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Santa Claus is Coming to Town with a Free Santa Hat Crochet Pattern

Published: Dec 6, 2021 · Modified: May 2, 2022 by Viana Boenzli · This post may contain affiliate links

It's Christmas time and you know what that means...Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

This free Santa hat crochet pattern is perfect for the holiday season. With this Santa hat, you'll look festive for all your Christmas events this year! Best of all, you can make one for everyone in your family...from babies all the way to adults.

🧶 Materials

📏 hat sizes, 🪝 crochet abbreviations for this pattern.

It's a simple pattern that can be made fast, in just one afternoon, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced. You can crochet this hat while you’re relaxing at home, watching tv, or just enjoying some quiet time for yourself in between all the holiday hustle and bustle.

The pattern uses the chain stitch, half-double crochet, and slip stitch...that's it! We'll work from the bottom of the hat to the top, finishing off with a fun pom-pom.

• 1 skein white #4/worsted weight yarn
• 1 skein red #4/worsted weight yarn
• I-9 / 5.5-mm hook
• Yarn needle

Follow the head circumference in the chart below for different sized hats. If you're making the hat for yourself or someone else in your home, I find it very useful to simply crochet the foundation row, then wrap it around your head to see how it fits.

• All instructions, abbreviations, and materials in this pattern are given in US terminology
• For a reminder of how to do the half-double crochet, watch the Lesson 2 video in my Learn to Crochet series.
• For a reminder of how to do a decrease (dec), watch my crochet pumpkin video , starting at 7:35, for instruction. Keep in mind, however, that the decrease instruction in that video is for single crochet. For a half-double crochet decrease (hdc2tog), yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull through a loop...yarn over again, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull through a loop...yarn over again, pull through all loops on hook.
• st – stitch
• sl st – slip stitch
• ch  – chain
• ch st – chain stitch
• hdc – half-double crochet
• hdc2tog (dec) – decrease two half-double crochet together

Foundation Row: For an adult-size hat, using white yarn, ch 70, then sl st into first chain. Be sure not to twist chain.

Row 1: Ch 2 (as first hdc), then hdc in each st around; sl st at end of row. Be sure not to twist foundation row chain (70).

Rows 2-8 :  Sl st into first ch, then hdc in each st around, sl st at end of each row (70). Repeat this for a total of 7 rows. Make sure to crochet into both front and back loops (as in image below), in order to avoid having a horizontal bar across your rows.

Switch color to red at sl st after row #8.

Rows 9-12 : Using red yarn, ch 2, then hdc in each st around, sl st at end of each row, x4 rows (70).

Row 13 : Ch 2, hdc in next 8 st, hdc2tog (dec), *hdc in next 9 st, hdc2tog (dec)*, continue from * to * all the way around, sl st at end (64).

Rows 14-15: Ch 2, hdc in each st around x 2 rows (64).

Rows 16-45: Continue this way through the next 30 rows - Ch 2, hdc in next 8 st, hdc2tog (dec), *hdc in next 9 st, hdc2tog (dec)*, continue from * to * all the way around, sl st at end, x 1 row; then ch 2, hdc in each st around x 2 rows - for the next 30 rows. Each 3 rows will decrease in total count, in this way: Rows 16-18 (59 st), rows 19-21 (54 st), rows 22-24 (50 st), rows 25-27 (46 st), rows 28-30 (42 st), rows 31-33 (39 st), rows 34-36 (36 st), rows 37-39 (33 st), rows 40-42 (30 st), rows 43-45 (27 st).

Row 46: Ch 2, hdc in next 6 st, hdc2tog (dec), *hdc in next 7 st, hdc2tog (dec)*, continue from * to * all the way around, sl st at end (24).

Row 47: Ch 2, hdc in each st all the way around, sl st at end (24).

Row 48: Ch 2, hdc in next 4 st, hdc2tog (dec), *hdc in next 5 st, hdc2tog (dec)*, continue from * to * all the way around, sl st at end (21).

Row 49: Ch 2, hdc in each st all the way around, sl st at end (21).

