Moscow is a gigantic city with more than 12 million inhabitants. This Russian city may not be at the top of your list of cities to visit, but Moscow is definitely worth it. Russia may sound far away, but after a 3-hour flight, you’ve reached your destination.
The capital has a rich history with well-known communist leaders who fought many wars. You can still see much of this fascinating history in the city. In winter, you need to pack your suitcase prepared, as in January the average temperature is -6 degrees Celsius. In summer, the temperature is more pleasant with an average of 23 degrees Celsius in July. Regardless of the weather, you can always visit the city’s most beautiful attractions. That’s why we’ve listed the Moscow attractions for you.
The most beautiful attractions in Moscow
- The Red Square
- Saint Basil’s Cathedral
- The State Historical Museum
- The Kremlin
- Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
The Red Square
The heart of Moscow, and of Russia, is the Red Square. Here you will find the most famous Moscow attractions, which are discussed further below. If you’ve ever seen military parades on TV about Russia, they most likely took place on the Red Square. In Russian, this square is called Krasnaya Ploshchad, which means beautiful and red square.
Saint Basil’s Cathedral
The large red cathedral is probably the most famous of the Moscow attractions. The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, or Saint Basil’s Cathedral, is located on the city’s Red Square. The cathedral has eight beautiful chapels in different colors and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1929, Joseph Stalin ordered the cathedral to be destroyed, but after a major protest, the cathedral was allowed to remain.
The State Historical Museum
Russia has a rich and certainly interesting history. In the State Historical Museum, you can admire more than 4.5 million historical objects. This museum is also located on the Red Square. A ticket from May 15 to August 31 costs 700 Rubles (about €7.50) and from September 1 to May 14, 500 Rubles (about €5.50). The State Historical Museum is a dark red building with white roofs, a sight in itself.
The Moscow Kremlin
One of the Moscow attractions you must visit is the Kremlin. This is the historical center of the city and literally means fortified city center. The Kremlin is surrounded by 2 kilometers of city wall and is also heavily guarded by the police and military. Once inside the city walls, you’ll find five palaces, four cathedrals, the former Tsar’s palace, and beautiful towers. You can purchase a ticket on the official Kremlin website for 700 Rubles (about €7.50), allowing you to visit almost everything accessible to the public.
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
Located on the Moskva River is the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. This is the largest and tallest Russian Orthodox church in the world and is not very old. The church was only fully completed on August 19, 2000. Previously, there was another cathedral here, which was demolished because religion was no longer allowed after the Russian Revolution. Stalin planned to build a 415-meter-high skyscraper here, but this later proved impossible. After the fall of communism, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was built.
Explore Moscow with a local guide by bike
Besides the aforementioned Moscow attractions, there are many beautiful places to admire in this gigantic city. It’s therefore handy to do this with a local English-speaking guide, especially if you don’t speak Russian. During the Moscow bike tour by Baja Bikes, you cycle for 3.5 hours past all the famous spots in the city. Additionally, you get to taste real Russian food and a drink, and you can ask the local guide for tips during your stay in this fantastic city. Our guides in Moscow are true locals, so they have mapped out the safest route for the tour.
