Have you ever wondered what it would be like to explore one of the oldest and largest flea markets in India, where anything and everything can be found at bargain prices? If yes, then you should definitely visit Chor Bazar Mumbai, the thieves’ market that has a fascinating history, a vibrant culture, and a plethora of attractions for shoppers and explorers alike.
In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to visiting or learning about Chor Bazar Mumbai, covering its location, timings, attractions, shopping tips, and more.
Whether you are looking for antiques, electronics, furniture, books, clothes, accessories, or anything else, you will find it at Chor Bazar Mumbai. Read on to discover why Chor Bazar Mumbai is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves history, culture, and diversity.
How to Reach Chor Bazar in Mumbai
Chor Bazar Mumbai is located in South Mumbai, near Bhendi Bazaar and Grant Road. It is easily accessible by different modes of transport, such as train, bus, taxi, or car. Here are some details on how to reach the market by each mode of transport:
Train:
The nearest railway station to Chor Bazar Mumbai is Grant Road Station on the Western Line. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to the market. Alternatively, you can also take a train to Sandhurst Road Station on the Central Line or Mumbai Central Station on the Western Line and then take a taxi or a bus to the market.
Bus:
There are several buses that ply to and from Chor Bazar Mumbai. Some of the bus numbers are 124, 125, 126, 132, 133, 155, and 156. You can board these buses from various points in the city such as CST, Churchgate, Marine Lines, Byculla, etc. You can get off at the bus stop near Mutton Street or J.J. Hospital and walk to the market.
Taxi:
You can also take a taxi or a cab to Chor Bazar Mumbai from any part of the city. The fare will depend on the distance and traffic conditions. You can ask the driver to drop you near Mutton Street or J.J. Hospital and walk to the market.
Car:
If you are driving your own car or renting one, you can also reach Chor Bazar Mumbai by car. However, be prepared to face some traffic congestion and parking issues as the area is very crowded and busy. You can park your car at some of the nearby parking lots such as J.J. Hospital Parking Lot or Bhendi Bazaar Parking Lot and walk to the market.
When to Visit Chor Bazar in Mumbai
Chor Bazar Mumbai is open from 11 am to 7:30 pm every day except Friday, when it is closed for prayers. However, depending on the type of shopper you are and your preferences, you may want to visit the market at different times of the day. Here are some suggestions on when to visit the market:
Early morning:
If you are a serious buyer who wants to avoid crowds and heat and get the best deals on the items you want, then you should visit the market early in the morning. You will find fewer people and more sellers who are willing to negotiate and offer lower prices. You will also get a chance to see some of the rarest and most valuable items that are displayed only in the morning.
Late evening:
If you are a casual browser who wants to enjoy the atmosphere and experience of the market without buying anything or spending too much money, then you should visit the market late in the evening. You will find more people and more activity as the market gets ready to close for the day. You will also get to witness some of the most interesting and colorful scenes of the market such as vendors packing up their goods, customers bargaining hard for their purchases, children playing on the streets, etc.
Friday afternoon:
If you are an adventurous shopper who wants to see something different and exciting at the market, then you should visit the market on Friday afternoon. You will get to see the Juma Market or Friday Market, where stolen goods are sold at dirt cheap prices. You will find everything from mobile phones to laptops to cameras to watches to jewelry at this market. However, be careful as this market is illegal and risky. You may end up buying fake or defective goods or getting caught by the police.
Also check out: Chor Bazar : Market of thieves!
What to See and Buy at Chor Bazar in Mumbai
Chor Bazar Mumbai is a treasure trove of history, culture, and diversity. You will find everything from vintage items to antiques to electronics to furniture to art pieces to books to clothes to accessories and more at this market. You will also find some of the rarest and most valuable items that have been sold or bought at this market such as Queen Victoria’s violin, Albert Einstein’s letters, or Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings. Here are some of the most popular and unique items that you can see and buy at Chor Bazar Mumbai:
Vintage items:
If you are a fan of old and classic items, then you will love Chor Bazar Mumbai. You will find a variety of vintage items such as gramophones, typewriters, cameras, radios, telephones, clocks, etc. at this market. You will also find some rare and collectible items such as coins, stamps, postcards, maps, etc. at this market. You can buy these items for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones.
Antiques:
If you are looking for something more ancient and valuable, then you will also find plenty of antiques at Chor Bazar Mumbai. You will find a range of antiques such as sculptures, paintings, idols, furniture, jewelry, etc. at this market. You will also find some religious and cultural items such as Quran, Torah, Bible, Gita, Buddha statues, etc. at this market. You can buy these items for your home or office or as souvenirs for your friends and family.
Electronics:
If you are looking for something more modern and functional, then you will also find a lot of electronics at Chor Bazar Mumbai. You will find a variety of electronics such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, speakers, headphones, etc. at this market. You will also find some new and branded items as well as some old and refurbished items at this market. You can buy these items for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones.
Furniture:
If you are looking for something more comfortable and stylish, then you will also find a lot of furniture at Chor Bazar Mumbai. You will find a range of furniture such as sofas, chairs, tables, beds, cabinets, etc. at this market. You will also find some antique and vintage furniture as well as some modern and contemporary furniture at this market. You can buy these items for your home or office or as gifts for your friends and family.
Art pieces:
If you are looking for something more artistic and creative, then you will also find a lot of art pieces at Chor Bazar Mumbai. You will find a variety of art pieces such as paintings, sketches, posters, prints, etc. at this market. You will also find some original and famous art pieces as well as some replica and imitation art pieces at this market. You can buy these items for your home or office or as gifts for your friends and family.
