elding northern lights tour

Northern Lights from Reykjavík

"The mysterious Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that are caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with gas in the Earth's atmosphere. They are most vibrant between September and early April, when the nights are long and dark."

Northern Lights Diary

Monday, 15 April 2024

• NORTHERN LIGHTS CRUISE | 22:00

On this last tour of the season, we set sail from Reykjavík with a promising forecast. Once the sun had set, we could see an arch of northern lights , expanding over the whole sky and occasionally varying in strength! Magical!

Sunday, 14 April 2024

Due to unfavourable weather conditions, we have decided to CANCEL the Northern Lights Cruise tonight!

Saturday, 13 April 2024

We ventured into the bay in search of good shelter from the wind. After about an hour, we could see a few wisps but they never got strong enough for our eyes.. so we offered complimentary tickets to our passengers!

Friday, 12 April 2024

We started the tour by the islands due to get shelter from the wind. We could see the constellations clearly, but unfortunately, only our cameras could see the auroras, so we offered complimentary tickets to all passengers.

Thursday, 11 April 2024

The forecast was predicting the clouds to slowly retreat, but unfortunately they did the opposite, so we didn't see any northern lights.. We offered all the passengers complimentary tickets so they can return another time.

Wednesday, 10 April 2024

Tuesday, 9 april 2024, monday, 8 march 2024, sunday, 7 april 2024, saturday, 6 april 2024.

Friday, 5 April 2024

Our journey started with a cloudy sky, but as time went on, it started to clear and we could see stars! The northern lights appeared, first as a vertical line in the sky, then they got stronger and were dancing everywhere above us!

Thursday, 4 April 2024

Wednesday, 3 april 2024.

Although we had some clouds in the start of the tour, we began seeing gaps in between the clouds and even stars. However, we were not in luck tonight, so we decided to give out complimentary tickets to all passengers.

Tuesday, 2 April 2024

It was a lovely evening, but there were a few clouds in the sky. We sailed close to Esja, but unfortunately the sky did not clear up and eventually we gave out complimentary tickets for our guests to try again another time!

Monday, 1 April 2024

Right after we left the harbour, we started to see a green line, very weak, towards the horizon. We had northern lights already! The arch was there during the whole night, sometimes fading before growing stronger again!

Sunday, 31 March 2024

Saturday, 30 march 2024.

We waited in the dark in the company of the Northern starry skies as we admired the landscape around us. Unfortunately despite the favourable forecast, wa saw no auroras, so we offered complimentary tickets to all.

Friday, 29 March 2024

With the view of many constellations above us, we sailed towards mt. Esja and soon spotted the northern lights . The lights started out in a faint arch, but then quickly became visible to the naked eye, growing stronger. 

Thursday, 28 March 2024

Soon after leaving the harbour, we had a wonderful arch of northern lights over our heads and towards Jupiter. The auroras were dancing and displayed colours from green to purple and even pink! A rare and wonderful sight!

Wednesday, 27 March 2024

The tour had just started when we spotted northern lights above mount Esja. They took form of an arch during the first half of the tour, then faded for a few minutes, only to come back very strong, all over the sky, until the end!

NORTHERN LIGHTS CRUISE

Price from kr 12,990 approx € 87

STARTING POINT

Pickup available

They say that seeing the Northern Lights dance and weave across the Arctic sky is a spiritual experience never to be forgotten. And what better way to view this beautiful heavenly show than by sailing out to sea well away from the city´s bright lights.

Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

SET SAILS TO THE ATLANTIC TO HUNT FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS There are few things more Icelandic than the Northern Lights dancing above the Arctic Ocean. Through the centuries our fishermen have needed to go out fishing all year round, even in the long, dark winters. Fortunately for them, when the winter sky is clear they have had the very welcome company of the Northern Lights that illuminate the sky, making it easier to fish.

We set sail from the Old Reykjavík harbor and begin our hunt out on the dark blue waters of Faxaflói Bay, leaving behind the bright city lights of Reykjavík. With our long experience in reading the Northern Lights forecast and a bit of luck, we will hopefully be successful in our search for the Auroras. We will experience firsthand how the lights constantly change in density, color, and movement with the gentle sway of the ocean beneath us. This is a thrilling and unique experience you will not soon forget.

Our open-top viewing decks provide the perfect platform for witnessing the dazzling spectacle while our heated indoor lounge is a great place to take a break from the Icelandic winter and warm up in between sightings.

We recommend you come wearing warm clothes, however, if you don’t have any, we can also provide warm overalls.

