10 Best Things to Do in Moscow, Russia

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The Russian metropolis gives home to almost 13 million people – there are plenty of things to do in Moscow whether you are on a weekend trip for longer sightseeing. Everyone finds their reasons to travel and to keep coming back to the capital of Russia. It is one of Europe’s great cultural places and the world’s largest and most populated cities. There are a lot of reasons to visit Moscow lures. We visited the town the first time for studies, and it impressed us immediately with its extent. We also took the opportunity to travel along the Trans Siberian Railway to Vladivostok after checking the main tourist attractions in Moscow.

Russia’s capital is an exciting, glittering city that entices visitors from all over the world. It is a city of contrasts, where Soviet construction mixes with decorative shops, and old Ladas and kitschy Bentleys drown in messy traffic. Moscow is a city of a mixture of Asia and Europe, an archetypal combination of democracy and Soviet heritage. The city’s various sights and peaceful green parks make it a great holiday destination. During any term, at any time of the day, Moscow thrills visitors with its history, artistry, and majesty.

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Why Moscow?

 Communist History

 The remains of the Soviet state are dispersed all around the city. Monuments remember fallen heroes and victorious battles, while museums try to analyses and synthesize the past. See Stalin and Lenin, off their pedestals, at the whimsical Art Muzeon.

 Step into the socialist-realist fantasy at VDNKh. Incline into the Soviet system’s depths at Bunker-42 Cold War Museum. Ride the metro and remember the millions who faced at the Gulag History Museum. Currently, retro clubs and cafes provide their guests with a flavor of the Soviet experience. You can also go and play some Soviet-era arcade games.

 Orthodoxy and Architecture

 Almost every turn in Moscow, you will watch golden domes over the rooftops and listen to church bells peeling via the streets, dotted with nearly 600 churches, several of which are sparkling after recent renovations.

 There are colorful hidden gems, massive cathedrals, and historic fortresses. The exteriors are adorned with glittering domes and stone carvings; interiors are packed with olden icons, faithful worshippers, and swirling incense. Orthodoxy helped define the Russian nation for more than a millennium, a palpable reputation in these spiritual places.

 The Mixture of Modern & Old

 You probably visit Moscow for its rich history and cultural sights, make sure you take a glimpse of the skyscrapers and the International Business District a bit further from the center. You can go up to the Imperia Tower’s 56th floor for a great view.

Getting Around in Moscow

 Public Transport

    You should forget to travel by taxi or car because Moscow’s metro system is an easy, fast, and the most effective way of going around the Russian capital. Moscow’s network of trams, buses, and trolleybuses, in addition to its world-famous metro, can be accessed with a single ‘Troika’ card.

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 Monorail

 Does Moscow contain a monorail? You may get the feeling that an entrepreneur with a mustache sold Moscow this transport option. The monorail moves between the VDNKh metro station to the Timiryazevskaya metro.

 Taxis

 If you want to travel by taxi, then the easy way to hire a taxi is to download one taxi app and order a taxi from there.

 Driving in Russia

 Surely a task for road friends and their cars, driving in Russia is somewhat that can’t be compared with driving in other countries. Don’t forget to get your national & international driving permit, insurance documents, and registration for your car and your passport with a visa.

 Traveling to Russia

 Besides your passport and visa, you will need to get an Immigration Card at the border (ensure it is stamped) when entering Russia. Hotels can use it (along with your passport) to register your stay with the local police.

Another useful item is a travel guide along with a dictionary. Lonely Planet published a good one. In case you want to go with a phrasebook only, check this out.

Moscow Tourist Card

Although you can purchase a tourist card, we highly recommend that instead of it buy a Hop-on bus card.

Top Things to Do in Moscow

 Kremlin and Red Square – Moscow Tourist Attractions

The founding site of the city, the Kremlin and Red Square, is situated at Moscow’s heart, geographically, historically, and spiritually. Moscow will really move you. It will entice your senses, calm your spirit, and astonish your mind – and it all begins right here at the Kremlin and Red Square.

 St Basil’s Cathedral

 The 16th-century cathedral is a cultural symbol of Moscow. The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed or Saint Basil’s Cathedral is a Christian church in Red Square. It is now a museum and officially has a long and fancy name: the Cathedral of the Most Holy Theotokos’ Intercession on the Moat. Anyway, take a couple of shots of this picturesque building.

