FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Where are the best places to buy souvenirs in Moscow?
Old May 4, 2018, 7:26 am
  #2  
DrRodneyMcKay
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Chicago
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Arbat St.- it's a pedestrian-only street with lots of historical buildings and plenty of touristy souvenir shops, if that's the kind of thing you're going for. It can also be a kick to see familiar chains like Starbucks transliterated into Russian. Note that there's also a street called "Novy Arbat" ("new arbat") that does allow traffic and has quite a few lanes; that's not the one you want. You want the one that runs kind of diagonally from it and that's only for pedestrians. If you get off at metro "arbatskaya" and walk southwest, you'll be in the perfect place to walk the entire thing.

As for what souvenirs you can bring - do you want the silly but cute touristy souvenirs, or something more unique? The shops on Arbat will have all sorts of things, from Russian nesting dolls to keychains to all sorts of Soviet paraphernalia with hammers and sickles, which I've always found entertaining. Some shops may also sell fur products, as Russian laws about that are more lax, so be aware of the laws and customs for when you fly back home. Arbat st. also has lots of great street artists; I've loved buying souvenirs from them. There's a guy that does gorgeous art with spray paint in front of your eyes, for example.
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