Mapusa Friday Market: A Glimpse Of North Goa Arcade

Mapusa Friday Market is another Goan market in North Goa. It has everything to offer not only for the locals but also for the tourists. The Mapusa Friday Market in Goa is famous for its spices, vegetables, fresh and dry fish, pork sausages, and many more.

This vibrant market is on the northern side of Goa and was established in 1960 in Goa. All the products bought here are fresh and brand new. Bargaining and negotiation are unsaid rules in this market. The ideal timing of the Mapusa Friday Market timings might differ from vendor to vendor.

This market is not only a hub for all fashion enthusiasts but also the foodies around the world. The dash of Goan culture is widely recognizable in the Mapusa Friday Market Goa. 

Shopping at Mapusa Friday Market is not only for the locals but also a major tourist attraction. Mapusa Friday market is one of the best places for shopping in Goa India. Vendors and local shopkeepers offer a huge variety of products here at Mapusa Friday Market.

Mapusa Friday Market Timings

Mapusa Friday Market timings might differ from Shop to shop. However, the ideal Mapusa Friday Market timings are from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm every Friday, the timings might differ. There are many shops which are open in the early morning every Friday and there are some shops which are open until late at night.

In Mapusa Friday market timings the best time to visit Mapusa Friday Market Goa is early morning as the sun is not harsh and many fresh products are available, be it fish, fruits, vegetables, or any other thing. By evening most of the products are sold out. Hence, it would be wise of you if you are an early bird, as it allows you to lay your hands on the best product possible.

How To Travel To Mapusa Friday Market Goa?

By Road

You can either hire a cab or rent a car or bike. A cab rent can vary according to the place from where you are travelling, if you are hiring a cab from Panjim then it would cost you around INR 1000 to Anjuna Flea Market in Goa. 

Renting a cab or a bike for a whole day can cost you around INR 300- 500 per day for a bike and INR 1500- 2000 for a car. You can get a bike or a car from any rental car and bike agency. There are a lot of agencies in Goa for renting bikes and cars.

Getting a Bus from any part of Goa to Mapusa Friday Market will cost you around INR 20 to INR 100 maximum.

By Rail

The nearest railway station to Mapusa Friday Market is Thivim Railway Station which is at a distance of around 12 km. You can either take a bus or a cab from the THivim Railway Station.

By Flight

The nearest airport to Mapusa Friday Market Goa is Goa Mopa (GOX) which is around 16.8 km. Other airport includes Goa Airport (GOI) which is around 23.2 km and Belgaum (IXG) which is at a distance of 91.6 km to Mapusa Friday Market.

Shopping At Mapusa Friday Market

As we all know Goa is not just a place confined to its beaches but it has to do a lot more with the Goan culture. Shopping is one such thing you should not forget to do when you are in Goa next time. 

There are many places in Goa for shopping, one of the best places for shopping in Goa is Mapusa Friday Market. Here you will get everything related not only to Goan culture but at the peak season vendors from other states also visit this market to sell their products at Mapusa Friday market. 

Following are some of the things you will find while shopping at Mapusa Friday Market:

1. Spices/ Masalas

If you are shopping at Mapusa Friday Market, things you shall not miss for your home kitchen are spices and Goan masalas. Mapusa Friday Market is famous for its spices including cloves, cardamom, vanilla beans, turmeric, pepper, cinnamon, etc.

2. Dry Fruits

Shopping at Mapusa Friday market and not buying Cashews is a crime. Goa is famous for its cashews. The cashews are also known as Goan Kaju. Undoubtedly you are going to find cashews at Mapusa Friday Market. Not just cashews but other dry fruits like walnuts, pistachios, raisins, almonds, and dates.

3. Sea Food

Seafood lovers would have a feast at Mapusa, Friday Market. There are a lot of seafood options at Mapusa Friday market. Also, the fish sold in Mapusa Friday market are mostly fresh. You can also find dry fishes like Modso and Chonak.

4. Sausages

Homemade pork sausages also known as Chouricos or Chorizo a seasoned, coarsely ground, pork sausages filled with spicy or sweet ground pork and pork fat, with smoked paprika being the most prominent flavour.

5. Sweets

Sweet shopping at Mapusa Friday Market is a must. At Mapusa market many Goan sweets including Chana Doce, cakes, Dodola, and Bebinca. Simonia Store is one of the oldest bakeries in Mapusa. You will find all the authentic Goan sweets here.

6. Alcohol/ Feni

A famous Goan alcohol beverage also known as feni is world famous.it is made of cashews. At Mapusa Friday market many shops sell Feni. So if you are a connoisseur of liqueurs you would not like to miss the opportunity to try Feni.

