Just like in any other big city, in Moscow you’ll find large shopping malls, shopping streets and big specialty stores, as well as markets devoted specifically to souvenirs, such as the famous matryoshkas or memorabilia from the former USSR.
0. Introduction
Across Moscow you’ll find a number of shopping centers, the most notable being the GUM (right on Red Square), along with shopping streets such as the old Arbat, markets like Izmailovo and specialty stores for food, toys and other products. In this article I review the main areas for shopping in Moscow.
A few things to know first:
- Sales. Sales in Russia usually take place in two periods: winter sales run through January, while summer sales run throughout June.
- Opening hours. City-center malls and shops are usually open every day from 10 am to 10 pm.
- Payments. By card or in cash (in rubles).
1. Commercial Galleries: from GUM to TsUM
In the shopping-galleries category I’d highlight three, all of them located in the center of Moscow: the GUM, the Okhotny Ryad shopping center and TsUM.
GUM
The GUM Galleries (“Main Universal Store”, ГУМ in Russian) are the best-known shopping center in Russia and the one most visited by tourists in Moscow, since it stands right on Red Square. Many of its shops sell Western luxury brands. That said, it isn’t all luxury at the GUM: you’ll also find more affordable brands as well as gift and souvenir shops.
In any case, even if you don’t buy anything, a visit to the building is a must, both for its imposing 242-meter-long façade and for its majestic interiors. It was built in 1890 and combines elements of Russian medieval architecture. In the years before the Russian Revolution it housed around 1,200 shops; during the Soviet era it was nationalized, and when the Soviet Union broke up it was privatized.
A few suggestions:
If you visit the GUM in summer, I recommend trying its legendary ice cream at one of the kiosks on the ground floor. Served with a scoop of chocolate, cream or other flavors, it comes on a cup-shaped wafer.- If you’re on Red Square at lunchtime, on the GUM’s third floor you can eat Russian or Italian specialties for around 10 euros per person. And if any language barrier comes up, since the restaurants are buffet-style you just point at whatever dish looks good. Outside there are terraces where you can eat while admiring the stunning interior of the GUM galleries.
- On the first floor there’s a supermarket where you can buy Russian gourmet products such as caviar, or drinks like vodka, though prices are usually higher than normal.
Practical info:
- Stores: Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Max Mara, Corneliani, BMW, Dior, Cartier, La Perla, Gucci, Miu Miu, Burberry, Articoli By Bosco, Emporio Armani, Paul & Shark, Bulgari, Hermès, Timberland, Gant, Barbour, Napapijri, Rendez-Vous, Escada, Calvin Klein, Levi’s Store, etc.
- Hours: the GUM is open every day from 10 am to 10 pm.
- Website (English version): https://gumrussia.com/
Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center
An underground, multi-level shopping mall located very close to Red Square, beneath the Alexander Gardens and next to the Kremlin. It has its own metro stop (Okhotny Ryad).
It’s a huge, modern shopping center with shops of every kind (such as Zara, Mango, Adidas or Lacoste) and fast-food restaurant chains, both international (Burger King, KFC or McDonald’s) and Russian (Teremok or Kroshka Kartoshka). You’ll also find gift and souvenir shops.
Practical info:
- Stores: Zara, Mango, Pull and Bear, Converse, Reebok, Rendez-Vous, Swarovski, Stradivarius, Samsung, L’Occitane, Lacoste, Intimissimi, Victoria’s Secret, MAC, Yves Rocher, Calzedonia, Promod, Quiksilver, etc.
- Hours: open every day from 10 am to 10 pm.
- Website: http://ox-r.ru/
TsUM
The TsUM department store (Central Universal Department Store, ЦУМ in Russian) occupies a historic six-story neo-Gothic building next to the Bolshoi Theatre.
Across its 60,000 square meters you’ll find more than 1,500 brands of clothing, shoes, perfume, cosmetics and accessories, many of them luxury.
On the ground floor you’ll find perfumes, cosmetics, accessories, jewelry and costume jewelry; the second floor has men’s fashion collections and the third floor women’s brand collections. The fourth floor has more affordable women’s fashion brands and children’s clothing.
Practical info:
- Brands: Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford, Lanvin, Belstaff, Chloé, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Bottega Veneta, Roberto Cavalli, Céline, Michael Kors, Loro Piana, Jimmy Choo, Emilio Pucci, Marni, etc.
- Hours: open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm, and Sundays from 11 am to 11 pm.
- Website: http://www.tsum.ru/
Other malls
Moscow has many other shopping centers, many of them farther from downtown. I’d highlight the following:
- Afi-Mall: located in the Moscow City skyscraper district.
- European Mall (Evropeisky).
- Petrovsky Passage, a historic shopping arcade in the city center that is worth a visit.
2. Shopping Streets: the Old Arbat
Arbat Street is a roughly 1-kilometer-long pedestrian street in the historic center of Moscow, surrounded by historic buildings. In the 18th century the Russian nobility considered it the most prestigious place to live, although it was completely destroyed by fire during Napoleon’s occupation of Moscow in 1812.
After it was rebuilt, the street became home to artists, academics and the Russian nobility. Today it’s one of Moscow’s biggest tourist attractions, lined with shops and souvenir stores as well as cafés and restaurants. Because it’s such a touristy spot, prices tend to be higher.
Practical info:
- Access. The street is about a 20-30 minute walk west of Red Square.
- More information about the street: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbat_Street
3. Markets: Izmailovo, the citadel of souvenirs and matryoshkas
Izmailovo market is the ideal place to buy the most varied souvenirs: the famous matryoshkas, handicrafts, leather goods, paintings and memorabilia from the former USSR (Soviet medals, Cossack sabers, Soviet caps, etc.). The market is built like a Russian medieval citadel, made up of a series of colorful towers. Prices are cheaper than in city-center shops and payments are usually in cash.
Bear in mind that the market is far from the center (northeast of Moscow), although you can get there quickly by metro (Line 3 – Partizanskaya station).
On weekends, especially Saturdays, the market is busiest and all the stalls are open, so it’s a good day to visit. If you go midweek you may find many stalls closed.
Practical info:
- Hours: in summer it’s open from 10 am to 8 pm.
- Website: http://www.kremlin-izmailovo.com/
- Access: once you come out of Partizanskaya metro station you have to walk past a row of high-rise hotels (see map).
4. Gastronomy: Eliseevsky, the Food Palace
The Eliseevsky food store is one of the most famous in Moscow. Opened in 1901, it’s located at 14 Tverskaya Street. It has luxurious interiors, very unusual for a grocery store. It was one of the Russian nobility’s favorite shops for its imported wines and gourmet food before being nationalized during the Russian Revolution.
Today it’s a very popular store where you can buy all kinds of products, and a great place to pick up gifts such as vodka, caviar or other typical Russian products.
Practical info:
- Hours: open 24 hours a day.
- Website (English version): http://www.eliseevskiy.ru/e_home.htm
5. Toys: Central Children’s Store, the children’s paradise
Central Children’s Store is a 7-floor shopping and entertainment complex aimed at children of all ages. It’s located near Red Square and next to the Lubyanka metro station.
If you’re traveling with children, it’s an ideal place to stop and enjoy the many family activities held inside throughout the day.
Practical info:
- Hours: every day from 10 am to 10 pm.
- Website: http://cdm-moscow.ru/
I hope this article helps you plan your shopping in Moscow. If you found it useful, you can help me out by sharing it on your social networks. Thank you so much for reading.
