Moscow Shopping Tips by Canadienne Top 5 Page for this destination

Souvenir/Vodka Shops: Vodka with a Twist What to buy? Review

We bought our vodka (using up both import allowances) at a store on the first level of GUM. The prices may have been a bit higher there, but we didn't bother comparison shopping. We had to carry the bottles back safely, so distance was the deciding factor (the prices were still *very* good).

What to buy: One of my favourite purchases ~ this small wooden bear, perfectedly fitted around a taster-size bottle of vodka. He's almost too cute to bother emptying the bottle. . .but my friends disagreed.

What to pay: The bear and vodka cost about $5.

Address: Russkaya Vodka

Directions: Main floor, GUM

Theme: Food and Drink

Matrioshkas: Russian Dolls What to buy? Review

Russian nesting dolls, or matryoshka, are quite possibly the most popular Russian souvenir. The first doll was created at one of the Abramtsevo workshops in 1890. You'll see them with themes of sports, politics, legends and historical scenes. . .and then the simpler female designs.

What to buy: I had held some thought, before the trip, of selecting a Matryoshka set with scenes of Russian fairy-tales or history on them. . .but the ones I liked cost more than I was willing to pay (some sets are $200 - $1000). . .so I adjusted my image to a more modest budget and found two beautiful sets, one of which is pictured here.

What to pay: This set was about $10-12.

Address: Souvenir Stores

Theme: Other

Okhotniy Ryad Mall: Okhotniy Ryad Mall Where to go? Review

The Okhotnyy Ryad/Manezh mall was an eye-opener for us. . .we were actually in disbelief when someone told us that there was a mall under the ground-level spot we were sitting. We couldn't imagine what sort of mall it would be ~ what it is, is a three-story underground mega-mall.

It's located right out front of Red Square and the Hotel Mosvka. . .and the interior is surprisingly light and airy for something that is entirely underground. You can actually reach it directly from the metro sation of the same name, so you don't even have to come into the sunlight.

What to buy: The stores inside are high-priced boutiques; there's also a movie theatre complex and a fast food area on the bottom floor (worth checking out if you need a quick and cheap bite to eat).

The stores are framed with varied designs ~ marble pillars, wrought-iron branches, stained glass panels. . .and the centre courtyard has a fountain, and a stained-gladd map of the world on the domed ceiling above. This map is also viewable from the Manezhnaya Ploshchad, but it looks entirely different and doesn't at all give hint to what lies beneath it.

What to pay: We just looked around, so no cost.

Address: Manezhnaya Ploshchad

Directions: 2 minutes from Red Square.

Theme: Department Store

TsUM: TsUM Where to go? Review

TsUM, pronounced "tsoom," is another department store. . .this one less attractive inside than GUM.

This was Moscow's first modern department store, built in 1908 by the Scottish trading firm of Muir & Merrilees. The building was largely destroyed by fire in 1900 and was replaced by Moscow's first modern department store in 1908, with Moscow's first elevator.

What to buy: The neo-Gothic exterior is quite striking, but there's nothing much of note inside. . .we did a quick tour, had an ice cream in the small cafe, and escaped back out into the fresh air.

Address: Ulitsa Petrovka 2

Directions: Near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Theme: Department Store

GUM: GUM Where to go? Review

The architecture of GUM is Russian-Revivalist style, with archways, wrought-iron railings, stucco-work and globe lights. The fountain in the centre is also very picturesque and was a popular spot for photo-taking.

What to buy: The three lines of GUM are today filled with a mix of mid to high-end stores, some souvenir stalls, a movie theatre, a couple of cafes and fast food restaurants.

We picked up a couple of last minute souvenirs, but otherwise it was our most frequent choice for breakfast and an espresso to start the day.

Address: Red Square

Theme: Department Store

GUM: GUM Where to go? Review

GUM (pronounced "goom") stands for Gosudarstvennyy universalnyy magazin. . .it's conveniently located on the border of Red Square, so you're bound to pass by it at least once or twice.

Its exterior and interior design mean that it merits some exploration, whether you're in the mood to shop or not.

Erected in 1889-93, it stands on the spot of an older, pre-revolutionary, covered market and is divided into three lines. Originally, to mimic the trading rows, each passage was devoted to of a specific good.

What to buy: There is a well-placed cafe at the south end of the first or second line, where you can sit and enjoy an espresso and light sandwich (we did this in place of breakfast on several mornings). . .and best of all, people-watch.

The mall was consistently busy, but not packed. . .and my most amusing memory was counting the number of ice cream cones that we spotted before 10 a.m.

Address: Red Square

Theme: Department Store

Yeliseev's: Style-Moderne Shopping Where to go? Review

Pyotr Yeliseev and his sons opened their delicatessen branches in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev. This shop was originally a residential building. It was purchased, then refinished in Style-Moderne design, with wooden counters, marble pillars and ornate chandeliers.

What to buy: Opened as a delicatessen in 1898 (it introduced Russians to exotic fruits and treats), it still stocks Russian and imported delicacies.

I bought a couple of sets of tiny chocolate bars, with Russian wrappers ~ perfect to give at work when I returned home.

What to pay: Various. . .

Address: Tverskaya 14

Directions: 5 minutes from Tverskaya metro.

Theme: Food and Drink