Places to visit in Moscow

The State Tretyakov Gallery is the national treasury and the main repository of Russian fine art. It contains more than 180,000 works of sculpture, painting and graphics created by generations of Russian artists.

It is the greatest museum in the world with two separate buildings: the Old Building of the Tretyakov Gallery and New Building (the Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val). The art in this gallery is world class, bold, ambitious, showing key Russian masters, and mistresses and art pieces ranging from medieval icons to the trends of Soviet socialist realism up to the early 1900s.

Location: 10 Lavrushinsky Lane, Moscow, 119017, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Located mere steps away from the Kremlin wall in Red Square, Lenin’s Mausoleum (Lenin’s Tomb) is one of the most macabre places to visit in Moscow and perhaps the most famous “modern mummy” in the world.

The building is 24 meters (78 ft) long and 12 meters (39 ft) high and was opened to the public in August 1924. It is a Soviet monument by the architect Aleksei Schusev, in which the mummified remains of Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as Lenin, are preserved after he had expressed his wish to be buried in St. Petersburg with his mother.

Location: Red Square, Moscow, Russia, 109012.

Best time to Visit: October to April.

Bolshoi Theatre, official name State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, is one of the leading ballet and opera companies in the world with more than 200 dancers.

The history of the Bolshoi began when Prince Pyotr Urusov received permission from Empress Catherine II to open a public theater in Moscow. It is a historic theatre in Moscow designed by architect Joseph Bové in the year 1824, which holds ballet and opera performances.

Location: 1 Theatre Square, Tsentralny administrative okrug Moskva, 125009, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

The State Historical Museum is among the five largest museums in the world. The museum was established by the orders of Emperor Alexander II. Located on the opposite end of Red Square from St. Basil’s Cathedral.

The red brick building was designed in 1874 by Vladimir Shervud in the Russian revivalist style with each room having highly decorated walls and made of the style of a different period or region. It was constructed to commemorate national history and to trace the development of Russia with collections that have been forming for more than 100 years and now contain over 4.5 million items.

Location: 1 Red Square , Tsentralny administrative okrug Moscow, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a central park in Moscow, named after Maxim Gorky was opened in 1928. The Park was planned by Konstantin Melnikov, a world-famous Soviet avant-garde and constructivist architect as a piece of a communist utopia. It covers an area of 300 acres with a contemporary art museum, gardens, outdoor sports activities and sports equipment rental for sports enthusiasts.

Location: 9 Krimski Val, Moscow, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Arbat Street, or Ulitsa Arbat, one of the oldest surviving streets in Moscow. It is the famous 1.25 km walking street in Moscow that lies to the West of the Kremlin.

Surrounded by historical buildings in different architectural styles, this 15th century street has a lot of stories of the novelty families, merchants, poets, artists and thinkers. Museums, restaurants,street artists, a variety of cafes, bookstores and souvenir shops fill the street with amazement. Since 1986, the Arbat has been decorated with distinctively beautiful street lanterns.

Location: Arbat Street, Moscow, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

All-Russia Exhibition Centre, also known as Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy, abbreviated as VDNKh or VDNH is a tourist place in Moscow for anyone with an interest in the Soviet Union.

It is a permanent general purpose trade show and amusement park in Moscow with a territory of 3 square kilometers and has 400 buildings. It is occasionally referred to as “Soviet Disneyland” as it serves as a monument to the glory of the USSR and an answer to the West’s World Fairs.

Location: 119 , Prospekt Mira, 129223, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Majestic inside and out, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is one of the most imposing and controversial buildings in Russia. With an overall height of 103 metres (338 ft), it is the tallest Eastern Orthodox Church in the world.

This opulent and grandiose cathedral was built as a monument to encourage the Russian people during the struggle at the time of Napoleonic invasion of 1812 on the order of Alexander I, the Emperor of Russia.

Location: 15 Volkhonka Street, Moscow, 119019, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts is the largest premier European-art museum in Moscow. The Museum’s foundation stone was laid on August 17, 1898 in the presence of Tsar Nicholas II with the name Alexander III Fine Arts Museum. The museum is split over three branches showcasing global artistic developments from ancient times to the present day in expositions numbering 700,000 works of art.

Location: 12 Ulitsa Volkhonka, Moscow, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Novodevichy Convent is the oldest and probably the most beautiful functioning cloister in Moscow. It is designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and is situated in the southwest of the capital on a meadow next to the Moskva River.

It was founded in 1524 by Tsar Vasily III to celebrate the taking of Smolensk from Lithuania, an important step in Moscow’s conquest of the old Kyivan Rus lands. While entering the monastery women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

The calm surroundings makes it one of the most important places to visit in Moscow where one can pay respect at the graves of eminent Russian writers, musicians and thinkers.

