Moscow is Russia's sprawling capital and largest city, a global metropolis blending centuries of history with modern dynamism. Home to iconic landmarks like the Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow offers world-class museums, vibrant nightlife, and a rich cultural scene.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Palekh and Fedoskino Lacquer Boxes
Hand-painted miniature lacquer boxes depicting Russian fairy tales, folklore, and landscapes. Made in the villages of Palekh, Mstyora, and Fedoskino using centuries-old techniques. Highly collectible artworks ranging from tourist quality to museum-grade.
Price: $20-800
Where: Izmailovo Vernissage market, Arbat Street craft shops, Salon Khudozhnik on Kuznetsky Most
Russian Nesting Dolls (Matryoshki)
Traditional hand-painted wooden nesting dolls in sets of 5-20, from simple tourist versions to intricate artistic pieces depicting Russian leaders, literary characters, or traditional village scenes.
Price: $5-300
Where: Izmailovo market (best selection and prices), Arbat Street shops (higher prices), GUM
Baltic Amber Jewelry
Natural amber from the Baltic region fashioned into pendants, earrings, bracelets, and rings. Quality ranges from mass-produced to handcrafted artisan pieces. Popular as distinctly Russian/Baltic gift.
Price: $15-250
Where: GUM department store jewelry section, Arbat Street jewelry shops, Izmailovo market
Soviet Era Collectibles
Original Soviet-era military pins (значки), badges, medals, propaganda posters, watches, cameras, and military items from the USSR period 1917-1991. Authentic pieces with genuine historical value.
Price: $5-200
Where: Izmailovo flea market (best for authentic items), antique shops throughout Moscow
Russian Chocolates and Sweets
Mishka Kosmolapy (Teddy Bear) chocolates, Krasniy Oktyabr (Red October) confectionery, Babaevsky brand chocolates, Russian halva, and various traditional sweets. Excellent food gifts.
Price: $5-25
Where: GUM Gastronome No.1, Perekrestok and Lenta supermarkets, Danilovsky Market
Russian Literature and Art Books
Classic Russian literature in beautiful Russian-language editions, art books about Moscow and Russian art, illustrated fairy tale books. Beautiful objects even without reading Russian.
Price: $10-60
Where: Moscow House of Books (Dom Knigi) on Novy Arbat, Biblio-Globus on Myasnitskaya
Russian Embroidered Textiles
Traditionally embroidered tablecloths, runners, towels, and clothing featuring traditional Russian geometric and floral patterns. Both machine and hand-embroidered versions available.
Price: $10-120
Where: Izmailovo market, Gorkhon craft shops, Arbat Street souvenir shops
Gzhel Blue and White Ceramics
Distinctive blue and white Russian porcelain from the Gzhel region near Moscow. Tea sets, figurines, plates, and decorative objects featuring cobalt blue floral and folk patterns on white.
Price: $10-200
Where: Souvenir shops throughout Moscow, Izmailovo market, GUM department store
Premium Russian Vodka
Russia's finest vodkas including Beluga, Russian Standard Platinum, and regional craft vodkas. Far better quality and price than buying at home. Duty-free for departure.
Price: $15-80
Where: Perekrestok supermarkets, dedicated wine and spirits shops, airport duty-free
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Izmailovo Market (Vernissage)
Moscow's most famous weekend market with thousands of stalls spread across the enormous Izmailovo complex. The definitive destination for matryoshkas, lacquer boxes, Soviet memorabilia, handcrafted jewelry, folk art, vintage cameras, antiques, and military items. Prices negotiable.
Where: Izmailovskoye Highway 73Zh, Moscow (Partizanskaya metro)
Hours: Saturday-Sunday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (some vendors weekdays too)
Danilovsky Market
Moscow's best modern food market renovated in 2012 with fresh produce, artisan cheeses, specialty meats, organic products, and an excellent multicultural food court. A foodie destination as much as a market.
Where: Mytnaya Street 74, Moscow (Tulskaya metro)
Hours: Daily 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Dorogomilovsky Market
Traditional Soviet-style indoor market with fresh produce, meats, dairy, mushrooms, berries, and exceptional traditional Russian pickled and preserved foods. More authentic local experience than Danilovsky.
Where: Mozhayskoye Highway 10, Moscow (Kievskaya metro)
Hours: Daily 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Udelnaya Flea Market
Large antique and second-hand market popular with local Moscow collectors and bargain hunters. Less touristy than Izmailovo, better prices for genuine antiques and Soviet-era collectibles.
Where: Near Losiny Ostrov, northeastern Moscow
Hours: Saturday-Sunday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Old Arbat Street
Moscow's most famous pedestrian street lined with souvenir shops, matryoshka vendors, art galleries, street artists, and cafés. Tourist-oriented but excellent variety of Russian souvenirs.
Best for: Souvenirs, tourist gifts, folk art, street photography
Novy Arbat (New Arbat Boulevard)
Wide Soviet-era boulevard with modern malls, bookshops (Dom Knigi), electronics stores, and chain restaurants. Less touristy than Old Arbat with more practical shopping.
Best for: Books, electronics, international brands, casual shopping
Tverskaya Street
Moscow's premier shopping street stretching from Red Square to the Garden Ring with luxury brands, jewelry stores, department stores, and upscale restaurants.
Best for: Luxury goods, international fashion brands, jewelry
Kuznetsky Most Street
Historic street known as Moscow's fashion district with galleries, design stores, boutiques, and creative businesses in elegant pre-revolutionary buildings.
Best for: Contemporary Russian design, galleries, boutique fashion
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
GUM
Iconic 1893 glass-roofed trading arcade on Red Square housing luxury boutiques (Dior, Chanel, Fendi), GUM Gastronome food hall, and Stolovaya No.57. Worth visiting for the architecture alone.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
TsUM (Central Department Store)
Moscow's most prestigious department store near Bolshoi Theatre with luxury brands including Gucci, Prada, Burberry, and a curated selection of international fashion.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
Evropeysky Mall
Large modern mall near Kiyevskaya metro and train station with 200+ shops including international and Russian brands, cinema, and food court. Very convenient transit location.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM daily
Afimall City
Modern mall in the Moscow City business district with mid-range and premium brands, restaurants, cinema, and impressive glass architecture.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM daily
Metropolis
One of Moscow's largest malls near Voykovskaya metro with extensive shopping, large food court, IKEA, and cinema. Practical for everyday shopping.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM daily
Oceania Mall
Upscale mall on Kutuzovsky Prospekt with quality brands, excellent restaurants, and a less crowded atmosphere than central malls.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected and welcomed at Izmailovo market and flea markets - start at 60-70% of asking price
Show willingness to walk away - vendors often call you back with a better price
Buying multiple items from the same vendor often gets a 15-20% combined discount
Fixed prices at malls, department stores, and most shops - no bargaining
Be friendly and patient in negotiations; aggressive bargaining is counterproductive
The earlier in the day you visit markets, the more flexible vendors tend to be
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Cannot export antiques (items over 100 years old) without special permit from Ministry of Culture. Items 50-100 years old may need documentation. Declare at customs if uncertain.
Tax Refund: Tax-free shopping (VAT refund 20%) available at participating stores for purchases over 10,000 RUB; claim at Sheremetyevo airport before departure. Look for Tax Free signs in shops.
Duty Free: Duty-free allowances when entering Russia: 3 liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes. Check export limits for currency.
Shipping: International shipping via EMS Russian Post, DHL, and FedEx from post offices and courier offices. Allow extra time and check import restrictions in destination country.