Shopping in Delhi

As a local or as a tourist, shopping in Delhi is an experience that you will thoroughly enjoy. The city offers a plethora of items for every kind of shopping need. History reveals that even in ancient times, Delhi has been an important trading centre in North India, as evidenced by the names of many of its areas such as Sheikh Sarai and Yusuf Sarai, which are drawn from the ancient trading towns of Delhi. Delhi is often viewed by many travellers as a bargain hunter's paradise, with products ranging from custom-made suits to eyeware, which are available at a fraction of what they would normally cost in the West.

Popular shopping items in Delhi include world renowned Leather products, beautiful fabric and absolutely stunning art work! Take your pick, the items are surely worth every rupee.

It's great to go shopping in Delhi. Our Delhi shopping guide below will tell you how to get the best deals and the best places to shop in Delhi. And after working up a hunger shopping, make sure you stop for some tasty food and relax in one of the great Delhi restaurants. For more general Indian shopping information, check out our India shopping guide.

Delhi Shopping Guide

Delhi is a delight for the shopper in you whether it is the crowded Chandni Chowk bazaar in old Delhi, or that hub of activity, Connaught Place, or the fashionable markets of South Extension. They offer the entire spectrum of shopping items ranging from clothing, jewellery, fashion accessories, art, artefacts, handicrafts, furniture and furnishings, consumer electronic goods and much more - in short, everything that a shopper would fancy.

The city has high-end boutiques and shopping arcades that offer the best of haute couture, designer garments, precious stones, brassware, ivory and wood work, terracotta and pottery and antiques for the discerning buyer. The shopping centres of Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar and Karolbagh offer a wide choice for the avid shopper and you could go to any of these markets, depending on where you are staying.

Jewellery

Delhi is famous for the jewellery masterpieces crafted by its skilled artisans - Meenakari, Kundan and Navratan (jewellery studded with nine different coloured stones reflecting the nine planets) jewellery are prime examples. Apart from jewellery made of gold, silver and precious gems, Delhi's markets also offer a variety of costume jewellery. Bangles - oxidised and crafted out of other metals and glass - are available in a riot of colours and designs. The zari and zardosi skills of Delhi artists are also well known.

Local Handicrafts

When it comes to furniture and furnishings, among the other usual items on sale, you will also come across exquisitely crafted chairs, stools and window screens (called ‘chiks') made of bamboo, finely woven Afghani Herati carpets in a rainbow of colourful motifs, and terracotta lamps, flower vases, and even crockery.

Among other unique items, delicately carved ivory jewellery and objects d'art (among other things, chessboards and letter openers) and well-styled leather garments and accessories (belts, handbags, wallets, and shoes) are popular items on sale.

For traditional craft items, you could visit the Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan which stocks a wonderful range of ethnic craft items such as terracotta lamps, flower vases and crockery. For souvenirs and gift items such as rosewood and sandalwood curios, ethnic fabric, stones and bead jewellery, the Central Cottage Emporium at Janpath and the shops at Hauz Kaus and Dilli Haat are the places to visit. If you are looking for antiques, you could visit the Sundernagar Market which is also well known for its silver jewellery.

Where to Buy

One of the oldest and popular shopping areas in Delhi is Chandni Chowk which is famous for its range of saris, silver jewellery, zari, zardosi, kota and ginari work. Around Chandni Chowk, you can also visit Katra Neel, Kinari Bazaar, Old Lajpat Rai Market, Bhagirath Palace, Dariba Kalan, Ballimaran, Chhatta Chowk Bazaar and Moti Bazaar. In Karol Bagh, you can pick up beautiful Indian garments and bridal wear, try on a range of shoes, and feast your eyes on amazing jewellery of great craftsmanship. Arya Samaj, Bank Street, Ajmal Khan Road, and Ghaffar market are the other shopping options around Karol Bagh.

The shops in Connaught Place in central Delhi offers an eclectic range of items for sale. You will find an amazing array of garments, fashion accessories, jewellery handicrafts, and even a range of electronic goods and books. Apart from the inclusive Delhi shopping markets such as Inner Circle, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Janpath and Palika Bazaar at Connaught Place, you could also visit the various shopping malls in Delhi that offer the entire gamut of shopping services in one destination. The popular malls are AEZ Square, CTC Plaza, DLF City Centre, Shoprix Mall, Ansal Plaza, and Shipra Mall.

For budget shopping in Delhi, the Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar markets offer reasonably priced handicrafts, garments (including branded labels at low prices), shoes, bags, and other fashion accessories.