Location: 1 Novodevichy Passage, Moscow, 119435, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace complex and is one of Moscow's oldest museums and a true treasure chest amongst the  places to visit in Moscow. It is situated in the building constructed in 1851 by the famous architect Konstantin Ton.

This chamber was in charge of producing, purchasing and storing weapons, jewelry and various household articles of the tsars including thrones and carriages, the works of Moscow silver and goldsmiths, precious Russian Easter eggs and other Russian and foreign decorative arts.

Location: Dvortsovaya St., 1R, Moscow 103073 Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Dream Island is one of the most sought after places to visit in Moscow as it is the largest indoor theme Park all over Europe. The amusement park is spread over an area close to almost 300,000 square meters. The architecture of the park is somewhat similar to that of Disneyland with 29 unique attractions and many pedestrian malls with cycle paths and water fountains.

The dream island not only houses an amusement park but it is also home to a concert hall, hotel. Children Yacht school, yacht club, multiplex cinema theatre, and a public park.

Location: Andropova Ave, 1, Moscow, Russia, 115533

Best Time: April to May

Garden Ring which is also very much popular as ‘B Ring’ is a ring road avenue that is constructed around central Moscow. With 17 individually named streets and 15 squares, this has been attracting a plethora of tourists year over year.

The circumference of the garden ring is about 16 kilometers and it has got about 10 lanes at certain places. In order to give one of the best tourist places in Moscow shape through the city, many age old fortifications and age old buildings were replaced. At the present time, it stands as an engineering marvel in the city.

Location: Moscow, Russia

Best Time:  April to May

Terem Palace happens to be a historical building in Moscow Kremlin that has been used as a  main residence of the Russian Czars in the late 17th century. It was the very first spot where the first royal palace was established by Aloisio de Milano.

At the present time it is not accessible to the public as it is used as an official residence of the President of Russia. It is a brilliant piece of architecture that will delight your senses with its contrasting color schemes of orange, yellow, and red. The interior decor has also been renovated with reference to the old drawings in the Russian Revival Style after successive fire events.

Location: Moscow, Russia, 119072

Best Time: April to May

Neskuchny Garden is considered to be the oldest park in the city of Moscow spread over an area close to almost 40.8 hectares. It was the residence of a former Emperor and was created because of the integration of three estates in the 18th century.

The garden houses a Green Theatre which is one of the largest open amphitheatres in Europe with a total seating capacity of 15,000 people.

Location: Pushkinskaya Naberezhnaya, Moscow, Russia, 119146

Best Time: November to March

Losiny Ostrov National Park is not only the second oldest national park of Russia but it is also the largest urban park in Europe. It is one of the very few locations in Moscow where you can witness wild animals spending time in their natural environment.

Spread over an area close to 116 km2 (45 sq mi), it is home to 44 species of mammals, 170 bird species, 9 amphibian species, 19 fish species, and 5 reptile species.

Location: Poperechny Prosek, 1G, Moscow 107014 Russia

Best Time: November to March

The Muzeon Park of Art is one of the fascinating places to visit in Moscow that happens to be the final resting place for many soviet statues those who have been evicted from places. The park is currently home to more than 700 sculptures which have been accumulating since 20 years. Heading over to this amazing place, you will get to witness some of the notable pieces by Yevgeny Vuchetich, Vera Mukhina, Yevgeny Chubarov, and many more.

The major highlights of this place are the steel sculpture of the soviet world,  de nosed Stalin, pedestal less lenins, and the monuments to the red army. You can visit one of the renowned tourist places in Moscow in the evening hours to spend time in relaxation on the comfortable benches witnessing colorful fountains.

Location: Krymsky Val, 2, Moscow, Russia, 119049

Best Time: April to May

Poklonnaya Hill is one of the highest natural spots in Moscow that is located at an elevation of about 171.5 meters. The hill is home to the famous victory park with a number of tanks and other military equipment that dates back to World War II.

The hill has got a great strategic importance as it offered clear views of the Russian capital. Heading over to one of the best tourist places in Moscow, you will be able to enjoy scenic natural beauty as well as a wonderful view of the city.

Location: Moscow, Russia, 121096

Best Time: November to March

Ivan the Great Bell-Tower can be considered as a church tower that is located inside the Moscow Kremlin Complex with a height of about 81 meters. It is the tallest tower of the Kremlin. The tower was constructed in 1508 on the Cathedral Square for the three primary Russian Orthodox Cathedrals.

At the present time, it is a part of the Moscow Kremlin Museums which is one of the popular tourist places in Moscow.

