Things to do and see in Moscow

15 July 2021

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Friendly disclaimer! We want to be as accurate as possible, but given these challenging times, we urge you to recheck that the venues are open when you decide to visit.

 

Moscow is in a state of constant flux. The Communists have given way to a new generation of business-minded men and women, hungry for progress. However, old traditions are being honoured and kept alive – excellent performative arts (ballet, opera, and instrumental music), beautifully restored Orthodox churches, Soviet architectural and cultural heritage, and the national cuisine are only a few of the things modern Moscow has to offer.

Children are the Victims of Adult Vices Sculptures

Children are the Victims of Adult Vices Sculptures

The monument, designed by Mihail Chemiakin, shows 2 children at play, surrounded by 13 menacing-looking figures, each representing a vice or evil the youth is often faced with growing up. Can you interpret the meaning of each sculpture? You can find the monument south of the Moscow Kremlin, in Bolotnaya Square.

 

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Peter the Great Statue

Peter the Great Statue

Built in memory of Emperor Peter I, who reigned the nation for 43 years, the monument faces the Moskva River and is the 8th highest statue in the world, standing at 98 meters (322ft) tall. Besides the statue, you can also enjoy a beautiful view over the river around the area, as well as spot some boat traffic.

 

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Novodevichy Convent and Monastery

Novodevichy Convent and Monastery

Several religious buildings surrounded by a wall make up the monastery, set amid a park on the Moskva Riverbank. To grasp the importance of the place throughout the course of Russian history, visit the Novodevichy Cemetry, where many prominent Russians found their final resting place, from literary behemoths (Chekhov and Gogol) to politicians (Boris Yeltsin). The monastery has remained near-intact since the 17th century.

 

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Church of Ascension Kolomenskoye

Church of Ascension Kolomenskoye

The church was built to mark the birth of Prince Ivan VI, who was later to become Ivan ‘the Terrible’. It was the first of its architectural kind in Russia. The structure faces the Moskva River and is marvellous in its unique architectural design. Kolomenskoye Park stretches along the Moskva River and is a favourite among locals for day trips, too.

 

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Wooden Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich

Wooden Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich

Today’s Wooden Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich is a complete reconstruction, since the original building was, sadly, demolished on the command of Catherine the Great in the 18th century. The museum inside showcases the lively embellishments and ornate furniture that was replicated through paintings dating back to the time.

 

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The Pushkin Museum of Fine Art

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Art

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Art is a paradise for those interested in art. Here Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artworks mingle with older works by Rembrandt and Botticelli.

 

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The Tretiakov Gallery

With its 62 halls and 100,000 paintings, the Tretiakov Gallery contains the world’s largest collection of Russian art. Fortunately, all of these pieces are not displayed together. Instead, a few are put on display at a time.

 

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Armoury Chamber in The Kremlin

Armoury Chamber in The Kremlin

If you yearn for gold, velvet, and precious stones, you must visit the Armoury. The treasures that have been collected over the centuries by the Russian tsars and princes can be found here. Some magnificent examples are the Fabergé egg and Catherine the Great’s coronation dress.

 

Unravelog tip: Use entrance from the Alexander Garden

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Red Square and the Lenin Mausoleum

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.

 

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St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil's Cathedral

With its round, brilliantly coloured 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.

 

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Moscow Metro

Moscow Metro

Going on the metro in Moscow is an attraction in itself. The metro here is just beautiful with its architecture and majestic spaces. If you have to choose, two of the most beautiful stations to visit are Komsomol’skaya and Kazan’skaya.



Flacon Design Factory

Flacon Design Factory

One of several repurposed industrial spaces in Moscow, Flacon is among the best: once a glass factory, it has now been transformed into a collection of hip enterprises that range from cool stores (do not miss the Respublika book shop and its fun merch) to cafes, coworking spaces, and art installations. Check their event schedule to see what’s on (mind that most events are conducted in Russian).

 

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Izmaylovo Market

Izmaylovo Market

One of the most famous places in Moscow for buying souvenirs is the Izmaylovo market. Here you can find all the typical Russian souvenirs like matryoshka dolls and fur hats. The market is quite big, so make sure to have enough time and money when coming here.

 

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Gorky Park

Gorky Park

In the middle of Moscow, you can find Gorky Park, named after the author Maxim Gorky. This park is located on the riverbank and is full of fun activities. Here you can find parkland, a sports centre, an open-air cinema, and much more.

 

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Sparrow Hills

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.

 

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Arbat Street

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.

 

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Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

This unique museum can be found below the ravishing Space Monument. At The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, there are several exhibitions with different space objects, documents, and art. If you are interested in space and the cosmonauts, you will most certainly not be disappointed.

 

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Seven Sisters

Seven Sisters

The so-called “Seven Sisters” are seven skyscrapers built in Stalinist style. The skyscrapers are still among the tallest buildings in Europe and can be seen from multiple spots throughout the city. One of the Seven Sisters is the Moscow State University building, which can be found on Sparrow Hills.



Gulag History Museum

Gulag History Museum

Founded in 2001, this museum is devoted to showing the rise and fall of the labour camp system in Russia called the Gulag. Here you can find both permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as concerts and events.

 

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Cathedral of Christ the Savior

Cathedral of Christ the Savior

This enormous, beautiful cathedral is located by the river and was designed by the architect Konstantin Ton. You can recognise the cathedral by its copper domes that dominate the skyline.

 

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Bolshoi Theatre

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.

 

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Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye Park

Right next to the famous Red Square sits Moscow’s first urban park in half a century. Designed by American architects Diller Scofidio and Renfro and inaugurated in September 2017, this massive piece of land in the heart of the Russian capital is more than just a park, it is a breath of fresh air to the city’s landscape and a new meeting place for locals and tourists alike.

 

Take a walk around its 35-acre grounds and visit its multiple attractions including two amphitheatres, a market, a restaurant, a world-class philharmonic concert hall, an ice cave, and a boomerang-shaped bridge floating over the Moscow River.

 

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