Planning a travel itinerary to Moscow? With a history going back nearly nine centuries, this huge metropolis offers a little for everyone. From the Kremlin, Red Square, museums and historical monuments, to performing arts, fine arts and architecture, to a vibrant social scene that is an eclectic mix of retro and contemporary, you can spend weeks here and barely scratch the surface. To help get you started, we’ve compiled a list of top things to see and do when visiting Russia’s historic capital.
 Moscow Metro - Serving Moscow and neighboring suburbs, the Moscow Metro is a tourist attraction unto itself. Not only is it an extremely efficient way to circumnavigate Russia's capital (with over 180 stations that move close to 10 million passengers a day), but many of the stations are works of art – lined with mosaic artwork, columns, chandeliers and statues that pay homage to Russia's great artistic, literary and architectural legacy.Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Moscow Metro (Wikipedia), Top 7 Most Beautiful Stations (YouTube) |
| Moscow Kremlin - A fortified complex in the center of Moscow that overlooks the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and the Alexander Garden to the west. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Moscow Kremlin Museums (official website), Moscow Kremlin (Wikipedia)
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| Alexander Garden - Established in 1823, Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow. Its comprised of three separate gardens that stretch along all the length of the western Kremlin Wall. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Alexander Garden (Wikipedia) |
| Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - A war memorial located at the Kremlin wall in Alexander Gardern that is dedicated to the Soviet soldiers killed during World War II. In front of the monument is the Eternal Flame, to the left is a granite wall that says: "1941 - To Those Who Have Fallen For The Motherland - 1945", to the right are dark red blocks with the names of Soviet Hero Cities. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Wikipedia) |
| Red Square - With Russia's major streets converging at the Red Square, it is considered to be Moscow's central square. To its northeast lies GUM, to its southeast stands Saint Basil's Cathedral, to is southwest Lenin's Mausoleum and the Kremlin Wall, and to the northwest stands the State Historical Museum. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Red Square (Wikipedia) |
| Saint Basil's Cathedral (Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed) - One of the most recognized symbols of Russia, Saint Basil's Cathedral was built from 1555 to 1561 on orders of Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. Since 1928 it has served as a division of the State Historical Museum, although occasional church services are now held as well. Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Saint Basil's Cathedral (Wikipedia) |
| Lenin's Mausoleum - Situated on Red Square the mausoleum currently serves as the resting place of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin since 1924. An example of Constructivist Architecture, the granite structure incorporates some elements of ancient mausoleums as well. Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Lenin's Mausoleum (Wikipedia) |
| GUM - An acronym for State (or Main) Universal Store, the GUM on the northeast side of Red Square was the most famous state store across all former Soviet Repulics. Built as a trade center from 1890 to 1893 in the Russian Revival style of architecture, it still functions as a shopping center today. Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: GUM Red Square (official website), GUM department store (Wikipedia) |
| Kazan Cathedral (Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan) - Located on the northeast corner of Red Square, the cathedral is a reconstruction of the original that was destroyed at the direction of Joseph Stalin in 1936. Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Kazan Cathedral, Moscow (Wikipedia) |
| State Historical Museum - Built from 1875 to 1881 in the Russian Revival style, the building has since served as a museum promoting Russian history and national self-awareness. Its exhibits range from relics of prehistoric tribes to priceless artworks acquired by members of the Romanov dynasty. Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: State Historical Museum (official website), State Historical Museum (Wikipedia) |
| Tverskaya Street - Stretching from the Moscow Kremlin northwest to the Golden Ring, Tverskaya Street is a bustling boulevard lined with historical buildings, monuments, high-end shops, cafes and restaurants. The real gem of the area is all the quaint side streets that branch off from the main thoroughfare, where tourists can explore lovely architecture, fine dining, charming cafes and entertainment. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Tverskaya Street (Wikipedia) |
| Cathedral of Christ the Saviour - With an overall height of 103 metres (338 ft), Christ the Saviour Cathedral is the tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world. Built between 1995 and 2000, it is a close replica to the original gold-gilded dome church to stand on the site. The original (built between 1839 and 1883) was demolished in 1931 on the orders of Joseph Stalin. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (Wikipedia) |
| Gorky Park - Situated just across the Moskva River from Park Kultury Metro station, the Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure opened in 1928. An eco-friendly recreational zone of contemporary design, it covers an area of 300 acres (120 ha) along the river. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Gorky Park (official website), Gorky Park, Moscow (Wikipedia) |
| Garage Museum of Contemporary Art (The Garage Museum) - Established in 2008, the Garage Museum is the permanent home of an expanding collection of Modern and contemporary art. It also features special exhibitions throughout the year. Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Garage Museum of Contemporary Art (official website), Garage Museum of Contemporary Art (Wikipedia) |
