The Russian capital, Moscow, is a fantastic travel destination. The incredible views and the overwhelming scale and grandeur of Moscow leave visitors speechless. Located in the centre of Moscow, the Red Square and the Kremlin are not only two of the city’s most famous landmarks, but also the political, cultural, and religious epicentre of Russia.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Moscow
Staggering cathedrals, churches, and palaces coexist with gloomy grey monuments and ruins from the Soviet state, making for an interesting city to stroll about. Moscow is home to a number of world-renowned cultural institutions, including museums, theatres, and art galleries.
Seeing a play in Moscow is a must because the city is renowned for its magnificent ballets and stunning circus acts. There is something for everyone to enjoy in the city’s abundance of great eateries, hip pubs, and exciting nightlife.
1. Tsaritsyno Palace
The beautiful Tsaritsyno Palace, once Catherine the Great’s summer palace, is now a museum-reserve. The grounds is beautiful, and the building itself is an architectural marvel.
The opulent interior, including the palace’s majestic halls and beautiful staircases, looks better than ever after recent repairs at the south Moscow palace, which was commissioned in 1775.
The exhibitions include both the life of the empress and the development of Tsaritsyno. The vast palace grounds are also home to a number of other charming buildings, including a magnificent opera house and the wonderful brickwork of the Little Palace.
2. VDNKh
VDNKh, formerly the “All-Union Agricultural Fair” in 1935, has evolved over the years into the interesting open-air museum that it is today. Amazingly, there are currently over 400 structures within its limits.
Pavilions from countries like Armenia and Turkmenistan, both of which were formerly part of the Soviet Union, are on display in the enormous park complex, and their different architecture is always worth a look.
There is also the amusing Moskvarium aquarium, where you can swim with dolphins, and the fascinating Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, which is devoted to space exploration.
The Friendship of Nations fountain is fantastic since it is conveniently located near many different places to eat and many other activities, such as horseback riding and ziplining, that people of all ages may enjoy.
3. Kremlin Armoury
The Kremlin Armoury is one of the oldest museums in Moscow, and it is home to many priceless artefacts. Among of the most popular items in the museum are the gorgeous Imperial Crown of Russia, the ornate Grand Siberian Railway egg, and the historic Cap of Monomakh. There are many interesting artefacts on display in what was once the royal armoury.
You can learn a lot and have a good time browsing the various swords, jewellery, and armour on display, and you could even find yourself wishing you could pick up and wield one of the swords. The museum dates back to 1851 when it was established in the Moscow Kremlin.
4. GUM Department Store
GUM, which means “Main Universal Shop” in Russian, is an incredible establishment. It blends in nicely with the other famous buildings surrounding it on Red Square because to its gorgeous skylights and facades.
It is a shoppers’ paradise with over 200 stores, boutiques, and upscale restaurants, and couples will be relieved to find more reasonably priced options alongside high-end designers like Dior and Prada.
GUM, founded in 1893, is the city’s premier department store. Even if shopping isn’t your thing, you should still go because of the beautiful architecture.
5. Moscow Metro
Rarely does a public transportation system resemble a piece of modern art. The beauty and sophistication of many Moscow Metro stations is sure to impress first-time visitors. One of the world’s longest metro systems, the initial stations of which opened in 1935, are a sight to behold, with their marble floors and wall-to-wall frescoes.
The metro is the best and quickest way to move around Moscow, and the crowds you’ll have to endure are more than compensated for by the city’s stunning architecture.
6. Arbat Street
Arbat is a busy street full of spectacular buildings that was originally favoured by affluent people including artists, intellectuals, and musicians. Arbat Street is steeped in history, as it is claimed to be the route taken by Napoleon’s army on their journey to seize the Kremlin.
Many cafes, restaurants, and stores have opened up in the area, and numerous monuments and statues honour former residents like Alexander Pushkin, who was said to have been the Russian Empress’s lover due to his enormous influence at court.
7. Novodevichy Convent
The Novodevichy Convent is housed in a beautiful edifice that was once a fortification and is drenched with history. If you’re in Moscow, you should definitely check out this fascinating site.
The convent, which was established in 1524, is home to four cathedrals, but the Smolensk Cathedral, with its beautiful frescoes from the 16th century, stands out as the clear favourite.
Exploring the grounds is like visiting a different era. Several prominent Soviet leaders, including Yeltsin and Khrushchev, are laid to rest in Moscow’s Novodevichy Cemetery.
8. Pushkin Museum
The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts was named for the famous poet long after his death and has nothing to do with him or his work. It is a pleasure to visit this museum because of its enormous collection of European art, which includes works by such masters as Botticelli, Rembrandt, and van Gogh.
There are sculptures, graphics, paintings, and more on display in its stunning galleries, which are divided up into topics and time periods including the Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, and Byzantine art.
Notable examples are Degas’s elegantly whirling ballerinas in Blue Dancers and Cezanne’s clownish creatures in Fastnacht (Mardi Gras). Picasso’s Child acrobat on a Ball, with its unique combination of shapes and colours, is likewise highly recommended.
9. Christ The Savior Cathedral
On the banks of the Moskva River, close to the Kremlin, stands this stunning Russian Orthodox cathedral. When the previous church was demolished in 1931 as part of Josef Stalin’s anti-religious campaign, the current structure was dedicated in 2000.
The Christ the Savior Cathedral is breathtaking, with its lovely golden dome, spires, and dazzling white facades. The interior is equally fascinating to explore, with its stunning tile work and imposing altar.
10. Lenin Mausoleum
Lenin’s Mausoleum, was first opened to the public in 1924, is now a major Moscow attraction. The building, made of red granite, stands in the city’s central Red Square.
Seeing the embalmed body of the former Soviet leader Lenin, displayed in a glass tomb, is a unique and unforgettable experience that can be had nowhere else in the world.
When you’ve finished exploring the mausoleum, continue on to the Kremlin wall next door to see the resting places of other prominent communists including Stalin and Brezhnev.
