Russiable

Traveling to Russia

  • RUSSIA GUIDE 2020
  • RUBLES
  • GUIDED TOURS
  • VISA INSURANCE (PDF)
  • VISA INVITATION (PDF)
  • 1. Visa
    • 1.1. Invitation to Russia
      • Should I indicate nights on the train in the application for an invitation letter or Russian visa?
      • Russian visa invitation. What is it and how to get it in 5 minutes?
      • How do I get the invitation to Russia if I’m staying with Airbnb?
      • How do I get the invitation to Russia if I’m making hotel reservations with Booking.com?
      • How do I get the invitation to Russia if I travel on a cruise ship?
      • Can I modify my invitation to Russia if it contains some incorrect information?
    • 1.2. Visa to Russia
      • How to obtain a Russian Visa in an easy and cost-effective way in 2019
      • Where do I apply for a Russian visa if I live abroad?
      • Is it possible to travel to Russia Visa-Free? Who does not need a visa?
      • Flight Stopover in Moscow: What to See and How to Obtain a Transit Visa
      • Russian Embassies, Consulates and Visa Centers – Updated list
      • Visiting St. Petersburg on a cruise without a visa (visa-free) and with a tourist visa
      • How to get a private visa to visit relatives or friends in Russia
      • Is it possible to change my itinerary or renew my Russian visa?
      • The reasons for refusal of the Russian Visa (and how to avoid them)
      • Business Visa to Russia: Step by step guide
      • How to obtain the Russian electronic visa (e-visa): St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and Far Eastern regions
      • How to get a 3-year tourist Russian visa (only for US citizens)
      • How to get travel medical insurance for Russian visa (in 5 minutes)
    • 1.3. Registration and immigration
      • Registration in Russia: What it is and how it is done
      • Russian airports: immigration card and customs formalities
    • 1.4. Visa to China, India and post-Soviet states
      • How to travel to Belarus without a visa (visa-free) and with visa
      • How to apply for the electronic visa to Uzbekistan (e-Visa)
      • How to obtain a Chinese Visa in the UK in an easy and cost-effective way
      • How to get an e-Visa to India online: Step-by-step guide
  • 2. Transport
    • 2.1. Arriving by plane
      • Russian airports: immigration card and customs formalities
      • How to go from the airport to the center of Moscow or the Red Square
      • How to find the cheapest flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg
      • How to go from Pulkovo Airport to St. Petersburg
    • 2.2. Russian trains
      • Travelling between Moscow and St. Petersburg: Which is the best way?
      • Trains in Russia: How to buy tickets on-line without the middle-man
      • Train stations in Russia: luggage storage, Wi-Fi and other services
    • 2.3. Metro, bus and taxi
      • How to use the Moscow Metro and what stations to visit
      • How to catch a taxi in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, or in other Russian cities
      • Moscow’s Troika Card: paying all public transport costs with a card
      • St. Petersburg’s Public transport: the Podorozhnik card
      • Traveling by bus through Russia (and how to buy tickets online)
    • 2.4. Car rental
      • Is it worth to rent a car in Russia? Recommendations and requirements
  • 3. Sleep and eat
    • 3.1. Accommodation in Russia
      • Accommodations in Russia: How to choose and where to make a reservation cheaply
      • Ostrovok: the best alternative to Booking.com
    • 3.2. Restaurants in Russia
      • Where to eat in Moscow: from Teremok to Café Pushkin
      • How to book a restaurant in Moscow, St. Petersburg or other Russian cities
      • What do you eat in Russia? Typical dishes and Russian restaurants
  • 4. Destinations
    • 4.1. Moscow
      • Where to eat in Moscow: from Teremok to Café Pushkin
      • What to see and do in Moscow in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days
      • What is the Moscow Kremlin and how to buy tickets online
      • St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. Visits, tickets and schedules
      • Official tourist maps of Moscow (PDF)
      • Moscow Tourist Information Offices
      • How to use the Moscow Metro and what stations to visit
      • Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow: tickets and guided tours
      • Guided tours in Moscow: by foot, by bicycle, by boat, or by tour bus?
      • The Free Visit to the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow
      • Shopping in Moscow: from GUM to Izmailovo market
      • Moscow’s Troika Card: paying all public transport costs with a card
      • Russia Travel itineraries: Big capitals, the Trans-Siberian Route and the Golden Ring
      • Flight Stopover in Moscow: What to See and How to Obtain a Transit Visa
