Ahmedabad is Gujarat's largest city and India's first UNESCO World Heritage City (2017), a Sabarmati River metropolis where the walled Old City's carved-wood pols, Sultanate-era mosques, and Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram sit alongside a fast-growing metro, riverfront promenades, and one of India's best vegetarian food cultures.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Bandhani (tie-dye) sarees and dupattas
Knotted tie-dye from Kutch and Saurashtra in bright colours.
Price: INR 500-8,000 (approx $5-83 USD)
Where: Gurjari emporium, Ratan Pol, Law Garden
Ajrakh block-print
Indigo and madder block-printed cotton from Kutch.
Price: INR 800-6,000 (approx $8-63 USD)
Where: Gurjari emporium, CG Road boutiques
Kutch embroidery
Mirror-work and thread embroidery on bags, cushions and garments.
Price: INR 300-10,000 (approx $3-104 USD)
Where: Law Garden, Gurjari
Patola-inspired silk
Double-ikat style silk weaves; genuine Patan patola costs many times more.
Price: INR 3,000-50,000 (approx $31-520 USD)
Where: Gurjari, specialised boutiques
Khadi cloth and clothing
Hand-spun cotton and silk khadi fabrics and kurtas.
Price: INR 200-3,000 (approx $2-31 USD)
Where: Sabarmati Ashram Khadi Bhandar
Handmade paper
Recycled cotton paper stationery and diaries.
Price: INR 50-500 (approx $0.50-5 USD)
Where: Sabarmati Ashram, Gurjari
Sankheda lacquered wood items
Turned and lacquered wood furniture and small items from Sankheda.
Price: INR 500-15,000 (approx $5-156 USD)
Where: Gurjari emporium
Brass and copper utensils
Traditional brass and copper vessels.
Price: INR 300-5,000 (approx $3-52 USD)
Where: Gandhi Road, Manek Chowk
Oxidised silver-tone jewellery
Tribal-style oxidised necklaces, jhumkas and bangles.
Price: INR 100-1,500 (approx $1-16 USD)
Where: Law Garden, Teen Darwaza
Gujarati farsan and sweets
Khakhra, fafda, dry snacks and mohanthal.
Price: INR 100-800 (approx $1-8 USD)
Where: Kalupur, CG Road sweet shops
Dry fruit and spices
Dates, cashews and masala blends.
Price: INR 200-2,000 (approx $2-21 USD)
Where: Gandhi Road
Custom-tailored cotton shirts and kurtas
Fabric from Panchkuva stitched by local tailors.
Price: INR 300-800 stitching (approx $3-8 USD)
Where: Panchkuva, Gandhi Road
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Law Garden Night Market
An evening-only street market around Law Garden known for Kutchi embroidery, mirror-work textiles, oxidised jewellery and a food-stall lane.
Where: Law Garden, Ellisbridge
Hours: Daily approx 18:00-23:00; busiest 19:30-22:00
Manek Chowk
The old city's historic square that changes character at sunset: jewellers and bullion traders by day, a famous street-food bazaar at night.
Where: Manek Chowk, Old City, near Bhadra and Lal Darwaza
Hours: Jewellery by day approx 11:00-19:00 (many shops closed Sunday); night food bazaar approx 20:00-01:00
Ratan Pol Textile Market
A long-established wholesale textile lane in the walled city with saree dealers, dress-material shops and bandhani specialists.
Where: Ratan Pol, walled city near Manek Chowk
Hours: Mon-Sat approx 11:00-19:00; closed Sunday
Teen Darwaza and Lal Darwaza Bazaar
The pavement market under the historic Teen Darwaza gate, dense with clothes, bangles, footwear and accessories at street-market prices.
Where: Bhadra area, Old City, beside Bhadra Plaza and Sidi Saiyyed Mosque
Hours: Daily approx 11:00-21:00; Sunday street stalls very busy
Gandhi Road Market
The old city's principal trade street lined with wholesale and retail shops for cloth, kitchenware, dry fruit and everyday goods.
Where: Gandhi Road, between Lal Darwaza and Relief Road, Old City
Hours: Mon-Sat approx 11:00-20:00; many shops closed Sunday
CG Road Shopping Street
Ahmedabad's main high street of branded showrooms, jewellers, ethnic-wear boutiques and cafes, running north from Swastik Cross Roads.
Where: C.G. Road, Navrangpura, between Swastik Cross Roads and Panchvati
Hours: Daily approx 10:30-21:30
Gurjari - Gujarat State Handicraft Emporium (Ashram Road)
The state government's fixed-price handicraft emporium selling certified Gujarat crafts under the Garvi Gurjari brand.
Where: Ashram Road, near Income Tax Circle
Hours: Mon-Sat approx 10:30-19:00; closed Sunday and public holidays
Sabarmati Ashram Khadi and Gramodyog Bhandar
The Gandhian khadi and village-industry shop at Sabarmati Ashram, selling khadi cloth, handmade paper and natural soaps that support rural producers.
