Want to shop for souvenirs without wasting a whole trip? Follow this one-day route, from local snacks to handmade crafts.
Batam has plenty of souvenir options that are easy to pack, from dried snacks to handmade crafts typical of the Riau Islands. To make the most of your time, plan a single-day shopping route instead of crisscrossing the city.
Start your morning at a souvenir center selling dried snacks like fish crackers and assorted chips — these keep well and slide easily into a suitcase. Compare prices across a few shops before buying in bulk, since the difference adds up once you're stocking several varieties.
Around midday, stop by a traditional market for fresher souvenirs like Malay-style kue basah, best enjoyed the same day or shared with neighbors once you're home. Bargaining also tends to be easier here than at modern retail stores.
Wrap up your shopping route in the afternoon with a visit to a handicraft shop for longer-lasting souvenirs, such as woven goods or regional fabric. Leave yourself enough time to pack everything neatly before heading back to your hotel or the ferry terminal.