premier travel insurance barclays

Barclays Travel Insurance: Want the Best Pack?

Will Barclays travel insurance be the premier experience you are looking for? You can make up your mind after reading this handy overview. We’ll share valuable information about their packs , how to claim , useful contact numbers and reviews . Come and embarque on a journey with us and explore more...

Barclays Travel Insurance Packs

Barclays travel insurance works slightly differently to other providers. This is going to sound a little crazy in the world of travel insurance, but you won’t see Barclays pop up on any comparison sites. If you’re asking yourself how on earth you buy Barclays travel insurance then, we’re about to let you know.

The most critical thing to know is that Barclays travel insurance is only available to select customers. There are two options you can go for: Travel Pack and Travel Pack Plus . They are called packs because they include a range of benefits (yippee). We’ll share all the juicy details in a minute. First, how do you know if you qualify to add the insurance? You can add a pack if you have one of the following accounts:

• Barclays Bank Account
• Barclays Basic Current Account
• Student Additions
• Higher Education Account
• Premier Current Account
• If you have another account with Barclays give them a call and they will tell you if you can add a pack

As we mentioned, there are two packs to choose from and they are full of surprises (all good we might add!). To give you a really clear picture of what the packs include we will highlight them below, side by side. Both packs are for annual multi-trip travel insurance and include up to 31 days’ travel at a time.

Information correct as of August 2019.

*Cover is for you and your partner living at the same address. Your children are also covered when travelling with you if they are under 18, or under 23 if they are in full-time education and living with you outside of term time. Everyone insured must be a UK resident."

Barclays travel insurance will offer you an excellent level of cover with very low excesses! We’ve reviewed the policy and for both the Travel Pack and Travel Pack Plus here are some of the benefits you could get:

Prices correct as of August 2019. Always check the policy wording for the most up to date prices.

*In the event of a catastrophe you will be covered for extra accommodation and/or transport costs if you are forced to move from your accommodation. You must have booked your accommodation directly with the provider, and events covered include avalanche, earthquake, explosion, fire, flood, landslide, storm or tsunami.

How does this compare to other insurers on the market? Cover limits seem to be fairly generous, but you can find higher limits on many of these benefits. However, experts rate Barclays travel insurance highly and customers sing its praise in comparison to other providers (see bottom of page for reviews). The most important person in this story is you, so you need to feel comfortable whichever company you choose.

Is the Barclays Premier Travel Insurance Pack Still Available?

The Barclays Premier Travel Insurance Pack is no longer available to new customers. Don’t worry though, we compared the benefits to the packs currently available and you’ll be getting an even greater level of cover. Barclays recently increased the level of cover across multiple sections too. Nothing is for free though, and with the increased cover, Barclays also raised the price of their packs too.

In the next section you’ll find out exactly how much you would have to pay and we’ll do a price comparison against the industry average to see just how Barclays fares.

Barclays Travel Insurance Prices

There are a lot of factors to bear in mind when choosing travel insurance. While you don’t want to break the bank, travel insurance is one of those things you tend to get what you pay for.

In order to compare Barclays travel insurance prices, we have done a comparison for an annual policy including Europe for a 35-year-old woman with no pre-existing medical conditions.

As you can see, Barclays is much pricier than your average travel insurance provider. Since they operate the pack system though, an exact comparison is difficult. Don’t forget that Barclays includes RAC breakdown cover and even more benefits with Travel Pack Plus.

We did some research and RAC breakdown cover starts at £4.50 a month (£54 per year). That price is if you’re lucky enough to have a brand spanking new car and goes up from there! Depending how much you pay, you could save a bundle with this deal.

If you are sick of overpriced airport food and plastic seats you may want to treat yourself to an airport lounge next trip. This will set you back £15 - £20 on average, but if it’s included in your pack, it would be rude not to accept! See you later toasted sandwiches and hello hors d'oeuvres!

