What are the best things to do in Moscow?
1. Experience Cruising Across the Moscow River: The best way of experiencing the real beauty of Moscow is by taking a cruise tour on the serene waters of the world-famous Moscow River.
While cruising here, you can enjoy seeing the place from a whole new perspective and spot some famous landmarks of the city, including Gorky Park. You can also take an evening cruise if you want to watch the mesmerizing sunset and enjoy some lavish spread of delectable seafood dinner.
Price: Starts from 2500 Rub per head.
Timings: 11:00, 13:15, 15:30, 17:45, 20:00 and 22:10.
2. Enjoy Shopping with Kids at Central Children’s Store: If you are visiting Moscow with your kids, do not forget to go on a family shopping spree to Central Children’s Store. Inaugurated back in 1957, this place is not just a shopping destination, but also an entertainment and educational hub for young children.
In addition to a plethora of colourful shops, this place also features a toy museum, an observation deck set overlooking the Red Square, and a theatre. Central Children’s Store is also home to the biggest mechanical clock of the world, which is made of brass, gold, copper, steel, and aluminium.
Location: Teatralny Drive, 5/1, Moscow 109012, Russia.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
3. Spend Some Adventurous Time at Sparrow Hills: If you call yourself an adrenaline junkie, enjoy a trekking tour to the very famous Sparrow Hills. Also known popularly as Lenin Hills, this majestic hill makes for one of the city’s highest points and offers unmatched spectacular views of Moscow, which looks even more tempting at night.
Perched on Moscow river’s right bank, “Sparrow”, translating to “Vorobyovy” in Russian, was actually the name of a small village once situated in this area. While you are at this vantage point, you can spot many of the famous landmarks of Moscow including the Luzhniki Stadium, the Kremlin churches, Novodevichy convent, and Christ the Savior Cathedral.
4. Buy Local Handicrafts at Izmailovo Market: Shopping for the authentic handcrafted souvenirs at the age-old Izmailovo flea market is one of the most-loved activities in Moscow for all shopaholics visiting this Russian city.
Lying close to the Partizanskaya metro station, this antiquity, art, and craft market makes for the perfect hub for shopping for Russian handicrafts like classic paintings, crockery, traditional clothing, furniture, soft toys, fur hats, bags, and home decor items at very bargainable prices. While you are at Izmailovo Market, do not forget to relish the famous mulled wine at one of the lively cafes here.
Location: 2, Moskva, Russia.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM from Monday to Friday, and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday.
5. Indulge in an Event in Moscow Hermitage Garden: If you are seeking some quirky and fun-filled things to do in Moscow, go engage in the amazing events taking place at Hermitage Garden.
This world-famous recreational hub has been packed with cafes, theatres, and summer pavilions since 1830. At present, this garden features 3 theatres - New Opera, Sphere, and Hermitage and hosts a plethora of spellbinding cultural events, such as concerts, operas, and ballets. During the winters, the place opens up a huge ice rank for the visitors to enjoy ice skating. While you are here, you can also go lucky to spot famous celebrities, such as Gustavo Salvini, Sarah Bernhardt, and Ernesto Rossi.
Location: Karetny ryad street 3, Moscow.
6. Go Ice-Skating at Gorky Park: One of the best activities in Moscow for adventure lovers visiting the city during the winter season is ice-skating at the very popular Gorky Park. Having separate zones for adults and children, the ice-skating rink in the park is spread across an area of around 15,000 square meters.
In addition to skating, Gorgy Park also lets the visitors engage in a plethora of other fun-filled sports activities, such as cycling, hockey, boating, beach volleyball, skateboarding, ping-pong, segway riding, and rollerblading.
Location: Krymsky Val, 9, Moskva, Russia, 119049.
7. Take an Exploration to Moscow Kremlin: If you are looking for some offbeat things to do in Moscow, go ahead and enjoy an exploration tour of the magnificent Moscow Kremlin.
Having made an appearance in the Hollywood movie Mission Impossible, Kremlin makes for Europe’s largest active fort. With walls ranging up to 2,235 meters in length, the structure features around 20 towers to explore. Furthermore, the Kremlin is also home to the largest cannon and bell of the world.
8. Check Out Russian Art at Tretyakov Gallery: Soaking in the splendors of the Russian masterpieces at Tretyakov Gallery is one of the most favorite activities in Moscow for both art and history lovers.
Constructed somewhere between 1900 and 1905, this art gallery served as the Tretyakov brothers’ private collection in the bygone times. Sheltering one of the world’s largest exhibits of Russian artworks, this beautiful place was built by Viktor Vasnetsov. While you are here, spot masterpieces, such as Mikhail Vrubel’s Demon, Alexei Savrasova’s Rooks have Come Back, and Valentin Serov’s Girl with Peaches.
Location: Lavrushinsky Ln, 10, Moskva, Russia, 119017.
Price: 10 AM to 6 PM, from Tuesday to Sunday.
Timings:
- RUB500 for adults and
- RUB250 for students over the age of 18 and pensioners from Russia and CIS countries.
Entry is free for kids under the age of 18, disabled visitors, and members of the Russian military.
9. Relish some Fine Cocktails at Sisters Cafe: If you love to spend your evenings chilling with your favorite drinks, trying out the large collection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at Sisters Cafe can be one of the most recommended things to do in Moscow for you.
This quiet and cozy cafe-cum-bar offers super delectable teas, lemonades, smoothies, cocktails, and wines at absolutely pocket-friendly prices. Packed with retro furniture and striking murals, this place offers a very homely and chic vibe to sit and dine in.
Location: Ul Pokrovka 6, Moscow, Russia.
Timings: Noon to 11 PM.