DETAILS ON THE NORTHERN LIGHTS CRUISE Price & Availability: See the booking window on the right. Children 0-7 years free & 7-15 50% Discount. Min: No minimum number of participants Age Limit: No age limit Pick up: Hotel pick-ups are not included in the price of the tour. We do offer a pickup service, operated by Elding. Feel free to make your way to our ticket and departure center, located at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s old harbor. Bring with you: Dress according to the weather. In Iceland, it is always wise to dress in warm, waterproof clothes. Weather changes can be sudden so expect the unexpected. Bring a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good outdoor shoes are recommended.* Duration: Approximately 2 hours. Tour Area: Our Northern Lights cruises usually take place on the southern part of Faxaflói Bay, just off Reykjavík. Each day we evaluate the weather reports to check the conditions for Northern Lights sightings.**

*If you don’t have warm clothing we can supply you with a very warm overall and additional gear, as well as having some sweaters to lend. **In the rare case where we are unsuccessful on our Northern Lights search we offer you the opportunity to join us on a different night free of charge.

WHAT'S INCLUDED: Experienced captain & guide Elding boat Open-top viewing decks & heated indoor lounge Warm overalls in case of cold weather If we do not see the Northern Lights then you get another tour for free

Elding Ticket Center

Faxaflói bay, what’s included.

• Access to Visitor Centre
• Multimedia show 
• Use of warm overalls 
• Excellent guidance 
• Onboard WiFi

What do I need to bring

• Sturdy footwear
• Warm clothing (thermals, hat, scarf and gloves)
• Tripod for better camera stability (if taking photographs)

Friendly cancellation & refund policy

Full refund if cancelled due to weather. Cancellation fee can be witheld if cancelled with short notice.

• 1 day notice: 100% charge

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• No booking fees or any hidden cost.
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Why book with us?

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Reykjavík Northern Lights Cruise

Search for northern lights on this thrilling winter cruise where we maximise your chances of sightings! Watching the auroras dance in the vast starry space with the gentle lull of the ocean beneath us is an experience of a lifetime.

Starting at 13.990 ISK

Tour Operator: Elding Adventure at Sea

• What's Included

Know before you go

Search for Aurora Borealis away from the city lights, on this thrilling winter cruise. Watching the lights constantly change in intensity, colour and movement in the vast starry space with the gentle lull of the ocean beneath is a thrilling, unique experience. The Northern Lights are best displayed under dark, clear skies and you can find these conditions in Reykjavík from September until the end of April. 

Duration: 1,5-2,5 hours Available: 1 September - 14 September at 22:00 15 September - 14 March at 21:00 15 March - 15 April at 22:00

Hunting the auroras on a boat gives you more comfort as we have heated inside areas, an onboard café and great 360° viewing platform for panoramic views. Our expert aurora guides help you enjoy the lights and cruise to the fullest by giving you information about the auroras as well as answering any questions you may have. They even take pictures on the tour which you can request by email when you get back home! You can borrow one of our overalls to keep you warm, just remember to bring a hat and gloves.

Meet us at our ticket office by the Old Harbour in downtown Reykjavík, where you will exchange your pre-paid voucher for boarding tickets. Our expert guide will then greet you in our Visitor Centre, which is facilitated on board an old fishing vessel permanently placed at the pier. We will take you out into the dark blue yonder of Faxaflói bay in search for the mystical phenomenon that are the auroras; leaving behind the bright city lights of the northernmost capital in the world, Reykjavík. 

As the northern lights are a natural phenomenon we cannot guarantee that we will see them, but we are professional aurora hunters with years of experience searching for the lights around Reykjavík. For an optimal aurora pursuit we need three things; solar activity, clear skies and darkness. A lot of other tour operators will cancel their tours if the forecast is not in their favour - well, we don’t! We know that you don’t have many days to search for the lights and that the weather can change in mere minutes, anywhere from a full cloud forecast to clear skies. We want to maximise your chance the best we can and so WE WILL ALWAYS GIVE IT A GO! Our searching area is close to shores and around small islands, far enough away from city lights and therefore it is ideal for a smooth and comfortable sailing. 

If the lights fail to make an appearance we do not refund the tour price but in stead offer you to try again another day. You are free to go as many times as needed (within two years) to catch the show - at no extra cost!

COMBO:  Combine this activity with  whale watching  or check our other combo tours !

Please note that for your enjoyment and safety, this tour is subject to conditions at sea and therefore it could get cancelled on short notice. We will do our best to notify you in good time.

