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fresh + local Moscow, ID

Find the farm stand at the very end of Henley Street in Moscow, ID

2023 Update : Farm Stand will be open for the season by March 18th, updates to follow! We will open for a few weekend before that so keep an eye out on Instagram and Facebook for those dates. You can visit our Moscow farm stand 7 days a week at 225 E Henley St . Open 9am-dusk each of those days. Fresh from the farm veggies, Brush Creek Creamery cheese, Love’s Kombucha in a can, and free-range chicken eegs. The farm stand is self-serve and payment is on the honor system. Venmo (@DeepRootsFarm make certain it’s paid to Greg Freistadt), cash and check are accepted. We are very excited to offer this to our community, please help us by not touching what you don’t need and paying for items you take. Thanks!

You might also find us at the Moscow Farmers Market in May and early June for plant starts and veggies. After plant start season you will find all of your fresh, locally grown and Certified Naturally Grown vegetables at our farm stand.

Deep Roots Farm in Moscow, ID grows vegetables and small fruits using techniques that promote biodiversity on their farm. We practice an intensive planting rotation to create diversity for plant health while increasing production on a small land base. We provide open and untouched space for beneficial insects and wild animals. We grow a wide variety of crops that are well suited to the climate utilizing locally grown and saved seeds when possible. Deep Roots Farm sells directly to their loyal customers at local farmers markets , and at their farmstand. We also love working with local chefs. You can find Deep Roots Farm produce at Maialina , FoodOlogy and Nectar for much of the year. We use only natural methods and do not use any synthetic chemicals for raising healthy food in small spaces all in Moscow city limits. As perennial students of nature and design combined with knowledge and experience of others, we continue to change and adapt the farm and its systems for environmental, human and economic sustainability.

LEARN how to farm on a small scale while making a profit by bringing one of the farmers to speak to your group. Find more information here .

Greg Freistadt

Growing up in Montana Greg always had an appreciation for the natural world. Although focused on outdoor recreation, he developed a green thumb by helping his parents garden and landscape. Greg's love for travel has taken him around the world where in Southeast Asia he gained an appreciation for fresh, local foods and small farming. While pursuing a BS in natural resources from the University of Idaho ('10), he developed a passion for sustainable agriculture. As an intern at the WSU Organic Farm and working at a few other local farms he gained the knowledge to start his own farm and consulting business.

Please understand that during our busy season we may not respond to your emails or phone calls right away.

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Now and then: What Moscow looked like when it was rural (PHOTOS)

Moscow was not built at once - the ancient city is still expanding, annexing new villages and towns. In total, over 220 rural settlements became Moscow districts, but the exact number of them is hard to estimate. Active development of the outskirts started in 1960, when it became necessary to solve housing (many people lived in communal apartments) and traffic (with the construction of the Moscow Ring Road) problems. Then, Moscow, with its six million inhabitants, increased almost twice in size and its new districts filled up with panel houses , which defined the appearance of ANY residential area in Russia until recently. By the 1980s, when the number of official residents exceeded eight million, Moscow went beyond the Moscow Ring Road, joining the districts of Butovo, Zhulebino and others. And, in 2012, the 12 million-people strong Moscow increased by almost 2.5 times again, annexing several towns up to the border with Kaluga Region, thereby becoming Europe’s largest city. Today’s residential areas include lots of high-rises, shopping malls, parks and public sites. We’ve chosen seven villages to compare how they look - then and now.

Left: A cow in the Belyayevo-Bogorodskoye village, 1968; Right: A 30-meters-graffiti devoted to the FIFA 2018 championship at the Profsoyuznaya street.

Between 1960-1986, several neighboring villages became the new Konkovo district in the south-west of Moscow (where you will find subway stations Kaluzhskaya, Belyaevo and Konkovo) with its main highway, Profsoyuznaya Street. This is a very beautiful area, where you won’t find industrial territories; instead, there are lots of parks, hills and old churches. It’s a pleasure to walk around Konkovo! In old photos, you can see that while they were building panel houses, cows were still grazing around them. 

2. Kozhukhovo

Above: The village of Kozhukhovo in 1951. Below: Alexander Nevsky church in Kozhukhovo.

This is one of the oldest villages in Moscow, which has been known since the 15th century and, since 1923, was included in Moscow. Kozhukhovo in the south-east of the city had its own railway station even in tsarist times, but the log houses remained here until the 1970s, when the area was finally surrounded by concrete buildings. 

3. Troparyovo

Above: Wooden houses of the Troparevo village, 1978. Below: Troparevo metro station, 2019.

