Moscow Travel Resources

Information for Visitors to Moscow, Russia

Moscow is the capital of Russia. It is a complex city, and is an increasingly sought-out destination for international tourists, as well as visitors from within Russia, and the former Soviet states. It is also a magnet for corporate visitors doing buisness in the capital and the country. Visitors can take in the intrigue of Red Square and the Russian White House. Moscow University, the former KGB headquarters and central Moscow are other must-sees. Tourists can explore the history of Russia and trace the footsteps of the legions of princes, politicians, paupers and poets who have lived and died in this ancient city.

One of the main attractions of the city is the Kremlin. This former Moscow citadel, "Kremlin" means "fortress," houses exquisite palaces, presidential buildings, beautiful churches and scores of major historic monuments. A tour of the Kremlin will also include a visit to the fascinating State Armory, the oldest museum in Russia. As its name implies, it contains many ancient weapons and armor, as well as a treasure-trove of crown jewels, gold-encrusted icons, bejeweled royal scepters and exquisitely carved thrones. All these treasures eloquently tell the history of Imperial Russia. Visitors can also take in Novodevichy convent. Originally built as a fortress, it also functioned as a convent for women of the royal family and prison for Princess Sophia, sister of Peter the Great, after she made three aborted attempts on his life to deprive him of the throne. The convent itself is a unique example of 16th- and 17th-century architecture.

Things you should know

Visas

Travel to Russia has become easier than ever, however visas are required. And you need a travel agent to provide the necessary visa support and registration. Tourists from the U.S. planning a visit to Moscow, or elsehwere in Russia, can telephone (646) 473-2233 for assistance.

Electricity

Electricity throughout Russia is 220 volt/50 Hz. The plug is the two-pin thin European standard. You will need a converter for your own appliances (laptop computer etc) as not many hotels provide them. They can be bought in souvenir shops.

Money

All prices are generally quoted in Russian rubles. Currency can be freely converted at banks, hotels or foreign exchange kiosks. Traveler's checks are difficult to cash. Credit cards are accepted in most places that work with foreign tourists. Some are reluctant to accept American Express because of its higher merchant fees. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. ATM machines are available throughout Moscow, but note: they do not have letters on the key pad, so if your PIN includes letters, commit the digits to memory.

Telephone communications

Despite the recent rapid improvements in the telecommunications infrastructure, telephone communications in Russia can be difficult and expensive. It could be wise to use the phone at your hotel or use AT&T, Sprint or MCI's USA direct services. Tokens or calling cards are required for street pay phones, which can be purchased at newsstands, in some stores, and many kiosks.

Time zone

Time is GMT +3 hours for Moscow.

Health care

Remember to take any medications you may need. Check with your health insurer before you depart to ascertain your coverage in the event of an emergency. Many insurance providers offer specialized riders which can cover emergency evacuation.

Local water

Water quality varies widely in Russia. Your best bet is to drink and brush your teeth only with bottled water which is widely available in supermarkets. Be careful to avoid ice and raw foods and vegetables.

Population

Moscow, aside from being the capital, is Russia's biggest city. The current population is around 13 million.

Crime

The crime situation has considerably improved over the past two years. Moscow is a lot safer than many American cities. Precautions include not flaunting valuables, or walking alone at night through city outskirts or parks.

Cabs

In Russia, taxi charges are usually negotiated with the driver before you take a trip. It is wise not to use Gypsy cabs or accept rides in cabs that already have a passenger. There are a number of taxi services available in Moscow, the most noticeable on the streets being The New Yellow Taxi (Novoye Zholtoye Taxi). The cars are yellow Fords or Volgas (Russian cars). They charge the minimum rate of around 250 rubles no matter the distance. It is however possible to negotiate the price with them as well. The driver will basically switch off the meter and pocket the fare.

Tipping

Gratuities are increasingly expected at Moscow restaurants. Depending on your experience and level of service tips generally range between 10 and 15%.

Geography of city

Moscow is a large metropolis siutated on the Moskva River, which winds its way through the city. Most of the main buildings are on the northern bank of the river. The other major waterway is the Yauza River, which flows into the Moskva east of the Kremlin.

