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Moscow, Russia

Destination Guide

Moscow

Russia

Best things to do in Moscow

39 curated attractions in Moscow, Russia. Handpicked for every kind of traveler.

Best time

June - August

Average temp

8°C/46°F

Budget

Expensive

Safety

Generally safe

About Moscow

Moscow is a cultural heavyweight, its skyline dominated by the Kremlin and its historic heart centered around Red Square. The city has been shaped by a long history of power and ambition, and the architecture reflects that: onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, the neoclassical grandeur of the Bolshoi Theatre, and the Soviet-era obelisks that seem to challenge you to keep moving. Public life buzzes around the metro stations, often described as art galleries in their own right. People flock to see the treasures of the Tretyakov Gallery, but it’s the sheer scale of everything that leaves a mark: the vast parks, the grand boulevards, the distance between points of interest that makes the city feel almost unmanageable. But they come for the history packed into every turn, and perhaps to unravel the layers of this complex capital.

Who it's for

Ideal for those who appreciate history, art, and an unfiltered look at power in action. The serious pace and size may overwhelm relaxed travelers, and anyone hoping for neighborhoods might find the vastness a tad daunting. If you want quiet corners, you should probably lower your expectations.

Getting around

Public transport: Very Good

  • Walking from Red Square to the Kremlin takes about ten minutes, assuming you can navigate the crowds
  • The metro is efficient, with trains running every few minutes, but be ready for stairs
  • Taxi apps are widespread, though traffic can be a challenge
  • Izmailovsky Market is a bit far from the center but reachable by metro
Red Square

Red Square

Squares & plazas
Izmailovo Kremlin

Izmailovo Kremlin

Forts & citadels
Moscow City Skyscrapers

Moscow City Skyscrapers

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Monument to Peter the Great

Monument to Peter the Great

Monuments & memorials
Kremlin Palace

Kremlin Palace

Castles & palaces
Danilov Monastery

Danilov Monastery

Monasteries
Cathedral of the Annunciation

Cathedral of the Annunciation

Churches & cathedrals
Victory Park (Park Pobedy) and WWII Museum

Victory Park (Park Pobedy) and WWII Museum

City parks
Tverskaya Street

Tverskaya Street

Streets & neighbourhoods
Tsaritsyno Palace and Park

Tsaritsyno Palace and Park

Castles & palaces
Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre

Theatres & opera houses
Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery

Art museums & galleries
Kolomenskoye

Kolomenskoye

City parks
Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

Art museums & galleries
Moscow Metro

Moscow Metro

Modern architecture & skyscrapers
Donskoy Monastery

Donskoy Monastery

Monasteries
St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral

Churches & cathedrals
Museum of Cosmonautics

Museum of Cosmonautics

Science & natural history museums
Sparrow Hills

Sparrow Hills

Scenic viewpoints
Sanduny Baths (Sanduny Bathhouse)

Sanduny Baths (Sanduny Bathhouse)

Spas & bathhouses
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Churches & cathedrals
The Moscow Circus

The Moscow Circus

Family & kids' attractions
VDNKh Exhibition Centre

VDNKh Exhibition Centre

City parks
Kremlin Museums (including the Armory)

Kremlin Museums (including the Armory)

History museums
Novodevichy Convent

Novodevichy Convent

Monasteries
Arbat Street (Old Arbat)

Arbat Street (Old Arbat)

Streets & neighbourhoods
Gorky Park

Gorky Park

City parks
Ostankino Tower

Ostankino Tower

Observation decks & city views
Moscow State University

Moscow State University

Historic libraries & universities
Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge

Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge

Bridges
GUM Shopping Mall

GUM Shopping Mall

Malls & department stores
State Historical Museum

State Historical Museum

History museums
The Trans-Siberian Railway

The Trans-Siberian Railway

Scenic viewpoints
Bunker 42

Bunker 42

Historical Attractions
Monument to the Heroes of the Great Patriotic War

Monument to the Heroes of the Great Patriotic War

Monuments & memorials
Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye Park

City parks
Moscow Zoo

Moscow Zoo

Zoos
Izmailovsky Market

Izmailovsky Market

Local & craft markets
The Kremlin

The Kremlin

Forts & citadels

Things to do in Moscow

Tours, cruises and experiences, rather than places to visit.

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