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Russia Moscow travel guide
30 things to do in Moscow, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Moscow
- Red Square — the main square in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Kremlin — fortified complex in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 60 min)
- St. Basil's Cathedral — church in Moscow (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Bolshoi Theatre — historic theatre in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Luzhniki Stadium — football stadium in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Lenin's Mausoleum — architectural structure in Red Square, Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Cathedral of Christ the Saviour — Russian Orthodox cathedral in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Tretyakov Gallery — art museum in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Russian State Library — national public library in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Moscow Conservatory — higher musical education institution in Moscow (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts — museum of European art in Moscow (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Novodevichy Convent — convent and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Novodevichy Cemetery — cemetery in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Tsar Bell — Bell on display in Moscow Kremlin (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Dormition Cathedral — Russian Orthodox church in Moscow Kremlin in Russia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Moscow Zoo — zoo in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 150 min)
- State Historical Museum — national history museum in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- GUM — Russian department store group (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Lubyanka Building — popular name for the headquarters of the KGB and affiliated prison on Lubyanka Square in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- White House — government building in Moscow (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Moscow Cathedral Mosque — mosque in Moscow (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Cathedral of the Archangel — church in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Komsomolskaya — Moscow Metro station on the Koltsevaya Line (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Gorky Park — amusement park in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Kremlin Armoury — museum and cultural heritage site in Russia (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Grand Kremlin Palace — palace (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Novoslobodskaya — Moscow Metro station (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kazan Cathedral — church in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Maly Theatre — theatre company in Moscow, Russia (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Shukhov Tower — a broadcasting tower in Moscow designed by Vladimir Shukhov (visit ≈ 40 min)
1-day Moscow walking itinerary
Starting point: Kitay-gorod / Red Square. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 8.1 km · 10,990 steps · 1 h 50 min on the way): Tretyakov Gallery → Cathedral of Christ the Saviour → Russian State Library → Kremlin → St. Basil's Cathedral → Lenin's Mausoleum → Red Square → Bolshoi Theatre
Where to stay in Moscow
- Kitay-gorod / Red Square: Kremlin and Red Square within walking distance; historic streets and cafés.
- Tverskaya: The main avenue; strong metro links, plenty of restaurants and theatres.
- Arbat: Pedestrian street and quiet side lanes; close to the centre.
- Zamoskvorechye: Old mansions and churches across the river; near the Tretyakov Gallery.
- Chistye Prudy: A charming area of boulevards and a pond; lots of bars and cafés.
Getting from the airport to Moscow
- Sheremetyevo (SVO): Aeroexpress train ≈ 40 min
- Domodedovo (DME): Aeroexpress train ≈ 45 min
- Vnukovo (VKO): Aeroexpress train ≈ 40 min
Getting around
The metro is fast and extensive, and the stations are sights in themselves. Much of the centre is walkable.
Classic places to eat
- Café Pushkin: Classic Russian cooking in a 19th-century mansion setting; pelmeni and borscht.
- Dr. Zhivago: Kremlin views; Russian classics such as blini and caviar.
- Stolovaya No. 57: Soviet-style canteen inside GUM; cheap and filling.
- Varenichnaya No. 1: Vareniki and pelmeni in a nostalgic setting on Arbat.
- Khachapuri: Georgian cuisine; try the Adjarian khachapuri.
- Bosco Cafe: Café in GUM looking out on Red Square.
Romantic views
- Sparrow Hills (Sunset): The viewing platform looks out over the river and the city.
- Zaryadye Park (Evening): The floating bridge over the river looks back at the Kremlin.
- Patriarch’s Ponds (Evening): A calm, tree-lined pond in a quiet neighbourhood.
- Pushkinskaya Embankment (Sunset): A leafy riverside walk along Gorky Park.
Football stadiums in Moscow
- VEB Arena: Home of PFC CSKA Moscow
- Lukoil Arena: Home of Spartak Moscow
- RZD Arena: Home of FC Lokomotiv Moscow
- VTB Arena: Home of FC Dinamo Moscow
Day trips
- Kolomenskoye — 10 km from the centre
- Moscow Canal — 17 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Moscow
- Fine: Statements about the armed forces and the state are tightly regulated, including on social media.
- Fine: Photographing military sites, borders and government buildings, or flying drones without permits, is banned.
- Fine: Drinking in streets and parks is banned.
- Warning: Many governments advise against or urge caution on travel to Russia; check current official advice.
- Warning: Foreigners must be registered within 7 working days (hotels do it); keep your migration card.
- Warning: Laws on "LGBT propaganda" and "extremism" are broadly applied; check official travel advice.
- Emergency: 112 (police 102, ambulance 103, fire 101)
- Plugs: C/F, 220V
- Tap water: Boil tap water or drink bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is usual in restaurants.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Russia, Wikivoyage — Russia, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Moscow travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Moscow?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Kolomenskoye and Moscow Canal).
- What are the top things to do in Moscow?
- Highlights: Red Square, Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, Bolshoi Theatre and Luzhniki Stadium. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Moscow?
- Kitay-gorod / Red Square: Kremlin and Red Square within walking distance; historic streets and cafés. Other options: Tverskaya, Arbat, Zamoskvorechye and Chistye Prudy.
- How do you get from the airport to Moscow city centre?
- Sheremetyevo (SVO): Aeroexpress train ≈ 40 min · Domodedovo (DME): Aeroexpress train ≈ 45 min · Vnukovo (VKO): Aeroexpress train ≈ 40 min
- How do you get around Moscow?
- The metro is fast and extensive, and the stations are sights in themselves. Much of the centre is walkable.
- What is the emergency number in Moscow?
- Emergency: 112 (police 102, ambulance 103, fire 101).
- Do you tip in Moscow?
- About 10% is usual in restaurants.
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