A First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Moscow
The perfect introduction to one of the world’s greatest cities
A trip to Moscow makes an impression on everyone, even experienced travellers. It is an ancient city with a fast-moving modern rhythm. Here you will find art and history museums, architectural tours, lively bars and restaurants, interactive shows, and much more. This Moscow guide is designed to help those visiting the city for the first time.
When to visit
Choosing the best time to visit Moscow is both easy and difficult: the city is beautiful all year round. Each season offers something different, so many visitors return again and again to see Moscow in a new light.
Winter in Moscow
Winter brings a fairy-tale atmosphere. During the Journey to Christmas festival, the city fills with lights and festive markets. You can go ice skating, build a snowman, and enjoy the decorations across the city. In February, you may experience Maslenitsa celebrations or Chinese New Year events. Temperatures rarely drop below –10°C, but colder days are possible. Snow and strong winds can make walking uncomfortable, so warm clothing is essential.
Spring in Moscow
In spring, apple trees, lilac, and chestnut trees blossom along boulevards and in parks. River navigation begins again, so you can take a boat trip along the Moscow River. Late April is often the most comfortable time to visit: the weather is pleasant and ideal for long walks.
Summer in Moscow
Summer in Moscow feels like a “little life” of its own, as the Russians say. You can picnic in parks, practise yoga outdoors, swim in open-air pools, and walk through the city late into the night. The city hosts major festivals, such as Moscow Estates, which explores noble life before the Revolution, and Times and Epochs, an international historical re-enactment festival. Please note: most theaters close for the summer holiday season.
Autumn in Moscow
Autumn is perfect for walking and admiring architecture framed by red and golden leaves. It is also the best season for food lovers, as restaurants offer a wide selection of seasonal dishes during the harvest period. Museums are open year-round. Major venues such as the Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, and the State Historical Museum regularly host exhibitions. If the weather is poor, you can still enjoy Moscow indoors.
Choosing Where to Stay
Moscow is vast. It is almost impossible to stay within walking distance of absolutely everything. Moscow for tourists is especially convenient if you choose a hotel in the city centre. The most convenient area is inside the Garden Ring or near the Circle metro line — roughly the same central zone. From here, some attractions are within walking distance, and others are easily reached by metro.
If you would like to walk to the Kremlin and Red Square, look for hotels near Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, or Borovitskaya stations. Tverskaya Street, Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street, and nearby lanes are excellent choices.
The area around Tverskaya, Chekhovskaya, and Pushkinskaya stations is also very convenient, with easy metro access to almost any part of the city.
For Museum Lovers
If you’re planning to visit Moscow to check out its museums, consider staying in Zamoskvorechye, near Tretyakovskaya or Polyanka stations, or on Balchug Island. From here you can easily walk to the Tretyakov Gallery (all three buildings), the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, the Moscow Kremlin Museums, and the State Historical Museum. Zamoskvorechye is a charming historic district with old churches and traditional merchant houses.
For Architecture Enthusiasts
The Arbat and Khamovniki districts are ideal for long walks to admire the city’s architecture. Nearby stations include Smolenskaya, Park Kultury, and Kropotkinskaya. Here you will find Art Nouveau mansions, early 20th-century apartment buildings, and even wooden houses. Arbat Street itself is a famous pedestrian street and landmark. Ostozhenka and Prechistenka streets are also worth exploring.
To Experience the City’s Vibe
The areas around Kitai-Gorod, Chistye Prudy, and Lubyanka stations are lively and popular with younger visitors. These streets are full of history and legends. Khitrovskaya Square, Khokhlovskaya Square, Starosadsky Lane, Pokrovka, and Maroseyka are excellent starting points for long walks and evenings out.
If You’re Short on Time
Sometimes you may have only one day to explore the city — for example, during a long transfer between trains or flights. It may not be much time, but it is still worth it! In this case, the best option is to choose a hotel within walking distance of the railway stations with the Aeroexpress trains. Aeroexpress trains from Domodedovo Airport arrive at Paveletsky railway station. Trains to Sheremetyevo Airport depart from Belorussky and Savyolovsky railway stations. Vnukovo Airport can be reached by metro as well (the metro station is named after the same name).
