Narva is a popular city in Estonia, which is a real boon for shopping lovers. The Estonian city provides the attention of buyers with a large number of shops - from huge modern shopping centers to small brand shops where you can buy inexpensive quality items and return 20% of their value in an absolutely legal way. Narva shops are of particular interest to Russians living in neighboring areas bordering on Estonia.

Peculiarities of shopping in Narva

In Narva, shoppers can profitably purchase inexpensive and high-quality clothes, and from the peculiarities it should also be noted that stores, in particular grocery ones, close early enough. Only the largest shopping centers are open until 22:00 and 23:00. There are also restrictions on the sale of alcohol in Narva stores - you can buy alcoholic drinks only from 10:00 am to 21:00 pm.

What can be bought in Narva

Shopping enthusiasts buy the following types of goods in Narva:

• Elite spirits and liqueurs.
• Quality Estonian knitwear, mainly from Marat.
• Branded branded footwear and clothing.
• Children's clothing, primarily winter clothing (Lenne children's clothing stores are popular).
• Sweets. Estonian marzipans and the famous Kalev sweets are most often brought from Narva.
• Household appliances, although Russian prices for appliances practically do not differ from Estonian ones.
• Rakvere sausages and meat products.

Bargaining is appropriate in the Narva markets, which should not be done in large shopping centers, which already provide for VAT refunds and large discounts.

Discounts and sales

The main discount that is provided to Russians as residents of a country outside the European Union is VAT refund (20% of the value of the goods minus the administrative fee). In order to receive this discount, buyers need to:

• In a store: before paying for goods in one store or boutique within one day for a total amount of at least 38.01 euros, ask the seller for a tax free form.
• At customs: all goods must be unused and packed. The buyer needs to show the passport, purchases and receipts to the customs officer and ask him to stamp the Refund Check.
• at the Refund office: at the Refund office, buyers must present their passport, Refund Check and credit card, requesting an Immediate Refund of VAT on the credit card, otherwise the tax free amount will be refunded in cash.

Buyers need to keep in mind that the Tax free form must be stamped by customs officials no later than three months from the month of purchase.

The biggest sales in Narva are held 2 times a year - in July and January, in January discounts on goods reach 75-80% of the initial cost.

Shopping centers and shops in Narva

There are a large number of shopping centers and shops in Narva, the most popular among shopping fans are:

Astri store is one of the oldest hypermarkets in Narva, opened back in 1998. Astri is the largest shopping and entertainment center in Narva, with an area of \u200b\u200b19,300 square meters, which presents:

• More than 50 different stores.
• Playroom.
• Beauty saloon.
• The ultra-modern cinema "Forum Cinemas Astri", three halls of which are designed for 409 people.
• Bowling.
• Multi-storey parking for 580 cars.
• Two bars and a fast food restaurant.

Astri is open from 10:00 to 21:00 (Monday-Saturday) and from 10:00 to 19:00 (Sunday), the cinema and bowling alley of the mall are open every day from 12:00 to 24:00.

The shopping center is located at 41 Tallinskoe shosse, Narva. If you go from Narva's Petrovskaya Square, Astri is on the right side of the Tallinn highway. You can find a store using GPS coordinates: AS ASTRI-NARVA.

Fama Keskus

Fama Keskus shopping center is visited by about 9,000 customers every day, as the store is not only conveniently located in the center of Narva, but also offers its visitors a wide range of shops and boutiques, the shopping center also has a children's room, a sports club, bank offices and a huge parking lot.

Lovers of sweets should definitely visit Astri Buffet.

For women, the store presents branded stores of Italian stockings and tights, swimwear and lingerie ROSME and V.O.V.A, an exclusive BRAND HOUSE boutique, MILENA women's clothing boutique and other well-known brands.

The shopping center is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00, and on Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. Its address is Tallinn Highway 19, Narva. The shopping center is located at the very entrance to the city from the side of St. Petersburg, you can find it using a map of Narva or GPS coordinates: X 737888 and Y 6589849.

Narva centrum

The shopping complex Narva Centrum is located very conveniently (not far from the entrance to Narva), a modern store provides a variety of goods, products and services, ranging from groceries to men's, women's and children's shoes and clothing.