It’s important to note that if you purchase a pack you are locked in for at least six months. As of August 2019, the actual price per month is:

• Travel Pack = £12.50
• Travel Pack Plus = £18.00

Overall, do we think Barclays travel insurance is good value? If you don’t have a car, you shouldn’t even consider it because you will be paying for something you don’t need. Barclays does have a comprehensive level of travel insurance cover but you can find the same cover elsewhere (minus the breakdown cover). If you have a car and a family, plus love to travel a lot, then it could be an interesting option for you.

Faced with so many decisions, you need a holiday soon! Don’t worry, we are here to help. We’ve reviewed a lot of the top insurers. If you don’t want the breakdown cover, but want a more flexible provider with competitive prices, you could check out our guide on Admiral travel insurance .

Barclays Travel Insurance Claims

We hope you have a lovely trip wherever you are going. Unfortunately, accidents do happen though. If the unthinkable happens to you or one of your loved ones here is how to make a claim for a non-medical emergency :

Travel Pack Please check with your provider if you don't know how much a call will cost. 0800 158 2685 or (+44) 1603 604 977 if calling from abroad

Travel Pack Plus Please check with your provider if you don't know how much a call will cost. 0800 404 6856 or (+44) 1603 604 964 if calling from abroad

If you need emergency medical assistance , please call:

Travel Pack Please check with your provider if you don't know how much a call will cost. (+44) 1603 604 976 (from abroad) 0800 158 2684 (UK)

Travel Pack Plus Please check with your provider if you don't know how much a call will cost. (+44) 1603 604 961 (from abroad) 0800 404 6853 (UK)

We recommend you read these top tips on making a claim before you go on holiday. There are a few things you should do before you even pack, which will make your life easier if you do have to claim. It could be the difference between a payout and you footing a hefty bill!

Barclays Travel Insurance Contact Numbers

Barclays provides you with a general helpline service, Travel Assistant , available 24 hours a day. You can even ask for travel advice before you jet off. To use the service, please call the helpline on:

Travel Pack Please check with your provider if you don't know how much a call will cost. 0800 158 2687

Travel Pack Plus Please check with your provider if you don't know how much a call will cost. 0800 404 6854

If you have purchased the Travel Pack Plus , congratulations and hopefully you make the most of it! You will probably want to be using your free airport lounge passes on your next trip to reward yourself in style. In order to do so, you need to:

• Download the Barclays Traveller Plus App, which can be found through iTunes or Google Play
• Visit the dedicated website
• Call 03 332 205 599

Travel Pack Plus customers can also take advantage of discounted airport parking and hotels . You can do this by:

• Booking online
• Calling 01342 859548 , quoting 'TPLUS'

How do I Cancel my Barclays Travel Insurance?

If you have purchased a pack, you have the statutory 14 day cooling off period where you can cancel. The period begins on the date that your travel pack is added to your qualifying account or the date you receive your policy documents (whichever is later). If you cancel within the 14 day period, you will receive a refund as long as you haven’t made a claim and no incident has happened which is likely to cause you to claim.

After the 14 day period, you must hold the pack for a minimum of six months. After six months, you can then cancel at any time.

Barclays Travel Insurance Reviews

Now that we’ve given you all the facts and nitty-gritty detail, let’s see what customers and the exerts say about Barclays travel insurance packs . First up, customer reviews . While we found some reviews stated the claims process is lengthy, comments were generally quite positive. In the world of travel insurance, this isn’t always easy to come across!

That’s what the customers are saying and it sounds like Barclays are doing something right! What about the experts then? Defaqto independently reviews travel policies in the UK based on quality and policy features. It gives the Travel Pack and Travel Pack Plus five stars, the highest rating a product can receive. In our opinion, this travel insurance is of a high standard and offers that extra bit of protection for you and your family.

Like we said before though, the most important thing when choosing travel insurance is that it suits your needs. You’re the master of your destiny here so have the final say. If you’ve read this overview and don’t think Barclays travel insurance is for you, shop around. There is more choice than ever on the market at the moment which is great news for you. You can tailor a package with a click of your mouse. Read our guide on choosing travel insurance for more help.

