Andaman is all about white sand beaches, sea coral, and heavenly seafood. But what grabs my attention is the local markets, which are always full of tourists. Shopping in Andaman represents its rich culture, art, and history. Andaman’s Local markets are filled with handcrafted items that you can’t find anywhere else.
After visiting Cellular Jail, while I was walking freely on the Port Blair streets, a few local shops suddenly grabbed my attention. Seashell crafts, handcrafted pearl jewelry, and unique wooden items were so captivating that I couldn’t resist shopping and roaming more into the markets. So, if you’re a shopaholic like me and get confused easily by the many options when deciding what to buy and where to buy, this blog might help you make that choice. Grab your bag and hold on tight to discover the unique things to buy in Port Blair during your Andaman trip.
Famous Things to Buy in Port Blair
1. Seashell Crafts
Due to Andaman’s close connection to the sea, you’ll find a wide range of beach-themed decor made from seashells. These include jewelry like necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets. They use seashells and handcraft them in a unique way, which gives a cool fashion sense. Apart from jewelry, they also sell sling bags, pooja accessories, photo frames, and unique showcase items. These items are available at reasonable rates, and you can easily bargain with the locals.
2. Jute Items
Jute items you will see here in Port Blair’s local markets are unique and aesthetic. You can buy jute bags, mats, and decorative pieces here. These items are eco-friendly, lightweight, and durable, which means they can be carried while traveling. They reflect the region’s traditional skills and are great for home use or gifts.
3. Pearl Jewelry
Pearl jewelry is one of the must-buy things on your list during your Andaman trip. Islands are famous for their pearls. The pearls here are very shiny and beautiful, and they don’t get spoiled for a long time. You can find beautiful pearl necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, perfect for adding elegance to your wardrobe.
4. Bamboo Crafts
Andaman is famous for bamboo crafts due to the vast spread of bamboo forests. Locally made bamboo products include baskets, trays, footwear, and even furniture. These items showcase the natural beauty and craftsmanship of Andaman artisans. I know it can be difficult for you to carry any big bamboo items on an airplane. But you can definitely pick small items like footwear, sling bags, jewelry, etc., from here.
5. Crafts Made from Cane
Cane products like chairs, baskets, and decorative pieces are lightweight, stylish, and eco-friendly, making them a great addition to any home. My favorite pick from the Port Blair Sagarika Emporium was a sling bag made with a cane. I also bought one decorative item, a wall hanging, for my mother. There were so many affordable options, like beautiful keychains and hats.
6. Spices
Do you know Port Blair offers some excellent quality home-grown spices that every mother will love? This is why the seafood of Andaman leaves a lasting impression, tantalizing taste buds and winning hearts with every bite! Aromatic spices like black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon smell so fresh and taste unique. These fresh and high-quality spices are perfect for adding flavor to your dishes. MG Road, Port Blair market, is a popular place to buy spices from Andaman at reasonable rates.
7. Tribal Statues
Want to take home a memory of your amazing Andaman trip? Tribal statues, beautifully crafted from wood or stone, are perfect souvenirs. These aren’t just decorative pieces, but, they reflect the rich culture and traditions of Andaman’s indigenous communities. Plus, they’re affordable and easy to carry, costing around INR 80 to 300, depending on the item. You can use them as home decor or a unique gift for friends.
8. Fish Pickle
You probably have tasted fish pickles in various famous restaurants in Andamans and want to take them with you. It’s a local delicacy, fish pickle, that you must try and buy. It’s spicy, comes with so many flavors, and can be enjoyed with rice or chapati. It’s flavorful and a perfect gift for food lovers. There are various shops available in Port Blair where you can buy it. Some of them are Blogesh Sea Food and Khushi Shop, where you can get Nicobari Fish Pickle.
9. Coconut Laddu
Port Blair is famous for its coconut-made food and drinks. During local shopping in Port Blair, I was craving sweets, and at Doiwala Sweets, I tasted coconut laddus. The taste was totally different, unlike anything I had ever tasted before. Made with freshly grated coconut and jaggery, these laddus offer a perfect balance of sweetness and flavor. You can buy them from any local sweet shop vendor to enjoy their authentic taste.
10. Handwoven Textiles
Handprinted fabrics are one of the best things to buy in Port Blair, Andaman especially shrugs and scarves, which are great finds. These fabrics are made using age-old techniques that represent their art and history and bring a cool fashion style to us. They’re soft, and beautiful, and make excellent gifts. Don’t forget to bargain at local shops, as they tend to quote slightly higher prices for tourists. I bought some handprinted T-shirts for myself and my family members in bold colors.
11. Local Beauty Products
Have you ever thought of bringing home beauty products that are natural and unique to the places you visit? In Andaman, local beauty products like virgin coconut oil and seaweed-based creams are a must-try. These products are gentle on the skin, packed with natural goodness, and perfect for personal care. Other than this, you will also find a variety of great options of aroma and essential oils in local shops. Aberdeen Market is a perfect place for shopping for local beauty products in Port Blair.
12. Fridge Magnets
Fridge magnets featuring island scenery and marine life are perfect souvenirs to remember your Andaman trip. They’re colorful, small, and easy to carry. These are available in almost every shop near beaches and markets. They’re an easy-to-carry and low-cost gift option for friends and family. Also, if you love preserving memories of visiting Andaman, fridge magnets are the best to buy.
Popular Places for Shopping in Port Blair
1. Aberdeen Bazaar
Aberdeen market is one of the oldest and famous markets in Port Blair. From clothes to food shops, handicrafts to jewelry, you can buy everything from this market at a very reasonable price. The market is filled with tourist and locals specially in the evening time due to lots of good options for street food and local eateries. The market is within walking distance from the cellular jail and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. You can easily spend 2-3 hours here shopping for hand-crafted items made with shells, coconut, wood, and bamboo.
What to buy: Trendy clothing, electronics, traditional souvenirs, and local street food specialties.
2. Sagarika Government Emporium
Sagarika Government Emporium is a government-run establishment in Port Blair, where you can find a range of decorative & handicraft items. This market has less options in comparison to Aberdeen bazaar but things here are known for their quality and finishing. Items you can shop here are beautifully crafted wooden artifacts, seashell products, coconut shell lamps, and bamboo cane crafts made by locals. The emporium operates on a fixed-price policy, ensuring fair pricing for all customers. It’s conveniently located on MG Road and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., except on Mondays. It’s a good place to buy souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones.
What to buy: Handcrafted wooden artifacts, seashell jewelry, coconut shell lampshades, bamboo cane crafts, and other traditional Andaman souvenirs.
3. Queen Sea Shell Craft
Andaman will surprise you with some of the most amazing options of the sea shall crafts and jewelry and this is the place to be. the market is lined with shops with corals and polished shells and seashell jewelry including bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. you can also buy a sling bag made of color full sea shells which is no lesser a modern fashion sense, especially in summer. You will get many unique options to gift different showpieces, jewelry, photo frames, magnets, and whatnot. also, rates here are nominal and wouldn’t break the bank. so have a happy shopping here.
What to buy: Items made from seashells, jewelry, and decorative items.