During the Soviet period the entrance to elite Beriozka store was restricted to people with foreign currency and foreigners. This was the one of the few stores where it was possible to buy some souvenirs. Another possibility was to go to Main Department Store (GUM) or to buy stuff at the black market, which was always risky. Things have changed since then and today it’s definitely possible to find some decent souvenirs. Local products are usually low-quality, but you might find something nice. Russian souvenirs include wooden items such as matryoshki, popular wooden dolls, then wooden cases and dishes, all traditionally painted with floral pattern, in Khokhloma style (named after a village north of Nizhny Novgorod from which the style originates). The most popular item are the wooden spoons, but you can also find some very nice cups, bowls or salt-and-pepper shakers.

Since chess is a very popular game in Russia, it’s possible to find chess sets everywhere, usually in different styles and sizes and very often beautifully decorated. Figures are often very detailed and carefully painted. The prices depend on the design – if it’s more decorated, it costs more. Very popular Russian souvenir is the Gzhel porcelain, produced in the Gzhel village about 50 kilometers far from Moscow, famous for its pottery ever since the 14th century. This porcelain has a nice cobalt-blue floral design and all the pieces are hand painted. The Gzhel Association established porcelain workshops in this area in 1972 and started to produce vases, dishes, toys and other specially designed items. Soviet period has left some traces even in the souvenir section – tourists just love the old military jackets, fur hats (shapka), flags and other items from the Soviet period sold at the markets. If you search carefully, you might find some antique books, stamps and posters, or even furniture and other items.

In the past most of the shops in Moscow had a one- or two-hour break called pereriv, usually in the middle of the day. Today they all work whole day long. Shops usually work from 10am or 11am until 7pm or 8pm. On Sunday they usually work from noon till 6pm. Smaller shops are closed on Sunday, while shopping centers work even longer than regular shops. Main shopping areas in Moscow are situated around the city center, like the Main Department Store (GUM) situated on Red Square (Krasnaya ploshchad). Although GUM is often called the department store, it’s actually a shopping mall with many interesting shops. If you’re searching for books, visit the Bibilio-Globus at Myasnitskaya street, which has a great selection of books, travel guides and maps. If you want to buy some toys or just feel the atmosphere from Soviet times, visit the Detsky Mir on Teatralny proezd. Okhotny Ryad on Manege Square is another mall situated in the city center, often crowded with people.

Inside the State Department Store (GUM)

Moscow’s oldest marketplace is known as Gostinny Dvor and is located in Kitai-Gorod District. It’s a small mall with souvenir stalls and small shops. Check out some interesting shops such as the Gus-Khrustalny Factory Store selling crystal or Vologda Linen selling linen products. Moscow’s very popular shopping area is the Petrovka Street and the area around it where one finds numerous shops such as Atlas, House of Foreign Books, Alpine World, Big Star, Bustiere and others. Check out the galleries – Gertsev Gallery sells works of both Russian and foreign modern artists, while M’Ars Contemporary Art Center consists of 10 exhibit halls with works of Russian contemporary artists. Another popular shopping district is the Tverskoy district with shops selling mostly clothes, shoes and jewelry. Main shopping center of this area is the Actor Gallery on three floors. Barrikadnaya isn’t exactly a shopping district but it has some nice shops and a new shopping center – Novinsky Passage with several boutiques and other shops.

Izmaylovo market in Moscow

Arbat district is another popular shopping area where the majority of retail shops are mostly located along New Arbat Street, while souvenir and antique shops can be found along Old Arbat Street. Tourists interested in Moscow’s contemporary art should visit Zamoskvorechye and its art district situated on the small island between the Vodootvodny Canal and the Moscow River. Those who are searching for souvenirs should definitely visit the Izmaylovo market, also known as the Vernisazh market, with a wide range of handmade crafts, items from the Soviet period, art, antiques, clothes and basically anything you could think of. Here you’ll find the best selection of matryoshki, khokhloma dishes and other wooden souvenirs. You can also buy linens, chess sets, pottery, Soviet posters or souvenirs from Caucasus and Central Asia. Don’t agree on the first price they offer you – you’re expected to negotiate and, although it won’t lower the price significantly, it’s a great fun, especially if it’s not a custom in your country. The market works every day, but the selection is better on weekends.