Shimla is the most popular summer hill station in the northern region of India because of its pleasant weather throughout the year and scenic beauty. A huge number of travelers visit this ethereal place from all over the world. However, do not make this mistake by limiting yourself to the scenic views of its natural beauty, as the queen of hills has a lot more to offer you. People traveling to Shimla are often confused about what to buy and from where in Shimla on their holiday. This ultimate guide will explore special things to buy in Shimla if you are visiting as a tourist.
Therefore, if you are planning to travel to Shimla, then explore the tour packages for Shimla offered by TourTravelWorld so that you can explore Shimla like never before and let the shopaholic in you go crazy in these vibrant markets. There are many tourist attractions to visit in Shimla like Kufri, Christ Church, and Mall Road including some local markets, which are superb for an amazing shopping experience. Some of the famous places for shopping in Shimla include Mall Road, Lakkar Bazaar, Himachal Emporium, Tibetan Market, Ram Bazaar, Middle Bazar, Lower Bazar, and some more small markets. The streets and shops in these markets offer a huge variety of things and there is no end to the list of things that you can shop for in Shimla.
Let’s discuss in detail some of the well-known markets of Shimla which offer everything from food to clothes to decor.
The Mall Road
You cannot miss visiting Mall Road if you are visiting Shimla as it is called the heart of Shimla that is packed with numerous tourists, a variety of shops, offering items of different varieties. This place is a must-visit for taking an evening stroll, eating the local food, sipping coffee in a cafe, enjoying hill views, and looking to buy things ranging from woolen to souvenirs. An ideal place for the ones who are the shopping freaks. There are many shops colorfully decorated where you can find an amazing collection of stuff including beautiful pashmina shawls, woolen sweaters, mufflers and coats for all gender and age groups, gloves, Himachali Hats, artificial junk jewelry, wooden artifacts, sculptors, antiques, books, handicrafts, home décor items that include rugs, carpets, mirrors and so on. As vehicles are not allowed at Mall Road, therefore you must wear comfortable shoes to enjoy your shopping and when you get tired, there are plenty of amazing restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks. Just don’t miss the opportunity to visit Mall Road of Shimla with your family, friends, and life partner.
Timings: 10 am to 7 pm
Lakkar Bazaar
It is a well-known market in Shimla, famous for its beautiful collection of wooden handicrafts, articrafts, kitchen items, and many other items that are made up of wood. This popular shopping place is heaven for those who have a special place in their heart for wooden items. You can purchase everyday use items to various souvenirs for decorating your home or even for gifting purposes. All of these items depict the hard work and efficiency of the regional artists. You can spend an entire day buying from a long list of items including wooden toys, lanterns, candle stands, wooden key chains, flower vases, wooden idols, and many other day-to-day things for your home at good prices if you have great negotiating skills. Apart from wooden items, you can also go for fresh fruits, such as cherry, plum, peach, mangoes, etc from this market. There is a wide variety of cakes, pastries, and other bakery items which you can relish if you have a sweet tooth. If you are planning to travel to Shimla then don’t miss the chance to witness the old-world charm of Shimla city in this market.
Timings: 9 am to 7 pm
Tibetan Market
The Tibetan market is quite famous amongst the locals and tourists for its vibrant vibe and products influenced by Tibetan culture. There are a lot of items you can find in the market including handcrafted jewelry, footwear, bags, accessories, woolen Items, colorful home decor items, a sculpture of Lord Buddha, Tibetan carpets, and rugs at quite cheap rates especially if you are a bargain lover without compromising on the quality. It is a wonderful shopping destination close to the Ridge and the colorful appearance of these small rustic shops can freshen up your mind with their liveliness. Most women can go crazy with the collection of jewelry this market offers at amazing prices. Tibetan market also has various shops offering sumptuous jams, squashes, and pickles, prepared in special recipes handed down through the ages.
Timings: 8 am to 5 pm
Himachal Emporium
Himachal emporium is run by the government of Himachal Pradesh where you can find different local handicrafts at reasonable prices. If you love the things that are organic, pure, and made by locals then pay your visit to the Himachal emporium. This emporium in Shimla place has a beautiful collection of jewelry, exotic pottery, and clothes including Kinnaur shawls and sweaters which are designed locally by the artisans. All the items are at fixed prices so there is no need to bargain for anything. You can’t resist buying these exquisite items after looking at the quality and prices of these items. This is a must-visit place in Shimla which is popular among the locals as well as the tourists.
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm
Middle Bazaar
Middle Bazar is close to Mall Road, all you have to do is take a flight of stairs from the turn at Baljees Restaurant on the main Mall Road. The market has narrow roads leading to several general stores and street food stalls serving tempting dumplings or momos. The middle bazaar is a great place to stroll through in the evening if you are done with the other markets of Shimla. The colorful streets of the middle bazaar offer you a variety of trendy t-shirts, woolen clothes, and beautiful handmade items.
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm
Lower Bazaar
It is another mind-blowing shopping market in the town which is very popular for its number of narrow lanes and each lane has several shops that look quite ordinary but have a lot to offer from handicrafts to wooden items. This local market is also popular for colorful and enchanting earthen pots and pottery items, wooden gloves, shawls, socks and carved wooden sticks, incense burners, lamps and stands, and many more other similar items. Lower bazaar also has some old shops offering authentic and unique jams, pickets, and squashes along with the roadside street vendors offering chaat items and mouth-watering momos as quick snacks for the people visiting this market. You can’t leave this market without curbing your hunger and trying the fresh dry fruits which are one of the specialties of this place. Also, it offers some medicinal herbs which are extremely rare to find in any other place.
Timings: 10 am to 6 pm
Ram Bazaar
This is another famous place selling Tibetan artifacts and also many other things, mainly clothing. The narrow lanes of this market are jam-packed with small shops and people who love shopping. You should know how to bargain before visiting this place if you want to get a better deal on the products you want to purchase. This crowded market is situated next to the Amber hotel. Just visit this market and enjoy the hustle-bustle of the place while relishing the local street foods.
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm
Strolling and Shopping in the middle of the mountains
Go souvenir shopping in the capital city situated at the foothills of the Himalayas. Take back some local and traditional items with you along with unforgettable memories of Shimla. After exploring these markets you will realize that a trip to Shimla is incomplete without shopping. Most tourists find that Shimla is a very enjoyable place to indulge in retail therapy. Book your travel package now and have a memorable holiday experience by exploring the local culture via the local streets of the city.