Much of Moscow's geography is defined by the numerous 'Ring Roads' that circle the city at various distances from the centre, roughly following the outline of the walls that used to surround Moscow. With Red Square and the Kremlin forming the very centre, the innermost ring road is the Boulevard Ring (Bulvarnoye Koltso), built in the 1820s where the 16th centuries walls used to be. It runs from the Christ the Savior Cathedral in south-west central Moscow, to the mouth of the Yauza in south-east central Moscow.

The next ring road, the Garden Ring (Sadovoe Koltso), derives its name from the fact that landowners near the road in Tsarist times were obligated to maintain gardens to make the road attractive. In Soviet times, the road was widened, and curently you will find no gardens there.

The recently constructed Third Ring is not much use for tourists but is a heavily used motorway which absorbs a bit of Moscow's traffic. It roughly follows the outline of Kamer-Kollezhsky val, the customs boundary of Moscow in the 18th-early 20th century. The outer edge of Moscow is largely defined by the Moscow Ring Road (widely known by its abbreviation: MKAD), a motorway which is 108 km long and encircles the entire city (similar to London's M25 and Paris' Périphérique). Finally, a Fourth Ring is due to be built between the Third Ring and the Moscow Ring Road in the next years, using in places the right-of-way of the freight rail loop. (Wikitravel).

When to plan your visit

The best time to visit Moscow is during the Summer, which generally extends from May until late August. This is also the peak season for tourists simply because it is the best time to visit the city. The Winter months, while less busy, can be really cold, with the roads packed with ice and snow. It is also a gloomy time as the days are short and with virtually no sun the city is in a suspended state of light darkness.

Sightseeing

With the assistance of Wikitravel we have compiled a list of the main attractions in Msocow, and a brief description.

Red Square - The heart of Moscow and the first destination for most visitors to the city. Surrounded by St. Basil's Cathedral, the State History Museum, Lenin's Mausoleum and one of the Kremlin's long brick walls. The cobbles that make up the square are black and not red; the name comes from another gloss of the Russian word "krasniy", meaning "beautiful".
 
Lenin Mausoleum – Walk past the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin (who actually did not want any monuments to be built for him) and join the debate if it is still him. You must leave all cameras, phones and bags in the luggage office. Free admission. Open 10AM-1PM closed Mondays and Fridays. Enter by Manezh Square near Metro Ploshad Revolutsii
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St Basil Cathedral – Built in 1555-61. Inside is a museum, although it looks best from the outside, but if you have the time, take a peek inside.
 
The Kremlin – This gigantic site cannot be missed. The Diamond collection in the Armoury is worth a visit on its own. There are several stunning churches that warrant a visit. Choose one or two to go inside, then enjoy the rest from the gardens. If you get a chance, the ballet in the Conference Centre has some very cheap matinee performances (and you can change seats in the interval). Tickets are 700 rubles to visit the armory and 350 rubles to visit everything else. Arrive early as tickets go on sale 30 minutes (10am tour) or 1 hour (12, 14:30, & 16:30 tours) before scheduled tours. There are also rotating exhibitions which cost 200 rubles. The ticket office is closed Thursdays. Large bags must be left at a luggage office (60 rubles). Amateur photography and videotaping is prohibited. Metro: Ohotnii Ryad, Ploschad Revolutsii.
 
Old Arbat Street – Walk down this kitschy street full of souvenir vendors, tourist cafes, lousy restaurants, artists, etc. The prices of the souvenirs vary from reasonable to rip-off. Many of the vendors offer a very high price, but can be talked down if you speak Russian. The stores tend to offer the same merchandise but with fixed high prices. Metro: Smolenskaya, Arbatskaya (Light Blue).
 
Bolshoi Theatre – Sit in front of the famed theater near the fountain, or catch a show inside if you can. The theatre is currently under renovation. Tickets start at around 1000 rubles. Metro: Teatralnaya.
 
