Destinations > Asia > Russia > Russia
Moscow Highlights
A thriving commercial center in medieval times, torched by its own people during the Napoleonic Wars, and site of the pivotal 1917 Revolution, Moscow has seen more than its share of changes. This eventful past shows itself wherever you go, from ornate 16th-century churches, to Neo-Classical mansions, to hulking Soviet monuments. With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Moscow’s latest transformation has been into a vibrant, consumer-driven European city filled with glamorous nightclubs and fine restaurants. Moscow can still be challenging and bureaucratic, so it’s best to travel with a personal, English-speaking guide—but there’s no doubt it’s an invigorating place to visit.
topWhat to See & Do
Kremlin
Great Kremlin Palace
The official home of the President is best viewed from the embankment.
State Armoury Museum
Houses a dazzling collection of jewels, carriages and weaponry.
Cathedral Square
An ensemble of four magnificent churches as well as the Ivan the Great Bell Tower.
Red Square
A stark pyramid displaying the embalmed body of the Soviet Leader.
St. Basil’s Cathedral
Topped by multicolored onion domes, it’s the iconic symbol of Russia.
KGB Museum
A thrilling private tour featuring spy-related documents and artifacts.
Pushkin Museum
An excellent collection of Impressionist paintings and old masters.
Tretayakov Gallery
The world’s largest and finest collection of Russian art.
Novodevichy Monastery
The resting place of many prominent Russians and home to one of Russia’s most beautiful churches.
Andrey Rublyev Museum of Ancient Russian Art
Dedicated to the art of the Russian icon.
Bolshoi
Moscow’s oldest and most famous venue for ballet and opera.
Moscow Metro
With concourses that look like small palaces, the Metro is a tourist attraction in itself.
topGetting Around
Moscow Metro
Moscow’s subway is fast and efficient, the best way to get around the city—but they’re also worth exploring at leisure. When construction began in the 1930’s, the stations were designed as showcases of Soviet achievement. Each of these underground museums has its own motif. The metro is best explored with a guide. Below, we’ve listed some of the most noteworthy.
Komsomolskaya
Perhaps the most beautiful, with glittering chandeliers and gold mosaics of military leaders
Kievskaya
Festive wall murals portray idealizes scenes of Soviet agriculture
Ploshchad Revolyutsii
Lined with life-sized statues honoring Bolshevik heroes
Mayakovskaya
Spacious and minimalist, with columns of marble and stainless steel
Novokuznetskaya
Bas-reliefs and ceiling mosaics with wartime themes
topWhere to Eat
Café Pushkin
26a Tverskoy Boulevard
Tverskaya
Tel: +7 (495) 229 5590
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Book dinner reservations well in advance.
Opened in 1999 by impresario Andrey Delios, the Pushkin is a destination in itself. This glamorous restaurant in a turn-of-the century mansion features authentic Russian food served by waiters in full period regalia.
Godunov
Teatralnaya Ploshchad 5
Red Square & Kitay Gorod
Tel: +7 (495) 298-5609
Daily 12pm-12am
Reservations recommended
Traditional Russian cuisine in a 17th Century monastery. Russian folk songs, folk dancing and gypsy entertainment make for a memorable evening. English-language menu.
Kitezh
23/10 Petrovka St.
Tel: +7 (495) 209 6685
Tverskaya
Daily 12pm-12am
Reservations recommended.
This paragon of Old Russian design is right next to the Petrovsky monastery and serves traditional Russian fare. English-language menu.
The Most
6/3 Kuznetsky Most
Tel: +7 (495) 660 0708
Moscow’s most exclusive nightspot is also home to its coolest restaurant. Owned by Russian financier Alexander Mamut, The Most is wittily designed in the decadent Baroque style of Louis XIV. French cuisine.
