Moscow's Shopping Hub: A Glimpse into Izmalovsky Market

This post offers a brief review of Izmalovsky Market, a prominent shopping destination in Moscow, inspired by a friend's recent visit. The market bears resemblance to Thailand's Chatuchak Weekend Market, offering a diverse range of goods.

Although the Izmailovsky Market is smaller than the Chatuchak Market, it is still a significant destination for tourists seeking souvenirs. However, I recommend avoiding solo visits, especially for women. While not inherently dangerous, the market is predominantly populated by local Russians who are known for their persistent sales tactics. Despite the abundance of souvenirs, it is advisable to compare prices with department stores in Moscow before making purchases. My personal experience suggests that prices tend to fluctuate dramatically, similar to markets in Thailand or China. If you express interest in an item but hesitate due to the price, the vendor may significantly reduce it. However, this is not the case for all vendors. Shops selling antiques and genuine souvenirs generally have reasonable prices. For instance, I purchased commemorative stamps featuring a former German leader from the Olympic era at an acceptable price.

The Izmailovsky Market is a popular destination for souvenirs, particularly the iconic Matryoshka dolls, a symbol of Russia. These dolls come in various styles and prices, ranging from vintage to modern designs. If you're looking to purchase Matryoshka dolls, consider visiting this market with friends to share the bargaining experience. The selection here is more extensive than in the city center, and prices are generally lower. However, remember that bargaining is expected, and vendors are accustomed to it. Avoid being overly aggressive and research prices in city stores before making a purchase.

The Izmailovsky Market is located a considerable distance from the city center. It is recommended to take the metro from the city center, which takes approximately 30 minutes. The market can be accessed by taking the blue line or line 3 from the Arapat Market shopping district in the city center. The nearest station is Izmailovskaya Park, where there is a small shopping mall. From the station, walk into the park of the same name, and you will find the market. It takes about 5 minutes to walk to the market. You will start to see beautiful Russian-style buildings, as shown in the picture above, indicating that you have arrived. The website states that the entrance fee is 10 rubles per person, or 5 baht. However, when I visited the market, it was open, and there was no entrance fee. The market is open every day, but on weekdays, when I visited, it was not very crowded. However, it is still quite crowded, especially on weekends. The market closes around 6 pm, but on Sundays, it closes at 3 pm. Also, the market does not open early like Chatuchak Market; it opens around 10 am. If it opened earlier, we would probably freeze to death. In Moscow, for Thai people, I think the hottest weather is still equivalent to the cool weather in December in Bangkok. The market has three floors. The floor shown in the picture is the ground floor. We can walk up the wooden stairs to see the shops on the two floors above. In addition to souvenirs such as Matryoshka dolls, wood carvings, and handicrafts, there is also a zone that sells local food. For those who want to try it, I will pass.

The first shop in the Izmailovsky market is a Russian watch shop, selling authentic Russian watches. This is a great place for collectors. However, I think that modern Russian watches are not as durable as those made before the country transitioned to capitalism.

It is worth noting that the authenticity of Russian fur hats is often questionable. Genuine Russian fur hats are made from wolf fur, which is becoming increasingly rare. Be wary of shops selling rabbit fur hats as authentic Russian fur hats. Additionally, most military hats are likely to be imitations.

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