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10 Best Places to Visit in Moscow – Top 10 Attractions within One Day in Moscow

10 Best Places to Visit in Moscow – Top 10 Attractions within One Day in Moscow

Prelude

The largest city of Russia and the second-largest city of Europe Moscow is a powerful mix of vibrant different attractions to attract tourists from all over the world. This 800-year-old city is home to hundreds of historical sites, world-famous architectural wonders, vibrant cultures, etc. This magnificent city has countless sites and things to do to keep someone busy for months. However, here in this blog, we are presenting a list of the 10 best places to visit in Moscow – top 10 attractions within one day in Moscow. This list can be named as the list for the ultimate first-timers as well.

Where to Stay and Eat

There are numerous good hotels, boardings, lodges to stay in Moscow, which you may book from Agoda, Booking, Hostelworld, etc. I would suggest to select places to stay in conformity with your focused places to travel. As our focused area was heart of Moscow, meaning to say that in and around Red Square, we stayed at President Hotel. This is a four star hotel with magnificent services. The location of this place is so good that I think it should get 10/10 for its location. Gorky Park, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Muzeon Park of Arts, Monument de Peter I, everything is just a few steps away from this hotel. For eating good you will get countless food stalls around the city. There are many international franchise e.g. McDonalds, KFC, Subway, etc around the city as well. However, if you are looking for Russian food, there are many restaurants around. Well, if you want food at your hotel door, you may order food by Yandex and other food delivery applications. I bet that you will fall in love with traditional Russian food.

Transportation in Moscow

I would suggest walking along the street in Moscow unless the distance is great. Because in every allays, every street, every corner of Moscow there is something to see and something to be wondered. I could not afford to miss those details, and almost everyday/ night I have walked more than 16/17 km. However, undoubtedly, the most popular transportation means in Moscow is their Metro. Though there are only a few bus services, yet their Yandex service is amazing. Yandex is all in one sort of service to survive in Russia. Yandex is just the Russian version of UBER. However, unlike UBER Yandex has every solution for you in Russia e.g. food delivery, shop, mail, etc.

Top 10 Attractions to Visit in Moscow

1. Kremlin

Kremlin is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Moscow. The name “Kremlin” means “fortress inside a city”, which is actually a fortress inside the heart of Moscow in Russia. Undoubtedly this is the most recognizable structure in Moscow, and one of the most famous structures in the world. This 15th century fortified complex covers an area of 275,000 square meters. This place was used to be the palace for the Tsar Family, which has more than 700 rooms. At present this is the official residence of the president of Russia. This massive place includes many other structures like Armory Chamber, a museum, three cathedral, etc some of which are open to the public with strict schedule and regulations. 

Undoubtedly Kremlin alone demands the highest attraction for any tourist visiting Moscow. Well, adjacent attractions such as Red Square, Alexander Garden, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Zaryadye Park, etc must be visited as these all are located around the Kremlin. 

2. Saint Basil’s Cathedral

The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed commonly known as Saint Basil’s Cathedral, is an Orthodox Church in Red Square. It is one of the most popular cultural symbols of Russia. The building, now a museum, was built from 1555 to 1561. It was the city’s tallest building until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600. This is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Moscow.

Whatever may be the duration of one’s stay in Moscow, one must set aside some time to witness one of the most famous architectural sites in the world, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Well, I suggest setting aside time for at least 2/3 visits instead of one; one in broad daylight, and the other at night. Because if you see this place once, you see half of the beauty.

3. Bolshoi Theater

The Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera are among the oldest and best known ballet and opera companies in the world. It is by far the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers. The theatre is the parent company of The Bolshoi Ballet Academy, a leading school of ballet. It has a branch at the Bolshoi Theater School in Joinville, Brazil.

The main building of the theatre, rebuilt and renovated several times during its history, is a landmark of Moscow and Russia (its iconic neoclassical façade is depicted on the Russian 100-ruble banknote). On 28 October 2011, the Bolshoi re-opened after an extensive six-year renovation. The official cost of the renovation is 21 billion rubles ($688 million). However, other Russian authorities and other people connected to it claimed much more public money was spent. The renovation included restoring acoustics to the original quality (which had been lost during the Soviet Era), as well as restoring the original Imperial decor of the Bolshoi.

