The best street-side book markets in India are Delhi’s Daryaganj Sunday market and Nai Sadak, Kolkata’s College Street, Bengaluru’s Avenue Road, Hyderabad’s Abids and Koti, Chennai’s Moore Market, Mumbai’s Flora Fountain and Pune’s Appa Balwant Chowk. Each sells second-hand and new books at prices well below a mall bookstore.
These markets have survived online shopping, e-readers and city clean-up drives. Some have moved, some have shrunk, but all still reward readers who are ready to dig through a pile and bargain. Here is what each one offers in 2026 and how to make the most of a visit.
Street-side book markets in India: quick facts
| City | Market | Best time | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Daryaganj Sunday market, Nai Sadak | Sunday morning (Daryaganj), Monday to Saturday (Nai Sadak) | Used novels, textbooks, wholesale prices |
| Kolkata | College Street (Boi Para) | Weekday afternoons | Rare and academic books, Bengali titles |
| Bengaluru | Avenue Road | Weekdays | Old textbooks, competitive exam guides |
| Hyderabad | Abids, Koti | Sunday morning (Abids) | Fiction, magazines, academic books |
| Chennai | Moore Market | Weekdays | Classics, comics, textbooks |
| Mumbai | Flora Fountain, Fort | Weekdays | Discounted paperbacks, bestsellers |
| Pune | Appa Balwant Chowk (ABC) | Weekdays | Academic books, new releases |
7 street-side book markets every book lover should visit
1. Daryaganj Sunday market and Nai Sadak, Delhi
For decades, the Daryaganj Sunday book market stretched along the pavement near Delhi Gate. In 2019 it was shifted to Mahila Haat, a short walk from its old spot, and it still runs every Sunday morning under the Daryaganj name. Expect heaps of used paperbacks, old magazines, coffee table books and textbooks.
Nai Sadak, close to Chandni Chowk, works differently. It is a wholesale lane of shops that stays open from Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday. Students come here for school and college textbooks at wholesale rates.
2. College Street, Kolkata
College Street, called Boi Para by locals, is often described as the largest second-hand book market in India. Hundreds of stalls and small shops line the road around Presidency University and the University of Calcutta. You can find rare first editions, Bengali literature, medical and engineering books, and old government reports.
Haggling is normal here, and sellers can often source a title within a day if you ask. When you are done, the Indian Coffee House on the same street is the classic place for a cup of coffee and a long chat about what you bought.
3. Avenue Road, Bengaluru
Avenue Road is a busy one-way street in the Chickpet area of old Bengaluru. Book shops here keep stacks that reach the ceiling, mixed in with stationery, jewellery and textile stores. It is the city’s main spot for buying and selling old textbooks, especially for engineering, medicine and competitive exams.
Students regularly sell their used books back to these shops at the end of a term. That keeps prices low and stock moving, so it is worth visiting more than once.
4. Abids and Koti, Hyderabad
The Abids Sunday book market is Hyderabad’s best-known book bazaar. Every Sunday morning, roadside sellers spread out novels, magazines, comics and reference books along the pavement, and the crowd thins out by early afternoon. Prices are low and bargaining is expected.
Koti, about 15 minutes away by road, is the place for academic books. Its shops cater to engineering, medical and civil services aspirants, and many stock both new and used copies.
5. Moore Market, Chennai
Moore Market sits next to Chennai Central railway station. The original Moore Market building was lost to a fire in 1985, and the traders later moved to a new complex nearby. The name and the book trade have stayed.
Sellers here are known for their knowledge. Ask for an old Tamil novel, a vintage comic or a specific textbook edition and many of them will know whether it is in stock. It is also a good place to sell your own old books.
6. Flora Fountain, Mumbai
The pavements around Flora Fountain and Hutatma Chowk in Mumbai’s Fort area have been lined with book sellers for decades. Most stock is second-hand or remaindered, and you can often buy books at 20 to 60 percent below the printed price.
One word of caution: pirated copies of bestsellers are also sold here. Check the print quality, binding and paper before you pay, and buy original editions where you can, since that is what supports authors.
7. Appa Balwant Chowk, Pune
Appa Balwant Chowk, known simply as ABC, is a cluster of book shops in Pune’s old city, close to Shaniwar Wada. It is a favourite with students for academic books, but it also stocks new releases, Marathi titles and general fiction.
A trip to ABC usually ends with a snack. New Poona Bakery nearby is known for its cream rolls and puffs.
Tips for shopping at street book markets
- Go early. Sunday markets like Daryaganj and Abids are best in the morning, before the crowd and the heat.
- Carry cash and a bag. Many sellers accept UPI now, but small stalls may not, and plastic bags are not always available.
- Bargain politely. Start lower than the quoted price, especially if you are buying several books.
- Check the copy. Look for missing pages, water damage and signs of piracy.
- Ask for what you want. Sellers often have more stock than what is on display.
If you like stories about books and the people who love them, browse our listicles and the latest book-to-screen picks in our movies section.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the largest book market in India?
College Street in Kolkata is widely described as the largest second-hand book market in India, with hundreds of stalls and shops around the university area.
Is the Daryaganj Sunday book market still open?
Yes. It moved from the Daryaganj pavement to Mahila Haat nearby in 2019 and still runs on Sunday mornings.
Which day is the Abids book market in Hyderabad held?
The Abids book market runs on Sunday mornings. For academic books on other days, try the shops in Koti.
Are books at street markets original?
Most second-hand books are originals, but pirated copies of popular titles are common in some markets. Check the paper, print and binding before buying.
Sources: Arab News on the Daryaganj Sunday market, Wikipedia: College Street, Kolkata, Incredible India: book shopping at College Street.
