Shopping in St. Petersburg, Russia
Like Moscow, St. Petersburg offers a number of options for those looking for good shopping opportunities. They are establishments that sell souvenirs from Russia – such as the famous Matryoshka dolls, Fabergé eggs -, decorative objects in general, clothes (designer or not), shoes, books, among other items. Check abbreviationfinder.org for abbreviations and acronyms related to St. Petersburg, Russia.
In addition to the huge number of high street stores – several of them concentrated on the busy Nevsky Avenue (check out our post below) – the visitor has a good number of shopping centers available; some of them, however, are not at all popular and have high prices! (Note from MD: clothes and accessories belonging to famous brands, in addition to electronics, in general, do not usually have very attractive prices).
The opening hours of shops in St. Petersburg can vary widely, but in general, it runs from 9:30 am to 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 9:30 am to 10 am and 7 pm to 8 pm on weekends. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments, but it costs nothing to ask before making the purchase, in order to avoid embarrassment.
Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)
It is impossible to be in St. Petersburg and ignore the most important and pulsating avenue in the city, be it for shopping in one of the various shops, having a good breakfast (lunch or dinner) or just walking calmly along its entire length, knowing nearby some famous tourist spots, watching the pedestrian movement and the details on the facade of several old buildings.
Those who like a little shopping should be interested in the Nevsky Center (from number 114 to 116). Branded clothes, cosmetics, among other interesting objects can be found there. Souvenirs of all kinds, such as the famous Russian dolls and Fabergé eggs, among others, can be found at numbers 22 to 24, at the Nevsky Souvenir Shop (click here to see the store’s website).
In addition, the wide avenue is full of mobile phone stores, where you can purchase prepaid cell phone cards.
How to get there: Metro, lines 3 (green) and 2 (blue), Nevskiy Prospekt station.
Nevsky Prospekt, Saint Petersburg
Gostiny Dvor (Гостиный двор)
Impossible to stroll along Nevsky Prospect and not stop to visit the oldest shopping mall in St. Petersburg – if only to take a look, just. Housed in a classic building, Gostiny Dvor was built in the 18th century and occupies one of the busiest areas in the city. There are more than 150 stores of the most diverse types, among several famous brands, such as Ermenegildo Zegna, Versace (Versace Jeans) and Nina Ricci.
Popular (and affordable) establishments can also be seen there. Many of them sell souvenirs from the country, such as the famous Russian dolls, as well as clothes, winter shoes and other interesting items.
How to get there: Metro, lines 3 (green) and 2 (blue), Gostiny Dvor station.
Nevsky Prospect, 35, Saint Petersburg – CEP: 191011
Telephone: +7 812 710-54-08
Website: http://www.bgd.ru
Hours: Mon – Tue, Fri – Sun: 10: 00–22: 00 Wed –Qui: 10: 00–22: 30
Sennaya Shopping Center
More than 80 stores are gathered in this shopping center in St. Petersburg, considered much more accessible, when compared to some department stores in the city, extremely expensive. Adidas, L’Occitane, Nike, Lego, Timberland and Tommy Hilfiger are some of the existing brands in the place, in addition to restaurants and cafeterias like KFC and Coffeeshop Company. Tip from the MD: Bowling on the top floor can be an excellent choice for day or night programs.
How to get there: Metro, line 2 (blue), Sennaya pl..
Ul. Efimova 3, Saint Petersburg
Phone: +7 (812) 740-46-24
Website: http://sennaya.ru/
Hours: Daily, from 10 am to 10 pm;
Souvenir Market
If your intention is to take several nice souvenirs from Russia home, the Souvenir Market is a good place to do good shopping and, of course, to bargain a lot. This is because a good part of the goods is offered by sellers who, most of the time, are the artists / artisans themselves (who, by the way, have a good command of the English language).
The market is located in the historic and tourist center of St. Petersburg, behind the Church on Spilled Blood. It is open daily until 6 pm.
How to get there: Metro, lines 3 (green) and 2 (blue), Nevsky Prospekt station.
Nab. Griboyedova Kanala, 1, Saint Petersburg