Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, renowned for pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and unique granite rock formations. Exceptional territory for beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, and luxury travelers alike.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Cinnamon & Vanilla Pods
Locally grown cinnamon bark and vanilla pods from Seychelles' spice gardens are among the finest in the world. Sold in attractive packaging, they make excellent aromatic gifts.
Price: $5-20
Where: Victoria Market, Jardin du Roi spice garden
Takamaka Bay Rum
Seychelles' signature rum produced at the only distillery on the islands, available in classic, dark, and flavored varieties including coconut and vanilla. The Takamaka Distillery shop offers exclusive bottles not sold elsewhere.
Price: $15-40
Where: Takamaka Rum Distillery, Victoria duty-free shops
Coco de Mer Carvings
Decorative items carved from coco de mer shells, the world's largest seed unique to Seychelles. Only purchase items with an official Seychelles Island Foundation export permit to avoid steep fines.
Price: $20-150
Where: Craft shops in Victoria, licensed souvenir stalls
Seashell & Pearl Jewelry
Handcrafted necklaces, bracelets, and earrings made from locally sourced shells and freshwater pearls. Artisan workshops in Victoria and La Digue produce unique pieces reflecting the ocean heritage.
Price: $10-80
Where: Artisan boutiques in Victoria, craft stalls at Beau Vallon
Seychellois Paintings & Prints
Local artists produce vibrant watercolor and acrylic paintings of Seychelles beaches, granite boulders, and tropical wildlife. Gallery shops in Victoria and Beau Vallon display original works and affordable prints.
Price: $20-500
Where: Gallery Zazou (Victoria), Craft Village near Victoria
Batik & Sarongs
Brightly colored hand-dyed batik fabrics and sarongs made in Seychelles feature tropical motifs including fish, coco de mer, and island flora. Versatile as beach cover-ups or decorative pieces.
Price: $15-45
Where: Victoria Market, Craft Village, beach souvenir stalls
Mahé Tea & Herbal Infusions
Locally cultivated teas from the Mahé Tea Plantation and herbal infusions using lemongrass, citronella, and tropical botanicals. The plantation's gift shop offers small production batches unavailable elsewhere.
Price: $8-25
Where: Mahé Tea Plantation shop, Victoria Market, hotels
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market (Victoria Market)
The vibrant heart of Seychelles commerce since 1840, this colorful market offers fresh tropical fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, dried spices, and local handicrafts under one roof. Saturday morning sees the highest activity with the widest selection of fresh produce and artisan goods.
Where: Market Street, Victoria, Mahé
Hours: Monday-Saturday 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM, busiest Saturday mornings
Bazar Labrin (Beau Vallon Night Market)
A lively weekly beach market showcasing Seychellois street food, crafts, and live sega music. Stalls sell grilled fish, Creole curries, fresh coconuts, and a range of souvenir items while local musicians perform traditional island music.
Where: Beau Vallon Beach, Mahé
Hours: Wednesday evenings 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Anse Royale Craft Stalls
A cluster of small souvenir stalls along the Anse Royale beachfront selling shells, batik sarongs, woven baskets, and island-themed gifts at prices slightly lower than Victoria. A relaxed alternative to the capital market.
Where: Anse Royale beachfront, Mahé
Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (varies by vendor)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Victoria Town Centre
The compact capital Victoria clusters shops, market stalls, and boutiques within easy walking distance. Independence Avenue and Market Street are the main shopping streets, housing pharmacies, electronics shops, clothing stores, and souvenir boutiques.
Best for: Spices, rum, crafts, souvenirs, daily goods
Eden Island Marina
The upscale Eden Island development offers a small selection of boutique shops, jewelry stores, and designer clothing alongside restaurants and cafes with marina views. Caters primarily to yacht owners and luxury travelers.
Best for: Jewelry, designer wear, international brands
Beau Vallon Beachfront
A strip of small souvenir shops and tour operator kiosks lines the road behind Beau Vallon Beach, selling beach essentials, snorkeling gear, sarongs, and island gifts. Convenient for beach holiday shopping but prices slightly higher than Victoria.
Best for: Beach gear, basic souvenirs, postcards
Craft Village (Victoria)
A dedicated craft village near Victoria's port area housing local artisans selling handmade goods including shell jewelry, woven palm items, carvings, and artwork. The best place to meet craftspeople and purchase authentic Seychellois handicrafts direct from makers.
Best for: Authentic handmade crafts, artwork, unique gifts
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Orion Mall
The largest modern shopping mall in Seychelles, located in Victoria near the hospital. Houses a supermarket, clothing stores, electronics retailers, pharmacies, banks, food court, and various services catering to both locals and visitors.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Pirates Arms Shopping Centre
A small shopping plaza in the heart of Victoria with a mix of tourist-oriented shops, banks, exchange bureaus, a bookshop, and the Pirates Arms restaurant at ground level. Conveniently located for visitors staying in the Beau Vallon area.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Fixed prices are the norm in most Seychelles shops and markets - bargaining is not common practice unlike some other island destinations
Persistent but polite negotiation may yield a small discount when purchasing multiple items at craft stalls or souvenir shops
Always confirm the currency of any quoted price as prices may be quoted in SCR, EUR, or USD - clarify before purchasing
Purchasing directly from artisans at the Craft Village usually results in better prices than tourist shops
Avoid buying unverified coco de mer products without official permits as purchasing illegal items can result in hefty fines at departure
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Export of coco de mer nuts requires an official Seychelles Island Foundation permit. Export of protected species, coral, shells of protected marine life, and endemic plant specimens is prohibited. Organic produce may be subject to inspection.
Tax Refund: Seychelles does not operate a tourist VAT refund scheme. All prices include applicable taxes.
Duty Free: Duty-free allowances on arrival: 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco; 2 liters spirits; 2 liters wine; reasonable personal effects. Duty-free shopping available at Seychelles International Airport departure lounge.
Shipping: DHL and FedEx operate from Victoria for international shipping. Hotels can assist with arranging secure shipping for fragile purchases. Allow 7-14 days for international delivery.