Troparyovo district in the southwest of the city was built on the site of the village, which became Moscow in 1960. The name came from its first ruler, boyar (a noble) Ivan Tropar (the word ‘tropar’ means a religious song in a church), who was buried here in 1393. During the Soviet years, there was a big kolkhoz (collective farm) with good transport connection, a school and a store. The last wooden houses were demolished in 1981. And, in 2014, a metro station was opened. 

4. Chertanovo

Above: Chertanovo airfield, mid-1960. Below: A park in Chertanovo, 2010.

The former village of Chertanovo in the south of Moscow became its part in 1960. Besides a kolkhoz and other agricultural areas, in the 1940s-1960s, there was an airfield where you could learn to fly a glider. Then the village began to be built up with panel houses and the northern part of Chertanovo was even designed as a model neighborhood and considered a “Soviet paradise”, which could be shown to guests of the 1980 Olympic Games. (Read more about that here ) 

5. Cherkizovo

Above: Old houses in Cherkizovo, 1964. Below: Bolshaya Cherkizovskaya street, 2009.

The old village of Cherkizovo-Podmoskovnye in the east of Moscow became part of the city in the early 20th century, but, until the 1970s, it still resembled a village with its wooden houses and gardens. Now, Cherkizovo is included in the Preobrazhenskoe District and the village’s name remains in the names of several streets and subway stations. You will also find the preserved Church of Elijah the Prophet, built in 1690. 

6. Cheryomushki

Above: The village of Cheryomushki, 1954. Below: A new house in Cheryomushki, built on the place of old panel houses, 2020.

In 1956-1959, the village of Cheryomushki in the south-west of Moscow was the area of the first housing development made up of ‘Khrushchyovkas’ buildings. It became a part of Moscow in 1958. The experimental site consisted of 13 four-storey and seven eight-storey buildings. The pilot apartments were tiny, but facades were decorated with brick, the courtyards had real fountains and pergolas for plants and the development had its own stores, canteens and even a cinema. (read more about it here ) 

Today many old ‘Khrushchyovkas’ in this district are replaced with new multi-storey buildings with big apartments and modern infrastructure. 

7. Kuryanovo

Left: Kuryanovo in 1967. Right: Kuryanovo railway station.

If you wondered where the time stopped in Moscow, it’s in the village of Kuryanovo (in the southeast) that has been part of the city since 1960. Kuryanovo is bordered from the city by the railways and going there is like taking a little trip to the Soviet past. In this area, most residential buildings are still two-storeyed with many gardens in the backyards. And here’s a big Lenin’s monument in the center of the district. Locals like their neighborhood for its authenticity.

Left: A postman talks with locals in the village of Vykhino, 1944. Right: A pond in the Vykhino-Zhulebino district.

In 1960, the village of Vykhino in southeastern Moscow joined the city. The old settlement, together with the Lenin collective farm, was demolished and residents were moved from their log huts to modern panel houses. Today, Vykhino is one of the largest districts of Moscow, where more than 220,000 people live. 

9. Kommunarka

Above: Dairy farm of the Kommunarka sovkhoz, 1968. Below: New residential area.

One of the main districts of so-called ‘New Moscow’ became the settelment  of Kommunarka in 2012. In Soviet times, there was a large sovkhoz, which fell into disrepair with the collapse of the USSR. Today, the main street of the area is named after the last sovkhoz head, Alexandra Monakhova. The district it is very actively built up - in a few years, here appeared about hundred new houses. A subway station opened there in 2019. 

10. Vatutinki

Left: A house with the stove heating in Vatutinki, 1965. Right: A sports park and the new houses, 2020.

Vatutinki is another ‘New Moscow’ settlement, which joined Moscow in 2012. It’s as much as 17 kilometers to the MKAD (Moscow Ring Road). Before 2012, Vatutinki was the home to about 10,000 people and today, there are about 35,000 inhabitants. The population is constantly growing, moving into new houses. 

A little blue house found itself on the grounds of a new housing development in the Moscow Region.

The owners of these old wooden houses refused to sell when real estate developers moved in. Take a look at the last villages surrounded by concrete giants. 

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• Can you believe less than 50 years ago Moscow looked like a village?
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9 Places Just Outside Moscow to Experience Rural Russia

Moscow is a buzzing metropolis, but only a short car ride away from Russia’s capital are some tranquil getaways. From a boho art park to a literary museum-reserve to a riverside paradise—here are the best places for a short escape from the city that never sleeps.

Nikola lenivets art park.

