The State Historical Museum opened its doors on the Red Square in 1883, with Tsar Alexander III and his wife being the first visitors. It is the largest national museum, with millions of artefacts and paintings from ancient times up to the beginning of the 20th century.
Please note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
At the back of the museum there’s a well-known monument to Marshal Georgy Zhukov, who led the Soviets to great victories during WWII. Get directions.
Komsomolskaya opened in 1952, at a depth of 37 meters. The station was dedicated to the triumph of the Soviet people in World War II. The ceiling is covered with 8 puzzles, showing princes and generals who have fought for independence since the Middle Ages. The station is also decorated with large chandeliers and moldings. Get directions.
Arbat Street is a pedestrian street with historical buildings typical for Moscow, and fascinating lanterns. It is a favorite spot of street musicians and painters. Halfway the street there’s a special graffiti wall, in honor of the Soviet rock star Victor Tsoi. Get directions.
Novodevichy Convent is the best-known orthodox female cloister of Moscow, built in 1524 and declared UNESCO World Heritage in 2004. It’s a place where you can find unique historical architecture, whilst walking pleasantly on a beautiful territory which largely remained intact since the 17th century. On the official website (Ru), you can find detailed historical information about the place.
The territory of the convent is free to access every day from 9h till 17h. Get directions.
This market offers a big fair of art and applied art in traditional Russian style. Find here a large variety of vintage jewelry, laces, books, records, ceramics, porcelain and unique pieces of furniture. There is also an “Artists Alley” which exhibits the works of over 100 Russian artists.
Vernissage in Izmailovo and Bloshiny Rynok are open every weekend! Get directions.
The curly Evolution Tower with a height of 255 meters is part of a large business district which consists of 20 high-rise buildings. With 374 meters, the tallest skyscraper is the Federation Tower East.
Moscow City also offers four observation decks and a museum dedicated to the background of the modern high-rise district. A visit to this museum includes access to one of the observation decks – check out the official website for more visitor info. The museum is open every day. Get directions.
This largely pedestrian area is the place of clothes boutiques and luxury stores. It also includes the beautiful (covered) Petrovsky Passage. Whether or not you want to go shopping, this comfortable area is great for walking, with sometimes entertainment on the streets, and also many cafés and restaurants to choose from. Get directions.
The Dormition Cathedral is one of the most beautiful cathedrals of Russia. The present church was designed by Aristotele Fioravanti in 1479. The paintings are the work of the master of icons and frescoes, Dionisius. Before the Russian Revolution the cathedral was the place of the most important state ceremonies.
Please note that the cathedral is located inside the paid area of the Kremlin, which is closed on Thursdays. Visit the official website for more visitor information. Get directions.
Gorky Park is the main park of Moscow, established in 1928. Particularly on warmer days and evenings there’s a great amount of activity going on here, with many people engaged in doing sports, making music or dancing. There's also plenty of benches and places to relax, or to have a drink and a snack.
See the official website to learn more about special events here. Get directions.
Mayakovskaya is an amazingly smooth and futuristic station, especially when you realize that it dates from 1938. It is wide, open and bright, named after the Soviet poet Vladimir Mayakovsky. The columns and arches of this station are covered in stainless steel, whilst its platform is illuminated by oval niches each containing sixteen lamps. The project of Mayakovskaya station won the Grand Prix at the World Fair of New York in 1938. It is still considered one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world. Get directions.
Chistye Prudy is a shaded green area along a narrow pond which was created in the 18th century. The place is popular for a stroll, and offers some cafés, occasional photo exhibitions and nice seasonal decoration. In winter the pond is beloved for ice-skating. Get directions.
The heart of Russia, surrounded by the best-known symbols of Moscow: the Kremlin, the St Basil’s Cathedral, the GUM department store and the State Historical Museum. If the Red Square is not filled with tourists, it is likely being prepared for one of the many events that take place here through the year. The square is covered with cobblestones and is a strictly pedestrian zone. Get directions.
ARTPLAY is a modern creative cluster where artists can work and play. The former industrial area is now home to many galleries, design studios, interior showrooms, a cinema and cafés. Visitors are free to take a look around, or visit one of the exhibitions or concerts here.
Check out the official website (Ru) to learn more about current exhibitions and events. You can enter the area any day from Syromyatnicheskaya Street – get directions.
GUM is the main Russian luxury department store, and the place to find high-end international fashion brands. The impressive 19th century building facing the Red Square is absolutely worth a visit, also without having shopping intentions.
See the official website for more detailed shopping information. GUM is open every day from 10-22h. Get directions.
Tsaritsyno Park is a huge picturesque park open to anyone who wants to find a corner of tranquillity in the noisy capital. The hilly area of Tsaritsyno Park contains a cascade of ponds as well as Russian-Gothic style palaces which once were supposed to become emperor’s residence.
Excursions in the palace and the park are offered on a regular basis – learn more on the official website. The estate is open every day. Get directions.