The shopping center operates in the following mode: Monday-Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00, bowling and a cinema are open every day from 12:00 to 24:00. Located at the following address: Tallinskoe shosse, 47, Narva. The store is located 10 minutes walk from the fortress and the border, from the Tallinn highway, just 2 minutes by car.

The huge Prisma shopping center is known far beyond Estonia, on its territory, in addition to a large number of grocery stores, clothing and footwear stores, there is a pharmacy, an Internet cafe, a photo center and a pet store.

The shopping center is open every day, seven days a week, from 8:00 to 23:00. Located at 29 Kandelaste Avenue, 20607, Narva, it can be quickly reached by car (7 minutes from the center of Narva).

Tempo is a huge shopping center located on Tallinskoe shosse, offering customers a wide range of:

• Household goods.
• Shoes and clothing.
• Children's things.
• Household appliances.

The shopping center works according to the following schedule: Monday-Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. Located on the left side of Tallinn highway at the very exit from the city to the capital of Estonia.

Maxima X

A popular supermarket chain, where you can buy groceries as well as branded shoes and clothes, is open from 7: 00-8: 00 to 22: 00-23: 00 (depending on the particular shopping center).

The addresses of the largest chain stores in Narva:

• Vabaduse 16, Mõisa 8, Pähklimäe 6a, Tallinn highway 13, Kreenholmi 39h (Maxima X).
• Kreenholmi 52, Tiimanni 20 (Maxima XX).

Children's shops

The best children's stores are located in the largest shopping centers in Narva. For example, in the shopping center Maxima there is a children's store "Limpopo", in the store "Sipsik" there are goods for children of the famous Lenne company, in the shopping center Fama on the second floor there are such popular children's stores as "Chicco" and "Ricco".

In the Astri shopping center, children's goods can be purchased in the Taco and Trend brand stores. Customers can also purchase the products of the Lenne company at the address: st. Pushkin, 4 (shop "Kauplus Trend") and Tallinna mnt. 31 (Sipsik store).

Clothing stores

High-quality branded clothing and footwear can be purchased in shopping centers Astri, Fama, Prisma.

Also worth noting is the Krenholm textile brand store, which is located at the address: Tallinskoe shosse, 52, 21005, Narva (Tempo shopping center).

Household appliances stores

The best home appliances stores are located in the largest shopping centers in Narva - Tempo, Astri, Prisma, Fama.

Electronics and household appliances stores are also located at the following addresses:

• RD Electronic AS: st. Linda, 2 Narva, 20309.
• ASC Computer OU: Daumani, 5-63, Narva, 20607.
• Argo Electronocs AS: st. Malmi, 8 Narva, 20308.

Gift shops

The most popular among tourists and visitors to the city are crafts, Estonian sweets, dishes, porcelain mugs, antiques, local liqueurs and balsams. In the center of Narva, shoppers can find the following souvenir shops:

• Kokos: a shop of Estonian sweets, where you can also find branded chocolate from other Baltic countries, elite Baltic spirits. The store is located just a couple of minutes walk from Petrovskaya Square, at the following address: st. Pushkin, 5, Narva.
• Unistus: the Kalev branded sweets shop, where customers can buy the famous Estonian marzipan, alcoholic drinks and traditional souvenir mugs. The store is located next to the Astri shopping center at 27 Tallinskoe shosse, Narva.
• Aleksandr Salon: an antique shop where you can buy old coins, Estonian crafts, art and other amazing items. Store address: st. Pushkin, 13, Narva.

If you are planning a trip to Estonia, why not combine it with shopping. The opinion that shopping is possible only in Italy, England or the UAE is fundamentally wrong. Estonia, like many other European countries, can offer both global brands that have been successfully operating on the Estonian market for more than 10 years, and national brands.

Sale seasons

As in the rest of Europe, Estonia has two seasons of discounts and sales, when the main decoration of the shop windows is yellow and red signs that attract shopaholics.

The winter sales season starts on Christmas Eve and lasts until the end of January. Summer sales are in July-August. And if at normal times tourists, according to statistics, spend about 300-400 €, then during sales this amount doubles.

Another nuance that will be useful for tourists. In addition to these two periods, discounts can be counted at the end of each season. This is a common practice in large shopping malls, allowing you to sell out goods that will be irrelevant next year.