Books:
If you are looking for something more educational and informative, then you will also find a lot of books at Chor Bazar Mumbai. You will find a variety of books such as novels, comics, magazines, newspapers, etc. at this market. You will also find some rare and old books as well as some new and popular books at this market. You can buy these items for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones.
Clothes:
If you are looking for something more fashionable and trendy, then you will also find a lot of clothes at Chor Bazar Mumbai. You will find a variety of clothes such as shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, etc. at this market. You will also find some branded and designer clothes as well as some local and cheap clothes at this market. You can buy these items for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones.
Accessories:
If you are looking for something more personal and unique, then you will also find a lot of accessories at Chor Bazar Mumbai. You will find a variety of accessories such as sunglasses, watches, belts, bags, shoes, etc. at this market. You will also find some branded and expensive accessories as well as some local and cheap accessories at this market. You can buy these items for yourself or as gifts for your loved ones.
Some of the famous shops and stalls that sell these items at Chor Bazar Mumbai are:
Mini Market: This is one of the most popular shops in the market that sells electronics such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, speakers, headphones, etc. The shop is located near the entrance of the market on Mutton Street.
Mutton Street: This is one of the most famous streets in the market that sells antiques such as sculptures, paintings, idols, furniture, jewelry, etc. The street is lined with hundreds of shops and stalls that offer a wide range of antiques and vintage items. The street is also known for its legend that Queen Victoria’s violin was found here.
Furniture Galli: This is one of the most famous lanes in the market that sells furniture such as sofas, chairs, tables, beds, cabinets, etc. The lane is full of shops and stalls that offer a variety of furniture styles and designs. The lane is also known for its legend that Albert Einstein’s letters were found here.
Poster Galli: This is one of the most famous alleys in the market that sells art pieces such as paintings, sketches, posters, prints, etc. The alley is full of shops and stalls that offer a variety of art genres and themes. The alley is also known for its legend that Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings were found here.
You may also like to check out: A Local’s Guide To Exploring The 15 Shopping Streets Of Mumbai
How to Shop Smartly at Chor Bazar in Mumbai
Shopping at Chor Bazar Mumbai can be a thrilling and rewarding experience if you know how to bargain, inspect, and avoid scams at the market. Here are some useful tips and warnings on how to shop smartly at Chor Bazar Mumbai:
Do carry cash and small change:
Most of the sellers at Chor Bazar Mumbai do not accept cards or digital payments. They prefer cash and small change. Therefore, it is advisable to carry enough cash and small change with you when you visit the market. You can also use cash and small change as a bargaining tool to lower the prices of the items you want to buy.
Do haggle hard but politely:
Bargaining is an essential skill and a fun activity at Chor Bazar Mumbai. You can haggle hard but politely with the sellers to get the best deals on the items you want to buy. You can start by offering half or less than half of the quoted price and then gradually increase your offer until you reach a mutually agreeable price. You can also use some tactics such as walking away, showing interest in other items, or comparing prices with other sellers to get better deals.
Do check the quality and authenticity of the items before buying them:
Not everything that glitters is gold at Chor Bazar Mumbai. You may find some fake or defective goods at the market that may look appealing but are not worth buying. Therefore, it is important to check the quality and authenticity of the items before buying them. You can inspect the items for any damages, defects, or flaws. You can also ask for a receipt or a guarantee card for some items such as electronics or antiques. You can also do some research online or offline about the items you want to buy to verify their value and originality.
Don’t buy anything without bargaining or receipt:
One of the biggest mistakes you can make at Chor Bazar Mumbai is buying anything without bargaining or receipt. You may end up paying more than the actual value of the item or getting cheated by the seller. Therefore, never buy anything without bargaining or receipt at Chor Bazar Mumbai. Always negotiate the price with the seller until you are satisfied with it. Always ask for a receipt or a guarantee card for some items such as electronics or antiques.
Don’t fall for fake or stolen goods:
Another big mistake you can make at Chor Bazar Mumbai is falling for fake or stolen goods. You may find some items that look too good to be true or too cheap to be real at Chor Bazar Mumbai. These items may be fake or stolen goods that are not worth buying or may get you into trouble with the law. Therefore, avoid falling for fake or stolen goods at Chor Bazar Mumbai. Always check the quality and authenticity of the items before buying them. Always ask for a receipt or a guarantee card for some items such as electronics or antiques.
Don’t carry valuables or wear expensive clothes or accessories:
One of the biggest risks you can face at Chor Bazar Mumbai is theft. You may lose your valuables or get robbed by some thieves or pickpockets at Chor Bazar Mumbai. Therefore, avoid carrying valuables or wearing expensive clothes or accessories at Chor Bazar Mumbai. Always keep your money and belongings in a safe and secure place. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. Always avoid crowded and shady areas.
Chor Bazar Mumbai is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves history, culture, and diversity. It is a treasure trove of history, culture, and bargains that offers a thrilling and memorable experience for shoppers and explorers alike. You can find anything and everything at Chor Bazar Mumbai, from vintage items to antiques to electronics to furniture to art pieces to books to clothes to accessories and more.
We hope that this article has given you a comprehensive guide to visiting or learning about Chor Bazar Mumbai. If you are interested in visiting or learning more about Chor Bazar Mumbai, you can check out our other articles on our website.
