Shopping in Goa

Goa has a shopping experience of its own. From wines to cashew nuts, enchanting local music to alternative books and handicrafts, Goa has it all. Local handicrafts are reasonably priced and there's carved furniture, brassware, crochet and more.
Other attractive items include woodcarvings, bronze figures, carpets, branded clothes (Levi's, Nike, Lacoste, Benetton have outlets here), jewellery (both folk-art and traditional Goan), leather items , papier-mache craft, saris, silks, musical instruments and even textiles. Antiques over a century old are not allowed to be taken out of India without permission.
The Saturday night markets of North Goa are also interesting places to explore some unique objects. Held at Arpora and along the road to Baga, these happen in the non-monsoon months during the tourist season.
Local boutiques are growing in number, located around the main towns and some in coastal areas and there are plenty of upmarket men's hairdressing salons.

18TH JUNE ROAD, PANJIM
In Panjim, the main thoroughfare 18th June Road is fast emerging as the main shopping centre. From cashew nuts to well packed Goan sweets, local curries that you can take home, spices and some restaurants that offer good fish-based meals, this place is a shopper's delight.

HANDICRAFTS

Aparant
Local handicrafts of Goa are popular souvenir items and include brassware, terracotta, shell work, crochet, carved furniture, bamboo work, papier-mache, lacquerware and azulejos tiles. These are available in the Government Emporia and also at shops and stalls near the popular tourist spots.
The state government's outlet Aparant does good business and offers a wide choice. However, it is not very close to the tourist belt.
Aparant has a number of outlets managed by the state-run Goa Handicrafts. Ten outlets across Goa offer an interesting range and reasonably priced items. There are items made of shell, clay, bamboo and papier-mache'. Aparant (Goa Handicrafts), Crafts Complex, Neugi Nagar, Rua de Ourem, Panjim

HAND-PAINTED CERAMICS AND AZULEJOS
Azulejos are a typical form of Portuguese or Spanish painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tilework. This art was introduced in Portugal, via Spain, by the Moors (Muslims), who had learned the craft from the Persians. Take a look at the artistic name-plates for the entrance to homes that are being created from azulejo. Products range from modest coasters at Rs 25 to murals priced at Rs 1500 (12 x 18 inches).

Velha Goa
This outlet stocks traditional hand-painted azulejos (tiles) and a range of souvenirs. It is located close to the Panjim Inn. While items may be pricey, the quality is both good and innovative. 4/191 Rua de Ourem, Fontainhas, Panjim
De Goa Ceramics
Known for its hand-painted tiles. Almeida Ville, Off Braganza Pereira Road, St. Inez, Panjim
Orlando de Noronha's Azulejos Tiles
This is another place
where you can pick up
beautiful azulejos.
Opp. Clube Nacional, Next to Sales Tax
Office, 7/1 Above Old Vijaya Bank,
MG Road

NIGHT MARKETS
While there has been some controversy over where these night markets should be located, they attract many tourists in Goa. These unique markets offer a great mix of works by Indian artisans and foreigners and you also get to try out global food and listen to Goan music.

Ingo's Saturday Nite Bazaar
An artisan and 'hippie market cum beer
garden' with international food stalls,
it has been labelled 'the mother of all
Indian nite markets'.
Along the Arpora-Anjuna Road, Arpora
Mackies Saturday Nite Bazaar
This bazaar is conducted along the Baga creek and salt-pans and offers music, traditional crafts, souvenirs for foreign tourists and varied food options. Near Marinha Dourada, Arpora There's also the weekly Wednesday afternoon flea market at Anjuna, once dominated by hippies in the sixties and seventiesTand a host of local traditional markets (Mapusa on Fridays, Pernem on Thursdays, Siolim on Wednesdays, Bicholim on Wednesdays and Calangute on Saturdays).
FRIDAY MARKET, MAPUSA
The North Goa town of Mapusa hosts a charming traditional market each Wednesday which attracts many tourists, specially foreigners. Municipal Market, Mapusa

MUSIC & MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Vibes
This is the the biggest music store in Goa.
Custodio Pinho Road, Comba, Margao
Pedro Fernandes
This is a charming old music shop in the heart of the old town. Near the Head Post Office, Panjim
BX Furtado
This is a more upmarket and modern store with a wide range of instruments. 12, Nave'lkar Building, Dr Atmaram Borkar Road

BOOKSHOPS

The Other India Bookstore
This is probably the best place for books
on 'alternative India' and the environment.
Also available here are a large variety of
Goa-related books.
Above old Mapusa Clinic (entrance from
behind), Feira Alta, Mapusa
Bookfair
Located in Hotel Mandovi, it stocks
interesting reading material, specially
books related to Goa.
DB Marg, Panjim
Literati Bookshop and Cafe
Based in an old villa in Candolim, it
also has a section of second-hand
books. Apart from the books, it also
hosts occasional programmes featuring
prominent writers,
Ell-282 Gaura Vaddo, Calangute
Confidant's Golden Heart Emporium
This is a large bookshop in South Goa with an extensive collection of books. Abade Faria Road, Margao
Oxford Bookstore
The well-known Kolkata-based Oxford
Bookstore has its Goa branch on the
main Calangute road.
House No. 156, Opp. St. Anthony
Chapel, Gaura Vaddo
Rama Books
This bookstore at Calangute allows you to
trade old books and buy other European
and Japanese titles.
Near Roundabout, Calangute

DESIGNER CLOTHES

Wendell Rodricks
Arguably Goa's most famous fashion designer, Rodricks is also among one of India's top designers. Wendell Rodricks Design Space, Retreat TV' Style India Pvt. Ltd., 158, Near Luis Gomes Garden, Campal, Panjim
Sosa's
This is one of Goa's popular designer stores. Overlooking the Rua de Ourem creek, the store offers jute handbags with ethnic designs and limited-edition ensembles from some of the prominent Indian designers.
E-245 Rua de Ourem, Panjim
Sangolda
Run by Claudia and Hari Ajwani, who also run the upmarket hotel Nilaya, Sangolda sells Ladakhi pashminas, Rajasthani cushion covers, and rosewood cupboards from Gujarat, all at a fancy price.
Ł-26 Chogm Road, Opp. Mac de Deus Chapel, Sangolda
Camelot
This boutique showcases home accessories like silk and linen bedspreads, antique portraits on glass and clothes by Indian designers, 139 Fondvem, Ribandar
Janota
Meaning 'style' in Portuguese, Janota is the creation of Angela and Edwin Pinto. While Edwin creates unusual designer footwear, Angela designs everything from lampshades to hats and bags. Weekly at Ingo's Saturday Nite Bazaar, No 64, Yellow lane, Arpora; Janota (Studio), Aldeia Aurino, Near Damian de Goa, Porvorim, Bardez
Casa Goa
This is run by Cezar Pinto in a blue-and-white house in the beach village of Calangute. Items here include rosewood chests, porcelain dishes and painted tiles.

Cobravado, Calangute
Malini Ramani's
Malini Ramani was the first Indian designer to open her own store in Goa. She designs resort wear with a hippy edge. Her collections include handbags, sandals, sarees and bridal wear, Opp. St. Anthony's Chapel, Calangute

PAINTINGS

Kerkar Art Complex
Subodh Kerkar, a prominent sculptor and painter, was one of the earliest to launch his own gallery in Calangute. Holiday Street, Gaurawado, Calangute
Harshada Art Gallery
Harshada Kerkar is known for her artistic portraits.
Opp. Goa Mariott, Miramar, Panjim