Row 50: Ch 2, hdc in next 2 st, hdc2tog (dec), *hdc in next 3 st, hdc2tog (dec)*, continue from * to * all the way around, sl st at end (17).

Row 51: Ch 2, hdc in next 1 st, hdc2tog (dec), *hdc in next 2 st, hdc2tog (dec)*, continue from * to * all the way around, sl st at end (13).

Row 52: Ch 2, hdc2tog (dec), *hdc in next 1 st, hdc2tog (dec)*, continue from * to * all the way around, sl st at end (9). Stitch top together.

Wrap white yarn around fingers a minimum of 120 times, as in image below, and cut end.

Carefully slide yarn off fingers. Using another piece of white yarn, about 1 ft long, wrap around the middle of the bunch of yarn and knot very tightly (see image below). Leave a long tail from this piece of yarn; this is what you'll use to attach it to the top of the hat.

Using scissors, cut the ends of the loops, as in image below, being careful not to cut the long tail to attach it to the hat.

Trim pom-pom into a uniform circle. Using the long tail of yarn, tightly stitch pom-pom to the top of the hat.

Now, wear that Santa Hat and show it off to all your friends, because Santa Claus is coming to town! 🎅🏻

Love crochet? Check out my other fun crochet projects:

• Learn to Crochet
• How to C2C Crochet
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
• Easy Infinity Scarf Crochet Pattern
• Easy 2-Hour Slouch Hat
• How To Crochet a Winter Hat
• Crochet Pocket Shawl
• Polar Bear Stuffed Animal
• Modern Crochet Pillow
• Waffle Stitch Blanket
• Easy Chunky Scarf
• Love You With All My Heart Blanket

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Did you make this Crochet Santa Hat? Let us know in the comments below!

Please be respectful and do not sell this pattern or finished product in any way, especially as your own. Instead, share the original article link or contact me for any commercial purposes (Contact Us found in the footer area of this page)!

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Reader Interactions

December 14, 2020 at 7:08 pm

maplewoodroad

December 15, 2020 at 9:26 am

Thanks! It really is a fun & relaxing hobby, and a great activity to do while watching tv. I love your audiobook idea! Hope you start crocheting again! 🙂

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Travel Town Museum

Travel Town Museum is a railroad museum located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. It was established in 1952 with the donation of SP 0-6-0 3025 as its first locomotive. It features a collection of historic steam locomotives, diesel locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars.

Visitors to Travel Town can explore the museum's collection of trains and related exhibits, take a ride on a miniature train that circles the museum grounds, and learn about the history of railroading in California and the United States. The museum also offers educational programs and special events throughout the year, such as guided tours, holiday train rides, and steam locomotive demonstrations.

Travel Town is open to the public free of charge, although donations are accepted to support the museum's ongoing preservation and educational efforts. The museum is a popular destination for families with young children, train enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the history of transportation in the United States.

For more information, please visit the official Travel Town Museum web site .

Steam Locomotives on Display

AT&SF 2-8-0 #664

AT&SF 2-8-0 #664 was a steam locomotive operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF) in the United States. Originally numbered 891, this was part of the 664 class of steam locomotives, which were built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the early 1898.

The 2-8-0 wheel arrangement, also known as a Consolidation type, was a common freight locomotive design in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The "2-8-0" designation refers to the arrangement of the locomotive's wheels, with two leading wheels, eight driving wheels, and no trailing wheels.

AT&SF 2-8-0 #664 served the AT&SF for over five decades on Santa Fe's Northern, Southern, Panhandle, Plains, and Gulf Divisions. The engine's appearance changed very little during its 55-year career, and the locomotive was in active service when the Santa Fe Railroad donated it to Travel Town.

Conrock 0-6-0ST #1

#1 was built in 1925 by Alco (Cooke Works) for Reliance Rock in Azusa, CA. Consolidated Rock Products (Conrock) acquired the locomotive in January, 1929. #1 was a tank-type locomotive and weighed 65 tons. Specifically, it was a saddle-tank locomotive where the water tank, in the shape of a saddle, was draped over the boiler of the locomotive. With fuel carried in a bunker behind the cab, there was no need for a tender, making this type of locomotive very suitable for yard switching duties.

