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What are the best things to do in Moscow?
While cruising here, you can enjoy seeing the place from a whole new perspective and spot some famous landmarks of the city, including Gorky Park. You can also take an evening cruise if you want to watch the mesmerizing sunset and enjoy some lavish spread of delectable seafood dinner.
Price: Starts from 2500 Rub per head.
Timings: 11:00, 13:15, 15:30, 17:45, 20:00 and 22:10.
2. Enjoy Shopping with Kids at Central Children’s Store: If you are visiting Moscow with your kids, do not forget to go on a family shopping spree to Central Children’s Store. Inaugurated back in 1957, this place is not just a shopping destination, but also an entertainment and educational hub for young children.
In addition to a plethora of colourful shops, this place also features a toy museum, an observation deck set overlooking the Red Square, and a theatre. Central Children’s Store is also home to the biggest mechanical clock of the world, which is made of brass, gold, copper, steel, and aluminium.
Location: Teatralny Drive, 5/1, Moscow 109012, Russia.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
3. Spend Some Adventurous Time at Sparrow Hills: If you call yourself an adrenaline junkie, enjoy a trekking tour to the very famous Sparrow Hills. Also known popularly as Lenin Hills, this majestic hill makes for one of the city’s highest points and offers unmatched spectacular views of Moscow, which looks even more tempting at night.
Perched on Moscow river’s right bank, “Sparrow”, translating to “Vorobyovy” in Russian, was actually the name of a small village once situated in this area. While you are at this vantage point, you can spot many of the famous landmarks of Moscow including the Luzhniki Stadium, the Kremlin churches, Novodevichy convent, and Christ the Savior Cathedral.
4. Buy Local Handicrafts at Izmailovo Market: Shopping for the authentic handcrafted souvenirs at the age-old Izmailovo flea market is one of the most-loved activities in Moscow for all shopaholics visiting this Russian city.
Lying close to the Partizanskaya metro station, this antiquity, art, and craft market makes for the perfect hub for shopping for Russian handicrafts like classic paintings, crockery, traditional clothing, furniture, soft toys, fur hats, bags, and home decor items at very bargainable prices. While you are at Izmailovo Market, do not forget to relish the famous mulled wine at one of the lively cafes here.
Location: 2, Moskva, Russia.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM from Monday to Friday, and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday.
5. Indulge in an Event in Moscow Hermitage Garden: If you are seeking some quirky and fun-filled things to do in Moscow, go engage in the amazing events taking place at Hermitage Garden.
This world-famous recreational hub has been packed with cafes, theatres, and summer pavilions since 1830. At present, this garden features 3 theatres - New Opera, Sphere, and Hermitage and hosts a plethora of spellbinding cultural events, such as concerts, operas, and ballets. During the winters, the place opens up a huge ice rank for the visitors to enjoy ice skating. While you are here, you can also go lucky to spot famous celebrities, such as Gustavo Salvini, Sarah Bernhardt, and Ernesto Rossi.
Location: Karetny ryad street 3, Moscow.
6. Go Ice-Skating at Gorky Park: One of the best activities in Moscow for adventure lovers visiting the city during the winter season is ice-skating at the very popular Gorky Park. Having separate zones for adults and children, the ice-skating rink in the park is spread across an area of around 15,000 square meters.
In addition to skating, Gorgy Park also lets the visitors engage in a plethora of other fun-filled sports activities, such as cycling, hockey, boating, beach volleyball, skateboarding, ping-pong, segway riding, and rollerblading.
Location: Krymsky Val, 9, Moskva, Russia, 119049.
7. Take an Exploration to Moscow Kremlin: If you are looking for some offbeat things to do in Moscow, go ahead and enjoy an exploration tour of the magnificent Moscow Kremlin.
Having made an appearance in the Hollywood movie Mission Impossible, Kremlin makes for Europe’s largest active fort. With walls ranging up to 2,235 meters in length, the structure features around 20 towers to explore. Furthermore, the Kremlin is also home to the largest cannon and bell of the world.
8. Check Out Russian Art at Tretyakov Gallery: Soaking in the splendors of the Russian masterpieces at Tretyakov Gallery is one of the most favorite activities in Moscow for both art and history lovers.
Constructed somewhere between 1900 and 1905, this art gallery served as the Tretyakov brothers’ private collection in the bygone times. Sheltering one of the world’s largest exhibits of Russian artworks, this beautiful place was built by Viktor Vasnetsov. While you are here, spot masterpieces, such as Mikhail Vrubel’s Demon, Alexei Savrasova’s Rooks have Come Back, and Valentin Serov’s Girl with Peaches.
Location: Lavrushinsky Ln, 10, Moskva, Russia, 119017.
Price: 10 AM to 6 PM, from Tuesday to Sunday.