Although rural Russia is not the first place you’ll go looking for contemporary art, Nikola Lenivets proves that otherworldly wooden installations scattered on a 650-hectare field can turn an abandoned village into a tourist mecca. Located only 220 kilometers (137 miles) from Moscow , this place is amazing in any season; however, in summer, visitors can test their gardening skills and create art objects.

Nikola Lenivets Art Park, Kaluga Region, Russia , +7 499 504-43-33

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Abramtsevo Museum-Reserve

In the Abramtsevo Museum-Reserve , you’ll get a chance to see what life in a Russian 19th-century estate was like. The Abramtsevo estate, set against a backdrop of unspoiled nature, rose to prominence in the middle of the 19th century. The place used to have some celebrated owners and equally famous visitors: writer Sergey Aksakov bought the estate in the 1840s, and after his death, entrepreneur Savva Mamontov purchased it, turning it into an artist community. At different times, writers Nikolai Gogol and Ivan Turgenev , as well as artists Ilya Repin , Valentin Serov , and Mikhail Vrubel, among others, frequented Abramtsevo.

Abramtsevo Museum, Reserve, 1 Muzeynaya Street, Abramtsevo Colony, Moscow Region, Russia , +7 496 543-24-70

Sukhanovo Estate

Ever wondered what the estate of the Bolkonsky family from Tolstoy’s War and Peace looks like in real life? Located near the city of Vidnoe in the Moscow region, this land was the property of the famous Volkonsky family. The magnificent manor used to host dazzling balls; the mausoleum houses the bodies of Prince and Princess Volkonsky, and the overgrown garden is home to an elegant pavilion. Sadly, most structures have deteriorated, but it’s still a great place to explore on a sunny day.

Sukhanovo Estate, Vidnoe, Moscow Region, Russia , +7 968 529-60-60

Bykovo Estate

If you take a 40-minute bus ride southeast of Moscow, you’ll find yourself in the blemished but still beautiful Bykovo Estate. Designed by celebrated Russian architect Vasily Bazhenov, the place is known for its spectacular Gothic-style church . Stroll through the forested park, past the charming pondside rotunda and admire the neo-Renaissance Bykovo manor.

Bykovo Estate, Kolkhoznaya street, Bykovo, Moscow Region, Russia , +7 496 462-41-26

Gzhel Porcelain Factory in Turygino village

In Turygino village, you can explore the outdoors, go gift shopping, and learn about Gzhel porcelain—one of the most popular gifts people bring home from Russia. At the local Gzhel Porcelain Factory , you can buy original pieces with a signature stamp on them, admire the largest collection of Gzhel porcelain in Moscow and see the production of these legendary items.

JSC ‘Union Gzhel’, Turygino village, Ramensky district, Moscow Region, Russia , +7 906 055-23-57

Ugresha Monastery

This 16th-century monastery is worth a visit if only to see the tallest bell tower in the Orthodox world. A living representation of Russia’s history, legend has it that Russian saint Dmitry Donskoy founded it. Ugresha Monastery has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, and today, you can feast your eyes on the well-preserved buildings.

Ugresha Monastery, 1 Svyatitelya Nikolaya Square, Dzerzhinskiy, Moscow Region, Russia , +7 495 551-26-43

Istra River

Lush green forests and breathtaking river views are a two-hour car ride away from Moscow. With plenty of hotels dotting its banks, Istra River is a perfect place for a short retreat, complete with swimming, fishing, and Russian banya.

Istrinskoe Vodokhranilische, Moscow Region, Russia

Tchaikovsky House Museum in Klin

The nondescript city of Klin would have never become a tourist draw if it hadn’t been for the house museum of Tchaikovsky . Russia’s most famous composer spent his last years in this house, which became a museum right after his death. Surrounded by a lovely garden, the museum houses original interiors and personal belongings of the great composer, including a mechanical rooster and a cast of Anton Rubinstein’s hand.

Tchaikovsky House Museum, 48 Tchaikovskogo street, Klin, Moscow Region, Russia , +7 496 245-81-96

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

How to Save Money While Traveling in Europe

The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

• Destinations

Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

20 Things to Do in Moscow, Russia (On Any Budget!)

There are so many things to do in Moscow, Russia that I decided to start and end my Trans-Siberian Railway journey in the Russian capital.  In total, I spent more than one week in Moscow, exploring the city and even some of the surrounding small towns.

At first, Moscow can feel overwhelming.  The city has a population of almost twelve million people, and an area of more than 2,000 square miles (almost 6,000 square kilometers for those of us on the metric system).  A lot of people don’t speak English, a lot of signage is only in Russian, and the city isn’t exactly known for its hospitality.  However, for travelers who are comfortable feeling uncomfortable, Moscow is an amazing destination full of things to do, things to see, and places to get totally, completely lost.

