Things to do in Moscow: must-sees and where to stay

In short: Moscow is best explored on foot and by metro. Start with Red Square and St Basil’s Cathedral, visit the Kremlin and its cathedrals, see a performance at the Bolshoi, discover the Tretyakov Gallery and Gorky Park, and take time to admire the metro stations. Before you go: get a visa, and bring cash, as foreign cards don’t work.

Red Square and St Basil’s

In the heart of the city, Red Square is lined by the Kremlin walls, the GUM department store and Lenin’s Mausoleum. At one end, St Basil’s Cathedral and its colourful onion domes are Moscow’s most famous image.

The Kremlin

Behind its red-brick walls, the Kremlin holds the churches of Cathedral Square and the Armoury, displaying the tsars’ treasures and carriages (separate ticket).

Zaryadye and the Moskva riverside

Right next to Red Square, Zaryadye Park offers a floating bridge over the Moskva and a fine view of the Kremlin.

The Bolshoi and the museums

The Bolshoi Theatre is one of the world’s most famous ballet and opera stages. The Tretyakov Gallery covers Russian art, from icons to the avant-garde; Gorky Park, along the river, is the great place for a stroll.

The metro, underground palaces

Marble, mosaics, chandeliers and sculptures: the metro stations, such as Komsomolskaya or Mayakovskaya, are true underground palaces, worth visiting for their own sake.

Day trips from Moscow

• Sergiev Posad and its Trinity Lavra of St Sergius, a UNESCO site.
• The Golden Ring towns, such as Vladimir and Suzdal.
• Saint Petersburg, about 4 hours away by Sapsan train.

Getting around

• The metro is the fastest way to get around.
• From the airports, express trains run to the centre; taxis and ride-hailing are also available.
• To get there, you need a visa and a connecting flight (Istanbul, Belgrade, Dubai).

All our tips for the country: Travel in Russia.

Where to stay in Moscow?

• Kitay-Gorod and Red Square. In the historic heart, walking distance from the Kremlin and Red Square. Ideal for: first visit.
• Arbat. An old pedestrian street with cafés and shops. Ideal for: couples, strolling.
• Zamoskvorechye. Across the Moskva River, calmer, near the Tretyakov Gallery. Ideal for: quiet stays, culture.
• Tverskaya Street. A large, central shopping avenue, well linked to the metro. Ideal for: shopping, short trips.

The areas and useful services are on our Moscow page.