 Lenin’s Mausoleum 

 Feel the mass of this significance as you stroll within the olden fortress walls, marvel at the splendor of St Basil’s Cathedral, and pay your respects to the valued leader of a now-defunct state in Lenin’s Mausoleum on the Red Square. It is free, but prepare to queue for an hour to see him for a minute.

 Performing Arts

 What is more thrilling than viewing a ballerina defy gravity, leaping across the stage at the glittering Bolshoi Theatre? Or Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, which is some blocks away from where it released almost a century ago? Or aahing and oohing as circus performers soar under the biggest tent? The classical performing arts in Moscow are yet among the great in the world.

 Even the most traditional theatres are trying out with creative arrangements, reviving lost favorites, and hosting world premieres. Whether you praise the classics or prefer the contemporary, the performing arts of capital will impress.

 Awaken Your Senses in the Bolshoi Theatre

 The Bolshoi Ballet Company is one of the most enduring signs of Russia’s cultural customs, and Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow is fittingly elegant headquarters of the association. The oldest theatre of Moscow is painstakingly renovated and restored in recent years. It’s a must-view day or night with their world-wide popular opera and ballet performances when you travel to Moscow. The evening performance of a classic Russian ballet-like Nutcracker of Tchaikovsky is the city’s most attractive cultural experience.

 Enjoy the Ambiance of Moscow Parks

While the attractions of Moscow are typically known as a mixture of extravagant Tsarist architecture and stern Soviet buildings, much of Moscow is surprisingly green, and parks of the city have grown to be joyful over the years. Take a break from walking around historical places and rest in these green places.

 These parks offer some of Moscow’s best observation spots and provide different activities you can do with your group or with the locals from playing board games and sports on the pavement to easily enjoying the outdoor cafes. The slowdown from city life’s chaotic pace by having a stop-over in the most popular green places when you travel to Moscow.

 Visit the Monumental Architecture

 The beautiful architecture of churches and museums prepares every city street a sight to behold. For sure, you will have a jaw-dropping moment minimum once when you travel to Moscow. The Red Square streets are a better start for you to stroll and have them as background for your OOTD pictures.

Tverskaya Street is called Moscow’s main street and fashion street. This street is also one of the most-costly streets in the world, basing from the commercial rental fees. Another fashion district, Kuznetsky Most (literally translates to the bridge of Blacksmith), is where famous shops such as Kuznetsky Most 20, a popular concept store and home of Foreign Books (which is the better foreign language bookshop) are situated.

 White Christmas in Moscow

 Travel Moscow and bring all your thick but lightweight clothes and experience the white winter of Moscow. In December, the average weather is around -10 – 0 degrees Celsius, with an average of 17 to 30 days of snowfall. Witness snowfall on the Red Square changes into a Christmas market and the big ice-skating rink in December. While the Russian Winter Festival celebrates with Muscovites, watch live performances, eat street foods, and play games from mid-December to mid-January in Manezh Square.

Take a Moscow River Cruise

 Cruising along the Moskva River is one of the perfect ways to travel and view Moscow. The cruise’s ticket cost depends on the size of the boat; the bigger it is, the tickets are more expensive, but smoother sailing will be waiting for you. You can board the most popular tour boat in Moscow for eight hundred rubles: the yellow boat of Lay. You can also listen to its Russian pop music as you sail the river. The cost of bigger ones varies between 1,100 to 2,000 rubles per person. These cruises on big boats frequently offer cozy lunch and dinner on top of the cruise itself. Check prices here.

Other Exciting & Interesting Things to Do in Moscow

 The Master and Margarita

 This could be one of your favorite spots in Moscow! I am a big fan of The Master & Margarita, and this museum delivers on the secretive atmosphere of Berlioz’s apartment in spades. Bulgakov lived in it from 1921-1924, back when this flat was alienated into parts. Your experience will start even before you walk in the apartment № 50 on Bolshaya Sadovaya 10. Its courtyard welcomes all people with a monument to Korovyev and the mischievous cat Begemot. If you lift the receiver of the apartment phone, you will overhear a conversation from the book.

 Explore the Pavilions of the VDNKh – All-Russia Exhibition Centre

 VDNKh is a permanent exhibition center which was a way to celebrate the accomplishments of the National Economy during the USSR. The enormous space is filled with pavilions & fountains. There is a lot to do here

• explore the Space pavilion,
• feed the squirrels in the Ostankino park,
• take arts and crafts classes in the Craft Park or marvel at the historical monuments.

