Other shopping in Russia
-
City Centre Shops
This famous factory has an outlet shop on site, where you get anything from the company catalogue at prices lower than in the department stores. You’ll also find a branch of the Hermitage here. From the metro, turn left (east), walk under the bridge to the embankment, then left – the factory’s ahead. If you don’t want to drag yourself this far out, go to either of its city centre shops.
reviewed
-
Blok Post
Sells military and police gear plus some camping equipment. For about R400 you can buy one of those black-peaked hats with tops as big as dinner plates, worn by anyone with a uniform in Russia. Other souvenirs include genuine lamb’s-wool shapky (hats; R4000) and various medallions and badges.
reviewed
-
Magazin-Galereya-Tvorchestvo
For lovers of Russian matryoshki nesting dolls, don’t miss the Magazin-Galereya-Tvorchestvo The shop’s friendly owner not only has a range of dolls for sale, she also offers (Russian language) lessons in painting and making them.
reviewed
-
Yarky Mir
One-hour drop-off places for prints are common in St Petersburg. For digital photo needs, slide film, professional rolls, equipment and development, your best option is Yarky Mir, with several branches around the city; see the website for details.
reviewed
-
Barvikha Luxury Village
For a spot of shopping, stop in at Barvikha Luxury Village. This is where local folk might pop in to pick up a Prada handbag, an Armani suit or – why not – a Ferrari Testarossa. There is also a hotel in this swanky shopping centre.
reviewed
-
A
Artefact
Near the Russian Academy of Arts, this is a sort of art mall, housing several galleries under one roof. Look for paintings, sculptures, dolls, pottery and other kinds of art that people actually buy, as opposed to the more avant-garde exhibits at Winzavod.
reviewed
-
B
Magazin Kollektsionera
A retired navy vet opened this collection of (mostly) Soviet keepsakes about two decades ago. Super stuff: Soviet cameras, watches, toy soldiers, warship clocks, banners, Stalin paintings – all very reasonably priced.
reviewed
-
Adyge Une
This excellent souvenir shop sells all manner of Kabardian and Circassian items, such as hats (R500 to R4000), drinking vessels and jewellery bearing Circassian symbols. Also carries beautiful Dagestani silver jewellery.
reviewed
-
Gobi
For Buryat and Baikal souvenirs such as oriental costumed dolls, shaman drums, colourful felt hats and lovable nerpa-seal soft toys, head for theGobi, the yurt in front of the Hotel Buryatiya.
reviewed
-
Berendey
Amid all the tacky Deda Moroz dolls, Berendey beside the Deda Moroza Residence proffers plenty of attractive and affordable Niello metalwork and some decent birch-craft.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
C
Dom Knigi
Vladivostok city maps and Primorsky Territory maps are available at stalls and bookshops such as Dom Knigi, which also keeps postcards and a funny Vladivostok-photo matchbox set (R180).
reviewed
-
Ekspeditsiya
Source all the equipment you need for a trek into the Siberian wilderness or replace lost or broken camping gear at Ekspeditsiya, a small outdoor shop next to the Sayan Ring office.
reviewed
-
D
Baikal Naran Tour Souvenir Kiosk
For Buryat and Baikal souvenirs such as oriental costumed dolls, shaman drums, colourful felt hats and lovable nerpa-seal soft toys, head for the Baikal Naran Tour souvenir kiosk
reviewed
-
Iska Yer
The tiny but friendly Iska Yer Tatar cultural centre and shop sells traditional Tatar hats, music and Tatar-Russian dictionaries for anyone planning on a trip to Kazan.
reviewed
-
E
Knizhny Mir
Knizhny Mir stocks a good range of city and regional maps for the entire Russian Far East (Khabarovsk maps are R120; an OK city guide in English and Russian is R170).
reviewed
-
Central Market
Browsing the aisles of fruit and fresh-baked flat bread (R10) to the ubiquitous strains of Caucasian tanz (dance) music in the Central Market is a Nalchik highlight.
reviewed
-
F
Respublika
If you take your browsing seriously, Respublika is the place for you, with comfy couches, a cosy café and stay-all-day atmosphere. Also sells music, posters and souvenirs.
reviewed
-
Staraya Kniga
Tucked away in the courtyard off Nevsky, this cluttered antiquarian bookstore and art shop also has old prints, posters and postcards. They stock foreign and Russian books.
reviewed
-
G
Central Market
There are plenty of eateries along pr Mira, summer cafés on the promenade near the river station and cheap snack stalls in the extensive central market.
reviewed
-
H
Central Market
Has fresh fruit and vegetables. Try fresh pomegranate juice in season and for nibbles churchkhela, tasty sticks of nuts coated with fruit leather (R20).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Zh/D Kassy
In Veliky Ustyug, train tickets are sold at Zh/D Kassy and (ul Krasnaya 100; 8am-1pm & 2pm-6pm Mon-Fri, till 4pm Sat & Sun).
reviewed
-
Alpi
For self-catering, there are many bargains to be had at Tomsk’s largest discount supermarket, ALPI, which spreads over two floors.
reviewed
-
Yuvelirnye Izdeliya
Amid some half-hearted ‘art’ are good value birch-bark, wood-burn and leatherwork souvenir crafts at Yuvelirnye Izdeliya.
reviewed
-
Selenskiye Isady Fish Market
The lively Selenskiye Isady fish market is worth a visit to pick up some snacks or to witness the vibrant trade in produce and fish.
reviewed
-
I
Dom Knigi
Dom Knigi sells some regional and detailed city maps including a useful R55 double street map that also covers Veliky Ustyug.
reviewed
