Izmailovsky Market: The Moscow Market You Shouldn’t Miss
Updated May 1st, 2020
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Do you love to shop? If you are hoping to go shopping in Moscow you will be in luck. Moscow, Russia is full of shopping malls. The majority of the malls have been built within the last 20 years. Unlike the historic sights of the iconic Red Square the Moscow shopping malls are new, modern and full of big name chain stores, movie theaters, aquariums, children’s play areas and other attractions.
While it is interesting to see the contrast between the newer malls and the historic & communist buildings of Russia, the malls aren’t the place to go for the best souvenirs from Russia. If you are wondering where to buy souvenirs in Moscow stay clear of the malls and head to Izmailovksky Market instead.
Izmailovsky Market
What is Izmailovsky Market?
Izmailovsky market, also called Izmaylovo market, is a large market inside of the Izmailovo Kremlin. Kremlin means “fortress inside a city”. Take note that there are hundreds of Kremlins in Russia and this one is not the well-known Kremlin in the Red Square. While it may not be as well known, I found it to be one of the most interesting places in Moscow.
The market inside of the Kremlin walls is full of souvenir and arts & crafts vendors. There is a flea market with rows and rows of antique goods as well. An assortment of buildings containing little cafes, souvenir shops, and workshop/exhibition spaces are also within the market. There are a few different museums about specific topics such as whiskey, bread or chocolate.
The Atmosphere at Izmailovsky Market
I’m usually not one to highlight the buildings of any place I visit, but the various buildings within the market created a fairytale village like feel. Not to state the obvious, but the whole place had a very Russian feel as well. I say this because the majority of time, in between trying to figure out something in Russian, I easily forget what country I am in. With all the media coverage of Russia in the USA I was expecting such a culture shock in the way that Russia feels and looks. Of course there are many reminders and differences, but overall if you take the Russian lettering away many restaurants and malls look like they could be in America. Not so much at the market.
The Best Place in Moscow for Russian Souvenirs
The best souvenirs from Russia can be found at the market, such as the handmade Russian Matryoshka dolls. Russian furs, jewelry, decorated boxes, and traditional clothing are some other Russian items at the market. In general everything is authentic and handmade, unlike other Russian souvenirs you might find on Arbat street or around the Red Square.
A lot of the vendors spoke English. Other than my Russian co-workers at school it was one of the first places I have been in Moscow where Russians were willing and able to speak a little in English. So I don’t know why a place with some English speakers of all places made me aware of being in Russia, but it did. I had heard that it was expected to bargain and I am proud to say that I attempted and succeeded in one bargaining transaction with an English speaking vendor!
In the antique and flea market areas you can find books, china, clothing and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Personally I am not too into antiques so I just did a quick walk through. For those of you who love antiques, I can imagine you could spend quite a few hours browsing here.
Eating at Izmailovsky Market
Several food stalls are lined up close to the main entrance. They mostly sell kabobs and other street food type items. In the open-air space with the museums and other buildings there are a few more stands and cafe and sit-down type restaurants, like the gingerbread cafe shop pictured above.
I always say you can tell a lot by a city’s parks and markets. Both types of places are the best way to observe and learn about local life. Izmailovsky market is no different! Not only is it a great place to go shopping in Moscow, but it is one of the best places in Moscow to see Russian architecture and soak up the Russian culture.
Visiting Izmailovsky Market
Where
Izmaylovskoye Shosse, 73Ж, строение 2, Moskva, Russia, 105122
How to Get There
Take the blue 3 metro line to the Partizanskaya stop. For how to use the metro read my Moscow Metro Guide. Taxis are fairly cheap in Moscow, but it can take just as long or not longer to drive in Moscow. The metros are so quick, cheap and reliable that I always took the metro when I could.
When to Visit
The market is open everyday, but weekends from late morning to late afternoon are the best time to visit. The antique market is only open on the weekends.
Touring the Market
In can be intimidating to figure out transportation and explore a new place on your own, especially with the language barrier. If you prefer having a guide to help you navigate and enrich your experience take a guided tour.
Toilets
There are paid toilets at the market. Free toilets are available in the restaurants.
FYI
There is another market and a park that is often confused with the Izmailovsky Market so make sure to follow the directions above. Admission is free, but remember to bring cash for food and souvenirs.
Where to Stay in Moscow
Choose a great place to stay in Moscow here. Use the map below to find somewhere to stay close to the market or stay near the Red Square.
More About Russia
- Moscow Things to Do: The Must See Sights, Unique Things to Do, Spartak Stadium
- Moscow Markets: Danilovsky Market
- Moscow Museums: Moscow City Museum, Victory Museum, Museum of the Patriotic War in 1812, State Historical Museum,
- Moscow Life: Moving to Moscow, Malls, Christmas in Moscow, Metro, Learning Spanish, My Russian Apartment, What is Life Really Like in Russia, FiFa World Cup, Russian Winters, and more posts about life abroad in Russia.