Shops and Markets

When it comes to food, liqueurs will come first. It can be the already named Old Tallinn or the more exotic Kännu Kukk. Secondly, sweets: you can choose Kalev chocolate or marzipan. In addition, sprats and cheese are brought from Estonia.

The more practical will like the local textiles. They will have to choose from knitted woolen or flax products. Lovely hats with ears and pompoms, scarves, socks or elegant ponchos - there is everything that women love so much. Fans of the local brand Ivo Nikkolo should visit the brand shops in Tallinn or Pärnu.

Ceramics or glass - souvenirs made from these materials are very fragile, but always in demand. Plates and cups with national ornaments, figurines of animals and people, vases, glasses and other products can become a beautiful decor element or a reminder of friendly Estonia in your home.

And, of course, amber. The times when there was a lot of it here and prices were low have passed, but it is quite possible to pick up an interesting souvenir or jewelry at a reasonable price.

VAT Refund (Tax Free)

Not all tourists know that part of the money spent can be returned. What is needed for this and how to do it? Firstly, this is only possible if the purchase was made in places marked with Global Blue Tax Free Shopping, and you took a VAT refund form (the so-called Tax Free Form).

The form must be filled in block letters and be sure to mark the store first, then customs. At the airport or VAT refund points (Refund Office), in addition to the form, you will need to present unpacked goods and receipts.

The amount of goods must exceed 38 €; 20% will be refunded from it - this is the VAT rate in Estonia - minus the administrative fee. However, you need to know that some goods are not subject to such a rule, these are books, medicines and medical devices.

How much money should I take with me?

The amount required will depend on what you are planning to buy. If we are talking only about small souvenirs for family members and acquaintances, then it is quite possible to get by with 200 €.

Below is an indicative list of prices for the most popular souvenirs:

• liquor - from 12 € / 0.5 l;
• chocolate or marzipan - from 2 €;
• cheese - from 6 €;
• woolen hat - from 20 €;
• socks - from 12 €;
• sweater - from 40-50 €;
• cardigan - from 50 €;
• magnets - from 6 €;
• souvenir plates - from 10-15 €;
• small brooch made of amber - from 30 €;
• earrings - from 200 €.

Those who, in addition to souvenirs, are going to update their wardrobe, will need a much larger amount, at least several thousand rubles. But those who want to buy jewelry, should count on an even larger amount.

But again, it all depends on the appetite, which, as you know, comes with eating, so if you are a real shopaholic, don't take it, it won't be enough anyway.

I discovered Narva a few years ago as an alternative to traveling to Finland. First there were trips to Tallinn, and then I looked closely at the offers with one-day tours to Narva. They promised shopping, attractions and almost a second Lappeenranta, only closer, faster and cheaper. Closer - yes, cheaper - yes, but the economy of the tour is completely different. People go to Lappeenranta to return their visas, visit the wholesale markets and buy fish, caviar, and faeries. When I actively visited Narva (2014-2015), there were no wholesale markets and fish with caviar. Perhaps over time they will follow the Finnish scenario. I warn you right away: Narva is more interesting from the point of view of shopping, rather than sightseeing.

What is the best way to get to Narva from St. Petersburg: minibus, bus, private car

Firms offering one-day tours to Narva, to a fig and more. Search on the Internet, study offers and make your choice. Everyone has different travel days and pick-up points. As a rule, minibuses go to Narva. More precisely: they actually go not to Narva itself, but to Ivangorod (a city on the border with Estonia, on the other side of the river from Narva). You can also get to Ivangorod by a regular bus from the Bus Station on the Obvodny Canal. There is one caveat: this is the price of the trip. Minibuses are taken there and back, the price for the tour is floating. Some firms practice last minute prices if there are less than a day before the trip and there are several unsold tickets left. The price is reduced and you can ride back and forth for 450-500 rubles. Travel time for minibuses is less: 2-2.5 hours. Regular buses have a fixed price of 380 rubles one way and travel time is almost 3.5 hours. In addition, minibuses drive up to the very checkpoint across the border with Estonia, and from the regular bus you still have to skandybat. Minibuses to Narva are faster and cheaper. You can also get to Narva / Ivangorod by private car. I didn't go there by car. If you have a green card, go through customs by car. There is no green card - leave the car in Ivangorod and walk across the bridge to Narva. The quality of the road in the Leningrad region towards the border is so-so. An example of a minibus to Narva (I don't remember the carrier company anymore):