Conrock #1 was donated to the museum in 1958 by Consolidated Rock Products.

Camino-Placerville & Lake Tahoe 3-Truck Shay #2

This 3-Truck Shay was built in 1922 by Lima Locomotive Works for the Little River Redwood Company in Crannell, CA as their #4. Little River Redwood merged into Hammond & Little River Redwood in 1931. In 1935 the engine was sold to the Camino, Placerville & Lake Tahoe as their #2. In 1936 it was sold to Michigan-California Lumber Company. It was donated to the museum in 1955 by Michigan-California.

Los Angeles Harbor Department 0-4-0ST #31

#31 was built in 1921 by the Davenport Locomotive Works. 31 was used to haul rock in the Catalina Island quarry. The rock was used in the construction of the Los Angeles Harbor and breakwater.

Destined to be scrapped, 31 was rescued from a scrapyard and donated to the museum in 1952 by the City of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Harbor Department 0-4-0ST #32

#32 was built in 1914 by Alco (Rogers Works). 32 was used to haul rock in the Catalina Island quarry. The rock was used in the construction of the Los Angeles Harbor and breakwater.

Destined to be scrapped, 32 was rescued from a scrapyard and donated to the museum in 1952 by the City of Los Angeles.

Pickering Lumber 3-Truck Heisler #2

#2 was built by Heisler in 1918 for the Hetch Hetchy Railroad. It was used during the construction of the O'Shaughnessy Dam which was to provide a water source for San Francisco and surrounding areas. After the completion of the dam, it was sold in 1923 to the Standard Lumber Company (Pickering Lumber). It was donated to the museum in 1957 by the Pickering Lumber Corporation.

Sharp & Fellows 2-6-2 #7

#7 was built as a 2-6-0 in 1902 by Alco (Dickson Works) for the Minnesota Land and Construction Company. It was sold to the Dulutn, Virginia & Rainy Lake Railway in 1903. In 1909 it was sold to C. H. Sharp Construction Company who added a two-wheel trailing truck. It was then used in the construction of the Santa Fe Railway system from Kansas to California. During WWI, #7 served at Camp Kearney, San Diego. It was donated to the museum in 1955 by the Sharp & Fellows Contracting Company.

Santa Maria Valley 2-8-2 #1000

This 2-8-2 was built in 1920 by Alco (Schenectady Works) for the Hetch Hetchy Railroad as their #4. It was used during the construction of the O'Shaughnessy Dam which was to provide a water source for San Francisco and surrounding areas. After the completion of the dam, it was sold to the Newaukum Valley Railroad in Washington and renumbered 1000. In 1944 it was sold to the Santa Maria Valley Railroad. It was donated to the museum in 1953 by the Santa Maria Valley Railroad.

Southern Pacific 0-6-0 #1273

SP 1273 was built in 1921 by the Southern Pacific (Sacramento Shops). It was donated to the museum in 1957 by the Southern Pacific.

Southern Pacific 0-4-0 #20

#20 was built as an 0-4-2T in 1880 by Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Market Street, Park & Cliff Railroad in San Francisco. Because it was used on a "Street Railroad", it was constructed with a wooden shell representing a street car. Supposedly, this was to prevent it from frightening horses. Locomotives like this were sometimes called "Steam Motors" or "Steam Dummies". This locomotive changed hands and was renumbered many times. In 1905 it was converted to an 0-4-0T before being used as a shop switcher by the Southern Pacific. It has been on permanent loan since 1954 by the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Southern California Chapter.

Southern Pacific 4-4-2 #3025

3025 was built in 1904 by Alco (Schenectady Works). It was built with very tall drivers (81 inches) for passenger service on the California coast and possibly used on the Daylight, Starlight, and Lark trains. It was donated to the museum in 1952 by the Southern Pacific.

Stockton Terminal & Eastern 4-4-0 #1

This 4-4-0 was built in 1864 by Norris-Lancaster. This was one of 10 locomotives used to construct a railroad line between Sacramento and San Jose. Those 10 locomotives were lettered "A" through "J". This locomotive was letter "G" and named "Mariposa". It was then acquired by the Central Pacific and became their second #31, replacing a previous #31 which has suffered an explosion. It was sold to the Stockton, Terminal and Eastern in 1914. It was donated to the museum in 1953 by the Stockton Terminal & Eastern Railroad.

