Anjuna Beach is a popular tourist attraction once known as the Hippy Capital of Goa. Every Wednesday, this beach and its surrounding areas turn into the lively Anjuna Flea Market. Once a bastion of broke hippies trading their possessions to continue travelling in the country, this flea market has now transformed into one of the most sought-after markets in Goa. From locals and domestic visitors to foreign tourists, this flea market features on everyone’s itinerary. Vendors from across India and the world set up stalls here, offering everything from Tibetan and Nepali handicrafts to clothes, trinkets, used phones, books, etc. Visitors can enjoy the eclectic ambience, shopping, listening to live music, eating, browsing through the stalls, etc. Plus, you can get dreadlocks, piercings, tattoos, tarot card readings, and haircuts here too! For the best experience, here’s a guide to Anjuna Flea Market, Goa, that you should check out.
Things to do / Highlights
Shop to your heart's content
As you browse through the eclectic stalls selling all kinds of goods from India and abroad, you will certainly be spoilt for choice. Since it is one of the most famous flea markets in India, you will find vendors from Goa, pan-India, and abroad rubbing shoulders with each other here. Shop for Tibetan singing bowls, incense, embroidered items, Buddha statues, and more at Tibetan stalls. Browse through heavy woollens, handicrafts, and prayer flags, among others, at Nepali stalls. You can also find trinkets, souvenirs, clothes, hammocks, bedspreads, crystals, handmade jewellery, knives, knickknacks, Shiva (Indian deity) statues, bootlegged DVDs, used cell phones, and lots more at this market. You can even buy souvenirs from Rajasthan, Kerala, and Punjab at very cheap prices without having to actually go there! You can find anything and everything at this fair, including something as crazy as edible glitter glue!
Listen to live music
Besides shopping, the flea market also has live music and performances to offer its visitors. Bands from across Goa and India are often seen playing music from various genres, like rock, pop, techno, etc. But the most popular music at this event is jazz. At the market, you can often catch live performances by jazz bands. Local bands perform here too, entertaining the shoppers who are a mix of backpackers, Indian tourists, foreign visitors, locals, etc.
Get a haircut, dreadlocks, or body piercings
While most stall owners at Anjuna Flea Market specialise in selling goods and wares, there are several other stalls that dabble in offering services like hair art, temporary tattoos, tarot reading, dreadlocks, reiki healing, etc. These services are mostly offered by friendly hippie expats and are worth checking out too. Go for a never-before-tried haircut, get your tresses styled with feathers or coloured in a trendy fashion, or try out having dreadlocks or other forms of hair art. You can even request body piercings done here or get a temporary tattoo from a stall that uses fresh needles and ink.
Travelers tips
Time your visit
Anjuna Flea Market is open from late October to March, which also happens to be peak tourist season in Goa. Thus, this Wednesday-only flea market can get quite busy, especially in the early afternoon, when people wander in after lunch or when the sun gets too hot to stay on the beach. To avoid crowds, time your visits in the early mornings when the stalls have just opened or late afternoons when the sun is not too bright.
Bargain to get the best prices
Bargaining is the key to shopping at Anjuna Flea Market. Though the market started off as a trading center, bartering is not accepted here anymore. But you are more than welcome to bargain for lower prices of your desired goods. This venue is indeed a good place to practice your bargaining skills, which will prove useful for your travels across India and abroad.
How to get there
Taxi, motorcycle taxi, or auto-rickshaw
The easiest way to reach Anjuna Flea Market is by taking a direct auto-rickshaw, taxi, or motorcycle taxi. But the taxi is generally the most expensive option of all. You can hail a taxi or auto-rickshaw from anywhere in Anjuna to take you to the market. The motorcycle taxi is a unique mode of transport in Goa wherein a motorcycle driver takes you to your desired location in exchange for payment. It is considered to be the cheapest local mode of transport, and motorcycle taxi stands are located all across Goa.
Public transport
The closest railhead to Anjuna is Thivim train station, from where you can take a bus to Mapusa and another bus to Anjuna. An auto-rickshaw will then take you to Anjuna Flea Market. Alternatively, you can also take a local bus from Panjim, Vasco, to Mapusa and then a motorcycle taxi, auto-rickshaw, or regular taxi to Anjuna Flea Market.
Private vehicle
Anjuna is situated in North Goa, at a short distance from Mapusa and about 25 km (15.5 miles) from Panaji. You can easily reach the flea market in your own car or motorcycle or even a rental. Rental motorcycles are available all over Goa, and they are convenient and cheap too. You can easily learn the driving directions to the market, but be mindful that driving can be very stressful during peak seasons.
Parking information
Private car and motorcycle parking spaces are available in plenty outside the market. These are paid parking spaces that you can avail of for a few hours or the entire day. Parking charges vary for cars and motorcycles.
Anjuna Flea Market information
Anjuna Flea Market
Address: 10, St. Michael’s Vaddo South, Anjuna, Goa 403509, India
Opening hours: Wed: 7am - 7pm (closed on Thu - Tue)
Official website: Anjuna Flea Market
Department of tourism: Goa Tourism
Private Anjuna Flea Market Tour with Local Guide Residences
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
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