Moscow Travel Guide – What to see?

Having just ridden the Trans-Siberian Railway, I found myself in Moscow with about a week to spare. Naturally I had always planned on spending this time exploring the city. Why wouldn’t I? Moscow is a historical city with a very unique identity, and a rich culture. So one of the first things I started with was finding a Moscow Travel Guide.

Naturally, all guides are vastly different. But cripes!? How about some color on something you saw? Well, here I am with my take on a Moscow Travel Guide that doesn’t sound like an instruction manual for assembling a kitchen table.

I like to call it, “Russia in a Rush!” No, I wasn’t exactly in a rush. I just like how it sounds.

I do however, as you know, like to cram as much as possible into the time I have. So what are the sites worth seeing? Well, maybe my Moscow Travel Guide will help you decide!

Below you’ll find my favorite parts of the city, and my thoughts on each. Just don’t let the city swallow you! I did get a little too ambitious towards the end.

Unfortunately, this time, that unbridled ambition got me and I missed my first flight ever… by a mere 5 minutes! Granted I assign at least 85% of the blame to my Uber driver but… whatever. My $150 flight penalty was well worth his deciding to take the long way and then stop for gas with half a tank.

Moscow Travel Guide:

1. The Red Square

Red Square is the main city square in Moscow. It sits between St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin. Since the city’s major streets which connect to Russia’s major highways start in the square, it makes for a great meeting or starting point for your exploration.

After hearing about it for years, I didn’t get all the hype. In the past I can 100% envision it as a city center that’s packed with people and vendors. Now however, it’s essentially just a large empty square. Don’t get me wrong, it was certainly nice and it is flanked by some great architecture. Beyond that though, I was a bit underwhelmed. Who knows though…while I was there they were setting up a large stage for some upcoming event.

Entrance is free.

2. The Moscow Kremlin

The Kremlin is a complex in the center of Moscow that overlooks Saint Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, the Alexander Garden, and the Moskva River.

The areas enclosed within its fortified walls include a whopping five palaces, three cathedrals, a church, the Kremlin towers, the Armory museum, and the Grand Kremlin Palace which was formerly the Tsar’s Moscow residence. The Kremlin also serves as the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation.

The Kremlin is MASSIVE and are definitely a can’t miss for Moscow. You can easily spend half of a day here. Be sure to walk through the Armory Museum which plays host to many of the world famous, Fabergé Eggs.

I was in The Kremlin for about 3 hours and would have stayed longer but I was being followed from room to room by two guys in the Armory. Should I tell that story? I’m not a freakin spy! Anyway, that convinced me it was time to wrap up my visit to The Kremlin a little early.

Tickets and pricing.

Cost for general admission will run you 1000 RUB ($15.00). You’ll be able to walk the grounds but I recommend purchasing additional tickets for The Armory Chamber at 1000 RUB. (These do sell out and go by time slot. I didn’t but you can purchase them in advance, HERE.) and Cathedral Square for 700 RUB ($10.50) (which also sells out so book HERE) You don’t need a special ticket to walk through the square, this is just to get you inside the cathedrals which I found to be more than worth the cost.

You can also get a third ticket at the ticket office to go inside the Ivan the Great Bell Tower for 350 RUB ($5.30). I skipped this.

The Kremlin is closed on Thursdays.

3. Saint Basil’s Cathedral

What would any Moscow travel guide be without this iconic building?!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral, also known as The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, or as it is now officially known, The Cathedral of Protecting Veil of the Most Holy Mother of God on the Moat (Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat) Did you catch all of that? They would have made the name longer but they ran out of words.

This is the classic building that’s always associated with Russia when it’s depicted in America. And due to that, I’m not going to lie, up until my trip to Moscow, I had always thought this was The Kremlin. It’s the same with Tower Bridge vs London Bridge in London.

Not designed like a traditional cathedral, this beautiful building is a maze of decorated rooms and now functions as a museum. If you’re in Moscow, it is a can’t miss.

Cost for entrance is 1000 RUB (about $15) and an additional 500 RUB ($7.50) for the interiors.

4. Bolshoi Theatre

Are you a fan of the theater? Perhaps you’d like to visit the Bolshoi Theatre. This beautiful theater is considered to be one of Moscow’s main sights.

I regret it, but I didn’t go inside. I but the outside is still worth a look.

Ticket prices vary so first take a look at the schedule and decide on what you want to see. Go HERE for general ticket information.