My option: take a backpack / large bag, you can even take grandma's shopping trolley. Everyone does this and then puts everything on the back platform of the minibus. And yes, minibuses run 99-100% full. Some have Wi-fi internet (up to a certain point). Usually they give 6 hours for shopping in Narva: they arrive at the border at 10 am, return departure at 16-17 pm. This time is enough either for hard non-stop shopping, or for a softer shopping option with visiting one or two attractions. Oh, here's another thing: tours usually advertise, they say, you can visit Narva and Ivangorod fortresses. Forget about Ivangorodskaya (from the Russian side) - there simply won't be time for it. I'm serious.

Customs in Narva on the border with Estonia - how long to pass, specifics of passage

To travel to Narva, you must have a valid international passport with a valid Schengen visa. The documents are checked first on the territory of Russia, then on the territory of Estonia. Checkpoints are located on opposite sides of the Narva River. A pedestrian-type checkpoint, that is, you are dropped off near the Russian customs, they show you where the minibus will stand, they say the deadline for showing up at the Estonian customs and the time for the minibus to go to St. Petersburg. The main thing is not to forget about the time difference, if any. Now in the summer of 2017 there is no time difference.

There are toilets at each checkpoint. Estonian customs officers speak Russian. In general, Narva is the most Russian Estonian city and there are no problems with the language at all. Everyone speaks Russian, and all the names are in Estonian. As a rule, no questions are asked. They put a stamp and see you in a few hours.

The border is crossed by some on foot, some by car across the bridge - the neutral zone. It is very windy and cold there in winter-spring-autumn. The brain is freezing specifically.

Good for animals - they do not need any documents and visas. They go back and forth. In the photo above, I recorded the moment when the local mongrels fled from Estonia to Russia. Nobody stopped them.

How to get around in Narva

After crossing the border, the first question is: how to travel around Narva? On the minibus briefing, it is advised to use a local taxi for trips between shopping centers. Yes, shopping centers are relatively far from each other, but I always moved on foot and managed everything. I have not seen public transport. Although Narva is the third largest city in Estonia, it is still very small and everything is close by when compared with St. Petersburg.

Attractions in Narva

The first place to visit in Narva immediately after crossing the border is the Tourist Information Center (Narva Visitor Center), which is located on the square just after leaving the Estonian customs office on the left side. There you can take free maps of the city of Narva, get free advice from the center's specialists - where to see, where to go + there you can also find a lot of booklets with information about other tourist places in Estonia, spa resorts, etc. And here you can buy souvenirs. The consultants speak Russian, the brochures are also in Russian. In general, I recommend! Very pleasant service.

The main attraction of Narva is the Narva Fortress / Narva Castle. It's nice to just walk here on a fine day (only it's very windy), you can visit the castle itself, but in the castle itself I don't remember anything, to be honest.

There is also a monument to the villain who killed Russia.

And his hut.

There is a fountain and an iron tree for the newlyweds near the castle in the adjacent territory.

The second main attraction is the Lutheran Alexander Church.

Nothing interesting inside. This is a working cathedral.

The observation deck can be reached up the spiral staircase or by lift. The entrance to the church is free, you only need to pay for the ascent.

The narrow windows of the tower offer a view of Narva and Ivangorod.

I also visited the Art Gallery - it is located on the other side of the Narva Castle and the Alexander Church, you have to stomp there on foot. On weekdays, there are few people in the above places - I like it. In order not to spend a lot of money on entrance, you can buy a complex ticket for everything (except for the church). A complex ticket costs 7 euros for adults, 3.5 euros for students.

Narva's architecture will not impress you with its diversity. During the war and Soviet times, many historical buildings were irretrievably lost. What remains is what is left, everything else is scary gray panels. Photographed which is more beautiful

Shopping centers in Narva and what to buy. Casino

The main thing for which it is worth going to Narva is shopping! Before the jump in the euro exchange rate it was very profitable, now it is not very profitable. Only if you want quality goods. The biggest inconvenience for Russian tourists in Narva shops is the price tags exclusively in Estonian. Well, that is, you will see that this is cheese, and this is sausage. But there are 50 types of cheese, and if you do not have a clue in Estonian, it will be almost impossible to understand what is the difference between them - you need to ask sales consultants.

