Things to do»Shopping


The mall culture is fast taking over Kerala. No wonder Kerala is slowly turning into a shoppers paradise. Apart from the glossy boutiques in the cities that sell the best in western and ethnic wear, there are numerous small scale industries that deal in handicrafts, pickles, tea, chocolates, honey, snacks, bamboo products and spices.

Kasargod, Kozhikode and Cochin are known as the main spice trading hubs since the ancient times. Balaramapuram in Thiruvananthapuram is famous for its handloom. Kasavukadas across the state sell beautifully embroidered Kerala Sarees and Mundus. While Kollam is well-known for its cashews, Kozhikode is famed for its snacks, Malabar Biriyani and chips.

The people of the hilly regions like Thekkady, Kattapana and Wayanad trade in bamboo products and tribal artifacts. The tea estates of Munnar are known world over. Here you can buy the finest tea made at the tea processing units. The cottage industries here produce delicious chocolates and natural honey.

Bell metal, brassware, and bronze are made at Alappuzha and Irinjalakkuda. The temple town of Guruvayoor is known for its sandalwood artefacts, mural arts and Ramachcham mattresses. And if you have a penchant for gold ornaments, you will find them in the various jewellery showrooms across Kerala. Happy Shopping!


Jew Street, Cochin

The Jew Street in Fort Cochin is a quaint little street with curio shops that have an array of antiques in wood, brass and bronze. The shops have antiquities from all over the country. The street turned a shopping hub after the Jews living here returned...

Spice Market, Cochin

The Spice market on Jew Street is a treasure trove of a variety of spices such as ginger, cardamom, cloves and pepper. Workers can be seen drying, sorting and packing the spices for retail. Walk into the spice market and let the whiff of spices flood

Broadway, Cochin

Parallel to Shanmugham Road, Broadway is truly a shopper’s paradise that has shops selling everything from household accessories to kitchenware, clothes to shoes, spices, books, gold ornaments, medicines, electronics and furniture. Little alleys...

Kanhirode Weaving Cooperative, Kannur

A cooperative with around 400 workers, the Kanhirode Weaving Cooperative produces quality furnishing fabrics which can be bought from the retail outlet attached to the cooperative. Bed linen, upholstery, curtain material, shirtings, colourful lungis and...

Mitthayi Theruvu, Kozhikode

The street selling an assortment of sweets is aptly named. Mitthayi Theruvu meaning the Sweet Meat Street, is the place to be if you are in a mood to indulge your sweet tooth. A chock-a-block, with shops selling everything from sweets to snacks, Mitthayi...