Indeed, take a couple of hours to explore the surroundings and provide yourself the space to breathe and enjoy it!

 Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum

 One of the most beautiful in the world is the Moscow Metro. Every station is a work of art in its own right. But did you know there was a little museum section? And it is free! 

The museum is situated in the southern vestibule of the metro station Sportivnaya. You’ll be able to peek into the cabin of the driver, view the collection of metro tokens from different cities, and inspect different models of the turnstile, escalator, traffic lights, and further.

 Visit Moscow State University & Enjoy the View from Sparrow Hills

 Seeking for one of the perfect panoramic scenes of Moscow? It is recommended to come to Sparrow Hills. This point is located at Ulitsa, Kosygina, Russia, Moskva, and overlooks the Luzhniki stadium and the Moskva River. The platform is located right next to the Moscow State University, next to which you can also hire bikes, or descend lower into the Park.

 Gorky Park

 Premier green space of Moscow, Gorky Park, provides entertainment for each taste: outdoor dancing sessions, fitness, and yoga classes all summer, as well as ping-pong and beach volleyball, skateboarding, rollerblading and cycling opportunities, along with Segway and boat-rentals. In winter, half of the park turns into one of the biggest skating rinks of the city. The park is also house to an open-air movie theatre and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art.

Moscow with Kids

 Is it a kid-friendly place?

 You may be asked yourself at some moments that is it ok and worth traveling to Moscow with kids? Obviously, it is. Kids can also enjoy the city in a lot of ways as there are several attractions for them.

 For example, there are excursions tours of the Red Square, Kremlin, or St. Basil’s Cathedral walks through public parks, or a boat cruise, which will be attractive to both children and adults. Even a tour to Lenin’s Mausoleum can be great f fun for kids.

 Moscow Zoo

 The Moscow Zoo is one of the oldest places in the world back to 1864 when it was opened with 268 animals, but a fundamental renovation took place in 1990. The whole Zoo project was rather an experiment due to Russia’s severe weather circumstances, but it worked very well. Presently, it contains more than 5,000 animals and almost 1,000 species of fauna. It is comprised of 21.5 hectares. Being an exhibition place or a significant tourist attraction, it is also an education and science center. It is the 10th most-visited zoo in the world, having 3.8 million visitors per year.

 Oceanarium

 As its name shows, the Moscow Oceanarium has almost 3,000 species of fish and other animals from all over the world from South America to Lake Baikal, of all shapes, colors, and sizes, for example, fascinating sharks and original stingrays. Water from the aquariums can be accessed via spectacular tunnels, has a whopping 1 million cubic meters. You can also do diving with divers for 45 minutes.

Moscow Must-try Restaurants

 Café Pushkin

 For various Russia’s social elite, Café Pushkin is a great place to go. This restaurant has become one of the most famous in Moscow due to the quality of its food, the perfect service.

 Buono

 The sights from Buono are flagrantly remarkable, while the décor is well-designed, with soft creams complementing the great views on offer. Its food is classically Italian.

 Piccolino

 Piccolino is a homely and one of the best restaurants. You can enjoy here a variety of local delicious foods.

Where to Stay in Moscow

 Probably one of the luxury things to do in Moscow besides watching a famous Opera or Theather play is to stay in one of the top hotels.

Four Season Hotel Moscow – check availability here

Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya – check availability here

Holiday Inn Express Moscow Baumanskaya – check availability here

Where Else to Go From Moscow?

 St Petersburg

 Venice of the North. The gorgeous St Petersburg right next to the Baltic Sea worth a trip. We visited the city from Helsinki by ferry, and since then, we explored every kind of transportation mode. You can be there in four hours using the fast train from Moscow. We recommend spending in St. Petersburg at least 3-4 days as there are plenty of fun things to do and see.

 Lake Baikal and Trans Siberian Railway

 Do you want an unforgettable train journey? The Trans Siberian Railway is for you. We have traveled on wheels 10 000 km to Vladivostok, explored various cities, gorgeous mountains, and Lake Baikal during our one month trip. You can head to Beijing as well via Mongolia if you haven’t been there yet. Both options worth the 7-8 days across the Siberian steppe.

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