On the Komm
12 Kutuzovsky Prospekt
Tel: +7 (495) 725-5575
The flashy, whimsical trend of molecular gastronomy is alive and well in Moscow. Restaurateur Anatoly Komm is regarded as a genius in food circles, and a meal at On the Komm is a one-of-a-kind experience. Not for kids.
Seiji
Japanese5/2 Komsomolsky Prospekt
Tel:+7 (495) 246 7624
The city’s most important Japanese restaurant serves high-quality, contemporary Japanese fare with a few nods to Russian local tastes.
Semifreddo
Italian2 Ulitsa Rossolimo
Tel: +7 (499) 766 4646
Sicilian chef Nino Graziano brings his expertise to Semifreddo, serving lights, sophisticated dishes in a modern atmosphere.
Suliko
42/2 Ulitsta Bolshaya Polyanka
Zamoskvorechye
Tel: +7 (495) 238 2888
Tel:+7 (495) 238 1027
Daily 12pm-12am
Reservations recommended
Moscow’s most refined Georgian restaurant has over 120 Georgian dishes to choose from. English-language menu.
Turandot
26/5 Tverskoy
Tel: +7 (495) 739 0011
Also owned by Andre Dellos, this restaurant presents Asian-inspired food in a sumptuous Versailles setting (complete with bewigged waiters). The menu was created by Alan Yau of London’s famed Hakkasan. Recommended for a romantic evening out.
Vogue Café
7/9 Kuznetsky Most
Tel: +7 (495) 623-1701
Mon-Sat 8am-1pm, 2pm-8pm
Chic but casual, with eclectic, trendy cuisine. Perfect after shopping or before a performance at the Bolshoi. Fun for the kids.
topWhere to Shop
Shopping Malls
The grim, cavernous stores of the Soviet era are long gone. These days, Moscow’s shopping malls rival those in Paris or the US for quality and abundance. GUM is the most famous, but several others are giving the former government store a run for its money.
GUM
3 Red Square
Tel: +7 (495) 921-5763
Mon-Sat 8am-8pm; Sun 11am-7pm
Right off Red Square, this once-dowdy mall was virtually the only place in Moscow to buy household good and clothing during the Soviet years. Now, its three gleaming arcades are filled with specialty shops and boutiques.
TsUm
2 Petrovka
Baccarat crystal and Vera Wang gowns are among the offerings at this upscale mall across the street from the Bolshoi Theatre.
Petrovsky Passazh
10 Petrovka
A luxury shopping mall 2 blocks northwest of the Bolshoi, with several high-quality clothing stores.
Kiton (men’s clothing)
10 Ulitsa Petrovka
Tel: +7 (495) 924-8557
Isaia (Italian clothing)
10 Ulitsa Petrovka
In Petrovsky Passazh
Tel: +7 (495) 624-8557
Tretyakovsky Proezd
Designer boutiques like Gucci and Armani line this faux-medieval lane between Theatre Square and Lubyanka.
Bhrioni
7 Tretyakovsky Proezd
Tel: +7 (495) 933-3387
Men’s clothing.
Men’s Clothing
Le Form35/28 Ulitsa Povarskaya
Tel: +7 (495) 291-8220
Denis Simachev Bar
12/2 Stoleshkov Pereulok
Tel: +7 (495) 629-8085
Fur Coats
Russia is the land of the sable coat, and in Moscow, the best ones can be found at the showroom of Helen Yarmak.
22/1 Kadashevskaya Quay
Tel: +7 (495) 953-4862
topKey Events
Moscow World Fine Art Fair
Manezh Office 17&19
1 place Manezhnaya
Tel: +7(495) 540-28 17/18
Held annually at the end of May, this is considered the most exclusive art fair in Eastern Europe. Features around 80 international dealers specializing in fine art, fine jewelry and decorative objects.
Changing of the Kremlin Guard
May-Oct, Saturdays, 12pm
Kremlin
Equestrian and pedestrian regiments in historical full-dress uniform perform demonstrations of dressage and handling of arms.