Belorusskaya metro station was opened in 1952, at a depth of 42.5 meters. The station's design theme is “Life and Culture of Belarus”. Along the arches of the central hall there's 12 mosaic panels depicting the ordinary life of the Belarusian people, made in the technique of Florentine mosaic. Interesting fact, several episodes of Dmitry Glukhovsky's post-apocalyptic novel Metro 2033 unfold at the Belorusskaya station. Get directions.
VDNH is an exposition complex with many objects of Soviet architecture, fountains and a big recreational zone. It opened officially in 1939 and was meant to become a place where the best Soviet architects could experiment with the Soviet style. The central piece of VDNH is a grand and luxurious fountain called the Friendship of Peoples (Ru). It depicts 16 girls in traditional outfits, symbolizing 16 republics that were part of the USSR.
Check out the official website to learn more about current exhibitions and events. The territory is open 24 hours! Get directions.
Entering Novoslobodskaya feels a bit like stepping into a church building. Amidst the relative darkness of the station, you will notice that most of the light comes from large stained glass panels. These colourful panels depict scenes of peaceful life in the USSR. Ornaments of copper and matching chandeliers complete the solemn setting. Novoslobodskaya station opened in 1952 at a depth of 40 meters. Get directions.
Ryabushinsky Mansion (Ru) is a museum dedicated to the Soviet writer Maxim Gorky, who has also lived here during the last years of his life. The mansion is famous for its unusual architectural forms and its Art Nouveau interior – which is nearly as surprising as the Gaudí architecture that you can find in Barcelona.
Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Have a look at the official website (Ru) for more info about Ryabushinsky Mansion. Get directions.
Neskuchny Garden is the oldest part of Gorky Park, founded in 1728. “Neskuchny” literally means “cheerful”, referring to the many balls and other events for nobles which have taken place here. Nowadays this romantic park includes several architectural pieces, a grotto, a greenhouse and a cascade fountain.
See the official website to learn more about special events here. Get directions.
Elektrozavodskaya opened in 1944 at a depth of 31.5 meters. It got its name from the nearby electric plant. The theme of the main hall is dedicated to the work of the Soviet people during WWII. By far the most striking detail of the station is its ceiling, in which more than 300 lamps are mounted. Get directions.
Kuznetsky Most owes its name to a former 18th century bridge on this place, spanning across the Neglinka River. Since the early 19th century the river flows through an underground tunnel, and the redundant bridge was demolished.
What is left nowadays, is a beautiful pedestrian street with historical buildings everywhere, perfect for a stroll or a visit to one of the many cafés and restaurants. Get directions.
The Patriarch’s Bridge is a pedestrian bridge spanning 203 meters. It was constructed in 2004, connecting the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour with the east bank of the Moskva River. Decorated with enchanting streetlights, the bridge offers a great panoramic view over the Kremlin. Get directions.
The Moscow City Hall (Ru) was built in 1783 as a palace for the Moscow mayor. Nowadays it’s still in use as the official residence of the Government of Moscow. The building reflects the Russian classicism style. Interesting fact is that during the expansion of Tverskaya Street in 1939, this building of 20,000 tons was moved 13.5 meters inland. The move had been prepared for 4 months, whilst it took only 40 minutes to do it. Get directions.
Evropejsky is a 4-story shopping center located next to the beautiful Kievskaya metro station. The mall offers a combination of Russian and international brands. Throughout the mall there are cafés, and on the top floor there’s also an entertainment zone, a cinema and a food court. In the basement there’s a supermarket.
Check out the official website to learn more about the stores. Evropejsky is open till 22h, with Fridays and Saturdays even till 23h. Get directions.
Kolomenskoye is a beautiful monument of history and culture, spreading out across a vast territory of 390 hectares. Once the area belonged to a royal residence and manor, with the oldest still existing structure being the Ascension Church from 1532. Most of the territory is untouched nature where you can see historical sites as old as the Stone Age (5000 to 3000 BC).
Check out the official website to learn more about the territory. Get directions.
The St Basil's Cathedral is an orthodox church as well as a museum, which was built in 1561 in honor of the capture of Kazan. The shape of the cathedral symbolizes the Heavenly City Jerusalem, in other words the Kingdom of God. The legend tells us that Tsar Ivan the Terrible had ordered to blind the architects so they couldn’t build any churches of such beauty again.
Please note that a valid ticket is required upon entrance, to be purchased in the nearby ticket offices or online. The cathedral is open every day. Get directions.
Dostoevskaya opened in 2010 at a depth of 60 meters, as an amazing black-and-white station. The walls of the hall are decorated with scenes from the most famous works of the great writer Fyodor Dostoevsky (Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, The Brothers Karamazov and Demons), as well as the author’s portrait. The design reminds of the atmosphere of Saint Petersburg in the 19th century, the time when the author lived there. Get directions.
The Bolshoi Theatre opened its doors to the public in 1856, on the occasion of the coronation of Tsar Alexander II. Ever since it has been the pride of Moscow and Russia, beloved mostly for ballet and opera performances.
Visit the official website for the agenda and ticket information. Get directions.
