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Moscow

During any season, at any hour of the day, Moscow thrills visitors with its artistry, history and majesty.

Kremlin & Red Square

The very founding site of the city (and arguably, the country), the Kremlin and Red Square are still at the heart of Moscow – historically, geographically and spiritually. Feel the weight of this significance as you wander within the walls of the ancient fortress, marvel at the mind-boggling magnificence of St Basil's Cathedral and pay your respects to the revered leader of a now-defunct state. Moscow will move you. It will tantalise your senses, soothe your spirit and boggle your mind – and it all starts right here at the Kremlin and Red Square.

Communist History

The remains of the Soviet state are scattered all around the city. Monuments remember fallen heroes and victorious battles, while museums attempt to analyse and synthesise the past. See Lenin and Stalin – off their pedestals – at the whimsical Art Muzeon. Step into the socialist-realist fantasy at VDNKh. Descend into the depths of the Soviet system at Bunker-42 Cold War Museum. Ride the museum-like metro and remember the millions who suffered at the Gulag History Museum. Nowadays, retro clubs and cafes give their guests a taste of the Soviet experience. You can even try your hand at Soviet-era arcade games.

Performing Arts

What is more thrilling than watching a ballerina defy gravity, leaping across the stage at the glittering Bolshoi Theatre? Or feeling the force of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, just a few blocks away from where it premiered more than a century ago? Or oohing and aahing as circus performers soar under the big tent? The classical performing arts in Moscow are still among the best in the world. Nowadays, even the most traditional theatres are experimenting with innovative arrangements, reviving lost favourites and hosting world premieres. Whether you appreciate the classics or prefer the contemporary, the capital's performing arts will impress.

Orthodoxy & Architecture

At nearly every turn in Moscow, you'll see golden domes peeking out over the rooftops and hear church bells peeling through the streets, which are dotted with some 600 churches – many of which are glittering after recent renovations. There are colourful hidden gems, historic fortresses and gargantuan cathedrals. The exteriors are adorned with stone carvings and glittering domes; interiors are packed with ancient icons, swirling incense and faithful worshippers. For more than a millennium, Orthodoxy has helped to define the Russian nation, a significance that is palpable in these atmospheric spiritual places.

Must see in
Moscow

  • The Kremlin

    This ancient fortress is the founding site of Moscow and the ultimate symbol of political power in Russia. Within its ancient walls you can admire the artistry of Russia’s greatest icon painters, shed a tear for Russia’s great and tragic rulers, peer down the barrel of the gargantuan Tsar Cannon and gawk at the treasure trove that fuelled a revolution. On your way out, admire the bouquets left by newlyweds and scrutinise the perfect synchronicity of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

  • Red Square

    Stepping onto Red Square never ceases to inspire, with the tall towers and imposing walls of the Kremlin, the playful jumble of patterns and colours adorning St Basil’s Cathedral, the majestic red bricks of the State History Museum and the elaborate edifice of GUM, all encircling a vast stretch of cobblestones. Individually they are impressive, but all together, the ensemble is electrifying. Red Square should be among your first stops in Moscow. Return at night to see the square empty of crowds and the buildings awash in lights.

  • Ballet at the Bolshoi

    An evening at the Bolshoi Theatre is the ultimate 'special occasion' in the capital. Ever since its opening in 1856, the neoclassical theatre has offered a magical setting for a spectacle, whether ballet or opera. The main stage still sparkles brightly, with the theatre space draped in rich red velour and glittering with gilded mouldings, but it has also been updated with the latest technologies. The historic theatre is the premier place to see the Bolshoi Ballet – one of the leading ballet companies in the country (and the world).

  • Gorky Park

    Back in the day, Gorky Park was famous as a setting for a spy novel, but nowadays it is Moscow's hippest, most happening hotspot. From morning (when runners ply the riverside path) to night (when dancers move to sultry music), the hipsters have taken over. In fact, the whole length of the Krymskaya nab – from Red October to Vorobyovy Gory – has been redesigned into a chain of sparkling fountains, sport courts, outdoor art exhibits and summer cafes. From May to September, there's no better place to be.

  • Tretyakov Gallery

    The memorable Russian-Revival building on Lavrushinsky per is Moscow’s largest art museum and the world's premier collection of Russian art, covering the span of Russian art history from ancient icons to avant-garde. (Indeed, the Tretyakov’s second building on Krymsky val continues further into the 20th century with supremetism, constructivism and, of course, socialist realism.) The Tretyakov is famed for its impressive collection of wonderful realist paintings by the Peredvizhniki, but the museum also contains show-stopping examples of Russian Revival and art nouveau works.

  • Banya at Sanduny Baths

    What better way to cope with big-city stress than to have it steamed, sweated, washed and beaten out of you? The banya is a uniquely Russian experience that will leave you feeling clean, refreshed and relaxed. In winter, the tension of constant cold is released by the hot, steamy bath, while a beating with birch branches helps to improve circulation. But even in warmer temperatures, the Russian bathhouse experience is refreshing and reinvigorating. Sanduny is Moscow’s oldest bathhouse – a luxurious setting in which to indulge in this national pastime.

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