      • Places to enjoy the best views of Moscow
      • How to buy tickets for the Russian circus in Moscow and St. Petersburg
      • Russian Folklore Shows in Moscow and St. Petersburg
      • Moscow in Space: from the Museum of Cosmonautics to the Planetarium
      • What is a Russian banya and why you should visit it
      • The Seven Sisters of Moscow: The Stalinist Skyscrapers secrets
      • The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour of Moscow: you will not believe its story
      • What to see in Red Square in Moscow (and best things to do)
      • Novodevichy Convent (and cemetery), one of my favorite places in Moscow
      • Star City Moscow, where the cosmonauts live – What to see inside?
      • Moscow City: Skyscrapers & Observation Decks (You can go up to enjoy for its views)
      • Traveling to Moscow with children: What to see and do as a family
      • The Tretyakov Gallery: Russian art like you’ve never seen before
      • VDNH (VDNKh), my favorite park in Moscow: Back to the USSR!
    • 4.2. St Petersburg
      • Opera and ballet in St. Petersburg: Where to go and how to buy tickets
      • The Hermitage of St. Petersburg: What to see and how to avoid queues
      • What to see and do in St. Petersburg in 1, 2, 3 or 4 days
      • The Palaces and Gardens of Peterhof, a must-go site in St. Petersburg
      • Catherine’s Palace in St. Petersburg: how to buy tickets online
      • The main cathedrals of St. Petersburg: Tickets and schedules
      • Russia Travel itineraries: Big capitals, the Trans-Siberian Route and the Golden Ring
      • St. Petersburg’s Public transport: the Podorozhnik card
      • How to buy tickets for the Russian circus in Moscow and St. Petersburg
      • Russian Folklore Shows in Moscow and St. Petersburg
      • The Church of the Savior in St. Petersburg: How to buy tickets and schedules
      • Saint Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg: how to buy tickets and schedules
      • What is a Russian banya and why you should visit it
      • Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg: Guide to not get lost
      • White Nights of St. Petersburg: When the city doesn’t sleep
      • Essential tourist maps of St. Petersburg (PDF and JPG)
      • Visiting St. Petersburg on a cruise without a visa (visa-free) and with a tourist visa
      • Drawbridges (and Pedestrian Bridges) of St. Petersburg: Schedules and Recommendations
    • 4.3. Trans-Siberian
      • Organizing a Trans-Siberian Train Trip
      • Russia Travel itineraries: Big capitals, the Trans-Siberian Route and the Golden Ring
      • What is a Russian banya and why you should visit it
      • What to see (and do) at Lake Baikal between Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude
      • Yekaterinburg, where Europe and Asia come together
      • Next stop: Novosibirsk. Welcome to Siberia!
    • 4.4. The Golden Ring of Russia
      • The Golden Ring of Russia: from Sergiyev Posad to Suzdal
      • Russia Travel itineraries: Big capitals, the Trans-Siberian Route and the Golden Ring
    • 4.5. Veliky Novgorod
      • Trip to Veliky Novgorod: the birthplace of Russia
    • 4.6. Kazan
      • The Kazan Kremlin: it will captivate you
  • 5. Practicalities
    • 5.1. Ruble exchange and prices
      • Where is it better to change pounds for rubles?
      • How to send money to Russia: WesternUnion, PayPal or TransferWise?
      • Is Russia an expensive or cheap country to travel? Tips to reduce expenses
      • How to request a VAT refund in Russia (Tax Free)
      • How to pay for purchases in Russia without losing money in ruble exchange?
    • 5.2. Weather, health and safety
      • Is Russia a safe country for tourists? Travel tips
      • When is the best time to travel to Russia (and which clothes to wear)
      • What is a Russian banya and why you should visit it
    • 5.3. Telephone and Internet
      • How to buy a Russian SIM card for your smartphone (online or in a store)
      • 5 Essential Apps for a Trip to Russia
    • 5.4. Russian products
      • Which souvenirs to buy in Russia? From Matrioskas to Cheburashka
      • 15 maps that will give you a better insight of Russia
      • Traveling to Russia with a travel agency or on your own? What is better?
You are here: Home / 5. Practicalities / 5.4. Russian products / Which souvenirs to buy in Russia? From Matrioskas to Cheburashka

Which souvenirs to buy in Russia? From Matrioskas to Cheburashka

Posted on: 28.01.17 | by Irena Domingo

The list of souvenirs that you can buy in Russia is varied: you have wooden souvenirs (for example, matryoshkas), clothes (the shawl, the russian cap or ushanka, hockey jerseys or clothes and Soviet accessories), metal utensils (such as the Samovar), semiprecious stones (such as amber or malachite), porcelain (Gzhel) or food products (caviar, vodka or zefir).

