Soul TravellingLet’s recreate the heydays when Goa was serene, bubbly, and immaculate minus all the developments, hustle-bustle, and numbers. Every street corner was a market with vendors pitching their voices sky high to get your attention to their colourful wares and at times just to check on your welfare. This was the golden goa of yesteryears when life was simple, transparent, and truthful. Turning to full 360 degrees now, even though we don’t have space and time to communicate, what has changed is the ease and speed at which things have changed and developed making our lives super easy and exciting. We live in such exciting times when Goa is on full flow with the kaleidoscope of colorful markets jutting at every place and location to service the interest of its customers. Now people don’t have to move out of their houses, the markets come to their doorsteps. But the real fun lies in meeting people, exploring places, and chit-chatting on the happenings of the day. That’s where old shopping markets beckon you with their timeless appeal, real connection, and genuine charm.
Any visitor, tourist, or eager local looking to explore Goa’s streets should never miss its local street markets where the real Goa comes alive. These trustworthy vendors converge from far way places with their hard-earned produce(aka fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, imitation jewelry, and so on…) minus the cockiness and craftiness to hand you their soul-worthy creations.
We had to start our introduction by depicting the street vendors as Goa starts with them and ends with other modes of shopping. So if you a curious to check on 100% natural, organic, and sustainable produce, street shopping is where you should head.
But this doesn’t rule out other modes and avenues of shopping where sustainability and natural wonders are displayed at every shelf and corner. Due to health consciousness emerging as a front piece in conversations, every manufacturer or creator is aware of the demand and benefits of the same and makes no mistake in keeping their stock sustainable and local.
Take for eg, the high-tech malls like Mall De Goa in Porvorim & Caculo Mall in Panjim which has taken the concept of indoor shopping to the next level with its imported products and quick service in-house restaurants. The mall shelves are loaded with new-age products and organic produce which will compel you to shop till you drop. One may agree when we convey that malls have overtaken the traditional and olden markets of Goa cannibalizing the sales of these humble little stores.
But as we all say most often ‘Old is gold’ can’t be written off from our perception. Traditional markets of Goa can never be replaced or modified; they are perfect as they are in their raw, unfiltered self. On the contrary, these two malls in North Goa have changed the shopping landscape of Goa completely by imparting a global feature to conventional shopping.
We will now uncover some of the best markets to shop in North Goa where excitement rules and bargains galore. Being host to many party hotspots like Baga, Arambol, and Calangute, North Goa is replete with shopping options leaving you spoilt for choice. Here we will cover only a few of the many shopping markets located in North Goa, some of which are tried-and-tested and some off the beaten path.
List of some iconic street, flea & modern markets:
Baga’s Secret: The Tibetan Market:
A market so alluring that you will fall in love with it. Yards apart from all the visited traditional markets of Goa, this market pops up every Saturday night with its amazing ancient artifacts and handlooms. Open from October to May, you will find plenty of Tibetan local products sold by warm & friendly Tibetan vendors. If you are the one with an inclination to Buddha’s philosophy, then you are at the right place. From bowls, flags, souvenirs, handicrafts, earthenware, shawls, metallic bells, showpieces, and even hardy furniture, you will get everything over here. Visit the cafes in the vicinity to grab a bite after you are done with the shopping.
Anjuna Flea Market:
If we try to remember the time during Goa’s liberation, we can clearly state that this flea market started right before the liberation around the 1960’s or so when the free-flowing and fun-loving hippies first set foot here to explore its amazing beaches and eclectic nightlife. Shivas Valley, located right on Anjuna beach is one such restobar and hot spot for pure entertainment. Get your hands dirty by playing in the sands or take a bite of some delectable world cuisines right here at Anjuna beachfront. The beach promenade also houses vendors selling their global, imported wares right from timeless radio sets, artistic jewellery, colourful apparels, herbal potions, rare medicines, bandanas, and many more ancient items to leave you mesmerized. This vibrant market is held every Wednesdays dishing out goods from all over the world.
Ashwem Beach Market:
A trip to North Goa’s charming markets is not complete if you don’t pay a short visit to the famous Mandrem & Ashwem beach circuits. Made famous now for its psychedelic parties and eclectic nightlife, these two coastal gems are the favorite haunts of foreigners, domestic tourists & at times locals too who are drawn by its magnetic charm. Soak in the tranquil atmosphere of this sizzling hot market and get luxurious by visiting Goa’s 1st luxury marketplace ‘Le Souk’. Handmade dresses, India’s sacred deities, apparel, spices & shoes are a few notable items on display at the beachfront.
Mapusa Street Market – North Goa’s Gem:
It would be an injustice if we don’t include this market, since it is one of the oldest markets to be started in Goa since the Portuguese times. The market day is on Friday and runs till the night till around 10 pm. Although there are other markets down South Goa with equal appeal and charm, this market stands out for its rustic wares and dry fish market. This market has everything a shopper would want from seafood, flowers, home décor, spices, pickles, local breads, delectable bakery products, clothing, and handicrafts. You can bargain for your set price with the vendors who will readily agree if you impress them (pun excluded!).
Arambol Flea Market:
We don’t simply call Arambol the hippie’s first bet; this is where you find the iconic and unique banyan tree where hippies ruled their time along with their special local friends. Located at a secluded location away from the world’s peeping glares, this sacred tree (what locals regard it!), is testimony to the many foreigners tripping sessions and fun times. Most of us must have not been even born when the legendary 8-finger Eddie made the Goa coast his home. Hailing from Armenia, Yertward fondly called 8 finger Eddie, and his compatriot hippies made Goa a hippie destination in the 60’s forever changing the tourism landscape of this coastal gem. Arambol flea market is famous for the drum circle sessions where musicians from all over the world sell their unique instruments like Djembe, dijeridu, handpans, Banjo, etc. Located 35 km from Panjim, Arambol flea market is a bohemian paradise with a hippie vibe where the traders are mostly hippies. Get yourself dirty at the Arambol mud bath sessions and come out feeling whole and refreshed. Come back refreshed from a spring bath to enjoy live music and indulge in some tasty snacks. Further north, you can also explore the famous Saturday night Arpora flea bazaar, a magical melange of music, shopping & cuisines.
Final Views:
Overall the shopping scene in North Goa is reminiscent of the colonial heritage and local charm where nostalgia and newness intersect at regular intervals. North Goa shopping markets are a wonderful amalgamation of local aesthetics and modern dynamism. The markets listed above are some of the best places to shop in North Goa along but not the only ones.
Don’t wait any longer to land at the grand market complexes or the obscure street corners! You never know where luck will shine on you to bring home a pack full of goodies.
Soul Travelling is your one-stop agency for all the travel, shopping, and adventure booking requirements in Goa.
To book your local heritage spot visit, explore shopping markets in North Goa and daily walking trails to offbeat locations, visit: http://www.soultravelling.in
