Travel to Moscow - Russia | Keytours Vacations

Discover Moscow's Wonders

A truly iconic, global city, Moscow has played a central role in the development of Russia and the world. For many, the sight of the Kremlin complex in the centre of the city is still loaded with symbolism and history - Moscow was the capital of the former Soviet Union and signs of its previous life are very visible even now. Yet, there's more to Russia and its capital than just memories of the USSR. Architectural gems from the time of the Russian Empire are still dotted throughout Moscow, whilst signs of modern Tsars (or at least people with similar levels of wealth) are all around.

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Description

The Kremlin has long served as headquarters for Moscow's many rulers – Ivan the Terrible and Stalin once issued their orders from here and today, the Kremlin’s walls protect some of the country’s most precious treasures. Outside the Kremlin microcosm lies Russia in constant flux. Since Gorbachov introduced perestroyka (restructuring) in 1985, the Communists have given way to a new generation of business-minded men and women, hungry for progress. However, old traditions are being honoured and kept alive – excellent performative arts (ballet, opera, and instrumental music), beautifully restored Orthodox churches, Soviet architectural and cultural heritage, and the national cuisine are only a few of the things modern Moscow has to offer.

Useful information

Population:

11,514,330

Currency:

Russian ruble (RBL) 1 ruble = 100 kopeks

Emergency Info:

Emergency: 01
Police: 02
Ambulance: 03
Moscow Tourist Helpline: +7 800 220 00 02 (English)

Opening Hours:

Most shops are open from 9/11am-7pm on weekdays. Banks are open from 10am-5pm. Some offices are closed an hour for lunch. Many museums are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Do & See

Arbat Street

The popular Arbat Street is one of the oldest streets in Moscow. If you have not been to Arbat Street before, it is definitely worth a visit - it's closed off to traffic, allowing pedestrians to enjoy its many cafes and souvenir shops, as well as entertaining street artists and portrait painters.

Armoury Chamber in The Kremlin

If you yearn for gold, velvet and precious stones, you must visit the Armoury. The treasures that have been collected over the centuries by the Russian tsars and princes can be found here. Some magnificent examples are the Fabergé egg and Catherine the Great’s coronation dress.

Bolshoi Theatre

The stunning Bolshoi Theatre is one of Moscow's cultural landmarks. Here you can enjoy several ballets by world-renowned Russian ballet companies, operas and different performances in a grandiose interior.

Cathedral of Christ the Savior

This enormous, beautiful cathedral is located by the river and was designed by the architect Konstantin Ton. You can recognise the cathedral by its copper domes that dominate the skyline.

Children are the Victims of Adult Vices Sculptures

The monument, designed by Mihail Chemiakin, shows 2 children at play, surrounded by 13 menacing-looking figures, each representing a vice or evil the youth is often faced with growing up. Can you interpret the meaning of each sculpture? You can find the monument south of the Moscow Kremlin, in Bolotnaya Square.

Church of Ascension Kolomenskoye

The church was built to mark the birth of prince Ivan VI, who was later to become Ivan 'the Terrible' -- it was the first of its architectural kind in Russia. The structure faces the Moskva River and is marvellous in its unique architectural design. Kolomenskoye Park stretches along the Moskva River and is a favourite among locals for day trips, too.

Flacon Design Factory

One of several repurposed industrial spaces in Moscow, Flacon is among the best: once a glass factory, it has now been transformed into a collection of hip enterprises that range from cool stores (do not miss the "Respublika" book shop and its fun merch) to cafes, coworking spaces, and art installations. Check their event schedule to see what's on (mind that most events are conducted in Russian).

Gorky Park

In the middle of Moscow you can find Gorky Park, named after the author Maxim Gorky. This park is located on the riverbank and is full of fun activities. Here you can find parkland, a sports centre, an open-air cinema and much more.

Dining

Café Pushkin

Do not be fooled by "café" in its title: this is one of Moscow’s finest restaurants. Go on a journey through time back to the sumptuous 19th century. Here, well-dressed Muscovites enjoy caviar and the Franco-Russian cuisine. Here you can also enjoy a grandiose breakfast buffet.

Central Market (Центральный рынок)

Despite the name, Moscow's Central Market isn't really much of a market, but rather a collection of trendy restaurants and cafes serving dishes of world cuisines. Once you take your pick from its vast array of culinary offerings, stop by the wine shop (main entrance, first right) and pick up a bottle to your liking - you can even borrow a pair of wine glasses with your purchase. On summer evenings, the outdoor terrace teems with people. It's one of the current places to be.

