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Shopping in Moscow

Since the demise of communism, well-heeled Muscovites have relished the opportunity to shop and, for those with enough roubles, conspicuous consumption has been the order of the day. As a result, Moscow is now one of the most brand-obsessed cities in the world. Boutiques tend to be expensive and glamorous luring those obsessed with status more than purchasing. In fact, some of the city’s wealthiest inhabitants prefer to shop abroad – it’s cheaper.

Key areas

Tverskaya ulitsa, north of Red Square, is Moscow's most fashionable shopping street with numerous highly expensive boutiques. The Arbat is the city’s main shopping district with high-end stores. Petrovka, Moscow's equivalent of Bond Street, is lined with bling products from diamond jewellery to fur coats and antiques.

Markets

Cheremushinsky Rynok, on Lomonovksy prospect, has fresh produce from all corners of the former Soviet Union. The market is open Monday to Saturday 0700-1900 and Sunday 0700-1700. Izmaylovo (Izmailovo) Market is the place to go for souvenirs from paintings and shot glasses to embroidery whilst Gorbushka Electronics Market features a vast array of games, videos and DVDs.

Shopping centres

GUM (Gosudarstvenny Universalny Magazin), formerly a grand 19th-century department store on Red Square, is cram-full of expensive boutiques selling Hugo Boss, Dior, Calvin Klein and the like. Its main rival, cool department store TsUM, features international brands while Barvikha Luxury Village is equally replete with ostentatious wares.

Eliseev Gastronome, at 14 Tverskaya, is worth a visit even if you are not buying. Built in the 1880s as a nobleman's palace, it still retains its original marble pillars, mahogany shelving and candelabras. It is now owned by an upmarket supermarket chain.

Opening hours

Shopping hours in Moscow are generally Monday to Saturday 0900-1800. Some larger stores open from 1000-2000.

Souvenirs

There is plenty of choice for avid souvenir hunter. Look for matryoshka dolls – intricately painted girls with flowered dresses and headscarves; lacquer boxes, fur hats or shapka, birchbark souvenirs featuring delicate lace-like details, ceramics and amber jewellery.

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Featured Hotels

Hotel Danilovsky

It's hard to imagine a more atmospheric place to stay than the 12-century precincts of the historic Danilovsky Monastery. Set amidst chapels and gardens, the hotel is a modern construction, but the rooms are comfortable and all have a view of the stately monastery buildings. There's a sauna and bar onsite too.

Hotel National

With perhaps the perfect Moscow location, overlooking the Kremlin, Hotel National offers a unique blend of history and luxury. Frescoed ceilings, Damask wallpaper, oil paintings and antique furniture all add to the classic Russian baroque experience. The best rooms afford splendid views of the Kremlin, and all have all the expected mod-cons, including Wi-Fi.

Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy

This eye-catching modernist hotel looms above the Moscow River. The most expensive rooms have sweeping views towards the Kremlin and the Seven Sisters, but they can be found from the hotel's rooftop bar too. There are 233 sleek rooms, all with flatscreen TVs and Wi-Fi access. There's also a spa, pool, gym and an organic restaurant.

Hotel Baltschug Kempinski

Facing the Kremlin across the Moskva River, the opulent Baltschug Kempinski is elegance incarnate. Rooms are lavish, with flowing drapes, piles of soft linen and every imaginable convenience, but it's the views of domes and spires across the river that steal the show. There's a plush restaurant with a view of St Basil's, plus a swish spa too.

Izmailovo (Gamma-Delta)

Constructed to accommodate visitors to the 1980 Olympics, the concrete towers of the Izmailovo boast a staggering 8,000 rooms. Institutional in atmosphere, and located far out in the northern suburbs, the hotel is handy for the enormous Izmaylovo Market and has decent city centre links. There are several onsite restaurants and in-room Wi-Fi is available too.

Peking Hotel

Built in 1956 as a little sister to Stalin's Seven Sister skyscrapers, and intended as post-war headquarters for the secret police, Moscow's Peking Hotel is a heritage hotel with a small 'h', in a good location just northwest of the centre. Although slightly old-fashioned, its 130 rooms are comfortable enough, with satellite TV and en-suite bathrooms.

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