What's included?

• Access to Visitor Centre
• Use of warm overalls 
• Excellent live guidance 
• Assistance with photography
• Free WiFi onboard
• Northern Lights guarantee (or try again for free)
• Pictures taken by crew (if any)
• Refreshments

What do I need to bring?

• Sturdy footwear
• Warm clothing (thermals, hat, scarf and gloves)
• Tripod for better camera stability (if taking photographs)

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Northern Lights Tours

Whale Watching & Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

Reykjavik whale watching and magical auroras tour.

This family-friendly tour combines two popular activities: whale watching and our magical aurora tour. Join us on a whale watching cruise departing from the old harbor of Reykjavik in the afternoon, and once night falls, hop on a minibus to hunt for the legendary Aurora Borealis.

This trip combines our Whale Watching tour from Reykjavik and Magical Auroras – Northern Lights tour. Book this tour to save on both activities!

• Enjoy guided tour in a minibus
• Chase the Northern Lights
• Get free Northern Lights photos
• Watch minke and humpback whales, dolphins and porpoises
• Warm floatable overalls
• Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík
• English speaking expert guide
• Souvenir shop and café on board
• Free Northern Lights photos

What to bring

• Hiking boots or very sturdy footwear
• Warm outdoor layers
• Weatherproof top layer

Tour Snapshot

Get the best value for money by booking a combo tour for up to 10% less!

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Whale sightings are extremely common in Iceland, where marine life is very active! Take a boat tour from Reykjavík and spot frolicking  dolphins  or  whales  in their natural habitat while coasting through  Faxaflói Bay . As weather and sea conditions play a significant role in what we see from the boat, you can’t be sure what you’ll find, but each day is sure to be special and unique. No two whale-watching trips are ever the same.

The sea creatures we usually see on our tours are  minke whales ,  humpback whales ,  white-beaked dolphins , and  harbor porpoises . Our fun and knowledgeable guides will entertain you with fun facts about Icelandic marine life while you search for these majestic creatures.

After your cruise to see the whales, you’ll have a few hours to prepare for our  Northern Lights minibus tour . Our magical auroras tour departs from Reykjavík in the evening, driving deep into the countryside and away from city lights. This way, you’ll get the best chance to catch the solar activity of this natural phenomenon at its glittering best. Admiring the flickering lights as they dance through the star-studded sky is an experience you simply won’t forget.

Your guide will take free photographs of you and the aurora so you can keep the memory of this awesome night alive!

Please note

For the Whale Watching adventure, pick-up starts at 12:00 p.m. from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík.

For the Northern Lights adventure, pick-up is at either 20:30 (8:30 p.m.) or 21:30 (9:30 p.m.) (depending on the season) from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. 

For both the Northern Lights and whale-watching sections of the tour, it can take up to 30 minutes to collect all of the guests. Your patience is much appreciated.

Available pick-up points :   Arctic Adventures pick-up list .

Since the spectacle of the Northern Lights is very much weather-dependent, if no aurora is seen, you’ll have unlimited re-tries valid for up to 3 years. That’s right, you’ll be able to re-join the chase of Northern Lights until it’s a successful one! 

What to do in this case? Our  Customer Care  is ready to help you and book your next re-try.

Please keep in mind that refunds are not issued when a tour takes place but no Northern Lights are seen. During a re-try, the tour is operated on a minibus.

Will I definitely see Northern Lights on the tour?

The Northern Lights are natural phenomena and we unfortunately cannot promise you will see them on our tours. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions, which are factors entirely out of our control.

For more information on the Northern Lights, please have a look at our Northern Lights information .

What are the best camera settings for photographing the Northern Lights?

Unfortunately, there isn’t just one simple answer to this question.

Your camera doesn't have a single setting that will guarantee excellent pictures.  But if you have manual controls, playing with different mixtures of ISO, aperture, and exposure settings is usually preferable. As a general rule, ISO settings of 800 to 3200, f/2.8 to f/5.6, and shutter speeds of 15 to 30 seconds have been found to be successful.

Keep in mind that ISO settings between 800 and 3200, f/2.8 and f/5.6, and shutter speeds between 15 and 30 seconds have produced excellent results.

Results from various combinations can vary greatly. You can take faster exposures with a higher ISO setting, but the photographs can turn up grainier as a result. 

If the shutter speed is above 15 seconds it will result in a slight star movement.

