10 Best Shopping in Moscow, Russia

Specializing in traditional Russian linen, this old store stocks beautiful embroidered christening gowns as well as table linens, rag rugs, and fine cotton lace collars and cuffs from different parts of the country.

In this large, old-fashioned store you can find Gzhel china, linen tablecloths, nesting dolls, ivory work, wooden toys, and national Russian costumes at reasonable prices and without the hard sell.

These boutiques are inside the Church of St. Maxim the Blessed and the Church of St. George on Pskov Hill. They carry a fine selection of handicrafts, jewelry, ceramics, and other types of native-Russian art.

The Historical Museum's art shop Naslediye (Heritage) deals in many sorts of souvenirs, including jewelry, T-shirts, handmade crafts, replicas of museum pieces, and Russian- and Ukrainian-style embroidered shirts, Gzhel ceramics, and more. Wooden bowls and spoons decorated in khokhloma style—with bright oils painted on a black-and-golden background—fill the shelves. The store is next to entrance number 1 of the museum; enter Red Square through the Resurrection Gates.

Part of the Soviet showpiece that's now called the All-Russian Exhibition Center (abbreviated VVC in Russian), the elegant, white Pavilion No. 66 stocks a huge range of crafts, including Turkmen embroidery, earthenware pots from Suzdal, and carved stone animals from Perm. Enter the VVC through the main entrance and walk straight to the People's Friendship Fountain and continue walking a little more on the right side of the road.

This former industrial complex is now a center of design studios, showrooms, advertising agencies, and workshops for all sorts of creative types. There's a two-level market full of shops offering handmade souvenirs, jewelry, urban fashions, books, and music.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan houses this compact icon shop. In addition to icons, you can purchase religious books, silver crosses, and other Orthodox religious items.

It's worth seeking out this out-of-the-way shop for their plentitude of handmade crafts. The choice of souvenirs, jewelry, and dolls by Moscow craftspeople and artists will make you dizzy.

This small store sells quirky contemporary crafts from local artists, including unique felt jewelry, toys, clocks, greetings cards, and T-shirts.

This pleasant souvenir shop sells the best of locally produced folk art, including palekh (colorful, lacquered wood with folklore designs), chess sets, cocktail glasses, coffee sets made of amber, and copies of Faberge eggs (including earings and pendants).