Ostankino (Ru) is a beautiful and calm park which includes the 18th century Ostankino Palace and an adjoining English garden. The palace was built by the Sheremetev family, and designed to be a ‘pantheon of arts’. Remarkably the entire palace was made of wood, making it one of the largest wooden buildings in the world – please note that the palace is currently being renovated.
See the official website (Ru) to learn more about the park and its history. Get directions.
The merchant and patron of art Pavel Tretyakov founded the Tretyakov Gallery, before donating it to the city of Moscow in 1892. The gallery is considered to contain the richest collection of Russian art, consisting of over 130,000 exhibits, from ancient Russian icons to artistic paintings from the beginning of the 20th century.
Visit the official website to learn more about current exhibitions. The gallery is closed on Mondays. Get directions.
Nikolskaya Street is a comfortable pedestrian street, which runs from the Red Square through the historical area of Kitay-gorod. The street acquired its name from the former 14th century Nikolo-Greek Monastery (Ru) here, which was unfortunately destroyed by the Soviets in 1935.
Along the street you can find beautiful historical houses and churches, as well as some nice restaurants. The street is perfect for walking, with also many benches in the middle to enjoy the moment. Get directions.
Lenin’s Mausoleum contains the tomb of the first legendary Soviet leader, Vladimir Lenin. His embalmed body has been on public display here since 1924 – but please note, no pictures are allowed.
The mausoleum works only from 10-13h and is closed entirely on Mondays and Fridays. The entrance can be found on the Red Square, near the St Nicholas Tower – the queue is usually long, but the good news is that admission is free. Get directions.
Since 1901 the Eliseevsky Store (Ru) is the most famous supermarket of Moscow, named after its founder. It is located in a beautiful neo-baroque building on Tverskaya Street. The focus in the Eliseevsky stores is on delicacies and luxury products. With its beautiful classic interior it's a special place to have a look around, and one of the better options for scoring typical Russian souvenirs.
The Eliseevsky Store is open 24 hours! Get directions.
Kievskaya station opened in 1954, at a depth of 53 meters. Its 18 pylons are decorated with mosaic panels of smalt and precious stones, which celebrated the unity of the Russian and Ukrainian people. The inter-pylon passages are finished with stucco, which is typical for Ukrainian architecture of the 17th century. Despite the De-Stalinization and the demolition of all images related to Stalin, Kievskaya station has still preserved one. Can you find it? Get directions.
The Lomonosov State University is one of the oldest and best Russian institutions, established in 1755. It is named after the scientist and poet Mikhail Lomonosov, who left a great legacy in science, with amongst others his discovery of the law of conservation of mass in chemical reactions. The university building of 240 meters tall appeared here in 1953, after a design by Lev Rudnev who was a main practitioner of Stalinist architecture.
Unfortunately the building is at the moment not open to tourists. Get directions.
The Pushkin Museum opened in 1912, in a neoclassical building designed by Roman Klein and Vladimir Shukhov. Inside that building you will find the main collection, which primarily consists of (copies of) ancient art.
In a separate building on the left, you will find the Gallery of European and American Art of the 19-20th centuries, which boasts an amazing collection of paintings, with works of Delacroix, Goya, Renoir, Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso.
Learn more about temporary exhibitions on the official website. The museum is closed on Mondays. Get directions.
Sparrow Hills is one of the most popular parks along the Moscow River, with still a large number of animals and birds living there. In winter time, you can even find ski slopes and a lift here. However, the most popular part of the park is the viewing platform, located at an altitude of 80 meters, giving a splendid panorama over the city. The platform can also be reached by cable car, departing from near Luzhniki Stadium – see the official website of the cable car for more info.
Learn more about Sparrow Hills on the official website of the park. Get directions.
A huge shopping and entertainment complex located in the newly built business centre Moscow City. It offers 400 stores with both famous brands and small local ones. To make the shopping adventure more comfortable, you will also find a food court here, an entertainment area for kids, as well as a cinema.
The official website of Afimall shows more details about the shops and their offers. Afimall is open every day from 10-22h. Get directions.
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is the second church on this site, as built between 1994 and 1997. The design of the church was inspired by the St Isaac’s Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. The original 19th century church here was destroyed in 1931 on the orders of Stalin, to make way for a colossal Soviet building called the Palace of the Soviets – which in fact was never completed.
The cathedral is open every day from 10-17h, and as of 13h on Mondays. Learn more about the history of the cathedral on the official website (Ru). Get directions.
A monument to a great Russian poet and writer from the 19th century, Alexander Pushkin. The bronze statue was erected in 1880, after a successful fundraiser across the entire Russia. On the occasion of the opening of the monument, another literary genius, Fyodor Dostoevsky, delivered his famous speech about the role of Pushkin in literature and in Russia. Today the monument forms a traditional place to meet up for a walk around Moscow. Get directions.
Tverskaya Street is the main street of Moscow, leading towards the Kremlin. The busy street is one of the oldest in the city, with the first mentions of the road to Tver dating back to the 12th century. In 2016, a large-scale renovation was carried out, with electric wires being removed, and sidewalks extended and decorated with lanterns in the style of the 1930-40s. During big events the wide Tverskaya Street often turns into a huge pedestrian zone. Get directions.
