Shopping in Delhi: The Best Markets & What to Buy

Delhi is one of the great shopping cities of the world and where you go depends on what you want. For atmosphere and tradition, dive into the centuries-old lanes of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, each specialising in something, spices, silver, saris or wedding finery. For handicrafts from across India under one roof, head to Dilli Haat or the fixed-price government emporia. For cheap, trend-led fashion, nothing beats Sarojini Nagar and for designer boutiques and books, Khan Market and Hauz Khas Village. Below is the full guide, market by market.

I was born and raised in Delhi and in 11 years guiding the city for Experience My India I have walked buyers through every one of these markets, from haggling for a shawl in Janpath to threading the spice lanes of Old Delhi. Here is my complete guide to shopping in Delhi: the best markets by what they sell, what to buy and how to bargain and stay safe in the crowds.

See all our Delhi Agra Tour Package or message on WhatsApp at +91 7302265809, any day from 8 AM to 9 PM.

The best markets for shopping in Delhi

A quick map of the city's shopping, then the detail on each area.

Old Delhi's historic bazaars

The beating heart of Delhi shopping is the tangle of lanes around Chandni Chowk, laid out in Mughal times beside the Red Fort. It is chaotic, crowded and utterly unforgettable and each lane has its own trade. If you are combining it with the sights, our guide to Red Fort history and timings covers the monument right next door.

Chandni Chowk

The main spine, Chandni Chowk itself, is lined with shops selling textiles, saris, lehengas and fabric by the metre and it runs past temples, a church, a mosque and the famous food of Paranthe Wali Gali. It is the place for wedding shopping and Indian clothes and simply for the spectacle of one of the oldest markets in the world still going full tilt.

Khari Baoli, the great spice market

Just west of Chandni Chowk is Khari Baoli, said to be the largest wholesale spice market in Asia, a dizzying, fragrant world of sacks of chilli, turmeric, cardamom and saffron, dry fruits, nuts and teas. Buy spices and tea here to take home and simply breathe it in; it is one of the great sensory experiences of the city.

Dariba Kalan and Kinari Bazaar

Dariba Kalan is Old Delhi's silver street, a lane of jewellers selling silver ornaments, gemstones and traditional attar perfume, while nearby Kinari Bazaar glitters with the gota, zari trim, tinsel and wedding decorations that supply India's celebrations. Even if you buy nothing, these lanes are a feast for the eyes. Close by, Nai Sarak is the street for books and stationery and Bhagirath Palace for electronics and lighting.

The best markets for handicrafts and souvenirs

Dilli Haat

If you have time for only one craft market, make it Dilli Haat at INA, an open-air village of stalls where artisans from every Indian state sell handlooms, handicrafts, jewellery, home decor and regional food, all in one relaxed, hassle-free space. There is a small entry ticket, prices are fair with gentle bargaining and the food court lets you eat your way across India. It is open every day.

Janpath and the Tibetan Market

Running off Connaught Place, Janpath and the adjoining Tibetan Market are a happy jumble of stalls piled with clothes, silver and beaded jewellery, bags, cushion covers, curios and souvenirs. It is where travellers stock up on gifts and where your bargaining skills matter most, so start low and enjoy the haggle.

Central Cottage Industries Emporium and the State Emporia

For quality handicrafts without any bargaining, head to the Central Cottage Industries Emporium on Janpath, a large government-run store with fixed prices covering textiles, carpets, brass, wood and more from across the country. Nearby on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, the State Emporia Complex gathers each Indian state's own craft emporium, from Kashmiri shawls to Rajasthani textiles, all at fixed, fair prices. These are the safest places to buy if you dislike haggling or worry about authenticity.

The best markets for fashion and bargains

Sarojini Nagar

Sarojini Nagar is legendary among Delhi shoppers for dirt-cheap, on-trend clothes, much of it export surplus from big international brands, sold for a fraction of the price if you are willing to dig through the racks and bargain hard. Go early, keep your bag close to the crush and expect to come away with far more than you planned.

