14 Best Mumbai Markets for Shopping and Sightseeing

These days, Mumbai is known more for its designer shops and malls than its markets. However, if you're after a bargain, fabulous photo opportunities or some interesting souvenirs to take back home, you won't be disappointed. Check out these top Mumbai markets for the best shopping and sightseeing. Be warned though, that many of them are located in crowded areas that are difficult to navigate. If you think you may be daunted or overwhelmed, consider taking this guided Mumbai bazaar walking tour.

Interested in handicrafts? Also check out these top places buy Indian handicrafts in Mumbai.

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Colaba Causeway

The everyday carnival of the Colaba Causeway market is a shopping experience like no other in Mumbai. Geared especially towards tourists, that infamous Indian saying of "sab kuch milega" (everything is possible) certainly applies at this market. Dodge persistent balloon and map sellers, as you meander along the sidewalk and peruse the stalls. Want your name written on a grain of rice? That's possible too. If you need a break from shopping, pop into Leopold's Cafe or Cafe Mondegar, two well known Mumbai hangouts.

Location: Colaba Causeway, south Mumbai.
Opening Hours: Daily from morning until night.
What to Buy: Handicrafts, books, junk jewelry, crystals, brass items, incense, clothes.

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Chor Bazaar

Chor Bazaar is nestled in the heart of Mumbai's main Muslim district. This iconic market has a history spanning more than 150 years. Its name means "thieves market", but this was derived from the British mispronunciation of the its original name of Shor Bazaar, "noisy market". Eventually stolen goods started finding their way into the market, resulting in it living up to its new name! Read more about Chor Bazaar and what's up for grabs.

Location: Mutton Street, between SV Patel and Moulana Shaukat Ali Roads, near Mohammad Ali Road in south Mumbai.
Opening Hours: Daily 11 a.m. until 7.30 p.m., except Friday. The Juma Market is held there on Fridays.
What to Buy: Antiques, bronze items, vintage items, trash and treasure.

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Crawford Market

Hectic Crawford Market (officially renamed Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai) is an old-style market, housed in an historic colonial building. It specializes in wholesale fruit and vegetables but sells an array of other items, including imported food and toys. It's also got an entire section devoted to pets of all shapes, sizes and breeds.

Location: Lokmanya Tilak Marg, Dhobi Talao, Fort area, south Mumbai. It's near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) railway station.
Opening Hours: Daily from morning until night, except Sunday. Open mornings only on Sundays.
What to Buy: Fruit, vegetables, spices, food, flowers, birds, fish, and other pets.

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Zaveri Bazaar

Gold jewelry in India. — DrSKN08/Getty Images

Zaveri Bazaar, Mumbai's renowned gold market, is one of the oldest and largest gold markets in India. It accounts for more than half of the country's gold trade and has thousands of shops, some of which are centuries old. Many of the buildings look dilapidated and outdated but they're full of riches. Read up on how to buy gold in India and how to buy gemstones in India before going there. In addition, be aware that some shops do sell fake items.

Location: Between Crawford Market and Mumbadevi temple. From Crawford Market, walk along Sheik Memon Street leading to Jama Masjid.
Opening Hours: Daily from morning until night, except Sundays.
What to Buy: Indian-style gold, platinum and diamond jewelry. Silver and imitation jewelry are also available.

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Mangaldas Market and Mulji Jetha Market

Mangaldas Market, Mumbai — Tuul & Bruno Morandi/Getty Images

If you're after cloth by the meter or un-stitched dress material to make Indian outfits, Mangaldas Market and Mulji Jetha Market (also called M.J. Market) are where you should head. Located close to each other, these sprawling wholesale markets are among the largest textile markets in Asia. Rows and rows of stalls are filled to the brim with a diverse assortment of fabrics, from bling to block prints!

Location: Near Zaveri Bazaar, Kalbadevi, south Mumbai. Also in this area is the iconic Mumbadevi temple, which the city was named after.
Opening Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., except Sundays.
What to Buy: Textiles and shawls.

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CP Tank

Bangles in India. — Igor Novakovic/Getty Images

The area around C.P. Tank (Cawasji Patel Tank) is notable for its exquisite bangles. Try TipTop Point for something special. If you want bangles to go with a sari or other outfit, be sure to bring it with you so the seller can match the colors perfectly.

Location: Bhuleshwar Road, Bhuleshwar, south Mumbai. It's northwest of Mumbadevi temple. You may also wish to visit Bombay Panjrapole cow shelter, which is tucked away in this area.
Opening Hours: Daily from morning until night, except Sundays.
What to Buy: Bangles and imitation jewelry.

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Kala Ghoda Art Plaza Pavement Gallery

The leafy pavement on either side of the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai's Kala Ghoda (Black Horse) Arts Precinct is bordered with the works of promising young artists, who gather there to exhibit and sell them. The great thing about the Kala Ghoda pavement gallery is that you can interact with the artists to learn about their techniques, and even see them in action.

