Gift Shops, Markets and Where to Buy Gifts in Tonga
Stepping into a gift shop or a market in Tonga is more than just shopping, it’s like visiting an overstocked art gallery! The Tongan handicrafts are nothing short of exceptional, with each piece individually handcrafted for a unique and authentic souvenir. So if you want to do a spot of souvenir shopping or simply appreciate art, then we’ve listed some of the best shops and places to buy souvenirs in Tonga.
1. Talamahu Market (Tongatapu)
The largest market in Tonga, the Talamahu Market in Nuku’alofa is a must for all things Tonga! It has an awesome array of arts and crafts filling just about every available space of this market building. See intricately woven baskets, Tongan clothing, tapa-cloth paintings, carved jewellery, carved ornaments and so much more, as you wander around this hub of culture. You can even get personalised souvenirs. On top of that, the market has a huge fresh produce section, where visitors can admire the pyramids and woven baskets full of tropical produce! Talamahu Market is open from around 8 am until around 5 pm, Monday to Saturday.
Location: Salote Road, Nuku’alofa city centre, Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com[Bonus] Personalised Gifts from Treasure Island
Just as a little bonus addition to Talamahu Market, we couldn’t resist mentioning the Treasure Island stall upstairs at the Talamahu Market. The stall sells an array of jewellery and pendants and will carve your name/personised message for free! Choose from one of their cow bone, whalebone, coconut or shell pendants or bring your own!
© TongaPocketGuide.com2. Joy’s Gift Shop (Tongatapu)
Selling a wide range of Tongan jewellery, beauty products and homeware, Joy’s Gift Shop is an easy one-stop shop for products that are made in Tonga. Browse Tongan favourites like Kakala coconut oils and Koko Designs coconut soaps, as well as jewellery, candles, block-printed tea towels, aprons and other nicknacks. If you like a selection of products, they also offer a very affordable gift hamper service. Find Joy’s open from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 2 pm Saturday.
Location: Wellington Road, Nuku’alofa city centre, Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com3. Langafonua Handicraft Centre and Gallery (Tongatapu)
For something truly Tongan, check out the Langafonua Handicraft Centre. All of the pieces here are uniquely handcrafted by local women with the aim of preserving Tonga’s ancient skills. Admire traditional tapa paintings, woven bags, carved Tongan jewellery, woven table mats, bowls, fans, coasters, wooden carvings and the list goes on and on! The Langafonua Handicraft Centre is open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. See more shopping opportunities like this in The Guide to Shopping in Tonga + The Best Places to Shop.
Location: Taufa’ahau Road (next to Friends Cafe), Nuku’alofa city centre, Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com4. Koko Designs (Tongatapu)
Handmade soaps made from organic virgin coconut oil are the speciality of Koko Designs. Coming in a creative selection of colours and shapes, Koko Designs’ soaps make a fun and easy-travelling gift to bring back from Tonga. Soap, body butter, lip balm, scented coconut oil and other accessories are sold out of the “Soap Hut” on the outskirts of Nuku’alofa. Koko Designs is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 3 pm Saturday. Plus, check out their accommodation over in the 10 Best Holiday Apartments in Tonga.
Location: Alaivahamama’o Bypass Road, Longolongo, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com5. Kaila Handicraft (Vava’u)
For traditional-style handicrafts in Vava’u, your go-to is Kaila Handicraft. The gift store on the main street in Neiafu stocks various locally-made handicrafts, including woven baskets, carved ornaments, jewellery, kava powder and much more. Kaila Handicraft is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, and 9 am to 1 pm Saturday.
Location: Fatafahi Road, Neiafu, ‘Utu Vava’u, Vava’u.
© TongaPocketGuide.com6. Pink Gator (Tongatapu)
Personalised gifts and CNC-made crafts are the specialities of this nifty little artisan you’ll be happy to stumble upon in Haveluloto. Pink Gator creates personalised photo frames and kava bowls, as well as stylish jewellery boxes, earrings, pendants and coasters with contemporary Tongan designs. It’s best to make your order for personalised gifts five days ahead for the cheapest option. Otherwise, same-day orders can be done for an extra fee, should you need a last-minute gift before you fly out in the evening. Pink Gator is open from 9 am to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday.
Location: Painituu’ua Road, Haveluloto, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com7. True Vava’u (Tongatapu)
Ironically not in Vava’u, True Vava’u is the flagship line of tuitui oil products sold at this gift store in Nuku’alofa. Tuitui (candlenut) is an oil revered in Tonga, traditionally only used by the Royals, but today favoured by all to keep the skin soft and especially used on newborn babies. While True Vava’u is sold at markets and gift stores across Tonga, their gift shop in Nuku’alofa has its full range of products, as well as other Tongan souvenirs and gifts. You can even stay at the accommodation, Backpackers Townhouse, on-site where you can watch the labour-intensive work of creating tuitui oil. Learn more about the accommodation in the 10 Best Backpacker Hostels in Tonga.
Location: Corner of Mateialona and Vaha’akolo Road, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com8. Eiko-San Clothing (Tongatapu)
One of Tonga’s most prestigious boutiques, Eiko-San Clothing is a local favourite for island apparel and accessories. The store designs its own array of dresses and shirts with modern Tongan motifs (kupesi), while it also sells gorgeous earrings, bags and lavalava to complete the look. Find Eiko-San open from 9 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Fund Management House building, Taufa’ahau Road, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com9. ‘Utukalongalu Market (Vava’u)
The main market of Vava’u, ‘Utukalongalu Market is well worth discovering! Not only a great insight into grocery shopping in the South Pacific as you admire rows of tropical fruit and vegetables but there are also stalls and stalls of handicrafts where locals are often producing new jewellery and carvings right on the spot. The best time to go is on a Saturday morning when stalls are seemingly spilling out of the market building, but it’s open throughout the day Monday to Saturday.
Location: On the waterfront of Halaevalu Wharf, Neiafu, ‘Utu Vava’u, Vava’u.
© TongaPocketGuide.com10. Fanga ‘i he Si Market (Ha’apai)
By the time you make it to Ha’apai, you will likely have seen a few of the amazing markets in Tonga. Nevertheless, it’s always an experience meeting the locals and checking out the pyramids and bundles of tropical produce for sale, as well as local handicrafts. At the back of the Fanga ‘i he Si Market, colloquially known as the Pangai Market, are a few side rooms where a selection of souvenirs are for sale. Although the market is usually in action from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, it gets an early start on Saturday morning at around 5 am with much more stalls than throughout the week. In this case, the best time to visit is between 6:30 am and 7 am on Saturday when the market is in full swing.
Location: Corner of the Waterfront and Palace Road, Pangai, Lifuka Island, Ha’apai.
© TongaPocketGuide.comMore on Where to Buy the Best Souvenirs in Tonga
That’s it for our list of the best shops and places to buy souvenirs in Tonga. For more about gift shopping in The Kingdom, take a look at the following:
- 10 Best Souvenirs & Gifts From Tonga
- The Guide to Shopping in Tonga + The Best Places to Shop
- The Guide to the Tongan Culture for Travellers
Finally, inspire yourself with more experiences with the 101 Best Things to Do in Tonga: The Ultimate List. Plus, get even more tips in The Complete Travel Guide to Tonga.