Data and information correct as of August 2019.

All material on this page and the selectra.co.uk website is for information purposes only and does not constitute any form of financial advice. Selectra.co.uk is not responsible for any consequences that might arise from your use of the information provided.

Other providers are available and the best deal for you will depend on your individual circumstances. Please do your own research and seek professional advice if necessary ( moneyadviceservice.org.uk offers free, independent advice on all financial issues).

The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.

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17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow

Written By: Linda Voltaire

Updated On: December 21, 2022

Visiting Russia? These are the top 17 things to do in Moscow to help you plan your trip.

If the western world has New York City , the first great metropolis on the eastern side of our planet is Moscow. A huge city with a complicated and impressive history, Moscow gets a bad rep over Russian politics – but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Capital to the largest country in the world, Moscow takes the grandeur of its standing very seriously.

This is a place where luxury is king and where opulence takes a front seat in every aspect of life. The buildings are grand and imposing, the parks are luscious and enormous, and even the subway stations look different in Moscow than anywhere else in the world.

Table of Contents

Best Things to do in Moscow, Russia

Walking around Moscow is also going through the tumultuous history of the 20th century, which had Russia as one of its main protagonists. There are fascinating remains of these times everywhere in the former Soviet capital, from the gorgeous Seven Sisters skyscrapers to the Orthodox cathedrals that were closed for the better part of a century.  Still, Moscow is also a completely modern city, with a vibrant social and party scene, incredible restaurants, and some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

After living in Russia’s capital as an ex-pat for four years, I got the privilege to experience not only the main attractions in Moscow but also the everyday life in this huge city and quickly found my sweat spots off the beaten tracks! So here is my list of my top 17 things to do in this exciting metropolis!

Attractions in Moscow

When visiting a famous city like this one, it’s a must to go through the most iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin & Surrounding Area

No place tells the story of Moscow’s power in the past century the way the Red Square does. This is where the biggest political meetings in the USSR occurred for many decades, and you can feel the power on each step.

Here, you’ll also find the historic museum at the entrance, showcasing the decades of history behind this iconic landmark. The Lenin Mausoleum, perhaps the most famous resting place in the world and home to the remains of the former communist leader, is also here.

On one side of the Red Square you’ll find the Kremlin, the fortified complex that now hosts the presidential residence. This is also home to the most iconic of all Moscovite landmarks: St. Basil’s Cathedral, a 16th-century marvel of colors. This is the best spot to take a selfie and show the world you’ve reached the Russian capital!

• Get your Kremlin Skip the Line Tickets and Kremlin tour here.
• Free cancellation up to 24-hours in advance of the tour.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

You can easily spend a couple of days just exploring the Moscovite city centre, and the Bolshoi Theatre should be your second stop. Walk past the Red Square and then head to the nearby Bolshoi Theatre, one of the oldest and most renowned houses of opera and ballet on Earth.

Visit for the impressive early 19th-century architecture, but if you’re seeing a ballet performance, make sure you book between 3 and 6 months in advance! I can strongly recommend this as it is a truly unique experience!

• Book a private 2-hour tour of the legendary Bolshoi Theatre.
• See the presidential box reserved for tzars, watch a rehearsal and skip the lines through a separate entrance.
• Free Cancellation up to 24-hours in advance.

3. Luxury Shopping at GUM and TSUM

While many might think of Moscow as the sad place with the long bread queues from the USSR days, it’s been quite the capitalist haven for a while.

If you’re up for some shopping, you’ll find one of the biggest luxury malls in town, TSUM, right behind the Bolshoi and GUM, at the red square. GUM is the most famous department store in town, where you’ll find luxury everywhere and all high-end brand. 

All in an imposing late 19th-century building with lots of history, worth a visit just for the design, its bridges and the glass roof even though you are not up for shopping!

