Simferopol Shopping

One of a very few self-serve grocery stores in Simferopol. Rather than having to run around a large outdoor market, you get convenient shopping here....for a price of course.

What to buy: Some of the fruits you won't find at street vendors...especially out of season. Lots of Western European packaged goods. Large selection of wines and beers. They have hard alcohol also, but only premium brands (i.e. $40 for a bottle of tequila). They are also one of the very few places I have found in Simferopol that sell Oreos.

What to pay: More than a street vendor or large market charge.

Outdoor shopping is a mainstay of Ukrainian life. Even old babushkas can pull up a folding table and sell cigarettes at the top of the stairs as you exit an underground walkway. Chances are in the walkway the sides were lined with kiosks as well. This food market at Kuybishcheva square was essential to me, seeing as I was staying in private accomodations and had to feed myself.

What to buy: Fruits, vegetables, and drinks are easy to shop for. There was a small take-out window to the left where they sold cheburekis (kind of a greasy folded thin bread with meat inside) and pirogs (my favorite were potato filled) for about 10-20 cents each.

What to pay: Not much.

Downtown on Pushkin street for a few blocks they have turned the street into primarily a pedestrian shopping district. You can find a number of good book stores, cafes, restaurants, theaters, gift shops, and others.

Department store isn't really a good description of this place. While there are lots of different things being sold, each department is actually a store in and of itself being owned and operated by separate people from the rest of the place. It's two stories of small shops all pushed together.

What to buy: If you're not too picky about the copyright laws, there are many places to find cheap CDs, DVDs, and VHS movies. I spotted the entire first season of "Sex in the City" on VHS for about $5.

What to pay: Depends on the item. You can buy everything from knick-knacks to large consumer electronics here.

This bookstore is ideally located downtown and has high shelves stuffed with books. I would say they have a more complete selection of reading material crammed into the shelves of the shop.

What to buy: Well, if you're in dire need of a book in English they have a decent selection, although the prices are as high if not higher than back home. You could also pick up some cheap Russian children's books if you're trying to learn the language.

What to pay: Local books run around 2-5 bucks...English paperbacks around 8-12 bucks.