Bermuda Shopping Guide

Bermuda shopping & the best stores

There is no sales tax in Bermuda shopping. However that doesn't make things too cheap anyway. Why? Because there is a duty on goods.

Since there is no income tax for Bermudians, charging duty on imported goods and raw materials is one way the government raises funds. Duty varies on the type of goods, but is always included in the price.

So the key to tax-free Bermuda shopping is quality, not price.

Shopping in Bermuda - St George

So what are the best buys in Bermuda?

There are lots of Bermuda made articles like cedar items, blown glass, handcrafts, pottery, fashions and paintings by local artists. Swimming suits, sports clothes and sun straws are also good buys. You’ll find small stalls and shops in the alleys of Hamilton and on the roadside as you travel around the island.

There are excellent books on Bermuda covering wide range of subjects including travel, history, art & architecture, diving ... and the list goes on.

With the military and colonial legacy of Bermuda, plus a natural tendency for most Bermudian families of not throwing anything away, means that the island is a treasure trove of collectibles. Many types of items have found their way to Bermuda from countries like Britain - old tins, buttons, bottles, items of china and brass - numerous such things.

The sea has played an important role in the history of Bermuda, and there is a range of items based on marine theme that you can purchase - propellers, brass plates, and displays of marine knots will remind you of the regatta or ocean yacht race. You can engage yourself for hours searching for that little piece of the past to take home with you.

You also get excellent imported merchandise in Bermuda like French perfumes, English bone china, Swiss watches, Danish silver and jewelry, cameras, Irish linen, Scottish tweeds, Italian silks, cashmere sweaters, leather goods, liquor and liqueurs and many other great products.

In general, you can shop 9am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday. There are exceptions to this.

Harbor night celebrations take place on Wednesdays in Hamilton city (April through October), when most of the shops and restaurants on Front street remain open till late evening.

Same is the case in St George on Tuesdays when Market Nights are celebrated.

Also, stores stay open late on Fridays during the Christmas shopping season.

My list of unique and best buys in Bermuda

Bermuda Cedar Items: The island has abundance of cedar trees and hence so many uniquely designed cedar made items like mugs, book ends, carvings, sculptures, picture frames, trays.

Bermuda Gombey Rag Dolls: Gombey is a traditional and treasured dance tradition in Bermuda.

Banana Leaf Dolls: Made of Bermuda banana leafs.

Bermuda Longtail Jewelry: Longtail is the national bird of Bermuda. They spend the winter at the sea looking for fishes and come back to the island for nesting during the summer.

Bermuda Moongate Jewelry: Moongates in Bermuda are arches that bring good luck to the couples who walk through them. This is a very special tradition of Bermuda.

Bermuda Rum Cakes: These cakes are made with Black Seal rum of Bermuda

Books on Bermuda history and travel: There are some great books that you will get only in Bermuda.

So where do you buy these items from?

Not sure why I turned around and took this photo. My wife was busy shopping a crystal, which we still proudly hold in one of our glass cabinet back at home. Perhaps I took this picture because this grossly sums up what shopping in Bermuda is all about.

A Bermuda Shop

Shopping categories and the best Bermuda stores

Following are my Bermuda shopping categories. Click the right category for the items you want to buy, know more about all the options and find out the best of Bermuda stores that sell those items.

Art and Handicraft: This section of the Bermuda Arts Center opened in April 1987. It was then known as the Bermuda Craft Market

Bermuda Books: Here I have reviewed a number of outstanding Bermuda books covering diverse subjects. I've also listed the top bookstores in the island.

Bermuda Shorts: Know all about Bermuda shorts - why are they so popular, get a guide to buy the right shorts from the right stores, comments from women & men buyers.

Bermuda Clothing Stores: A review of the clothing or apparel shopping options in Bermuda and and the top stores in the island.

Food Products & Drinks: If you are looking for the best of Bermuda food products, wine or spirits, or even cuban cigars, check out these great stores.

Glassware and Ceramics: Here you will know about some great Bermuda shops on glassware & ceramics, like the Dockyard Glassworks, Bermuda Clay Works Pottery, Island Shop, Bluck's, Bermuda Glass Bowling Studio and such.

Gifts and Souvenirs: Finding the little gifts & souvenir in Bermuda can be quite puzzling. You may keep searching for hours to get what you want. Know about our our favorite stores.

Jewelry and Accessories: In Bermuda, you can find artists selling their handmade jewelry or accessories which often have island themes and are just lovely.

Perfume and Cosmetics: Some great shops on Bermuda perfumes and cosmetics include Bermuda Perfumery, Gibbon's Perfume Shop, A.S Coopers & Sons, Dockyard shops etc.

Kids Stores: Here are the best kids stores in Bermuda selling all sorts of children's items like clothing, art & craft, games, DVDs and lot more.

Map of Bermuda Shops & Stores

Shopping Map: A map showing the main shops and stores in Hamilton City, Bermuda.

Bermuda Duty Free shopping & allowances

Bermuda Duty Free: Check this link to find out where can you get duty free items in Bermuda and how much of duty free shopping allowance you get.

Have you done shopping in Bermuda?

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