4. Christ the Savior Cathedral

A newer addition to the gorgeous Moscovite cathedrals and my grandeur neighbor during my years in the city Don’t let the young age of this building fool you. After the perestroika in the early 90s, the newly revived Russian Orthodox Church received permission to build a cathedral on this site. They 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 as tall as the skies in bright gold and gorgeous paintings and decor! Bring a shawl to cover your hair to adjust to the local tradition.

Head to the back of the cathedral and you will find one of the most photographed bridges in Moscow, the Patriarshiy Most. This is the perfect spot to get a good view and photo of the cathedral but also to see the Kreml and Gorky Park from a distance. Or why not just enjoy a moment watching the river and its boats!  

• Get around Moscow with ease using the Hop On Hop Off boat and Bus ticket. 24, 48 or 72-hour tickets available.

5. Gorky Park

Cross the river and head to Gorky Park along the Moscow river. The most famous green area in town, similar to New York ’s Central Park and the weekend hangout for locals. There are many beautiful parks in the city, but if you’re only visiting for a few days, this is the unmissable one! 

With fair attractions to entertain children, beautiful artificial lakes and gardens, and lots of outdoor activities, it’s a lovely place to relax. A place of rest in the middle of the metropolis. The area in front of the New Tretyakov Gallery & the Muzeon Park of Arts is actually one of my favorite oasis as a bit more quiet and peaceful than Gorky itself.

Why not spend some time in the museum to get a great tour of Russia’s history through art or just enjoy the art exhibition outside where local artists spend their weekends. 

6. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow is from the Moscow River. There are many stops for the boats and one is just next to Gorky Park. See the city from another perspective – and turn the ride into a romantic one by taking the evening cruise. Moscow is magic during the night.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, take the Radisson Blu cruise – or the Erwin for a delicious seafood dinner. Both stop at Gorky or at the luxury Radisson Royal Hotel, set in one of the Seven Sister’s skyscrapers.

• We use Get Your Guide when booking city tours and they offer a River Sightseeing Cruise seeing all the main tourist attractions in Moscow

7. Metro Hopping

First inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow subway system is one of the oldest in the world, and certainly the most beautiful. Started under Stalinist times, each metro station is dedicated to grandeur and oozing personality.

Visiting the subway stops is an attraction in and of itself, and Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Kropotkinskaya are my favorites. Those surrounding the Red Square are also mesmerizing – in general, these are kind of like underground palaces.

Most of the signs at the Moscow Metro now have Latin letters, so it’s very easy to get around!Unfortunately, the trains are not as beautiful and pleasant as the stations but still, this is a true Moscow experience.  Take a guided tour of the 9 most beautiful Metro Stations including the award-winning art deco station. See more details here.

8. Arbatskaya & Artsy Moscow

Novy Arbat Street is one of the most touristy areas in the city, with lots of shops and cafés directed at visitors. When you walk a little beyond, you’ll find a different part of town, where the hip scene thrives because so many artists live in the area. Just follow the small streets with fewer tourists!

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 hosts the main building of the Moscow State University, one of the most prestigious colleges in Russia – and the one with the best view.

Although this is a little outside the city centre, the sight from above is more than worth it, with the nearby fountains and park and then the whole of the city behind them.

10. Russian Market

If you love to visit markets wherever you go, Moscow has one of the most impressive ones in the world – the Izmailovsky. You can easily take the metro here and feel like you’ve been transported to another time.

This place was first built in the 16th century and retains the look of an old fairytale, with a lineup of colorful old castle. A lovely local experience beyond the confines of the bustling metropolis, where you can also try some delicious Russian barbecue.

Here, you’ll find beautiful souvenirs at great prices.

Off The Beaten Track Moscow

Once you’ve covered the most touristic spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer – and the places below will also be full of locals! Moscow is a city for hipsters, full of trendy and arty spots where you can literally feel the creativity oozing! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend my sweat spots below!

