From the Winter Palace to the Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg is famously known as Russia's cultural capital, boasting beautiful buildings, a long, rich history, and a wealth of art. But besides all this beauty and history, tourists also love shopping here, whether it is for souvenirs, handmade gifts, traditional items, or even high-end shopping.
There are also places where you can find replicas of high-end brands at a lower cost. For example, you might find items such as fake Dior bags that look almost exactly the same as the original, but at prices half or less than the real item. Let's take a look at some of these fake markets.
Apraksin Dvor, often called "Aprashka" by locals, is one of the oldest and most famous markets in Saint Petersburg. It is located in the heart of the city, not far from Sadovaya Street and has been around since the 18th century. Although the market is currently undergoing renovations, it remains as lively and busy, and you can still find amazing items.
Usually, Aprashka is made up of a maze of small shops, stalls, and narrow alleys, offering almost everything, including clothes, shoes, electronics, bags, perfumes, jewellery, and furniture.
You will also find a wide range of fake designer items, with vendors selling copies of famous brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Adidas, Nike, Chanel, and Rolex. Because they are fake, the quality is not often as good as the originals, but they are stylish, and others even look very high-end. Prices are much lower than the real brands, and you can still always bargain.
It is important to note that Aprashka has changed over the years. Some parts have been closed or renovated, and the government has tried to clean up the area. But many stalls still sell fake or replica goods.
Grazhdansky Market is located a bit further away and is one of those places that only locals really know about. It is not fancy, but it is a great place to find low-cost clothes, shoes, and accessories.
It is also more open and feels like a flea market. People set up small stalls, tables, or even just spread items on the ground. You can find everything from second-hand clothes to fake branded items.
The fake goods here are usually basic sportswear, caps, watches, and sometimes bags. You won’t find the highest-quality designer fakes, but you will find good deals. It is a great place to shop if you are not looking for something fancy but just want something that looks like a brand name.
Udelnaya Flea Market is not just for antiques and second-hand items. It is also a place where you can find unexpected treasures, like fake branded goods. It is located near the Udelnaya metro station and is one of the largest open-air flea markets in the city.
This market is more popular on weekends with hundreds of sellers offering a wide range of items, including Soviet-era goods, as well as clothes, shoes, electronics, and accessories. Among them, you will find sellers with “designer-looking” items that are clearly not real.
Fake watches, sunglasses, belts, and sportswear are common here. You may need to walk a lot and search through piles of goods, but you might end up with something that looks great and costs very little.
Whether you are a local looking for a deal or a tourist hoping to bring back something unique, these fake markets give you a fun shopping adventure. Remember to always check the items carefully before purchasing, and be polite and friendly. Also, always bargain and don’t be afraid to ask if they have better-quality copies.
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