Below, I’ve listed twenty of the best things to do in Moscow.  Lots of them are free, and even the ones that cost money are affordable for most travelers.  I’ve also listed the nearest metro station, noted where there’s something cool nearby and provided a few insider travel tips that I learned during my week in Moscow (which was part of a longer seven-week trip across Russia as a solo female traveler).  Have a read, and let me know in the comments what you’d most like to see and do in Russia!

Things to Do in Moscow – Around the Red Square

Start your trip to Moscow at the Red Square, where you’ll be surrounded by Moscow’s most postcard-perfect buildings.

1. The Red Square

Quite possibly the prettiest plaza on the planet, Moscow’s Red Square is legendary.  In 1990, UNESCO designated the Red Square a World Heritage Site. It’s not the square itself that is so special though; it’s the beautiful buildings surrounding it.  There are at least seven important buildings adjacent to the Red Square, including the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the GUM department store, the State Historical Museum, the Kazan Cathedral and the Iberian Gate and Chapel.  If your camera has a panorama setting and you have a steady hand, it’s possible to capture most of these in a single photo.

Metro: Okhotny Ryad is the most beautiful entry point.

2. Lenin’s Mausoleum

Time your visit to Lenin’s Mausoleum carefully if you want to see the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin.  He has been on display for nearly 100 years now; in the 1950s he was briefly joined by Joseph Stalin but for the last sixty years he has been alone in the Red Square, attracting more than two million visitors every year.

Visitors are usually permitted to visit the mausoleum on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and only from 10:00 until 13:00.  Holidays, restoration work and construction occasionally reduce those hours with little notice.  If possible, arrive early and get in the queue at Nikolskaya Tower before 10:00 am .

Metro: Okhotny Ryad

3. The Kremlin

Coming from the West, you may only know the Kremlin in metonymic terms, as “The Kremlin” is so often used to refer to the Russian government. When you come to Russia you’ll quickly learn that the word “kremlin” refers to a fortified complex, of which there are many in Russia. You’ll find kremlins in many cities, some intact and some now in ruins.  Moscow’s kremlin is “the” Kremlin; it includes five palaces (including one that serves as the official residence of the Russian president; shown above) and four cathedrals surrounded by fortified walls and towers.

Tourists can visit the Kremlin, but it’s a complicated process that actually put me off visiting.  The most popular things to do at the Kremlin are visiting the Kremlin Grounds and Cathedral Square, or touring the Armoury Chamber.  Tickets for the two are sold separately and are best purchased online, through the official site, fourteen days before your planned visit.  Trust me, I saw the queues to buy day-of tickets and you don’t want to wait in those queues.

Metro: Biblioteka imeni Lenina is closest to the entry points for both the grounds and the armoury.

4. GUM Department Store

Much like many cities have kremlins, many cities in the former USSR also have a GUM department store.  GUM is the translated abbreviation of “Main Universal Store”, a slight change from its previous title of “State Department Store” during the Soviet era.  Old photos of people lined up around the Red Square to shop at the GUM are etched into many people’s memories, and those who remember those images are often surprised to see how Moscow’s GUM has now been transformed into a luxury shopping center with brands like Bulgari, Chanel and Gucci.

You don’t have to be wealthy to take advantage of all the shops and services though: the historical toilets in the basement cost a mere 200 rubles ($3 USD) and feature red carpets and gold finishings, while Stolovaya #57 is a busy, cafeteria-style restaurant on the mall’s top floor (read more about stolovayas below).

Metro: Ploschad Revolyutsii

5. Saint Basil’s Cathedral

When you think of Moscow, do you immediately envision Saint Basil’s Cathedral?  Before my first visit to Moscow it was definitely the first thing I thought of when I imagined the city!  This cathedral is about 450 years old.  UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site back in 1990, along with the entire Red Square area.

The cathedral is open to visitors most days (on the first Wednesday of each month it’s closed for cleaning, and there are other occasional closures for restoration work or services).  A ticket is 700 rubles, or 1200 with the audioguide, and can be purchased at the entrance to the cathedral.  Saint Basil’s is one of the least-strict Orthodox churches when it comes to dress code.  Women are unlikely to be asked to cover their head or shoulders here, while it is to be expected at most other churches in Russia.

Metro: Kitay-Gorod

Things to Do in Moscow – Luxury Travel

The average monthly income in Russia is about $650 USD.  However, Moscow is home to many of the country’s wealthiest residents.  You too can experience a few moments of their luxurious lifestyle during your visit to Moscow.

