The Kremlin is possibly Moscow’s most iconic tourist attraction, and one that you can’t miss on your trip. There is a reason why the Moscow Kremlin is a World Heritage Site.
The Kremlin, which means fortress in Russian, is a complex of political buildings with unbeatable architectural and historical richness. The word refers to the walled cities that were built during the Middle Ages, and which today are the heart of Russia’s major cities. In fact, there are more than 20 Kremlins in Russia, but none as spectacular as the one in Moscow.
Did you know that the president of Russia works in the Moscow Kremlin? In this post we tell you all the secrets of the Kremlin and the information you need to know before you set off on your trip.
What are the must-see places in the Moscow Kremlin?
The Kremlin, located on Moscow’s Red Square and built in the 12th century, became a symbol of the country’s political power with the fall of the Soviet Union. Within its walls, however, it is not all politics. The complex also has religious, civil and cultural buildings such as palaces, cathedrals and museums. Since its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has reinvented itself to welcome tourists. You can visit several buildings inside, but you do have to pay an entrance fee.
1. Dormition Cathedral
The Dormition Cathedral is the most important cathedral in Russia. It was the site of the coronations and baptisms of Russian emperors and tsars. Built in white stone between 1475 and 1479, the cathedral is one of the oldest churches in the country and a religious symbol. It is located on Cathedrals Square, which it shares with the Cathedral of the Annunciation and the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael.
2. Cathedral of the Annunciation
This cathedral, although smaller in size, is probably the most ostentatious and beautiful. This is because in the time of the tsars it served as the family’s private chapel. Initially it was a modest church with only three domes. It was Ivan the Terrible who transformed it for his own use.
3. Archangel Michael Cathedral
The Archangel Michael Cathedral is famous for its large pantheon, where Russian tsars and important Russian personalities are buried. Its walls are frescoed with depictions of the great battles of history, which is why army celebrations are held in this cathedral.
4. Price and opening hours of the Cathedrals Square
The Cathedral Square can be visited between 9.30am and 6pm from May to September, and from 10am to 5pm the rest of the year. The price is 700 roubles and includes admission to the cathedrals and their museums. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office. But if you want to save the queue, it’s best to get them online in advance. At the entrance you will only be asked for your ticket and ID card. The Ivan the Great bell tower is not included.
5. Ivan the Great Bell Tower
The Ivan the Great Bell Tower is the best place to enjoy incredible views of the city. It is the tallest building in the Moscow Kremlin, and when it was built, the tallest in the country.
The times for visiting the bell tower are: 10.15 am, 11.15 am, 1.00 pm, 2.00 pm, 3.00 pm, 4.00 pm and 5.00 pm in summer. Tickets can be purchased separately at the ticket office and cost 350 roubles.
6. The Kremlin Armoury
The Armoury is an impressive collection of valuable objects owned by emperors and tsars. Among them are pieces of art and gold and silverware such as Fabergé eggs and crown jewels.
To visit the armoury you need a different ticket, which costs 1000 roubles. It can be purchased either at the ticket office or online. Opening hours are from 10:00 to 18:00 and there are exhibition sessions at 10:00, 12:00, 14:30 and 16:30.
The most impressive part of the exhibition is the collection of diamonds in the Diamond Fund, which costs an additional 500 roubles to enter. It is definitely worth the visit for the incredibly large diamonds and sapphires.
7. Kremlin Palaces
There are several palaces in the Kremlin that serve as the headquarters for various government agencies, and although you can’t visit them, you can admire them from the outside.
The Grand Kremlin Palace is the presidential residence, although the president does not live there. But it is still used for official receptions. Unfortunately, it can only be visited at the invitation of the president.
The Kremlin State Palace houses the congress and a concert hall. It is also the home of the ballet. The rest of the palaces are administrative and state offices.
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What to see around the Moscow Kremlin?
The Kremlin is right in the centre of Moscow, which means that after the visit we can set out to discover the city. It takes several days to see all the city has to offer, but here is a brief summary of the highlights.
1. Red Square
When we think of this city, the first thing that comes to mind is Red Square, which surrounds the Moscow Kremlin. With 23,100m², this square is one of the most spectacular in the world, which is why it is considered a World Heritage Site. It is also home to St. Basil’s Cathedral, which I’m sure you’ve already seen in a photo.
2. St. Basil’s Cathedral
This colourful cathedral is one of Russia’s treasures and a true symbol of the country. Its construction was completed in 1561, and despite fires, Napoleon’s invasion and Stalin’s demolition plans, it has stood the test of time. The entrance fee is 700 rubles and visiting hours are from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm every day.