Union Pacific 0-6-0 #4439

4439 was built by Baldwin in 1918 for the Union Pacific. 4439 was one of many 0-6-0s that worked in switching yards. 4439 worked for many years in Cheyenne, WY and then on the Loas Angeles Harbor Belt line. It was retired in 1957 due to an order by the Air Pollution Control Board. It was donated to the museum in 1957 by the Union Pacific.

Western Pacific 2-8-0 #26

26 was built in 1909 by Alco (Schenectady Words) for the Western Pacific. It spent time working in Utah and Nevada. It was donated to the museum in 1954 by the Western Pacific Railroad.

1st Generation Diesels

(and Electrics)

California Western RS-12 #56

56 was built in 1955 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works as the McCloud River 33. A total of 50 RS-12s were built by Baldwin. This model had 1200 hp with AAR a type B-B wheel arrangement. In 1969 it was sold to the Chrome Crankshaft Company and then in 1970 sold to the California Western Railroad in Fort Bragg. There is was renumbered as their 56.

56 came to Travel Town with the intention of operating on Travel Town's own proposed railroad through Griffith Park to the Los Angeles Zoo.

• Side view (2022 Wes Barris photo)

American Locomotive Crane #1887

This crane was built in 1943 by the American Hoist & Derrick Company. Its lifting capacity is 40 tons (50 tons with outriggers). It was donated to the museum in 1999 by the Boeing Corporation.

Pacific Electric #1544

1544 was built in 1902 by the North Shore Railroad. It is a one-of-a-kind electric locomotive constructed from two steam locomotive slope-back tenders. It reportedly drew such large amounts of current that other electric cars on the line would slow to a crawl, and therefore, was not considered a success. It was purchased in 1917 by Pacific Electric and used on various construction projects in Los Angeles until being retired in 1952. It was donated to the museum in 1953 by the Pacific Electric Company.

Travel Town #52

"Charley Atkins" was built in 1941 by EMD for the US Navy and served at the Torpedo Station on Goat Island, RI. It later served at the Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego. In 1962 it was transferred to the McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Torrance, CA. It was donated to the museum in 1988 by the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation and became the first display locomotive at the museum to move under its own power since 1961.

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Travel Town Sewing machine

Search results from other threads.

you need to build a sewing machine. They are made with the same parts that you got the sewing kits from (on your image, 5th column over, then 1 up - above the shrimp. Use that to make a sewing machine. Then you need to use the sewing kits (first column on left) to spit out thread and fabric (that is all it makes) - you need one fabric, one thread and then the machine will make something - towel is level 6 so it will take a while because after so many items made the sewing machine disappears and you need to re-make it.

Comment found on Travel Town: Can someone please tell me...

Blue bow tie: Upgrade sewing tools and kit to max level. Max level tool is a sewing machine. Click sewing kit to make cloth and thread, then click sewing machine to make clothing.

Comment found on Travel Town: Can someone help I can...

I kept trying to merge them but no luck..many random attempts finally figured out it was just a tap to the book lol. Same process a little later down the line with the sewing machine

Comment found on Travel Town: Pop up book

Button, zipper, thimble, safety pin, needle, pincushion, measuring tape, scissors, stitch ripper.....sewing machine. The use one spool of thread and one rolls of fabric with the sewing machine to make clothing ( bow tie, red bandana, belt, stitched sleeve...)

Comment found on Travel Town: I am at level 114...

From the sewing drawer you'll get the sewing kits. On e you get your sewing kit to the max level, it will then produce spools of thread and rolls of fabric. You'll need to merge one of each of these with the sewing machine to create garments such as a scarf, a bandana, a neck tie and the blue bow tie. Takes a bit to get there.

Comment found on Travel Town: How do I get &...