Location: The Moscow Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, 103132

Best Time: November to March

Granovitaya Palata which is also known as the Palace of the Facets happens to be a heritage building in Moscow Kremlin that was once upon a time used as the main banquet hall of the Muscovite Tsars. This building is one of the oldest and preserved secular buildings in the city of  Moscow that nestles in the middle of the Cathedral of the Annunciation and the famous Dormition Cathedral.

The palace is very much popular for its unique stonework and horizontal rows of sharp edged limestones. The building in reality is one story but it appears to be three storeyed from its exteriors. This building has got direct connections to the central building of the Grand Kremlin Palace on the western side.

Location: Grand Kremlin Palace, Moscow, Russia, 103132

Best Time: April to May

Located at Poklonnaya Gora, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War happens to be a historical exhibition hall that was designed by one of the recognised architects of those times named Anatoly Polyansky. The construction of this exhibition hall started in 1986 and it took about 9 years to be opened to the public in the year 1995. Heading over to this place, you will be able to pass through a large collection of relics and memorials concerning the second world war.

The museum is spread over an area of about 14143 square meters housing permanent exhibits and about 5500 square meters of temporary exhibits. During your visit to this historical heritage, you must make sure that you visit the Hall of Commanders, which has the "Sword and Shield of Victory" as well as the highest military honor of the Soviet Union.

Location: Ploshchad' Pobedy, 3, Moscow, Russia, 121170

Best Time: November to March

Founded in the year 1864 by professor biologists K.F. Rulje S.A. Usov and A.P. Bogdanov, the Moscow Zoo is the largest zoo in Russia. Spread over an area of about 21.5 hectares, it houses a large collection of northern animals and exotic species. The zoo was declared the property of the Soviet Russia in the year 1919 after being privately owned for about 55 years.

The zoo has small unbarred enclosures as well as large paddocks for herds. One of the interesting facts about this zoo is that it remained open during the second world war. At the present time, it has got more than 3000 specimens of around 550 species.

Location: Bolshaya Gruzinskaya St, 1, Moscow, Russia, 123242

Best Time: April and May

Sokolniki Park is one of the biggest parks in Moscow with a total area of 529 hectares.. The park got life during the rule of Peter the Great and at the present time it has evolved into a urbancity forest with an intensive program.

The park lets you roam around the walking paths of the park to witness a wide range of flora and fauna. Being one of the most sought after places to visit in Moscow it also offers you to indulge in some adventure activities like boat trips in the summer season and skiing and ice skating in winters.

Location: Ulitsa Sokolnicheskaya Val, 1, стр. 1, Moscow, Russia, 107113

Best Time: April and May

Kuskovo Summer Palace, a fine example of the majestic 18th century architectural design that offers a beautiful landscape for heritage lovers. The estate was by the Sheremetev Family as their countryside residence for the summer season. The construction of the palace was started in the year 1740 and was completed in the year 1790.

The palace is spread over an area of 300 hectares and it is the result of thousands of  serfs and hired masters. The key individuals behind the construction of this majestic structure are Russian Architect K. Blank and Yu. Kologrivov and serf architects F. Argunov, G, Dikushin, and A.Mironov. Tourists love to marvel at this palace exploring the heritage and witnessing a myriad of relics of the past era.

Location: Ulitsa Yunosti, 2 стр.1, Moscow, Moscow Oblast, Russia, 111402

Best Time: April and May

Dormition Cathedral is one among the several churches in Cathedral Square that is located in the premises of Moscow’s Kremlin.  The cathedral was constructed between 1475 and 1479 during the era of Grand Duke Ivan III of Moscow.

This cathedral is regarded as the mother church of Muscovite Russia. It has also been used as a place of coronation of the Romanov Tsars as well as the burial place for Moscow Metropolitans along with the Patriarchs of Orthodox Church.

Location: The Moscow Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, 103073

Best Time: April and May

Izmaylovo is both a large district of Moscow and a well known park. Izmaylovo Estate is a historical complex of architectural monuments of the 18-19th centuries and was a country residence of the House of Romanov built in the reign of Alexis I of Russia.

Being one of the most popular places to visit in Moscow, it includes the Izmailovo Museum Reserve and Izmailovsky Recreation Park. The beauty of this protected green area offers perfect opportunities to relax and learn about the history of Moscow.

Location: Ulitsa Imeni Baumana Gorodok, 2 строение 14, Moscow, Russia, 105037.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Alexander Garden is one of the most popular places to visit in Moscow which is adorned with some of the delightful age old monuments. Nestling in the midst of a spectacular and calm oasis of Moscow, the garden stretched from Moscow Manege to Western Wall of the Kremlin.

Built on the orders of Tsar Alexander I, after the defeat of Napoleon and French. While you explore the park with your loved ones, you will be welcomed by the sprawling flower beds that will give you an awe inspiring experience.

