Where to buy gifts in Moscow
- Market near State Historical museum;
- Old Arbat street;
- Vernisazh (Izmailovsky Flea Market);
- Sparrow Hills;
- GUM (department store on Red square).
In Moscow, you'll find a lot of souvenir shops, bookstores, and art shops lining the tourist areas, including Old Arbat street, Maneznaya Square, Tverskaya street, Sparrow Hills and near famous landmarks as like GUM on Red Square.
The famous old Arbat pedestrian street is the best choice to buy souvenirs in downtown. Here you can find a lot of shops offering souvenirs, art, jewelry and antique. Walking up and down the street you can find trade rows as in a flea market where you can buy inexpencive Russian souvenirs (cheaper then in shops) and you can use your negotiating skills, when the counter offer comes back. These trade rows and shops are usually open from 10 am till 8 pm everyday.
Also Moscow has a big open-air market where sellers offer souvenirs and art. It's name is Vernisazh (Izmailovsky Flea Market, Craft Market). Here you can find a lot of souvenirs at the best prices in the city. It is open from 9 am till 6 pm everyday. It is better to go shopping here in the early morning because it becomes very crowded in the afternoon. It is situated a bit far from downtown (Izmailovo area); the average time for shopping here is 3 hours (including time on road).
As your friendly guide I can help you to find the souvenirs you need, bargain with sellers for the best price, provide any translations and offer advice about prices and quality of goods. Also, I can help you to get certificates from the Ministry of Culture if it is needed. In my photogallery you can see photos from Arbat, Craft Market (Vernisazh), and Sparrow Hills to be familiar with these places.
Important Notes
Recently created paintings or old artifacts such as icons, samovars, rugs, and antiques must have a certificate indicating that they have no historical value. You may be able to obtain this certificate from the store that sold the item or from the Ministry of Culture. If you do not have this certificate Russian customs can confiscate these items upon your departure.