The largest shopping center in Narva is Astri. It opened recently. This is the most diverse shopping center in terms of assortment + it has a cinema. I advise you to pay attention to the Ideaal cosmetics store. There are big discounts on perfumes and you can grab originals at an attractive price.

Fama shopping center. There is a Rimi grocery supermarket, a pharmacy, clothing stores, etc. In Rimi you can buy cheeses, sausages - real, not ours' surrogates.

Shopping center Tempo. There is nothing special about it, a small shopping center of local importance. Don't waste your time.

Grocery supermarket Maxima XX is a competitor to Rimi. You can visit in search of great deals and discounts.

Narva Centrum shopping center. Located next to Astri. About anything, you don't have to go there. Very similar to our stall shopping centers.

Hypermarket Prisma. But be sure to come here! Huge selection of goods, low prices, large area, few buyers. It is located far from other shopping centers, so it is better to start grocery shopping from here, but this is my personal opinion.

Narva is more suitable for purchasing quality food. There is a small assortment of brands for clothing. Perhaps, if you catch discounts, then you can get too much junk. 5-6 hours is quite enough to visit several supermarkets and relax, having a little walk around the territory of Narva Castle or along the river promenade. Not a single free minute! When buying products, you must keep in mind the list of products and goods prohibited from being transported across the border. As a rule, these are cigarettes and alcohol in large quantities, raw meat and fish. Something changes every year, look for a list of prohibitions and restrictions on the Internet. In addition, the minibus driver on the way from St. Petersburg to Narva will tell you about the restrictions.

3. inexpensive round-trip travel, if you look carefully;

4. everyone speaks Russian, it turns out Russian abroad;

5. the city is constantly and actively being improved within the framework of special EU programs;

6. everything is close, within walking distance;

7. fast and hassle-free border crossing.

I did not have any negative moments in Narva, although they say that the Russian population of Narva loves to drink and behaves aggressively. I recommend and give five stars! Also read my gorgeous review of Istanbul

Yours sincerely, Andy Goldred

Narva for shopping is one of the best cities in Estonia. Especially her stores are of interest among Russians who live in border areas. There is an opportunity to purchase inexpensive branded items of good quality, and get back 20% of their value by a completely legal method.

Why is it so good to shop in Narva that many of its guests go shopping here, and not to the same neighboring Finland? The main and most pleasant discount for Russians - residents of a state that is not a member of the European Union is the VAT refund, which will amount to 20% of the purchase price minus the administrative fee. To get it, you must:

In the shop. Before paying for purchases totaling at least € 38.01 from one store or boutique made within one day, ask the seller for a tax free form.

At customs. It is necessary that all purchases be unused, better packaged. Show your passport and purchases with receipts to the customs officer, and ask him to put a stamp on Refund Check; Refund office. Show your passport, credit card and Refund Check at the nearest Refund office and request an Immediate Refund of VAT on your credit card. Otherwise, the tax free amount will most likely be returned in cash. But keep in mind that the tax free form must be stamped at customs no later than three months, based on the month of your purchase.

As for the sales, the most ambitious sales happen twice a year - (January and July), especially good discounts (up to 80%) happen in January.

First of all, visiting shopaholics buy elite liquor in Estonia, local high-quality knitwear, branded clothes and children's clothes, especially winter ones. Lenne children's clothing stores are highly praised. The leaders in sweet products are marsepan and Kalev sweets, meat and sausage products - Rakvere. They also carry equipment from Narva, although it costs the same as in Russia. By the way, a little bargaining is appropriate in Narva markets, but you shouldn't do this in shopping centers - so VAT refunds and discounts are provided.

In Estonia, it is quite profitable to buy high-quality and inexpensive clothes, but from the peculiarities of shopping, it should be noted that stores, mostly grocery ones, close very early. For a long time (until 22: 00-23: 00) only large shopping centers work. There is a restriction on the sale of alcohol - strict time - 10: 00-21: 00.

The largest shopping centers in Narva are Astri and Fama Termpo stores, and they are all conveniently located next to each other on the Tallinn highway.