Matryoshkas-featured-image
If you are traveling to Russia, you are very likely to want to buy souvenirs for yourself or your family or friends. The possibilities are very varied, so in this article I will make a selection of the most popular and characteristic Russian souvenirs.

Souvenirs can be bought in many places:

  • In the more tourist areas or streets, such as Arbat Street in Moscow, or in Sparrow Hills
  • In shopping malls such as GUM.
  • In specialized markets in the sale of souvenirs, like Izmailovo Market.
  • In the shops of the main museums.
  • In supermarkets or food stores like Eliseevsky.
  • In the duty free area of ​​the airport (though here prices tend to be higher).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • WOODEN SOUVENIRS
    • Matryoshkas
    • Khokhloma
    • Palej
  • CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR & ACCESSORIES
    • Russian hats: Ushanka
    • Shawl
    • Russian boots: Valenki
    • Sportswear
    • Soviet clothing and accessories
  • METAL GIFTS
    • Samovar
    • Zhostovo Trays
  • PORCELAIN GIFTS
    • Gzhel
  • SEMI PRECIOUS STONES
    • Amber
    • Malachite
  • FOOD PRODUCTS
    • Caviar
    • Vodka
    • Beer
    • Sweets: Zefir
  • TOYS FOR CHILDREN
    • Cheburashka

WOODEN SOUVENIRS

Matryoshkas

Matryoshkas are probably the most requested souvenir by tourists in Russia and are universally recognized as the symbol of the country. It is a set of traditional dolls (its origin dates back to 1890) whose originality consists in that they are hollow, so that they can harbor a new doll inside, and in turn another, in a variable number that can go from five (most common) to twenty or even more (they have been made up to 75).

Russian matryoshkas

Due to their popularity, in addition to the more traditional matryoshkas, you can also find some with the faces of politicians, movie characters or famous people from Russia and other countries.

It is a rather economic and light souvenir, an important issue when packing them in the suitcase.

Russian politicians - matryoshkas

Khokhloma

Another well-known souvenir are wooden spoons, plates and bowls, painted in Khokhloma style (vivid and golden colors on a dark background), a style that first appeared in the second half of the 17th century in Nizhny Novgorod. The good thing is that it is also a very light souvenir, though it is a material that does not support liquids and therefore is not used to take soups or tea.

Many Russians like this style and have their mobiles, computers or even cars, in this striking style.

Russian khokhloma

Palej

As for wooden gifts, it is also worth mentioning the painted boxes in Palej style (a village in central Russia), which women like to use as jewellers. They are decorated and show aspects of real life, stories, etc.

palekh

CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR & ACCESSORIES

Russian hats: Ushanka

Very well-known are Russian caps, such as the Ushanka, a cap of flexible earmuffs believed to have been adopted by the Mongols during the early medieval invasions. It is a headwear that has been identified with Russia, commonly known as the “Russian hat”.

Russian hat - Ushanka

Shawl

The Russian shawl is a garment that is more than 200 years old, but still fashionable among Russian women. The most traditional are still made in Pavlovsky Posad. It is a garment similar to the scarf but of greater dimensions, which is put on the shoulders over the dress and is used both for shelter, as well as an elegant and seductive garment.

Russian Shawl

Russian boots: Valenki

Also very characteristic are the Russian boots, known as Valenki, made of sheep wool and used during the winter. The oldest and most traditional are dark and quite ugly, but the modern ones are sold with a great variety of designs and colors and usually come with a rubber sole.

valenki

Sportswear

For sports fans, it must be said that football and ice hockey are the two most popular sports in the country. For many years, hockey jerseys are a hotly demanded souvenir by tourists, and with the recent Olympic Winter Games in Sochi or the next World Cup in Russia in 2018, the range of possibilities increases: football jerseys, scarves, plush pets for sporting events, key chains, fridge magnets, etc. It is also possible to find memories of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Russian hockey jerseys

Soviet clothing and accessories

Memories of the Soviet period are also very popular. Not only military caps, but also uniforms, belts, medals or badges (some with drawings of KGB agents), and old billets and coins.