In low-light situations, wider-angle lenses are typically more adaptable, while longer lenses provide you with more compositional alternatives. Make sure to take off any lens filters because they could cause image distortion. Most likely, using a manual setting for infinite focal length will get the greatest results. 

For more tips, read our blog on photographing the Northern Lights .

What if the Northern Lights tour goes ahead and no Northern Lights are seen?

What to do in this case? Our Customer Care is ready to help you and book your next re-try.

What are my options if my Northern Lights tour is cancelled?

When Northern Lights tours are cancelled it’s usually due to unfavourable weather conditions.

In that case, your options will be to:

1. Reschedule for another day.

2. Find another tour to embark on and use the deposit for it.

3. Get fully refunded.

Please contact our Customer Care team to re-book your tour .

How do I know if the Northern Lights tour is on for the evening?

The Northern Lights are a pretty difficult thing to predict. You can check the Icelandic Meteorological Office website to see the forecast - if the level is high and the skies are clear then it’s very likely that the tour is going ahead. We do update our website’s tour departure sheet with the information at 17:00 at the latest. If the tour is canceled, you will receive an email from us notifying you.

If we think there is no chance at all of seeing the lights, we will cancel the tour. We don’t want to bring you out and disappoint you if there will definitely be no aurora activity.

Will my guide take pictures for me?

Yes, the guide will take a photo of you with the Northern Lights behind you. These can be single or group photos and are free of charge.

What months can you see the northern lights?

The  Northern Lights season is said to be from late August until mid-April. However, if you want to increase your chances of seeing them, it is best to wait until the colder winter months, from mid-September until March.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik?

If luck and weather are on your side, then you will be able to see the aurora borealis above the inviting streets of Reykjavik. Whether you see the lights or not depends on two unique factors. The first is the weather: If the sky is clear, with no clouds, then you are halfway to seeing the astonishing spectacle that is the Northern Lights (although light pollution can sometimes be a problem). Increased solar activity is the second factor, so if these two are both favorable at the same time you may well be able to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik.

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Contact us for more information about this tour.

Arctic Adventures offers pick up service from selected Reykjavík pick up points. Note that you can always update your pick-up / drop-off location through our customer portal: https://my.adventures.is You can press the login button in your confirmation email for an easy login to the customer portal. If you experience an error with logging into the customer portal or can't find your booking, please contact us on Facebook Messenger, or send us a message here below. Chat with us on Facebook Messenger

Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea

Witnessing the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky might cause you to gasp because it's actually that cool. The colorful ribbons of green look like something from outer space — and they are. Auroras appear when charged particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.

Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket-list experience for many travelers. Cruise ships can take you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Remember that seeing this phenomenon doesn't involve a cruise director flipping on a switch. Witnessing the northern lights requires clear and dark skies, late-night viewing hours, enough solar activity for the colors to appear and a big dose of luck. Keep that in mind before you invest all your cruise vacation hopes in this one experience.

Where can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland.

Just off the auroral ring is the rest of Alaska. If you are on a cruise in the Inside Passage before April 21 or after Aug. 21 and are willing to be awake in the middle of the night (the lights tend to appear in Alaska after midnight), there's a chance you'll see the aurora borealis.

Cruise lines operating in Alaska — including Holland America , Princess Cruises and UnCruise Adventures — have northern lights sign-up sheets so you don't have to stay up all night, every night, hoping to see the display. Put your name on the list, and you'll receive a wake-up call or knock on your cabin door if there's aurora action. Plan to put on your clothes or bathrobe quickly, as the lights might only appear for a few minutes. (They could also last considerably longer.)

Related: Peak solar activity is forecast for 2024: Here are the best places around the world to see the northern lights

If you're interested in where to see the northern lights outside Alaska, the Arctic city of Alta, Norway, calls itself "The City of Northern Lights."

Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899. A whole industry has sprung up around the lights, including such extravagant shore excursions as an overnight in a tent with viewing windows at a Sami dog-sledding camp. Alta is also home to the Northern Lights Cathedral, an architectural landmark.

Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres.

Cunard Line and Hurtigruten are among the lines that visit northern Norway in the fall. However, the peak viewing season is from November to March (see below). Viking also visits but in the winter.

Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada appear on many expedition ships' itineraries during northern lights season, mostly early in the season in August and September. Lines with ships there include Quark Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions.

When can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

Because of the late-setting and early rising midnight sun, it's way too light during the summer to see the northern lights in the destinations mentioned, but solar activity does take place year-round.

If you have a goal of seeing the aurora borealis in any of the destinations discussed here, you're best off booking as far into the fall as you can find a cruise. Norway is the only prime northern lights destination with winter cruises.

The lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. — in Alaska. An advantage in Norway is that it's dark enough to see them for a longer period during fall and winter.

Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?

Cruisetours in Alaska can improve your odds of seeing the aurora because they get you to Fairbanks and other inland destinations in Alaska that tend to have more cloud-free skies than in the Inside Passage, where cruise ships sail.

While you might see the lights from Denali National Park and Preserve during the viewing season, venturing to Fairbanks and points farther north will increase your odds.

Fairbanks tourism folks like to brag that if you visit for at least three nights between Aug. 21 and April 21, your chances of seeing the aurora borealis are more than 90%. (That assumes you are out actively looking during the late evening hours.)

Since your cruisetour might not visit for three nights, consider booking extra hotel nights before or after your cruise. Other things to do in this laid-back city (human population: about 100,000; moose population: 16,000) include riverboat tours, gold panning and yoga with reindeer.

You can also see the lights in Canada's Yukon Territory, including in the gold rush town of Dawson City, which is visited on some Holland America cruisetours.

Related: What's the best way to view the northern lights? We tried to see them by air, land and sea

Should I go on a cruise just to see the northern lights?

Yes, but remember that the phenomenon is dependent on the weather (clear skies required) and hard to predict, despite scientists' best efforts.

Viking has wintertime cruises to Norway from London specifically designed to track the lights in the Norwegian Sea during the peak viewing season — throughout the cruise but especially above the Arctic Circle in Tromso and Alta (where the sailings stop overnight). It's dark in these locales in winter, increasing your chances.

Hurtigruten is so invested in its northern lights experiences that it has hired famed northern lights astronomer Tom Kerss as its "chief aurora chaser." He will serve as an onboard expert, offering talks and workshops for passengers.

The line is so sure you will see the lights on the October-through-March sailings of its year-round 11- and 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express itineraries that the company has a guarantee called the Northern Lights Promise. If the deck's officers don't announce to all on board that the northern lights are happening, you can get a six- or seven-day Norwegian Coastal cruise for free.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

The Red Square and beyond: a guide to Moscow’s neighbourhoods

Apr 23, 2019 • 6 min read

The Red Square, Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow at night © Mordolff / Getty Images

One of the world’s largest cities, Moscow is a true metropolis whose ancient neighbourhoods are interspersed with newly built high-rises, inhabited by people from all over the former Soviet Union.

It’s also the city of rings: the innermost is the Kremlin itself; further away are the former defensive rings, Boulevard Ring and Garden Ring; still further are the Third Ring Road and the MKAD, which delineates the city’s borders. There’s an ongoing joke that Moscow Mayor is the Lord of the Rings. Most sights are contained within the Garden Ring, although for some more authentic neighbourhoods one has to venture further out. To help you explore Moscow’s diversity, we picked our favourite ’hoods – but this list is by no means exhaustive.

The Red Square and around

It can be argued that Moscow, or even the whole of Russia, starts at the  Red Square  – it’s an absolute must-see for any visitor. After standing in line to check out Lenin’s granite  mausoleum , go to GUM , Moscow's oldest department store. Full of luxury shops, it’s famous for the glass roof designed by one of Russia’s most celebrated architects, Vladimir Shukhov. Apart from architectural wonders, GUM has several places to eat including the Soviet-style cafeteria Stolovaya No 57 where you can sample mysterious-sounding delicacies such as the ‘herring in a fur coat’.

On the opposite side of GUM, Kremlin ’s walls and towers rise above the Red Square. Walk through the Alexander Garden  and past the grotto to the Kremlin’s entrance. It’s a treasure trove for any art and history lover: ancient gold-domed churches, icons galore and the resting place of Moscow tsars.

On the other side of the Red Square is Moscow's symbol,  St Basil's Cathedral with its multi-colored domes. Right behind it is the newly built Zaryadye Park , which showcases flora from all over Russia; another attraction is the floating bridge jutting out above the embankment and the Moscow river. A glass pavilion nearby hosts Voskhod , a space-themed restaurant with dishes from all 15 former Soviet Union republics. It’s a perfect spot for a classy evening meal and there’s often live music.

Patriarch’s Ponds

The Patriarch’s Ponds (aka Patriki) is a historical neighbourhood, celebrated in Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita . Located right off Tverskaya street, Moscow’s main thoroughfare, Patriki recently became the city’s most happening quarter. It has some of the most elegant architecture, including several buildings by art-nouveau genius Fyodor Shekhtel. Narrow streets here have a cozy feel, with recently widened sidewalks and bike lanes. In the summer it becomes party central.