Merge the thread and the rolls of fabric with the sewing machine to create new items like the blue bow, red scarf, pieces of the dress, the belt, ect. You need both a spool of thread and a rolls of fabric, then tap on the sewing machine. To get the spool of thread or the rolls of fabric, you need to first merge the sewing kit to its' max level from the sewing supplies.

Comment found on Travel Town: Cloth thread

What do I do with the wasabi sauce that comes from merging items out of the shopping cart? I have three of them on my board. Are they like the threadxand fabric that you have to merge with the sewing machine?

Comment found on Travel Town: Wasabi sauce

Hi, sorry I’m not up to your level so I can’t help. But I’m hoping you can help me. Where did you get the sewing machine? I have the sewing kit but can’t make anything without the machine.

It is complicated. First you have to get a sewing machine and a sewing kit from a sewing studio, then a sewing kit will make cloth and thread, when you click on a sewing machine, it will exchange one piece of cloth and thread for a clothing item. The fifth one is a belt.

Comment found on Travel Town: How do I get a...

You need the sewing kit and the sewing machine to get the thread and fabric for a chance at getting pieces to merge into the red dress. Can't remember how / when you get the sewing stuff though

Comment found on Travel Town: How do you get the...

How to take screenshots

To take a screenshot with your Mac, Command + Shift + 3 and then release all keys to captuer the whole screen, or press Command + Shift + 4 and press down and drag the mouse over the area you'd like to capture.

iPhone/iPad

To take a screenshot with your iPhone or iPod Touch, press and hold the sleep/wake button and then click the Home button.

Take a Screenshot with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) just press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time.

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• Jul 30, 2018

How to Find the Perfect Travel Hat in Santa Fe

Cowboy. Fedora. Panama. Campaign. Baseball. Beret. Sun. Beanie.

No matter what kind of hat you're thinking of, odds are pretty high that I've worn something like it on a recent trip. But when I touched down in Santa Fe last weekend for a girlfriend getaway, I realized I'd forgotten my treasured travel accessory. But with this town's reputation for exuding Southwestern art, culture and style, I had a pretty good feeling that New Mexico was the place to find one.

Alex (right) selected beautiful Santa Fe for her 30th birthday celebration

The downtown Santa Fe Plaza was founded as a Spanish colony in the early 1600s and is now an enclave for Native American artisans and silversmiths, boutique clothiers, fine art galleries, Southwestern eateries and souvenir shops. There are a few millinery shops, but I didn't want to spend $250+ on this relatively last minute purchase. Someone in our group even saw a $10,000 custom creation in one of the millineries! When I'm traveling, I try (really, really hard) to avoid impulsive buys, because over the years I've brought souvenirs home that just aren't realistic for my actual day-to-day life.

Here's an example: I almost purchased a stunning, sky high pair of pumps at Diana in the Ginza neighborhood of Tokyo until I remembered the obvious. Yes, they're lovely little pieces of art but I don't actually wear 5 inch pumps around Santa Monica, even on the dressiest of occasions. Needless to say, those heels stayed in Japan. See what I mean?

Folk Artisans on Galisteo Street had my hat. Run by a woman named Mirtha Santos, her shop is packed from floor to ceiling with a colorful variety of Southwestern goods like clay pottery, embroidered dresses and Navajo style blankets. She also sold hats. Lots of hats.

I found something similar to what I was looking for at Folk Artisans for just $28. Sure, it wasn't a handcrafted bespoke piece, but it would keep the sun off my face for the weekend. The one thing I didn't love about it was the cheap, already fraying plastic hatband. By the end of the trip, I was determined to find a leather replacement.

That's how I met Bear.

Bear worked for two hours building me a custom leather hatband

Bear is a 78-year-old former Western stuntman who was hooked up to oxygen and asleep when I walked into his shop of 30 years, Guns for Hire Leatherworks. No one was around except for an obese pug, who I later learned is called Edward after an actor from Hollywood's Golden Age.

Bear's workshop bears a clear warning to "Please Keep Out"

Bear wasn't happy to be woken up, but begrudgingly said he would make a leather hatband for me. Alongside Bear, I picked out all of the materials, including a black calf leather strap and cord and eight antique, circulated Buffalo nickels (sometimes referred to as Indian Head nickels) from the 1930s. My grandmother introduced me to Southwestern style when I was a little girl after I asked about the metal kokopelli statue in her home office. Throughout my time with Bear, I kept thinking about how much she would just love this experience.