Getting Around the City
The metro is the most convenient way to get around. It has 15 lines and more than 300 stations. Navigation is clear, and information desks (“Live Communication”) provide assistance in foreign languages.
Most lines intersect, and the Circle Line connects with all others. Usually, one or two changes are enough to reach your destination. The Moscow metro is also famous for its architecture — many central stations are attractions in themselves. Buy a Troika card for use on all public transport, including river boats.
Trams are another pleasant option. Route T1 runs across much of the city. Other useful routes include No. 39 (to Moscow State University and Sparrow Hills) and No. 38 (to Krutitsy Metochion and several monasteries).
Taxis are widely available, but traffic can be heavy between 17:00 and 21:00. During rush hour, public transport is often faster. Moscow is also very pedestrian-friendly, with wide pavements and safe crossings. Bicycles and electric scooters are available for hire.
Culture and Etiquette
Moscow is a modern, secular city, so you are unlikely to encounter any serious difficulties. The rules of behaviour here are similar to those in any large metropolis. However, we have put together some tips for tourists in Moscow:
- In Moscow, smoking is permitted only in specially designated areas. It is forbidden to smoke near schools and other educational institutions, on playgrounds, beaches, or at petrol stations (which is also dangerous). Smoking is also prohibited in lifts and apartment building entrances, and in cafés it is not allowed even on outdoor terraces. The fine ranges from 500 to 3000 RUB.
- Drinking alcohol in public places is not allowed. The fine ranges from 500 to 1,500 RUB. Please note that alcohol is not sold in shops in Moscow between 23:00. and 08:00.
- The use of drugs is also prohibited — fines start from 4000 RUB.
- It is not permitted to make noise between 23:00 and 07:00. During this time, playing loud music is forbidden not only indoors but also near residential buildings. The same applies to singing, playing the guitar (or other musical instruments), and setting off fireworks. The fine is 1000–2000 RUB.
- Littering is not allowed on the streets or in parks in Moscow. Sweet wrappers, plastic bottles, and paper tissues should be disposed of in a rubbish bin.
- In Moscow, it is customary to give up your seat on public transport to women, children, and elderly passengers.
- On public transport, you must not listen to music, voice messages, or watch videos without headphones. Noise disturbs other passengers. However, you should also not use noise-cancelling mode, as you may not hear if someone asks you whether you are getting off at the next station.
- When leaving the metro, please hold the door behind you — it can swing back and hit the person walking behind you.
- It is not customary in Moscow to eat or drink on public transport, as smells may disturb other passengers.
- Moscow is a secular city, so overt displays of religiosity in public places are not generally welcomed. This may make others feel uncomfortable.
- Feel free to go inside Orthodox churches. Tourists are treated kindly, but it is important to show respect for the place and people’s faith. Men should remove their hats, while women are expected to cover their heads. It is not allowed to speak loudly inside the church. Taking photographs without a flash is usually permitted, especially if the church contains famous frescoes or other notable features, but it is best to avoid taking selfies. And of course, visitors should not explore churches during a religious service.
- It is not customary to speak loudly in public places. Your conversations should not disturb others.
- In summer, women are not allowed to sunbathe topless, and men may not be completely naked. It is also not appropriate to walk around the city in beachwear, even in very hot weather.
- It would be wonderful if you could learn at least a few words in Russian, such as zdravstvuyte (“Hello”), spasibo (“Thank you”), and na zdorovye (“You’re welcome” or “to your health”). People will appreciate the effort.
Safety
Tourists in Moscow can feel safe almost everywhere. CCTV cameras are installed throughout the city, so it is difficult for criminals to carry out illegal activities. However, it is still important to follow sensible safety rules, as in any major metropolis.
- In crowded places, hold your backpack securely in front of you.
- On public transport and in crowds, take your backpack off your back and hold it in front of you. Think in advance about where and how you keep your valuables so that they do not become easy targets for thieves. It is best to place documents in the inner compartment of your backpack, close to the back panel — this way the pocket cannot be accessed while the backpack is on your shoulders.
- Do not put your smartphone in the back pocket of your jeans! And stay alert if you are holding your phone in your hand. The easiest thing for a criminal to do is to snatch your phone straight from your hand and run away.
- Keep away from people who appear aggressive.
