As one of the most expensive cities in the world, Moscow is quite diverse in terms of shopping. Russia’s capital has something to offer for every budget, from first-class brands to high-street fashion. Most of the city’s shopping centers are separate attractions. Here are seven shopping malls that will satisfy your hunger for retail therapy.
1. GUM
The Moscow GUM is Russia’s most important department store and an architectural highlight that houses a multitude of top-class boutiques. The legendary store, which was built between 1890 and 1893 and was known as Upper Trading Rows until 1920, now houses over 200 boutiques selling a variety of brands: from luxury Dior to affordable Zara. Even if luxury shopping is not on your to-do list, GUM Moscow is still worth a visit – the glass-covered passage looks out over Red Square, offers a variety of tasty Soviet-style restaurants and offers a fantastic view in the dark ,
2. TSUM
The TSUM Department Store is beautifully located in the historical center of Moscow, only a few steps away from the most important sights of the city such as Red Square. The Gothic-style shop, built in 1908, sells over 1000 famous brands, including Alexander McQueen, Lanvin and Carolina Herrera. Similar to its cousin GUM, the TSUM department store is known for its luxury boutiques, breathtaking architecture and great restaurants.
3. Okhotny Ryad
The Okhotny Ryad shopping center is another shopping center near Red Square, which, unlike GUM and TSUM, offers a more down-to-earth price. This underground passage is one of the largest shopping centers in Moscow and is home to over 160 brands of clothing, shoes, jewelry, makeup and perfumes. Okhotny Ryad is also known for its great dining options, where most tourists drop by after taking a tour of the Kremlin.
4. Tsvetnoy Central Market
The Tsvetnoy Central Market, or simply Tsvetnoy, is a hipster paradise with seven floors full of shopping, dining and fun. From the ground floor of the main street to the luxury boutiques on the fifth floor, Tsvetnoy sells brands for every taste and budget, including Walk of Shame, American Apparel, All Saints and Vivienne Westwood. The beautiful mall has won several design awards and is also home to many great pop-up shops, Moscow’s largest Rive Gauche store, and the city’s best indoor farmers market.
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5. Afimall City
A little further from the city center, AFIMALL City is a dramatically less crowded and very impressive shopping mall in the heart of Moscow’s business district. Praised for its innovative design, the shop comprises five levels with over 400 shops, 50 restaurants and cafés, as well as an IMAX cinema. AFIMALL City was built for adults and children and is a must if you want to visit the business district of Moscow.
6. Metropolis Shopping Mall
In Metropolis you should choose retail if you don’t want to be too far from the city center. The Metropolis houses boutiques such as Zara, Marks & Spencer, H & M, New Yorker, GAP and River Island as well as a huge supermarket, a bowling alley, a swimming pool and a cinema.
7. Aviapark Shopping Mall
Of all the shopping centers on the list, Aviapark takes the most time to get there, but area’s largest shopping center is definitely worth the free shuttle bus ride. Aviapark is officially the most popular shopping mall in Moscow with over 500 shops, 80 restaurants and a 17-screen cinema spread across 36 soccer fields. However, the main attraction of the glass-roofed shopping center is the 24-meter columnar aquarium, which is filled with tropical fish.