Start by checking out free exhibitions or one of the cutting-edge performances at the experimental theatre Praktika . But make no mistake, the neighbourhood’s main attraction are its bars and restaurants. Patriki’s residents are well-off Russians and expats, so it’s no wonder that  Moscow’s recent culinary revolution started here. Uilliam’s , one of the pioneers of this foodie movement, still rules over the scene with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Also try AQ Chicken  for everything chicken-related, Patara  for a taste of Georgian cuisine, and Cutfish for some great sushi. Finish your gastronomic tour with original cocktails at Pinch or the Moscow outpost of NYC restaurant Saxon+Parole .

Around Kursky train station

For a long time, Kursky train station was surrounded by semi-abandoned factories and the area was best avoided. It all changed in the late 2000s, when a dilapidated wine factory was turned into Winzavod , a mecca for fans of contemporary art. Today these red-brick buildings are occupied by some of Moscow’s leading galleries. After taking in all the art, pop in the small wine bar Barrell  for a glass from burgeoning wineries of Russia’s south or grab a bite at Khitrye Lyudi  cafe.

Right next to Winzavod is Artplay , another refurbished factory full of design and furniture shops and large exhibition spaces.  It’s also home to  Pluton , one of the latest additions to Moscow’s dance scene. Other Pluton residents are the multimedia art gallery Proun  and another lunch option,  Shanhaika , with authentic Chinese cuisine.

A short walk away is Arma, where a cluster of circular gas holders has been turned into offices, restaurants and clubs including Gazgolder  (it belongs to one of Russia’s most famous rappers, Basta). Apart from hip-hop concerts, Gazgolder organises regular techno parties that sometimes go non-stop from Friday to Monday.

If you’re interested in religious architecture, Taganka is the place to go. First of all, see the old Moscow at Krutitskoye Podvorye – one of those places where nothing seems to have changed in centuries. The monastery was founded in the 13th century, but in the 16th century it became the home of Moscow metropolitans and most of the surviving buildings are from that epoch. Take a tour of the grounds, and don’t miss the interior and icons of the Assumption Cathedral.

Your next stop is the Rogozhskoe settlement of ‘old believers’, a branch that split from Russian Orthodoxy in the 17th century. The settlement is dominated by an 80m-tall bell tower. The yellow-coloured Intercession Church, built in neoclassical style with baroque elements, has an important collection of icons. Next to the church grounds is the popular Trapeznaya cafeteria, with Russian food cooked using traditional recipes – a perfect spot for lunch.

A short ride away is Andronikov Monastery, which today houses the Rublyov Museum  in the old monks’ quarters. There’s a great collection of ancient Orthodox icons although none by Andrei Rublyov, who was a monk here in the 15th century. The main attraction at the monastery is the small Saviour’s Cathedral, considered the oldest surviving church in Moscow.

Finish the day at the craft-beer cluster around Taganskaya metro station. Varka offers both Russian and imported labels, with the Burger Heroes stand serving arguably the best burgers in town. Craft & Draft looks more like a respectable old-fashioned pub, with decent food, 20 beers on tap and a hundred types of bottled brews.

Khamovniki is Moscow’s ancient textile district, named after the word kham  (a type of cloth). Two main thoroughfares, Ostozhenka and Prechistenka, cut through the neighbourhood parallel to each other. The former turned into the so-called ‘Golden Mile’ of Moscow in the 1990s, with the highest real-estate prices and some of the best examples of new Russian architecture, while the latter is still mostly lined up with impressive 19th-century mansions.

Khamovniki is somewhat of a literary quarter, as several museums devoted to Russia’s best-known writers – among them  Leo Tolstoy , Alexander Pushkin  and Ivan Turgenev – popped up here during the last century. There’s also plenty to see for an art lover. The  Multimedia Art Museum regularly hosts exhibitions by some of the best photographers from all over the world, as well as contemporary art. Several galleries, including RuArts  and Kournikova Gallery , have also found home in Khamovniki.

When you’ve had your fill of literature and art, stop by Gorod Sad on Ostozhenka, an outpost of a local health-food chain, and order dishes such as pumpkin soup or grilled vegetables salads. Afterwards, head to Dom 12 , which is located just off Ostozhenka street. This restaurant and wine bar is frequented by the city’s intellectuals and its schedule includes lectures, book presentations and film screenings, while in the summer guests migrate to a lovely courtyard.

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