6. Sanduny Baths

Opened in 1808, the Sanduny baths are Moscow’s oldest and most famous banya (bathhouse or sauna).  Although they have an opulent main entrance for men, as a woman I was relegated to a little side door that was probably originally intended for staff.  Again, the men’s side is famously elegant and extravagant, but the women’s side appears to be a bit of an afterthought.  Like all saunas, you start with a shower, then a hot sweat session, then a cool-off via plunge pool or bucket of ice water.  For the full “Russian” experience make sure to purchase a beating with birch branches (it’s said to increase circulation and relieve muscle pain). All of this takes place while you’re fully nude, and in plain view of the other guests.  Can you even say you went to Russia if you didn’t get a birch-bark beating in a banya?  I think not.

Metro: Trubnaya

Moscow Tip: Don’t even think about visiting Moscow without getting the Yandex.Metro app ( Apple / Google ).  This amazing app will tell you exactly how to get from one place to another using Moscow’s metro system, including exactly which station entrance or exit you need, and which wagon is closest to your exit or transfer point.  Oh, and it’s free!

7. Bolshoi Theater

Moscow’s famous Bolshoi Theatre was opened in 1825 and meticulously restored in 2009.  To see it for yourself, you can choose between purchasing a ticket to one of the Russian ballet or opera performances, or signing up for one of the building tours that take place thrice weekly.  If you’d like to see a show, the best way to get tickets is online through the theater’s official site; they generally go on sale two months before the performance (and cheap tickets sell out first!)  The Bolshoi Theater still has age limits, dress codes and photography restrictions, so familiarize yourself with their rules (explained clearly in English on the website) before purchasing your ticket.

Metro: Teatralnaya

8. Kuznetsky Most

If you’ve ever seen suspiciously-thin Russian girls on Instagram, posting with suspiciously-uneaten plates of food and suspiciously-expensive shopping bags, chances are good that photo was taken somewhere along Kuznetsky Most.  Packed with luxury boutiques, upscale cafes and famous historical buildings, this pretty pedestrian street is a must-stroll, even if you afford to take out your wallet.

Metro: Kuznetsky Most

Moscow Secret: One of the city’s best vegetarian restaurants, Jagannath , is based on Kuznetsky Most. They do a set-price lunch with five items (expect soups, salads and curries to make an appearance) and the attached shop sells a well-curated selection of health foods.

Things to Do in Moscow – Moving Around

Simply getting from one place to another can be one of the most interesting, and most beautiful, things to do in Moscow.

9. Ride the Moscow Metro

Moscow is famous for its beautiful underground metro stations.  In fact, many tour companies offer metro tours, where they guide you between the city’s most beautiful metro stations and explain the history and unique design behind each one.  While everyone has different taste, some of the stations that are consistently rated as being among the most beautiful metro stations in Moscow include Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kiyevskaya and Arbatskaya.  With the city’s official Troika card, a single trip on the metro is only 40 rubles, and you can get on and off the train as many times as you want (just don’t leave the station!).

Metro: All of them. 😉

10. River Cruise

One of my favorite things to do in Moscow is take a river cruise along the beautiful Moskva River, admiring the city’s amazing architecture along the way. 

There are lots of ways to get yourself on board one of the boats, but if you’re like me and prefer an up-front, hassle-free experience, just reserve a spot on board one of the Flotilla Radisson Royal boats that depart multiple times a day from the Hotel Ukraina docks.  You can easily buy tickets online through their official site .  The Radisson boats are more luxurious than the one shown above, despite their ticket price of less than 1000 rubles (about $12 USD), and they are equipped with ice-breakers that allow them to sail even on the coldest winter days.

Metro: Kievskaya (it’s a fifteen-minute walk away, so give yourself ample time!)

Moscow Secret:  Don’t pay for the expensive food on board the boats (though, you can order a cocktail and get preferential seating in the bar area… which I highly recommend!). As you’re walking from the Kievskaya metro station to the Hotel Ukraina pier, you’ll pass through a beautiful park. On the north side of the park, about halfway through, there is a branch of Khachapuri restaurant.  This local chain serves amazing Georgian food (including meat and vegetarian options) at reasonable prices, and English menus are often available.

Things to Do in Moscow – Food & Drink

Moscow is home to more than 10,000 restaurants, few of which I found exciting enough to recommend.  Instead, I want to highlight one of my favorite styles of Russian dining: the traditional stolovaya.

