Privet! I’m Sasha, your guide in Moscow.
It’s my city, so ask me anything. Shall I start with the places you shouldn’t miss?
— Sasha
Moscow
The capital, and where most trips begin
Red Square at night, the Bolshoi, and metro stations that look like palaces.
Sasha's picks
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The Kremlin and Red SquareCathedrals, the Armoury, and the square at dusk when the lights come on.Half a day
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St Basil’s CathedralNine chapels under the famous domes, each painted differently inside.Two or three hours
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The metro palacesKomsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya and Ploshchad Revolyutsii: chandeliers, mosaics and bronze for the price of a ticket.Two or three hours
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Zaryadye ParkThe floating bridge over the river, with the Kremlin walls behind you.Two or three hours
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An evening at the BolshoiBallet or opera on the historic stage. Tickets for big productions go early.Two or three hours
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The Tretyakov GalleryA thousand years of Russian art, from icons to Repin and Levitan.Half a day
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Novodevichy ConventA UNESCO-listed convent beside a quiet pond, with a cemetery of famous Russians.Half a day
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VDNKhSoviet pavilions, gilded fountains and the Space Pavilion.Half a day
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Danilovsky MarketGeorgian khachapuri, Uzbek plov and Russian pickles under one roof.Two or three hours
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GUM and a Soviet ice creamThe glass-roofed arcade on Red Square, and plombir ice cream from the stalls inside.About an hour
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A proper Russian dinnerPelmeni, borscht and blini in a restaurant that does them well.Two or three hours
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Moscow by nightA river cruise past the lit Kremlin, then the city view from Sparrow Hills.Two or three hours
When to go
Late spring to early autumn is easiest. December has the lights and the snow, if you don’t mind the cold.
| Season | Months | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Snow, New Year lights and the skating rink on Red Square. |
| Spring | Mar–May | The snow melts in March and the parks turn green by May. Victory Day parade on 9 May. |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | Long days, terraces and parks. The busiest season. |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | Golden leaves in September, grey skies by November, and the theatre season begins. |
A 3-day plan
Three days is a good first visit. This is how I’d spend them.
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1
The heart of the city The Kremlin and Red Square · St Basil’s Cathedral · GUM and a Soviet ice cream · Moscow by night
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2
Art and the metro The Tretyakov Gallery · The metro palaces · Zaryadye Park · An evening at the Bolshoi
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3
Markets and monasteries Danilovsky Market · Novodevichy Convent · VDNKh
Getting there
Three airports, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo, connect to the centre by Aeroexpress train in about 35 to 45 minutes. The Sapsan high-speed train reaches St Petersburg in about four hours.
ROTW prices every trip for your dates, hotel level and group size. Pin what you like, send it to me, and I'll come back with a real quote.
— Sasha
Questions people ask
How many days do I need in Moscow?
Three or four days covers the main sights at a comfortable pace. Add a day or two for the Golden Ring.
Do I need a visa?
Most visitors do. ROTW sends the invitation letter and walks you through the visa or e-visa step by step.
Can I get around without speaking Russian?
The metro has signs and announcements in English on most lines, and your guide or driver handles the rest.
