Moscow is the heart of Russia. With a population of over 12 million people, it is the country’s political and financial capital. A cosmopolitan and modern megacity, rich in history, culture, architecture and gastronomy. It is a city full of surprises which will make you want to return. Despite its climate, with long, harsh winters and average temperatures of -12 degrees Celsius, and short, mild summers, Moscow has a long list of attractions. Its unimaginably colourful buildings such as St Basil’s Cathedral on the majestic Red Square, the incredible metro stations and its wide range of cultural offerings are just some of Moscow’s must-see sights.
Places to see in Moscow
Red Square, the most famous of Moscow’s sights
It is, without a doubt, the star place for tourists travelling to Moscow. A square that offers all kinds of experiences ranging from the famous GUM Galleries, to the history of Lenin’s Mausoleum and the Museum of National History, or religious worship at the imposing St. Basil’s Cathedral.
St Basil’s Cathedral is the symbol of Moscow and an icon in Russia. Built in the 16th century and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it has survived fires, Napoleon’s invasion and Stalin’s demolition plan. Its colours and shapes are reminiscent of films and fairy tales. It is worth a visit both by day and by night, as it has beautiful illuminations. You will be delighted by the interior, made up of nine small, yet highly decorated, chapels.
The GUM is a luxury shopping arcade. It is probably the most important in Russia. Although its shops offer a variety of high-priced goods, inside there are also restaurants with typical food at affordable prices for all kinds of tourists.
Lenin’s Mausoleum is one of Moscow’s greatest attractions. It was erected in 1924 after the communist leader’s death, and his body has been embalmed inside ever since. It is open to the public, however we recommend checking the opening hours as it is usually closed for two months of the year when a group of professionals carry out work to keep Lenin’s body in good condition.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
The Kremlin, one of the most important sights to see in Moscow Russia
Probably Moscow’s most iconic tourist attraction, the Kremlin is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The word ‘Kremlin’ means fortress in Russian, and it is a collection of political buildings of unparalleled 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 the country, but none as spectacular as the one in Moscow.
This complex also houses religious, civil and cultural buildings such as palaces, cathedrals and museums, some of the most beautiful things to see in Moscow. Examples are the Dormition and Annunciation Cathedrals, as well as its palaces and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower.
Discover the Kremlin in more depth at Things to see in the Moscow Kremlin
Kolomenskoye Park
This park is a bit far from the city centre, but very well connected to it thanks to the Kolomenskaya metro station. Kolomenskoye is the former summer residence of the tsars, 15km from Moscow, and like them, you too can escape to this beautiful place to avoid the hustle and bustle of the capital.
Among the sights to see in this Moscow park are the beautiful Alexis Mikhailovich Wooden Palace and the World Heritage-listed Church of the Ascension.
Park opening hours: 7:00 to 00:00 from April to September and 8:00 to 21:00 from October to March.
Bolshoi Theatre, the perfect place to see Russian ballet in Moscow
The Bolshoi Theatre is not only the most important ballet and opera theatre in Russia. Its imposing neoclassical façade guards an interior with minute attention to detail. The theatre’s elegance is complemented by the best technical equipment, making it one of the most important theatres in the world. Enjoying a ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre is almost mandatory, as it is the epicentre of classical dance worldwide. It is another of the city’s icons. This theatre suffered several consecutive fires, some of them very serious, in which its interior burned for a week and for that reason it had to be completely rebuilt. What visitors see today is an exact replica of what it once was.
Tickets go on sale a couple of months in advance and the price is quite high. So if you don’t want to miss out on seeing the inside of the theatre, you can book a guided tour for around €25.
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
Very close to the Kremlin and on the banks of the Moskva River is the tallest orthodox church in the world, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Moscow, with its white stone and golden domes. However, the cathedral we have today is not the original one that was erected in 1812, but a much later one rebuilt in 1994. This is because Stalin, in his project to create the Eight Sisters, ordered a huge skyscraper, the Palace of the Soviets, to be built on the site where it was located (whih was never carried out), so in 1931 he demolished the original one. In the pit dug for the foundations of the skyscraper, Nikita Khrushchev opened the world’s largest swimming pool in 1958.
