Moscow, the secretive centre of Eastern Europe. Since I was a child I was always fascinated with the idea of visiting this amazing place, of stepping behind the iron curtain and finally seeing places such as Red Square in all its glory. Moscow was a step into the unknown, a culture shock and a place unlike anywhere we had ever visited. It thrilled us, surprised us and lived up to its reputation too. Here are our top 10 things to see in the beautiful and diverse Russian capital.
The Kremlin If there is one place so
Chapters
The Kremlin
If there is one place so full of mystery and mystique in Moscow it is the Kremlin. The heart of the Soviet empire and the home of the Tsar the history here is diverse and incredible. To walk inside those walls is to step inside the Russian centre of power, where those secretive and provocative decisions are made but also home to many artefacts and breathtaking churches. From the largest bell in the world to the unbelievable interior and stunning exterior of The Cathedral of the Assumption visiting the Kremlin will thrill and surprise you.
The Kremlin and its trade mark red walls which line Red Square were once the ancient city walls of Moscow. The city’s modern-day layout still spirals out from this central spot which is some to the HQ of the world’s largest nation!
Metro Station:
Alexandrovsky Sad
Open
Open 10:00 – 18:00, closed Thu. Since Oct 1 open 10:00 – 17:00, closed Thu.
Price
There are a myriad of different tickets and some buildings require additional tickets. It can be a little expensive but it’s worth it!
St Basil’s Cathedral
An absolute fairytale of a building, one I had dreamt of seeing for years, often places disappoint when you see them in person, but St. Basils was even more impressive. A stunning and almost unbelievable church which looks almost as though it is made out of gingerbread and topped with multicoloured icing sugar!
Finished in 1561 the onion-shaped domes of St. Basils Cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings in Moscow if not the whole world. Marking the geometric centre of Moscow and sitting at one end of the legendary Red Square it doesn’t get much more impressive than this! I remember literally stopping and just staring at it when we turned the corner and finally set eyes on it! Wow!
A UNESCO world heritage site the interior of the building was a total surprise for me, if you think the outside is incredible just wait until you step inside. Almost every surface is painted with ornate and details frescos dating back hundreds of years!
Metro Station:
Ploschad Revolyutsii
Open
During Winter: Open Daily 11 am – 5 pm During Summer: Open Daily 10 am – 7 pm
Price
Adults: 250 Rubles ($8), Students: 50 Rubles and Under 18 years old: Free
Our Favourite Backpacks
Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview
Lenin’s Mausoleum
Possibly one of the strangest experiences of our lives, but when in Moscow there is nothing quite like seeing the almost 100-year-old corpse of the founder of the Soviet Union! If ever there was a stereotypically accurate impression of Russia then this is it. Set in Red Square the body of the infamous Vladimir Lenin has been laid here on display since his death in 1924.
The macabre display of love for their former leader is one which despite its controversial existence seems to be as popular as ever with both tourists and everyday Russians. You might have to queue for over an hour in the cold and go through airport-style security to make sure you don’t take a camera in, but what a strange, unique and historically important experience!
Metro Station:
Ploschad Revolyutsii
Hours:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Thurs, Sat, Tues, Weds.
Other days closed
Price:
Free to enter
40 Rubles to place a bag in a locker
Klook.com
Bunker 42
The “Tangansky Protected Command Point”, now known as Bunker 42 is probably one of the lesser-known but most intense and experiential things to do in Moscow. Constructed in 1951 this series of tunnels 213ft below the ground were at one time a secret military complex and command centre. Venturing down into the dark and damp bunkers is like stepping back into the prime of the soviet union, for anyone who loves that period in history, this is a mecca!
The tunnels stretch for an area of 7,000 square feet and connect to the metro system, there was even a direct line to the Kremlin at one point from here…which only backs up the rumours of a second secret metro running below the city. The original purpose of the bunker was to deal with the ongoing nuclear threat from the United States.
Much of the museum now depicts the cold war but this time from a Russian perspective, one which many of us are not used to hearing. It was quite refreshing and fascinating to hear a different angle on things we feel we know so much about! It is also kind of scary in a thrilling way down there, especially when they set off the alarms!!
Metro Station:
Taganskaya
Price:
400 – 2,500 Rubles depending on which excursion you select.
Hours:
10am – 9pm
It is best to book online before, it can be hard to get in too so get there early!