11. Stolovaya

You can be in some of the smallest, most remote towns in the far east of Siberia and you’ll probably still be able to find a stolovaya , or cafeteria-style restaurant. Some are full-service (a scowling Russian babushka will slop food onto your plate on your behalf) while others are self-service (and you’ll probably be charged by weight).

In Moscow, my favorite stolovaya was not the famous Stolovaya #57 in the GUM shopping center.  No, it was Grabli, a local chain with a few restaurants dotted around town (including one near the Pushkinskaya metro station that was walking distance from my first Moscow hotel).  Here, I would load up my plate with buckwheat, grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes, grab a bottle of kvass (soda made from rye bread) and enjoy a hearty, healthy(ish) meal.

Metro: Pushkinskaya, Kievskaya, Arbatskaya, etc… all have Grabli locations near the station.

Things to Do in Moscow – Art & Architecture

The architecture in Moscow awed me.  Somehow, it seemed like every corner I turned, every escalator I used to ascend from a metro station, and even every turn of my head revealed yet another spectacular building.

12. Russia Academy of Sciences Building

My favorite building in Moscow is the Russian Academy of Sciences building.  It was built in the 1980s according to a design inspired by science and technology, and the gold boxes on top of the two towers have given it the local nickname “Golden Brains”. One of the most surprising moments on my trip to Moscow was when I realized I could walk right into the courtyard of the complex and take photos of the amazing design, without being bothered by the (many!) security guards.  Unfortunately I arrived quite early in the morning, as if I’d come closer to lunch I could have ascended to the Sky Lounge, a posh restaurant and nightclub on the 22nd floor of one of the towers.

Metro: Leninskiy Prospect

Moscow Secret: The building is just a block away from the Monument to Yuri Gagarin, a 42-meter tower that was inspired by rocket exhaust and made from titanium (like a real rocket!).

13. State Tretyakov Gallery

Moscow’s museums may not quite compare to The Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, but the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow is still a world-class art collection housed in a building designed to recreate the mood of classic Russian fairy tales. The collection is focused around Russia art and includes The Apotheosis of War by Vasily Vereshchagin, Black Square by Kazimir Malevich and The Swan Princess by Mikhail Vrubel .

Unfortunately their English website is down today and my Russian isn’t good enough to navigate their e-ticket site, but I believe a ticket for foreign visitors is about $15 USD, and the gallery is typically open Tuesday to Sunday.

Metro: Tretyakovskaya

14. The Seven Sisters

Following World War 2, Joseph Stalin embarked on a mission to make Moscow look like a cosmopolitan international capital.  The heart of his plan was the Seven Sisters, a group of skyscrapers built between 1947 and 1957.  They include Hotel Ukraina (shown above, now a Radisson hotel, and the departure point for my recommended Moscow river cruise), the main building of the Moscow State University, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.  They were the tallest buildings in Europe at the time, and they inspired similar Stalinist constructions in other European cities (like the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw).

Most the buildings are now closed to the public, but guests of the Radission Royal Hotel Moscow and the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya can stay inside the two that continue to operate as hotels.

Things to Do in Moscow – Parks, Etc.

Moscow can feel like an urban jungle, but the city did manage to preserve some green spaces within its inner rings.  Here are two Moscow parks (plus one island!) worth checking out.

15. Patriarch Ponds

Several ponds are now one pond, here in the heart of Moscow.  Surrounded by luxury apartment buildings, this tree-lined pond is a charming place to sit with a cup of tea or some seeds to feed the swans in the summer.  If you’re visiting in winter, the ponds turn into one of Europe’s prettiest outdoor skating rinks.

Patriarch Ponds were made famous in The Master and Margarita .  Bring a copy on your Russian adventure or watch one of the film adaptations before your trip.

Metro: Tverskaya

16. Gorky Park

Gorky Park is another Moscow park immortalized in contemporary media (the novel Gorky Park , by Martin Cruz Smith, was adapted into a film in 1983, and launched a series of mystery novels featuring Detective Arkady Renko).  Today, this 300-acre park is one of the recreational hearts of Moscow; a popular place for families to gather when the weather is nice.  Inside the park you’ll find ponds, fountains, bridges, a skating rink, cafes and even a carousel.  Don’t miss the sculpture park on the northeast side of the park; there are more than 1,000 pieces here for visitors to wander through freely.  Radisson river cruises also sporadically depart from the dock in Gorky Park.

Metro: Oktyabrskaya (check out the giant Lenin statue across the street!)