Location: Moscow, Russia, 119072

Best Time: Spring, Summer

The Moscow Planetarium ranking among the most modern planetariums in the world was inaugurated on 5 November 1929. The planetarium has become one of the biggest and brightest destinations on the Moscow museum circuit, with all kinds of interactive exhibits, high-tech gadgetry and educational programs.

The centerpiece is the Large Star Hall boasts Europe’s largest star projection dome with its 25m silver dome roof featuring glowing northern lights, flickering stars, floating clouds, flying comets, August meteor showers and solar eclipses.

Location: Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya Ulitsa, 5 стр.1, Moscow, Russia, 123242.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Glavniy Botanicheskiy Sad Run Im. N.v. Tsitsino is a botanical garden in Obninsk, Russia. This 360-hectare park belonging to the Russian Academy of Sciences claims itself to be the largest botanical garden in Europe and can be enjoyed in all seasons since April 1945. There are several Japanese-style pavilions garden's rock-bridges and ponds in the Japanese garden towards the rear of this beautiful park.

Location: Botanicheskaya Ulitsa, 4, Moscow, Russia, 127276.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

The Monument to Minin and Pozharsky by sculptor Ivan Petrovich Martos was opened on February 20, 1818, after the Patriotic War of 1812 and Napoleon’s expulsion from Moscow in the presence of the Emperor and Empress. The monument is one of the most symbolic and best known monuments that has connection with two national heroes and  liberators.

Location: Red Square, Moscow 613310 Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

The Grand Kremlin Palace is a lavishly and royally decorated palace which is closely associated with the wealth and splendor of the Russian emperors who lived here a long time ago. The Grand Kremlin Palace was designed by Konstantin Thon and was built from 1837 to 1849 in Moscow atop Borovitsky Hill.

The palace stands 125 meters long, 47 meters high, and has a total area of about 25,000 square meters made up of Gold, marble and intricate designs.  The top attractions of this places to visit in Moscow are the nine churches, Tsarina's Golden Chamber, where the only Queen of Russia lived, Palace of Facets for celebrations and glimpses of majestic imperial thrones, the Holy Vestibule, five grand reception halls and over 700 rooms and apartments.

Location: Red Square, Moscow, Russia, 109012.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Towering 1,772 feet (540 meters) over Moscow’s All-Russian Exhibition Center (VDNK), the Ostankino TV Tower is one of the tallest structures in Europe.

It was designed by Nikolai Nikitin and was erected in 1967 to mark the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution and named after the Ostankino district of Moscow. Tourists admire the incredible views of Moscow from the glass-floored observation deck, located at the dizzying height of 337 metres.

Location: 15 Dubovoi Roshchi pr-d, Moscow, 127427, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

A few kilometers southeast of bustling Red Square lies the former royal estate of Kolomenskoye which was a summer country residence for the Grand Dukes of Moscow and Russian Tsars in the 16th and 17th centuries.

It’s a large, 390-hectare open-air museum and park to enjoy the spirit of Medieval Rus. Ascension church which is UNESCO World Heritage Site, Front Gate complex, Palace Pavilion of 1825 and St. George the Victorious Bell Tower and the Wooden Palace of Czar Alexei are some of the most famous of these buildings.

Location: 39 Andropova Avenue, Moscow, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Tsaritsyno is a park and museum complex in southern Moscow and is one of the largest reserves of the city. Construction began in 1775 under the supervision of architect V. I. Bazhenov, it was conceived as a personal country residence of Empress Catherine II.

"Tsaritsyno" is an architectural ensemble that is built in the style of neo-Gothic design. you will come across the landscape Park with ponds, towers Light dynamic fountain and artificial islands covering an area of covers 405 hectares.

Location: 1 Dol'skaya Ulitsa, Moscow, 115569, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

The Museum of Cosmonautics is one of the largest research and technology museums in the world. The museum is accommodated in the stylobate of the monument "To Conquerors of space". It was solemnly opened on April 10, 1981, in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s achievement as the first person to orbit the earth.

Among the 85,000 objects in the museum’s collection are the first Soviet rocket engine, the first Soviet satellite, taxidermy space dogs, the moon rover Lunokhod, the personal belongings of the first Soviet astronaut and specimens from the moon.

Location: Prospekt Mira, 111, Moscow, Russia, 129223.

Best time to Visit: March to May.

Tverskaya Street, also called Gorky street is the beating heart of the city. Tverskaya is the main thoroughfare of Moscow which starts from the Kremlin and goes north through all Moscow boasting great architecture and beautiful interiors of the buildings. It bears the name of the ancient town Tver to which this road originally led. Tverskaya Street is like Oxford Street in London or 5th Avenue in New York.

Location: Tverskaya StMoskva, Russia.

Best time to Visit: March to May.