Shopping In Kerala – Best Markets, Famous Shops & Must-Buy Items for Every Traveller!
Kerala is known for its world-class malls active markets & antique stores making it a vibrant and wealthy place to shop. Kerala has something for every taste & price range even if you are looking for spices, handwoven sarees, gold jewelry or unusual mementos. This is a guide to Kerala’s best shopping destinations must have items & commonly asked questions by both tourists & residents!
Where to Shop in Kerala?
Kerala offers a broad variety of shopping options from lively street markets & neighborhood bazaars to modern shopping centers & boutique stores. Among the notable markets are –
- Chalai Market, Trivandrum – The busiest street shopping spot for fresh produce fabrics & daily groceries packed with local shops & active energy.
- M.G. Road, Kochi – This market is lined with stores selling clothes, jewelry, handicrafts & electronics. This is a go to go for street shopping in Kerala.
- Jew Town, Fort Kochi – This is famous for antiques, spices & artisan souvenirs, every shop is a link to Kochi’s multinational heritage.
- Spice Market, Kochi – This is the iconic for Kerala spices like cardamom, black pepper, cloves & cinnamon, a must visit spot for food lovers.
- Connemara Market, Trivandrum – This market is also called Palayam Market and known for vegetables, groceries, spices & coir products.
- Mattupetty Dam Market, Munnar – Sells accessories, wooden crafts & spices unique to the hills.
- Kovalam Beach Shops – Perfect for buying handloom clothes, Tibetan trinkets & souvenirs.
Major shopping malls!
- LuLu Mall, Kochi – This is the largest mall in Kerala is LuLu Mall in Kochi which has more than 200 stores a large food court a multiplex an ice rink & the newest gadgets & fashion.
- Centre Square Mall, Kochi – Kochi’s Centre Square Mall has five floors with national & international brands a energetic culinary scene & entertainment.
- Oberon Mall, Kochi & Focus Mall, Kozhikode – Focus Mall in Kozhikode & Oberon Mall in Kochi both have jewelry stores boutiques & branded stores.
What’s Famous for Shopping in Kerala?
The most popular shopping items in Kerala are –
- Spices (cardamom, pepper, cloves, cinnamon) – These are sold at local markets, plantations & specialty shops across the state.
- Tea and coffee – Freshly harvested & best bought in Munnar & Wayanad.
- Traditional sarees (Kasavu mundu, Kerala set saree) – Made from soft cotton with golden borders & the state’s iconic fashion item is found in saree shops statewide.
- Handicrafts – Wooden elephants, coconut shell crafts, brass lamps, Kathakali masks & Aranmula mirrors make unique gifts.
- Jewelry – Kerala is noted for its gold jewelry shops in Thrissur & Kochi are top destinations.
- Banana chips and cashews – Kerala’s tastiest snacks available everywhere.
- Aroma oils and herbal products – Ayurvedic oils & powders sold in specialty outlets in Kochi, Idukki & Trivandrum.
- Coir products – Rugs, mats & baskets woven from coconut fiber.
- Designer boutiques – Modern & traditional attire including churidars & kurtis are found both at retail shops & online shopping platforms.
Other Specialty Shops!
To satisfy every specialized interest, Kerala also has specialty stores for electronics, musical instruments, antiques, baked goods & even interior design.
Pro Tips for a Memorable Kerala Shopping Spree
- Always check local day markets, weekends & festivals are high traffic days.
- Bargaining is common in street markets, don’t hesitate to negotiate for a deal.
- Seek out authentic shops for Kerala silk & gold jewelry.
Visit recommended toddy shops if looking for authentic food experiences.
Planning to shop in Kerala? Check these routes & book your flight today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which market is famous in Kerala?
A:
Chalai Market (Trivandrum), Jew Town (Kochi), M.G. Road (Kochi) & Spice Markets in Kochi & Munnar are most famous.
Q: What is Kerala famous for clothes?
A:
Kerala is famous for the white and gold Kasavu saree & set mundu worn during festivals & weddings.
Q: What is famous for shopping in Kochi?
A:
Spices, antiques, Kerala sarees, souvenirs & gold jewelry dominate Kochi’s shopping scene, LuLu Mall & Jew Town are standouts.
Q: Where’s the biggest mall in Kerala?
A:
LuLu Mall in Kochi is the largest mall, featuring over 200 shops.
Q: What to buy in Guruvayur?
A:
In Guruvayur snap up temple souvenirs, gold jewelry, elephant figurines & traditional sarees.
Q: Famous saree shops in Kerala and Bangalore?
A:
Places like Pulickatti Handicrafts (Alappuzha), M.G. Road and Jew Town (Kochi) & boutiques in Brigade Road (Bangalore) sell Kerala sarees & mundus.
Q: Which silk is famous in Kerala?
A:
Kasavu silk & Kerala cotton are celebrated for their purity & golden borders ‘Kerala silk’ refers to these unique traditional fabrics.
Q: What to buy from Munnar or Alleppey?
A:
- Munnar — Tea, spices, handmade chocolates.
- Alleppey — Coir products, handicrafts, and local essentials.
Q: Where is Kerala’s famous shopping street?
A:
M.G. Road in Kochi is often called Kerala’s shopping street due to its lively collection of shops, boutiques & jewelry stores.
Q: Which city is best for shopping in Kerala?
A:
Kochi has the biggest variety, modern malls & traditional markets followed by Trivandrum & Thrissur.
Q: What is Lulu Mall Kochi famous for?
A:
Lulu Mall is famous for its shopping brands, food options & family entertainment.
Q: Are there good online shopping options in Kerala?
A:
Yes Many boutiques & retail shops offer online shopping for churidars, kurtas, dresses & accessories with delivery & cash on delivery options.