11. Patriarshiye Prudy

This is my favorite area in the entire city! While Moscow is generally a very noisy metropolis, Patriarch Ponds is far quieter, yet such a vibrant place. This is a very hip and trendy area making you think you are rather in Paris than in Moscow. Here the streets are narrow and full of chic eateries and clubs to see the local crowd.

A little bohemian and with an air of peace you won’t find anywhere in the city this is a great spot to spend an afternoon with your thoughts.

12. ArtPlay

Barely 15 minutes away from the city center you’ll find the artsiest Moscow district: ArtPlay. For decades, this block was a factory, but it was renovated to become a hub for the arts not too long ago.

Now, you’ll find it’s full of exhibitions, showrooms and art schools – and some of the most creative people in town. Writers, painters, and young hip people use ArtPlay as a rendezvous, and you can feel the creative energy here. The industrial design with modern interior decoration is also a feast for the eyes!

13. Shopping Local Designs

If you’re into design, both international and local, you’ll find lots of cute things at Patriarshiye Prudy. Department store Podium Market is also a great spot for shopping, as a department store everywhere in town, with lots of local and international brands. There’s one in the Four Seasons Hotel next to Red Square. My favorite Moscow mall is Tsvetnoy Central Market, a cool spot with great brands, lots of inspo, and even a cute café!

14. Moscow City

Like many other great capitals of the world, for the past few decades, Moscow has hosted a super modern area full of modern skyscrapers – Moscow City. With a completely different vibe than the rest of town, it’s like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressively tall glass buildings. Here, you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, such as Ruski and Sixty they are perfect spots for dining or enjoying a glass of wine with a view. There are also a relatively new shopping mall with lots of international brands called Affimall!

Wine, Dine, and Party in Moscow

Gone are the gloomy Moscow days – cold as it might be in the winter, Russia’s capital is a place for the senses. Great food and drinks abound – and the clubs are hot, too!

15. Where to Eat in Moscow

Moscow is a great metropolis where people love to dine out, and there are endless options for delicious food. The flavors are as diverse as you’d expect from a big city, with options of fine dining and little hipster eateries. 

• For traditional Russian flavors, I can’t recommend Café Pushkin, Dr. Zhivago, and Turnadot enough.
• When looking for international cuisines, Italian is always the way to go, and my local favorite is Probka.
• Fine dining is best done among the clouds at White Rabbit, with European flavors.
• As for the hip spots, you can spend a full day just eating around trendy places, from burgers to Asian fusion.

More Dining Options

• Patriarshiye Prudy offers a lot of small and classy spots with cool concepts, like breakfast restaurants I Love Cake and Fresh.
• For dinner, I love the NYC experience of Saxon & Parole, and the wonderful trendy Pins, with its delicious food and drinks.
• For delicious Asian food head to CutFish. 
• Lastly, there’s a recent revival of food markets in Moscow, offering lots of great choices of international flavors at affordable places.
• Don’t miss out the Vietnamese food stand at the Danilovsky market, and everything at Usachevsky!

16. Rooftopping

Big cities deserve to be seen from above, having a cocktail among the clouds. These are my recommendations for rooftop bars in Moscow.

• As I mentioned in the Moscow City section, Sixty & Ruski are two of my favorites, overlooking the newest part of town. 
• White Rabbit and its fine dining is also a lovely place for a fun dinner looking down on Moscow.
• O2, in the city center, has an advantage above all others: amazing views of the Red Square.
• Buono, above the Radisson Royal Hotel, might be the most romantic rooftop hotel in town, with its candlelit setting.
• Also on the Radisson stands the Mercedes. It’s a luxurious and posh experience with delicious cocktails.
• The Sky Lounge offers a peculiar experience, mixing an old Soviet building with futuristic additions.

17. Moscow by Night

Party the night away! The city is full of bars everywhere, but there are some areas where you’ll find more than others.

