Moscow

Moscow is a fast-paced metropolis steeped in a rich history spanning almost 1,000 years. Moscow will inspire and confound you. When you travel to Moscow, you travel back in time-to the days of the Tsars of the Russian Empire, to the firebrand communists, to the tortured novelists of the Golden Age of Russian literature. Ivan the Terrible, Lenin and Stalin all made a name for themselves in Russia’s capital city, and their legacies are tangible the moment you first step into Red Square.

Today, Moscow is the largest city in Europe and rapid development and investment have painted a new image of modern Russia. Luxury hotels, upscale nightclubs and high-end brand stores intertwine with the Gothic steeples of Stalin’s Seven Sisters. Busy and hectic it might be, but Moscow easily captures your heart and never lets you forget its bustling and vibrant character.

Top Places to Visit in Moscow

St. Basil’s Cathedral

With its round, brilliantly colored cupolas, St. Basil’s Cathedral truly looks like a fairy-tale castle. Ivan the Terrible had it built around 1550 in order to celebrate a victory over the Tartars. Today the cathedral is one of the world’s architectural wonders.

Red Square and the Lenin Mausoleum

Enclosed by the GUM, Kremlin, and Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Red Square stands proud. This is also the place where Lenin rests in his mausoleum. Since 1924 he has been as carefully guarded as he was embalmed.

Bolshoi Theatre

The stunning Bolshoi Theatre is one of Moscow's cultural landmarks. Here you can enjoy several ballets by world-renowned Russian ballet companies, operas and different performances in a grandiose interior.

Arbat Street

The popular Arbat Street is one of the oldest streets in Moscow. If you have not been to Arbat Street before, it is definitely worth a visit - it's closed off to traffic, allowing pedestrians to enjoy its many cafes and souvenir shops, as well as entertaining street artists and portrait painters.

Cathedral of The Archangel

Perched in between the attractions of Ivan the Great Bell Tower and the great Great Kremlin Palace, this orthodox cathedral in the heart of Moscow and the mighty Archangel Michael is the patron saint of the cathedral. Reflecting the charm of the Italian Renaissance architectural style, this cathedral is built on the site of the original structure which dates back to 1333.

Sparrow Hills

One of the best lookouts in Moscow is called Sparrow Hills. From here you will get magnificent views of the city, hence this is also a popular place for spending New Year’s Eve and enjoying the fireworks. In the park you can wander among ponds and occasionally come here for a concert or event.

Peterhof Palace

One of the most important sites of cultural importance in Russia is the Peterhof Palace. It is a series of palaces and gardens which are located in Peterhof, St Petersburg. One of the best features of the area that catches the eyes of the many tourists who come to visit the area is a 16-metre high cliff. One of the best features of the Palace is the Chesma Hall. The Hall is decorated with painting from the Battle of Chesma, where Russia won a naval victory during the Russo-Turkish war.

Cathedral of The Archangel

Perched in between the attractions of Ivan the Great Bell Tower and the great Great Kremlin Palace, this orthodox cathedral in the heart of Moscow and the mighty Archangel Michael is the patron saint of the cathedral. Reflecting the charm of the Italian Renaissance architectural style, this cathedral is built on the site of the original structure which dates back to 1333.

What to Eat in Moscow

Russian cuisine is distinctive and unique, and like any other national one, it was formed under the influence of different environmental, social, geographical, economic, and historical factors. The main feature of Russian cuisine is considered to be an abundance and variety of products used for cooking. There are numerous dishes made of dough such as pies, cakes, rolls, blini, etc. as well as unleavened dough, including dumplings and homemade noodles. Being a country of Orthodox Christian religion which implies numerous fasts, Russian cuisine offers a great number of vegetarian dishes including mushrooms, pickles, etc. The Russian culinary palette is also rich in meat, poultry, and fish dishes which are served on various occasions.

Shopping in Moscow

Just about any souvenir, bauble, or item of clothing can be found just off Red Square, at the two major shopping centers: GUM and Okhotny Ryad.

A less abundant but more original shopping area is Pyatnitskaya Street in Zamoskvarechye, south of the Kremlin. Several independent artists sell their paintings and sculptures in galleries and small shops here, along with traditional Russian crafts. This is also where Moscow's few vintage clothing stores reside, plus a few shops offering second-hand designer wear.

Best time to visit Moscow

The best time to visit Moscow is March and April. The autumn month of September and October is also a good time to visit the city. During these months, the city overflows with visitors from around the globe. The average temperature remains 75°F to 90°F (-59°C to 32°C) during these two months, which is comfortable enough to explore the city during the day time. Winters in Moscow, however, are chilly. The average temperature during December and January remains around -80°F to 80°F (-62°C to 27°C), which goes down further in the eastern part like, Siberia. Winters are great for skating though. Also, travelling south towards the Black Sea can be a relief from the prickly cold weather. March is an amazing time to visit St. Petersburg as well. You can pay a visit to the famous palaces and museums without the crowd around.

How to reach Moscow

The international airports connecting Moscow are Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo. After reaching any of the Moscow airports from abroad, you can take aero express train or taxi service to reach the city. If you are flying inland, you can go for domestic flights or take Russian Railway to reach Moscow.

Local transport in Moscow

Public transportation in Moscow is rather convenient. The Moscow Metro is actually one of the most popular metros in the entire world. It is home to brilliant architecture, mosaics and murals. It has 12 lines and connects most of the main city. It also has a monorail system operating from Timiryazevskaya metro station to Ulitsa Sergeya Eisensteina. Buses run throughout the city and each street has at least one bus operating on it and connecting to the nearest metro station. Moscow also operates a tram service throughout the city. It used to be one of the most extensive tram services in the city, though some of the routes have now been withdrawn. Trams are convenient feeders to metro stations. Taxis also operate throughout the city.