Timings:
- RUB500 for adults and
- RUB250 for students over the age of 18 and pensioners from Russia and CIS countries.
Entry is free for kids under the age of 18, disabled visitors, and members of the Russian military.
9. Relish some Fine Cocktails at Sisters Cafe: If you love to spend your evenings chilling with your favorite drinks, trying out the large collection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at Sisters Cafe can be one of the most recommended things to do in Moscow for you.
This quiet and cozy cafe-cum-bar offers super delectable teas, lemonades, smoothies, cocktails, and wines at absolutely pocket-friendly prices. Packed with retro furniture and striking murals, this place offers a very homely and chic vibe to sit and dine in.
Location: Ul Pokrovka 6, Moscow, Russia.
Timings: Noon to 11 PM.
What are the things to do in Moscow at night?
1. Witness Impressive Artworks at Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts: If you are an artlover, visiting the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best things to do in Moscow at night for you. Considered as the city’s largest art museum, this place exhibits brilliant artworks from ancient civilizations like the Dutch Golden Age and the Italian Renaissance.
2. Watch a Show at Bolshoi Theatre: Enjoying a marvellous show at the famous Bolshoi Theatre is one of the best things to do in Moscow at night for your entertainment. Established back in 1856, this theatre has 2 stages, that host opera as well as ballet performances.
3. Spend Time at VDNKh All-Russian Exhibition Centre: If you are wondering what to do in Moscow for your total evening entertainment, head to VDNKh without a second thought. Started back in 1935, this place is home to a classic fountain, open-air museums, bustling eateries, elegant shopping pavilions, a horse-riding rink, a zip-line, and a huge oceanarium.
4. Experience Fine Dining at Bon: Relishing a wholesome dinner at Bon is one of the best things to do in Moscow at night for every traveler. Bon is a unique black-themed restaurant with an elegant decor, showcasing black walls, Kalashnikov rifles-like lampshades, and dripping candles.
What are the most romantic things to do in Moscow for couples?
1. Enjoy Luxury Shopping at GUM: Shopping for high-end fashion brands at GUM is one of the most-loved things to do in Moscow among shopaholic couples.
2. Seek Blessings at St. Basil’s Cathedral: One of the most spiritually romantic things to do in Moscow is visiting St. Basil’s Cathedral with your soulmate and seeking blessings for the well-being of your relationship.
3. Spend an Action-Packed Time at Arbat Street: Visit Arbat Street together and spend time sharing some coffee in a cozy cafe, watching live caricaturists and music performers, and getting your body tattooed.
4. Experience Skating at VDNKh All-Russian Exhibition Centre: If you’re visiting Moscow in winters, go skate together at VDNKh, which shelters Europe’s largest skating rink.
What are the things to do in Moscow with kids?
1. Learn History at State Historical Museum: One of the best things to do in Moscow for families with kids is to visit the neo-Russian style State Historical Museum to see relics of prehistoric Russian tribes and 6th-century artworks and manuscripts.
2. Spend Some Time at Gorky Park: If you are wondering what to do in Moscow with your fun-loving little ones, head to Gorky Park to enjoy dance sessions, ping-pong, boating, cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, and open-air cinema.
3. Take Kids for Shopping at Central Children’s Store: Take your kids on a shopping spree to the entertainment and educational arena of Central Children’s Store.
4. Spend Some time at Moscow Aquarium: Visit the Moscow Aquarium with your kids and enjoy spotting over 80,000 sea creatures including jellyfish, manta rays, and piranhas.
What can you do in Moscow for free?
1. Take a Stroll at Alexander Garden: Taking a leisurely walk through the breathtaking Alexander Garden is one of the most peaceful activities in Moscow that lets you see colourful flower beds and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
2. Marvel at the Lenin’s Mausoleum: Pay a visit to the most popular landmark of Moscow, Lenin’s Mausoleum that shelters a sarcophagus made of glass, which has the Russian legend Vladimir Lenin’s embalmed body.
3. Attend a Concert at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory: Enjoy a free concert at Moscow Conservatory that hosts many concerts, ranging from chorale and symphony to chamber and organ concerts.
4. Participate in the Moscow Free Tour: Enjoy a cost-free city walking tour led by an intelligent local guide and cover the major attractions of Moscow.
Which are the best places to shop in Moscow?
1. Arbat Street: One of the budget-friendly activities in Moscow is shopping at the city’s oldest shopping destination, Arbat Street that offers you a plethora of elegant stores to buy your souvenirs from.
2. Falcon Design Factory: Sheltering high-end clothing shops, classic restaurants, trendy local stores, and entertaining fairs, Falcon Design Factory is open 24 hours to make shopping one of the most favourite things to do in Moscow for you.
3. European Mall: Spread across eight floors, the European Mall offers luxury shopping with world-famous brands like Mango, Zara, and Promod.