• Patriarshiye Prudy has lots of hip and small clubs and great bars, including the super fun private club Clava, which has a great vibe and people from all walks of life.
• For more hipster style bars, Red October is the place to go.
• Streak is a summer favorite, with a lovely terrace to catch a beautiful sunset – plus, their mozzarella bar is delicious.
• At night, Red October lights up with clubs everywhere, including the cool rooftop one Gipsy.
• Jagger is also a great spot during summer with a more relaxed vibe in garden setting. 
• For the traditional Russian luxury experience, go to SohoRooms, a whole other world including all-night go-go dancers.

There are so many things to do in Moscow at night and during the day, you definitely need several days to explore this exciting destination.

Moscow is a must-see city, a city like no other ! I hope you will enjoy this Russian metropolis as much as I did!

If you enjoyed this article on the , share it to Pinterest for future travel planning.

• Mother Russia Stands Proud at Volgograd
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Follow Linda on  Instagram  guides! For more inspiration, follow my journey also on Facebook and Pinterest and see Linda’s bio below for more at her website.

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About Linda Voltaire

Linda Voltaire is the owner of Travel with a Silver Lining, home to reviews of gorgeous boutique & design hotels, hip & trendy eateries as well as authentic and personal travel experiences beyond the crowd. She started blogging after a life-changing trip across South America. Follow Linda at TravelWithASilverLining / Facebook / Instagram /

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10 thoughts on “17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow”

These places look so awesome! Moscow is truly a beautiful city

Very good article, you have explained so nicely. Russia has always been a part of history and its good to know about much more about architecture and other things, wish i could see the inside of façade

Thanks for sharing such a nice article.You have very beautifully explained everything that one need for a trip to Moscow.

Nice article. Love the hidden gems and graffiti art, would love to visit Artplay. Thanks for a comprehensive guide to Moscow!

Moscow is a city where the past and the future live side by side. Here we can find everything from medieval fortresses and Soviet monoliths to glass skyscrapers and innovation centers.

Your article is good and meaningful .

Thanks for sharing about ArtPlay district, we didn’t know about it and it looks amazing 🙂 Hopefully there’ll be a second time in Moscow, we visited last May and really liked the city!

Wonderful stuff! I’ve been to Moscow, but not properly – it’s a long story lol!

Anyhoo, my next thing is to fly from Berlin to Moscow and then travel from there to Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian / Trans-Siberian train. Now, if only I could just find the time …!

I hear Moscow is very beautiful at night. I hope to get out there one day. A friend of mine went to St. Petersburg and had a great experience. Despite all the tension we see on the news with Russia and other Countries like the U.S. I wonder what the sentiment is with Russians and foreigners visiting their country for tourism. Especially Americans.

that looks like quite a beautiful place. 🙂

Moscow   Travel Guide

7 Best Things To Do in Moscow

Updated February 11, 2021

Art, museums and history reign supreme in Moscow, one of the most pristinely and magnificently preserved cities. This beautiful walking city is also recommended for couples. Here you can stroll through 15th-century cathedrals, explore Russian

• All Things To Do

Red Square Red Square free

One of the world's most famous public squares, the Red Square sits at the physical center of Moscow and is considered the symbolic center of all of Russia. Bluntly speaking, Red Square is a must-see in the city. Allot a decent amount of time to take in the views, capture them on your camera and to just soak in the atmosphere of the place.

You'll find the Red Square is bordered by the massive GUM shopping mall on the east, St. Basil's Cathedral on the south, the State Historical Museum on the north and Lenin's Mausoleum on the west.

Tretyakov Gallery Tretyakov Gallery

Many say the Tretyakov Gallery features the best collection of Russian fine art in the world. This museum is filled to the brim with masterpieces ranging from the 11th century to the 20th century. The gallery is actually comprised of two buildings, often referred to as the "Old Tretyakov" and the "New Tretyakov."

If you make time for only one museum in Moscow, make sure it's this one. Frommer's says, "This collection of masterpieces awes both newcomers to Russian art and connoisseurs." With works from Russian icons like Vrubel and Kadinsky dotted throughout the museum, you could easily find yourself whiling away the whole day here.

