Moscow is a city full of attractions. You must bear in mind that distances are long, while daytime in winter is limited. This is why many days are needed in order for you to manage to see some of the city’s most important attractions, such as the Red Square, or the world’s most beautiful church, Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Of course, you should not miss out on visiting the legendary Bolshoi Theatre, while a tour in Moscow’s metro network will make you not to want to leave the underground. These are only a few of the attractions you will find in Moscow. But let’s go see…

The 14 most important attractions in Moscow

The Red Square is Moscow’s landmark, while it is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. It is surrounded by important monuments/buildings, such as the State Historical Museum, the Kremlin, the GUM mall, the Kazan Cathedral and of course the world-renowned St. Basil’s Cathedral. At the Red Square you will also find Lenin’s Mausoleum, in which the great leader of the Soviet Union lies…embalmed! Every now and then, it hosts many concerts and events, while during the Christmas season it is transformed into a large Christmas park.

Fast tip: Entrance to Lenin’s Mausoleum is free and it is located next to the State Historical Museum.

Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours
Open: Always
Cost: Free

 The know-it-all says: Its name has nothing to do with the color of the buildings or with blood (which many think it does). It came from the Russian surname красный that means HANDSOME!

Welcome to the most beautiful church in the world, Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. Moscow’s jewel is located on the Red Square and consists of nine chapels, which are built around a central building! The elements that draw the attention are the vivid red color and the onion-shaped domes, which are “dressed” in vibrant colors. St. Basil’s interior might not be that impressive, but it has a great collection of icons and murals. Also interesting are the services taking place every Sunday morning.

Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: Check out the schedule on the official website, as changes may occur.
Cost: 700RUB, Free for children under the age of 16, Free with the Moscow CityPass

 The know-it-all says: Its actual name is Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat!

Moscow’s Kremlin, another world-renowned attraction is located at the Red Square. The former residence of princes, tsars, emperors and leaders of the Soviet Union is nowadays the official residence of the Russian president. It is surrounded by 2.5km-long walls and has 20 towers, with the most well-known one being The Saviour Tower. Inside the Kremlin you will find five palaces and four cathedrals, among them the Armoury Chamber, the Dormition Cathedral, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the Tsar Bell, the Bol’shoy Kremlovskiy Square and more.

Fast tip: Every Saturday at 12:00, April to October, the ceremonial mounting parade of the horse and foot guard of the presidential regiment takes place at the Cathedral square

Check out here many more Tips about the Moscow Kremlin

Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: Oct. 1st-May 14th: 10:00-17:00 & May 15th-Sept. 30th 09:30-18:00. Closed: every Thursday.
Cost: 700RUB, Armory Chamber: 1000RUB, Visit to the Cathedrals: 700 RUB, Memorial Museum (Kremlin New Square): 250RUB – Ivan the Great Bell Tower: 350RUB. Entrance to the Kremlin and visit to the Cathedrals. Free with the Moscow CityPass!

 The know-it-all says: The Moscow Kremlin is the most well-maintained castle in Europe!

The GUM shopping center is not simply a mall, but an architectural monument! The 120+ year old GUM mall is located on the Red Square and it is an inextricable piece of Russian history and, of course, Moscow’s symbol. It has six cafés and restaurants, cinemas, while it hosts 144 luxury shops with clothes, shoes, accessories, home products, tech products and more. Its glass ceiling makes it bright even on cloudy days, while its heavy but wonderful architecture qualifies it as one of the most beautiful shopping centers in Europe.

Fast tips: a) Check out the legendary fountain located at its center, which is over a century old. b) It is the ideal place to fend off Moscow’s cold winter.

Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours
Open: Every day 10:00-22:00
Cost: Free

 The know-it-all says: It has (about) the same length as the Red Square!

The legendary Bolshoi Theatre is one of the most well-known attractions in Russia. It is located in the center of Moscow and has become especially known for its world-renowned ballets. The current building is a product of reconstruction (1825), as the original one (1776) was destroyed by a fire. At the Bolshoi Theatre you will have the chance to enjoy some of the greatest works of opera and ballet. Two to four shows are performed every day, while ticket prices are pretty high. But you also have the option to get to see the Bolshoi Theatre through a tour (budget option).

Fast tips: For some important shows, you must have made reservations at least 2-3 months in advance.

Check out here many useful tips about the Bolshoi Theatre (e-ticket for tour and more)

Suggested visit time: 1 hour – Show:2-3 hours
Open: Shows: every day. Tour in English: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 11:30.
Cost: For show 100€ average. 30€ for the tour.

 The know-it-all says: It is by far the largest ballet theatre in the world, with more than 200 dancers!

It is one of the oldest, most beautiful and deepest metros in the world. A work of art, well hidden underground! But what makes the Tour of the Moscow Metro so special? The marble columns, stained-glass windows, elaborate sculptures, mosaics, art deco designs, the large chandeliers or rich decoration? Maybe a combination of all of the above! The most impressive stations you will see while taking a Tour of the Moscow Metro are 1) Arbatskaya, 2) Slavyansky Bulvar 3) Ploshchad Revolyutsii 4) Novoslobodskaya, 5) Arbatskaya, 6) Mayakovskaya and the magnificent 7) Kievskaya and 8) Komsomolskaya.

Suggested visit time: 3-4 hours
Open: Every day 05:30-01:00
Cost: Of a standard ticket (around 0.80€)

 The know-it-all says: The Moscow Metro services the largest number of passengers in Europe. About 7 million daily!