Location: MG Road, Fort, south Mumbai.
Opening Hours: Daily from around 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
What to Buy: Everything from portraits to religious paintings.

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Book Street

Books in Mumbai. — Dan Herrick/Getty Images

Love reading? Don't miss visiting Book Street, as it's fondly called by locals, where street vendors pile new and secondhand books along the pavement. There's everything from academic texts to poetry, including rare publications and commercial paperback novels. The vendors are very knowledgeable and well-informed too. Don't be afraid to ask them if you have certain interests or favorite authors. A lot of the books are sourced from bookstores that want to get rid of old stock, so they're bargain priced.

Location: Between Flora Fountain and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) railway station, Fort, south Mumbai.
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
What to Buy: Books.

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Sassoon Docks Fish Market

If you don't mind getting up really early, Sassoon Docks is a fascinating place to experience local life in the morning when fishing trawlers return and get unloaded. Mumbai's indigenous fishing community, the Kolis, were the original inhabitants of the city long before it was developed. About 1,500 trawlers operate from the docks and they bring in about 20 tonnes of fish daily! It's sold in spirited wholesale fish auctions. This No Footprints' Mumbai by Dawn tour is highly recommended and includes the fish market.

Location: Azad Nagar, Colaba, south Mumbai. Follow Colaba Causeway (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road) and you'll come across it.
Opening Hours: From about 5 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
What to Buy: Fish.

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Dadar Flower Market

Another attraction for early risers and an important part of Mumbai's infrastructure, Dadar flower market is the largest wholesale flower market in the city. Its hundreds of stalls sell flowers to local street vendors who use them to make garlands used in worship, as well as to wedding decorators and event managers. The market comes alive before sunrise when delivery trucks from all over the state arrive laden with an abundance of beautiful blooms. Mumbai Magic includes Dadar flower market on this Good Morning Mumbai tour.

Location: Next to Dadar railway station. Tulsi Pipe Road, between Dadar and Parel, in central south Mumbai.
Opening Hours: Most of the action happens from about 4 a.m. to 9 a.m., although the market is open all day. It's particularly busy during festivals, especially Dussehra.
What to Buy: Fresh flowers.

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Lalbaug Market

Plump sacks of dried red chilies line Mirchi Galli (chili lane) in Lalbaug Market. Unlike Crawford Market, which is frequented by foreign tourists, this market provides an authentic local atmosphere. Sheets of chilies can also be seen drying in the street under the sun. Try the fiery Guntur Sannam from Andhra Pradesh if you don't mind a lot of burn. You can choose your own spices and have them freshly roasted, ground and mixed into a customized blend. Be prepared to sneeze during the process though! Khamkar Spices has been in business since 1933 and is popular. Perpendicular lanes sell Maharashtrian chivda snacks and pickles.

Location: Under the Lalbaug flyover, Dinshaw Petit Road, Lalbaug, central south Mumbai. It's a short distance south of Dadar flower market.
Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. except for Mondays (closed).
What to Buy: Spices from all over India.

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Linking Road

A fusion of modern and traditional, and East meets West, in one of Mumbai's hippest suburbs. Here streets stalls contrast with brand name shops, and you'll find a local Indian roadside food vendor on one side of the road and a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet on the other. The street stalls tend to be grouped together according to the type of goods they sell. If you visit this market on a Sunday, be prepared for the crowds! See what's up for grabs on Linking Road.

Location: Linking Road, Bandra West (starts from Waterfield Road intersection).
Opening Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.
What to Buy: Indian traditional clothes, children's clothes, shoes, bags, belts, fashion accessories.

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Dharavi Leather Market

A lot of people automatically associate Mumbai's notorious Dharavi slum with poverty and misery. However, this is actually very ignorant and insulting. While the conditions are poor, Dharavi is in fact home to many flourishing small-scale industries. The leather industry is the most dominant. It's the second largest of its kind in India and it exports across the world. Quality genuine leather goods can be purchased from more than 200 shops at Dharavi and the prices are attractive. High Design is a leading store. Do bargain to get the best price.

Location: 90 Feet Road and adjoining Sion-Bandra Link Road, Dharavi, Sion, central Mumbai.
Opening Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What to Buy: Leather jackets, bags, backpacks, wallets, belts, shoes.

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Fashion Street

Fashion Street is literally just that -- a street lined with fashion! There are about 150 stalls there. The market mainly attracts teenagers and college students, who come to grab the latest western clothes and fake brand names at cheap prices.

Location: MG Road, south Mumbai. Near Metro Cinema and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) railway station, opposite Azad Maidan.
Opening Hours: Daily from morning until night.
What to Buy: Clothes, shoes, belts.

Bargain Shopping in Mumbai