Official Website of Bolshoi Theater: https://bolshoi.ru/en/

 

4. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is a Russian Orthodox cathedral in Moscow, Russia, on the northern bank of the Moskva River, a few hundred meters southwest of the Kremlin. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is the third-highest orthodox temple in the world and the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russians. It is the ideal place to attend an Orthodox Mass or to climb its domes and admire a beautiful panorama of Moscow. The history of this cathedral is one in which reality surpasses fiction. This place demands visits in both daylight and also at night. Because at night it looks wonderful with all the lights around.

Official Website: http://new.xxc.ru/

5. The Gorky Park

Gorky Central Park is a park in Moscow situated opposite to Muzeon park of arts. It is named after Maxim Gorky. It was first opened as a park in 1928. Total area of the park is 300 acres.
This is probably the most famous park of Moscow. Gorky park offers entertainment for people of every age and every taste. Apart from numerous facilities like outdoor dancing sessions, yoga and fitness activities, rollerblading, skateboarding, cycling opportunities it also has a open air movie theatre. Its Garage Museum of Contemporary Art is an astounding place to visit. Its large green space as well as vast open space attracts people to do many other activities. There are numerous food stalls and boat rentals/ cruise services as well. 

6. GUM

GUM (short for Glávnyj Universálnyj Magazín or “Main Universal Store”) is the oldest and most upscale shopping center in Moscow, Russia. It is situated facing Red Square in the Kitai-Gorod area.

GUM was built in the late 1800s in neo-Russian style to showcase a beautiful mix of a steel skeleton and 20,000 panels of glass-forming an arched roof. The glass-roofed design made the building unique at the time of construction. The roof, the diameter of which is 14 m (46 ft), looks light, but it is a firm construction made of more than 50,000 metal pods (about 743 t (819 short tons)), capable of supporting snowfall accumulation. (Data from Wikipedia)

Though GUM is no longer the largest shopping center in Moscow, it’s still by far the most beautiful and also the most upscale destination for shopping. It is home to all top of top brands of the world. To be frank, it is not the ideal destination for most budget-conscious visitors. I have not also visited this place to buy anything. However, the beauty of the building itself and its historical significance demands a visit if you are in Moscow.

Official Website: https://gumrussia.com/

7. The Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro is one of the magnificent architectural wonders of the Russia. This Metro system is serving Moscow, Russia, and the neighbouring Moscow Oblast cities of Krasnogorsk, Reutov, Lyubertsy and Kotelniki. It opened in 1935 with one 11-kilometre line and 13 stations, whereas today it has 287 stations, and the length is 435 Km. You will be amazed to know that the government is still expanding its size and coverage. I recommend you understand the metro system at the earliest. It will surely ease up your journey during your stay at Moscow. You may obtain Metro Card every time you travel, or else you may purchase cards with different balances and use accordingly. Once exhausted, it’s better to recharge the card instead of every time purchasing a new card. Recharging is much cheaper in this case.
The Moscow Metro

8. Arbat Street

Arbat Street also referred to as the Arbat is a one-kilometer-long pedestrian street in the historical center of Moscow, Russia.  It has been in existence since the 15th century, which makes it one of the oldest surviving streets of the Russian Capital. It was originally a trade route on the outskirts of the city. Arbat Street is one of Moscow’s most touristy spots with lots of cafes and restaurants, live music performers, etc.

Beautiful street lamps and two significant statues; one of Princess Turandot and one of Soviet-era poet Bulat Okudzhava adorn the street. This is a great place to get some souvenirs if you are not traveling to Izmailovo District. However, you have to bargain about the price with the vendors. Arbat Street also offers a chance to visit the former home of poet Alexander Pushkin and the café both Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy used to visit.

Arbat Street in Moscow

8. Sparrow Hills

If you have the luxury of time and fitness, you may take a walk for 6 km from Gorky Park along the Moscow River (Moskva River) you will end up at Sparrow Hills, a legendary park in Moscow. The Sparrow Mountain is a mountain with a panoramic view of Moscow city. Although this park does not offer many activities like Gorky Park, here you can take a closer look at the Moscow State University, which is the tallest of the seven Stalinist SkyScrapers. In the sparrow hills at the foot of the mountain, across the Moscow river, opposite the observation deck is the central stadium, which was built to 50 s.