5. The Moscow Metro

The Metro? Huh? Well, if you’re searching for a Moscow travel guide, there’s a fair chance you’ll also find a Moscow Metro Guide in your results.

Why would you want to see a subway? Well, of its 206 stations, many of them are decorated with detailed statues, frescoes, columns, and ornate chandeliers.

Not every station is decorated so if you wish to see the best ones you may need to find that specific guide or book a tour. I don’t like recommending tour operators that I haven’t used so you’ll have to search them.

In my adventures I just rode the metro a lot and saw them as they came. Having since looked at pictures I do know that by doing this I missed many of the better and more elaborate stations.

Navigating any metro can be annoying (giving you some side-eye NYC) but Moscow’s was quite easy with everything being color coded.

I’d post some good station pictures for you but things weren’t cooperating. Here’s a hallway instead. It’s still way better than the subway in NYC.

6. GUM

The Home Department Store of Moscow, GUM is, to put it in American terms, a large high end shopping mall with a ton of great stores and an absolutely beautiful interior. To date, GUM is the most aesthetically pleasing shopping center that I’ve ever been in.

I did a little shopping here while it was raining and feel that it’s worth checking out. At the very least you need to see Gastronome №1, the massive bakery/chocolatier/grocer/liquor store/gift shop on the ground floor. You’ll be able to smell it from a mile away. This store is like an amusement park for delicious foods.

7. Eliseevsky Store

While we’re talking food I better mention Eliseevsky Store. If you can picture an elaborate ancient palace that has been turned into a grocery store, this is it. While Gastronome №1 caters more to the sweet and baked side of the palate, Eliseevsky is more like a regular grocery store. It just happens to be the most out of place grocery store in the world. It’s like they took some rich person’s mansion and decided sell vegetables inside of it.

Finding the store is easy as it’s located one one of the more popular main streets at 14, Tverskaya St.

8. Lenin’s Mausoleum

Located along the Kremlin wall, Lenin’s Mausoleum (Lenin’s Tomb) is one Moscow’s most popular attractions. It is here that you can see the embalmed body of the father of the Bolsheviks, Vladimir Lenin. This Russian revolutionary is widely considered to be one of the most significant and influential figures of the 20th century.

Note that nothing metal is allowed inside. There is also a strict no photograph policy…granted I’m not sure who exactly is bringing in a camera that contains no metal. Be sure to expect a very thorough body search.

Entrance to the mausoleum is free.

9. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame are a monument to the Soviet Soldiers killed during World War II. After the war, millions of Russian soldiers were reported as either missing or killed in action. These soldiers played a major role in defeating the Germans during WWII so it’s worth a look.

Also located along the Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden, if you’re looking to visit Lenin’s Mausoleum you’re going to walk right past it. These two sites work in perfect tandem as you can see the Tomb while you wait in line for the mausoleum.

A Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place every hour.

10. Moscow River Cruise

A cruise along the Moscow River (Moskva River) is a perfect way to spend the evening. You’ll get to see the city from a different perspective as well as learn some interesting facts if you take a tour. It will also bring you right past the impressive looking statue of Peter the Great.

The cruise I took was about 2 hours long. I booked it through my hostel so my guide met and led me to the port area. Had I known better I would have just gone solo and booked something on the spot. Once you’re in the area, everyone is trying to sell you a tour or boat tickets. And they’re all trying to undercut each other so you’ll get a better deal.

Just get on board as early as possible so you can get a good seat.

I took the tour during the day but I can only imagine how impressive the city must have looked lit up at night.

A cruise will cost you anywhere from $13 to over $200 depending on what you’re looking to get out of it. Mine was about $25 pp not including tip.

11. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Also popular in American film and television, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is seated on the bank of the Moscow River, a few hundred meters from the Kremlin. It is the is the second tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world and thought to be one of the most controversial buildings in Russia.

It has had a lot of ups and downs over the years…literally. Built, demolished, turned into the world’s largest open air swimming pool (because that’s what we all think of when someone mentions a cathedral) and then rebuilt again, to give us what we have today.

With its reconstruction beginning recently in the 1990s and finishing in the year 2000, critics say the expensive new cathedral is a tacky monument to modern day Russia that is unfaithful to the original design. I however, did not know this at the time and instead, just thought it looked amazing.

12. Izmailovo Market

The Izmailovo Market is great! Here you’ll find a miniature “city” complete with its own Kremlin, museums, cafes, workshops, and a church.