Where: Sabarmati Ashram complex, on the Sabarmati Riverfront
Hours: Daily approx 09:00-18:00; closed on some national holidays
Sindhi Market and Maskati Market
A pair of wholesale cloth markets near Kalupur where Ahmedabad's textile trade sells sarees, suit lengths and readymade garments.
Where: Kalupur, Old City, near Ahmedabad Junction railway station
Hours: Mon-Sat approx 11:00-20:00; closed Sunday
Panchkuva Cloth Market
One of the city's large cloth wholesale hubs, selling cotton and blended fabrics, bedding and household textiles.
Where: Panchkuva, near Ahmedabad Junction and Delhi Darwaza
Hours: Mon-Sat approx 10:30-20:00; closed Sunday
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Walled City Bazaars (Manek Chowk, Ratan Pol, Teen Darwaza)
The UNESCO-listed walled city holds Ahmedabad's oldest markets, from the jewellery of Manek Chowk to the wholesale textile lanes of Ratan Pol, Dhalgarwad and Sindhi Market, plus the pavement bazaar at Teen Darwaza.
Best for: Bandhani, sarees, silver jewellery, brassware, street food
CG Road and Navrangpura
The city's high street of fixed-price fashion showrooms, jewellers, ethnic-wear boutiques and cafes.
Best for: Branded fashion, ethnic wear, jewellery
Ashram Road Handicraft Belt
Home to the Gurjari state emporium and, a few kilometres north, the Gandhian khadi and village-industry outlets at Sabarmati Ashram.
Best for: Certified handicrafts, khadi, handmade paper
Law Garden Night Market
A nightly street bazaar for Kutch and Saurashtra embroidered garments, mirror-work textiles and accessories.
Best for: Chaniya choli, jewellery, wall hangings
SG Highway and Thaltej Malls
A belt of large malls including Iscon Mega Mall, Acropolis Mall and Palladium, with international brands and multiplexes.
Best for: Global brands, cinema, dining
Vastrapur Mall Cluster
Alpha One (Ahmedabad One), Himalaya Mall and the Vastrapur Lake precinct group fashion, food courts and cinemas.
Best for: Brands, food courts, family outings
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Alpha One Mall (Ahmedabad One)
A three-floor mall of about 700,000 sq ft beside Vastrapur Lake with national and international brands, a large food court and a multiplex.
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Iscon Mega Mall
A long-running SG Highway mall with fashion stores, a food court and entertainment near Iscon Cross Roads.
Hours: Daily 10:30-22:00
Acropolis Mall
A mid-size mall on SG Highway near Thaltej with brand stores, a food court and cinema.
Hours: Daily 10:30-22:00
Palladium Ahmedabad
A premium mall focused on luxury and premium brands with fine-dining outlets on SG Highway.
Hours: Daily 11:00-22:00
Himalaya Mall
An established shopping mall on Drive-In Road with clothing, electronics and family entertainment.
Hours: Daily 10:30-22:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargain in street markets such as Law Garden, Teen Darwaza and Ratan Pol; do not bargain in malls, Gurjari or Khadi outlets.
Start at about 40-50 percent of the first quote and settle near 60-70 percent.
Compare a price at Gurjari first to learn the authentic benchmark.
Walk away politely; the seller will often call back with a lower price.
Buy multiple items from one seller for a bundle discount.
Carry small notes; exact change strengthens a negotiated price.
Ask for the fabric composition and craft name before agreeing on price.
Avoid bargaining for food at fixed-price stalls; it is not customary.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Payment: Cash remains the default in old-city bazaars, and UPI QR codes are accepted by many stalls; cards are accepted at malls, CG Road showrooms and Gurjari. ATMs are widely available on CG Road and near Lal Darwaza.
Opening Days: Most old-city wholesale markets close on Sunday; malls and CG Road shops open daily. Law Garden Night Market opens in the evening, and Manek Chowk's food bazaar runs from about 20:00 to 01:00.
Haggling Etiquette: Bargaining should be friendly and unhurried; do not counter-offer unless prepared to buy. Fixed-price signs are honoured.
Touts And Commissions: Rickshaw drivers and touts may steer visitors to shops that pay commissions; decline and go directly to the intended market or emporium.
Taxes And Refunds: GST is included in the tagged price at shops and malls, and rates vary by product; ask for a tax invoice. India has no general tourist GST refund scheme, so keep bills for customs.
Shipping: Larger shops and Gurjari can arrange courier shipping within India and overseas; packaging charges apply. India Post handles parcels from the main post office for smaller items.
Export Restrictions: Antiques over 100 years old cannot be exported without Archaeological Survey of India clearance. Ivory and protected wildlife products are prohibited. Gold jewellery for personal use is subject to customs limits.
Footwear And Dress: Remove shoes at temples and shops with prayer areas; modest dress is advised in the old city.