The ultimate destination in the merging of old and new, Moscow makes a fantastic place to take a city break. As one of the most buzzing of European capitals, there are so many things to see and do here you’ll be spoilt for choice and won’t know where to start. To help you plan that perfect trip to Moscow, here are some of the highlights you just can’t miss.
Moscow Kremlin
One of Moscow’s many iconic sights, the Moscow Kremlin is the continent’s largest active fortress and has so many sights within its walls that you could happily spend a week just exploring this part of the city. Once you get beyond the immense walls, you can explore its five squares, numerous palaces, churches, towers, and museums, as well as the world’s largest bell and cannon.
Red Square
Once a market square, Red Square is now a major tourist attraction and is home to a variety of buildings that must be visited on a trip to Moscow. In and around this quaint cobblestone square you will find St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, and the State Historical Museum as well as a whole host of other sights and monuments. Red Square is particularly beautiful at night.
St Basil’s Cathedral
Designed to resemble the flames of a bonfire, St Basil’s Cathedral’s onion domes are instantly recognizable all over the world. Legend has it that Ivan the Terrible, who commissioned the building, considered it so beautiful that he made an order to blind the architect so he could never build anything as wonderful again. While the exterior is beautiful enough to warrant a visit, you can also head inside to marvel at the painted chapels.
Lenin’s Mausoleum
Leader of the October Revolution and the first Soviet President, Lenin had a wish to be buried in St Petersburg with his mother. However, the next leader – Stalin – decided he was to be embalmed and, almost 100 years after his death, Lenin has remained in this state in his mausoleum in Red Square. Each year over two million visitors come to see his mummified remains, both locals wishing to pay their respects and tourists who are just macabrely curious to see how he looks.
Moscow Metro
The metro may seem like just a method of getting around a city, but in Moscow, it is so much more than that. As a way of expressing the bright new future the Soviet regime represented, the Soviet government went about decorating some of the stations in a most opulent and extravagant way. There are Moscow Metro tours you can take where you can visit the best ones; you’ll be absolutely amazed by their sparkling chandeliers, many sculptures, and exquisite mosaics. You can also learn about the mysterious Metro-2, an alleged series of secret tunnels running parallel to the main system.
There are, of course, an abundance of things to see and do in Moscow, but adding these sights to your itinerary will guarantee you the perfect trip.