3. Lenin’s Mausoleum
This mausoleum is a small building in the middle of Red Square that has housed Vladimir Lenin’s mummy since 1924. Despite his wishes to be buried next to his mother in St Petersburg, Stalin insisted that he be embalmed and put on public display. The soldiers who guard the building 24 hours a day insist that visits do not stop, so visiting it can be a bit of a rushed experienced. But it is nonetheless a curious phenomenon. Admission is free and the mausoleum is open from 10am to 1pm.
4. Pushkin Museum
This museum of fine arts has more than 500,000 works of art and is one of the most important in the country. It was originally named the Emperor Alexander III Museum of Fine Arts, but at the end of the 20th century it was renamed the Pushkin Museum in honour of the poet. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm and admission is 400 roubles.
What to visit in the Moscow Kremlin in one day?
The Kremlin can be visited in a morning if you organise yourself ahead of time. As it is such a tourist attraction, there are usually long queues for tickets. In addition, there is limited capacity and you may not be able to get in.
The best thing to do is to get your tickets online in advance. On the other hand, getting up early is always an option. You can go a little before the ticket office opens and you’ll be among the first to get in.
Once inside, the Kremlin can be seen in a morning. Two hours for Cathedral Square and another two for the Armoury are more than enough to see everything at your own pace.
Where to stay near the Moscow Kremlin?
Unfortunately, unless you are invited by the President of Russia, it is not possible to stay inside the Kremlin. However, it is possible to find other options very close to the Kremlin, but outside its walls.
- Luxury accommodation: for prices ranging from €300 to €600 a night, you can find luxury hotels in the heart of Moscow, such as the Four Seasons Moscow or the Hotel National. These hotels have all kinds of amenities and views of Red Square.
- More affordable hotels: also very close to the Moscow Kremlin but a bit more modest, you can find hotels with prices ranging from 50€ a night such as the People Red Square Hotel or the Mirros Hotel.
- Hostels: much more affordable are a couple of hostels near the Kremlin. They are the Red Kremlin Hostel and the Landmark Hostel. They are very clean and basic accommodations. The best thing about them is their location, although they are in neighbourhoods that are a bit noisy at night.
Best places to eat near the Kremlin
There are no restaurants inside the Kremlin, but in the surrounding area there are plenty of places to enjoy Russian cuisine. Among the most famous dishes are Rassolnik, Okrosha, Shashlik and Pelmeni. Here are some of our favourite restaurants:
- Kachapuri: 20 minutes from Red Square and for 1100 roubles you can try kachapuri and salmon khinkalis.
- Kroshka-Kartoshka: this street food stall serves baked potatoes stuffed with different flavours. They are located all over the city and are very affordable.
- Café Pushkin: this is one of the most famous cafés in Moscow, in fact, it became famous before it even existed. A French singer-songwriter mentioned it in a song, “Natalie”, and as tourists could not find it on their visit to Moscow, they ended up having to build it. It’s not particularly expensive and you can eat a set menu for less than 15€. It’s also about a 20-minute walk from the Kremlin.
How to get to the Kremlin?
Getting to the Kremlin is easy as it is located in the heart of Red Square, one of the most touristy and well-signposted points in the city. The best way to get there is by public transport. The metro has 14 lines and is relatively easy to use. The closest stop to Red Square is Ploshchad Revolutsii and its design will leave you speechless. Buses and trams also work well. Tickets for either mode of transport cost 29.9 roubles. Taxis are another option, though much more expensive.
There are two entrances to the Kremlin. The main entrance is at the Kutafiya Tower and leads to Cathedrals Square. This is also where the ticket offices are located. The other entrance, which leads to the Armoury and is usually less crowded, is at the Borovitskaya Tower.
Travel tips to see the Kremlin
- The currency in Russia is the rouble, so remember to exchange your money if you are paying cash.
- Keep the Kremlin opening hours in mind when planning your visit.
- Remember that getting tickets online will save you a lot of queuing.
- To see the Moscow Kremlin it is best to go early to avoid crowds, and on weekdays.
- Don’t lose your entrance tickets – you will be asked for them at each building.
- You cannot take photos inside the buildings.
- The Moscow City Pass includes entrance to Cathedral Square but not to the Armoury.
How to organise your trip to the Kremlin?
Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its useful features.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of every place you’ve visited to the app and recommend to other travellers all there is to see at the Moscow Kremlin.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions for visiting the Moscow Kremlin
Yes, several companies outside the Kremlin organise guided tours that include admission for around €25. They are also conducted in English.
The truth is that most tourists buy tickets at the ticket office or go with a guide, so you don’t need to buy tickets very far in advance. In high season it’s best to get them at least a week in advance.
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