Tretyakovsky Drive is a pedestrian thoroughfare with a number of world-famous luxury brands of fashion, cars and jewelry. The beautiful courtyard is situated in between medieval looking archways, designed by Alexander Kaminsky in 1871. Get directions.
The Kuskovo Estate is an architectural ensemble from the 18th century, with more than 20 architectural monuments preserved till today, including the only French garden of Moscow decorated with sculptures, pavilions, ponds and an orangery.
Please note that a small admission fee is charged here. The Estate is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and the last Wednesday of the month – check out the official website for further details. Get directions.
The Moscow Cathedral Mosque reopened in 2015 after a complete reconstruction. It is now one of the largest and tallest mosques in Europe. The magnificent six-story building is crowned by minarets of various sizes, domes and towers. The interior of the mosque combines Russian, Turkish, and Arabic styles.
Visit the official website to learn more about guided tours in the mosque. Get directions.
The Armoury Chamber is one of the oldest museums in Moscow, established in 1851. Its collection contains state regalia, gold and silver artistic wares, ceremonial items and weapons dated from the 9th to the 20th century. The Diamond Fund preserves gems and jewelry of the Russian crown.
Please note that the museum is closed on Thursdays. Find the entrance at the Borovitskaya Tower – get directions.
This subterranean mall located right under the glass dome of Manezhnaya Square was opened in 1997 for the 850th anniversary of Moscow. The mall offers mostly smaller stores of Russian and international brands. In the basement there’s also a food court, with an exit towards the fountain in Alexandrovsky Sad – near that exit there’s also a supermarket.
Learn more about the shops on the official website (Ru). Okhotny Ryad is open daily from 10-22h. Get directions.
The construction of the Bell Tower began in 1505 on the orders of Ivan the Great. In 1600 the tower was expanded reaching its final height of 81 meters, which made it the tallest building of Moscow for centuries. On 25 meters there’s a viewing platform, offering beautiful views over the Kremlin.
Please note that the tower is located inside the paid area of the Kremlin, which is closed on Thursdays. Visit the official website for more visitor information. Get directions.
Strastnoy Boulevard is a wide shaded boulevard with a nice central lane equipped with some benches. Walking through this little park with centuries-old trees and flowerbeds, you can see monuments to great artists of different times: Pushkin, Rachmaninov and Vysotsky. Get directions.
The most famous food market of Moscow. Here you can find any sort of farm products, meat, seafood, vegetables, nuts, fruit and also a fresh bakery. Besides that, there's plenty of small cafés where you can have a meal right away.
The market is open every day! Check out the official website (Ru) for further details. Get directions.
Bolotnaya Square is an open area with benches and flowerbeds, surrounded by trees. The highlight of the park is a touching sculptural composition by Mihail Chemiakin, titled Children Are the Victims of Adult Vices, depicting figures of children surrounded by sculptures in the form of anthropomorphic monsters, personifying "adult vices" – such as violence, alcoholism and drug addiction. Get directions.
Komsomolskaya Square is one of the most important transportation points in Moscow. The square is often called the 'Square of the Three Stations', referring to the three large train stations located here, which serve trains in the direction of St Petersburg, Yaroslavl and Kazan. The stations and the square are perfect examples of Soviet monumental architecture. Get directions.
With 361 hectares, Tsytsin is one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe. More than 20,000 plants from all over the world can be found here. The garden from 1945 also includes a large rosarium, dendrarium, greenhouse and an old oak forest.
Please note that for each exposition a small admission fee is charged. Get directions.
Magnificent and ancient, the Kremlin has for many centuries remained the main symbol of the boundless Russia. The area is the official place of residence of the President, and contains seven cathedrals and six palaces, amongst which the famous Grand Kremlin Palace. The Kremlin is guarded by twenty towers and inside symbolically by the Tsar Cannon.
Visitors can enter from the Kutafiya Tower in Alexandrovsky Garden. Please note that the Kremlin cannot be visited on Thursdays. Get directions.
Teatralnaya opened in 1938 at a depth of 35 meters. True to its name and location (near Bolshoi Theatre), the station reproduces the atmosphere of a theatre hall. The central arches here are decorated with porcelain theatre actors in national clothing. Get directions.
A large department store particularly popular among younger people. The focus here is on main international brands. On the 5th floor there is a fresh food market specializing in eco, farm and detox products.
See the official website for more information about the stores. Tsvetnoy is open every day until 22h. Get directions.
The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics preserves material relics related to the history of Russian space exploration, like the first satellites and the first human space flight. On top of the museum there’s the shiny 107-meters tall Monument to the Conquerors of Space.
Learn more about the history and book your tickets on the official website. Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays. Get directions.
The Garage Museum of Contemporary Art stays in tune with brand new ideas in art, design and culture. The most progressive contemporary exhibitions and events of Moscow take place here, around a main collection of works by Russian artists starting from 1950.