Bear added eight antique circulated Buffalo Nickels to my hatband

Bear was cranky. Bear was curt. Bear really just wanted to get back to his nap. You won't be surprised to learn that Bear has horrible Yelp reviews, b ut what he lacks in warm conversation, he makes up for in handiwork. A local woman came in for a necklace repair when I was waiting and we discovered she grew up just one mile from my boarding school in Maryland. She said this place mostly attracts locals and I can see why, given the looming "PLEASE KEEP OUT" sign in Bear's workshop that seems like a warning to plucky tourists like me.

But if you're an intrepid traveler, I recommend giving Guns for Hire a shot.

Bear confirms the hatband measurements before attaching the circulated Buffalo nickels.

Bear showed me an photo of himself from the 1970s and told me those were from "his train robbin' days." He and his wife and partner of 40 years, Jane used to choreograph railroad heists to the great delight and sometimes, fear of visiting tourists. I also learned that Bear is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was a POW during the Vietnam War.

Personally, I think this is all quite a story for just a $58 hat.

After two hours of careful work, Bear charged me a modest $30 in cash. I thanked him and headed over to the Santa Fe Regional Airport to board my flight back to Los Angeles. So, remember. If you find yourself in Santa Fe searching for the perfect hat, you have to go wake up the Bear. Not only will you have an awesome hat for future adventures, but you'll have one heck of a story to share.

Back in Santa Monica and making sure my new hat feels right at home.

Adventure Unabashedly Recommends

Santa Fe Plaza

63 Lincoln Avenue

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

Diana Shoes

6 Chome-9-6 Ginza, Chūō

Tokyo 104-0061

Folk Artisans

223 Galisteo Steet

Guns for Hire Leatherworks

227 Don Gaspar Avenue

Santa Fe, New Mexico 8750

#SantaFe #NewMexico

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Travel Town Museum Foundation

Hours and Maps

Travel Town Transportation Museum is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, Dept. of Recreation & Parks This website is provided by the Foundation for the convenience of visitors.  Information is subject to change.

Hours Monday thru Friday 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Weekends & Holidays 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Note: The last train ride of the day boards at 4:00PM and the Gift Shop closes at 4:45PM

Admission There is no admission fee to visit Travel Town!  The Museum is free every day to all of our visitors, but donations are cheerfully encouraged and gratefully accepted!

If you would like to schedule a group tour or field trip please visit here for more information.

Directions to the Museum Travel Town is located at 5200 Zoo Drive, , in Griffith Park – just 12 miles north of downtown Los Angeles We’re right next to the 134 Freeway at the Forest Lawn Drive exit.  Parking is always free!

Public Transportation BUS: the Metro Local Line 96 stops at the intersection of Zoo Drive and Riverside Drive, about a 1-mile walk from the Museum.

The City-operated Parkline Shuttle service through Griffith Park is currently suspended due to COVID restriction s.   For a map and more information visit the Los Angeles Rec and Parks website here.

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Moscow-City: 7 surprising facts about the Russian capital’s business center

1. Guinness World Record in highlining

The record was set in 2019 by a team of seven athletes from Russia, Germany, France and Canada. They did it on September 8, on which the ‘Moscow-City Day’ is celebrated. The cord was stretched at the height of 350 m between the ‘OKO’ (“Eye”) and ‘Neva Towers’ skyscrapers. The distance between them is 245 m. The first of the athletes to cross was Friede Kuhne from Germany. The athletes didn't just walk, but also performed some daredevil tricks. Their record is 103 meters higher than the previous one set in Mexico City in December 2016.

2. Domination of Europe's top-10 highest skyscrapers

7 out of 10 Europe’s highest skyscrapers are located in Moscow-City. Earlier, the  ‘Federation Tower’ complex’s ‘Vostok’ (“East”) skyscraper was the considered the tallest in Europe.