| Muzeon Park of Arts (Fallen Monument Park) - Located between Park Kultury and Oktyabrskaya metro stations, its the largest open-air sculpture museum in Russia with more than 700 artworks currently on display. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Fallen Monument Park (Wikipedia) |
| Peter the Great Statue - Erected in 1997 to commemorate the 300 year aniversary of the Russian Navy (established by Peter the Great), the 1000 ton monument stands at the western confluence of the Moskva River and the Vodootvodny Canal in central Moscow. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Peter the Great Statue (Wikipedia) |
| Bolshoi Theater - A landmark of Moscow with its iconic neoclassical façade, the Bolshoi Theater was constructed from 1821 to 1824 and opened on January 18, 1825. It is home to the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera companies - amongst the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Bolshoi Theatre (official website), Bolshoi Theatre (buy tickets), Bolshoi Theatre (Wikipedia) |
| Tretyakov Gallery - Established in 1856 when the Moscow merchant Pavel Tretyakov acquired works by Russian artists of his day, it is now the foremost collection of Russian fine art in the world with over 130,000 exhibits. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Tretyakov Gallery (official website), Tretyakov Gallery (Google Arts & Culture), Tretyakov Gallery (Wikipedia) |
| Stary Arbat (Old Arbat) - A pedestrian street about one kilometer long, Stary Arbat has existed since at least the 15th century making it one of the oldest surviving streets in the Russian capital. Once home to nobility, artists, academics and high-ranking government officials, today it attracts tourists with its cobblestone streets, historical buildings, outdoor cafes, souvenir stalls and street performers. Maps: Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Walking in Moscow - Old Arbat Street (YouTube), Arbat Street (Wikipedia) |
| Kolomenskoye - Now part of Moscow, Kolomenskoye was once a royal estate overlooking the steep banks of the Moskva River, several kilometers to the southeast of the Russian capital. Today the scenic 390 hectare museum reserve offers a glimpses of old Rus architecture including - Ascension Church (first stone church of tent-like variety built in 1532), a reconstruction of the Great Wooden Palace (summer residence of Tsar Alexis I), plus a myriad of other historic buidings and artifacts - some transported from different parts of the old Soviet Union for preservation. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Kolomenskoye museum-reserve (official website), Church of the Ascension, Kolomenskoye (UNESCO World Heritage List), Kolomenskoye (Wikipedia) |
| All-Russian Exhibition Center (VDNKh) - Located in the Ostankinsky District (served by the VDNKh metro station), the exhibition center hosts trade shows and pavlions plus a wide range of leisure activities. Attractions include – an amusement park, pavilions, fountains, the Museum of Cosmonautics and Aviation, the Moscow Oceanarium (Moskvarium) and more. Bike rentals and a large winter skating rink make it a popular outdoor recreation destination for all seasons. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: All-Russian Exhibition Center (official website), Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (Wikipedia) |
| Novodevichy Convent - Founded in 1524 by the Grand Prince of Moscow – Vasili III, the well preserved convent was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Historical monuments housed within the convent's walls include 16th century Our Lady of Smolensk Cathedral, plus exemplary examples of the (red and white) Moscow Baroque style of architecture from the late 17th century. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Novodevichy Convent (official website), Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent (UNESCO World Heritage List), Novodevichy Convent (Wikipedia) |
| Pushkin Museum (Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts) - The largest museum of European art in Moscow, located on Volkhonka Street, just opposite the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: The Pushkin Museum (official website), Pushkin Museum (Wikipedia) |
| Tsaritsyno Palace - A palace museum and beautiful park reserve on the south of Moscow that was founded in 1775 by Catherine the Great. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve (official website), Tsaritsyno Palace (Wikipedia) |
| Poklonnaya Hill - Historically of great strategic importance thanks to its commanding view over Moscow, the Hill is now home to Victory Park which commemorates the Soviet sacrifice and victory over the Germans in World War II, and to a lesser extent, the Russian victory over Napoleon in 1812. Notable landmarks on the hill include a 141.8 m (465 ft) obelisk with a statue of St. George slaying a Nazi dragon, the Eternal Flame, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, St. George's Church, a memorial mosque, a Holocaust memorial synagogue, an open-air museum of WWII vehicles, the Battle of Borodino Panorama-Museum, the Triumphal Arch and more. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Poklonnaya Hill (Wikipedia) |
| Moscow Zoo - First opened in 1864, the Moscow Zoo now covers an area of about 21.5 hectares (53 acres) and boasts over 7500 animals, representing about 1000 species. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Moscow Zoo (official website), Moscow Zoo (Wikipedia) |
| Kuskovo - Built in the mid-18th century, Kuskovo was the country estate of Count Sheremetev – one of the richest men in Russia. Today the palace is home to the Russian State Museum of Ceramics, while the surrounding park is a favorite recreation area for Muscovites. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: The Kuskovo Memorial Estate (official website), Kuskovo (Wikipedia) |
| Hermitage Garden - The Hermitage Garden is a park in central Moscow known for its cultural attractions - thanks largely to adjoining theaters (Novaya Opera Theatre, Hermitage Theatre, and Sphera Drama Theatre), plus summertime festivals like Moscow's International Outdoor Jazz Festival - Jazz at the Hermitage Garden. Maps: pop-up map, Google, Bing, Yandex Resources: Hermitage Garden (official website), Moscow Hermitage Garden (Wikipedia) |
