The city of Amritsar more often than not brings to mind the sight of the glistening Golden Temple or the historical Wagah Border. However, there’s much more to this city than what meets the eye and the lively buzzing shopping places here stand testimony to that. Along with housing an exhilarating history and culture, the ancient city of Amritsar has been a famous vacation spot and a paradise for shopaholics owing to its vibrant and colourful shopping bazaars, road side flea markets, shopping malls and designer boutiques which can make the pleasurable activity lots of fun for travellers and local residents alike. Shopping in Amritsar includes traditional handicrafts, trendy accessories, jewellery and ornaments made out of precious and semi-precious stones, Pashminas, bridal dresses, designer shirts, lacquered woodwork, curios, traditional Phulkari textiles, hand-woven carpets, blankets and woollen garments.
If you happen to visit Amritsar, then you simply cannot ignore going on a shopping spree by heading to one or all of major shopping destinations that the city has to offer. Hang out at Hall Bazaar, Lahori Gate Market, Shastri Market and Guru Bazaar for the best bargains on ethnic apparels, traditional juttis (footwear) and accessories or head to one of the trendy malls like Alpha One Mall and Trilium Mall that feature swish interiors and are good places to shop top brands. From bargaining for a good price to the wonderful street food options, these top bespoke shopping places in Amritsar are a treasure trove of goods waiting to be discovered.
One of the oldest and seasoned markets of the city, Hall Bazaar is undoubtedly one of the outstanding places to do shopping in Amritsar, and houses an immense assortment of apparel, shawls, carpets, footwear, food stalls and handicrafts. The bustling market is situated on the way to Golden Temple and is a one-stop shopping destination for travellers and locals alike. The items sold here are not just worth buying but worth splurging on since you are less likely to find the same work anywhere else in the country. The several eat streets lining the market serve scrumptious sarson ka saag and makkai di roti, butter chicken, lassi, chhole kulche, mutton tikka and fish Amritsari. The street food found in the small dhabas and kiosks here presents a mouth-watering series of delicacies, and is amongst the finest in the country.
Timings: 10:30 AM to 10 PM, open all days
Location: Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar
Specialty: Shawls, carpets, dress materials, electronics, phulkari embroidery work textiles, Pakistani juttis, saris, Chinese lamps, dry fruits, imitation jewellery, food items, handicrafts, woollen garments, sweaters and Pashmina shawls are among the best things to buy in Amritsar from here.
This permanent enclosed marketplace is a cluster of close to 2,400 street shops where you can expect to get all kinds of things from clothing, electronics, consumer technology, and accessories to traditional jewellery and ornaments. The market has a heritage value attached to it and forms an integral part of the city’s overall shopping culture. Flanked by the Golden Temple on one side and Guru Ka Mahal on the other, there are numerous bye lanes and narrow alleys leading to the market that are dotted with shops and vendors selling glittering silver diyas, earthen lamps, idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi and a vast collection of jewellery. It is swarmed by visitors at all times of the day, for its exquisite Jadau jewellery, gold and silver ornaments and gorgeous neckpieces and earrings studded with precious and semi-precious stones. If you happen to go in the morning hours, you can easily bargain over the prices of most of the goods sold here.
Timings: 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM, open all days
Location: Guru Bazar Karanagar, Amritsar
Specialty: The things to buy in Amritsar from here include jewellery, earthen lamps, Chess pieces made from ivory and sandalwood, diyas, traditional knick knacks, kirpan, Sikh turbans, kadas and khandas.
Your shopping in Amritsar remains incomplete without paying a visit to the Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar which has something to satiate the need of every kind of shopper. While the market is predominantly renowned for traditional Phulkari suits and dupattas available in amazing patterns and colours and fancy bridal wear, there are also some well known shops that offer a varied shopping experience. The market is famous for offering its visitors some amazing quality of clothing at affordable prices. During the late evening hours, the entire place comes alive with locals and tourists bargaining for a good price to indulge in some serious shopping. And since most shops here offer similar items, it is advised to visit a few before making your final purchase.
Timings: 10:30 AM to 8:45 PM, open all days
Location: Near Hall Bazaar, Amritsar
Specialty: Punjabi juttis, bangles, dress material, salwar kameez, Pashminas, saris, beaded dresses, wedding suits for men, Phulkari dupattas, designer shirts and handicrafts can be bought from here.
Some of the best budget-friendly shopping in Amritsar can be done in this thriving bazaar, famous for all kinds of products available at throwaway prices. Located adjacent to the imposing Lahori Gate, the bustling market is a popular commercial hub in Amritsar and boasts of innumerable shops, showrooms, and trendy cafes and restaurants which ensure that the shoppers have a gala time. Here you’ll get an assortment of popular Pashmina shawls of Kashmir, cotton suits, footwear, heavy and casual suits with Phulkari design which is indigenous to Amritsar, and a lot more, all at a moderate price which can also go down further post bargaining. While here, you cannot afford to miss the lip-smacking Amritsari papad, kulcha, wadiyan, home-made jams, pickles, and other savoury items which can be found in most shops in this market.
