15 Best Delhi Markets for Shopping and What You Can Buy

Stores selling Rajasthani fabrics at the Janpath market. Photo: Anders Blomqvist/Getty Images

The vibrant atmosphere of Delhi markets can make shopping lots of fun. In fact, Delhi has the best markets in India, selling a huge array of items including handicrafts from all over the country. These top markets in Delhi are a treasure trove of goods waiting to be discovered.

Looking for something specific? Delhi resident Ketaki has been helping people shop for more than 10 years and offers bespoke Delhi shopping tours. If you're searching for a specific Delhi market name, she'll help you find it.

01 of 15

Janpath and Tibetan Market

Tibetan handicrafts. Eric PHAN-KIM/Getty Images

This very popular and lively Delhi market has something for everyone. You'll find goods from everywhere in India and Tibet here, and it's a great place to shop for things to take back home. However, you'll need all your bargaining skills to get a really decent price.

Location: Janpath, just off Connaught Place, in New Delhi.
Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
What to Buy: Handicrafts, hippy clothing, shoes, paintings, brassware, Indian artifacts, leather work, fragrances, and cheap jewelry.

02 of 15

Dilli Haat

Dilli Haat has been deliberately made to feel like a traditional weekly village market, called a haat. Small thatched roof cottages with a village atmosphere give it great ambiance. This paid-entrance market (Rs. 20/adult, about 25 cents) offers an exciting blend of handicrafts from all over India, food and shaded tables on which to eat, and cultural and music performances. Unfortunately, imported Chinese goods have started making an appearance at Dilli Haat, which is disappointing. It's still worth a visit through. If you're more interested in unusual handicrafts, you may find the products at Dastkar Bazaar to be more appealing. It's located about 30 minutes south of INA Dilli Haat, near Qutub Minar and Mehrauli Archaeological Park.

Location: Opposite INA Market, South Delhi.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10.30 a.m. to 10 p.m., including national holidays.
What to Buy: Indian handcrafts and artifacts.

03 of 15

Paharganj

Some of the best bargain shopping in Delhi can be found in the crumbling and chaotic Main Bazaar of Paharganj. Many of the shops in Paharganj also deal in wholesale and export to foreign countries, making it a good place to come and hunt out unique and inexpensive goods to import back home.

Location: Paharganj Main Bazaar, opposite the New Delhi Railway Station.
Opening Hours: Daily until around 9 p.m.
What to Buy: Clothing, bags, shoes, jewelry, books, music, textiles, handicrafts, hookah pipes, incense.

04 of 15

Chandni Chowk

The shopping district of Chandni Chowk has been in existence for hundreds of years and an exploration of its winding, narrow alleyways is certainly an adventure. The lanes of Chandni Chowk are divided into bazaars with different areas of specialization. For fabrics, head to Katra Neel. In the Bhagirath Palace area, you'll find a huge range of electronics. Dariba Kalan is Old Delhi's ancient silver market full of silver jewelry. Kinari bazaar sells everything you need for a wedding, including saris. Khari Baoli Road has Asia's largest spice market. Food vendors in Chandni Chowk also serve up a delicious assortment of Delhi street food.

Location: Old Delhi.
Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
What to Buy: Fabrics, jewelry, spices, and electronic goods.

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Sarojini Nagar

Sarojini Nagar is most famous for its really cheap designer clothes and reputable brands that have been rejected from export, either because of surplus quantity or small manufacturing defects. Shops and stalls, selling all kinds of clothes and fashion accessories, sprawl onto the streets. New stock arrives every Tuesday, so it's best to go then. There's also a sweet market (Babu Market) and vegetable market (Subzi Mandi) in the area.

Location: South Delhi, near Safdarjung Airport.
Opening Hours: Daily except Mondays.
What to Buy: Designer clothes, Indian clothes, fashion accessories, shoes.

06 of 15

Khan Market

Established in 1951, Khan Market is a small U-shaped market that's one of Delhi's classiest. This is not a typical chaotic New Delhi bazaar, and Bargain hunters are likely to be disappointed at this market. It's got a loyal following who go there to shop at its branded outlets. One of the best things about this market is its interesting book shops. It's also got some excellent tailors who will make you a suit in less than a week. For Ayurvedic food, medicine, and skin care check out Biotique and Khadi. Hidden away, you'll find some trendy cafes and lounges to relax in, many with balconies overlooking the street.

Location: New Delhi, not far from India Gate.
Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
What to Buy: Books, music, branded and tailored clothes, Ayurvedic food and cosmetics, and home furnishings.

07 of 15

Shankar Market

Indian fabrics. — John Lund/Getty Images

If you're looking to buy fabrics by the meter, Shankar Market is where you should head! It has more than 150 shops and stalls spread over two floors, stocking everything from plain cotton to silk brocades. There are all kinds of hand-loom textiles to drool over including ikat, block prints, and weaves from Odisha, Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. The market's central Delhi location is handy too!

Location: Opposite Connaught Place M-Block.
Opening Hours: 11 a.m. until 8.30 p.m. Closed Sundays.
What to Buy: Fabrics.

