Golden Autumn
The city takes on a calm, poetic atmosphere, where every boulevard and park path invites unhurried walks. The perfect moment to wander city squares, estates, and museums, surrounded by the colours and mood of Moscow’s autumn.
Summer has passed, and the capital's parks have begun trying on gold, carmine, and crimson outerwear. The heat has subsided, and the air becomes translucent — the best time to stroll through city squares, estates, and museums, inspired by the colours and the mood of Moscow’s autumn, has arrived.
The Autumn Spirit of the Capital
In good weather, don't miss the chance to admire the capital in its autumn attire from the observation platform on Sparrow Hills. From there, you can head to the nearby reserve with the same name. At this time of year, the ancient temperate deciduous forest becomes one of the most picturesque places near the centre of Moscow. In this protected corner of the city, you can imagine what these Moscow hills were like long before the city was founded and see hundreds of rare plants, as well as birds and animals, if you get lucky.
The capital's autumn is beautiful at its old noble estates. Exquisite architectural ensembles look especially appealing when framed by bright tree crowns, so a walk through the grounds will provide a particular aesthetic pleasure. In Neskuchny Garden, you can soak up the atmosphere that inspired the greatest Russian poets, artists, and composers. This beautiful park includes the former estates of Russian counts — the Orlovs, Trubetskoys, and Golitsyns. Also, you can rustle the leaves in Tsaritsyno, Catherine the Great’s former residence. The best view of the palaces and other buildings opens up from Figurny Bridge.
If there is no time for becoming one with nature, you can stop by one of the city’s gardens for a sip of intoxicating autumn aromas: the fancy Alexander Gardens or the cosy and romantic Bauman Garden.
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Explore the places that preserve the memory of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, who loved autumn dearly: the Epiphany Cathedral, where he was baptized as a baby, the house of his beloved uncle Vasiliy, who instilled a love of poetry in him, the Greater Church of Christ’s Ascension, where the poet got married, and his apartment in Arbat Street (now a museum). Pushkin was also a regular at the Maly Theatre.
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What to Do
Stroll Through Museums and Discover New Art
Autumn is the season of art and inspiration. Be sure to visit the capital's main museums and enjoy the mastery of great artists at the Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin Museum or the Museum of Russian Impressionism. If you want to take a look at contemporary art, it is worth visiting the Cosmoscow International Contemporary Art Fair – perhaps the masterpiece that will become part of your collection is hidden there.
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Take in Nature
If you want to escape the city and head to the countryside, it's time to walk through the places where many famous writers and artists searched for their muses. Chukovsky, one of Russia’s most famous children’s authors, and Pasternak, awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1958, walked along the paths and allées of Peredelkino, and now modern writers gather, participate in residencies, and produce work in this historic writers' village. In Moscow Region, the Abramtsevo Estate was another important destination for artists and authors: Turgenev, Tyutchev, and Gogol came here for inspiration, while Repin, Vasnetsov, Vrubel, and Polenov crafted their canvases under the shade of its trees. Connoisseurs of the avant-garde can rethink the legacy of Suprematism in Malevich Park in Razdory.
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Check Out Local Design
You might be interested in roaming around the markets and concept stores where you can buy not only traditional Russian souvenirs like nesting dolls and samovars, but also real antiques, as well as designer clothes and furniture.
The Izmailovo Vernissage is for connoisseurs of traditional crafts and fine art, and lovers of antiquity will find many fascinating items and artifacts at local flea and antique markets. Levsha is another famous flea market with an authentic atmosphere, and it sells everything from vintage clothes and rare books to porcelain.
For fresh interior design ideas and unusual souvenirs from local designers, head to the Artplay Design Centre, and, if you want to update your wardrobe, Tsvetnoy, a major department store in Moscow, is just the place for you. Here, art and fashion merge: world-renowned brands are alongside small designer brands, and the atrium exhibits work by contemporary artists.
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Events
Autumn in Moscow is rich in cultural events. At the very beginning of September, orchestras will thunder in Red Square to conclude the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival. On Moscow City Day, celebrations, concerts, shows, and competitions are held at dozens of venues, admission is free at many museums, and public transport operates around the clock. Usually, the holiday weekend ends with a magnificent fireworks display.
Sports enthusiasts can join the autumn cycling festival. It also takes place in September and often coincides with Moscow City Day.
The traditional Gold Autumn harvest festival, held in October, is part of the Moscow Seasons Festival. Exhibitions, tastings of seasonal dishes, culinary competitions, concerts, workshops, and sporting events are held throughout the city. In the Apothecary Garden, people gawk at the outlandish fruits of the harvest: giant pumpkins, enormous cucumbers, and other record-breaking vegetables from all over Russia.
Another significant autumn event is the international Big Cartoon Festival (held in late October to early November), which showcases the work of the best animation artists from all over the world.
Family Tourism
If you managed to catch the Indian summer in Moscow, don't miss the chance to ride bicycles or scooters along the Moscow River as a family. It is worth visiting the famous Moscow Zoo while the animals still spend a lot of their time outside. If the weather turns bad, look at projections of the starry sky at the Moscow Planetarium or spend the whole day at Dream Island, the largest indoor amusement park in Europe.
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Gastro
Taste Autumn
Moscow is rightfully considered one of the gastronomic capitals of the world. During these months, many establishments take part in the gastro program of various city festivals or simply offer a seasonal menu. Hearty dishes with characteristic autumn accents predominate: expect mushrooms, pumpkin, figs, and nuts.
If you are not afraid of heights, plan a visit to Ruski, a restaurant serving Russian cuisine in Moscow-City — the fantastic view of the capital in the evening from the 85th floor will take your breath away and whet your appetite.
Drinking Tea
Ruski, like many other establishments participating in the Moscow Tea Time Project, serves tea with jam, sweets or special sets from 4 to 7 p.m. At Savva, tea can replace dinner: in addition to sweets, the list of appetizers includes trout and venison tartlets, crab and raspberry eclairs, and coho salmon caviar with a Russian pancake.
A huge variety of tea is available at Chainaya Vysota and Dom Chaya in the city centre, and if you haven't done enough walking, make the trek to Lesnaya Chainaya in Meshchersky Park — a cosy pavilion with hot pancakes and a huge samovar outside.
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