5 MUST-DO experiences in Moscow

0. By default: Visit the Red Square

St. Basil's Cathedral

This is an attraction that needs no extra promotion! It really should be the very first thing you do in Moscow! In the old Russian language, the word ‘red’ meant ‘beautiful’ and it really is the most beautiful square in the city. 

This place is not only about taking selfies with the Moscow Kremlin walls and towers or the gorgeous onion-domed St. Basil’s Cathedral. You can also visit Lenin's Mausoleum and catch a glimpse of the Soviet revolutionary’s carefully preserved body. You can also explore the many centuries of Russia’s history in the State Historical Museum. And, of course, you can do some great shopping at the GUM department store or simply take a peek inside to see just how beautiful it is. Don’t forget to look up at the incredible ceiling and roof! 

Read more about the things to do on the Red Square here. 

1. Watch ballet in the Bolshoi Theater

The Bolshoi Theater

Visiting Moscow and not arranging a ballet night would be a crime. You would be lucky if the dates of your trips match the iconic ‘Swan Lake’ performances, while, in winter time, choose ‘The Nutcracker’ with an incredible Christmas mood. However, any other ballet or opera will also do! At the very least, you could just go and drink some champagne in the Bolshoi’s lavish interiors. Don’t forget to dress up! 

If you can’t manage to get tickets to the Bolshoi or if they are out of your budget, then try visiting the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theater and enjoy a ballet or opera performance in no way inferior to those at the Bolshoi.

2. Ride the Moscow Metro

Ploshchad Revolutsii station

The city’s subway is actually a giant underground museum. So, it’s worth taking a ride, even if you prefer walking or taking a taxi. Be sure to check out the magnificent mosaics at Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Mayakovskaya and Novokuznetskaya stations, rub the bronze dog’s or cockerel’s nose for good luck at the Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square) station, take a brief tour around the ancient Russian cities on the Tsvetnoy Boulevard station wall panels and enjoy the chandeliers and marble bas-reliefs at Park Kultury station! 

Komsomolskaya station

If you are going for one or two rides, you can buy a ‘one-two’ ticket. But, if you plan to use the subway more often, then it’s worth buying a ‘Troika’ card and simply top it up when needed. It can double up as a souvenir when you depart (and can still be used next time you are in Moscow!). 

Check out our guide to the most beautiful stations on the Moscow Metro here.

3. Enjoy art in the Tretyakov Gallery

One of the Tretyakov Gallery's highlight, 'The Appearance of Christ Before the People' by Alexander Ivanov

Moscow is a city full of history, arts and culture. And, at the Tretyakov Gallery, you can find one of the biggest collections of the national fine art.  It began as a private collection of a 19th century Moscow entrepreneur named Pavel Tretyakov, who later gifted the entire gallery to the city for free. 

You can discover such great paintings as Ilya Repin's ‘Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on 16 November 1581’, Vasily Surikov’s ‘Boyarina Morozova’, Viktor Vasnetsov’s ‘Bogatyrs’ and many more, as well as portraits of Russia’s most famous people. 

If you are short on time, here’s your guide to the main masterpieces you need to find. And, if you are more into avant-garde art or 20th century Soviet official art (and want to see Kazimir Malevich’s legendary ‘Black Square’), then you better visit the New Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val, which is not far from the “old” one.

4. Travel back in time to the USSR at the VDNKh

The entrance to the VDNKh

After exploring the city center, take a small trip a little outside of it to VDNKh metro station where the exciting Soviet-era park is situated. VDNKh is a Russian acronym for the ‘Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy’. It used to be the place where the best of the best from all the Soviet republics was collected and displayed. 

Now, it’s a recreation zone and amusement park with lots of cafes, restaurants and street food venues. You can rent a bike, scooter or explore its huge territory by foot. You will immediately notice all the gorgeous Stalinist Empire style architecture and incredible fountains around you. After that, you can visit several small museums devoted to space, history, Soviet toys and animation films and even a Special Purpose Garage. We guarantee kids will have a lot of fun in the ‘Moskvarium’! 

Here’s your more detailed guide on what else to do at VDNKh.

5. Eat fancy!

Artest restaurant

After all the spiritual nourishment, it’s time to indulge in some real food! Moscow is renowned for its many restaurants of all cuisines, tastes and budgets. There is even a local ‘a la Russe’ fast food chain called ‘Teremok’, where you can enjoy cheap ‘bliny’ (‘pancakes’), ‘pelmeni’ (‘dumplings’) and traditional drinks such as ‘mors’ or ‘sbiten’.

However, Moscow is such a stylish megapolis with such great opportunities that we simply had to also recommend you try dining fancy in one of the restaurants that the ‘Michelin’ guide recommended back in 2021, when the international rating officially came to Russia! ‘Twins Garden’, ‘White Rabbit’ by award-winning chef Vladimir Mukhin, ‘ARTEST - Chef's Table’ by Arkady Novikov and many more – check out our detailed guide on the most trendy and tasty places if you are not worried about your budget!