SafetyWing Travel Insurance
SafetyWing
Travel insurance is one of those annoying things that no one likes to think about, let alone pay for, when you’re planning your next trip. It can also be bloody annoying as a backpacker/long-term traveller to find affordable coverage that meets the itinerary-less lifestyle (*cough* World Nomads *cough*).
So instead of getting subpar travel insurance, now we just always go with SafetyWing. It takes like 5-10 minutes to purchase your policy and essentially functions as a monthly subscription plan with near-global coverage!
Moscow Opera House- The Bolshoi
Another of the true icons of the city the Bolshoi is famous for its opera and world-leading ballet. The iconic building which was opened in 1825 is a landmark of Moscow and Russia as a whole. An image of it is even used on the 100 Ruble banknote!
The impressive neoclassical building has also been home to political and cultural controversies and scandals over the years. It is almost as well known for it’s turbulent times as its romantic performances. An evening in the detailed six-tier recently renovated auditorium is a quintessentially classic Russian experience and an unforgettable one too.
Metro Station:
Teatralnaya
Price:
200-4000 Rubles
Opening:
Closed Jul-Aug
The Metro
What might on the surface seem like a strange inclusion on a list of top 10 things to do is actually one of the most interesting and beautiful. The Moscow Metro is so much more than just a way to navigate this sprawling city, it is a political statement, a huge piece of Soviet propaganda and a look into Stalin’s vision for the future of the USSR.
Each station on the Metro is a unique example of the display of power and influence of the union, from grandiose architecture, sculptures, mosaics, chandeliers and detailed decorations these stations more resemble palaces than a public transport system. Opened in 1935 it is now the fourth busiest transit system in the world, its marble-lined corridors and extravagant architecture stretches to over 188 stations, the palaces of the people!
Much of the city has been modernised and stripped of many of the Soviet features of the union, however down on the Metro, it is common to see paintings, statues and mosaics of Lenin, hammer & sickles and socialist realism style art. It is like stepping back in time to the secretive state of the USSR, living up to all your imaginations of life behind the iron curtain!
Riding the Metro is crazily cheap and always on time…if a little crowded!
Metro Stations to visit:
- Mayakovskaya
- Novoslobodskaya
- Elektrozavodskaya
- Shosse Entuziastov
- Nakhimovsky Prospekt
- Park Pobedy
- Ploshchad Revolyutsii
- Victory Park
- Prospekt Mira
- Kievskaya
- Komsomolskaya
Museum of the Great Patriotic War
This huge and impressive museum commemorates and memorialises the Soviet Union’s role in the Second World War, or the “Great Patriotic War” to the Russians. It depicts much of the unheard and unseen aspects of Second World War history missed out by Western museums and texts. With an underlying element of propaganda and Western mistrust, it is also an interesting look into the politics of the region.
The central “Hall of Glory”, despite being built in 1995, is typically Soviet in its grandiose presentation. The setting on Poklonnaya Hill is also significant, being one of the highest spots in Moscow it was historically an important strategic point. In 1812 it was where Napoleon stood waiting in vain for the keys to the Kremlin to be brought to him! Close by is the Triumphal Arch built from 1829-34 which commemorates Russia’s victory over Napoleon.
Metro Station:
Park Pobedy
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday (except Thursday and Friday) 10.00-20.00
Thursday, Friday 10.00-20.30
Price:
250 Rubles
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Red Square
Some of the features of this world-famous square have already been mentioned individually here, but this iconic stretch of cobblestones is so much more. Surrounded by a myriad of stunning and diverse buildings venturing into the square both day and night is an inspirational sight. There is an inevitable sense of awe which fills you upon finally seeing a place of such beauty and the location of so many pivotal moments of Russian history.
From the red snow-capped appearance of the state museum to the Neo-Classical front of the 1890s department store GUM, let alone the colourful onion domes of St. Basils or the chilling pyramid-like Lenin’s mausoleum and the imposing towers of the Kremlin. This is both the geographic and cultural centre of Moscow in all its audacious beauty!
Metro Station:
Ploschad Revolutsii
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Yo, I’m Nic, one-half of The Roaming Renegades.
I’m an adventure (and halloumi) obsessed traveller with a passion for hiking mountains, exploring cities, watching Arsenal win, moshing out to Rammstein in random European fields and getting hopelessly lost on a motorbike somewhere in Asia!
I’ve explored 80 countries, lived in Australia and New Zealand, and spent months wandering Southeast Asia, south America and Eastern Europe all while trying to avoid growing up!
Did it work, I dunno, but my back hurts and I still collect Pokemon cards! Who wants in?!