- St Petersburg: St. Petersburg Guide, The Hermitage Museum, Kayaking the Rivers & Canals, Peterhof Palace
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31 Comments
Heather Wicksted
This looks like a really great place to do some shopping – especially since I know that there are toilets and how to get there! It looks like a lot of the shops are outside which is interesting for a place like Moscow… did you find it easy to browse given the temperature? Moscow is not someplace we have been, but when we go we will for sure check this spot out! Thanks for the intel.
admin
I actually didn’t find it too terribly cold in Moscow. Probably because I am from the Midwest in the USA where it gets quite cold. I also dressed really warm so it was pleasant for the most part! You can always go into a restaurant or a museum to warm up at the market though.
madhu sharma
Wow what a pretty market,like you said the buildings giving it a fairytail village feel.would love to visit someday
The Fearless Foreigner
I hope you are able to visit one day 🙂
Riana Ang-Canning
I love visiting markets when I visit a new place! Such a fun way to get to know a city, see some local wares and interact with some local people. This one looks so cute! Can’t wait to visit Russia one day and see this in person.
https://teaspoonofadventure.com
admin
I love visiting markets in new places too. I hope you get to visit one day!
Jackie S.
I haven’t been to Russia yet, but I now know where to buy souvenirs. You mentioned that bargaining is expected at Izmailovsky Market. Was it a hard bargain? I’m not usually a fan of bargaining as I feel that an item should be a fair price to begin with. Thanks for sharing the helpful tips on this market.
admin
I’m not really a fan of bargaining either and I feel rude doing it, but I try to remind myself that if it expected it is kind of part of the culture of a place. Most of the vendors spoke basic english so it wasn’t too bad and I was running out of cash on me so it gave me more of an incentive, haha!
Federica
I love antiquities and arts and crafts markets and this one sounds lovely I didn’t get if it is open seasonally (only during Christmas time) or all year-around, and if, so, daily or only on certain days of the week.
admin
It’s open year round every-day! Different parts of the market (like the museums) have varying hours. Within late morning to mid-afternoon is probably the best time to visit.
Kathleen
So neat! I love markets like this. Did you get some Christmas shopping done? We visited Saint Petersburg in 2001, when we lived in Estonia. We found communicating to be difficult in most of the places we went too. I honestly wondered if they were just pretending. We did okay when we were trying to bargain though. I guess everyone understands money.
admin
I did get some Christmas shopping done there! Communicating was so challenging for me in Moscow! Some of the more tourist places like this market were a little better though. I agree that everyone knows a little more English when dealing with money!
Julie
What a great article! This is super informative, especially coming from someone who lives in Russia, and really inspiring. Sometimes all of a sudden a country that I wasn’t that interested in visiting before just draws me in. For the last couple of months, I’ve had this strong desire to visit Russia. I’ll save this for when I do finally get there.
The Fearless Foreigner
I’m so glad this made you interested in visiting Russia!
Namita
I love how immersive an experience this seems to have been for you, as it usually is whenever one visits a local market in a foreign country. And great work managing to bargain as well! Those Matryoshka dolls I’ve always wanted to get my hands on and this sounds like a great way to do just that and create a wonderful cultural memory around it! Thanks for the peek!
admin
Thanks, it was a good Russian experience for me. They have so many different kinds of Matryoshka dolls, it is great place to buy them.
Jean
What an amazing place to explore. I love exploring markets when I travel. Adding this one to my list of places to go see
admin
Me too, Izmailovsky is a fun market to visit in Moscow!
David
I visited Moscow in June this year and I didn’t get round to visiting the Izmailovsky Market. It sounds like an ideal place to get some souvenirs. I’ll have to check this out next time I visit!
admin
It is a great place to get souvenirs. What did you think of Moscow?
Nicole Hunter
It is nice to know that if I end up in Moscow one day, I will be able to find places that feel like home, and also places that make me feel undeniably in Russia! I love the sound of this market – the buildings and the souvenirs. Thanks for sharing.
admin
There are a variety of places in Moscow for sure!
Jade
Russia has been so high on my list for so long. I’m currently ‘stuck’ in Romania, with (tentative) plans to go to Ukraine next. I wish I didn’t have to go all the way back to USA to get a visa for Russia! 🙁 🙁 🙁 But thanks for sharing this market, it looks awesome – can’t wait to visit!
The Fearless Foreigner
The visa process is challenging for anyone from the USA (and many other countries). I hope you are able to visit one day!
Emma
I love markets, they are definitely my go to places when I travel somewhere new. You’re right, you can tell a lot about a place by its markets. This one looks so good, and the buildings are gorgeous. Although I haven’t been to Russia yet I’d love to go
The Fearless Foreigner
Me too! I hope you are able to visit Russia one day and go to Izmailovsky Market!
Polly
Love this post. I visited Russia a few years ago and Izmailovsky Market was one of my favourite spots in Moscow felt so unique and traditional. I also visited in the late afternoon and there were barely any other people so this was quite good because I know it can get fairly busy. Great post and loved the photos 🙂
The Fearless Foreigner
Izmailovsky Market was one of my favorite spots in Moscow as well! Thanks for reading 🙂
Hazel
Finding genuine souvenirs is always a difficult task for me when travelling abroad so this post on the Izmailovsky market is right up my street, given that Moscow is such a large city. I had such a positive experience in St. Petersburg that Moscow is on my to-see list. Thanks for sharing.
The Fearless Foreigner
You’re welcome, I am glad it was helpful!
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