Shopping in Saint Petersburg

What to buy in St Petersburg?

• Matryoshkas: the most iconic of all Russian souvenirs, matryoshkas are sets of wooden stacking dolls placed inside each other. From colourful dolls representing the traditional clothing of rural Russia to modernised ones depicting politicians, they can be found in shops and markets throughout St Petersburg.
• Fabergé Eggs: originally created as priceless pieces of art for the Russian royals and nobility, today you can find affordable replicas of these lavish jewel-encrusted eggs, still boasting the same beauty and attention to detail.
• Amber: Russia is home to one of the world's largest reserves of amber, making the precious stone an ideal natural and historical souvenir. It can be found in a variety of different pieces of jewellery and other objects at very competitive prices.
• Traditional tableware: the most emblematic tableware items are pieced of Gzhel ceramics, known particularly for their blue and white designs. Teapots, or samovars, make especially good souvenirs if you've got room in your suitcase as they're a reminder of the Russian love for tea too!
• Handkerchiefs, scarves and shawls: soft, colourful, hand-embroidered textiles, the most popular of these fabrics come from Pavlovsky Posad, a town to the east of Moscow.
• Woodwork: lacquered wooden boxes with intricate details are an ideal choice for storing pieces of jewellery and other small personal treasures.
• Soviet souvenirs: ideal for nostalgic collectors, in many shops and markets you'll find badges, caps, posters and other different objects from the former Soviet Union - or at least influenced by it.
• Food: vodka, caviar, honey, herbal liqueurs... whatever takes your fancy, many of St Petersburg's most typical delicacies make excellent souvenirs!

Main shopping areas in St Petersburg

You'll have no problem shopping in St. Petersburg as there are stores of all different kinds located all over the city. These are some of the most popular shopping areas and places:

• Nevsky Prospect: lined with restaurants and shops of all kinds, as well as some of the city's most emblematic monuments, Nevsky Prospect is St Petersburg's main thoroughfare and most famous shopping street.
• Sennaya Square: around the square you can find all kinds of shops and restaurants, in addition to the Pik and Sennaya shopping malls.
• Great Gostiny Dvor: this massive department store is St Petersburg's oldest shopping centre, built between 1761 and 1785, and it remains one of the most fashionable places to shop in the city.
• Passage: this elegant shopping arcade was built in the mid 18th century as a luxury shopping centre for the Russian élite, and is still a lovely place to go for some retail therapy.