17. Red October Complex

Near the northeast end of Gorky Park, a pedestrian bridge crosses the Moskva Rier to Bolotny Island.  This is Moscow’s “hipster” district, and the cool factor emanates from Red October, a former chocolate factory that has been converted into an arts and culture space.  There’s still a chocolate shop on site, but most people now come to drink cocktails at trendy bars, shop for clothing, accessories and art at independent boutiques, and party until the late night at some of the city’s most exclusive nightclubs.  There is a small park on the island (with the bizarrely-named monument “Children Are the Victims of Adult Vices”) and it faces the stunning, golden-domed Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

Metro: Kropotkinskaya

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Things to Do in Moscow – Outside the City Center

These activities are a little bit further afield (okay, or a lot further afield in the case of the last one!) but they’re all worth your time when you visit Moscow.  In retrospect, I think my trip to Russia would have been incomplete without all three.

18. Izmailovsky Market

Combine Disneyland, Russia, a medieval village and a flea market and you’ve got something like Izmailovksy Market, one of the city’s weirdest, yet most satisfying, tourist attractions.  This is where I bought gifts for my family: a vintage watch featuring a Soviet spacecraft for my brother, a traditional Russian scarf for my mom, and a set of four coffee mugs featuring a shirtless Vladmir Putin for me (okay, I got my dad one too… but I kept four!).

The market area consists of the “Izmaylovo Kremlin”, a reproduction of a traditional Russian town that is packed with market-style souvenir stalls and shops, the “Izmaylovo Market” itself, which is an antique fair and flea market that is best visited on the weekend, Izmaylovo Park, which I didn’t visit, and Izmaylovo Hotel, which used to be the world’s largest hotel (and still draws bus loads of domestic tourists who come to shop the market).  Give yourself three or four hours for browsing, shopping and lunch.

Metro: Partisanskaya is closest to the market.

19. Overnight Trip to Suzdal

Although it’s possible to visit Suzdal as a (long) day trip from Moscow, I think this charming Russian village deserves at least an overnight, if not two.  Despite being only three hours from Moscow, it feels about three hundred years away from the big city, with the historic area seemingly frozen in time.  Suzdal has one of the prettiest Kremlins you’ll ever see, with its Kremlin domes painted like the night sky.  It has churches, monasteries and cathedrals, and it has an ethnographic village featuring reconstructions of the traditional wooden buildings that used to be the region’s main architectural style.  The dining here leans farm-to-table, the drinks here lean strong and sweet, and the accommodation leans towards rustic guesthouses (check out Guesthouse Dacha Beliy Bereg ( White Beach Cottage Guesthouse ) and Na Kremlevskom Beregu ( O n the Kremlin Beach) for your overnight stay).

Metro: You’re going to need more than a metro to travel the 220 kilometers from Moscow to Suzdal.  Start by taking a train from Kurskaia station in Moscow to Vladimir (about two hours).  Get off the train in Vladimir and cross the street to the bus station.  From here, buses to Suzdal depart every half hour or so.  The bus journey takes about an hour.

20. Seven-Day Trip Across Russia (The Trans-Siberian Railway)

One of the most famous journeys in the world is the Trans-Siberian Railway, which spans 9,289 kilometers from Moscow to Vladivostok.  Moscow will obviously be either your starting or ending point (although some travelers continue on to Saint Petersburg, it’s not technically part of the official route).   For me, it was both, as I only had enough points to fly from my home in Canada to a European destination.  I flew into Moscow, spent a few days there getting over my jet lag and then hopped a cheap flight to Vladivostok to catch the train back.

Trans-Siberian Railway trains depart from, and arrive at, Moskva Yaroslavskaya station.  The metro station here is Komsomolskaya, with easy connections into the city center.

If you’re considering a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway, I have two posts that you should definitely read:

• Trans-Siberian Railway Trip Planning explains how I got a visa, how I purchased point-to-point tickets without using an agency and what life was like on board the train.
• Trans-Siberian Railway Stops focuses on my favorite cities along the route.  I don’t recommend making the non-stop seven-day trip across Russia in one go.  Instead, I suggest buying point-to-point tickets and getting off the train at as many of these Russian cities as possible.

Are you considering a trip to Russia? 

Let me know your thoughts on traveling to Russia in the comments!

