Kolkata is probably the most famous city in West Bengal, and it’s easy to see why. India’s former capital is home to plenty of historical architecture, modern shopping centres and delicious food. If you’d like to visit India and aren’t sure where to start, Kolkata should definitely be at the top of your list.

Kolkata is known worldwide for its bustling markets. These markets are located throughout the city and often contain countless stalls selling wares like food, traditional clothing, and technology. Most tourists who visit Kolkata return home with a few (or a lot of) local souvenirs.

In this article, we’re talking all about these markets, from organising your spending spree to the key destinations you have to check out, to the traditional souvenirs and mementoes that will help keep your memory of this bustling city alive when you return home. Let’s get into it.

How To Plan For Your Shopping Trip In Kolkata

Because there are so many markets in Kolkata, it’s vital to plan your trip carefully. We suggest creating a digital itinerary, where you can map out the markets’ proximity to each other, and jot down their opening hours, any days they’re closed, and what type of goods they specialise in.

Collate your information from screenshots and photos of travel guides, blogs, and even social media posts. Thankfully, you can now remove image backgrounds using Adobe Express so you can get rid of the visual clutter, and focus on the most important details you need to know about each market. You should also consider working with an experienced local guide who can show you around and tell you what you need to know ahead of your trip.

Once you’ve finalised your travel plans, you’ll be ready to explore Kolkata’s markets and shop for local souvenirs. So, where should you head first?

Best Markets in Kolkata

New Market

New Market ranks among the Indian Museum and the Victoria Memorial as one of the top places to visit in Kolkata. Don’t let the name deceive you: New Market has been around for over a century. This sprawling marketplace was originally a place for wealthy shoppers to buy from exclusive brands like R.W. Newman and Thacker Spink.

While New Market has carried on the tradition of stocking high-quality clothing, visitors can also find plenty of other goods, including food, accessories and tourist souvenirs. It’s also a much more open and welcoming place than it was originally, with countless locals and tourists congregating here every day.

Gariahat Market

If you’re looking to shop a wide variety of items at low prices, look no further than Gariahat Market. This sprawling market is located in a historic neighbourhood and is incredibly easy to access, no matter where in Kolkata you’re staying. In Gariahat Market, you’ll find stalls selling food, electronics, low-cost clothes and everything else under the sun.

As a tourist, Gariahat Market is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a genuine Kolkata experience. The marketplace is usually extremely crowded, so consider visiting during off-hours. Due to its hectic nature, you should try to visit with an experienced guide as part of a tour package. A local expert can help you navigate Gariahat’s sometimes confusing layout and its many stalls.

College Street Market

Kolkata’s College Street Market is the largest secondhand book market in Asia. Vendors here stock books from all genres in many different languages, including English, Bengali, Hindi, French and Russian. Because these books are secondhand, you can often find incredible deals on both popular and less well-known titles.

When planning a trip to College Street, we highly recommend allocating an entire day. There are many thousands of books to browse, so don’t be surprised if you check your watch and realise that several hours have passed.

Souvenirs to Take Home With You

Bengali Sarees

If you’re currently spending time in Kolkata, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you returned home without a Bengali saree. These traditional Indian articles of clothing come in different forms and are worn both as a casual outfit and for more formal occasions.

There are many kinds of Bengali sarees to choose from. These include Tant sarees, Jamdani sarees and Baluchari sarees. Although all these saree types have unique characteristics, they all take many hours and plenty of skill to create. By purchasing a saree from a traditional Kolkata market, you can carry a piece of Indian culture and craftsmanship with you as you return home.

Sweet Treats

Kolkata is famous in India and around the world for its desserts. Fortunately, many of these traditional snacks can be packaged and taken home by tourists, so don’t miss the chance to pick up a few sweet treats to share with friends back home.

While the region has produced countless recipes over the years, some of the best-known Bengali desserts include sandesh, kheer kadam and mishti doi. Although it’s possible to find these food items in regular shopping malls and grocery stores too, you’re much more likely to find freshly made, authentic, and tastier food when you shop in a local market.

Jute Products

Jute is a type of fibre that’s been used to make a variety of goods for over two millennia. It can be made from a number of different flowering plants native to South Asia.

Traditionally, Kolkata is among the region’s top producers of jute. While many businesses use this material to package their products, it can also be used to make handbags, carpets and rugs. If you buy something made of jute, you can rest assured that it will last many years: jute is known for being an incredibly sturdy material. It’s also lightweight, so you can stack up on items without needing to worry about your luggage going over the weight limit at the airport.

Shop till you drop in Kolkata with these pro tips!

Kolkata has an incredibly rich culture, which is easily demonstrated in its vast array of markets. It also ranks among India’s busiest cities: if you’re paying a visit, make sure to check out a few of these local markets and snag yourself a souvenir or five.

In this article, we’ve gone over three of Kolkata’s most well-known markets and also given you a list of souvenirs you cannot leave without. Because these markets are spread out throughout the city, working with a reputable tourist agency will help you make the most of your trip. Book your tickets to Kolkata today and prepare for an experience like no other. We can’t wait to have you.