If you are looking for a shopper’s paradise in India, it has to be Delhi. Be it the latest designer brands or the best handicrafts in India, Delhi has all options. Many visitors drop in to Delhi just for doing a round of the markets. The markets range from the traditional bazaars of Chandni Chowk to the posh malls of Vasant Kunj. What may be of interest is that shopping in Delhi does not necessarily burn a hole in your packet. You can find decent goods at affordable prices if you just look hard enough.
To prove our point, we are letting you into some of the best-kept secrets of Delhi. Here is a list of some of the spots where you can get amazing stuff within your budget. To make our pint, we have kept a random ballpark of Rs 500 (that is less than USD 7) per item. From experience we can say, the merchandise is durable, aesthetic and will keep you yearning for more.
Handicraft Markets in Delhi NCR
The best handicrafts in India are available in India. Sometimes artisans themselves come with their creations and do business directly. This eliminates middlemen and any resultant inflation of prices. Some of the best handicraft markets of India are located in Delhi and you get amazing stuff in less than Rs 500 here.
Dilli Haat, INA Market
Top on the list is Dilli Haat, INA Market. Next to INA Metro Station, this spot was built like a village market where artisans could connect and sell products to customers directly without the intervention of agents or middlemen. While prices in Dilli Haat can reach 6 figures for exquisite stone or wood carvings or rugs, you can buy a host of handcrafted and hand-woven items here in less than Rs 500.
What to buy at Dilli Haat –For Rs 500, you can look out for men’s and women’s kurtas (Indian shirts), scarves, bags, and costume ornaments, small pieces of silver like nose pins and toe rings, small paintings, terracotta dolls, basic handmade toys, food items such as papad, churan, and pickles.
Janpath Market, New Delhi
If you are looking for affordable souvenirs and gifts, you can come to the Janpath area where Janpath hits Connaught Place. Most of the shops here are temporary stalls and people often hawk goods sitting on footpaths. Bargaining for prices is the norm here.
What to buy at Janpath Market – For Rs 500, you can buy miniature paintings, Rajasthani paintings, cushion covers, ornaments, metal table lamps, clothes, and cheap souvenirs. Prices work better here if you buy more than one item from the same vendor.
Sector 56 Market, Gurgaon
If you were in Gurgaon, you might have noticed a few peddlers setting up stalls with barbeque ovens, some wood carvings, and ceramic pots just after Sector 56 petrol pump. That non-descript spot has now turned to a something like a flea market where one gets all kinds of handcrafted home décor items. Again, bargaining is the way to buy whatever you fancy and you will find many cool ethnic stuff at less than Rs 500.
What to buy at Sector 56 market, Gurgaon – We have bought pottery, small mosaic lamps, wood candle stands, medium-sized ceramic planters, garden ornaments, pickle jars within Rs 500. The market is more affordable during weekdays.
Clothes Markets in Delhi NCR
Where can I buy cheap clothes in Delhi? We get this question often and finally address it here.
Sarojini Nagar Market, Delhi
People in South Delhi do not need any introduction to this market. Situated behind Dilli Haat, INA, this is a one-stop shop for your affordable clothes needs. Hawkers here sell cool-looking clothes at a fraction of their designer prices. You can hackle your heart out for lowering prices and nobody minds. Flipside is that the market is pretty much in the open and you can’t try the clothes before buying.
What to buy at Sarojini Nagar Market – You can look out for cool t-shirts, polo shirts, scarves and bandanas, tops, and shorts in less than Rs 500. To confess, we have found cool-looking adult denims being sold for Rs 200 here.
Central Market, Lajpat Nagar
Lajpat Nagar Market in South Delhi is another shopping hub that covers the whole gamut from designer stores to street fashion. Although we do not find it as affordable as Sarojini Nagar, the Central Market has good bargains. Lajpat Nagar is like a maze. So do have some time on hand to explore the lanes and by lanes.
What to buy at Lajpat Nagar Market – For a cap of Rs 500, you can look out for t-shirts, tops, polo shirts, sportswear, bed sheets and table covers, quirky printed socks, bags, and so on. You can try the shop Maximum here. They sell export surplus goods at affordable prices.
Palika Bazar, Connaught Place
Literally hidden below the heart of Delhi – Connaught Place, Palika Bazar was traditionally the hub for all things cool. The latest MTV fashion items here were available here for fraction of the price. While they also sell electronic items, we could never trust these goods here. But the clothes, especially accessories, would surely appeal to the young and the young at heart/
What to buy at Palika Bazar – Lookout for cool accessories such as sunglasses, chains and bracelets, quirky rings and earrings and bags, scarves, bandanas, and socks with quirky prints. You can easily get these items in Rs 500.