Check out the official website to learn more about the current exhibitions. GARAGE is open every day! Get directions.
Bauman Garden (Ru) was created in the end of the 18th century, but has been substantially reconstructed since the early days. The old grotto ‘Belvedere’ is one of the things that stood the test of time. The garden further includes a big playground, a stage for open-air festivals and lectures, a bike rental in summer and an ice-skating rink in winter.
Check out the official website (Ru) for more information about the garden. Get directions.
Hotel Ukraine is one of the seven Stalin skyscrapers in Moscow, also called the ‘Seven Sisters’. The typical Soviet building was opened in 1957, and originally named 'Hotel Ukraine' to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the reunification of Ukraine and Russia.
Today the 206-meters tall building is known as the Radisson Royal Hotel. There are several bars with astonishing panoramic views on the upper floors. Get directions.
Reaching a height of 540 meters, the Ostankino Tower was created in 1967 as the tallest freestanding structure in the world. At about 340 meters high, the tower contains two observation decks (inside as well as in the open air). Ten meters below the observation decks, there's the rotating restaurant complex 7th Heaven, open since 1967. The tower operates 20 TV channels and 24 radio programs.
See the official website for further visitor information. The tower is open every day. Get directions.
Arbat Street is one of the oldest and most beautiful pedestrian streets in Moscow, stretching out over 1.2 kilometres. Very often street musicians play here, with their sounds accompanying tourists from shop to shop. Find here traditional souvenirs like Matryoshka, or have a look at the works from street artists for a surprising gift. Get directions.
Manezhnaya Square is one of the central squares in Moscow, not very green but pretty nice and calm with plenty of benches. The square is enriched with several fountains, most remarkable of which the fountain "World Clock". It is decorated with mosaic in the shape of continents and names of various cities. The central dome constantly rotates, making one complete turn a day. The man eternalized on top is St George. Get directions.
Opened in 2015, the Moskvarium (Ru) belongs to the largest oceanariums in Europe. It contains over 600 species of sea animals, from small fish to giant sharks and octopuses. Spectacular water shows with animals, and swimming with dolphins make your visit of the Moskvarium an unforgettable one.
For further visitor information, check out the official website. The Moskvarium is open every day. Get directions.
The Multimedia Art Museum is a large seven-story complex, which specializes in the art of photography boasting a collection of more than 80,000 original shots and negatives. The venue has hosted exhibitions of famous photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Helmut Newton and Annie Leibovitz.
Check out the official website to see what's on today! Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays. Get directions.
The Muzeon Park of Arts is a green park with a nice pedestrian embankment along the Moskva River. It offers a big open-air exhibition of sculptures: hundreds of items from the Soviet epoch up to the present day can be found in the central part of the park.
The park is also a popular place for music festivals, art workshops and (unusual) exhibitions. See the official website to learn more about special events here. Get directions.
The Triumphal Arch commemorates Russia’s victory over Napoleon. The current arch from 1968, resembles the original arch built by Joseph Bové in 1834.
Near the arch you can find a museum dedicated to the Battle of Borodino on 7 September 1812, the deadliest day of the Napoleonic Wars. Get directions.
The Bolshoi Circus opened in 1971 as the largest stationary circus in Europe, with seats for more than 3,000 people. The circus is famous for clowning, juggling, trapeze acts and acrobatics.
Check out the official website for the program and ticket info. Get directions.
Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building is one of the seven typical Stalinist skyscrapers in Moscow. The monumental building of 176 meters tall, was built in 1952 as an elite apartment building.
Since 2004 visitors can get a taste of the atmosphere during those days, by visiting the museum-apartment of Galina Ulanova, the famous Soviet ballet dancer. Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The museum can currently only be visited with an appointment, which can be made by phone on the number +7 495 915 4447. Get directions.
Zaryadye Park is a brand-new urban park opened in 2017. The landscape of the park reflects typical climatic zones in Russia: mixed forest, steppe with fragrant herbs, picturesque flooded meadows with ponds, and Arctic lands with mosses and juniper. The main feature of the park is a ‘floating bridge’ with a transparent floor which rises above the Moskva River, providing panoramic views over the Kremlin.
Check out the official website for further visitor information. Get directions.
Since 1957 Detsky Mir has been a real ‘kids planet’ in the heart of Moscow. Here you can find everything for children, ranging from clothes, toys and electronics to all kinds of entertainment. On the upper floors there is a food court, with a viewing point on the very top.
Visit the official website to learn more about Detsky Mir – the place is open from 10-22h. Get directions.
Aptekarsky Ogorod (Ru) is the oldest botanical garden of Russia, established in 1706 by Peter the Great. The garden was formerly used as a medicinal garden. It includes hundreds of plant species, amongst which exotic flowers, palm trees and succulents.
The garden is usually open seven days a week – for any latest updates see the official website. Please note that a small entrance fee is charged here. Get directions.
A big centre of Russian culture and traditions, focused on the period till the 18th century. It was built in 2003 by a contemporary philanthropist in order to preserve and popularize authentic Russian culture. There is a variety of museums, workshops, markets and exhibitions to be found.
