Shopping in Russia is a mix of nostalgia, luxury, and folk art. The GUM department store on Red Square is a historic shopping arcade offering luxury brands in a stunning architectural setting, while St. Petersburg’s Nevsky Prospect offers endless boutiques and bookstores. Travelers often seek out iconic souvenirs like the Matryoshka (nesting dolls), intricately painted lacquer boxes from Palekh, and delicate Orenburg shawls. Russia is also famous for its Amber jewelry from the Baltic region and Imperial Porcelain. For foodies, markets (rynok) offer caviar, vodka, Altai honey, and pine nut treats. Whether you are hunting for Soviet-era memorabilia at a flea market or buying high-fashion in a modern mall, shopping in Russia offers unique treasures that reflect the country’s artistic soul.
When it comes to souvenirs in Russia, the options are rich in folk tradition. The most iconic is the Matryoshka (nesting doll). From cheap tourist versions to hand-painted artistic masterpieces, they are a must-buy. Lacquer Boxes from the villages of Palekh or Fedoskino are stunningly intricate, depicting fairytales on papier-mâché boxes.
Amber is a major treasure, especially from the Baltic region (Kaliningrad). You can find amber jewelry, chess sets, and even pictures made of amber dust. Orenburg Shawls (made of goat down) and Pavlovo Posad Shawls (colorful wool scarves) are beautiful, practical gifts for the cold.
Imperial Porcelain (Lomonosov) from St. Petersburg offers delicate tea sets with the famous cobalt net design. For foodies, Caviar (red or black), Vodka (buy premium brands like Beluga), and Altai Honey make excellent gifts. Cedar nuts (pine nuts) from Siberia are also a popular treat.
Finding authentic Russian crafts requires visiting markets and specialized stores. In Moscow, the Izmailovo Kremlin is a sprawling flea market that is the best place for souvenirs, antiques, Soviet memorabilia, and fur hats (Ushanka). You can haggle here. For a luxury experience, the GUM department store on Red Square offers high-end brands and high-quality gifts in a historic setting.
In St. Petersburg, the Dom Knigi (House of Books) on Nevsky Prospect is great for art books and postcards. For Amber, buy from certified shops to avoid plastic fakes.
To ensure authenticity, look for factory shops. For example, buy porcelain directly from the Imperial Porcelain Manufacture stores. Vernisazh markets on weekends are great for finding paintings by local artists. Museum gift shops (like the Tretyakov or Hermitage) offer high-quality replicas and art books.
Russia has a Tax-Free Shopping system for foreign travelers. The VAT (NDS) is 20%. Travelers can claim a refund if they purchase goods worth at least 10,000 Rubles in a single day from a participating retailer.
Participating stores (often high-end malls like GUM, TSUM, or DLT) display a Tax Free logo. You must ask for a Tax Free form at the checkout and show your passport.
When leaving Russia (at the airport), you must show your goods, passport, and forms to Customs before checking your luggage to get a stamp. Then, visit the refund counter (often Global Blue or Planet) to get your money back. Note: With current geopolitical situations, refund processes and card payments may be affected; checking the latest regulations before travel is essential.