08 of 15

Sundar Nagar

This quaint market attracts quite a few rich Indian socialites because of its art and antique shops. It's a well-designed market in an upscale neighborhood. You'll also find some wonderful tea shops there. Try the Asia Tea House and Mittal Tea House.They're situated next to each other.

Location: Off Mathura Road in New Delhi, not too far away from Connaught Place, near the zoo and Oberoi Hotel.
Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
What to Buy: Tea, silver jewelry, art, textiles, carpets, and antiques.

09 of 15

Lajpat Nagar (Central Market)

The hectic Lajpat Nagar market provides an interesting glimpse into Indian culture. It's one of the oldest markets in India and is abuzz with middle-class Indian shoppers, all swarming around its roadside stalls and showrooms. Reasonably priced Indian kurti tops and salwaar kameez suits are popular items. Be sure to bargain hard! The market also has Mehendiwalas, who will apply beautiful henna designs to your hands with astonishing speed

Location: South Delhi, near Defense Colony (between Greater Kailash and South Extension).
Opening Hours: Daily except Mondays.
What to Buy: Indian clothing, shoes, bags, accessories (including Indian bangles), and home furnishings.

10 of 15

Phool Mandi (Flower Market)

Connaught Place flower market. — Patrick Horton/Getty Images

If you don't mind getting up at the crack of dawn you can catch the prettiest markets in Delhi—the wholesale (and retail) flower market. Hundreds of traders temporarily set up shop early in the morning and sell flowers from all over India, as well as flowers imported from Holland and Asia. It's a photographer's delight! Peak season is from September to February.

Location: Across the road from the Hanuman Temple on Baba Kharak Singh Road, Connaught Place. There's another huge wholesale flower market in Ghazipur, on the outskirts of the city near Anand Vihar Metro station.
Opening Hours: 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily.
What to Buy: All kinds of flowers.

11 of 15

Sunday Second-Hand Book Market

Delhi book seller. — Nick Rains/Getty Images

Bibliophiles will be delighted by this book market, where thousands of new and secondhand books across all genres are piled up for sale at super cheap prices. If you really hunt around you might be able to pick up some first editions of famous books. Haggling is expected unless stated otherwise!

Location: The book market used to take place in Daryaganj but relocated to nearby Mahila Haat ground, in late 2019. The nearest metro station is Delhi Gate.
Opening Hours: All day Sundays but get there by 9.30-10.30 a.m. for the best selection.
What to Buy: All kinds of books.

12 of 15

Chor Bazaar (Thieves Market)

Delhi Sunday Chor Bazaar — Kalyan Choudhury/Getty Images

Before heading to the Sunday book market drop by and browse the thieves market nearby. Most of the items are damaged, second-hand, stolen or surplus. Do be prepared for large crowds, and beware of getting pick-pocketed or groped. Unfortunately, fake Chinese goods are now being sold at this market too.

Location: Behind the Red Fort, near Jama Masjid, Old Delhi. The nearest Metro station Jama Masjid.
Opening Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
What to Buy: Shoes, clothes, sporting goods, electronic goods, watches, gym equipment, tools, and all kinds of trash and treasure.

13 of 15

Meena Bazaar (Chatta Chowk)

This historic market, which lines the passageway into the Red Fort, used to house the most exclusive royal tailors and merchants in the 17th century. It's one of the oldest markets in the city. These days, it's geared towards tourists. And, up until recently, it had seen better days. However, the arcade and shopfronts were recently restored to expose artwork hidden on the ceiling and give them a more authentic Mughal look.

Location: Inside the Red Fort's Lahore Gate entrance, Old Delhi. The nearest Metro station Jama Masjid.
Opening Hours: Daily except Mondays.
What to Buy: Jewelry and handicrafts from across India.

14 of 15

Gaffar Market

Entrance to Ghaffar Market. — Wikimedia Commons/Bahnfrend

Need to get your cell phone repaired? Head to this market! It's dominated by repair shops. And, it won't cost you big bucks either because the market is renowned for unbranded parts (don't always believe the sellers who tell you their iPhone parts are original). Perfect if you've got a cracked screen! Phone covers are plentiful too. It's a "grey" market, with discounted imported goods and no warranties.

Location: Ajmal Khan Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi.
Opening Hours: Daily except Mondays.
What to Buy: All kinds of electronic goods such as TVs, speakers, cell phones, cameras. Other lanes stock cheap lifestyle products including clothes, and crystals as well.

15 of 15

Matka Market

Clay Diwali diyas. — tapasbiswasphotography/Getty Images

Pottery from all over India is available at Matka Market in South Delhi. The market is a fantastic place to shop for festival decorations, especially during Diwali. The range of colorful clay diyas and pots is astonishing, with more than 100 different vendors. Other items commonly available at the market include blue Jaipur pottery, terracotta Bankura horses, clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses, garden pots and plant holders, vases, lanterns and earthen wind chimes.

Location: A.K. Roy Marg, near Sarojini Nagar bus depot, South Delhi.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. (and later in the lead-up to Diwali).
What to Buy: All kinds of clay items.

Dilli Haat: The Biggest Delhi Market

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