Matheran Market, also known as MG Road, is the heart of this little hill station. This is the only proper market area in Matheran, so you'll find pretty much everything you need right here. The market is located centrally, which makes it super easy to reach from anywhere in Matheran. Whether you're staying near the station or at one of the viewpoints, you'll probably pass through this market at some point during your trip.
What makes Matheran Market special is its old-world charm. There are no fancy malls or big shops here. Instead, you'll find rows of small stores on both sides of the road, each selling something unique. The best part? Since vehicles aren't allowed in Matheran, shopping here is a peaceful experience without any traffic noise or pollution.
Best Things to Buy in Matheran Market
Leather Shoes and Sandals
This is what Matheran Market is really famous for. You'll find dozens of shops selling handmade leather footwear. These aren't your regular machine-made shoes – they're crafted by local artisans who've been doing this for generations. The shoes are comfortable, durable, and perfect for walking around the hill station. You can find everything from casual sandals to formal shoes, and they're usually much cheaper than what you'd pay in the city. Many visitors end up buying two or three pairs because the prices are so good.
Chikki and Local Sweets
If you love sweets, you're in for a treat. Matheran is known for its delicious chikki – a traditional Indian sweet made with jaggery and nuts. The most popular varieties are peanut chikki and cashew chikki, but you'll also find unique flavors like chocolate chikki and sesame chikki. These make perfect gifts to take back home. Besides chikki, you'll find other local sweets and homemade jams that are worth trying. Most shops will let you taste before you buy, so don't be shy to ask.
Handicrafts and Souvenirs
The market has several shops selling handmade items that capture the essence of Matheran. You'll find wooden toys, carved sculptures, decorative items, and small keepsakes. One popular item is miniature models of the toy train that brings tourists to Matheran. These make great souvenirs to remember your trip. There are also handmade photo frames, keychains, and fridge magnets featuring Matheran's scenic spots.
Jewelry and Accessories
Several shops sell traditional and contemporary jewelry. You can find oxidized silver pieces, beaded necklaces, earrings, and bangles. Most of these are handmade and quite affordable. Even if you're not planning to buy jewelry, it's fun to browse through the collections. There are also shops selling bags, wallets, and other leather accessories that match well with the leather shoes.
Woolens and Clothing
During winter months, you'll find shops selling warm clothes like sweaters, shawls, and jackets. These are especially useful if you're visiting Matheran during the cooler season and forgot to pack enough warm clothes. There are also stores selling casual cotton clothes, t-shirts with Matheran prints, and caps. The variety might not be huge, but the prices are reasonable and the quality is decent.
Where to Eat in Matheran Market
Shopping can make you hungry, and luckily, Matheran Market has plenty of food options. There are several small restaurants and food stalls serving both local Maharashtrian food and popular North Indian dishes. You'll find places serving hot vada pav, bhel puri, pav bhaji, and other street food favorites. During breakfast hours, many shops sell fresh bun maska with chai, which is perfect for starting your day.
For proper meals, there are a few restaurants offering thalis, which give you a complete meal at a fixed price. The food is simple, fresh, and tasty. If you're looking for something quick, you can grab a sandwich or a burger from one of the snack stalls. Don't forget to try the local favorite – corn on the cob roasted with spices and lemon, which vendors sell from their carts.
Shopping Tips for Matheran Market
Always Bargain
This is probably the most important tip. Since most shops cater to tourists, the initial prices quoted are usually higher than what the shopkeepers are willing to accept. Bargaining is not just accepted here – it's expected. Don't feel bad about negotiating. Start by offering 40-50% of the quoted price and work your way up. You'll be surprised how much you can save. Even if you're not great at bargaining, give it a try. The shopkeepers are friendly and the whole process can actually be quite fun.
Carry Enough Cash
This is crucial. Most small shops in Matheran Market don't accept cards or digital payments. Even if some shops claim to have card machines, the network can be unreliable. ATMs in Matheran are limited and often run out of cash during peak season. So make sure you withdraw enough money before reaching Matheran, preferably at Neral station before taking the toy train. It's better to have extra cash than to run short while shopping.
Visit Multiple Shops Before Buying
Don't buy from the first shop you see. Walk through the entire market area and check prices at different stores. You'll often find the same items at different prices. This also gives you an idea of what's a reasonable price, which helps when you're bargaining. Plus, different shops might have slightly different varieties or better quality products.
Check Quality Before Buying
Especially when buying leather items, check the quality carefully. Look at the stitching, feel the material, and try on shoes properly before purchasing. For food items like chikki, check the manufacturing date and packaging. Most shops are honest, but it's always good to be careful with your purchases.
Best Time to Shop
The market is usually less crowded early in the morning or late in the evening. If you want a more relaxed shopping experience with personal attention from shopkeepers, these are good times. However, all shops are open throughout the day, so you can visit whenever it's convenient for you.
What to Expect
The market area isn't very large – you can walk from one end to the other in about 15-20 minutes. But once you start exploring the shops, you might end up spending a couple of hours here. The roads are made of red laterite soil, which can get muddy during the rainy season, so wear appropriate footwear.
Shops usually open around 8-9 AM and close by 8-9 PM. During peak tourist season (October to May), shops might stay open a bit longer. The market gets quite busy during weekends and holidays, so weekdays are better if you prefer a quieter shopping experience.
Horse rides are available throughout the market area if you're tired of walking. You'll also find porters who can help carry your shopping bags if you've bought a lot of stuff. The market has a friendly, small-town vibe where shopkeepers are happy to chat and share information about Matheran.
Things to Remember
Since Matheran is an eco-sensitive zone, plastic bags are completely banned. Shops will give you paper or cloth bags for your purchases. It's a good idea to carry your own cloth bag if you're planning to do a lot of shopping.
Don't throw any litter on the streets. There are dustbins placed at various points in the market area. Help keep Matheran clean so that it remains a beautiful place for future visitors.
If you're buying fragile items like glass showpieces or ceramic products, ask the shopkeeper to pack them properly. You'll need to carry everything yourself (or hire a porter), so make sure your purchases are packed securely for the journey back.
Places to Visit in Matheran
- Louisa Point
- Charlotte Lake
- Monkey Point
- Shivaji's Ladder
- Panorama Point
- One Tree Hill Point
- Echo Point
- Sunset Point
- Alexander Point
- Honeymoon Point
- Khandala Point
- King George Point