Along the outskirts you’ll find my favorite part, the very long, multi-row, street market. You can find just about anything here but you’ll have to do a little digging to separate the fake Chinese knock offs from any real items. Make sure you haggle for everything.

But speaking of fake, I don’t want you to be disappointed. This isn’t an assortment well preserved, historic buildings. They were built in the early 2000s based on old renderings of traditional buildings.

I thought it looked cool regardless and many people view it as the best place in the city to buy souvenirs. I’d skip the giant cut of meat on a stick though.

13. The State Tretyakov Gallery

Do you fancy art? With a collection of over 130,000 exhibits, The Tretyakov Gallery is the foremost depository of Russian fine art in the world.

Not being the biggest on art museums, I opted to skip this one. If you would like to go, the ticketing process is a little complex so you can find a list of the rules HERE. Yes, they have special rules that they would like you to know in advance.

14. The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

Had your fill of Russian Art and looking for something closer to home? The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts is the largest museum of European art in Moscow. Here you’ll find a collection of over 700,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, applied works, photographs, archaeological and animal related objects.

Located near the Kremlin and just opposite the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, this museum is incredibly easy to find . The International musical festival, December Nights of Sviatoslav Richter has been held in the Pushkin museum since 1981.

Tickets to the museum can be purchased online only in advance HERE (scroll down to the bottom) or in person at the ticket office on the day of. The online tickets are limited and do sell out but don’t worry if you don’t see any on the site as tickets sold at the ticket office are not limited in quantity. Makes no sense to me either.

15. State Historical Museum

If I’m going to a museum, it’s something like the State Historical Museum that I want to see.

Seated right next to the entrance to the Red Square, it’s impossible to miss and well worth a stop in. Its exhibitions range from prehistoric relics all the way up through many of the priceless pieces of art that had been collected by members of Russia’s Romanov dynasty.

I was also floored to see that Rick Sanchez had used his portal gun and box of time travel stuff to visit Russia in the past.

Entrance is 700 RUB ($10.50)

16. Gorky Park

Gorky Park, located at Krymsky Val is one of the largest parks in Moscow. This park offers everything. Bubbling fountains, river walks, food vendors, run clubs, workout areas, museums, cafes, open air theater, you name it.

If you’re just looking for a place to walk and relax, this is it. You’re still in the city, but at the same time, isolated from the bustle. I spent a few hours here on my last day and found it to be a very nice change of pace.

Entrance to the park is free.

17. Zaryadye Park

Another popular park, Zaryadye Park is more of a modern landscape/urban park than Gorky. It is located next to the Red Square and was the first public park built in Moscow for over 50 years.

Here you’ll find activities like the “V” shaped floating bridge which will bring you out over the river, a media center, the Ice Cave which is an interactive exhibition about the development of the frigid north, and a large, glass-covered amphitheater. While I was there they were prepping for a free concert.

The bridge was cool, the live music at the amphitheater was cool, and the ice cave was cold but not cool. If I had to choose, I’d probably skip the ice cave.

Again, entrance to the park is free but certain things like the Ice Cave will cost a few dollars ($2.85/$4.50) depending on when you go.

18. Arbat Street

Every historic city always seems to have one or two. The old, long, pedestrian only streets that tourists flock to.

For my Moscow Travel Guide I chose to direct you to Arbat Street. A little less than a mile long, it has existed since at least the 15th century. This makes it one of the oldest surviving streets in Moscow.

Today the street is packed with street artists, souvenir stalls, shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, and a lot of people.

Unfortunately, my river cruise guide wasn’t too high on the street and almost managed to talk me out of going. I wasted some time in the Ice Cave instead.

*In my best ancient Templar voice* I chose….poorly.

I later determined that he was wrong, but I shouldn’t be surprised. For a tour guide he was more interested in learning about American tipping culture than in, “guiding.”

19. VDNKh

VDNKh, also called the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (probably because how the heck do you pronounce VDNKh?!) is a permanent, general purpose trade show and amusement park in Moscow.

On top of the standard park fare and beautiful architecture, you’ll find things like the Cosmonautics Museum, a hands on Robotics Pavilion (geared toward kids), film museum, the park and crafts section where you can take classes and workshops, and Moscow’s largest aquarium.

While I didn’t go here, this park seems to have the most to offer in terms of non-park type activities.

Entrance to the park is free but specific things within may cost you a dollar or two. The aquarium is the best example of this.

