Saint Petersburg, Russia

Saint Petersburg Shopping, Russia

Saint Petersburg offers an infinite number of places for shopping. Everything can be found there that is in any large western city. It is more difficult to find anything authentically Russian or typical of St. Petersburg. The major shopping zones are the prospect Nevsky and the surrounding areas (shops, shopping centers and boutiques); Sennaja plaza and the Aprashkin for little markets and shopping centers; the tourist markets in front of the church of the Savior of the Spilled Blood where there is a bit of everything.

Matrushkas, vodka and caviar are classic souvenirs, and the objects and military clothing of the Soviet era are also becoming popular, such as Red Army berets, Marine Military jackets, pins with images of Lenin and Stalin, those with the flag of the former Soviet Union etc. Always try before buying! Icons are also typical of Russia; they are located in all of churches, and in the churches less frequented by tourists, any kind of craft can be found. The ceramics of Gzel, painted with cobalt, are also typical, along with embroidered shirts and linen tablecloths.

Original souvenirs are also old editions of books, photos, postcards, and stamp collections. There are also many shops with music CDs and DVDs (take care with pirated copies!). Those who love fashion must not miss the shops of emerging designers of St. Petersburg such as Lilia Kisselenko and those that are popular but still less known such as Sultanna Frantsuzova.