9 Places In Kolkata Which Are Every Shopaholic’s Paradise (2024)
Kolkata is undoubtedly one of the busiest places on earth, and most live here to lead a stressful life. With a hectic work schedule and an ever-fast lifestyle, people living in this city has little to no time to genuinely relax during the weekdays. But in the weekends most people love to spend their time watching movies or shopping. Shopping is a huge part of the culture and heritage of Kolkata. Even though more and more shopping malls are being inaugurated in the city of joy, but there are still places located in the town which has been in existence pre-independence. Although the malls are much more comfortable and are filled with shops selling branded apparel, people still love to visit the traditional markets. Part of the reason for visiting the older markets is nostalgia, and the other part is the affordable cost.
The older markets in Kolkata are filled with stores that allow you to bargain incessantly. You should visit the markets mentioned in this blog if you visit Kolkata as a tourist. Here you will get to know about the best shopping places in Kolkata in detail. Moreover, all the markets in Kolkata are also home to some of the most delicious street foods in the country. Many people just visit these markets to taste delicious dishes.
9 Places In Kolkata Which Are Every Shopaholic’s Paradise
The places included in the list below are immensely popular in the city of Kolkata. Remember to keep your wallet and mobile phone safe while walking through the crowded streets of the markets. Moreover, try to know the routes of your hotel before starting your journey.
1. Gariahat Market
You should pace yourself after reaching the Gariahat market area in Kolkata if you are an intense shopper. As the entire area is filled with roadside shops with apparel, shoes, accessories, and other items, you will not be able to stop yourself from emptying your full wallet. Not only is the market colorful, but the site of people bargaining over the items is also a new experience. Apart from makeshift stores, the Gariahat market in Kolkata has a lot of renowned shops where you can buy the famous Indian Sarees of various varieties. Moreover, the entire area is filled with street food stalls and restaurants. You can get a hearty lunch while shopping to your heart’s content over there. As Gariahat is one of the most famous areas in India, you will not have any problem reaching any part of Kolkata.
Photo By Siddharth Nandi Image Source
Address: Gariahat Road, Kolkata 700019.
2. Burrabazar Market
Even though Burrabazar is one of the most chaotic places in Kolkata, it is considered one of the best shopping places in Kolkata. There is nothing imaginable that you will not be able to find out there. From electronic goods to accessories, from fashionable apparel to cosmetics, Burrabazar is an all-in-one place to buy anything on this planet. The best part about the locality is that almost everyone in the city will be able to guide you. But remember to visit the market during festive days, including Diwali or Christmas, because the crowd will be off the charts. Apart from the wide variety of items, Burra Bazar is quite affordable. If you have some money in your wallet, you will be able to buy substantial amounts of commodities over there.
Photo by Ishq Paul Image Source
Address: Barabazar, Kolkata.
3. New Market Area
Earlier known as the Hogg Market, New Market has been an integral part of the history of Kolkata for many decades. As the market was constructed in 1874, you will note reminiscent of the British era quite vividly in the market. With more than 4000 stalls, you will be pretty overwhelmed after reaching New Market. You will find everything there. Most people in Kolkata even now visit the locality to buy everyday commodities in their lives. Not only the shops inside the market but the roadside stalls outside the market are also pretty amazing. In case you are a fan of junk jewelry, you will find New Market outstanding. The entire road outside the market is exceptionally colorful and filled with stores selling a wide variety of items. Moreover, the locality is also pretty famous for its street food. So, while you go there, do not forget to try the famous street food dishes available.
Address: Dharmatala, Kolkata.
4. Dakshinapan Shopping Centre
Located quite close to Gariahat, Dakshinapan is a unique open-air shopping center in Kolkata. This market is mainly famous for handicraft items and traditional sarees from all over India. There are government emporiums from every state in India located inside the market. You will be able to explore a lot before you decide on buying the perfect item for you. Dakshinapan is excellent for you if you love to wear sarees. You will find sarees from INR 200 to INR 50,000 over there. Even though you will not be able to bargain in the stores of the market, but you will see that the price asked for the items are pretty nominal. Apart from apparels, Dakshinapan has a lot of stores selling home-decorating items as well. If you get confused while traveling there, try to consult the online maps to reach there safely.
Address: Near, DHAKURIA bridge Dakshinapan, Dakshinapan, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata, West Bengal 700068.
5. College Street
For a bibliophile, college street is one of the most significant places in the world. The entire area is filled with shops that sell thousands of books. If you are looking forward to buying old books at discounted rates, then college street is the perfect place for you. You will be able to find relatively newer books at a low price if you bargain enough. It is the home to all the second-hand books in the city. College street is also home to the Indian Coffee house, one of the most ancient restaurants in the city. If you go there, do not forget to have a cup of coffee in the eatery. The entire area will give you a glimpse of the nostalgic life that every Bengali is obsessed with. Moreover, you can hop on a tram and gain a new experience in your life while visiting College street.
Address: College Square, Kolkata.
6. Sudder Street
In case you are a traveler who is visiting Kolkata from out of India, Shudder street is an excellent place for you. Shudder street is the best place to buy Boho clothing, which is perfect for traveling in India. The stores have a lot of Alibaba pants, cropped tops made of cotton fabric, and a plethora of junk jewelry. Moreover, the Sunshine store in Shudder street will also help you get a local SIM card. In case you need one, you can ask the owners of the shop to make arrangements for them. The best part of the area is that there are some unique eateries located over there. You can grab a bite while shopping over there. Remember to visit the area after 10 AM as it is closed before that time.
Address: New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata 700016.
7. Quest Mall
Quest Mall is the only genuine luxury mall in Kolkata, where you will find many high-end stores. From Gucci to Versace, from Loius Vitton to Prada, there is almost every renowned fashion house which has stores in this mall. In case you are not interested in buying items from expensive places, you can hang out in the fabulous food court in the mall. There are many different fast-food chains, including Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, and others located where you can have a meal. As the mall’s location is so popular, you will be able to reach it pretty quickly. The mall is trendy, so try to avoid the weekends while visiting their as there will be an extreme number of people.
Address: 33, Syed Amir Ali Avenue, Beck Bagan Row, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017.
8. Oxford Bookstore
Founded in 1920, Oxford Bookstore is the oldest and most crucial book store in Kolkata. Not only will you be able to find books from different genres quickly in this shop, but you can also spend your time reading the books inside the store. It has a lot of sitting arrangements and allows the users to relax and read without any hurry. Oxford Bookstore also has a tea bar and gift store from where you can buy small trinkets for you or your close ones. If you are lucky, you might get to meet any literary personalities at one of their book signing events over there. The store is located below the renowned Park hotel in Park Street.
Address: 15 Park Street, Apeejay House Block C, 2nd Floor, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016.
9. Hatibagan Market
Hatibagan is another market in Kolkata, where you will be able to find a wide variety of items at a surprisingly reasonable price. Although the market is crowded almost every part of a year, you will still find it pleasantly colorful. From sarees to shoes, from fashionable clothes to accessories, Hatibagan is a full-stack locality. If you plan on shopping from there, do not forget to bargain. The area is also filled with a large number of fabulous restaurants. In case you feel hungry, you could always grab a bite over there. Try to avoid Hatibagan during the weekends as you will face an exceptionally high crowd. Moreover, the place is also home to a large number of movie theatres. If you get bored, try watching a movie over there.
Address: 122, Shri Aurobindo Sarani Rd, Manicktala, Khanna, Kolkata, West Bengal 700006.
The places included in this blog are extremely popular among the people in Kolkata. Even tourists who visit the city make it a point to go there for shopping.