Eventually, it was decided that the site deserved to bring back the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, and the present one is as impressive as the original.
Admission is free and you can climb its domes and enjoy fantastic views of beautiful Moscow. Opening hours: Tues – Sun: 10:00-17:00; Mon: 13:00-17:00.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is one of the most impressive buildings in Moscow Russia because of its enormous size and its architecture, which is so different from the rest of the city. This 171-metre building belongs to Stalin’s Seven Sisters project, which was carried out between 1947 and 1953. The Seven Sisters are seven huge skyscrapers that were built to commemorate the 8 centuries of Moscow’s history in a project that was intended to build 8 buildings, but was never completed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is on Arbat Street, one of the city’s must-see main streets, and its American style transports you straight to Manhattan.
Novodevichy Monastery
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, the Novodevichy Monastery is the most important monastery in Moscow. Of sublime beauty, with its red and white towers and golden domes, this monastery is one of the must-see places on your trip to Moscow. It has several religious buildings, such as the Church of the Assumption and the Smolensk Cathedral, among others. Museum opening hours: daily 9am-5pm Price: 300 rubles (€3.44). There is an extra charge for photos (100 rubles) and videos (200 rubles).
Next to the monastery is the Novodevichy Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Moscow, where many popular Russian figures, including politicians and artists, are buried.
Metro, the world’s most beautiful stations in Moscow Russia
The Moscow Metro is quite different from what you might see in other cities, and there’s a reason it’s nicknamed “the underground palace”. As well as being the second most used metro in the world, after Tokyo, it is a fascinating place where some of the stations are absolutely beautiful in such an urban environment. Here is a list of the most beautiful stations in the Moscow underground so that you can see their unrivalled beauty for yourself.
- Kievskaya
- Belorusskaya
- Komsomolskaya
- Novoslobodskaya
- Elektrozavodskaya
- Mayakovskaya… Among others.
Statue of Peter the Great
It is a huge 98-metre statue, the eighth tallest in the world, and depicts Peter I of Russia sailing a sailboat. Since its construction in 1997, it has been a controversial statue both for its aesthetics and for the fact that it represents a ruler who decided to move the capital to St. Petersburg, the city after which it is named. The statue stands where the Moskva River and the Vodootvodny Canal meet and is dedicated to the Russian Navy.
What to see around Moscow Russia?
Russia’s Golden Ring, a chance to see cities near Moscow
The Golden Ring of Russia is a tourist route that covers a total of 21 cities near Moscow. These cities are located northeast of the capital, between the Volga River and the Klyazma River, an area of fertile land that facilitated human settlement and today is home to some of the most beautiful places to visit in Russia. These cities boast impressive mansions, palaces and religious buildings that are a real delight. Among these beautiful cities are Sergiev Posad, Pereslalvl-Zaleski, Rostov and Yaroslavl.
How to get to Moscow Russia?
Moscow has three international passenger airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO), Domodedovo (DME) and Vnukovo (VKO). The first one has the most flights per year and the best connections with Spanish airports. Madrid-Barajas and El Prat in Barcelona have direct flights to Sheremetyevo airport. The trip from the Spanish capital takes approximately 5 hours and a half. Barcelona to Moscow is less than 5 hours.
How to get to the centre of Moscow from the airport?
There are three ways to get to the centre of Moscow from the airports. The most convenient but not the quickest or cheapest way is to take a taxi. Taxi fares vary depending on the airport and journey time, but usually range from 1,600 to 2,000 roubles (€18-23) for the cheapest 4-person service. Travel time from Sheremetyevo airport will vary between 45 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes depending on the location of your accommodation and traffic. Please note that Moscow is a very busy city and depending on the time of day it is possible to encounter major traffic jams on the roads.
Another good option is to go by train. It’s the quickest way to get to the centre and enjoy all the sights of Moscow. The train is called Aeroexpress and takes just over 30 minutes to reach the train stations. You will most likely then have to take the Metro to the nearest stop to your accommodation. The fare is approximately 420 roubles (€5) one way.