Danilovskiy Rynok Foodcourt

One of the hottest food courts in town, this one at Danilovskiy Market ('rynok') boasts several exceptional eateries at once. Try Shepka (Щепка) for high-quality smoked meats and fish (you'll want to bring some from the deli on your way out), Bô for as-authentic-as-it gets Vietnamese, Fiorella Pasta Fresca for fresh hand-made pasta, Georgian Street Food or Crabs Are Coming (with Alaskan king crab meat). Afterwards, take a gander around the market itself, and perhaps pick up a few items from the many stalls and deli shops.

Darbars

Darbars is a popular Indian restaurant and the perfect place for relaxing after a day’s touring.

Delicatessen

Although not an easy to find, this restaurant is definitely worth the search. Delicatessen is located in a courtyard and serves traditional food and drinks in a unique atmosphere.

Depo Food Mall

If you're not quite sure what it is you're in the mood for, Depo is an excellent solution. The expansive space is shared by several dozen restaurants and food stalls, which serve up specialities of world cuisines, ranging from Vietnamese (at the well-liked "Bổ") to burgers, plus a few shops specialising in seafood (you can even get fresh oysters and sea urchin). Apart from eateries, the complex contains a large farmers' market with 120 shops selling produce from home and abroad, teas, sweets, and more.

El Gaucho

Argentinean restaurants are always good choices if you feel like a big and tasty steak, this one is no exception. The meat is fantastic and cooked on charcoal. Of course, they also have an extensive wine list to go with the menu.

Khachapuri

At this city café, you can enjoy some traditional Georgian food. Here you can choose between traditional grilled dishes, soups, kebabs and much more. It is recommended to leave lots of room in your stomach when coming here because the portions are reportedly huge.

Cafes

Coffeemania

This Moscow-based coffee shop chain has several cafés in the city centre and two in the Domodedovo airport. The thing uniting these coffee shops is the passion for coffee in all its forms. You can try a large number of espresso-based beverages or some of their cakes, pastries and desserts.

Lyudi Kak Lyudi

One of the best cafes in Kitay-Gorod area of Moscow, Lyudi Kak Lyudi is very popular with locals - one would be lucky to secure a spot to be seated during peak hours. Serves sweet and savoury pies and pastries, as well as fresh fruit smoothies.

Margarita Bistro

This nice café, named after Bulgakov’s novel "The Master and Margarita," lies next to the Patriarch’s pond. Come here in the evening, have a beer and listen to live violin and piano music.

Stolovaya 57

Stolovaya 57 is an affordable eatery that replicates Soviet-style canteens in both atmosphere and menu selection - food here is simple but filling, with dishes bearing little difference from those served decades ago. Located directly inside GUM shopping center in Red Square.

Upside Down Cake Company

Upside Down Cake Company is a bakery inspired by the metropolis New York and has cool interior with white walls and granite table tops. The pastry menu is quite impressive, containing cupcakes, ciabatta sandwiches, coconut pie and a number of cakes, just to mention a few.

Bars & Nightlife

16 Tons Club

This popular English pub brews its own namesake beer in-house (the brew has even gotten several international awards). The venue is also known for hosting some of the capital's best concerts - both local and international artists and bands.

Belfast

Unlike some of Moscow's more refined evening establishments, the pub Belfast invites guests to kick back and relax, watching a live sports broadcast, enjoying traditional Irish pub grub, or singing along to Irish folk songs.

Chinese Pilot Jao Da

A longstanding nightlife venue holding a near-legendary status, the bar is named after a semi-fictional character (17 stories of his life and adventures adjourn the walls). Live music is often played here, and the crowd is known for being exceptionally welcoming.

Hookah Bar Friends

Housed inside a refurbished apartment, this cosy hookah bar entices with its oriental decor and a great selection of hookah flavours. Guests are welcome to make use of board games.

Propaganda

Propaganda is a real underground club classic. Here famous DJ’s play before a good-looking crowd - with an age range of roughly 20-40 represented. The club is open every day (during the daylight hours it operates as a restaurant/cafe), and plays house music during the weekends.

Strelka

A summertime staple, this bar belong to its namesake Institute for Media, Architecture and Design and attracts a with-it crowd. Its open-air terrace buzzes with patrons sipping on cocktails all throughout the warm season. Weekends see parties with dancing, DJ sets and the occasional performing musicians.

Zhan-Zhak

An atmospheric wine bar that reportedly attracts Moscow's liberal intelligentsia, but is equally positively inclined towards anyone that chooses to stop by. There are several locations around Moscow (and beyond), all consistent in their Parisian brasserie-style interior decor, red coloured walls, and a menu of classic French dishes.