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Small Towns in Russia: Our Journey to the Countryside

We live in moscow and are in love with travelling. should i say, that we have visited every interesting place in nearby 300 km from moscow, but, only few of them still live in our memory as the most attractive. and only few of them are so magnetic that make us return again and again. and only one is so perfect that we even chose it for own wedding party. it is a staritsa town, 700-years old small town in russia with its beautiful surroundings. it's the place where time stopped., staritsa location: the upper volga hills, tver region, 250 km north-west from moscow, about 1/3 of way to st. petersburg, car: soviet uaz van, 2010 year, the starting point: moscow city, tour duration: 2,5 days, how to travel only 200 km from moscow and find the real russia, we love staritsa town so much that we travel there several times every year. as usual, our may journey to staritsa began from packing our bags into crazybu (uaz-452 "bukhanka" or "loaf of bread" minivan). after only 4 hours of merry chatting inside the van with georgian wine and a fast highway and we are almost there.

There are some guesthouses and hotels in Staritsa, but we usually prefer camping on the high bank of the Volga River with amazing river view from the "windows" of our tents. The rays of the sun, chill wind from the river and intense smell of evergreen fill our morning.

This was the first time when we visited "Chukavino" eco-land, nice place especially for children and animal lovers! There were many types of horses as well as camel, reindeer and numerous ducks, chickens and turkeys. And surely, husky - VERY active and VERY sociable animals that lick us from head to toe! Should I say that everyone was thrilled?

The weather was quite cloudy – a standard situation for Russian spring. Our next stop was a nearby church and the old beautiful mansion. The story of this place is typical for Russian cultural objects: they were nationalized by USSR and transmitted to the local factory.

Then "perestroika" and chaos of 1990-s, attempt to restore the mansion, then strange complicated story resulted in many property disputes. now the area doesn't belong to anyone and remains in constant disrepair..

However, the place still looks impressive despite or even because of the creepy atmosphere. Just look at the photos - someone dries out old floorboard just in front of the gates of 17th century church. The latter is abandoned, too - wild flowers and young trees started to grow through ancient gravestones...

There were also a very old and branchy tree without leaves (the spring...) and there was a self-made bench with table beneath with a strange-looking old woman. further we found a very old car, several tumbledown buildings and... are you ready an ostrich farm ostrich shared the place with a flock of sheep standing knee-deep in the mud. from the dusty may sun her looming shadow grows... true detective (c) what a place.

Small towns of Russia has a very interesting feature... They could look nice and picturesque when it gets some sunshine or depressed and creepy when the weather is cloudy, especially in the rainy springs when everything is grey. This time the weather was cloudy so we enjoyed the atmosphere of desertion and nostalgia for the greatness of the past epochs.

Staritsa town was grey but impressive, too. All these beautiful churches of several hundred years old, ancient monastery, the high bank of Volga River, authentic 19th century manors and almost no tourists - that's why we like this small Russian town so much!

We also met a professional historian working as a guide (because he earns about 150 USD at the "main" job). He was slim, had bushy red hair and bright blue eyes. We thought that many years later he could be the Professor in the next "Back to the Future" movie!

Our next stop was Torzhok, another small town in Russia that is located 70 km from Staritsa by (typical for Russia) a very bad road full of potholes and ghost towns. But the weather was great! Just feel the difference! What a beauty!

Moreover, we were extremely lucky because it was the main day of a medieval festival! We saw a large tent city and a lot of re-constructors wearing beautiful medieval clothes. Then there was much sparring between warriors in armor of different types. And finally we enjoyed the battle between two armies of about 50 people each! It was really impressive...

Husky Farm Winter Tour

• Price: 85 €
• Duration: 4 hours

Travelling to the North of Russia to experience the beauty of the Russian Winter and different activities will give you incredible impressions and make your trip unforgettable.

We invite you to take apart in the exciting winter adventure in the Siberian Husky Farm “Ulybka Alyaski”, located in Murmansk, on Kola Peninsula, North of Russia.

During the tour you will learn more about Siberian Husky and have a unique chance to interplay with these charming and affectionate dogs. You will get acquainted with North nature and enjoy an exciting trip through the winter forest on a sled pulled by Husky dogs.

A dog sled is a traditional kind of transport of the northern people. Husky are very strong dogs, they can adjust to almost any type of weather conditions. They are very smart, clever and gentle.

After your exiting journey you will be treated with delicious Russian pies and a hot tea listening to stories about the polar nature and different traditions of Northern people.

Siberian Husky Dogs history is inseparably linked with long polar days, covering North with endless snow blanket and a strong friendship with a human.

Who else can understand you better and be your best helper in the North?! It is a pleasure to be loved by such friendly dogs.

Huskies are fond of sledge pulling. These dogs are not just doing a job but they enjoy this activity with you running over the snow bringing into your life this unforgettable experience.

You will see the place, where huskies live and have free time to play with dogs and take photos.

All Tours in Murmansk

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