Last Updated on March 30, 2021 by Editorial Staff
As you know, Shimla is the most popular summer destination in India because of its pleasant weather and scenic beauty. But people travelling to Shimla often ask what to buy in Shimla on their trip. This guide will explore special things to buy in Shimla if you are visiting as a tourist.
There are many attractions to visit in Shimla, including some local markets, which are great places for shopping. Some of the popular sites for shopping in Shimla are Mall Road, Himachal Emporium, Tibetan Market, Lakkar Bazaar, Middle Bazar, Lower Bazar and Ram Bazar.
Below are the best things to buy in Shimla
Here we have listed some unique things to buy from Shimla to keep them as gifts, memories, or souvenirs.
1. Himachali Hats
Himachali Hat is the cultural headdress of peoples from Himachal Pradesh. It is also known as the Himachali cap, Pahari topi, Kinnauri cap or Pahari cap.
Himachali peoples are using these hats to protect their heads in the winter season. They also wear these hats in marriages, cultural events and even in festivals of Himachal Pradesh.
These are so popular to worn by celebrities and politicians of the region. Also, local peoples are regularly wearing this Hat as their traditional dress. As a tourist, it is fun to take great shots with your family and friends wearing these hats.
These circular hats with colourful and ethnic designs are the speciality of Shimla. Tourists looking for local clothing items and ethnic headwear can easily find these hats in stores across Shimla.
A popular place to buy these hats is Himachal Emporium in Shimla at Mall Road. You can also buy them at different handicraft stores and clothing stores in Shimla.
2. Local Handicrafts
Many types of ethnic and local handicrafts are sold in Shimla that is unique to the area. The handicrafts that are sold in Shimla have a great cultural history attached to them and are perfect for shopping in Shimla.
As a tourist, you can buy local handicrafts of Shimla as a souvenir or even as gifts. Popular handicrafts of Shimla include shawls, wooden items, metal items, decorative items, wooden carvings, and carpets.
The Tibetan Market is a great place for shopping for such beautiful handicrafts. These are the special things to buy in Shimla for your home decoration.
3. Woolen Items
Shimla is a hill station in the hills of the Himalayas, and the climate in this region is mostly cool throughout the year and very cold and snowy in the winter months.
Because of the cold season, Shimla sells excellent quality woollen items at a reasonable price.
The best place to buy woollen items in Shimla is Mall Road and Tibetian Market. You can buy sweaters, woollen caps, gloves and many other woollen clothing items in Shimla.
4. Handmade Items
Shimla is a developed tourist destination that showcases its culture. Locals have used their culture and traditions to make handmade and authentic items that are popular with tourists. Most of the souvenirs items are popular with foreign tourists as well.
Handmade items are made by local artisans and local businesses and sold in different markets of Shimla. Popular handmade items include handmade tables, handmade paper, handmade interior decor items in ethnic styles and local handmade jewellery.
5. Wooden Items
There are large varieties of wooden items that are sold in Shimla. The Lakkar Bazaar in Shimla is popularly known for selling wooden items made using exquisite carpentry. The traditional carvings on these wooden items make them a top choice for customers.
Wooden items in this region are very popular with tourists. You can buy handicrafts, baskets, tables, small wooden showpieces, jute bags, walking sticks, toys, and small wooden items.
The Lakkar Bazaar market is a very famous place in Shimla for shopping for wooden items among tourist.
6. Traditional Jewelry
There are different types of jewellery that tourists can buy in Shimla on their vacation. Usually, people like to buy artificial as well as precious jewellery on their trip. Bold designs and colours are a feature of the traditional jewellery in this region.
Many tourists want to buy ethnic jewellery, which is authentic to the culture of this region. It includes colourful and bold ethnic jewellery pieces made of beads, wood, and other materials.
Pro Tip: If you plan to visit Shimla, Don’t forget to enjoy the world heritage Kalka Shimla toy train ride.
Best places for shopping in Shimla
- The Mall Road
- Himachal Emporium
- Tibetan Market
- Lakkar Bazaar
- Middle Bazar
- Lower Bazar
- Ram Bazar
- Minchy’s
We hope that we have covered all Famous Things to Buy in Shimla for Shopaholics. If you thought we had missed any items, please let us know in the comments below
You will be happy to hear that we have recently created a video that takes content from the above guide for a quick overview.
Check out the short video:
My mother’s family had a long connection with India and I am interested in collecting 19th century sporting memorabilia Especially tennis racquets etc maybe still to be found in Shimla
MY maternal Grandfather was a munitions engineer Bombay 1930’s until 1948 (independence)
his brother was Gamekeeper to the Nabob of Bengal .(Ernest Marshall) and would holiday in Shimla.
Can you plrase suggest /refer me to any antique shops //address /email etc in Shimla
Unfortunately, wonderful photos, relics of their times, have got lost since they returned They were. all keen sports people Especially Tennis /Cricket, horse riding etc Thanks Brian Obey . born 1937
I live in England . Thanks Brian Obey
You can go at Himachal Emporium and Lakkar Bazaar in Shimla.