Kashmiri handicrafts are famous the world over, among art lovers and collectors alike. These beautiful works of art popularly bought as souvenirs and gifts and also for individual use as well as for interior decor. Srinagar, one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Kashmir, is also popular among shoppers. The best things to buy in Srinagar include handicrafts such as pashminas, carpets, and walnut wood and papier mâché articles, as also copper utensils, spices, dry fruits, and Kashmiri tea. Here we tell you about the top 10 best marketplaces in Srinagar to buy handicrafts.
Shopping in Srinagar: 10 Best Marketplaces to Buy Handicrafts
Kashmir Government Arts Emporium: It has many branches across the city and they sell a wide range of Kashmiri handicrafts that include clothes, carpets, and walnut wood furniture.
Fair Deal Shopping Complex: Located in the Regal Chowk area, it is one of the best shopping places in Srinagar as it sells a range of Kashmiri artefacts that include Kashmiri clothing, shawls and wooden works, among others.
Polo View: With a store like Sunbeam that sells souvenirs, stores owned by M Sadiq and Sons that sell papier mâché souvenirs ranging from boxes and trays to large figurines and furniture, this marketplace in Srinagar has a wonderful variety of Kashmiri handicrafts ranging from clothing to furniture and much more.
The Bund: With stores like Suffering Moses, which sells papier mâché articles, works of wooden carving, furniture, and cushion covers, Asia Crafts which sells carpets, works of needle-point tapestry, jackets, and walnut wood furniture, and a shop called Sadiq’s Handicrafts, where you will find Persian carpets and Pashmina shawls, the Bund in Srinagar is one of the best marketplaces to buy Kashmiri handicrafts.
Lal Chowk: It is one of the best marketplaces in Srinagar to buy a wide range of products that include works of walnut wood carving, pashmina shawls, Kashmiri clothing and other handicrafts.
Residency Road: Not far from Lal Chowk, this is another shopping destination of Srinagar, where you will find Dogra jewellery and Kashmiri handicrafts. Apart from these, you will also find walnuts and other dry fruits and spices at this marketplace.
Badshah Chowk: At the marketplace here, you will find Kashmiri carpets at affordable prices, along with authentic Pashmina shawls and embroidered clothing.
Zaina Kadal Road: One of Srinagar’s best places for street shopping, you will find a variety of products ranging from clothing to handicrafts in the shops here.
Andraab: Located near Humhama Chowk, this store sells hand-woven and embroidered works of Pashmina and is one of Srinagar’s best shopping destinations to buy handicrafts.
Woodfort: The owner Shahala Ali Sheikh uses environment-friendly methods to design furniture and experiments with different styles. At Woodfort, you will be able to get furniture pieces customized as per your requirement.
Thus, you can see that your visit to Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without shopping in Srinagar, especially so, if you are fond of art, clothing, and food. So, on your trip to Srinagar, these marketplaces to buy handicrafts have to be on your itinerary. Attention shopaholics! When in Srinagar, you are sure to spend hours in shopping and return with several bags full of goodies.