Nikolskaya Street is one of the most beautiful pedestrian streets in Moscow. It is located in the city center and, in fact, ends up at the Red Square. The GUM mall, the Kazan church, tens of baroque buildings and churches with amazing architectural glamor, are only a few of the elements that will make you cross it constantly! The always decorated Nikolskaya Street is also one of Moscow’s most busy streets, with plenty of cafés, restaurants and tens of shops. Walk it day and night and get lost in the magic of the thousands of lights that adorn it.

Suggested visit time: 30 minutes (every day!)
Open: Always
Cost: Free

 The know-it-all says: The first printing house in Russia opened on it!

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior is to the Russians the most significant church in Moscow, even more than St. Basil’s Cathedral! The truth is that if one reads its rich history, they will be impressed. Also, both its exterior appearance, with the five golden domes, as well as its interior decoration with the exquisite icons, the polished granite floors and sparkling cleanliness will leave no-one unmoved. Finally, do not miss the chance to climb up to the domes and enjoy the wonderful view of the city and River Moskva.

Suggested visit time: 1 hour
Open: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00 & Monday 13:00-18:00
Cost: Free – Domes: 400RUB

 The know-it-all says: It is the tallest orthodox Christian church in the world!

The colorful Izmailovo Kremlin is not exactly what its name implies! It is a center of promotion of the Russian culture that was just built in 2003. The colorful buildings, Instagram-perfect spots, little bridges and churches compose a different landscape. At the Izmailovo Kremlin you will find 18 Museums and exhibitions, among them the Museums of Vodka, Bread, Weapons, Folk Arts and more. The venue also hosts one of the largest outdoor items market in Moscow with antiques, books and traditional works of art.

Suggested visit time: 3-4 hours
Open: Park: April-September 07:00-00:00 & October-March 08:00-21:00. Check out also the operating hours of every museum HERE
Cost: Free – Museums: different cost for each one, Free with the Moscow CityPass

 The know-it-all says: The Museum of Weapons has weapons of the Калашников company, which you can hold in your hands!

The BUNKER-42 state building is an interesting alternative activity in Moscow. After you go 65 meters(!) underground, you will enjoy a tour from the cold war era, between the Soviet Union and the United States of America. Through videos and the guide’s stories you will learn about the disastrous consequences of nuclear war. Also, you will browse the dark basements of BUNKER-42 and have the chance to launch your own, virtual, rocket.

Suggested visit time: 1½ hour
Open: Tour in English every day at 13:30 & 15:30 (Cold War), at 18:30 (nonconfidential) and every Monday at 17:30 (the secrets of BUNKER-42) upon reservation.
Cost: Tour a) Cold War 2,200RUB, b) Nonconfidential 1,800RUB, c) the secrets of BUNKER-42, 2,800RUB

 The know-it-all says: It used to be a hideout for Lenin and other significant figures of leadership!

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a ride to the moon, or a walk around the Museum of Cosmonautics of Moscow. In the modern and functional museum you have the chance to see the first manned space flight, the first space walks, as well as exploration programs for the moon and the solar system. You will also see the space capsule of the renowned Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin, the Lunokhod lunar vehicle, the first animals (dogs) that traveled to space, the space suit used during the first moon walk (Krechet-94) and many more. Don’t you think it is an interesting experience?

Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: Thursday & Saturday 10:00-21:00 and the rest of the days 10:00-19:00 Closed: Monday
Cost: Standard 300RUB, Family 850RUB (2 Parents & 2 children 7-18 years old), Children 7-18 years old 150RUB – Free with the Moscow CityPass

 The know-it-all says: The Museum’s collection includes around 85 thousand different exhibits!!

A cruise of Moscow is the cherry on top! On the banks of River Moskva, which crosses the city, stand some of the most important attractions, such as the Kremlin, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Luzhniki Stadium, Gorky Park, St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Novodevichy monastery and more. Apart from the summer, cruises also take place during the winter, with boats breaking the ice and crossing the river with no problem at all (special landscape).

Fast tip: The departure stations of the cruise are two. Pier Gorky Park and Pier Hotel UKRAINA with the latter being the best one.

Suggested visit time: 2½ hours
Open: Every day 13:00-15:00-17:00-20:00
Cost: From 900 to 1,800RUB a cruise + whatever you get to drink or eat. The cruise is free with the Moscow CityPass + extra for whatever you get to drink or eat.

 The know-it-all says: The boats can break ice up to 20cm thick!

In everyone’s mind there is the childhood dream of the city with its every corner decorated, markets with toys and food everywhere, ice-skating rinks, endless events and dancing. This city is Moscow! The ideal destination that will immerse children and adults in the magic of Christmas. Every park, every street and every store is decorated and the visitor’s eyes fill with…Christmas. Because Christmas in Moscow is simply a dream. An experience like no other.

Suggested visit time: 5-7 days

 The know-it-all says: The VDNKh park hosts the largest ice-skating rink in Europe (20,000m²)!

The covered Danilovsky Market makes for an escape to the world of food and flavors. From the outside it looks like a circus tent(!), but things are different inside, as, after the latest renovation, it has been transformed into a neat and beautifully structured space. Over there you will find tens of options from all over the world, such as fish, exotic (and not) fruit, vegetables, dry nuts, cheeses, meats and more. Product prices are rather reasonable, while in the building you will also find many food establishments. The one that stands out is the Vietnamese restaurant with the fantastic soups.

Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: Every day 08:00-20:00
Cost: Free

 The know-it-all says: The market’s motto is… Around the world in 80 minutes!

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