Timings: 11 AM to 10 PM, open all days
Location: Near Hall Bazaar, Amritsar
Specialty: Designer juttis, Phulkari suits, and dress materials, Pashmina shawls, mufflers cotton suits, pickles, jams, marmalades, and papads
Shastri Market can be considered as one of the most amazing places in Amritsar to do shopping. The striking marketplace situated in the heart of the city is one of the busiest places in Amritsar and is known for its textile products including cotton salwar suits, Patiala salwar, embroidered suits, manufactured rayon, fleece and other eye-catching materials. Here you’ll also find a variety of beautiful accessories and jewellery items including dazzling necklaces, bracelets, junk jewellery, classy pendants and rings as well as designer juttis and other footwear. The plethora of choices and amazing designs, especially the intricate and delicate handmade jewellery, will leave you spellbound.
Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM, open all days
Location: Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar
Specialty: Jewelry, salwar suits, Patiala salwar, Punjabi juttis, textiles, woollens, quilts and blankets are among the top things to buy in Amritsar from here.
Still wondering what to buy in Amritsar? Visit this high end mall which is a famous shopping destination for those who love buying branded items. The mall encompasses many branded lifestyle shops, designer boutiques and other entertainment options. One can easily spend an entire day with family and friends while window shopping at the innumerable shops here that specialize in fashionable clothes, shoes, knickknacks and some regional Amritsari accessories. The mall also houses several good restaurants and nightclubs and is a good place to hang out with friends. There are innumerable things to buy in Amritsar, items to explore and unique services to enjoy, and all that can be taken care of easily at this bustling mall.
Timings: 11 AM to 11 PM, open all days
Location: MBM Farms, Sultan Wind Sub Urban Main GT Road, Amritsar
Specialty: You can choose from branded garments, fashion jewellery, ethnic designer dresses, luxury home furnishings, perfumes, sports goods, electronics and food items.
Considered as a happening junction by the residents of Amritsar for its elegant cafes, eating joints, sweet shops and bars, Lawrence Road is a market where you will find a variety of dazzling necklaces, bracelets, junk jewellery, hand woven carpets and branded clothing stores. You can also spot vendors selling colourful bangles, shawls, woollen textiles, stationery items and home décor products. The market is an absolute must-visit for travellers who want to buy some unique trinkets and attractive postcards to take a piece of Punjab back home with them. You can have a quick bite at one of the food joints here to satisfy your hunger pangs in the middle of your shopping spree.
Timings: 11 AM to 9:30 PM, open all days
Location: Guru Bazar Karanagar, Amritsar
Specialty: Jewellery, imported candies, festival sweets, restaurants, bridal glass bangles, woollen textiles and men’s clothing are a great buy here.
This market is situated near Town Hall and is one of the best places for street shopping in Amritsar for ladies and youngsters. As the name suggests, the market is predominantly known for selling all types of traditional Punjabi apparel and beautiful Phulkari-embroidered textiles in variety of colours and sizes. The bazaar is dotted with a number of small shops selling all kinds of products from dupattas, beautiful earrings, salwar kameez, vibrant bangles and bindis, all at reasonable rates. Overall, the market promises a great shopping experience for locals and tourists alike, and here you can buy some of the finest and most fashionable garments available in the whole of Punjab. The narrow path on both sides of the bazaar are lined with platform sellers, selling different colours of cloth pieces, Sikh paraphernalia, pickle, spices, papad and colourful head scarves.
Timings: 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM, open all days
Location: Kapda Bazaar, Amritsar
Specialty: Clothes, papad, Amritsari wadiyans, Patiala salwar suits, bangles, quilts, flowers, hand woven carpets and blankets are mostly bought here.
If you are not someone who loves street shopping and are looking for a more sophisticated place to go out and spend some quality time with your family, then Trilium Mall is the perfect place for you. It is the fashion hub of the city, with almost all national, regional and international fashion brands available under one roof. The contemporary mall also has an amazing food court with varied dining options, well-known food outlets and multiplexes. If you are in for some enjoyment, you can go bowling or watch a 5D movie with your friends here.
Timings: 11 AM to 10:30 PM, open all days
Location: Plot No. C-Adjacent Nirankari Colony, 4, Circular Road, Amritsar
Specialty: Branded garments, books, fashion jewellery, cosmetics, lifestyle items, ethnic designer dresses, luxury home furnishings, imported candies and sweets can be found here.
Amritsar is picturesque in its own unique way, and shopping in Amritsar is a delightful treat for any avid shopper as there are plenty of options to choose from. The versatility of shopping in the busy urban city lies in the fact that there is something for everybody. From mouth watering street food to the traditional handlooms, Phulkari suits, Patiala salwar, handicrafts, lacquered woodwork, sandalwood carvings, hand-woven carpets, woollen garments and trendy jewellery pieces, the city has countless things to offer in a manner that is not heavy on your pockets. So, if you are looking for more reason to visit Amritsar and want some suggestions for shopping, make sure you keep this list handy!
Bonus Tip: After lots of shopping its obvious we are exhausted & tired and feeling hungry, go strait to Kesar ka Dhaba one of the oldest house of traditional food serving food since 1916. Yes, its a 100+ year old serving an exclusive mouth watering cuisine with the Traditional Punjabi flavour.
Cuisine to Pick:
Dal Fry ( I heard somewhere it tooks 12-14 hours to cook it), Palak Paneer, Malai Kofta & Kulcha.
In Deserts : Firni
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