4. TsUM: Lying in Petrovka Street, TsUM boasts over 1,000 clothing, cosmetics, footwear, and accessories brands.
Which are the famous monuments in Moscow?
1. Novodevichy Convent: Founded back in 1524, Novodevichy Convent is known for its rich historical significance with four cathedrals featuring a revered cemetery.
This place once served as the residence of Eudoxia Lopukhina and Princess Sophia, who were imprisoned here by Peter the Great. While the former was his first wife, who restricted him from marrying Catherine I, the latter was his sister, who wanted the throne.
2. Kolomenskoye: Located 10 minutes metro ride away from Moscow city center, Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve offers you an insight into how Medieval Moscow once looked like. This place is home to the Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich estate, the most ancient garden of Moscow, and a number of age-old churches.
3. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour: Constructed in the 1990s, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour stands in the place where once a 19th-century shrine of the same name stood. Designed like the original church, this cathedral also has the classic “Christ Not Painted by Hand” by Sorokin that fortunately survived its predecessor’s demolition.
4. St. Basil’s Cathedral: Constructed in white, today St. Basil’s Cathedral stands as a magnificent vividly colored museum, admiring whose intricate designs is one of the most common activities in Moscow for architecture lovers.
What are the best adventure activities to do in Moscow?
1. Trekking to Poklonnaya Hill: Taking an exhilarating trekking tour to Poklonnaya Hill is one of the most adrenaline-fueled activities in Moscow to try. Literally translating to “Bow-down hill”, this hill is counted among the city’s highest points. Sheltering the Victory Park and a museum, Poklonnaya Hill offers enchanting views of the underlying vistas.
2. Cycling at Gorky Park: If you are an avid cyclist, head to Gorky Park and explore its premier lush green spaces riding a bicycle. Offering a plethora of thrilling things to do in Moscow for adventure fanatics, this park also lets you indulge in other adventure sports like skateboarding, rollerblading, and of course ice skating during the winters.
3. Cable Riding at Sparrow Hills: Go cable car riding at one of Moscow’s famous landmarks, Sparrow Hills. While you are here, you can also get to the observation deck and soak in the breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You can also spot the Moscow State University, the loftiest of all the Stalinist skyscrapers, from here.
4. Karting at Sokolniki Park: Go karting at the beautiful Sokolniki Park that once served as a dense forest and the falcon hunting destination for kings. Making for one of Europe’s oldest and largest parks, this also offers other activities like cycling and trampoline.
How can I reach Moscow?
You can reach Moscow by flight, bus, and train.
- By Flight: Moscow is equipped with 3 primary international airports - Domodedovo Airport, Vnukovo International Airport, and Sheremetyevo International Airport. These airports connect the city to other international cities including London, Delhi, New York, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Athens, Beijing, Barcelona, Bangkok, and Berlin.
- By Train: Moscow is well-connected to a number of Russian and European cities through its efficient railway services. Some of the major international cities that have access to Moscow by train include Beijing, Budapest, Warsaw, Berlin, Belarus, Prague, Brest, Vienna, Warsaw, and Helsinki.
- By Bus: Moscow is connected by bus to various international cities, like Berlin, Prague, Warsaw, Riga, Tartu, Budapest, and Vilnius.
What is the best time to visit Moscow?
The most ideal time for visiting Moscow is during the spring months of March and April.
1. Peak Season (March and April): This is the Spring season in Moscow, during which the snow starts melting down and the city gets shrouded with a carpet of colourful flowers and lush greens. During this time, the city also celebrates a number of beautiful festivals, such as May Day, Orthodox Easter, Victory Day, and Moscow’s Museum Night.
2. Shoulder Season (September and October): This is the Autumn season in Moscow, during which the northern part experiences pleasant weather and the southern part has warm weather.
During this period, the city observes important celebrations like Annual Moscow Birthday, Moscow Gastronomic Festival, Circle of Light Moscow International Festival, and WorldFood Moscow. The nearby mountains also offer the right conditions for trekking during October.
3. Low Season (December to February): This is the Winter season in Moscow, during which the entire city receives heavy snowfall. During this time the price of hotels are cheap and the city celebrates Christmas and New Year.
What is Moscow famous for?
Moscow is famous for not one but for a wide array of important things. Some of the well-known things that have got this flamboyant city its popularity include:
- Modern and historical artworks
- Magnificent monuments
- Bustling fashion boutiques
- Delicious local cuisine
- Ancient heritage buildings
- Lively nightlife culture
- Trekkable mountains
- Enthralling cruises
- Enchanting opera shows
- Breathtaking parks
- Beautiful churches
- Swanky elite restaurants.
Is it safe to go to Moscow?
Yes, Moscow is absolutely one of the safest places to travel to in the entire world. However, you should always be careful to take basic precautions, such as being cautious of your belongings and avoiding visiting dodgy areas.
