Shopping in Goa

Shopping in Goa - In the old days, visitors to Goa would return with cashews, bottles of Feni (Palm or Cashew), Soap on a Rope (God Knows why it was a Goan speciality!) and sturdy rexine bags from Mapusa market. Goa has come a long way since those days!

Now, one can shop in Goa for designer clothes, artifacts, colonial furniture, antique jewellery and much more. The touristy markets are the perfect places to acquire the funky Goa look. These sell trinkets, beaded bags, colourful sarongs mirror work biknis (yes), wrap around trousers and skirts, Hare Krishna inspired kurtas and suchlike. Prices for shirts/kurtas start from Rs. 100 upwards, depending on the work and the quality. Do remember to bargain, but make sure it stays pleasant and enjoyable.

The Tibetan markets are the perfect places to buy silver jewellery and semi precious stones together. As a matter of fact, I would urge the women to create their own signature piece by choosing the various stones and get one of the obliging ladies to string them together. There is nothing as satisfying as making your own ornaments. Silver ear-rings range from Rs. 200 onwards and the necklaces can go from Rs. 800 onwards. Generally, the Tibetan sellers do not bargain much.

Located in the Fountain has area, Velha Goa Galeria sells hand-painted tiles and other pottery-porcelain items that can be made into signs or decorative wall items. You can also purchase Mario Miranda's sketches and paintings transferred on tiles here and prices start from Rs. 400. Velha also stocks some interesting Portuguese wines.

A little further is Sosa's, a multi-designer shop, showcasing work of many designers from around the country as well as Goa's own - Saviojon & Ranji Kelekar. Prices start from Rs. 1,000 onwards.

Designer Wendell Rodricks' Design Space has his creation as well as a home décor boutique and Kaya, the Skin Care salon.

Near Hotel Mandovi, you will find Nike, Benetton and Reebok. In Navelkar Arcade, opposite the Azad Maidan, Madame Butterfly, a Goan designer label, has its shop. In the same building there's also Bandhej the garment shop with an ethnic touch.

On 18th June Road, you will find many garment shops like Baron, Bombay Bazaar, and also smaller shops. Of course, there are cashew shops which sell cashews in all flavours and even colours! Drop in at Magson's cold stores to pick up some of Goa's delicious masalas for making Xacutis and Prawn Balchao; Costa is a good and reliable brand.

Acron Arcade in Candolim houses some good brands - Yamini, the home décor shop, Sanakara the book shop, Auro selling Auroville products and a large shop which sells clothes from various designers. When the sugar level drops after the shopping sit down and have a nice cup of coffee at the Cinnabar Café.

Home Décor Boutiques:

Casa Goa Art Gallery is a delightful shop for getting some artifacts for your home. It stocks paintings, antique porcelain, lamps and home ware. Located in a charming, renovated, Old Portuguese house, and is a good place to take home a souvenir of your Goa trip.

A Lua Sangolda, a magnificent home décor shop is the creation of Hari & Claudia, the owners of Nilaya Hermitage, the retreat of the rich and famous. It virtually overflows with handicrafts from India and Bali. There is furniture, decorative items, linen and about a thousand other things, all displayed with great panache.

Saudade, located right next to the Sangolda shop, specializes in Colonial and antique furniture. The pieces are handpicked from all around the country and beautifully restored. You will find large armoires, writing desks, dining tables and chairs and even smaller furniture items.

Colonial Photo is one of Goa's unusual buys with an enormous range of old film posters and lobby cards. You can buy posters or replicas done on vinyl so they can be used as place mats, or mounted on the walls, Sylvio, the Italian owner takes great pride in showing an enthusiast his vast collection and also can be found at Ingo's Saturday Night Bazaar in Arpora.