted jewelry items, exotic pottery, beautiful Kinnauri Shawls, stunningly colored wooden artifacts, and unique woolen items. The Himachal Emporium is one of the most-frequented stores in Shimla both by the residents and tourists. The price of all items is fixed at Himachal Emporium and most items are sold at a good price so there is no need to haggle here. The only thing you will need to work is to stop yourself from buying everything at the store after looking at the quality and price of the items. It is a must-visit place if you are planning to buy and bring back things from Shimla.

Location: Mall Road, Shimla

Timings: 10 AM- 5 PM

4. Tibetan Market:

You will find the Tibetan handicrafts, souvenirs, home décor items, kitchenware, clothes, including beautiful Tibetan carpets, weaved with intricate designs available at quite cheap rates in this market. Tibetan market in Shimla is located close to the Ridge and is a very famous shopping place for handcrafted jewelry, made out of metal and beads, is another must-buy item from Tibetan Market. at this place in Shimla. The street-side shops may look a little rusty and worn but the original Tibetan culture and handicrafts can be found at these small shops. The jewelry will especially make the women go crazy. Make sure you are carrying the cash as most shops and vendors here do not cake cards. Tibetan market is very popular amongst the locals and tourists for the Tibetan influenced products. You can spend some quality time roaming in this market and finding things to buy from the pile of things that are sold here. You will also find handmade sculptors of lord buddha made of brass, wood, crystal, stones, and mud. Tibetan market also has many shops offering delicious jams, squashes, and pickles, prepared in recipes handed down through the ages.

Location: Tibetan Market, Shimla-Kangra Road, Excise Colony, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh

Timings: 8 AM-5 PM

5. The Mall Road, Shimla:

Mall road at the point of time is the most famous and most visited place at any hill station in India. It is also an unavoidable place if you are visiting Shimla as the mall road often called the mall is the heart of the city. This place is always full of tourists looking to buy things or taking an evening stroll, eating street food or sitting and restaurants enjoying the view in the hills while enjoying their food and drinks. There are numerous shops where you can buy varieties of stuff including beautiful shawls, woolen sweaters, and coats for all gender and age groups, artificial junk jewelry, wooden artifacts, sculptors and murals, antiques, books, Tibetan handicrafts, Tibetan home décor items, so on and so forth. Image Source:

The Shimla Mall Road is the one stretch, that truly celebrates the spirit of the hilltown. The mall road in Shimla has a different vibe than any other hill station in India. From houses to hotels, locals, and tourists walking on the mall in the beautiful hills are a sight to behold and a paradise for photographers to capture. The charm and beauty of Mall Road can be enjoyed by people of all age groups, families, friends, and honeymooners. You will find people of all age groups on the mall road. The best thing about the mall road in Shimla is that no vehicular movement is allowed here on the mall road. The stores that are located on the Mall Road are famous for their woolen clothes including the Himachal Emporium and exclusively handcrafted works, apart from the usual books and jewelry. The wooden furniture shops are particularly well-known and famous in Shimla.

Do not forget to buy some heritage and exquisite pinewood artifacts and antiques while you are there. There are also other things including home-made jams, preserves, or pickles that are reasonably priced and popular among the tourists. There are also many famous restaurants where you can eat after a day of wandering on the mall road shopping and enjoying It is always a good idea to end the day with a scrumptious meal.

Location: Mall Road, Shimla

Timings: 10 AM – 7 PM

6. Ram Bazaar:

Just like the very famous Tibetan market, Ram market is another bazaar in Shimla famous for the Tibetan artifacts this place sells. You can buy all sorts of things from Ram bazaar in addition to the Tibetan artifacts. It is famous among both locals and tourists as you find both roaming on the narrow lanes of Ram Bazaar. If you are a fan of Tibetan artifacts, this is the place for you. Let the shopaholic in you go crazy and you will find several things to buy from this store. This market is situated next to the well-known Amber Hotel, this market offers a variety of clothing options as well. The narrow lanes of the market are jam-packed with small shops that have on display, almost everything starting from daily utilities to the exquisite souvenirs. Many hawkers are selling the amazing and scrumptious street foods which are not just healthy, some of the vendors here sell cut fruits which are exotic in the region like apricots, plums, peaches, and kiwis, etc. You should also know how to haggle before you visit this market or have a local with you to get a good deal for the things you want to buy. Locals and tourists both find this market equally fascinating and can find many things for themselves and to gift the traditional Himachali things from this market.

Location: Ram Bazar Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Timings: 9 AM-5 PM

7. Middle Bazaar:

Middle Bazaar in Shimla is a famous market and it is close to the Mall road. This market has several general stores and street food stalls and is a great place to stroll in the evening and if the weather is pleasant if you are done wandering in all the other markets. The easiest way to go to Middle Bazaar is a flight of stairs from the turn at Baljee’s Restaurant on the main Mall Road. This market has narrow roads leading to colorful streets where you can find many things ranging from stylish accessories, jewelry, t-shirts, stylish woolen clothes, beautiful artifacts, and sculptors made of wood and stones among many other things. There are many famous restaurants as well where you can enjoy cuisines from all over the world with your friends and family. Rest assured you will have a very good time in the streets of Middle Bazaar. This market is a small and crowded market located close to the mall road and is very famous among both the locals and tourists. It is also one of the busiest markets here. You will also find local vendors selling street food including dumplings/momos which you can enjoy. Additionally, many photographers often visit this market to capture the lights and the hustle-bustle and colorful streets in the market. Make sure you visit this market if you have visited all the other markets in Shimla and have time to spare.

Location: Lower Bazaar, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Timings: 9 AM-5 PM

8. Mall Road, Kufri:

Kufri is a very small town that has only one place where you can shop which is a single straight road called the Mall Road as it is called in any of the other Hill stations in India. The mall road in Kufri is always bustling with the tourists who come to enjoy the hustle-bustle of the tow. Many things can be bought from Kufri including the woolen shawls, caps, sweaters, etc to the daily utilities. There is a national park which is located on one side of the mall road which makes it quite a busy place. You will many people getting their photos clicked while suiting on the thick and fury Yaks in white and black colors. Make sure you take a stroll on the mall road and buy a few artifacts from the mall road in Kufri.

Location: Mall Road, Kufri, Himachal Pradesh

Timings: 9 AM-5 PM