Irkutsk
This large bookstore on the 2nd floor of a small shopping centre sells regional and city maps, Baikal- and Irkutsk-themed coffee-table books and Lonely…
Must-see shopping in Russia
Veliky Novgorod
Small store selling Novgorod’s best selection of local arts and craft souvenirs, including woolen hats, jewellery and matryoshki. It has an art gallery…
Kaliningrad
Loads of high-end imported wines, but also a decent selection of better domestic vodkas and delicious, good-value cognacs produced all around the former…
Irkutsk
Tiny shop selling beautifully furry unty (traditional deerskin cowboy boots) made on-site and typically costing around R10,000. Some English spoken.
Northern European Russia
Vologodskie Suveniry sells classic kruzhevo (Vologda lace), colourful lacquerware, painted wooden trays and delicately carved birch wood items.
Northern European Russia
Well-stocked gift shop selling locally produced, high-quality linen clothing, nesting dolls, clay whistles, lace parasols and much more.
Russian Caucasus
Just after the turn-off to Cheget on the way to Terskol, this well-stocked shop rents all manner of mountaineering and hiking gear.
Northern European Russia
Dom Knigi sells some regional and detailed city maps, including a useful double street map (R150) that also covers Veliky Ustyug.
Yekaterinburg
This enormous shopping complex near the ul Vaynera pedestrian zone is an oasis away from the traffic.
Khabarovsk
This is the best souvenir shop in town, located in the old House of Pioneers building.
Zamoskvorechie
Gzhel porcelain, with its signature white-and-blue folkloric decor, is sold here.
Golden Ring
An art-and-crafts gallery at the back of this 18th-century church features paintings and photographs by local artists – everything from stunning…
Zamoskvorechie
You know you're in an ex-Soviet country when a candy factory is named after a phrase German socialist workers greeted each other with in the 1920s. The…
Arbat & Khamovniki
Near the Russian Academy of Arts, the Artefact Gallery Centre is a sort of art mall, housing a few dozen galleries under one roof. Look for paintings,…
St Petersburg
It’s rather generous to call this basement gem an antiques shop – much of the stock is more garage-sale worthy, but there are still some very cool bits…
Golden Ring
You'd have to be a teapot fanatic to find this tiny museum worth the admission price, but for free you can browse the gift shop, full of beautiful tea…
St Petersburg
The colours and atmosphere of the city’s largest fruit-and-vegetable market are a wonderful experience: the vendors will ply you with free samples of…
Western European Russia
Not only does this great little place sell souvenirs and craftwork, the likes of which you won't find elsewhere, but it allows visitors to have a go at…
St Petersburg
Serving St Petersburg’s Jewish community, the Kosher Shop is conveniently located next to the Grand Choral Synagogue. Although its emphasis is on hard-to…
Golden Ring
You may not have room in your suitcase for one of the old samovars or record players on display at this antiques store on the embankment, but there are…
St Petersburg
Cheaper and less atmospheric than Kuznechny Market, Sennoy Market is also centrally located. You’ll find fruit and vegies, as well as freshly caught fish…
Arbat & Khamovniki
Fashion maven Igor Chapurin got his start designing theatre costumes, but his creativity knows no bounds: in addition to men’s and women’s clothing, he…
Kaliningrad
The smallest of several amber sellers along the riverfront promenade in Fish Village. In addition to the usual amber necklaces, brooches and pins it also…
Kaliningrad
Certainly not as upscale as the Europe shopping centre across the square, the Clover nevertheless has some very good restaurants, some useful shops, and…
Tuva
Souvenir and craft shop selling top-quality handmade items such as small pieces of sculpture made from a soft stone called agalmatolite, silver jewellery…
St Petersburg
If you can’t find something anywhere else in the city, then head for this conveniently located hypermarket, just a short walk from Obvodny Kanal metro…
Kaliningrad
Nothing more than a junk shop, really, though it has a good selection of cheap souvenirs, like pens and key chains, as well as some interesting mugs…
St Petersburg
Russia has a long tradition of producing fine grade linen; this small chain of shops with five branches around the city sells quality tableware and…
St Petersburg
This is a one-stop 'concept store' for big-name international fashion brands in St Petersburg, as the well-dressed doorman will make abundantly clear…
St Petersburg
Inside the Artillery Museum (though you don’t need to pay for entry to get access to the shop), this is a must for model plane, train and automobile fans…
Yaroslavl
This giant, hypermodern shopping centre has more than 200 shops of international brands, as well as a huge supermarket, a bowling alley, rollerskating…
Golden Ring
Located inside the western half of the city's sprawling 19th-century Italianate trading arcades is this bustling market for local meats, dairy products,…
Kola Peninsula
Intricate dolls, leatherwork, silver and bone jewellery. Can be contacted through the Sami History & Culture Museum or by telephone.
St Petersburg
Come for the aroma and stay for the amazing coffee from all over the world. There are espresso machines and every type of coffee-maker and caffeine…
St Petersburg
This local streetwear brand has the tagline 'made in Russia' and its bright, psychedelic and playful unisex clothing is popular with a cool, younger crowd.
Tomsk
This market sprawls for a full block south of ul Kartashova, providing photo-ops as well as fuel in the form of local fruits and nuts.
Kaliningrad
Everything you might think of in terms of gifts, including toys for the kids, cards and posters, candles and diaries.
Novosibirsk
Has the best selection of maps in town, including maps of all Western Siberia oblasti (regions).
Nizhny Novgorod
A good selection of maps and local guidebooks, and some books in foreign languages.