St. Basil's Cathedral St. Basil's Cathedral

St. Basil's Cathedral, also known by its much longer title as the Cathedral of Intercession of Theotokos on the Moat , is the most iconic landmark in Russia. It's located in Red Square , immediately recognizable by its unique bonfire-style design.

Built in the mid-16th century under the orders of Ivan the Terrible himself, (a popular legend says he had the architect blinded to prevent him from duplicating the beauty) St. Basil's Cathedral is most known for its vibrantly colored onion domes. Frommer's says the cathedral is "essentially a union of nine different churches and styles, and nine different chapels, beneath nine domes, each unique in size, form, and color."

Cathedral of Christ the Savior Cathedral of Christ the Savior free

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior is located along the bank of the Moscow River and only a few blocks away from the Kremlin . Tourists come to the cathedral for its impressive architecture and design, as well as for its equally impressive (and strange) history.

The cathedral was originally built to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon in 1812 and to honor the soldiers who gave their lives fighting him. Then in 1931, Stalin had the structure dynamited to make room for his Palace of the Soviets project -- an ambitious skyscraper (it would have been the tallest structure in the world) that never materialized. Instead, the site was transformed in 1958 into the Moscow Pool, one of the largest public swimming pools in the world. The pool closed in 1994 and the cathedral was rebuilt in its place in 1997.

Moscow Kremlin Moscow Kremlin

Often referred to simply as "The Kremlin," this fortress is located in the center of Moscow, off of the Red Square . It is the most well known of the Kremlins (Russian citadels) and serves as the official residence of the Russian President. The Kremlin encompasses four cathedrals, four palaces and a number of towers.

One of the major highlights here is the Armory Palace, one of the city's oldest museums. The Armory Palace was originally the royal Russian arsenal where weapons were produced and stored. It wasn't until the early 1800s that it was converted into a museum. Now, it showcases Western European, Asian and Russian weapons and armor, as well as several collections of work from goldsmiths, silversmiths and jewelers. Don't miss the Fabergé egg exhibit. 

Lenin's Mausoleum Lenin's Mausoleum free

Lenin's Mausoleum is located in Red Square and is probably one of the stranger tourist attractions you'll ever come across. It contains the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin, a disturbing site that has been on display almost every day since his death in 1924.

Lonely Planet says, "Whether for the creepiness value or an interest in mummification, the granite tomb of Lenin is a must-see, especially since (if some people get their way) the former leader may eventually end up beside his mum in St Petersburg." Apparently, the Bolsheviks leader made a specific request to be buried alongside his mother before he died.

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts is located on Volkhonka Street across from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior . It houses the largest collection of European art in Moscow, and it was named in honor of one of Russia's premier poets, Alexander Pushkin.

You don't go here to read sonnets, though. Instead, you should look to find art spanning a wide range of eras and movements, from ancient Greece to the Renaissance to French Impressionism. Masterpieces from the likes of Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso and Van Gogh easily make this museum deserving of a visit.

Explore More of Moscow

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Explosions Rock Moscow in Brazen Early-Morning Drone Attack

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

Several explosions rocked Moscow early Sunday morning in a drone attack that damaged a skyscraper, left at least one person injured, and shut down local airspace, according to local reports.

The Moscow City business center took a direct hit in the attack, with footage from the scene showing debris and smoke apparently pouring from the building. Local outlet 112 reported that a security guard was injured in the strike, though Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said no injuries had been reported.

“Ukrainian drones attacked tonight. The facades on two [Moscow] City office towers were slightly damaged,” Sobyanin wrote on Telegram.

Residents reported hearing multiple explosions just before 3:30 a.m. local time, as air defenses were activated to shoot down the drones. Witnesses told local media at least one of the drones appeared to tear through a floor in the Moscow City skyscraper, blowing out nearby windows in the process.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have “suppressed” two drones, causing them to lose control and crash into Moscow City, and to have shot down a third drone.

Airspace over and around the city was shut down as a result of the attack, and Vnukovo International Airport temporarily halted incoming and outgoing flights.

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