10 Best Places to Go Shopping in The Bahamas

Port Lucaya Marketplace is an open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment complex in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. At 9.5 acres, the marketplace is the biggest of its kind in The Bahamas. With over 40 boutiques and duty-free outlets, and over 120 handicrafts and straw vendors, you could easily spend an entire day browsing from store to store. You’ll find everything from high-quality perfume, jewellery and designer bags to Bahamian craft and souvenir items.

All that shopping can make you thirsty and hungry. Fortunately, Port Lucaya Marketplace offers 11 restaurants and 7 bars where you can tuck into fresh seafood or relax with a daiquiri. Don’t leave too early because the market comes alive in the evenings with live Bahamian music.

Marina Village at Atlantis is an excellent place to spend a few hours if you want to go shopping on Paradise Island. The outdoor shopping and dining complex is located at the luxurious Atlantis Resort, overlooking the marina. With palm trees, colourful architecture, and live music performances, Marina Village resembles a Caribbean open-air marketplace.

High-end designer boutiques are among the 34 shops, including Carlo Milano, Leather Gallery, and Columbian Emeralds International. Bahamian arts and crafts are also available from various kiosks and art galleries. After your shopping spree, enjoy some Bahamian food and drinks at MacKenzie’s, Pirate Republic Brewing Co, Café Martinique, or Seafire Steakhouse.

Straw weaving is a Bahamian tradition, and at the Nassau Straw Market, you are spoilt for choice. With up to 500 vendors selling unique treasures and souvenirs, the market is a shopping highlight for many visitors to The Bahamas. The traditional market is conveniently located one block from the cruise ship port in the Bahamian capital of Nassau.

Wander through the modern, concrete 2-storey building and mingle with the friendly locals. Enjoy the live entertainment while you decide upon which artfully crafted straw bag or basket to buy. Hard bargaining is expected, but remember to stay respectful. You’ll also find cheap, kitschy souvenirs like knock-off designer bags, T-shirts, as well as fridge magnets.

Bay Street is The Bahamas’ oldest thoroughfare that’s also renowned for its world-class shopping. Running through Downtown Nassau, the street is a lively mix of shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. On a stroll, you’ll find an excellent array of luxury and designer boutiques, duty-free outlets, and shops selling authentically Bahamian souvenirs.

Most people head to Bay Street to buy cheap and unique perfumes, jewellery, beauty products, and liquor. Cap off your day with some traditional Bahamian fare at a quaint cafe. Or, for something more romantic, take a tour through the downtown area on a horse-drawn carriage.

Festival Place is located on the Woodes Rogers Walk at the Prince George cruise ship port entrance. The brightly painted orange, yellow and white shopping centre is a fantastic destination if you’re looking for Bahamian arts and crafts, gifts, and edibles.

There are over 45 stalls, including a tourism office and a post office. On Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, you can enjoy dancing and live music at the indoor square. Time your visit carefully, so you avoid the crowds of visitors disembarking from a cruise. And be sure to bargain before agreeing on a price.

Doogalik Studios Art Gallery is a relaxed destination for art and craft lovers, located away from the hubbub of Downton Nassau. The gallery is located in a restored historic home. It was founded by the late great master of Junkanoo art, Jackson Burnside, and his wife to promote Bahamian art, culture, and heritage.

Besides viewing the artwork display of 40 Bahamian artists, you can buy gorgeous handicrafts at Craft Cottage next door. Browse through exquisite straw bags, fine paintings, sculptures, goatskin drums, jewellery, and home decor items. Every Saturday morning, there’s a Farmer’s Market selling a variety of delicious goods from local, organic farms.

Coin of the Realm is a family-run jewellery store in Downtown Nassau with almost 40 years of experience selling fine jewellery. If you’re looking for something extra special for yourself or a loved one, this is a place to start.

The store specialises in pendants, rings and other pieces made from Ancient Greek coins and Spanish gold and silver treasure coins. You’ll also find exquisite conch pearl jewellery. The Bahamian conch pearl is a precious gemstone – local fishers find only one out of every 10,000 conchs they capture.

Graycliff Shops is situated at the Graycliff Hotel, a few blocks from Prince George Wharf. Shopping at Graycliff is all about the finer things in life: cigars and chocolate. At the chocolate factory, you can take a tour and discover how chocolate is made. Afterwards, you’ll be tempted to buy some chocolate tea or bonbons in flavours such as mint, chai tea, and brandy cherry.

Even if you aren’t a cigar aficionado, the award-winning Graycliff Cigar Company next door is still worth visiting. You’ll get to sit and watch a cigar-making experience and see how cigars are meticulously hand-rolled.

John Watling's Distillery is a rum distillery in the historic 18th-century Buena Vista Estate in Downtown Nassau. This is a must-see destination for rum lovers and history buffs. Before you head to the gift shop to stock up on bottles of locally made John Watling's rum, enjoy a free self-guided tour of the estate grounds. 

You'll get to visit the museum and the storehouse to see how the rums are traditionally bottled by hand. In addition, you can enjoy complimentary tastings of a variety of handcrafted premium rums. End the tour with a traditional Bahamian cocktail at the in-house Red Turtle Tavern.

Crystal Court Shops is a high-end shopping mall at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Stroll the passages, and you'll find handbags, shoes, crystal, clothing, perfume, and jewellery from the world's most famous designer brands. Bulgari, Cartier, Gucci, Versace, Lalique, and Salvatore Ferragamo are just a few familiar names.

There are also beach attire and children's clothing, as well as toys for sale. Among the best parts about Crystal Court Shops is that it's all duty-free. When you want to take a break between shopping sprees, plenty of cafes and restaurants serve both Bahamian and international cuisine.