Soviet gadgets-2
Soviet gadgets

METAL GIFTS

Samovar

If you have enough space in your suitcase and weight is not a problem, you can choose to buy a Russian Samovar, a metal container in the form of a coffee pot, which serves to boil water and make tea. It is an element that over the centuries has become an icon of the Russian tea culture. It is a more expensive souvenir.

samovar-2

Zhostovo Trays

Another well-known gift is the metal trays painted in the Zhostovo style (population of the province of Moscow) and that arose in the early nineteenth century.

Metal trays - Zhostovo

PORCELAIN GIFTS

Gzhel

In the town of Gzhel (near Moscow) a type of ceramic is elaborated whose origin goes back to principles of the Nineteenth century; with white and blue motifs and that include vases, tiles, statuettes, etc.

promisly_0_4

SEMI PRECIOUS STONES

Amber

Amber is a semi-precious stone made of fossilized resin and it’s usually light brown in color. They are sold in many places and are much sought after by tourists.

Russian amber stones

Malachite

We can also mention other semiprecious stones like the malachite of the Urals, of green color. You can find necklaces, cufflinks or boxes or table games made of malachite.

Urals Malachite

FOOD PRODUCTS

Caviar

Caviar is the food product most demanded by tourists. While black caviar is quite expensive, red caviar is quite affordable. It can be purchased in cans or glass jars.

Red Russian caviar

Vodka

Vodka is the most famous drink in Russia. It is made with cereal, usually wheat, though sometimes rye is also used. In addition to white vodka, you can also buy vodka with flavors (Limonnaya, Okhtnichya, Starka, etc).

Russian vodka

Beer

Beer is also very popular in Russia. The best known brand is Baltika, founded in 1990 in St. Petersburg, though today it is owned by Carlsberg, a Danish group, which dominates more than 40% of the Russian market.

Sweets: Zefir

Although chocolate is somewhat more characteristic of Belgium or Switzerland, some Russian chocolates are very good and can be a good gift.

A sweet that is characteristic of Russia is Zefir, a kind of meringue made from fruit puree, eggs and sugar. They are very light, contain no dairy products and are low in calories.

 

zefir-sharmel-vanilnyy-255g

TOYS FOR CHILDREN

Cheburashka

It is not easy to find a Russian gift for younger children, as all toy stores are flooded with Western products. One option is to buy a Cheburashka doll, a classic Russian cartoon character, very popular in the country.

cheburashka-1

What souvenir have you brought from Russia? You can leave your comments below.

 

 

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Categories: 5.4. Russian products

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Steps Days in advance Links
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2 Visa application 30-45 days Fill out the online application
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3 Train tickets 30-45 days Use the official website of RZD
4 Accommodation 30 days Book accommodation with free cancellation
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About the Author

Irena Domingo's avatar

Hello, my name is Irena. I was born in Russia in 1974 during the Soviet era. I worked as a Russian teacher and as a translator and interpreter for the past 15 years. One of my main hobbies is traveling. Therefore, through this blog I want to help those people who want to travel to Russia.

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Hey! I’m Irena Domingo

I was born in Russia in 1974 during the Soviet era. I started this blog with one goal: to create the most complete guide ever written to travel to Russia and beyond!

I want to know about …

  • 1. Visa
    • 1.1. Invitation to Russia
    • 1.2. Visa to Russia
    • 1.3. Registration and immigration
    • 1.4. Visa to China, India and post-Soviet states
  • 2. Transport
    • 2.1. Arriving by plane
    • 2.2. Russian trains
    • 2.3. Metro, bus and taxi
    • 2.4. Car rental
  • 3. Sleep and eat
    • 3.1. Accommodation in Russia
    • 3.2. Restaurants in Russia
  • 4. Destinations
    • 4.1. Moscow
    • 4.2. St Petersburg
    • 4.3. Trans-Siberian
    • 4.4. The Golden Ring of Russia
    • 4.5. Veliky Novgorod
    • 4.6. Kazan
  • 5. Practicalities
    • 5.1. Ruble exchange and prices
    • 5.2. Weather, health and safety
    • 5.3. Telephone and Internet
    • 5.4. Russian products

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