How many days are enough in Moscow?
The tourists will need at least 3 days to experience Moscow to the fullest. Here is what to do in Moscow on your 2 nights and 3 days tour to the city:
- Day 1: On the first day of your Moscow tour, you will head towards Moscow Center. Enroute you can pay a visit to Alexander's Gardens, Bolshoi Theatre, the former KGB building, Zaradje Park, and Varvarka street. On this day, you will also visit Red Square, where you will see St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's tomb, GUM, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, and the Kremlin of Moscow.
- Day 2: On the second day, you will enjoy exploring Victory Park, the Lover's Bridge, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Novodevichy Convent, Moscow State University, Tretyakov Gallery, and Sparrow Hills.
- Day 3: On the third day, you will pay a visit to the Trinity Museum before winding up your Moscow tour and returning back to your home country.
What should I buy from Moscow as souvenirs?
1. Russian Shawls: Known for their traditional design and visual appeal, Russian shawls are available in several names including Orenburg shawls and Pavloposadskie shawls.
2. Russian Chocolate: Russia has always been known for its rich chocolate making traditions. While you can find more than 2000 varieties of chocolates here, the favorite picks of most of the tourists are “Babaevsky” and “Alenka” chocolate bars.
3. Gzhel Ceramics: Produced in the suburbs of Moscow, the white and blue Gzhel ceramics depict a fairytale look with impressive floral designs.
4. Honey: With apiculture being quite popular here, Moscow shelters a plethora of local honey shops selling umpteen varieties of honey, such as raspberry, lime, and chestnut honey.
Which are the famous heritage buildings in Moscow?
1. Hermitage Museum: Known as the world’s second-largest art museum, Hermitage Museum is home to beautiful Egyptian antiquities, Flemish and Ducth Baroque art, Renaissance art, and contemporary European fine art.
2. Ostankino TV Tower: Once considered as the world’s tallest free-standing structure, Ostankino TV Tower offers you mesmerizing 360 degree views of the entire Moscow from an altitude of around 337 meters.
3. St. Basil’s Cathedral: Commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in the 1500s, St. Basil’s Cathedral is known popularly for its glistening onion-shaped domes.
4. State Historical Museum: Founded by Ivan Zabelin back in 1872, State Historical Museum is known popularly for its largest coin collection in the entire Russia.
Which are the famous cruises in Moscow?
1. Moscow Showboat Dinner Cruise: This is a luxury cruising tour onboard a lavish double-deck Maestro boat that offers enchanting musical programmes, a scrumptious dinner, and enthralling views of the Vorobyovy Hills, the Moscow Kremlin, Gorky Park, the St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
2. Moscow Sightseeing River Cruise: This is a 2-hour cruise around Moscow center from Novospassky Bridge to Vorobyeva Gori and back, onboard a 2-deck boat serving snacks, hard liquor, and soft drinks to the guests throughout the tour.
3. Moscow Grand Cruise: This cruise lets you sail through the city center onboard the Kolesov boat and offers delectable dinner, dance and musical programmes, and breathtaking views of the important landmarks of Moscow.
Which are some of the famous hiking and trekking places in Moscow?
1. Pilgrim’s Road: The 100-kilometer long Pilgrim’s Road starts from Moscow city center and passes through many towns, villages, and religious sites to finally end at the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, lying in Sergeyev Posad.
2. Fiztech: Suitable for beginners, Fiztech hiking trail connects Dolgoprudny and Mytishchi towns. This 19.8 kilometers long trail, passing via Belyaninov village, can be covered in 1-2 days.
3. Green Circle: Passing through green zones and parks, the 158 kilometers long Green Circle not only offers an amazing hiking scope, but also lets you enjoy mountain biking and winter skiing.
4. Serednikovo village: A short 6-hour hiking trail starts from Firsanovka station and goes to Serednikovo, passing through rivers, forests, and the Shepkino swamp.
Which are the famous places to eat local cuisines in Moscow?
1. Café Pushkin: Established in 1999, Cafe Pushkin is a vintage mansion spread across 3 floors. This 24 hours cafe serves flavoursome Russian and international delicacies, including dumplings and caviar.
2. Bar Strelka: Flaunting a relaxed ambiance and stylish interior, Bar Strelka specializes in super delicious seafood, noodles, grilled meat, and healthy salads. By evening, this place transforms into an amazing nightclub with live jazz and DJ.
3. Kvartira 44: Boasting a mid-20th century ambiance, Kvartira 44 is known for its rustic atmosphere, antique furniture, live piano music, and French-influenced homemade European delicacies.
4. Gallery Café: Established 8 years ago, Gallery Cafe offers the perfect amalgamation of music, art, and sizzling parties. While the cafe offers the best seafood and vodka, the terrace hosts many enthralling live performances and concerts.