7. Rajasthani Accessories

During peak season many Rajasthani vendors come to Goa’s Mapusa Friday market to sell accessories like bags, chappals, and designer shawls.

8. Home Decor

Home decor like chairs, candle stands, carpets, tables, decorative stands, etc can be found at Mapusa Friday market.

9. Clothes

Shopping at Mapusa Friday Market is incomplete without getting some floral shirts, Tops, pants, shorts, and plenty of other variety of clothes you will find at Mapusa Friday Market. 

The clothes are made of different materials including linen, cotton, silk, synthetic, etc. You can also get your clothes customized and tailored at the market itself.

10. Antique

At Mapusa Friday Market you can find valuable antiques like stamps, coins, clocks, cameras, lamps, etc. These antiques date back to different eras and come from different places. These antiques are later restored by the collectors. So while shopping at Mapusa Friday  Market you should not forget to check out the antiques.

Places To Visit Near Mapusa Friday Market

Mapusa is a town in North Goa. It is famous for its spices, pork sausages, strings of homemade Goan Chourico, cashew, and feni store. Located in North Goa, Vagator Beach is the closest beach in this region. Following are some of the places to visit near Mapusa Friday Market –

1. Shri Dev Bodgeshwar Sansthan Temple

This temple is located in Mapusa. It is at a distance of 1.5 km from Mapusa Friday Market. The place is locally known as Bodgini. It has a shrine which is dedicated to Kanakeshwar or Bodgeshwar. 

Lord Bodgeshwar is known as the guardian of Mapusa. The Temple is surrounded by lush green trees. It is a peaceful location for a chaotic mind.

2. Parra Road

Want to recreate the scene of Dear Zindagi where Shah Ruk Khan and Alia Bhatt are cycling and having a deep conversation about life. No, not expecting a really serious conversation at least on a Goa trip, but yeah some aesthetic photos for your Instagram feed are what you can expect here at Parra Road. Parra Road is 3.5 km away from Mapusa Friday Market.

3. Vagator Beach

One of the nearest beaches to Mapusa Friday Market is Vagator Beach. This beach is the cleanest in Goa. The beach has a black rock cliff overlooking the water. In 2023, the famous Sunburn music festival moved its base to Vagator from Candolim Beach. 

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4. St Anthony Chapel

St Anthony Chapel is 8.8 km from Mapusa Friday market. It is one of the famous churches in North Goa. This white building is one of the fondest places among many tourists.

5. Uddo Beach

Uddo Beach is around 10 km from Mapusa Friday market. If you are searching for an underrated beach, less crowded then Uddo Beach is for you.

6. Simonia Stores

Simonia Store is one of the oldest bakery in Mapusa. You will get all the authentic Goan sweets. The sweets include apple Pie, Ribbon Cake, Coconutty, Cupcake, etc. It is famous for its originality and authentic taste. Not only locals but also many tourists visit this place.

Hotels near Mapusa Friday Market

There are availabilities of many hotels near Mapusa Friday Market. These Hotels near Mapusa Friday market cater to different people including those who want to enjoy luxury stays as well as people who are on a tight budget trip. 

It is very important to book the hotels near Mapusa Friday Market in advance as on-the-spot without research booking might break your bank. If you are visiting the Mapusa Friday market then coordinate the Mapusa Friday Market timings with your hotel check-in time. 

Following are some of the hotels near Mapusa Friday Market – 

1. Boshan hotels
2. Sharayu One
3. Hotel Priti Internatioanl
4. Motel la Grandeur
5. Hotel Mandarin Mapusa
6. Mapusa Residency
7. Sikiram Tower
8. Hotel Mayura Novacity
9. Goa beach hotel
10. Treebo Trend Green Park

Restaurants near Mapusa Friday Market

There are many restaurants near Mapusa Friday market, which makes it one of the best places to eat in Goa. Following are some of the Restaurants for your reference-

1. Unique Restaurant and Bar
2. St Francis Bakery
3. Cremeux
4. Spice Goa
5. Mapuche Restaurant
6. Copperleaf Porvorim
7. Gunpowder
8. Cafe Corner
9. Mapusa Deck Multicuisine 
10. Simonia
11. Assagao

General Tips Before Visiting

1. If you are buying anything without bargaining, is a crime. While visiting Mapusa Friday market do as much bargaining as possible.
2. Goa is mostly humid and not cold most of the time, so it is advised that you wear something suitable to the climate.
3. Don’t forget to buy spices and masalas from this market as it is famous for that.