Moscow
As the capital city of Russia, in Moscow there is a fantastic blend of Soviet-era history, ancient monuments and modern attractions, hotels and restaurants.
What you need to know about Moscow
Language: Russian is the language used locally but you will find English spoken in service industries and by many locals, especially the younger generation. You will find Moscow is a little less multi-lingual than St Petersburg but you will have no problem getting around. Just do some planning before you travel so that you have a basic idea of your surroundings and where your hotel is to make things as easy as possible.
Currency: The Russian Ruble.
Banking: ATMs are found all over the city, with all normal credit and debit cards being accepted by retailers, restaurants and points of sale.
Weather: The weather is nice in summer and potentially brutally cold in winter so depending on when you travel there, pack appropriately!
Moscow in a nutshell
Moscow has always had a magical, mysterious feel, and this colorful, elegant, bustling metropolis is certainly unusual. It’s a city of many contrasts, where churches with golden domes share the skyline with futuristic skyscrapers and Soviet block houses.
This is the romantic place where champagne and caviar is consumed in enormous quantities, where people still get around on an historic, elaborately adorned Metro, and where famous landmarks like the Kremlin and Red Square reign supreme.
Wherever you go in Moscow you’ll find meticulously preserved Orthodox churches, prominent culture and tradition (all you have to do is have tea to find a whole new ritual involved in drinking it), illegible street signs and shop placards and lots of leafy open spaces to relax in.
You’ll find this city overwhelming, massive and exciting all at once. Its rich cultural heritage will enthrall you, its art and culture will astound, and its cuisine is an experience all its own, a unique sensation of flavors and traditions that are extraordinary.
Here, much of Russian life carries on as it has for centuries, while modern Russia is well-equipped to keep up with the times, offering upmarket establishments to dine and party in and exclusive stores and some of the finest entertainment available, including unmatched ballet at the Bolshoi Theater.
Learn all about Russia’s iconic history and Soviet rule in numerous museums and buildings. See a variety of architectural treasures that are colorful, unique and dazzling and take a ride on the ornate Metro, built in 1935. Moscow is a bucket-list experience. A destination quite unlike anything else. You have to see it to believe it.
Best time to visit: Come in the festive season (December and January) to see a winter wonderland and experience the enthralling Orthodox Christmas celebrations. Otherwise, visit in spring or fall, when the weather is at its best and the crowds are thinner.
Best Area for Sightseeing: There are so many extraordinary treasures in this iconic Russian city. Take a look at Things to do in Moscow below for some inspiration.
Shopping in Moscow: There are a number of good shopping streets, including Noviy Arbat and exclusive Kuznetskiy, as well as the popular Tverskaya ulitsa. Otherwise, visit the iconic Izmaylovo Market for superb souvenirs including fur hats and those gorgeous matryoshka Russian nesting dolls.
Food & Restaurants in Moscow: You have to sample traditional Russian (Georgian) food, which is a unique and very rewarding experience. There are lots of global options, too. The citys’ Central Market is actually a restaurant district where you can enjoy a variety of cuisines.
Nightlife: There’s plenty to do after dark in numerous establishments, from casual bars to chic nightclubs.
Things to do in Moscow:
- Visit the iconic Peter the Great Statue overlooking the Moskva River.
- Relax in legendary Gorky Park, situated on the river bank.
- Explore Red Square and see the Lenin Mausoleum.
- Spend time in the unique Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics that tells the tale of Russian space travel.
- Discover the stunning Cathedral of Christ the Savior with its copper domes.
- Enjoy an evening of ballet or theater at Moscow’s magical Bolshoi Theater.
- Visit the fascinating 17th century Novodevichy Convent and Monastery on the Moskva River.
- Explore the historic Wooden Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, rebuilt after it was destroyed by Catherine the Great in the 18th century.
- View majestic artworks by the likes of Botticelli and Rembrandt at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Art.
- See unmatched treasures in the fascinating Armoury Chamber in The Kremlin.
- Take a ride on Moscow’s magnificent Metro.
- Visit magical St Basil’s Cathedral that looks as if it has stepped right out of a fairy tale.
Best way to get around: Whenever you can, take the Metro! Otherwise, take a bus, trolley bus or tram.
When you think of Moscow you immediately think of St Basil's Cathedral
It is the most famous building in Russia and the world renowned symbol of Moscow. We of course are referring to the stunning, timeless St Basil's Cathedral.
Visiting the cathedral is a great stop on a day of seeing the biggest sights in the city given its proximity to The Kremlin and Red Square. Entry will cost you around 500 rubles (so about £6 or €8 or $8) which is a steal to get access to one of the truly globally iconic attractions.
The unique architecture of its exterior makes it one of the most unique places of worship you're likely to see anywhere in the world, and the interior is also spectacularly impressive. Inside there are nine small chapels and the belfry, all of which can be visited.
The entire building has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO since 1990.
The iconic St Basil's Cathedral and Spasskaya Tower are world famous symbols of Moscow.
The Kremlin is worth spending the hours it takes to see it all
Visiting the seat of Russia's power is beyond appealing and is a must for any traveller.
The Kremlin complex is absolutely massive - many foreigners mistake St Basil's Cathedral or Red Square as being the Kremlin, but the actual fortified palaces and buildings encompass a whole different, albeit nearby, attraction.
Standing on the banks of the Moskva River, the Kremlin has massive appeal - it is the number one tourist destination in the city. The history that is evident and the stories surrounding the place are mind boggling. From its use as a Tsarist palace, its time as the seat of European imperial throne of power and the current site of President Vladimir Putin's headquarters there is so much to learn, digest, see, photograph and experience when visiting the Kremlin that it would be a crime to miss it.
There are palace buildings, cathedrals, tsarist jewel collections, grand bell towers and more. You are 100% guaranteed to be impressed and think that it is time well spent on your trip to Moscow.
The Kremlin at night as seen from the Moskva River.
After the old there is plenty of new to see too
There is way more to Moscow than just iconic, old buildings. As well as spending time seeing the historic sights to see, you for sure need to spare some time to check out the newer side of the city.
You can see some random places like the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines, submerge yourself in the Moscow Oceanarium or even see a match at the Luzhniki Stadium if the national football team have a fixture while you are there.
There are also brilliant attractions like the Moscow Planetarium if cosmology is your sort of thing, and the fab Panorama360 viewing deck at the top of the Federation Tower found in the middle of downtown Moscow where the views are amazing!
To top it off there are more museums than you can shake a stick covering topics as wide ranging as beer brewing, Russian Impressionism and the wacky Museum of Human Living Systems. Moscow has so many flavours of days out that you will be really pleasantly surprised with this side of the Russian capital.
Make sure you spend some time looking past the iconic old side of Moscow so that you see some of the newer sights there are to see.