Visit the official website for an overview of the many things offered here. This Kremlin is open every day, and free to enter. Get directions.
Atrium is a mall with mainstream international brands, independent Russian stores, and also some luxury shops. The food court inside the mall offers fast food and some more sophisticated dining options. The mall also contains a cinema and a supermarket.
See the official website for detailed information about the stores. Atrium is open every day from 10-23h. Get directions.
The VDNH – or 'Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy' – is one of the most popular places in Moscow, with 20 million people visiting it every year. The territory is made up of exhibitions and remarkably styled pavilions amidst fountains and ponds. A total of 49 architectural objects here are designated cultural heritage. Most of the area is asphalted and therefore ideal for roller skating and cycling – find various rentals on site.
Check out the official website to learn more about this remarkable complex. VDNH is free to enter. Get directions.
Luzhniki Olympic Complex opened in 1956, and is with 153 hectares still one of the largest sports complexes in the world. The area served as the Olympic Park during the 1980 Olympics. Luzhniki Stadium with a capacity of 81,000 spectators, hosted several games of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, including the final. Recently an observation deck has been opened on the roof of the stadium at an altitude of 57 meters.
Check out the official website (Ru) for info about excursions and tickets. Get directions.
The Russian State Library occupies several buildings, including the famous 18th century Pashkov House and a monumental Soviet building with a statue of the Russian writer Dostoevsky in front of it. Founded in 1862, the library contains nowadays over 43 million library items.
Check out the official website to learn more about the various tours offered by the library. Get directions.
Founded by a Moscow theatre merchant, the Hermitage Garden already opened to the public in 1895. The garden contains three small theatres. Often the spaces of the park are used for open-air festivals, but also for smaller pop-up dance events. Get directions.
Rich white ceiling decorations bordered by brown ribbons depicting flags and famous generals welcome you at Novokuznetskaya. In the centre of the platform, you will find a row of six free-standing lanterns, illuminating the mosaics on the ceiling which focus on achievements of the USSR on the fields of construction and engineering. Novokuznetskaya station dates from 1943 and is located at a depth of 37.5 meters. Get directions.
This monument on Tverskaya Street was erected in 1954 in honor of the founder of Moscow, the Russian prince Yuri Dolgorukiy. The equestrian statue shows the prince in the 12th century, pointing at the place of a new city, Moscow. Get directions.
Novodevichy Convent is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Moscow. It is a delight to discover the architectural ensemble of 14 buildings on foot. For the best views over the monastery, head for the green space across the pond.
Another significant part of the convent is Novodevichy Cemetery, divided into an old part which is located on the territory of the monastery itself, and a new part, which is separated by a wall. Chekhov, Gogol, Chaliapin, Levitan, Khrushchev, Boris Yeltsin and many other personalities are buried here. Get directions.
TsUM is a high-end department store, offering a broad range of luxury clothes, cosmetics and jewelry. The building was developed in 1908 in the Gothic Revival style by the famous Russian architect Roman Klein. On top of the building there's a rooftop terrace offering a great view over the centre of Moscow.
See the official website to learn more about the stores. TsUM is open every day until 22h. Get directions.
Kolomenskoye is a park with a beautiful architectural ensemble on its site, including the Ascension Church built in 1532. In 2010 the great wooden palace of Tsar Alexis I was rebuilt on Kolomenskoye, following the exact design of the original 17th century version.
Visit the official website to learn more about current exhibitions. Please note that the museum-reserve is closed on Mondays. Get directions.
Open since 1938, this is one of the oldest markets of Moscow. All sorts of food can be found here: meat, fish, sausages, dairy products, greengrocery, dried fruit, spices, you name it! The market even claims that it has the largest variety of food in Moscow. There’s also a food court inside the market.
See the official website (Ru) for more info. The market is open every day! Get directions.
Ploshchad Revolyutsii opened in 1938, at a depth of 34 meters. The platform is decorated with 76 bronze sculptures of Soviet revolutionists: soldiers, workers, sailors, peasants, etc. The most legendary one is the sculpture with a dog: touch his nose to get lucky! Get directions.
Alexander Garden is a picturesque garden created in 1812. Plenty of benches give an opportunity to relax. The garden is filled with trees, including a 200-years old oak, bushes, and flowerbeds of roses and tulips. There’s also an Italian Grotto, built inside the Kremlin wall. Near the northern entrance you can find the popular Tomb of the Unknown Soldier memorial. Get directions.
New Tretyakov (Ru) is a branch of the Tretyakov Gallery, displaying Russian art on an exhibition space of around 10,000 m2. Find here a permanent collection of 20th century art in all its diversity, including Russian avant-garde and social realism.
Learn more about current exhibitions on the official website. The museum is closed on Mondays. Get directions.
In Crocus City you will find boutiques for clothes, jewelry and cosmetics, with a focus on luxury products. The mall is located on the territory of the largest exhibition center of Moscow, called Crocus Expo.