Left to right: the lower of the ‘Neva Towers’ (296 m), Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt (300 m), Gorod Stolits (“City of Capitals”) Moscow tower (302 m), Eurasia tower (309 m), The Shard’ skyscraper in London (310 m), Mercury City Tower (339 m), Neva Towers (345 m).

However, in 2018, the construction of the 462 meter tall ‘Lakhta Center’ in Saint-Petersburg was completed, pushing ‘Vostok’ (374 m) into 2nd place. The 3rd place is taken by OKO’s southern tower (354 m).

3. The unrealized ‘Rossiya’ tower

If all the building plans of Moscow-City were realized, the ‘Lakhta Center’ in St. Petersburg wouldn't have a chance to be Europe's highest skyscraper. Boris Tkhor, the architect who designed the concept of Moscow-City, had planned for the ‘Rossiya’ tower to be the tallest. In his project, it was a 600 meter tall golden cylindrical skyscraper ending with a spire that was inspired by traditional Russian bell towers. Then, the project was reinvented by famous British architect Sir Norman Foster. He had designed ‘Rossiya’ as a pyramid ending with a spire. The skyscraper itself would have been 612 meters tall, and the height including the spire would have reached 744,5 meters (for comparison, the ‘Burj Khalifa’ in Dubai, UAE, would have been just 83,5 meters taller). Unfortunately, the investors faced a lot of economic problems, due to the 2008 financial crisis, so the ‘Rossiya’ skyscraper was never built. A shopping mall and the ‘Neva Towers’ complex was constructed at its place in 2019.

4. Changed appearance of ‘Federation Tower’

In its first project, the ‘Federation Tower’ was designed to resemble a ship with a mast and two sails. The mast was to be represented by a tall glass spire with passages between the towers. It was planned to make a high-speed lift in it. The top of the spire was going to be turned into an observation deck. But the ship lost its mast in the middle of its construction. Experts at the Moscow-city Museum based in the ‘Imperia’ (“Empire”) tower say, that the construction of the spire was stopped, firstly, due to fire safety reasons and secondly, because it posed a threat to helicopter flights – the flickering glass of the spire could potentially blind the pilots. So, the half-built construction was disassembled. However, an observation deck was opened in the ‘Vostok’ tower.

5. Open windows of ‘Federation Tower’

We all know that the windows of the upper floors in different buildings don’t usually open. Experts say that it’s not actually for people’s safety. Falling from a big height is likely to be fatal in any building. The actual reason is the ventilation system. In a skyscraper, it’s managed with a mechanical system, and the building has its own climate. But in the ‘Zapad’ (“West”) tower of the ‘Federation Tower’ complex, the windows can open. The 62nd and last floor of the tower are taken up by a restaurant called ‘Sixty’. There, the windows are equipped with a special hydraulic system. They open for a short period of time accompanied by classical music, so the guests can take breathtaking photos of Moscow.

6. Broken glass units of ‘Federation Tower’

The guests of the ‘Sixty’ restaurant at the top of the ‘Zapad’ tower can be surprised to see cracked glass window panes. It is particularly strange, if we take into consideration the special type of this glass. It is extremely solid and can’t be broken once installed. For example, during experiments people threw all sorts of heavy items at the windows, but the glass wouldn’t break. The broken glass units of ‘Zapad’ were already damaged during shipment . As each of them is curved in its own way to make the tower’s curvature smooth, making a new set of window panes and bringing them to Russia was deemed too expensive . Moreover, the investors had financial problems (again, due to the 2008 financial crisis), so the ‘Vostok’ tower even stood unfinished for several years. Eventually, the cracked window panes were installed in their place.

7. The highest restaurant in Europe

‘Birds’, another restaurant in Moscow-City, is remarkable for its location. It was opened at the end of 2019 on the 84th floor of the ‘OKO’ complex’s southern tower. Guests at the restaurant can enjoy an amazing panoramic view at a height of 336 meters. On January 28, the experts of ‘Kniga Recordov Rossii’ (“Russian Records Book”) declared ‘Birds’ the highest restaurant in Europe, a step toward an application for a Guinness World Record.

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

READ OUR CHEAT SHEET

Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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