Sparrow Hills in Moscow, Russia

10. Nikolskaya Street

Nikolskaya Street is a pedestrian street in the Kitay-Gorod of Moscow. It connects Red Square and Lubyanka Square. It was known as the Street of the 25th of October between 1935 and 1990. This street is one of the most famous tourist attractions of Moscow. I would call it a street of superheroes, superheroines, and lights. Whether you visit this place on a day or night, it has the same amusement. You will see a lot of people both men and women dressed as your favorite marvel studio character walking around. They usually allow you to take photographs with them, and in exchange, they ask for money. Please settle the price before taking a snap. They usually insist a lot, but if you are not willing, it’s better to avoid them politely.

Tips for Photographers

Entire Moscow is an amazing place for photographers be it landscape, or cityscape, or even street photography. Amazing historical monuments, architectural wonders, places with historical significance, Moskva river, amazing parks, amazing people. etc everything present extraordinary subject to the photographs of all genre and taste. This country is really blessed. It has everything to offer to all types of photographers. However, we request you to comply with follow suggestions:
  • For photography, the best option is to walk around on foot, unless you have specific taste and purpose.
  • Every corners of the street, every allays of the city, every parks offer subjects ranging from landscape, cityscape, street, and portrait photography. So, I am sure you will not want to miss any opportunity.
  • The most of the sites, which are mentioned here can be very well toured within a day. I would suggest starting the tour with Red Square. Because, once you are here, you can cover Kremlin, St Basil Cathedral, Nikolskaya Street, GUM, Bolshoi Theater from here without much of walking.
  • Apart from the sites mentioned here Zaryadye Park kok is situated right beside the Red Square, which is a wonderful modern day architectural marvel. You can have a picturesque view of Kremlin from the floating bridge over Moskva River.
  • If you are pointing your camera to any person, be sure you have his/ her consent.
  • Nikolskaya Street, Arbat Street, Bolshoi Theater, and at some places many enthusiastic young and upcoming singers arrange street concerts. If you photograph them, they will not mind usually, but never forget to help them by putting some coins there.
  • I loved being in metro. That is a fantastic place to photograph the diversity of our life.
  • If you are a Drone Photographer, or if you want to fly drone over Moscow, you are in wrong place. Drone regulations are so strict that it is almost impossible to fly drone over Moscow Sky. Even if you manage to get permit, because of spoofer, jammers, and other anti-drone technologies it is impossible to get away with flying drone over Moscow Sky.
  • There are many photo excursion groups, or even tour guide who would love to give you a tour around the city if you pay them well. I prefer to take such a tour if you want to make the best utilization of your time and money. This city has many wonders which are not open to public but the locals has access whether legal or illegal.

COVID-19 Preventive Measures

If you are traveling to Moscow, Russia during this pandemic please be very clear about the travel restriction imposed by the government and local Covid-19 protocols. Keep yourself safe, and help others to remain safe. Carry enough masks with you. You may not be able to carry large quantity of sanitizer, but at least keep a small refillable sanitizer with you always. During our stay in Moscow, we have observed that covid protocols are strictly followed in all the places e.g. hotels, restaurants, bars, public transports, etc. So, please help yourself and help others too. Before leaving the country, please have another test from a reliable agent and carry the certificate (of course Negative) to the airport. Be sure about the validity period, or time regulations too from your hotel or homestay.

My Special Thanks to Dream Shifter

During my tour to Moscow I have met Dream Shifter, a truly inspirational character. He is one of those character who pushes every comfort and easy take aways to explore something new and exciting. He left his 8-5 PM job just to pursuit his dream, which is traveling the world, and doing something by his own. Unlike many of us he loves to see things differently, specially from above, and that keeps him busy climbing tops of all the tops of the world. I encourage you to check his instagram and see what he is making! They are astounding. Often he arranges rooftop tours/ excursions for interested people only if he is free. Wish I could meet him before so that I could have climbed some of the rooftops to watch Moscow from above. Hopefully, someday we will meet again and climb together.  

Final Thought

I am lucky that I could travel to Moscow, Russia at least for a short period of time. My love for this beautiful vast country grew since my early childhood once I have started reading Russian literature. Since then I was carrying this immense desire of traveling to this country. Even during the football world cup in Russia, I have tried to go to Russia, which did not happen. I am sure, if you ever come to this country, you will straightway fall in love with it. It’s an amazing place with fantastic people, amazing places, historical significance, great food, rich culture, etc etc. 

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