Shopping in St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg has a variety of retail establishments to suit every taste and budget. From high end houte-couture boutiques to flea and vegetable markets, travelers to Russia can find most things they need in St. Petersburg shops. Please note that you will need to use rubles or credit cards to effectuate your payments in Russia. Unfortunately, you will not be able to pay with your personal or travelers' checks.

Most boutiques and souvenir stores quote prices in "conditional units" which are equivalent on a 1-to-1 basis to the US dollar. You will need to enquire about the store's exchange rate policy, as it will determine the actual amount of rubles you will need to pay (i.e. Price = Conditional Units x Store's own exchange rate). Note that the store's own exchange rate is different from the Russian Central Bank's exchange rate. The good news is you pay the price you see quoted and there are no additional levies or taxes.

Most department stores have on-site currency exchange offices where you can get Russian rubles exchanging foreign currency cash, getting a cash advance on your credit cards, or using an ATM machine. For more information on money regulations while traveling in Russia visit Money in Russia section.

Souvenir Shopping

If you are looking for a quality souvenir to keep as a memento of your travel in Russia or just need an inexpensive gift to give to your neighbors or friends, you can find them in St. Petersburg. If you are going to travel to Moscow as well, please note that souvenirs are cheaper in St. Petersburg than in the Russian capital.

If you are arriving on a cruise ship you will save big dollars if you stay away from the ship's souvenir store and buy your gifts ashore, as cruise lines charge a hefty mark up on all souvenirs they sell.

You can get high quality souvenir pieces in St. Petersburg if you shop at better souvenir stores. Buying at these stores are you guaranteed to get an authentic hand-made piece that will come with a certificate and a sales receipt. These souvenir stores are your best bet if you are looking for a souvenir to keep in your family or a gift to present for a special occasion.

Flea markets offer a wide selection of affordable items of lower quality that should suffice if you are looking for a gift to give away.

All You Need to Know About Lacquer Boxes

Lacquer boxes are among the most popular items sought after by those who travel to Russia. These boxes can be priced anywhere from US $5 up to thousands of US dollars. As with any purchase, it is important to find an optimal balance between price and quality.

Cheap lacquer boxes are never hand-painted. They are made of a plastic box with a post-card glued on the top which is covered with a layer of lacquer. Albeit these boxes look colorful and attractive, the postcard will eventually come off and the box can be safely thrown into the garbage. Consequently, they are an ideal choice if you are looking for a cheap Russian souvenir to give away after your trip to Russia.

Authentic lacquer boxes are always hand-made. They are hand-painted wooden boxes that are made following centuries-long traditions. To achieve deep and colorful shades the craftsman lays multiple layers of oil paint making sure the previous layer has dried out before putting the new one. As a result, it takes anywhere from several weeks to several months to make one lacquer box which is guaranteed to last for years retaining its colors and form. The hand-made lacquer boxes are your best choice if you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime Russian souvenir.

Major Department Stores

Gostiny Dvor - The largest department store of St. Petersburg located opposite the Grand Hotel Europe on Nevsky Prospect. You can find a variety of merchandise from household items to designer names boutiques located on the second level of the Nevsky Line

Passazh - Located opposite the Gostiny Dvor in the Nevsky Prospect, Passazh offers the largest selection of men's and women's apparel, antiques, tableware, cosmetics, sports goods, and household items. An excellent grocery store is located in the basement level

Specialty Stores

Dom Knigi (The House of Books) - Housed in a former headquarters of the Singer sewing machine company, the House of Books is the largest book retailer in St. Petersburg. Offers a variety of books, post cards, maps, posters, and foreign language study aids in this store located at the corner of Nevksy and Kanal Griboedova

The Eliseev Food Store - This upscale food store carries one of the best selection of food items in St. Petersburg. Prices tend to be high but the quality of products is really superb. You can get several kinds of caviar, sturgeon, good selection of wines from all over the world, and of course Russian vodka!

The Grand Palace - St. Petersburg's newest and finest shopping mall located next door to the Passazh on Nevsky Prospect. Offers a large selection of men's and women's designer wear, jewelry, cosmetics, lingerie, watches, and formal wear

St. Petersburg Flea Market

The Flea Market - Situated behind the Church on the Spilled Blood on Kanal Griboedova, the Flea Market offers a large selection of inexpensive Russian souvenirs of varying quality. You can get Russian watches, inexpensive lacquer boxes, military and traditional costumes, etc. Open only in the Summer.

Official capital of Russia

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