Tretyakov Gallery – One of the world's greatest museums, this is probably the one to choose if you only want to visit one museum in Moscow. In contrast to the worldwide collection of the Pushkin Museum, the Tretyakov is mostly a collection of Russian art. It has the best collection of Russian icons and many of the most famous pieces of modern Russian artists like Ilya Repin. Metro: Tretyakovskaya.
(NB: There are actually two Tretyakov museums now, the classic one and the 20th Century one. The classic one is where it has always been, the 20th Century one is in the Artist's House Cultural Center across from Gorky Park. They charge separate entry fees.)
 
Pushkin Museum - Is dedicated to Western art and has one of the world's most significant Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections, along with some Old Masters. The Impressionists and Post-Imppressionists were rather unfortunately relocated to an annex in 2007 across the street from the main building. Metro: Kropotkinskaya.
 
Novodevichy Convent – Both a convent and a fortress, Novodevichy was built in the early 1500s and has remained nearly intact since the 17th century, making it one of the best preserved historical complexes in Moscow. The adjacent Novodevichy Cemetery is one of Russia's most famous cemeteries. Famous people buried there include Anton Chekhov, Nickolai Gogol, Konstantine Stanislavski, Nikita Khrushchev, Raisa Gorbachev (the former President's wife), and Boris Yeltsin. Metro: Sportivnaya.

New Arbat Street – Located near Old Arbat Street, this street offers a contrast from the touristy pedestrian-only thoroughfare. New Arbat is perhaps where Moscow's rich are the most visible, as some of Moscow's most expensive restaurants and nightclubs are located here. There are some reasonably priced cafes, however. The street is lavishly lit up at night and is always very lively. Also, check out Dom Knigi (House of Books) on New Arbat. It's not as impressive as the St. Petersburg store, but probably the best bet for books in Moscow. Metro: Arbatskaya (Light Blue).
 
Tverskaya Street – This street starts from the Kremlin itself and runs northwest in the direction of Tver (hence the name) and Saint Petersburg. For that reason the road was a very important thoroughfare in Tsarist Russia. It is now Moscow's most fashionable street, with several prestigious boutiques. It is also lined with cafes, restaurants, coffeehouses, a couple of theaters, and several hotels, including two locations of the Marriott. Most of the street's architecture doesn't actually have much history to it, though along the way you will find Russia's first, and the world's busiest, McDonalds. The statue of Pushkin at Pushkinskaya Square is a very popular meeting point. Walk its length. From Red Square to Belorusski Train Station is about one hour and is a great way to see the most famous street in Moscow. Take a peek inside the Yeliseev Grocery Store, Moscow's answer to Harrod's food halls, to see the restored ornate interior. Metro: Tetralnaya, Tverskaya/Pushkinskaya, Mayakovskaya, Belorusskaya (depending on what part you want to exit at).
 
Gorky Park – Easily the most well known of Moscow's many parks, Gorky Park is packed with a number of theme park rides, cafes, places to stroll, and a quaint-looking pond, all straddled alongside the Moskva river. Gorky Park is a very popular place for Muscovites of all ages. In winter it's a popular place to ice skate and it hosts an ice sculpture competition. Metro: Oktyabrskaya, Park Kultury (it's a walk along the Sadovoye Ring Road from either of them - an easier, downhill stroll from the former, or a more scenic route, over the Krymsky Bridge, from the latter).
 
Kolomenskoye – This former imperial estate is now a very popular weekend destination for Muscovites. It is a vast collection of churches and other buildings from the 16 and 17th centuries, including some wooden architecture that was transported here by the Soviet government from Karelia. Kolomenskoye is located in the south-east of Moscow near a metro station of the same name. Metro: Kolomenskaya.
Victory Park – This massive memorial to WWII was built for the 50-year anniversary of V-E day in 1995. On weekends, it is very popular with newlyweds. The park now has its own metro station of the same name (Park Pobedy, on the dark blue line). There is also a museum to WWII worth visiting if you like military history.
Vorobyovy Gory – The best place for a view of Moscow from the ground. Near the main Moscow State University building, there is a popular lookout point where one can see much of the city on clear days. Metro: A walk from either metro Universitet or Vorobyovy Gory.
 
