Red Square
Location
Stepping onto Red Square never ceases to inspire. There are few places with such impressive historical buildings as around the Moscow Red Square. St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, GUM shopping Mall, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are often depicted on Russian postcards.
Red Square used to be a market square adjoining the merchants’ area in Kitay Gorod. It has always been a place where occupants of the Kremlin chose to congregate, celebrate and castigate for all the people to see. Back in the day, Red Square was the top spot for high-profile executions such as those of the Cossack rebel Stepan Razin in 1671 and the Streltsy (Peter the Great’s mutinous palace guard) in 1698.
St. Basil's Cathedral
Location
If one building was to be chosen to represent Moscow, it would most probably be St. Basil’s Cathedral. This pride of Russian architecture stands on the exact spot where the geometric center of the city is. As their national symbol it stayed in its place for more than four centuries, even surviving the reconstruction of Moscow during the Stalin era.
Moscow Kremlin
Location
The Kremlin is the oldest part of Moscow. It was built in the 12th century and since the city has grown around it. Nowadays the Kremlin stands in the very center of the Russian capital. For centuries, it has served as the focus of political life among Russians. It was the place from which Imperials Russia czars ruled till the 18th century and where Soviet leaders governed the USSR since 1918.
The Armoury (Oruzheynaya Palata)
Location
The Armoury is a part of the Moscow Kremlin and today serves as a museum. The items exhibited here are priceless. From medieval period weapons to modern works of art, this museum represents one of the greatest treasuries of Eastern European heritage in the world.
The most valuable item in the Armory Museum is the collection of ten Faberge Eggs. The eggs represent authentic masterpieces from the late 19th century. It belonged to the royal family until the October Revolution when they got scattered all over the world. In the last couple of years, ten of those were brought back to their home.
Tretyakov Gallery
Location
Tretyakov Gallery is the best place to feel the real spirit of Russian culture. This museum almost exclusively contains items from their national history, showing the parts of Russian civilization, spanning from the 11th through the early 20th century. Tretyakov Gallery is famous around the world for its collection of religious paintings and Russian Orthodox Church icons. It is located near the city center, across some of the main tourist attractions, so it’s an unavoidable stop for lots of tourists.
Lenin's Tomb
Location
In the middle of the Red Square rises a large pyramidal structure that serves as the resting place of Vladimir Lenin. It has been a part of Moscow life for more than 90 years. The wooded tomb was built only six days after the leader of the revolution passed away. The stone mausoleum was built in the thirties and stays still intact.
Inside the Lenin mausoleum is the embalmed body of the first Soviet leader. As he was an important part of the Russian nature, visiting his tomb is carefully observed by the security. As a matter of precaution, visitors need to leave their bags when entering the facility.
Bolshoi Theater
Location
Bolshoi Theater is considered the biggest rival of the Milan Scala for the title of the world’s best theatre. Their rivalry has lasted for more than a century, as Bolshoi Theater was built in the mid-19th century. If it wasn’t for this theater, experts agree, the Russian opera would be of much less quality. Throughout the years, many world-class artists performed in the Bolshoi Theater and that tradition is carrying on today.
An evening at the Bolshoi is still one of Moscow’s most romantic and entertaining options for a night on the town. The glittering six-tier auditorium has an electric atmosphere, evoking over 240 years of premier music and dance.
Gorky Park
Location
Gorky Park is an amusement park in the middle of the city, named after the famous Soviet writer Maxim Gorky. The park stretches along the Moskva River making it a very popular destination in the summertime. During winter months, an ice rink opens, making the Gorky Park one of the crowdiest places in the city.
Izmailovo flea market
Location
There is no better place in the whole Moscow to buy some authentic Russian souvenirs at affordable prices, then the Izmailovo flea market. As this is one huge outdoor market, with hundreds of vendors offering different products from all over the Russia. This is the biggest country in the world, so be prepared to see in one place, fish from the Black sea and deer meat from Siberia. Don’t forget to try some traditional Russian meal, for example shashlik, a type of kebab.
Winzavod
Location
Winzavod is a cluster of galleries, shops and cafés in a former industrial building area that served as a wine factory in the 19th century. ‘Center of modern experience’ is located on the outskirts of the Moscow city, in an area that has always been a working class nightmare. Polluted air and gray factories were here during the Soviet era, but nowadays it is a gathering place of contemporary Russian artists. This art complex offers exhibitions and performances daily, while fashion shows of world-famous designers are starting to become a regular thing.
Pelmennaya on Krasina Street (Soviet style fast food since 1962, Address: Pelmennaya, 9 Krasina St.; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; cheap)
Location
The USSR was a superpower during the cold war and the largest country that ever existed. Reminiscences of the Soviet era are on every corner in Moscow. From huge residential building on the outskirts of the city to Lenin’s Tomb in the middle of the Red Square, the evidence of the Russian communistic past is everywhere.
But to feel the real spirit of that era you need to visit a typical restaurant from that time and taste the food Soviets adored. Pelmennaya on Krasina Street is that type of fast food restaurant. Here you can try their famous meat dumplings or pelmeni, as the Russians call it, for which this restaurant became famous and got its name.
GUM Shopping Mall (architecturally stunning but very expensive)
Location
Built in the late 19th century, GUM shopping mall served as one of the favorite market places for Moscow citizens in the Soviet era. Nowadays, it is owned by a Russian billionaire and the prices are on that level. This department store is worth visiting not because of its offer, but because of impressive design of the building.
In 2007, Moscow was for the second time in a row, the most expensive city in the world. One of the things that contributed to that image is definitely this shopping mall. Located in the Moscow area where the most tourists come, the stores in GUM offer luxury items, expensive clothing, but even the prices in the restaurants and cafés are high.
City Space Bar & Lounge
Location
City Space Bar & Lounge gives you a 360 degree view Moscow, a city with a population of over thirteen millions and an area of 1100 square kilometers. Located on the top floor of the Swissotel hotel, this place offers the breathtaking cityscape. Apart from the views, the atmosphere in the bar is nice and the City Space Bar & Lounge has been voted as one of the ten best bars in the world.
Krysha Mira (Nightclub)
Location
With its plethora of six-foot-one models, growing music scene and excess leisure time, Moscow has become a hub for high-end nightclubs. Krysha Mira means “the roof of the world” and is full of millionaires, their girlfriends, boyfriends and other people who just like to have lavish fun and simply observe. Located on the roof with a view to the White House, Moscow City, and Kremlin it helps you forget and remember at the same time.
If you can get past the face control, or bouncers, you'll have a wonderful time on the top-floor deck enveloped by supernatural blondinki, electronic music and the occasional fire-breathing dancer.
Café Pushkin
Location
Fine dining and pleasant atmosphere are the main features of the Café Pushkin. Located in the 19th century building, this restaurant has connected modern with traditional. Here you can taste modern French haute cuisine or try some of the old Russian recipes. As a part of this restaurant are a hundred year old library and a rooftop café. This place is open 24 hours a day and has become a favorite place for foreign tourists.