20. Novodevichy Convent

Novodevichy Convent, which is also known as Bogoroditse-Smolensky Monastery, is the most well known cloister in Moscow. It also happens to be the best preserved as it has remained virtually intact since the 17th century. In a world full of unfaithful restorations, I find this fact to be quite welcoming.

Just in case there’s any confusion, its name is sometimes translated as the New Maidens’ Monastery. They came up with that original name because they’re creative and needed to differentiate it from the Old Maidens’ Monastery which is in the Kremlin.

21. The Moscow International Business Center

Done with all the historical sites? Then perhaps you’d like to check out The Moscow International Business Center. Also known as Moskova-City (Moscow-City), the MIBC is a mixed commercial development of office, residential, retail, and entertainment facilities. Playing host to some of Europe’s tallest skyscrapers (the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th tallest), you’ll even find a casino here.

As of 2021 Moscow-City is still under development with an estimated completion date of 2024.

Where to Stay?

Normally I would wrap up my Moscow Travel Guide with a review of where I stayed. I stayed at Vagabond Hostel, a great hostel for solo backpackers, by solo backpackers.

Unfortunately, when I was there everyone was buzzing about a new Russian law that’s aimed at removing hostel style living space from apartment buildings. From what I was told, this meant that the hostel would soon be forced to close or relocate.

As of my time writing this, it seems like that has finally happened as their official website (where I booked from) is down and has been replaced by something Chinese. Hostel World also lists no vacancies.

This is quite disappointing as it was a nice place with a fun atmosphere.

Instead I’ll direct you to The Broke Backpacker and their list of the best hostels in Moscow. Note that they have Vagabond Hostel still listed as the best for solo travelers!

In summation.

And thus ends my Moscow Travel Guide and my trip to beautiful Russia.

Now just for the record, I saw most, but not all of these sights. I wanted to give you some additional options. For example, I liked the historical museum, but fine art holds little appeal to me so I skipped the State Tretyakov Gallery. Perhaps you’d prefer to see the fine art museum instead?

I was in Moscow for five days and I’m supremely confident I could have seen this entire list. At one point I was even feeling a little bored.

I did spend an uncharacteristic amount of time just relaxing and didn’t see a single tourist site at night. In fact, I’m a little disappointed in myself for this! So the boredom was technically self imposed. If I did it over I would have seen a performance at the Bolshoi Theatre and taken a river cruise at night.

Normally I’ll pack my trips into a full day and night but having just ridden the Trans-Siberian Railway with a long stretch between Irkutsk and and Moscow, I took a little more down time than normal. I tried using that time to get my sleep pattern somewhat back on track but I probably won’t do that ever again. Looking back, it was wasted time.

Of course fixing my sleep pattern was easier said than done since it got light out at around 4am.

Seriously Sun? I’m trying to sleep buddy. Annnnd you messed up my sunrise photographs. I walked up to St. Basil’s cathedral when it was full light out but you didn’t make an appearance in the sky for another 2 hours. Punk.

One last note for my Moscow Travel Guide:

I want to address something that belongs in any American written Russian or Moscow Travel Guide. (And I did mention this in both a Beijing post as well as a Trans-Siberian Railway post.)

Just because you’re American or European doesn’t mean you can’t go to Russia.

Yes, these are tense times for our governments. But that is between our governments and not the citizens. Do their citizens sometimes get caught up in it? Possibly. But don’t do anything stupid like get in a fight.

While there I was met with no animosity other than from overzealous customs officers who thought I was a spy. I was also discretely followed by some burly guys in the Kremlin who I strongly believe thought the same thing, but other than that, nothing. I know neither of those moments may sound exactly comforting (lol) but I tend to stand out for some reason.

Overall, the press really likes to blow everything out of proportion.

In fact, everyone in Russia was extremely welcoming and polite. In China they just pretend you don’t exist(damn cab drivers), or are rude.

Think about it for a second. When’s the last time you heard someone speaking Russian in America and automatically assumed that they hate you? Or said, “Oh, he’s Russian? Screw that guy.” I’m betting never. Just use good traveler common sense and you’ll be fine.

I made some great friends in Russia and would love to go back someday. Mount Elbrus, I’m putting you on notice.

*I hope you enjoyed my Moscow Travel Guide. Unfortunately while it’s common enough in Moscow, English isn’t particularly popular in Russia as a while so several websites do not include translated options.

Anything you’d like to add? Let me know in the comments below! Also don’t forget to like and share if you found this helpful!

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