Shopping

Eliseyevskiy Store

Eliseyevskiy store is the name of Moscow’s most famous delicatessen shop (known during the Soviet period as Gastronomy no. 1). This is the place to buy your ration of vodka, caviar, and other local delicacies. Russians are avid tea drinkers and at Chudesa Podnebesnoi you can find the finest Chinese teas.

Flacon Design Factory

GUM

Those who wish to start their shopping trip at one of the shopping centres with the finest old traditions in the world should head for GUM. The building was designed in the new Russian style at the end of 19th century. During the Stalinist period, GUM was temporarily converted into offices. Today it accommodates a plethora of international luxury brands, and is more of a landmark than a go-to shopping location.

Izmaylovo Market

One of the most famous places in Moscow for buying souvenirs is at the Izmaylovo Market. Here you can find all the typical Russian souvenirs like matryoshka dolls and fur hats. The market is quite big, so make sure to have enough time and money when coming here.

Popular Shopping Streets

Popular shopping streets are Noviy Arbat and the more exclusive Kuznetskiy, but the number one shopping street is Tverskaya ulitsa. Stalin had the street restored in the 1930’s, so here, too, there is evidence of his liking for massive, grey buildings.

Tsvetnoy

Perhaps the capital's trendiest shopping mall, attractive for both its wide array of international retail brands and a two-floor food court with quality eateries.

Perlov Tea House

This late 19th century building stands out dramatically against its surroundings. It was built to emulate ornate Chinese tea houses of the era, and remains in its near-original condition to-date. Inside, multiple varieties of tea are sold both by weight and by package. There is a little on-site cafe that sells sweets, teas and coffee.

Tourist Information

Domodedovo International Airport

Another large airport in Moscow is Moscow Domodedovo Airport. The airport is located 22 kilometres away from the city. You can also reach the airport from Domodedovskaya underground station by mini-bus or bus and from Paveletsky railway station by train. The train from Paveletsky railway station takes 40-50 minutes going on the Aeroexpress train, and 1 hour and 10 minutes on the commuter train. The express buses and shuttles from Domodedovskaya underground station take 25-30 minutes and leave every 15 minutes. Buses run from 6am-12am. Taxis can be ordered at the domestic and international arrivals hall. There are car rental services at the airport.

Sheremetyevo International Airport

The largest international airport in Moscow is Sheremetyevo International Airport, located 30 kilometres from the city centre. The easiest and fastest way to reach any of Moscow's three major airports is by Aeroexpress - a fast train designated for air travelers (train departs from Belorussky Railway Station). The train ride takes 35 minutes. Another way to get here is by taxi. At the airport you can order taxis at the operator desk. You can usually book a taxi in advance through the hotel or travel agency when going to the airport. Alternatively, there are different bus routes. The buses take about 30-70 minutes depending on the route and your final destination. When traveling by car or bus, do keep in mind that rush hour traffic may sometimes be very dense, and significant delays are possible.

Vnukovo International Airport

The city's third and most compact airport, Vnukovo is located approximately 28 kilometres southwest of the city centre. The air hub is best reached by Aeroexpress trains departing from the Kievskaya Railway Station. Several mini-buses also run here from Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station (south end of the red line).

Public Transport

In Moscow there are also buses, trolley buses and trams apart from the beautiful metro. Tickets can be bought from the kiosks in the street or from the driver and validated once aboard.

Taxi

In Moscow the easiest way to get a taxi is the traditional way: to stand in the street and hold out your arm. Civilian cars like to operate as taxis, it is therefore recommended to only use professional taxi services. Taxi meters are not always used, so agree on a price before travelling. English-speaking taxi services in Moscow: Welcome Taxi +7 499 922 06 74 www.welcometaxi.ru LingoTaxi: +7 495 204 21 34

Electricity

220 volt, 50 Hz

Metro

Moscow has one of the world’s most beautiful underground railways which operates very efficiently. If you carry big luggage on the metro, make sure you buy a special luggage ticket. Tickets can be bought at station entrances - either at vending machines or special staffed kiosks.If you plan to use the metro multiple times during your stay, it makes sense to purchase a top-up card called "Troika".

Pharmacy

Medical care may be very expensive if you do not have insurance. Hotels often have their own doctor, so start there if you need help. There are dozens of pharmacies all throughout the city, and many work 24/7. Rigla 102 www.rigla.ru 15/43 Arbat, Moscow Apteka 36,6 www.366.ru 25 str 1A Zemlyanoy val, Moscow

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