- If you need a taxi, call one through an app or ask the hotel concierge for assistance.
Pedestrian routes in the centre of Moscow are patrolled by the Tourist Police. Their officers are easy to recognise by armbands with the words “Tourist Police”. They speak English, and some also speak Chinese, French, German, and Spanish. The Tourist Police not only protect the most popular places in the city but also help visitors avoid getting lost. They are also responsible for investigating thefts and robberies involving visitors to the city.
If something happens to you, you can call one of Moscow’s emergency hotlines and contact the relevant services.
- The unified emergency number used in many countries around the world is 112. You can call this number even if your phone is locked or does not have a SIM card. Call 112 to request the fire brigade, the police, an ambulance, or the gas emergency service.
- To call the fire brigade or rescue services, you can also dial 101.
- To call the police, dial 102.
- For an ambulance, dial 103.
- For the gas emergency service, dial 104.
- If you forget your belongings on public transport, call +7 (495) 539-54-54 or 3210 from a mobile phone. Be prepared to give the approximate time when you left the item, the type and route of transport, and a description of the lost property.
Expenses
Many foreign bank cards do not currently operate in Russia, so we recommend carrying a sufficient amount of cash. Immediately after arrival, you should exchange your money into rubles — this can be done at a currency exchange office or at a bank branch.
One metro ride costs 75 RUB (when paying with a Troika card). You can also buy an unlimited travel pass: for 24 hours (415 RUB) or for three days (800 RUB).
Prices of the most popular museums for foreign visitors:
- Moscow Kremlin Museums — 1100 RUB (Cathedral Square ensemble);
- State Historical Museum — 2000 RUB;
- St. Basil’s Cathedral — 2000 RUB;
- Chambers of the Romanov Boyars — 1000 RUB;
- Tretyakov Gallery — 700 RUB;
- Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts — 600 RUB;
- Moscow Zoo — 1700 RUB;
- Moscow Cable Car on Sparrow Hills — 1000 RUB (return ticket);
- Sun of Moscow Ferris wheel at VDNH — 950 RUB on weekdays and 1350 RUB at weekends.
- PANORAMA360 observation deck in Moscow City — 2000 RUB.
In restaurants in central Moscow, you should expect to pay around 1500–2000 RUB per person (excluding wine). You can eat more cheaply in fast-food establishments. A traditional dinner with wine for two people in a restaurant in the city centre will cost approximately 10 000 RUB.
A Mini Route for First-Time Visitors
If you have just arrived in Moscow, begin your walk at Theatre Square — admire the building of the Bolshoi Theatre and the façade of the Metropol Hotel (from here you can also see part of the ancient Kitai-Gorod wall). Then head to Revolution Square — seasonal festivals are always held there, and you can ride the carousel or buy a snack. From there, you can walk to Manezhnaya Square, take a photo at the Zero Kilometre marker, and then continue to Red Square. This is the most important place in Moscow, and it is worth spending time here. Be sure to take a photograph in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral, or better still, go inside. Wait to hear the Kremlin chimes — they ring every 15 minutes, and on the hour the bell strikes the number of the hour (from one to twelve).
Then we suggest taking a short walk along the pedestrian Nikolskaya Street and visiting GUM — a historic department store built in a Russian style but designed according to the concept of a European shopping arcade. In GUM, you can admire the fountain and try the famous signature ice cream. You can finish your short walk in Zaryadye Park — a modern park created on the site of one of the oldest districts in Moscow. On Varvarka Street, many ancient churches have been preserved, and inside the park visitors are always drawn to the Floating Bridge over the Moscow River. It is not exactly a bridge, but rather an observation platform that extends out over the river. From the Floating Bridge, you can enjoy views of the Kremlin towers and the city’s high-rise buildings, and the photographs taken here are truly impressive. From Zaryadye, it is easy to walk to Solyanka and Maroseyka streets, where many popular restaurants and bars are located. Here you can try Russian, Georgian, Italian, Japanese, or Thai cuisine, enjoy a signature cocktail, or sample an unusual strong infused spirit.
Follow the Route
Solyanka street
Solyanka Street is where students and entrepreneurs happily coexist. Wander through Moscow’s old neighborhoods and visit an authentic bar.
Solyanka street