Finally, there are also bus lines from Moscow airports. They run to the outskirts of the city from where you’ll need to take the Metro or a taxi. This is the cheapest form of transport, between 50 and 120 roubles (€0.60-€1.40) and some of the tickets include a Metro ticket for the transfer. They run on average every 15 minutes.
Things to do in Moscow Russia in 3 days?
Day 1:
- Red Square
- Kremlin
- Bolshoi Theatre
Day 2:
- Walk along the Moskva River
- Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
- Statue of Peter the Great
Day 3:
- Novodevichy Convent
- Walk down Arbat Street
Where to eat in Moscow Russia?
If you travel to Russia without first researching its cuisine, when you see the menu of Moscow restaurants you will probably not understand anything. That’s why, below, we’ll tell you about the typical dishes you’ll find most on your trip to Moscow.
- Russian soups: Borsch (beetroot soup), Solianka (fish soup).
- Pelmeni: meat-filled dumplings similar to Chinese dumplings or Japanese gyozas. They are served with butter or other sauces.
- Blinis: A kind of pancake or crepe filled with different ingredients. They can be eaten both sweet and savoury.
Some delicious restaurants where you can enjoy traditional Russian dishes are:
- Chemodan: Recommended by the Michelin guide, Chemodan is a beautiful restaurant serving high-quality Siberian cuisine with a pleasant atmosphere. Here you’ll find dishes such as Solianka, as well as game, seasonal mushrooms and delicious liqueurs. Price range: €35-53.
- Mari Vanna: At Mari Vanna you will feel at home, not only for its cosy atmosphere and décor, but also for its homemade food (as it says on its menu with “grandmother’s recipes”) and its friendly and attentive service. Price range: €10-25.
- Russian Pub: One of the best restaurants in Moscow. The style of the place is modern, somewhere between industrial and elegant, the food delicious and traditional with a great variety of beers. Price range: €7-35.
Where to stay in Moscow Russia?
- Vremena Goda Hotel: This fantastic 4-star hotel is located right on Arbat Street, a 5-minute walk from the Arbatskaya metro and 15 minutes from Red Square and the Kremlin. It has a restaurant and a delicious and complete breakfast for 12€. Average price per night: €80.
- Mini Hotel near Theater: A friendly, clean and comfortable family-run hostel in the centre of Moscow, 1.3 km from the Bolshoi Theatre. Free cancellation and no prepayment. Average price per night: €62.
- A.Kosterev Hotel Moscow: A modern budget hotel in the centre of Moscow, 600 metres from the Bolshoi Theatre. Average price per night: €40.
Tips for your trip to Moscow Russia
- The Russian currency is the Russian rouble (1 rouble = €0.012).
- Change your money in advance, as currency exchange at airports is more expensive.
- Carry some cash at all times, as not all shops accept credit cards.
- To travel from Spain you need to apply for a visa.
- To get a visa you need to take out travel insurance.
- If you want to avoid the cold, but also large crowds of tourists, travel in May and September.
- Take some warm clothes even in summer and an umbrella at all times of the year.
- If you’re travelling in winter, don’t forget to pack warm clothes. Temperatures can easily reach -10°C and can go as low as -20°C.
How to organise what to see in Moscow?
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 in Moscow, Russia.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
FAQs about Moscow
Ordinary visa: €60 issued in 10 days.
Express visa: €115, issued in 3 days.
As in most capital cities, Moscow (and St Petersburg) is more English-speaking than other Russian cities, especially among young people. Hotels will have no problem communicating in English, as will many restaurants, which even have menus in English. In general, you should have no problem communicating, but it’s always advisable to take a travel dictionary or an app translator with you.
Moscow is a fascinating city with a rich history. Most visitors agree that in 3 days, well spent, you can see the Russian capital. However, to really get to know the city in depth, you would need at least 5 days. Four days could be devoted to seeing the city’s main landmarks, and one to visiting one of Russia’s Golden Ring, a series of small, rustic towns very close to Moscow that offer a different perspective.
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