Lajpat Nagar

Lajpat Nagar's Central Market is a favourite for Indian and Western clothes, fabric, shoes, bags and accessories, with rows of stalls and shops and a famous line of mehndi artists. It is busy, affordable and great for ethnic wear and a good middle ground between the chaos of Sarojini and the polish of the malls.

Karol Bagh

Karol Bagh, centred on Ajmal Khan Road, is a huge, all-purpose shopping district for clothes, wedding wear, jewellery, shoes and electronics, with the Gaffar Market alongside for phones and gadgets. It is crowded and energetic and good for everything from a sari to a suitcase.

Upscale shopping: boutiques and malls

Khan Market

Khan Market is one of the most upmarket and most expensive retail streets in India, a compact horseshoe of excellent bookshops, designer boutiques, homeware stores, delis and cafes. It is where well-heeled Delhi and expats shop and linger and the place to browse books, gifts and stylish Indian labels in comfort.

Hauz Khas Village

Hauz Khas Village, set beside a medieval reservoir and ruins in south Delhi, is a warren of independent boutiques, designer studios, vintage and antique shops, art galleries and cafes. It is the city's most creative shopping quarter, best for one-off fashion, art and design and it turns lively in the evenings.

Delhi's malls

For air-conditioned, brand-led shopping, Delhi's malls deliver. Select Citywalk in Saket is the most popular all-rounder, DLF Emporio in Vasant Kunj is the address for international luxury labels and DLF Promenade, Ambience and Pacific malls round out the choice. They are open daily and ideal on a hot or rainy day.

Specialty markets for electronics, books and antiques

Beyond the big names, Delhi has a market for almost everything. Nehru Place is the go-to for computers, software and electronics; the Sunday Book Market in Daryaganj spreads secondhand books along the pavements each week; Sunder Nagar Market is the address for antiques, curios and fine jewellery; and Meena Bazaar near Jama Masjid is good for perfumes, caps and Islamic wares. Whatever you are after, some Delhi lane specialises in it.

What to buy in Delhi

Delhi is a gateway to crafts from all over India, so the list is long: textiles and saris, pashmina and shawls, silver and beaded jewellery, brass and copperware, wooden handicrafts, marble inlay, blue pottery, leather goods, spices, tea and dry fruits, attar perfumes and books. For gifts, the fixed-price emporia and Dilli Haat are the easiest; for the thrill of the hunt, the Old Delhi lanes and Janpath. Buy spices and tea from Khari Baoli, silver from Dariba Kalan and a good pashmina from a reputable emporium rather than a street stall.

Bargaining, market days and shopping tips

Bargaining is expected in the street markets and stalls, though not in the fixed-price emporia and malls, so in the bazaars offer around half the asking price and settle somewhere in the middle and always with a smile. Carry cash for the small stalls and a card for the bigger shops, keep your bag zipped and to the front in the crowds and watch for pickpockets in the busiest lanes. Most local markets have one weekly closing day, which varies from market to market, so check before a special trip, while Dilli Haat and the malls open every day. Shop in the cool October-to-March season if you can, when the festival and end-of-season sales are on and ask reputable shops about packing and shipping if you buy anything large.

Want a guided shopping day in Delhi, threading Old Delhi's bazaars and the best craft markets with someone who knows the fair price? Message us on WhatsApp and Experience My India will plan it.

Plan your trip

Shopping is even better woven into a proper day out. Our Old Delhi tour takes you through Chandni Chowk and its bazaars with the history explained, while our Delhi city tour adds the monuments and our guide to places to visit in Delhi helps you plan the rest. If you are seeing Agra and Jaipur too, follow the Golden Triangle tour itinerary.

We can build a shopping and sightseeing day with a car, driver and guides, as part of our Golden Triangle tour or browse our Delhi tour packages and tell us what you would like to find.

Experience My India. He has personally hosted 50,000+ travelers and the service he leads is rated 4.9 from 2,600+ reviews, operating since 2015. Delhi Agra Tour Packages is a unit of Experience My India.