Learn more about the stores on the official website (Ru). Crocus City is open every day from 10-22h. Get directions.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Catholic church in Russia. It was erected in 1911, inspired by the architecture of the Westminster Abbey in London and the Duomo of Milan. It is a rare example of neo-Gothic architecture in Moscow. From World War II on, the cathedral passed the Soviet years serving as a warehouse.
The cathedral can be visited every day, but beware of the afternoon break between 12:45h and 15:30h. Get directions.
Sokolniki Park is a nice green park with radial and circle lanes, lots of trees and 13 ponds. The area served as a former Tsar hunting area, which opened to the public in 1878. It is one of the oldest Russian and largest European parks, covering 516 hectares.
The park is a popular place for open-air festivals, sports and exhibitions. Learn more on the official website of the park. Get directions.
If you have always dreamed of seeing the best of Russia, but you have only limited time, do not get upset! Travelling between Moscow and Saint Petersburg is possible at nearly the speed of light, with the Sapsan!
Well, the speed of light is not entirely true, as the Sapsan high-speed trains reach speeds of up to 240 km/h. However, this does mean that you can move from the centre of Moscow to the centre of Saint Petersburg in less than four hours! Read more
The construction of this building of the Russian Academy of Sciences started in 1974, and took more than 20 years to finish. Due to the golden metal structure on top, the building is nicknamed ‘golden brains’. For a panoramic view over the city, head for the observation deck! Get directions.
Kuskovo used to be the residence of the Sheremetev count family, built in the 18th century. The estate includes more than 20 architectural objects, sculptures, a grotto, greenhouses and a park with ponds and canals.
For visitor information, check out the official website. Please note that the palace is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Get directions.
Patriarch's Ponds is a small shaded green promenade around a pond. The pond is the only one remaining out of originally three, as created by a patriarch for fishing. The place is known for being a location in Bulgakov’s famous book The Master and Margarita. Get directions.
What catches the attention at Taganskaya, are the large white panels on a blue background. These round medallions depict fighters of the Red Army, complete with the insignia of their troops. Here you will see sailors, pilots, cavalrymen and other partisans.
Taganskaya opened in 1950, initially with a sculptural group depicting Stalin surrounded by workers and children on the Red Square. After the De-Stalinization this composition was replaced by a panel with a portrait of Lenin – but also his portrait has been removed to make way for a passage to another metro line. Get directions.
The State Darwin Museum was established in 1907 as the first museum in the world dedicated to evolution. Currently it belongs to the largest museums of natural history in Europe, with a collection of around 400,000 exhibits. It also offers modern exhibitions based on virtual reality technologies.
Check out the official website to see what’s on. The museum is closed on Mondays. Get directions.
Ekaterininsky Park (Ru) is a former estate of the Saltykov duke family. Nowadays it’s a small, but very picturesque green and shaded park with a large pond and a summer pavilion. The pond on which people ride boats in summer, becomes a beloved ice-track in winter. The manor of the Saltykov family and the Museum of the Russian Army adjoin the territory of the park.
Learn more about the history of the park on the official website (Ru). Get directions.
Tsaritsyno is a palace complex built in the late 18th century for the Russian Empress Catherine II. Just before the architect Kazakov had finished his big project, the Empress died in 1796. The palace remained unused for more than 200 years, before it was finally completed in 2007. Nowadays the gorgeous Russian-Gothic palace is open to visitors.
Check out the official website for tickets and to learn more about the history and current events. Please note that the palace is closed on Mondays. Get directions.
Moscow boasts many magnificent museums, including the Kremlin and palaces. For some of them, the queues are simply endless. However, what if we tell you that the city has a museum with no queues and a price cheaper than € 1? Can you believe it?
Probably not, but you still have to. We are talking about one of the most modernized underground transport networks – the Moscow metro. In many cities, the metro looks rather untidy and sometimes frankly dirty. But not here.
Here you might feel as if visiting a historical museum, art gallery or even a palace. Of course, not all metro stations are equally magnificent – some of them, alas, don't bathe in luxury. That is why we decided to draw up a detailed route for you during which you will see only the finest stations. Welcome to the Moscow metro! Read more
With 98 meters the Peter the Great Statue is one of the tallest statues in the world. It was erected in 1997 in honor of Tsar Peter I, and to commemorate 300 years of Russian Navy. The statue is made of stainless steel, bronze and copper, and is said to weigh around 1,000 tons! Get directions.
Vorontsovo (Ru) is an old Russian manor dating back to the 16th century. The calm green area includes the large Vorontsovo country house, an Italian and Chinese garden and an oak grove. It's a beautiful park where you can walk through picturesque alleys and alongside peaceful ponds.
Please note that the main entrances close between 23h and 8h. Learn more about the park on the official website (Ru). Get directions.
Aviapark is a large mall made for mainstream shopping. Their offer is quite ‘complete’, with many international and Russian clothes brands, cosmetics, interior shops, electronics stores, supermarkets, various cafés, a cinema and entertainment for kids.
Visit the official website to learn more about the stores. Aviapark is open every day from 10-22h. Get directions.