Now let's talk about the main stores of the city, their location, opening hours. One of the largest shopping centers in Narva is Fama Keskus Fama Keskus, which is visited by about nine thousand people a day. Fortunately, in the central part of the city, the Fama store is located. It has everything: not only all kinds of shops and boutiques, but also bank offices, a sports club, a children's room, parking lots. Lovers of sweets should definitely drop by Astri Buffet, women - in Italian stores of stockings and tights, swimwear and lingerie “ROSME” and “V.O.V.A”. women's clothing boutique "MIULENA", exclusive boutique outlet "BRAND HOUSE", etc. Everything is located on Tallinn highway 19.

Fama Astri shopping center is considered one of the oldest hypermarkets in Narva. It was opened in 1998 and has been reconstructed twice since then. Now it is the largest shopping and entertainment center in the city with an area of \u200b\u200b19,300 square meters, with 50 shops, a super-modern cinema "Forum Cinemas Astri" with three halls for 409 people, a games room, a beauty salon, bowling and parking for 150 cars.

If you get hungry while shopping for fun, you can grab a bite to eat in two bars or a fast food restaurant. The hypermarket is located at 41 Tallinn highway.

Shopping center "Narva Centrum" is another large shopping center, modern, rather comfortable, where all kinds of products, goods and services are presented. It is located close to the entrance to Narva, at Tallinn highway, 47, and it is very convenient. A bowling alley and a cinema are open every day throughout the second half of the day.

Another popular favorite, which is known even abroad of Estonia, is the large Prisma supermarket. It is one of the few shopping centers in Narva that are open until eleven at night. There is not only a huge number of shops in it, but also a pharmacy, a photo center, an Internet cafe, etc. The location is 29 Candelaste Avenue.

Another place where you need to go while shopping is the Tempo shopping center at 47 Tallinn highway. It offers a huge range of household goods, footwear, clothing, technology and children's clothes.

The Maxima X chain of stores is very popular in Narva.

A variety of vegetables and fruits and all kinds of fresh seafood can be bought in the spacious Rimi store. It is located at Tallinna mnt 19c.

If you are going to Narva specifically for clothes, then all of the above centers will suit you. An interesting Krengolm textile store located on Tallinn highway 52, which also occupies a part of the Tempo shopping center, can be singled out separately.

It is also good to buy products for children in the aforementioned centers. In the same shopping center “Maxima” there is a “Limpopo” store. Not far from it there is a Sipsik store, which represents the products of the Lenne company, which Russian mothers are very fond of. On the second floor of "Fama" there are also many shops for children's accessories, clothes, toys, including "Ricco", "Chicco". "Trend" and "Taco" will also delight "Astri" with its trading places. In addition, the products of the Firm "Lenne" are available in two more points. These are the Kauplus Trend store at Pushkin 4 and the Sipsik store at Tallinna mnt 31.

Gift shops “Estonian Souvenirs” will be a pleasant addition to Estonian shopping. Crafts, antiques, sweets, dishes, porcelain mugs, local liqueurs, balms, etc. are in particular demand. Let's say about several souvenir shops conveniently located in the central part of the city. Kokos is a huge shop selling Estonian sweets and more. There you will also find chocolate from other Baltic countries. From Petrovskaya Square to the shop on Pushkin Street, 5 minutes walk.

"Aleksandr Salon" is not only a souvenir shop, but also a whole antique shop. Where you can admire and buy art objects, old coins, Estonian crafts and many other interesting items. It is located on Pushkin Street, 13.

Unistis is a Kalev specialty sweet shop selling the renowned Estonian marzipan, as well as spirits and souvenir mugs. It is located not far from the Astri shopping center, at Tallinn highway, 27.

The best household appliances stores in Narva are located not separately, but also in large shopping centers - Fama Astri Tempo Prisma. Although you can't say that the prices for household appliances and electronics are very different from Russian ones, unless, of course, you find yourself on the January sales.

Here are several addresses of large electronics and household appliances stores: RD Electronic AS - Linda street, 2, Argo Electronocs AS - Malmi street, 8 ASC Computer OU - Daumani, 5-63.

There are also many second-hand shops in Narva that sell clothes and footwear from the 80s and 90s. The same "Aleksandr" represents clothes and personal items of the USSR era and the Second World War.

Now, after reading this information, go to Narva for shopping with confidence.

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