VDNKh, aka VVTs. The Russian acronym "VDNKh" stood for "Exhibit of the People's Economic Achievements". It has been since renamed "All-Russian Exhibition Center" ("Vserossiyskiy Vystavochniy Tsentr"). However, it is popularly known by the Soviet abbreviations. Previously this was a massive exhibit of the advances and progress of the USSR. Now it is largely a marketplace for everything from computers to bicycles. However, many of the monuments and fountains here make the area a nice place to stroll. You can also visit the adjacent Botanical Gardens. Main gates of the VDNKh are a short work down the alley from the Metro station of the same name.
 
Christ the Savior Cathedral – This cathedral, the tallest Orthodox church in the world (the largest being the Temple of St. Savain Belgrade), was blown up on orders from Stalin in 1931, with the view of building the gargantuan Palace of the Soviets, to be crowned by a 100 meter high statue of Lenin. The project ran into engineering and geological difficulties (the area used to be a swamp), then the War intervened, and the place was ceded to a year-round open-air swimming pool. The pool was razed and the cathedral rebuilt only after the fall of the Soviet Union, in the mid-nineties. There is an extensive museum underneath the cathedral documenting its history (the original was started in 1839 and consecrated in 1883). Metro: Kropotkinskaya.
 
Garden of Fallen Monuments – Where many infamous statues in Moscow were placed after the Soviet collapse. See Dzherzinsky, Stalin, Brezhnev, and others. Adjacent to the New Tretyakov Museum, which houses 20th century art. After the Pushkin Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery, this is worth seeing. Metro: Oktyabrskaya.
 
The Russian State Library — One of the largest libraries in the world. Anyone (Russian or foreign) over 18 can view electronic media for free, other items may be viewed by purchasing a "Reader's Card" (a photo id to gain access to physical materials). Previously received a copy of every book, musical score, and map published in the USSR, it now only receives a copy of every Russian book. The military reading room receives over 15,000 readers a year.

Events

Fashion Week Moscow

Following in the vein of Fashion Week London, Pairs, Milan and New York, Fashion Week Moscow is a growing draw for fashionista the world over, with over fifty fashion houses showcasing their productions to nearly 100 000 guests bi-annually. The ethos on the Moscow event is to promote the fashion industry in Russia and has made big names of Igor Chapurin, Andrew Sharov and Tatiana Parfenova.

Venue: Gostiny Dvor
Date: October 2009, TBC
Website: www.fashionweekinmoscow.com

Millionaire Fair

Unless you're a dollar millionaire, you're not likely to make many purchases at this annual event but there's a hefty dose of window shopping to be savoured by those so inclined… or to give you something to aspire to! Among the items sold and exhibited in the past were a golden coffeemaker worth €6, 500, a million dollar (US) phone encrusted in diamonds and several Bugatti cars costing 1,300,000 € each.

Venue: Crocus Expo Centre
Date: 27 - 30 November 2008
Website: www.millionairfair.ru/eng/main/

Winter Festival

Celebrated over the Western Christmas and New Year period, the Russian Winter Festival combines different celebrations and holidays and is an opportunity for visitors to enjoy Russian customs and festivities, such as traditional folk music, troika (sleigh) rides and games, Russian food and lots of vodka. There are also musical and dance performances, and characters dressed as popular Russian mythological figures are there to greet the crowds. For more information contact the Russian Federation Tourism Department on +7 (8) 095 208 2937 or email tourdept@yandex.ru

Venue: Izmailovo Park
Date: 25 December 2009 to 5 January 2010

Maslenitsa Festival

Annually in March, Moscow residents engage in a festival of last minute debauchery before the sober month of Lent sets in. Because dairy and eggs are not allowed during Lent, the most common indulgence is bliny (pancakes), leading to Maslenista also being referred to as Pancake week or Butter week. Over the years, the Russians have used the practice of eating pancakes and culture of general indulgence to celebrate Russian heritage. Celebrations in true Russian style include bare knuckle fist fights, bear performances, effigy burning and puppetry.

Date: 8 - 14 February 2010

Events information obtained from