Park Pobedy (Ru) is an open space established in 1995, devoted to the 50th anniversary of the Russian victory in World War II. Besides the many monuments here, the place is decorated with fountains with colored night illumination. Get directions.
Krutitsy is a piece of old-Moscow in the central part of the city, founded in the end of the 13th century. Nowadays the complex consists of two churches and several historical buildings dating back to the 16-17th century. In the 1780s the complex was closed by the imperial government to become a military warehouse for nearly two centuries.
The entrance of the Metochion is free. Get directions.
Trubnaya opened in 2007 at a depth of 60 meters. This modern platform attracts the attention with vintage-looking boulevard lanterns and colourful glass windows and panels made by the famous Russian artist Zurab Tseriteli. These panels depict Russia's oldest cities like Vladimir, Novgorod and Yaroslavl – which other cities can you identify? Get directions.
Founded in 1864, the Moscow Zoo has expanded over the years to an area of more than 20 hectares. The zoo, with also an aviary and a sea aquarium on its site, is currently home to more than 1,000 species.
Check out the official website to learn more about the zoo and for ticket info. Get directions.
Izmaylovsky Park is one of the oldest and largest parks in Moscow, with a territory of about 300 hectares. It was founded by Tsar Alexey in the 17th century as an entertainment park with gardens in Italian style and a zoo with exotic animals. Today it is a popular place for citizens to relax with their family, to rent a boat or to visit the amusement park here with its famous ferris wheel.
Learn more about the park on the official website (Ru). Get directions.
Gorbushka is the best-known marketplace for electronics in Moscow. The place sells everything that can be plugged or charged, from a mobile phone to a fridge. Household equipment is also being sold largely here.
The marketplace is open every day! Get directions.
Nikulin Circus is one of the oldest Russian stationary circuses, open since 1880. The circus is named after the famous Soviet clown and actor Yuri Nikulin, of whom you can find a statue in front of the circus. Amongst the many excellent clowns of Nikulin Circus, there have also been students of the great Charlie Chaplin – and up to today, the clown school of this circus is considered one of the best in the world.
Visit the official website (Ru) for the program and tickets. Get directions.
Il’insky Skver (Ru) is a landscaped space with winding paths and benches. Despite its seemingly plain nature, its territory is a monument of landscape art. After its construction in 2017, this place became very popular due to new benches in the form of an amphitheatre and newly planted trees. On the opposite ends of the park there's two monuments, one to the heroes of Plevna and one to Cyril and Methodius. Get directions.
Winzavod is a center of contemporary art founded in 2007. It is located on the territory of a former brewery of Moscow Bavaria. Winzavod is the place to visit leading contemporary art galleries and workshops of artists, designers and photographers.
Check out the official website to see what’s on! Please note that the exhibitions and galleries inside are closed on Mondays. The restaurants and cafés work every day. The area can be entered from Syromyatnicheskiy Pereulok – get directions.
Kuzminki Park (Ru) was founded in the end of the 18th century by two duke families, Stroganov and Golitsyn. In this large park there's a place for everyone. History lovers can go on excursions in the manor – find the ticket office inside the manor (closed on Mondays). For sports enthusiasts there is a 2,500 m2 skate playground, as well as bicycle renting – find the rental near the main entrance. But most importantly, the park is a nice place for rest, like for instance on the shores of one of the four lakes here.
Check out the official website (Ru) of the park for more visitor info. Get directions.
The Moscow Planetarium (Ru) is an interactive and educational museum opened in 1929. The laws and mysteries of the Universe are outlined via interactive tests, shows and 4D movies. Exhibits include ancient telescopes, satellites and meteorites.
Check out the official website to learn more about the current exhibitions. The planetarium is closed on Tuesdays. Get directions.
The Moscow Metro is one of the busiest metro systems in the world, carrying over 8 million people daily. It owes its existence to the Soviet government, which, by the middle of the 1920s, was determined to solve the problem of traffic jams in Moscow.
It was calculated in those days, that in order to cope with the entire flow of passengers, a new tram needed to pass every 12 seconds in summer, and every 20 seconds in winter. Of course, there was simply no such number of trams available in the city. And besides that, it would have required an efficiency and speed which cannot even be met with the technology we have today. The Soviets realized that they needed an alternative plan to deal with these massive amounts of passengers...Read more
Bunker 42 is an amazing museum situated 65 meters under the ground! It was built as a nuclear bunker for Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Up to 3,000 people could live and work there for nearly three months without any help from the outside world.
Check out the official website to learn more and to reserve your tickets. The museum is open 24 hours! Get directions.
Europolis Rostokino is one of the biggest malls in Moscow with more than 300 stores. Fashion department stores, mono-brand clothing and footwear boutiques, sportswear and jewelry stores can all be found here. The entertainment area is represented by a multiplex cinema and a special zone for children. The gastronomic cluster of Europolis offers plenty of little cafés and restaurants.
For more shopping info, see the official website (Ru). Europolis is open daily from 10-22h. Get directions.