Tibetan Markets in Delhi
Majnu ka Tila
It is difficult to put this market under any category. It is like a gush of mountain breeze in Delhi. Be it hill clothes, cool accessories, fun sunglasses, bags or bandanas, knickknacks, wall hangings, Buddhist votive items, Buddhist printed or woven fabrics, or furnishings, you always find something fresh. You must try a bowl of Laphing while shopping. Made mostly by women on their makeshift stalls inside the market, It’s pocket-friendly and delicious.
What to buy at Majnu ka Tila – You would get a host of cool stuff in this market within Rs 500. But it is completely worth a visit for cool print tees; youthful, quirky accessories, and knickknacks for the little corner at home. Some of this would make unique gifts as well.
Toy Markets in Delhi
Jhandewalan Cycle Market
Jhandewalan in Central Delhi has a dedicated toy and cycle market, one of the oldest in the city. The shops, stocked till the roof with toys/cycles, resemble fairyland warehouses. Given the stiff competition among the sellers, the prices are reasonable with little scope for heckling. We love it like this since it saves time for a customer who goes, selects an item, pays, and gets done.
What to buy at Jhandewalan Cycle Market – In a budget of Rs 500, you will get a host of dolls, educational toys, games, toy cars. It is a great spot to pick up gifts, especially if you need to give presents in bulk say during Kanjak.
Concluding words
This post was like an epiphany. There is just so much content here and we have presented above what can be called the mere tip of the iceberg. As and when we discover any new spot where you can shop for value, we shall update this post. Also, if you think we have missed any spot, please leave a comment.
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Delhi is indeed a shoppers paradise, that offers so many options across a wide range of goods and budgets. It is also easy to get fleeced if you are new and not aware of the markets. This post is definitely a welcome and really useful guide for those looking for shopping options in Delhi.
We agree. We keep getting questions on shopping options in Delhi. Thus came this post.
I can proudly tell you that I have shopped at all these markets in Delhi, not Gurgaon though. And I love the stuff in the Tibetan market, though its only Tibetan in name.
That is an interesting observation about Tibetan markets. During the course of chit-chat we realise most of the stuff moves from India to Tibet and other Buddhist zones.
I have heard few names from this list. I enjoy shopping and would love to shop at some of the listed places.
I’ve heard that Delhi is one of the best places to shop till you drop but I haven’t been lucky yet. Did have it in my visits for 2020 but all went down the drain. Lobed the way you have explored and brought it all at one place to make it easy for readers.
Very useful tips on what and how to look for cheap stuff is delhi if you have a tight budget.
This was so fun to read. I have shopped at all these places while living and growing up in Delhi.
While back in India after waaay too many years, it will be fun to revisit these places and see how they have changed, 😂❤️😍
It has changed for better we think…
Wow such awesome and colourful list. I love shopping in Delhi. Coming from Bangalore, I really appreciate shopping in Delhi and how inexpensive and amazing the things are.
When I was in Delhi the last time, I did go to some of these places for shopping. But not for all. It was so nice to see the colourful and buy things for cheap as gifts for my entire family. Hope to come back someday only to do the shopping in Delhi.
I totally agree that Delhi is a shoppers’ paradise! I love to spend time in Dilli Haat whenever I am in Delhi and believe me, I spend a lot of time there. Sarojini Nagar market is also a favourite. I am yet to visit any toy market. Probably I would visit one in my next trip to Delhi.
I loved all these markets especially Sarojini, Janpath, Delhi Haat. Nice article.
Glad you liked it, thanks
We keep on going to Delhi often but sadly hve never visited any of these markets. I am again going next week and will surely try to visit atleast 2 of these places. Hopefully they will be open amidst the lockdown situation.
I heard about banjara market, sector 56 Gurgaon is same. I am planning to give it a visit for craft, pottery.
AS a college student in Delhi, I was a regular visitor to sarojini nagar market. Such a huge variety of clothes and at great deals.
The best experience of shopping in Delhi is on its streets and local bazaars that offer a variety of budget- friendly items that urge us to shop. Great thoughts.
I have heard so much about cheap and amazing shopping in Delhi that I so feel like visiting these market places soon. Hope once things settle, we plan to visit Delhi and explore these and many other amazing places in Delhi. I have bookmarked this post to refer again.