With its mix of history and edginess, Moscow is a city that can leave even the most seasoned traveler in awe. Here, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best things to see and do in Moscow.
First, visit Red Square – the symbolic center of Russia’s capital. This sprawling square is surrounded by Lenin’s Mausoleum, the State Historical Museum, and St Basil’s Cathedral.
Red Square
Red Square is one of the most famous and iconic landmarks of Moscow, which is why it has been included in UNESCO's World Heritage list. It is the heart of the city and a must-see for every adventurous traveller.
It is home to two cathedrals, St Basil's Cathedral and Kazan Cathedral. The former was built on order from Tsar Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the conquest of Kazan in 1552 and has become an icon of Russia.
There are also other sights in the vicinity of Red Square that are worth visiting. Among them is the Lobnoye Mesto, which is a historic platform where Tsar Ivan the Terrible executed prisoners in the 16th century.
The Resurrection Gate forms one of the entrances to Red Square from the northwest side. It was originally part of Kitai-gorod fortifications and gives its name to the nearby Voskresenskaya Square (Resurrection Square). There is a chapel behind it, in which the Panaghia Portaitissa ("keeper of the gate") Icon from Athos was placed in 1680.
Tsaritsyno Palace
The Tsaritsyno Palace in southern Moscow is one of the largest museums and parks of the city. It was founded in 1776 by Empress Catherine II and is the only palace complex in Russia made in the "pseudo-Gothic" style.
The main architectural ensemble consists of the Grand Palace, Small Palace, Opera House (Middle Palace), Bread House, Greenhouses and a landscape park with ponds and pavilions. It's the perfect place to spend a day enjoying nature and Russian history.
To get the most out of your trip to Tsaritsyno, book a tour with a private guide in advance. This will allow you to explore the entire palace complex in detail and learn more about the history of the place.
VDNKh Park
The VDNKh Park is a Soviet-era theme park where you can immerse yourself in the history of Russia and feel like a true Muscovite. It's a huge complex full of architecture masterpieces, museums, cultural exhibitions, large green and recreational areas and spectacular fountains.
Originally built as an agricultural exhibition, it was transformed to celebrate all of Russia's economic, scientific and technological achievements. During the Soviet era, hundreds of national and international exhibitions took place in the massive park.
Fresh from a thorough, though not yet completely completed reconstruction, the park is looking more splendid than ever. There are palatial pavilions representing all the Soviet republics and different industries, from geology to space exploration.
Gorky Park
If you are looking for a break from all of the architectural marvels that Moscow has to offer, then you should take a stroll through Gorky Park. This 1.2 km2 park is located along the Moskva river and is a popular place for local Muscovites to relax.
When you visit this park, you can have fun with a lot of activities: you can go for a walk, ride the bike or skate. There are also playgrounds for children and there is a glass footbridge over the Moscow river where you can enjoy the view of this beautiful place.
In the past, Gorky Park was an amusement park with some of the biggest rollercoasters in Eastern Europe. Today, it is loved by hipsters and families because of its new facilities: free entrance, Wi-Fi coverage, newly designed recreational zones.
